Epidemiological profile of individuals diagnosed with HIV: results from the preliminary phase of case-based surveillance in Kenya.

Understanding the characteristics of individuals who are newly diagnosed with HIV is critical to controlling the HIV epidemic. Characterizing this population can improve strategies to identify undiagnosed positives and assist in targeting the provision of HIV services to improve health outcomes. We describe the characteristics of newly diagnosed HIV cases in western Kenya from 124 health facilities. The study cohort cases were matched to prevent duplication and patients newly diagnosed between January and June 2015 were identified and descriptive analysis performed. Among 8664 newly identified HIV cases, during the pilot timeframe, 3.1% (n=265) had retested for HIV after initial diagnosis. Linkage to care was recorded for approximately half (45.3%, n = 3930) and 28.0% (n = 2425) had a CD4 count available during the pilot timeframe. The median baseline CD4 count was 332 cells/mL (IQR: 156-544). Among the newly diagnosed age 15 years or older with a CD4 test, 53.0% (n = 1216) were diagnosed late, including 32.9% (n = 755) who had advanced HIV at diagnosis. Factors associated with late diagnosis included being male and in an age group older than 34 years. In western Kenya, continued efforts are needed in the area of testing to enhance early HIV diagnosis and epidemic control.

Screening of some Kenyan medicinal plants for antibacterial activity.

Eleven medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Machakos and Kitui District were screened, namely: Ajuga remota Benth, Aloe secundiflora Engl, Amaranthus hybridus L, Cassia didymobotrya Fes, Croton macrostachyus Del, Entada leptostachya Harms, Erythrina abyssinica DC, Harrisonia abyssinica Oliv, Schkuhria pinnata O. Ktze, Terminalia kilimandscharica Engl and Ziziphus abyssinica Hochst for potential antibacterial activity against four medically important bacterial strains, namely: Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Micrococcus lutea ATCC 9341 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The antibacterial activity of methanol extracts was determined as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The plant extracts were more active against Gram-positive (G+) than Gram-negative (G-) bacteria. The positive controls were streptomycin and benzylpenicillin for G- and G+ bacteria, respectively, both had a significant MIC at <1 mg/mL. The most susceptible bacteria were B. cereus, followed by M. lutea, while the most resistant bacteria were Ps. aeruginosa, followed by E. coli. The present study supports the use of these plants by the herbalists in the management of bacterial ailments. H. abyssinica and T. kilimandscharica showed the best antibacterial activity; hence these plants can be further subjected to phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation.