International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health

Haematological Profiles in Children with Enteric Parasitic Infections from Kiambu County, Kenya

Liza Kiende Mwirigi — 2026-07-14

Background: Enteric parasitic infections remain a major cause of disease and malnutrition in many developing countries, including Kenya, where high prevalence is driven by poverty, limited access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and hygiene, inadequate waste disposal, and overcrowding. Although some studies have evaluated selected blood parameters, comprehensive assessment of full haematological indices remains limited.

Aims: This study assessed the association between enteric parasitic infections and haematological indices among children.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Kiandutu Health Centre and Thika Level 5 Hospital among children aged ≤10 years between July 2021 and December 2021.

Methodology: Stool samples were examined using formal-ether concentration and Modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining techniques, and total blood counts were determined using an automated haematology analyser. The data were analysed using two-sample t-tests and multiple linear regression.

Results: Ten protozoan and helminth species were identified, with an overall parasite prevalence of 36.7%, higher at Kiandutu Health Centre (45.8%) than Thika Level 5 Hospital (23.2%). Protozoa predominated, with Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii and Giardia lamblia being the most common, while Hymenolepis nana was the most frequent helminth. Infections with E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii, Entamoeba coli, and G. lamblia were associated with reduced monocyte counts, whereas Trichuris trichiura and H. nana were also associated with elevated eosinophils. Ascaris lumbricoides infection was associated with reduced haemoglobin, haematocrit, red cell indices, and platelets.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that even predominantly protozoal and low-intensity helminth infections seem to be associated with measurable systemic haematological effects, underscoring the need for routine haematological monitoring, periodic deworming, improved sanitation, and prompt treatment to reduce morbidity among children.

Molecular Detection of Blatem, Blashv, and Blactx-M Genes among Esbl-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, Nigeria

Ishaya Jesse — 2026-07-18

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a major cause of hospital- and community-acquired infections worldwide. It produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), which are associated with multidrug resistance and limit therapeutic options for treating infections, thereby posing a serious global threat.

Aim: This study aimed to detect the bla_TEM,bla_SHV, and bla_CTX-M genes associated with multidrug and beta-lactam resistance in K. pneumoniae isolates from clinical specimens obtained at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Plateau State, Nigeria.

Methods: A total of 39 confirmed K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from 344 clinical samples. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolates were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and the phenotypic production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) was assessed using the Modified Double-Disc Synergy Test (MDDST). The three resistance genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: Thirty-two (82.1%) of the K. pneumoniae isolates were ESBL producers and were multidrug-resistant. The isolates showed high resistance to cefotaxime (76.9%), ceftazidime (69.2%), and cefepime (66.7%), but low resistance to imipenem and meropenem (7.7% and 5.1%, respectively). Twenty-four (85.7%) isolates were bla_TEM-positive, and 10 (35.7%) were bla_SHV-positive; the amplicon sizes were 972 bp and 868 bp, respectively. None of the isolates carried bla_CTX-M.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem had the greatest activity against the K. pneumoniae isolates. The beta-lactamase-encoding resistance genes bla_TEMand bla_SHV were detected in the K. pneumoniae isolates. Antibiotic-use policies and regular surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns may help reduce indiscriminate antibiotic use, which contributes to the emergence of drug resistance among pathogens.

In silico Prediction of Promiscuous HLA Class I and II T-Cell Epitopes from MED12 for Therapeutic Vaccine Development against Breast Phyllodes Tumours

Khursheed Raza — 2026-07-18

Breast phyllodes tumours are uncommon fibroepithelial neoplasms that may exhibit aggressive local behaviour and have limited systemic treatment options. Recurrent activating mutations in mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12), an X-linked gene, occur frequently in fibroepithelial tumours, including phyllodes tumours. This study used a computational approach to identify T-cell peptide candidates derived from the MED12 protein for possible therapeutic vaccine development. MED12-derived peptides were screened for susceptibility to proteasomal cleavage, transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) transport, HLA class I and II binding, antigenicity, and T-cell immunogenicity. For HLA class I, RPRPRAYYL (1731–1739) showed the broadest predicted binding profile, whereas LYHTHLRPR (1725–1733) had the highest predicted immunogenicity score. For HLA class II, LHLFKTPQL (1173–1187) showed the broadest predicted binding profile, and VDPYRPVRL (1852–1866) had the highest antigenicity score. The workflow assessed whether the selected peptide candidates could support cytotoxic and helper T-cell responses across multiple HLA restrictions. These findings indicate that MED12-derived peptides may provide preliminary candidates for peptide-based immunotherapy research in breast phyllodes tumours. However, the results are based solely on in silico predictions and do not establish therapeutic efficacy. Experimental HLA-binding assays, T-cell activation studies, mutation-specificity assessment, toxicity and allergenicity testing, and relevant preclinical validation are required before the selected peptides can be considered for vaccine development.