Malaria Clinical Studies
Basic Sciences  | Muriithi-Wellde CRC  | Malaria Vaccine Trials | Malaria Drug Study | Previous & Proposed studies

Muriithi-Wellde Clinical Research Center

Introduction

The Muriithi-Wellde Clinical Research Center (CRC) was initially developed by the US Army Medical Research Unit-Kenya (USAMRU-K) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), with other partners, for the study of malaria vaccines and drugs.  Since then it has developed into a still growing facility that is capable of conducting regulated clinical trials to evaluate vaccines, drugs, or diagnostic platforms for a variety pathogens found in sub-Saharan Africa. The facility has a capability of conducting several studies concurrently. For instance in 2005-2006, two regulated trials involving 655 study participants was conducted successfully.

The Muriithi-Wellde CRC consists of an outpatient clinic, urgent care treatment area, clinical laboratory, specimen processing center, pharmacy, and a four-bed observation suite. It was designed specifically for conducting clinical trials.  Staffed with clinical officers, nurses, lab techs, pharmacy techs, drivers, and administrative personnel, it is capable of 24-hour operations throughout the year. 

The Muriithi-Wellde CRC is situated opposite Kombewa Sub-District Hospital of the Kenya Ministry of Health.  The hospital is being established as a study site to complement the current facilities in the conduct of both inpatient and outpatient studies.

Supporting these patient care facility are a dedicated data-entry section, IT manager, record management and admin section, GIS and mapping team, and entomology section.  Additionally, the CRC is integrated with USAMRU-K’s basic science research unit in Kisumu, which can conduct ELISA, PCR, Flow-cytometry or other assays required to support the clinical study. 

The Muriithi-Wellde CRC is heavily invested in capacity building for Kenyans.  It is a training center for Medical Officers, Clinical Research Coordinators and microscopists/lab techs.

Recent construction of a two-story annex now offers office space, meeting rooms, and a library, all with high-speed Internet connection, to support visiting investigators, residents and students.

Malaria Transmission

Malaria transmission occurs all year but is maximal during the two rainy seasons.  A longitudinal epidemiological study conducted in 2003-2004 in Kombewa indicated that monthly attack rates range from approximately 20% to 55% in children aged 1 to 3 years in the proposed study area (Figure 1).  P. falciparum is present in over 90% of malaria cases. P. ovale and P. malariae, which together constitute less than 10% of cases, are usually present in mixed infections with P. falciparum.

The majority of the adult population gets malaria multiple times each year and is considered semi-immune.  Though the prevalence of malaria is high only about 25% of infected adults become symptomatic.

Figure1 Malaria Attack Rates in Kombewa Division 2003-2004 (EPI study of 270 Children age 1-3 years)