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Dr. George Gachara Maina

Lecturer, Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Home School of Health Sciences Department of Medical Laboratory Science Dr. George Gachara Maina

Dr. George Gachara Maina

Lecturer, Department of Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Virology

Academic Qualifications

PhD, Medical Virology

Research Interests

Molecular Epidemiology & Evolution of Viruses
Viral Oncogenesis

Books Published

Mulakoli F., Gachara G., Ndombi E., & Khamadi S. (2022). Dengue Virus Surveillance and Blood Safety: A One Health Perspective. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.109413

Peer-Reviewed Publications

  1. Mulakoli F., Gachara G., Ndombi E., & Khamadi S. (2023). Dengue Virus and Blood Safety: A Mini-Review of Research Publications. East African Science, 5, 1–7.
  2. Schlosser-Brandenburg J., Midha A., Mugo R.M., Ndombi E.M., Gachara G., Njomo D., Rausch S., & Hartmann S. (2023). Infection with soil-transmitted helminths and their impact on coinfections. Frontiers in Parasitology, 2.
  3. Ambala P., Fatima H., Samson M., Gachara G., Nelson M., Lindsey M.S., Megan V., Susan M., Marc V., Dawn Z., & Joseph K. (2022). Absence of molecular evidence of filovirus circulating in bats and rodents in Laikipia North sub-County, Kenya: a cross sectional study. Pan African Medical Journal — One Health, 7:34.
  4. Anjorin A.A., Odetokun I.A., Nyandwi J.B., Elnadi H., Awiagah K.S., Eyedo J., Abioye A.I., Gachara G., Maisara A.M.O., Razouqi Y., Mohamud M.F.Y., Mhgoob Z.E., Ajayi T., Ntirenganya L., Saibu M., Salako B.L., Elelu N., Wright K.O., Fasina F.O., & Mosbah R. (2022). Public Health Surveillance for Adverse Events Following Covid-19 Vaccination in Africa. Vaccines, 10(4), 546.
  5. Wangui J., Nokes J., Gachara G., Agoti C., Ngeranwa J., & Bulimo W. (2022). Evolution and transmission of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Group A (HRSVA) across Kenya from 2007–2010. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 116, S93–S94.
  6. Bahati V., Bulimo W., & Gachara G. (2021). Comparative Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus among in-Mates and Low Risk Voluntary Blood Donors in Garissa, Kenya. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 9(7), 85–95.
  7. Fardolo E.K., Bulimo W., Aluora P.O., & Gachara G. (2020). Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus among Voluntary Blood Donors in Nairobi County, Kenya: A Pilot Study. Journal of Biosciences and Medicines, 8(12), 78.
  8. Aluora P.O., Muturi M.W., & Gachara G. (2020). Seroprevalence and genotypic characterization of HBV among low risk voluntary blood donors in Nairobi, Kenya. Virology Journal, 17, 176. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-020-01447-2
  9. Jepkemei K.B., Ochwoto M., Swidinsky K., Day J., Gebrebrhan H., McKinnon L.R., Andonov A., Oyugi J., Kimani J., Gachara G., Songok E.M., & Osiowy C. (2020). Characterization of occult hepatitis B in high-risk populations in Kenya. PLOS ONE, 15(5).
  10. Opanda S., Bulimo W., Gachara G., Ekuttan C., & Amukoye E. (2020). Assessing antigenic drift and phylogeny of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus in Kenya using HA1 sub-unit of the hemagglutinin gene. PLoS One, 15(2), e0228029.
  11. Etta E.M., Alayande D.P., Mavhandu-Ramarumo L.G., Gachara G., & Bessong P.O. (2018). HHV-8 Seroprevalence and Genotype Distribution in Africa, 1998–2017: A Systematic Review. Viruses, 10(9).
  12. Gachara G., Magoro T., Mavhandu L., Lum E., Kimbi H.K., Ndip R.N., & Bessong P.O. (2017). Characterization of occult hepatitis B virus infection among HIV positive patients in Cameroon. AIDS Research and Therapy, 14(1), 11.
  13. Gachara G., Mavhandu L.G., Rogawski E.T., Manhaeve C., & Bessong P.O. (2017). Evaluating Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Using Pharmacy Refill Records in a Rural Treatment Site in South Africa. AIDS Research and Treatment, 2017, 5456219.
  14. Magoro T., Gachara G., Mavhandu L., Lum E., Kimbi H.K., Ndip R.N., & Bessong P.O. (2016). Serologic and genotypic characterization of hepatitis B virus in HIV-1 infected patients from South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon. Virology Journal, 13, 178.
  15. Gachara G., Symekher S., Otieno M., Magana J., Opot B., & Bulimo W. (2016). Whole genome characterization of human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses isolated from Kenya during the 2009 pandemic. Infection Genetics and Evolution, 40, 98–103.
  16. Milanoi S., Ongus J.R., Gachara G., Coldren R., & Bulimo W. (2016). Serotype and genetic diversity of human rhinovirus strains that circulated in Kenya in 2008. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses. doi: 10.1111/irv.12373
  17. Hassan J.A., Gachara G., Mbugua F., Muchiri J., Symekhah S., Nakitari G., Borus P., Kamau T., & Kombich J. (2014). Potency status of oral polio virus vaccine among retrieved field samples in Kenya. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 21, 441.
  18. Symekher S., Gachara G., Simwa J., Gichogo J., Rotich M., Ng'ayo M., & Magana J. (2013). Human Bocavirus Infection in Children with Acute Respiratory Infection in Nairobi, Kenya. Open Journal of Medical Microbiology, 3(4), 234–238.
  19. Majanja J., Achilla R., Njoroge R., Mukunzi S., Wadegu M., Bulimo W.D., Njiri J., Mwangi J., Gachara G., & Wurapa E.K. (2013). Impact of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus on the circulation dynamics of the seasonal influenza strains in Kenya. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 88(5), 940–945.
  20. Bulimo W.D., Gachara G., Opot B.H., Murage M.W., & Wurapa E.K. (2012). Evidence in Kenya of reassortment between seasonal influenza A(H3N2) and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 to yield A(H3N2) variants with the matrix gene segment of A(H1N1)pdm09. African Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 1(1), 1–7.
  21. Gachara G., Symekher S., Mbithi J., Simwa J., Ng'ayo M., Magana J., & Bulimo W. (2011). Amino acid sequence analysis and identification of mutations in the NS gene of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) isolates from Kenya. Virus Genes. ISSN: 0920-8569.
  22. Gachara G., Bulimo W., Magana J., Simwa J., & Symekher S.M. (2011). Evolutionary Pattern of the Hemagglutinin Gene of Influenza B Viruses isolated in Kenya 2005–2009. African Journal of Health Sciences, 19(3–4), 77.

