Open research Africa最新文献

{"title":"Metagenomics insights into the microbial resistome and virulome composition of Kampala’s wastewater","authors":"Stephen Kanyerezi, Patricia Nabisubi, Grace Kebirungi, Ivan Sserwadda, Benson R. Kidenya, Daudi Jjingo, Gerald Mboowa","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.15040.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.15040.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections represent a major global health threat, causing approximately 700,000 deaths each year directly due to AMR-related issues worldwide. In Africa, 42.6% of countries lack sufficient data on AMR, highlighting a crucial gap in our reports. Consequently, there's a pressing need for thorough AMR surveillance data. Urban sewage, harboring a diverse array of microbes from sizable and mostly healthy populations, offers an excellent sampling opportunity. This study set out to identify and assess the microbes present in urban sewage in Kampala, while also analyzing the microbial resistome and virulome associated with urban sewage. Methods Samples were gathered from two wastewater treatment facilities, capturing data from both wet and dry seasons to reflect population behavior across seasons. DNA was extracted from these samples and underwent shotgun metagenomics sequencing. The resulting FastQ files were analyzed using a tailored metagenomics approach to identify microbial profiles, antibiotic-resistant genes, and virulence factors. Results In the pathobiome examined, Pseudomonas psychrophila, a fish pathogen, was the most prevalent, while Klebsiella pneumoniae was the least prevalent. Analysis identified 23 resistant genes, primarily conferring resistance to tetracyclines. Additionally, 29 virulence factors were identified, with a predominant association with bacterial motility. Notably, all of these virulence factors were found within Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1. Conclusion The utilization of shotgun metagenomics in sewage analysis is crucial for ongoing monitoring of microbial diversity and antimicrobial resistance. This approach uncovers intricate details that would be challenging or costly to obtain through conventional methods like PCR and culture-based techniques.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":" 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141829286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined effects of the assassin bug alloeocranum biannulipes mont. And sign. (hemiptera: reduviidae) and botanical powders in the control of the stored yam chips beetle, dinoderus porcellus lesne (coleoptera : bostrichidae)","authors":"Y. L. Loko, Joelle Toffa, Innocent Djégbe, Armand Vodounnon, A. Sinzogan, Kitherian Sahayaraj, M. Tamò","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.15173.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.15173.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) is the main pest of stored dried yam chips that causes significant losses in a few months. The assassin bug, Alloeocranum biannulipes (Montrouzier & Signoret) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) and the Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. (Meliaceae), Blighia sapida K. Koenig (Sapindaceae) and Bridelia ferruginea Benth. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf powders have proven to be efficient in the control of this pest. Methods This study aims to evaluate the compatibility of the leaf powders of these medicinal plants and the predator A. biannulipes in the integrated management of D. porcellus under laboratory and farm conditions. Various leaf powders were tested at a concentration of 6% (w/w) with or without the predator. Yam chips mixed with leaf powder from each species served as negative and those mixed with a synthetic insecticide as positive controls. Results The results revealed that no combination of leaf powders and predators could induce complete mortality of D. porcellus like the synthetic insecticide. No significant difference in terms of the survival of A. biannulipes exposed to botanical powders was observed compared to the positive control. Under farm conditions, B. ferruginea leaf powder showed a sub-lethal effect on the predator A. biannulipes and no impact on the abundance of D. porcellus. However, the survival of D. porcellus was significantly reduced by the combination of K. senegalensis leaf powder and A. biannulipes, which did not allow the reproduction of the predator. Conclusions We recommend the combination of K. senegalensis leaf powder and A. biannulipes for the short-term conservation of yam chips as part of an augmentative biological control program. For long-term conservation, we suggest the use of a combination of B. sapida leaf powder with the predator A. biannulipes because it presented a reduced population of D. porcellus after 8 weeks of storage and offspring of A. biannulipes.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"102 39","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141667328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-repeat sequences identification using genome mining techniques for developing highly sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i>.","authors":"Clement Shiluli, Shwetha Kamath, Bernard N Kanoi, Racheal Kimani, Michael Maina, Harrison Waweru, Moses Kamita, Ibrahim Ndirangu, Hussein M Abkallo, Bernard Oduor, Nicole Pamme, Joshua Dupaty, Catherine M Klapperich, Srinivasa Raju Lolabattu, Jesse Gitaka","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.14316.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openresafrica.14316.