Background: Asymptomatic individuals (AIs) serve as reservoirs of pathogens associated with disease transmission. The objective of this study was to identify the presence and diversity of selected viral respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) pathogens in AIs among residents of an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya.Methods & Materials: In 2006, KEMRI/CDC established a population-based infectious disease surveillance site within Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya. AIs (healthy controls) were enrolled as part of the system among persons who presented to the study's referral facility (Tabitha Medical Clinic). Persons presenting without current or previous 2 weeks history of fever, respiratory or diarrheal symptoms were eligible for enrollment as healthy controls. Following consent, participants provided stool and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) specimens. Stool samples were tested by culture for bacterial pathogens and rotavirus by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Respiratory viruses were detected in NP/OP swabs by real time PCR.Results: Between 01 st November 2008 and 31 st December 2011, 384 stool samples and 779 NP/OP swabs were obtained from AIs. Pathogens were found in 23 (6.0%) of the 384 stool samples. Shigella, 10 (43.5%), was the predominant bacterial pathogen isolated; S. dysenteriae (10%), S. flexneri (70%), and 2 unsubtypable Shigella species. Other bacterial species identified included Campylobacter coli (4.3%) and C. jejuni (17.3%). Rotavirus was the only viral pathogen targeted for isolation; however, it was only detected in <2% of the participants (n=384; 1.8%). Of the 779 NP/OP swabs, adenovirus (11%), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (2.8%), human metapnuemovirus (hMPV) (2.7%), influenza virus type A and B (2.3 and 0.5%, respectively), parainfluenza (PIV) type 1, 2 and 3 (0.9, 1.0 and 1.9%, respectively) were detected. Adenovirus, hMPV, RSV, and influenza B were found more frequently in ages 5-17 years (28.1%, 33.3%, 45.5%, and 75% respectively). Adenovirus (78.9%) and all cases of RSV and PIV 1-3 in 18-34 years were identified more among females. Within the same age group Influenza A (85.7%) and hMPV (60%) were more common among males.Conclusion: AIs did show evidence of infection and could serve as reservoirs for these pathogens through close contact in this urban settlement especially among immunocompromised individuals.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.