32 research outputs found
Isolation and Characterization of Novel Lytic Bacteriophages Infecting Carbapenem-Resistant Pathogenic Diarrheagenic and Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli
No full textKenneth Ssekatawa,1,2 Ibrahim Ntulume,3 Denis Karuhize Byarugaba,3 Slawomir Michniewski,4 Eleanor Jameson,5 Eddie M Wampande,6 Jesca Nakavuma3 1Department of Science Technical and Vocational Education, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 2Africa Center of Excellence in Materials, Product Development and Nanotechnology (MAPRONANO ACE), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 3Department of Biotechnical and Diagnostic Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 4Centre for Phage Research, University of Leicester, England, UK; 5School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, UK; 6Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Clinical and Comparative Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Kenneth Ssekatawa; Jesca Nakavuma, Email [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]: The evolution of antimicrobial resistance has dramatically reduced the efficacy of the first-choice and last-resort antibiotics used to treat E. coli infections. Thus, searching for novel therapeutics to treat and control the emergence of antibiotic resistance is urgent. Therefore, this study aimed to illustrate the lytic effect of phages against carbapenem-resistant pathogenic E. coli.Methods: Phages were isolated from hospital effluents by the enrichment assay. This was followed by the evaluation of the host range of the phages by the spot assay. The time taken by phages to bind to the host bacterial cells was determined by the adsorption assay. The phage latent period and burst size were determined using a one-step growth experiment. Phage morphology was determined by the Transmission Electron Microscopy. Molecular characterization of phages was done by whole genome sequencing.Results: Two phages named UGKSEcP1 and UGKSEcP2 were isolated from hospital effluents. The phages were professionally lytic with a broad host range. The two phages recorded an average adsorption time of 11.25 minutes, an adsorption rate of 99.3%, a latency period of 20 minutes, and a burst size of approximately 528 phages/infected cell. Phages UGKSEcP1 and UGKSEcP2 had genome lengths of 167433bp, and 167221bp with 277 and 276 predicted genes, respectively, and no undesirable genes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the two phages belonged genus Tequatrovirus. TEM micrograph showed that the two phages had a similar morphotype with icosahedral heads and contractile tails; thus, classified as members of the Myoviridae phage family.Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the study isolated two novel professionally lytic phages with a broad host range and thus, are candidates for phage-mediated biocontrol.Keywords: antibiotic resistance, carbapenem resistance, bacteriophage
PLoS One
No full textBackgroundCryptococcal meningitis can best be diagnosed by cerebrospinal fluid India ink microscopy, cryptococcal antigen detection, or culture. These require invasive lumbar punctures. The utility of cryptococcal antigen detection in saliva is unknown. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of the point-of-care cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay (CrAg LFA) in saliva.MethodsWe screened HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy na\uefve persons with symptomatic meningitis (n\u200a=\u200a130) and asymptomatic persons with CD4+<100 cells/\ub5L entering into HIV care (n\u200a=\u200a399) in Kampala, Uganda. The diagnostic performance of testing saliva was compared to serum/plasma cryptococcal antigen as the reference standard.ResultsThe saliva lateral flow assay performance was overall more sensitive in symptomatic patients (88%) than in asymptomatic patients (27%). The specificity of saliva lateral flow assay was excellent at 97.8% in the symptomatic patients and 100% in asymptomatic patients. The degree of accuracy of saliva in diagnosing cryptococcosis and the level of agreement between the two sample types was better in symptomatic patients (C-statistic 92.9, \u3ba-0.82) than in asymptomatic patients (C-statistic 63.5, \u3ba-0.41). Persons with false negative salvia CrAg tests had lower levels of peripheral blood CrAg titers (P<0.001).ConclusionThere was poor diagnostic performance in testing saliva for cryptococcal antigen, particularly among asymptomatic persons screened for preemptive treatment of cryptococcosis.2014087540/Wellcome Trust/United KingdomU01 AI089244/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United StatesU01AI089244/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United StatesU01GH11005/GH/CGH CDC HHS/United States25078453PMC41175301018
Brucellosis seroprevalence in livestock in Uganda from 1998 to 2008: a retrospective study
No full textComparative study of in-vitro antimicrobial activity and phytochemical composition of Sida cuneifolia fruits, leaves, and stem bark extracts
No full textBackground: Sida cuneifolia plant parts are important in ethno-veterinary medicine, but no studies exist on a comparative evaluation of phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of fruits, stem bark and leaves. This study evaluated and compared extraction yields, phytochemical composition as well as antibacterial and antifungal properties of ether, methanol and aqueous crude extracts of fruits, leaves, and stem bark of S. cuneifolia.Methods: Yields of extracts were determined, and qualitative phytochemical screening tests were carried out to establish their composition. Crude extracts were screened against five bacteria and two fungi. Agar disk diffusion technique was used to determine the inhibition zone diameters. Broth micro-dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibition concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC).Results: Triterpene aglycones, sterols, tannins, athracene derivatives, polyuronides and glucides were found in intense mounts in S. cuneifolia fruits. Leaves contained intense amounts of carotenoids, tannins, polyuronides and coumarin derivatives. For the leaves, methanol extracts had MICs and MBCs as low as (≤3.13 mg/ml) against the majority (6/7) microorganisms hence had the best activity. Considering the stem bark, the ether extracts had the best antimicrobial activity with MICs as low as ≤3.13 mg/ml against 6/7 microorganisms. For the fruits, the ether extracts had the best antibacterial activity with MICs and MBCs as low as (≤3.13 mg/ml) against all tested bacteria.Conclusion: The study provides scientific evidence for ethno-veterinary use of S. cuneifolia leaves, fruits and stem bark, and this can be exploited in the transformative development of ethno-medicine