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> ( <i>C. trachomatis</i>) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 2019, the World Health Organization reported about 131 million infections. The majority of infected patients are asymptomatic with cases remaining undetected. It is likely that missed <i>C. trachomatis</i> infections contribute to preventable adverse health outcomes in women and children. Consequently, there is an urgent need of developing efficient diagnostic methods. In this study, genome-mining approaches to identify identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) distributed throughout the <i>C. trachomatis</i> genome were used to design a primer pair that would target regions in the genome. Genomic DNA was 10-fold serially diluted (100pg/μL to 1×10 ^-3pg/μL) and used as DNA template for PCR reactions. The gold standard PCR using 16S rRNA primers was also run as a comparative test, and products were resolved on agarose gel. The novel assay, <i>C. trachomatis</i> IMRS-PCR, had an analytical sensitivity of 4.31 pg/µL, representing better sensitivity compared with 16S rRNA PCR (9.5 fg/µL). Our experimental data demonstrate the successful development of lateral flow and isothermal assays for detecting <i>C. trachomatis</i> DNA with potential use in field settings. There is a potential to implement this concept in miniaturized, isothermal, microfluidic platforms, and laboratory-on-a-chip diagnostic devices for reliable point-of-care testing.</p>","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"7 ","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11109563/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141087734","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rising substance use disorders in Malawi: analysis of hospital-based data (2010 to 2019)","authors":"Sandra Jumbe, Chris Newby, Joel Nyali, Wongani Ndovi, N. Silungwe","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.14360.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.14360.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background Africa has a long history of substance abuse, mostly limited to alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, with the East African region being home to one of the world’s highest rates. There are reports of increasing substance abuse in Malawi but limited research evidence to provide details on the extent and nature of the issue. Despite indications of high prevalence, help seeking behaviour among the population is minimal. Mental health services are underfunded by government, and not a key health priority. Access to affordable psychosocial treatment for substance abuse is limited. This paper reports analysis of service utilisation patterns among those assessed at the St John of God (SJOG) Hospital and referred for psychosocial services for substance abuse treatment since its establishment in 2010. This is the first study in Malawi reporting routinely collected patient data related to substance abuse treatment from outpatient psychosocial services. Methods We descriptively analysed retrospective routinely collected data related to substance use disorders from two SJOG hospital sites that provide psychosocial or psychopharmacological treatment to service users at the mental health clinic from 2010 to 2019. Results Analysis of routinely collected data indicated increasing substance abuse treatment within SJOG psychosocial services between 2010 to 2019, with alcohol, chamba (cannabis) and tobacco related substance use disorders being predominant conditions among service users. Age-related data from 2018–2019 showed 22% of service users were under 18 years, indicating evidence of youth substance abuse. Conclusions These findings indicate growing service utilisation for substance use treatment in outpatient psychosocial services over the last decade in Malawi. Importantly, there is need for better electronic health data recording infrastructure to facilitate monitoring of incidents to inform extent of substance use issues and evidence-based solutions for treatment services in Malawi.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"594 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140719094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Uganda: a case study of uptake and associated factors among health care workers and older people","authors":"U. Bahemuka, A. Abaasa, Robert Asaba, E. Ssemwanga, M. Muwanga, C. Nsereko, D. Nsubuga, Slivesteri Sande, A. Wajja, Janet Seeley, Alison M. Elliott, E. Ruzagira","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.14719.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.14719.1","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction We conducted a survey to investigate the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers (HCWs) and older persons (≥ 50 years) in Uganda, groups at particular risk of infection and severe disease outcomes respectively. Methods The survey was conducted between May and August 2021, during the early phase of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. All HCWs at Entebbe and Kisubi hospitals, Wakiso district (urban/peri-urban) and Villa Maria hospital, Kalungu district (rural), and non-healthcare worker (non-HCW) individuals enrolled in an ongoing older persons’ cohort study in Wakiso district, completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on socio-demographics, pre-existing medical conditions, attitudes regarding COVID-19 vaccines, and vaccination uptake. Logistic regression was performed to investigate factors associated with uptake. Findings A total of 746 individuals, 597 HCWs and 149 non-HCW older persons, participated. Majority were aged ≤50 years (71.6%), female (63.1%), and had secondary school/other higher-level education (77.8%). COVID-19 uptake was 63.7%, overall; 95.2%, Entebbe Hospital; 75.4%, Kisubi Hospital; 49.5%, Villa Maria Hospital; and 20.8%, non-HCW. Among HCWs, health facility [Entebbe hospital (aOR 18.9, 95% CI 8.9-40.2), Kisubi hospital (aOR 5.2, 95% CI 3.0-9.0) all compared with Villa Maria], age >50 years (aOR 3.1, 95% CI 1.2-8.4) and positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines (aOR 5.0, 95% CI 2.1-11.8) were associated with high uptake, while female sex (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9) was associated with low uptake. Among non-HCW older persons, absence of chronic infectious disease (aOR 4.3, 95% CI 1.1-16.3) good attitude towards COVID-19 vaccines (aOR 29.2, 95% CI 4.1-208.8) were associated with high uptake, while advanced age 70-79 years (aOR 0.1, 95% CI 0.01-0.97) was associated with low uptake. Conclusion COVID-19 vaccine uptake was lowest among rural-based HCWs and non-HCW older persons. Vaccination campaigns during a pandemic need to foster positive attitudes towards vaccines and employ strategies specifically designed to improve vaccine uptake among disadvantaged populations.