Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
Linus Ndegwa
Infection Prevention Network Kenya, Kenya
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir
Background: Although health-care associated infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, the epidemiology and etiology of respiratory health care associated infections (r-HAIs) have not been documented in Kenya. In 2010, the Ministry of Health, Kenya Medical Research Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiated surveillance for r-HAIs at 3 hospitals. Methods: At each hospital, we surveyed intensive care units (ICUs), pediatric wards and medical wards to identify patients with r-HAIs, defined as any hospital-onset (â�¥3 days after admission) fever (â�¥38�ºC) or hypothermia (<35�ºC) with concurrent signs or symptoms of acute respiratory infection. Nasopharyngeal and oro-pharyngeal specimens were collected from these patients and tested by real-time reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction for influenza and 7 other viruses. Results: From April 2010-September 2012, of the 379 r-HAI cases, 60.7% were men and 57.3% were children <18 years old. The overall incidence of r-HAIs was 9.2 per 10,000 patient days, with the highest incidence in the ICUs. The most common viruses identified among specimens tested were adenovirus (n=19, 18.5%), RSV (n=17, 16.5%), para-influenza virus type 3 (n=16, 15.3%), and influenza virus A (n=9, 8.7%). Of all specimens analyzed, 45.7% had at least 1 respiratory virus detected; 92.2% of all positive viral specimens were identified in patients <18 years old. Conclusion: We identified r-HAIs in all ward types under surveillance in Kenyan hospitals. Viruses may have a substantial role in these infections, particularly among pediatric populations.
Linus Ndegwa, Public Health Specialist, Infection Control, PhD (Epidemiology), MPHE, Clinician has 20 years of clinical experience and training healthcare personnel. He is the Founder and Leader of infection prevention Network Kenya (IPNET-K) and Vice-Chair of Global Antibiotic resistance program (GARP). He is a speaker in several international meetings including, the African Network for Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology, ID week 2015, co-organized by SHEA, CDC, APIC and IDSA, 10th Anniversary of the Needle Stick Safety and Prevention Act conference, 1st Indian National Conference on Infections, Antibiotic Therapy & Hospital Epidemiology just to mention a few. He is a Board Member of Infection Control African Network (ICAN), a member of external affairs, SHEA committee and an International Ambassador for SHEA. He is currently leading Point-of-care evaluation of the BD Veritor™ Rapid Diagnostic Test for Influenza in Kenya and the National Surveillance on Healthcare Associated Infections. He has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute.
Email: ndegwalk@gmail.com