Diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors among HIV infected patients on HAART.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the impact of disease associations is becoming a priority in Kenya and other countries bearing the load of infectious diseases. With the increased incidences of non-communicable diseases and the endemicity of infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa, their co-existence poses significant challenges to patients, health workers and an overwhelmed health sector. Classical risk factors for diabetes such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diet may not solely explain the current trends, suggesting the role of novel risk factors including infections/inflammation. HIV and its treatment have been identified as potential contributors especially to patients with family history of confirmed diabetes cases. Co-infections frequently observed during HIV infection also significantly influence both the epidemiological and pathophysiological of the link between HIV and diabetes. Understanding the correlates of HIV and diabetes is crucial to inform management and prevention strategies of the twin infections. We therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and risk factors in a population of HIV infected patients on HAART. This study determined the association of diabetes/impaired glucose regulation in the context of HIV-1. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a comprehensive care clinic in Nairobi (Kenya). Participants were screened for diabetes and impaired glucose regulation using random blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) This paper describes the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive individuals and the associated risk factors. We have demonstrated that family history is a risk factor for diabetes. While age and BMI are known risk factors, they were not associated with diabetes in this study.

Whole-genome sequence analysis reveals the circulation of multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern in Nairobi and neighboring counties, Kenya between March and July 2021.

The emergence and rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) have been linked to new waves of COVID-19 epidemics occurring in different regions of the world. The VOC have acquired adaptive mutations that have enhanced virus transmissibility, increased virulence, and reduced response to neutralizing antibodies. Kenya has experienced six waves of COVID-19 epidemics. In this study, we analyzed 64 genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 strains that circulated in Nairobi and neighboring counties, Kenya between March 2021 and July 2021. Viral RNA was extracted from RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 cases, followed by sequencing using the ARTIC network protocol and Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Analysis of the sequence data was performed using different bioinformatics methods. Our analyses revealed that during the study period, three SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) circulated in Nairobi and nearby counties in Kenya. The Alpha (B.1.1.7) lineage predominated (62.7%), followed by Delta (B.1.617.2, 35.8%) and Beta (B.1.351, 1.5%). Notably, the Alpha (B.1.1.7) VOC were most frequent from March 2021 to May 2021, while the Delta (B.1.617.2) dominated beginning June 2021 through July 2021. Sequence comparisons revealed that all the Kenyan viruses were genetically similar to those that circulated in other regions. Although the majority of Kenyan viruses clustered together in their respective phylogenetic lineages/clades, a significant number were interspersed among foreign strains. Between March and July 2021, our study's findings indicate the prevalence of multiple lineages of SAR-CoV-2 VOC in Nairobi and nearby counties in Kenya. The data suggest that the recent increase in SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly in Nairobi and Kenya as a whole, is attributable to the introduction and community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 VOC among the populace. In conclusion, the findings provide a snapshot of the SARS-CoV-2 variants that circulated in Kenya during the study period.