Perceptions about mercury and lead in fish consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities Uganda ABOUT THE AUTHOR
No full textAbstract: Fish consumption is a lifestyle in fishing communities influenced by individual and communal perceptions. However, information about individual perceptions about fish consumption in the vulnerable fishing community in a developing country is lacking. Without this study, the benefits of fish consumption in a vulnerable community may not be realized. Data collection was executed using key informant interviews and survey structured questionnaires. The key informants include fisheries, community development, veterinary, community and environmental officers. The household heads were the respondents. The Qualitative data was organized and queried using QSR Nvivo 10 and quantitative data analyzed with SPSS version 22. The perceived benefits of eating fish are health, income, nutrition and manhood. The perceived risks are Stigma and ill health. The factors increasing fish consumption are heedless of fish consumption benefits (p = 0.041) and household size i.e. number of adults more than seven (p = 0.020). Those decreasing are methods of preparation of fish i.e. boiling and frying (p = 0.019 and p = 0.010) and oblivious about organizations dealing with fishing activities (p = 0.029). An awareness campaign is needed to demystify the health benefits and fallacies of fish consumption. The knowledge on individual perceptions associated with fish consumption will increase fish consumption but with fewer risks
Seroprevalence and excretion status of Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum in chicken around Kampala Uganda
No full textA survey to establish the prevalence of Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum was undertaken during April – November 1997. The whole blood rapid agglutination (WBRA) test was employed to test for presence of antibodies to and the excretion status of Salmonella pullorum-gallinarum in chicken from farms around Kampala where most intensive poultry keeping is practiced. Serological testing was carried out on the farms while isolation was done in the laboratory at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University. Out of the total 871 chickens tested, 104 were broilers, 273 were pullets and 494 were layers; 581 were vaccinated against fowl typhoid and 290 were from non-vaccinated flocks. Of the 871 chicken tested, 302 (34.7%) were positive by the WBRA test, of which 31 were broilers, 68 were pullets and 203 were layers. Some chicken, 263 (30.2%) gave doubtful reactions, of which 31 were broilers, 85 were pullets and 147 were layers. The seroprevalence varied from 18.3% in non-vaccinated flocks to 58.6% in the vaccinated ones. The average prevalence in non-vaccinated chicken was 27.9% and 37.9% in the vaccinated ones, and there were significant differences in the prevalence of seropositivity between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated chicken (χ2 p=8.55E-09) and the producer flocks versus the breeder flocks (χ2 p=0.025). Bacteriological isolation revealed an excretion status of 8% in the non-vaccinates and 2% in the vaccinates. The WBRA test can be utilized to detect and dispose of the positive reactors and even trace them to flocks and/or hatcheries of origin in order to control the sources of infection. Doubtful reactors should be re-tested after one to two weeks to ascertain their status. A combination of this test with other serological tests, such as ELISA, Rapid Serum Plate test, Tube Agglutination and Micro-agglutination, is useful in enhancing the control and eventual eradication of pullorum-typhoid infection. However, with increasing intensification of poultry production, with little or no Salmonellosis control measures in place, the prevalence is likely to increase
Influence of physicochemical parameters on storage stability: Microbiological quality of fresh unpasteurized fruit juices
No full textFresh juices rich in health and nutritional benefits are valued for their fresh flavor, taste, and aroma. These juices' quality however is affected by factors like temperature, light, and microbiological contamination significantly changing physicochemical parameters and storage stability. Physicochemical and microbiological analyses of passion fruit, pineapple, and mango juices in dark and light bottles at 24°C and 4°C were conducted in Kampala, Uganda for 12 days. Physicochemical parameters significantly reduced (p < .05) storage stability of fresh juices, while no significant changes (p > .05) were observed for the microbiological analyses. pH values ranged from 3.0 to 4.2 (dark) bottles and 2.9 to 4.0 (light) bottles for juices at 24°C and 4°C. °Brix values were from 1.0 to 5.5 for dark and clear bottles at 24°C and 4°C. TTA (%) values ranged from 1.1 to 7.2 (dark) bottles and 1.1 to 7.4 for (light) bottles at 24°C and 4°C. Ascorbic acid content ranged from 3.5 to 61.0 mg/ 100 ml and 5.5 to 56.7 mg/100 ml for juices in dark and clear bottles, respectively. total plate counts ranged from 1.3 × 10___ to 3.3 × 107 CFU/ml (dark bottles at 24°C) to 3.5 × 10³ to 3.3 × 108 CFU/ml (dark bottles at 4°C). For juices in light bottles, total plate counts ranged from 1.8 × 10___ to 8.0 × 107 CFU/ml (24°C) and 2.7 × 10___ to 1.5 × 108 CFU/ml (4°C). High microbial loads suggest the use of poor processing techniques and lack of good hygiene which lower quality and reduce storage stability of juices. Storage temperature greatly reduces physicochemical parameters both at ambient and refrigeration temperatures. This implies that temperature control for unpasteurized juices is critical in order to inhibit microorganism metabolic activities which accelerate biodeterioration leading to spoilage and short shelf life. Fresh unpasteurized juices stored at 24°C and 4°C may safely be consumed within 1 and 2 days, respectively