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"6 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140227362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-repeat sequences identification using genome mining techniques for developing highly sensitive molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis","authors":"Clement Shiluli, S. Kamath, Bernard N. Kanoi, R. Kimani, M. Maina, Harrison Waweru, M. Kamita, Ibrahim Ndirangu, Hussein M. Abkallo, Bernard Oduor, Nicole Pamme, Joshua Dupaty, Catherine M. Klapperich, Srinivasa Raju Lolabattu, J. Gitaka","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.14316.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.14316.1","url":null,"abstract":"Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). In 2019, the World Health Organization reported about 131 million infections. The majority of infected patients are asymptomatic with cases remaining undetected. It is likely that missed C. trachomatis infections contribute to preventable adverse health outcomes in women and children. Consequently, there is an urgent need of developing efficient diagnostic methods. In this study, genome-mining approaches to identify identical multi-repeat sequences (IMRS) distributed throughout the C. trachomatis genome were used to design a primer pair that would target regions in the genome. Genomic DNA was 10-fold serially diluted (100pg/mL to 1×10-3pg/mL) and used as DNA template for PCR reactions. The gold standard PCR using 16S rRNA primers was also run as a comparative test, and products were resolved on agarose gel. The novel assay, C. trachomatis IMRS-PCR, had an analytical sensitivity of 4.31 pg/µL, representing better sensitivity compared with 16S rRNA PCR (9.5 fg/µL). Our experimental data demonstrate the successful development of lateral flow and isothermal assays for detecting C. trachomatis DNA with potential use in field settings. There is a potential to implement this concept in miniaturized, isothermal, microfluidic platforms, and laboratory-on-a-chip diagnostic devices for reliable point-of-care testing.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"31 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139444957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving safety performance in the Nigerian oil and gas construction industry through human factor engineering","authors":"Daniel Obioma Thomas, Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi, Patricks Chinemerem","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.14411.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.14411.1","url":null,"abstract":"Background The Nigerian Oil and Gas construction industry faces challenges in incident prevention due to conflicting factors, including inadequate resource allocation, prioritization of quality and production over safety, communication gaps, insufficient supervision, poor workplace design, low risk perception, limited management commitment, worker incompetence, deficient design systems, and planning deficiencies. This research aims to develop a human factor engineering (HFE) model that supports the prevention of losses in Oil and Gas construction activities in Nigeria by assessing the influence of human factors on workers' behavior and organizational safety culture. Methods The study involved skilled construction workers with a minimum of two years of experience in upstream, downstream, and midstream sectors. Data collection utilized a descriptive study design with self-administered, structured questionnaires. IBM SPSS AMOS Structural Equation Modeling software was used for data analysis. Results The results indicate statistically significant Pearson's correlation coefficients between human factors and organizational safety culture, with p-values of 0.003, 0.002, 0.004, 0.009, and 0.002 for workplace, task, personal, organizational, and design factors, respectively. The structural equation regression model reveals statistically significant human factors and organizational safety culture, with path coefficients of -0.888, 2.630, -1.59, 4.645, and 0.492 for personal, organizational, workplace, design, and task factors, respectively. Conclusions The research concludes that engineered human factors contribute to improved safety performance in the Oil and Gas construction industry. To enhance safety, the study recommends that the Nigerian government establishes a construction safety board, organizations implement integrated contractor construction health and safety management systems, and workers take personal responsibility for their safety.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"42 18","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139446441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public engagement by early career researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic: case studies from East Africa.","authors":"Trizah K Milugo, Mary V Mosha, Eddie Wampande, Rune Philemon, Immaculate N Lwanga, Janet Seeley, Nelson K Sewankambo","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.13897.2","DOIUrl":"10.12688/openresafrica.13897.2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Community engagement and involvement (CEI) in research usually depends on face-to-face interactions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented such interactions because of national lockdowns and social distancing. This paper highlights the ways in which early career researchers from East Africa tackled CEI activities during the pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We provide four case examples that illustrate how early-career researchers based in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, deployed different approaches and initiatives to community-engaged research during the pandemic to encourage participation and uptake of research findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All the three early-career researchers attempted to use virtual/digital means to implement the CEI. However, in each country, this attempt was unsuccessful because of poor connectivity, as well as many poorer students lacking access to telephones and computers. Nevertheless, the researchers effectively engaged the students using different activities (making up songs, drawing comics, and taking part in quizzes) once the schools reopened.