Dr. Elijah Songok
 
Assistant Professor, Department of, Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba and Principal Research Officer, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi Kenya

Degrees: MSc (University ofNairobi , 2000) PhD ( Kanazawa University Japan, 2003)

Mailing Address: c/o of Jude Zieske, Room 514C, Department of Medical Microbiology, Basic Medical Science Building, 745 Bannatyne Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9
Centre for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Mbagathi Road, Nairobi, Kenya

Winnipeg Tel: (204) 977-5609   Fax: (204) 789-3926
Nairobi Tel: (254)711870333, (254)202722541, Fax: (254)202720030
E-mail: songok@cc.umanitoba,ca , Esongok@kemri.org
Research Interests:
Viral and host factors for HIV antiretroviral resistance; use of functional genomics to identify novel biomarkers for drug and vaccine development and identification and testing of microbicide candidates.

Programs: Supporting national programs for antiretroviral treatment in sub-Sahara Africa .

Recent Publications:

  1. Songok EM, Ball TB, Kaefer N, Apidi W, Liang B, Luo M, Kimani J, Boucher G, Wachihi C, Sekaly R, Fowke K, and Plummer F (2012). Microarray analysis of HIV Resistant Female commercial sex workers show gene expression signature pattern reminiscent of a lowered immune activation state PLoS ONE2012;7(1):e30048. Epub 2012 Jan 26.
  2. Wambui V, Kiptoo MK, Kinyua JG, Odera I, Muiruri P, Muge E, Kinyanjui P, Lihana RW, Songok E..(2012)Predicted HIV-1 coreceptor usage among Kenya patients shows a high tendency for subtype D to be CXCR4 tropic . AIDS Res Ther 9:22 [Epub ahead of print]
  3. Nyagaka B, Kiptoo MK, Lihana RW, Khamadi SA, Makokha EP, Kinyua JG, Mwangi J, Osman S, Lagat N, Muriuki J, Okoth F, Gicheru M, Nganga Z and Songok EM (2011) HIV type 1 gag genetic diversity among antenatal clinic attendees inNorth Rift Valley Kenya, AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 2011 sept (Epub ahead of print)
  4. Kageha S, Lihana RW, Okoth V, Mwau M, Okoth FA, Songok EM, Ngaira JM, Khamadi SA (2011) HIV type 1 surveillance in Central Kenya. AIDS and Human Retroviruses July 2011 (Epub ahead of print)
  5. Lihana RW, Lwembe RM, Bi X, Ochieng W, Panikulam A, Palakudy T, Musoke R, Owens M, Ishizaki A, Okoth FA, Songok EM, Ichimura H. Efficient monitoring of HIV-1 vertically infected children in Kenya on first line antiretroviral therapy J. Clin.Virol ( Epu ahead of print)
  6. Songok EM, Osoro B, Mckinnon L, Rono MK, Apidi W, Matey E, Meyers A, Luo M, Kimani J, Wachihi C, Ball B, Plummer F, and Mpoke S (2010). CD26/Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV is highly expressed in peripheral blood of HIV highly exposed uninfected commercial sex workers. Virology 7: 343.
  7. Lihana RW, Khamadi S, Kizito L, Mwangi J, Kinyua JG, Okoth V, Lagat N, Okoth FA, Songok EM, Makokha EP (2010). Genetic Characterization of HIV-1 among patients with suspected immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome after intiation of antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 26:833-8.
  8. Lihana RW, Khamadi S, Lwembe R, Kinyua J, Muriuki J, Lagat N, Okoth F, Makokha EP andSongok EM (2009) HIV-1 subtype and viral tropism determination for evaluating antiretroviral therapy options: An analysis of archived Kenyan blood samples. BMC Infectious Diseases 9:215.
  9. Horton RE, Kaefer N, Songok E, Guijon FB, Kettaf N, Boucher G., Sekaly RP, Ball TB, Plummer FA (2009) A comparative analysis of gene expression patterns and cell phenotypes between cervical and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. PLos One. 4: e8293.
  10. Lihana RW, Khamadi SA, Lubano K, Lwembe R, Kiptoo MK, Lagat N, Kinyua JG, Okoth FA, Songok EM, Makokha EP, Ichimura H.(2009) HIV type 1 subtype diversity and drug resistance among HIV type1-infected Kenyan patients initiating antiretroviral therapy. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 25:1211-7
  11. Kiptoo M, Mpoke S, Ng'ang'a Z, Mueke J, Okoth F, and Songok EM. (2009). Survey on prevalence and risk factors on HIV-1 among pregnant women in North-Rift Kenya: a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted between 2005 and 2006. BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2009 Apr 30;9:10
  12. Lihana RW, Khamadi SA, Lwembe RM, Ochieng W, Kinyua JG, Kiptoo MK, Muriuki JK, Lagat N, Osman S, Mwangi JM, Okoth FA and Songok EM (2009) . The changing trend of HIV type 1 subtypes in Nairobi . AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. ;25:337-42
  13. Mwangi J, Nganga Z, Songok EM, Kinyua J, Lagat N, Muriuki J, Lihana R, Khamadi S, Osman S, Lwembe R, Kiptoo M, Mwau M, Chirchir R, Mpoke S, Nyamongo J, Okoth F, Yamada R, Kageyama S, Ichimura H. (2008). Molecular genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus in Kenya. Intervirology. 51(6):417-21