Conference Presentations

  1. "Origins, molecular epidemiology, and genetic diversity of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in Kenya: A Bayesian Coalescent Analysis" — Oral presentation, 3rd Medical and Veterinary Virus Research in Kenya (MVVR-K) Symposium, Hilton Hotel, Nairobi (October 16–17, 2014)
  2. "Evolutionary analyses of influenza A/H1N1pdm virus during the early, peak and late phases of the pandemic in Kenya" — Oral presentation, 2nd MVVR-K Symposium, Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi (October 18–19, 2012)
  3. "Sequence analysis of the Neuraminidase (NA) gene of pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus in Kenya" — Oral presentation, XIV International Symposium on Respiratory Viral Infections, Grand Hyatt Istanbul, Turkey (March 23–26, 2012)
  4. "Comparison of selection pressures on the Haemagglutinin (HA) gene of pandemic (2009) and seasonal influenza A viruses in Kenya" — Poster, XIV International Symposium on Respiratory Viral Infections, Grand Hyatt Istanbul, Turkey (March 23–26, 2012)
  5. "The molecular evolution of two internal genes, M & NS in pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus" — Poster, 1st MVVR-K Symposium, Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi (September 8–9, 2011)
  6. "Evolutionary Pattern of the Hemagglutinin Gene of Influenza B Viruses isolated in Kenya 2005–2009" — Oral presentation, 1st KEMRI Annual Scientific & Health (KASH) Conference (February 9–11, 2011)
  7. "Amino acid sequence analysis and identification of mutations in the NS gene of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) isolates from Kenya" — Oral presentation, 2nd African National Influenza Surveillance and Epidemiology (ANISE) Conference, Noguchi Institute, Accra, Ghana (January 11–12, 2011)
  8. "One HIV clinic's experience: Mortality and associations with mortality in people living with HIV initiated on ART in Limpopo, South Africa" — Poster, 19th International Conference on AIDS and STI's in Africa (ICASA), Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (December 3–10, 2017)
  9. "Assessing the cascade of HIV diagnosis, care and treatment in a rural South African setting" — Poster, 11th International Conference on HIV Treatment and Prevention Adherence, Fort Lauderdale, MI, USA (May 9–11, 2016)
  10. "Burden of human rhinovirus infections in influenza like illnesses in Kenya" — Poster, 16th International Society for Infectious Diseases, Cape Town, South Africa (April 2–5, 2014)
  11. "Evaluating adherence to antiretroviral therapy using pharmacy refill records in a rural treatment site in South Africa" — Oral, International Symposium on Global Health Research in Africa, Thohoyandou, South Africa (March 16–17, 2017)
  12. "Serologic and genotypic characterization of hepatitis B virus in HIV-1 infected patients from South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon" — Oral, International Symposium on Global Health Research in Africa, Thohoyandou, South Africa (March 16–17, 2017)
  13. "Mutational analysis of the NS gene of pandemic H1N1/09 influenza virus in Kenya" — Oral, Kenya Young Scientists (KEYS) Seminar Series 4, Jumuia Guest House, Kisumu (October 22, 2010)
  14. "Comparison of the haemagglutinin gene of influenza B virus isolated in Nairobi with that of the vaccine strain" — Poster, 27th African Health Sciences Congress, Durban, South Africa (December 3–7, 2006)
  15. "Genetic characterization of influenza viruses isolated in Nairobi, Kenya and their phylogenetic relationship with those isolated recently in Southern Africa" — Oral, 21st Annual Joint Scientific Meeting, Arusha International Conference Centre, Tanzania (March 7–9, 2006)
  16. "Antigenic characterization of influenza viruses isolated in Kenya" — Oral, 21st Annual Joint Scientific Meeting, Arusha International Conference Centre, Tanzania (March 7–9, 2006)