https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1817 2026-04-09T11:08:35Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8336 Systematic-review and meta-analysis on effect of decontamination interventions on prevalence and concentration of Campylobacter spp. during primary processing of broiler chickens Gichure, Josphat N.; Njage, Patrick M.; Wambui, Joseph M.; Dykes, Gary A.; Buys, Elna M.; Coorey, Ranil Scientific advances in pathogen decontamination offer great potential to reduce Campylobacter spp. during primary processing. The aim of this study was to collate data from eligible studies using systematic review, meta-analysis followed by meta-regression. Random effect meta-analysis revealed heterogenous (τ2 = 0.6, I2 = 98 %) pooled reduction in Campylobacter concentration of 0.6 log10 CFU/carcass and a decrease in relative risk of Campylobacter spp. prevalence in broiler carcasses by 57.2 %. Decontamination interventions during Inside-Outside-Carcass-Wash were most effective on concentration (0.8 log10 CFU/carcass) while those during evisceration were most effective on prevalence (78.0 % decrease in relative risk). Physical decontamination was more effective on Campylobacter prevalence (68.7 % decrease in relative risk) compared chemical treatment (30.3 %). Application through immersion was superior on Campylobacter concentration (0.9 log10 CFU/carcass odds reduction) to spraying (0.5 log10 CFU/carcass odds reduction). Publication bias and small study effect were observed in trials on Campylobacter prevalence but not for concentration. The meta-regression revealed four and seven potential modifier variables for concentration and prevalence respectively. This meta-analysis provides an overview of the expected magnitude in Campylobacter spp. concentration and prevalence with application of decontamination interventions on broiler carcasses along the slaughter process and forms a basis of quantitative microbial risk assessment and derivation of intervention measures. Even though modest microbial concentration reduction is reported there was a large decrease in contamination prevalence during processing interventions. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2021.103923 2022-04-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8281 Bioinformatic identification of conserved epitopes from SARS-COV-2 genome isolated in Kenya Mbogori, Elius; Musyoki, Stanslaus K.; Biegon, Richard; Patel, Kirtika The development of vaccines and diagnostic tools for SARS-CoV-2 heavily relies on identifying conserved epitopes across various virus strains. BLASTp is a pivotal bioinformatics tool for comparing protein sequences to unveil regions of similarity, aiding in understanding evolutionary relationships and functional conservation. The current study used bioinformatics methods to highlight the conserved epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. To achieve this objective, the genomes were divided into their constituent genes using NCBI ORFfinder and translated to proteins using EXPASY. BlastP was then used to identify the proteins. Meanwhile, epitopes from the Wuhan genome were downloaded from IEDB and a BlastP analysis was done to identify matching epitopes. From the IEDB databank, 12,285 Wuhan genome epitopes were found and on conducting BlastP analysis, 5154 epitopes were isolated. These epitopes were deemed conserved as they had not changed despite numerous mutations. The identification and analysis of the conserved epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 genome are crucial for the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic tools. Further laboratory experiments are however recommended to ascertain them to be conserved epitopes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexres.2025.100215 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8278 Cytokine immune profiles among COVID 19 patients with different disease severities seeking treatment at Moi teaching and referral hospital, Kenya Sang, Jenniffer C.; Musyoki, Stanslaus K.; Injera, Wilfred E.; Karani, Lucy W.; Maiyoh, Geoffrey K. Background COVID-19 manifests with a wide range of severities, from asymptomatic to critical conditions. Immunological profiles in patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may serve as early indicators of disease severity, aiding in prioritizing patient care. Methodology Archived patient plasma samples were retrieved from the Molecular Lab Bio-repository, ensuring equal representation of males, females, and various disease severities. Socio-demographic and disease severity data were obtained from patient health records. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon-gamma [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-2 [IL-2], and interleukin-17 [IL-17]) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4], interleukin-6 [IL-6], and interleukin-10 [IL-10]) were measured using the BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer. Data analysis involved comparing cytokine levels across different disease severities, with demographic data expressed as means ± standard deviation (SD). Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Findings The mean ages for males and females were 49.6 ± 22.7 and 48.4 ± 23.7, respectively. Mean ages for disease severity categories were 33 ± 19 (asymptomatic), 45.2 ± 21.5 (moderate), 56.8 ± 18.7 (severe), and 61.95 ± 22 (critical). Comorbidities were present in 25 % of patients, with cardiovascular disease (41 %) and pulmonary disease (31 %) being the most common. Predominant symptoms in critical patients included dyspnea (63 %) and myalgia (60 %), while rhinorrhea (46.2 %) and chest pain (45.7 %) were common in severe cases. Gastrointestinal symptoms were observed only in severe and critical groups. Levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17) increased linearly with disease severity. Among anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and IL-10 levels also rose significantly with increasing severity. Conclusion Levels of TNF-α, IL-17, and IL-6 correlated with disease severity and may serve as prognostic biomarkers. Advanced age and underlying comorbidities were independently associated with higher disease severity. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2025.156917 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8264 Enhancement of antiviral t-cell responses by vitamin c suggests new strategies to improve manufacturing of virus-specific t cells for adoptive immunotherapy Laubert, Miriam; Bonifacius, Agnes; Dragon, Anna C.; Mangare, Caroline; Blasczyk, Rainer; Huehn, Jochen; Eiz-Vesper, Britta Allogeneic and autologous transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCT) are being routinely used to treat patients with leukemia and lymphoma. Due to the required immunosuppression after stem cell transplantation, infection and reactivation by viruses are life-threatening complications. In recent years, adoptive transfer using virus-specific T cells (VSTs) has emerged as alternative to conventional therapies. Since vitamins are described to influence the immune system and its cellular components, the aim of this study was to examine whether vitamins modulate VST function and thereby enable an improvement of therapy. For that, we investigated the impact of vitamin C and D on the functionality of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific T cells isolated from CMV-seropositive healthy donors. We were able to show that vitamin C increases the expansion and activation state of CMV-specific T cells, and an increased influence of vitamin C was observed on cells isolated from male donors and donors above 40 years of age. A higher frequency of the terminally differentiated effector memory CD8+ T-cell population in these donors indicates a connection between these cells and the enhanced response to vitamin C. Thus, here we provide insights into the impact of vitamin C on cytotoxic T cells as well as possible additional selection criteria and strategies to improve VST functionality doi: 10.3390/biology11040536 2022-03-30T00:00:00Z