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8th Edition of World Congress on Infectious Diseases

June 09-11, 2025 | Rome, Italy

June 09 -11, 2025 | Rome, Italy
Infection 2025

Spectrum and antifungal drug resistance among fungal pathogens isolated from prison inmates in Nairobi, Kenya

Speaker at Infection Conferences - Larry Afundi Jackson
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kenya
Title : Spectrum and antifungal drug resistance among fungal pathogens isolated from prison inmates in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract:

Background: The emergence of antifungal resistance in fungal pathogens highlights the need for local epidemiological data to guide empirical therapy in clinical settings. Fungal research and anti-fungal drug resistance studies are limited in developing countries; hence, there is a need for burden estimation in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the spectrum of fungal pathogens and the anti-fungal resistance profile of fungal pathogens isolated from the respiratory and urinary tracts of prison inmates in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which sputum and urine samples were obtained from inmates presenting with symptoms of respiratory and urogenital infections at a prison outpatient clinic. hundred and sixty-two samples were collected and subjected to fungal investigation using standard protocols. Susceptibility to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole was assessed using standard broth microdilution. Clinical and sociodemographic data were obtained using a structured questionnaire.

Results: From the 162, 94 samples were positive for fungal pathogens, with an overall prevalence of 58%. Seventeen (18%) of the isolated fungi were Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Histoplasma. There was a statistically significant difference between fungal pathogens isolated from the respiratory and urogenital tracts in both sexes (p<0.05). Antifungal susceptibility testing against itraconazole showed 2 of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus were resistant.

Conclusion: Mycological agents are significant causes of respiratory and UTI infections among prison inmates, which could be attributed to prison conditions and misdiagnosis as bacterial infections. This highlights the need for specific control measures to reduce exposure to fungal infections in prisons and in the general population.

Biography:

Dr. Larry studied Clinical Medicine and Surgery at Kampala International University, graduating in 2014. He then joined the Kenya Medical Research Institute in the Center for Microbiology Research as a graduate student under the supervision of Dr. Christine Bii. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

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