  14. Kiptoo EM, Ichimura H, Nganga Z; Kinyua J, Lagat N and Songok E.M ( 2008) : Prevalence of drug resistant mutations among antenatal clinic attendees and their children exposed to single dose nevirapine in clinics in North Rift Districts of Kenya AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 12:1555-9
  15. Lwembe R, Ochieng W, Panikulam A; Mongoina CO, Palakudy T, Koizumi Y; Kageyama S, Yamamoto N; Shioda T, Musoke R, Owens M, Songok EM , Okoth FA, Ichimura H (2007 ): Antiretroviral drug resistance-associated mutations among non-subtype B HIV infected Kenyan children with treatment failure Journal Medical Virology, 79:865-72.
  16. Lihana R, Khamadi SA , Kiptoo MK, Kinyua JG, Lagat N, Magoma GN, Mwau MM, Makokha EP, Onyango V, Osman S, Okoth FA and Songok EM (2006 ): HIV type 1 subtypes among STI patients in Nairobi : A genotypic study based on partial pol gene sequencing. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 22;1172-7.
  17. Khamadi SA, Ochieng W. Lihana RW, Kinyua J, Muriuki J, Mwangi J, Lwembe R, Kiptoo M, Osman S, Lagat N, Pelle R, Muigai A, Carter JY, Oishi I, Ichimura H; Mwaniki DL, Okoth FA, Mpoke S and Songok E.M ( 2005 ): HIV type 1 subtypes in circulation in northern Kenya. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 21:810-4.
  18. Songok EM , Lwembe RM, Kibaya R,Kobayashi K, Ndembi N, Kita K., Vulule J, Oishi I, Okoth F, Kageyama S and Ichimura H ( 2004 ): Active generation and selection for intersubtype A/D recombinant forms of HIV in a dually infected patient in Kenya . AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 20:255-8.
  19. Ndembi N, Takehisa J, Zekeng L, Kobayashi E, Ngansop C, Songok EM, Kageyama S, Takemura T, Ido E, Hayami M, Kaptue L, Ichimura H (2004 ):. Genetic Diversity of HIV type 1 in rural eastern Cameroon . J. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome 15:1641-50 .
  20. Songok E.M , Fujiyama Y; Tukei PM; Vulule J, Kiptoo MK, Adungo NO, Kakimoto K, Kobayashi N, Genga IO, Mpoke S, and Ichimura H (2003 ): The use of short course Zidovudine to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV in rural Kenya. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 69: 8-13.
  21. Songok E.M , Lihana RW, Kiptoo MK,Genga IO, Kibaya R; Odhiambo F; Kobayashi K, Ago Y, Ndembi N, Okoth F; Fujiyama Y, Imanishi J, Ichimura H (2003) : Identification of CRF-10 among HIV variants circulating in rural Kenya. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 19:161-165 .
  22. Ndembi N. Habakkuk Y.Takehisa J,Takemura T, Kobayashi,Ngansop, Songok EM, Miura T, Ido E, Hayami M, Kaptue L, Ichimura H (2003 ): HIV type 1 infection in pygmy hunter gatherers is from contact with Bantu rather than from non-human primates . AIDS Res and Human retroviruses 19:435-9.
  23. Makokha EP, Ogolla M, Orago A, Koech DK, Mpoke S, Esamai F, Songok EM , Kobayashi N, Okoth FA and Tukei PM ( 2003) : CD4+lymphocyte subsets and disease manifestation in children with and without HIV born to infected mothers. East Afr Med J 80:95-100.
  24. Munene E, Songok E , Nyamongo JA, Langat DK, Otsyula M (2002 ):Evaluation of HIV ELISA diagnostic kit developed at the Institute of Primate Research , Nairobi , Kenya . African Journal of Health Sciences 9: 117-22 .
  25. Makokha EP, Songok EM , Orago AA,Koech DK, Chemtai AK, Kobayashi N, Mpoke S, Tukei PM, Andayi FA, Lihana RW, Adungo NI, Vulule J .(2002) : Maternal immune responses and risk of infant infection with HIV-1 after a short course zidovudine study in a cohort of HIV-1 infected pregnant women in rural Kenya. East Afr. Med. J. 76: 567-73.
  26. Songok E.M , Kakimoto K., Genga I, Okello C. Makokha E, Kageyama S, Kobayashi N, Fujiyama Y, Ichimura H (2001 ): Prenatal Short course zidovudine reduces mortality in Children born to HIV-positive mothers in rural Kenya . Journal of Infectious Diseases 183:1540-1541.
  27. Songok E.M; Mulaa FJ; and Tukei PM( 1996 ): Serological characterization of HIV-1 in transmission in Nairobi . East African Medical Journal 73: 57-59
  28. Songok E.M .; Libondo DK, Rotich MC; Oogo SA, and Tukei PM ( 1996 ): Surveillance for HIV subtypes O and subtype M viruses in Kenya . Lancet: 347: 1700
  29. Songok E.M , Oogo SA, Mutura CW, Muniu EM, Koimett EC and Tukei PM (1994 ):Passage to India : The HIV blockade for Kenyan students. AIDS 8: 138-139 .
  30. Songok EM, Tukei PM; Libondo D; Gichogo A, Oogo SA(1994): Low prevalence of HTLV-1 in HIV positive patients in Kenya. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency syndrome 7: 876-877.

Manuscript Submitted:

Kinyua F, Kiptoo MK, Mutai J, Muiruri F, and Songok EM (2012): Perceptions of HIV infected patients on the use of cell phone as a tool to support their antiretroviral adherence: a cross-sectional study in a large referral hospital in Kenya.