Risk estimates for children and pregnant women exposed to mercury-contaminated Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus in Lake Albert Uganda ABOUT THE AUTHOR
No full textAbstract: Exposure to mercury contaminated fish predisposes populations particularly children and pregnant women to various health hazards including neurotoxicity, reproductive abnormalities and cognitive disorders. Earlier studies in the Lake Albert community have demonstrated the presence of mercury in Nile tilapia and Nile perch. However, the risk estimates for vulnerable groups such as Children and pregnant women is not well documented. Secondary data-set from previous studies were employed comprising family household size and fish consumption history, fish consumption quantity and frequency and mercury levels in fish species in comparison with FAO/WHO guidelines. Data collected was used to establish the hazard quotients (HQs) for the vulnerable group and the general population. A risk model was developed using iRISK to demonstrate the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) for eating different parts of the fish (muscle and bellyfat). HQ values (HQ = 2.05) above one for the vulnerable group were realized especially with Nile perch muscle. The highest DALYs (0.111) was obtained with tilapia muscle consumption. The study outcome reveals that vulnerable populations are at risk of non-carcinogenic complications. Therefore, there is a need for sensitization of the community especially the vulnerable groups about risks associated with consuming mercury-contaminated fish
Perceptions about mercury and lead in fish consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities Uganda
No full textFish consumption is a lifestyle in fishing communities influenced by individual and communal perceptions. However, information about individual perceptions about fish consumption in the vulnerable fishing community in a developing country is lacking. Without this study, the benefits of fish consumption in a vulnerable community may not be realized. Data collection was executed using key informant interviews and survey structured questionnaires. The key informants include fisheries, community development, veterinary, community and environmental officers. The household heads were the respondents. The Qualitative data was organized and queried using QSR Nvivo 10 and quantitative data analyzed with SPSS version 22. The perceived benefits of eating fish are health, income, nutrition and manhood. The perceived risks are Stigma and ill health. The factors increasing fish consumption are heedless of fish consumption benefits (p = 0.041) and household size i.e. number of adults more than seven (p = 0.020). Those decreasing are methods of preparation of fish i.e. boiling and frying (p = 0.019 and p = 0.010) and oblivious about organizations dealing with fishing activities (p = 0.029). An awareness campaign is needed to demystify the health benefits and fallacies of fish consumption. The knowledge on individual perceptions associated with fish consumption will increase fish consumption but with fewer risks
Plants and procedures used for traditional processing of sour milk (Amakamo) by the Bahima of Kiruhura District, Uganda
No full textAmakamo, a traditionally fermented milk product has been consumed by the cattle keeping communities of South-Western Uganda for a long time but its production process is not well understood. To achieve this, a cross-sectional study was carried out in Kiruhura District to document the plants and procedures followed during amakamo processing though interviews and focus group discussions. The plants were collected, identified and vouchers deposited at the Makerere University Herbarium. A total of 108 respondents were interviewed, majority of whom were females (92.6%), had experience in amakamo processing ranging between 20 and 29 years (69.4%), and learnt the skill from their parents (92%). Most (55.6%) respondents were aged between 31 and 40 years, processed amakamo daily (88%), mainly for home consumption (92.6%). The key steps in amakamo processing include cream separation, boiling, cooling, backslopping, fermentation and curd breaking. The most reported cause of amakamo processing failure is the plant used to smoke the vessels (60. 2%, n=108), followed by poor quality starter culture (18.5 %, n=108). The commonest sign of unsuccessfully processed amakamo is milk separation (60.2 %, n=108). Eighteen plants belonging to 14 families were reported most of which (16.7%) belong to Poaceae family. All respondents (100%) cited Thunbergia alata, Hoslundia opposita, Albizia coriaria, Combretum molle, Loudetia kagerensis and Hyparrhenia filipendula as useful plants in amakamo processing. The most predominant plant life forms were shrubs (33.3%) followed by trees (27.8%). Most plants (27.8%) were used to scrub and smoke fermentation vessels. Aerial parts were the most commonly (50%) used parts and almost all (94.4%) of the plants used were from wild habitats. Further studies should be done to investigate the phytochemical composition of the plants used to smoke fermentation vessels and how they affect the quality of the amakamo
