I was born in Nairobi to a very loving family. However, I wasn’t raised in Nairobi but I and my family moved around quite a bit due to my mother’s job. For that reason I studied in two primary schools: Pinocchio primary school in Kisumu and St. Anne’s primary school in Mumias. I sat for my KCPE at St. Anne’s and passed with flying colors. I was able to join Moi High School Kabarak for my secondary school education. Life in high school was fun and I was an A student throughout my schooling. This eventually enabled me to earn a place at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nairobi, where I did my Bachelor’s degree. After finishing my undergraduate I was able to get a job with the Ministry of health in Kenya, working as a pharmacist in Kericho County. After a few years of working I decided to enroll for a course in Molecular pharmacology at the University of Nairobi. I eventually did my final exams and passed. I am currently waiting to graduate. I am passionate about research in pharmacology and I am looking forward to continue pursuing my career as a research scientist. I hope and pray that more opportunities will open up to me.
Project Summary
Comparison of the immunogenicity of Hepatitis B vaccines in the Kenyan market in mice.
Background: Kenya is classified as a highly endemic area for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The hepatitis B vaccine prevents transmission of the virus. However, the vaccines that come into the Kenyan market do not undergo quality control checks within the country for safety and efficacy. This is due to the lack of expertise, capital and infrastructure needed to perform the task.
Objective: The main objective of this study was to compare the immunogenicity of the hepatitis B vaccines in the Kenyan market in mice models.
Methods: Three brands of hepatitis B vaccines were evaluated. These were Engerix™-B (Glaxo-Smithkline Biologicals s.a., Belgium); Euvax B (LG life Sciences, Korea) and Shanvac®-B (Shantha Biotechnics, India). Immunization was done on 6-10 week old male and female Balb/c mice. The sera obtained from the mice were assayed for hepatitis B surface antibodies (HBsAb) using the Competitive / Inhibition ELISA method. The optical density (OD) values obtained were used to determine HBsAb concentrations. Concentrations 10 mIU/ml and above were considered protective.
Results: All three brands of vaccines elicited a strong and protective antibody response (> 10mIU/ml) from the mice. The average HBsAb concentration was 108.5 (±124.1mIU/ml). Comparisons across the vaccine brands showed no statistically significant (p = 0.793) differences in the mean concentrations.
Conclusion: The study confirmed that the three different brands of hepatitis B vaccines do elicit a protective antibody response (HBsAb > 10mIU/ml), and that the two biosimilar brands, Euvax B and Shanvac®-B perform at per with the originator brand.
Links
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daisy_Ogoya
