Francis T. Kimani

Research Officer and Head of Malaria Section, Centre for Research Biotechnology and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box Nairobi, Kenya

Publications

• Original Article   
  Molecular Monitoring of Plasmodium falciparum Resistance to Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in Western Kenya, 14 Years after its Withdrawal
  Author(s): Gabriel Kishoyian*, Eliud N.M. Njagi, George O. Orinda, Francis T. Kimani, Kevin Thiongo and Damaris Matoke - Muhia
  
  Background: The application of chloroquine (CQ) as an antimalarial drug for over half a century and subsequent development of CQ-resistant Plasmodium strains has led to its withdrawal and replacement with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP). In 2004, SP was replaced with artemisininbased combination therapy (ACT) as a first-line against uncomplicated malaria in Kenya with SP being recommended for intermittent preventive in pregnancy (IPTp). Several mutations of Plasmodium falciparum have been implicated in SP resistance but it is unclear if the prevalence of these mutations is decreasing or increasing after it was restricted to expectant mothers. This study was design to assess the current status pfdhfr and pfdhps gene mutation which encodes enzymes targeting SP. Method: Blood from a finger prick was collected onto a fil.. Read More»