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results highlight the complexity of implementing community engagement and involvement in health research when face-to-face interaction is not possible. The findings are relevant to researchers who wish to incorporate community engagement in their research and initiatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"6 ","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11252639/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141636049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunomodulatory effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and the use of natural products to ameliorate its immunotoxic effects: A review","authors":"Gilbert Kipkoech, Mercy Jepkorir, Sally Kamau, Alice Wanyoko, Susan Kibunja, Rechard Amozi Jeremiah, Johnson Masese, Vincent Ntui-Njock, Charles Mutai, Peter G. Mwitari","doi":"10.12688/openresafrica.14406.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/openresafrica.14406.1","url":null,"abstract":"Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent mycotoxin, is known to be an immunotoxic agent that causes various immune system disorders. It can cause immunosuppression by direct toxic effect on the host or by its ability to interfere with the immune response and thereby lead to secondary infections. The immunomodulatory effects of AFB1 and its metabolites have been reported in many studies. Yet, the exact mechanisms responsible for these immunomodulatory effects are still obscure. This review summarizes the current findings on the interaction between AFB1 and the host immune system, while also highlighting other potential mechanisms involved in AFB1-induced immunosuppression. These potential mechanisms include modulation of cytokine production, production of inflammatory mediators and their receptors, activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, alteration in cell surface receptors involved in T cell activation and regulation of apoptosis. The review also discusses recent findings on natural products that have been found capable of inhibiting AFB1-induced immunosuppression in various animal models. With the latest exploration of natural products as a solution, the burden of aflatoxicosis in society is likely to subdue. Some of the promising natural products that have been highlighted to have ameliorative effects include grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), bentonite clay, NovaSil Clay and Spirulina plantesis among others. Considering the seriousness of aflatoxicosis in the public domain and lack of effective management approaches, there is an urgent need for more research to understand AFB1-induced immunotoxicity and possible remedies.","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138972951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systemic and Mucosal Concentrations of Nine Cytokines Among Individuals with Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection in Nairobi Kenya","authors":"Anne Maina, Marianne Mureithi, John Kiiru, Gunturu Revathi","doi":"10.12688/aasopenres.13351.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13351.2","url":null,"abstract":"<ns3:p>Introduction The human-restricted sexually transmitted <ns3:italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</ns3:italic> (NG) has been shown to modulate the immune response against it and consequently the cytokines produced. The levels of cytokines in NG infection in the African population have not been well described. We aimed to quantify the systemic and mucosal cytokines in NG infection. Methods This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Levels of nine cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, 1L-6, 1L-10, 1L-12p70, IL-17A, TNFα and IFN-γ) were measured from plasma and genital samples (urethral swabs in men and cervicovaginal lavage in women) from 61 <ns3:italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</ns3:italic> infected individuals seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at Casino Health Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. A comparative group of 61 NG-uninfected individuals, seeking treatment at the same facility but with laboratory-confirmed negative <ns3:italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</ns3:italic>, <ns3:italic>Chlamydia trachomatis</ns3:italic> (CT), <ns3:italic>Mycoplasma genitalium</ns3:italic> (MG) and <ns3:italic>Trichomonas vaginalis</ns3:italic>(TV) was also included. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the cytokine levels between NG-infected and uninfected individuals. Data was analyzed using STATA ver. 15.1. Results Overall, systemic IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 were elevated while genital IL-10 and TNF-α were lower in NG positive participants. On subgroup analysis disaggregated by sex, the levels of genital IL-1b and IL-6 and systemic IL-6 were elevated in NG-infected men. None of the genital cytokines were elevated in NG-infected women, while all systemic cytokines, except IFN-γ , were elevated in NG-infected women. Conclusion <ns3:italic>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</ns3:italic> induced the production of different cytokines in men and women, with men having a pro-inflammatory genital response. These differences should be taken into consideration during development of various interventions e.g. vaccine development.</ns3:p>","PeriodicalId":74358,"journal":{"name":"Open research Africa","volume":"71 12","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135863313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}