From November 12 to 14, 2025, Dr. Kazuma Yagi and Dr. Keiichi Takahashi from the Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, visited our Kenya Research Station.
The visit was part of the preparation for a collaborative study led by Prof. Namgung from Keio University and Assoc. Prof. Saito and Dr. Hikone from our team, titled “Epidemiological Investigation of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Diseases in Kenya.”
During their stay, they toured our research facilities and held meetings to discuss future research plans. They also visited the field sites of the ongoing prospective cohort study of extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients (Biotube Study). At Mbagathi County Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital, they observed the study flow and patient enrollment procedures.
On the final day, November 14, the team traveled to Kisumu to visit the Mycobacteriology Division at KEMRI. They met with Mr. Albert Okumu, who is leading NTM research efforts in Kenya, and exchanged views on future directions for NTM research in the country. The discussions were highly productive and meaningful.
This visit significantly advanced the foundation for NTM research at our Kenya station. We look forward to launching full-scale collaborative research with the Department of Infectious Diseases at Keio University School of Medicine.