Leishmaniasis
Key Personnel:
Philip M. Ngumbi, BSc, MSc, Senior Research Officer, Entomologist
E -mail: pngumbi@kemri.org
Research Interests: Ecology of sandflies, sandfly control strategies, evaluation of biological control strategies for sandfly control, integrated vector management systems in leishmaniasis control. Currently, pursuing PhD degree studies.
Recent Publications:
- Anjili C., Langat B., Lugalia R., Mwanyumba P., Ngumbi P. M; Mbati P. A., Githure J., Tonui W. K. (2006). Estimation of the minimum number of Leishmania major amastigotes required for infecting Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae). EAMJ Vol.83 No. 2: 12-15.
- Ngumbi,P.M., Lawyer, P.G, Johnson, R.N., et al. (1992). Identification of phlebotomine sandfly bloodmeals from Baringo district, Kenya by direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Med. Vet.Entomol. 6: 385-388.
- Ngumbi, P.M., Irungu, L.W., Robert, L.L., et al., (1998). Abundances and nocturnal activities of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidoe) in termite hills and animal burrows in Baringo District, Kenya. AJHS 5: 28-34.
- Killick-Kendricks, R., Tang, Y., Johnson, R.N., Ngumbi, P.M., Robert, L.L. (1997). Phlebotomine sandflies of Kenya (Diptera: Psychodidae) V. Phlebotomus (Paraphlebotomus) mireillae n.sp. Ann. Trop.Med.Parasitol. 91:417-428.
- Ryan, J.R.,Mbui, J., Rashid, R., Wasunna, K., Kirigi,G., Magiri, C., Kinoti D.,Ngumbi, P.M., Martin, S.K., Hochberg, P., Odera, S., Bantista, C. and Chan, (2006). Spatial clustering and epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in two endemic villages, Baringo District, Kenya. American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 74(2) pp. 308-317
Christopher O. Anjili, BSc, MSc, PhD, Parasitologist, Principal Research Officer,
Research Interests: Strategies for the control of the leishmaniases, biological control of phlebotomine vectors, identification of plant products with antileishmanial activities. His current research activities include evaluation of ethnobotanicals for leishmanicidal and insecticidal activity, and pre-clinical drug development studies
Recent Publications:
- Anjili, C., Langat, B., Ngumbi, P., et al. (2006). Effects of anti-Leishmania monoclonal antibodies on the development of Leishmania major in Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae), EAMJ, 83 (2): 16-22.
- Gicheru M.M., Olobo, J.O., Anjili C.O. et al., (2001). Vervet monkeys vaccinated with killed Leishmania major parasites and interleukin 12 develop a type 1 immune response but are not protected against challenge infection. Infect. Immun. 69(1): 245-251.
- Gicheru M.M., Olobo, J.O., Anjili C.O. et al., (1997). Heterologous protection by Leishmania donovani for Leishmania major infections in the vervet monkey model of the disease. Expt. Parasitol. 85: 109-116.
- Anjili C.O., Mbati, P.A., Mwangi R.W., et al., (1995). The chemotactic effect of Phlebotomus duboscqi (Diptera: Psychodidae) salivary gland lysates to murine monocytes. Acta Tropica 60:97-100
- Anjili C.O., Ngichabe, C.K, Mbati, P.A., et al. (1998). Experimental infection of domestic sheep with culture-derived Leishmania donovani promastigotes. Vet. Parasitol. 74: 315-318.
Willy K. Tonui, BSc, MSc, PhD, Parasite Immunologist, Senior Research Officer & Institute Biosafety Officer
E-mail: wtonui@kemri.org
Research Interests: Parasite immunology; vaccine and drug development, transmission blocking. Current research activities include ethnobotanical screening for parasiticidal and insecticidal activities, and pre-clinical studies experimental leishmaniasis vaccines.
Recent Publications:
- Tonui WK (2006). Situational analysis of leishmaniases research in Kenya. AJHS 13 (1-2): 7-21.
- Onyalo JA, Mwala DM, Anjili CO, Orago AS, Tonui WK. (2005).Vaccinations with live-attenuated Leishmania major promastigotes and challenge infection with L. major in BALB/c mice.
East Afr Med J. 82(4):193-7.
- Tonui WK, Mejia JS, Hochberg L, Mbow ML, Ryan JR, Chan AS, Martin SK, Titus RG (2004). Immunization with Leishmania major exogenous antigens protects susceptible BALB/c mice against challenge infection with L. major.
Infect Immun. 72(10):5654-61.
- Tonui WK, Mpoke SS, Orago AS, Turco SJ, Mbati PA, Mkoji GM. (2003). Leishmania donovani-derived lipophosphoglycan plus BCG induces a Th1 type immune response but does not protect Syrian golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) and BALB/c mice against Leishmania donovani. Onderstepoort J Vet Res. 70(4):255-63.
- Tonui WK, Mbati PA, Anjili CO, Orago AS, Turco SJ, Githure JI, Koech DK. (2001). Transmission blocking vaccine studies in leishmaniasis: I. Lipophosphoglycan is a promising transmission blocking vaccine molecule against cutaneous leishmaniasis. East Afr Med J. 78(2):84-9.
Milkah Mwangi, BSc, Assistant Research Officer, Currently pursuing MSc degree studies.
Research Interests: Bioinformatics and its application in the development of drugs and vaccines against protozoan infections. Current research activities include drug and vaccine development against Leishmania parasites, transmission-blocking strategies against malaria and leishmaniasis infections.
Publications:
- Shitandi, A., Anakalo, G., Galgalo, T. & Mwangi, M. (2004). Prevalence of bovine mastitis amongst smallholder dairy herds in Kenya. Journal of Israel Veterinary Association. Vol 59 Pp 1-5
- Shitandi A. & Mwangi M. (2004). Occurrence of Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance among Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Kenyan Milk. Journal of Food Technology in Africa Vol.9 (1) 2004: 23-25
