Faculty of Biomedical Sciences

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/14807

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 22
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Evaluation of the Effects of Galinsoga parviflora (Cav) Aqueous Leaf Extract on the Cerebellum During Mercury Exposure in Adult Male Mice
    (Kampala International University, 2021-10) John Ayuba Tabakwot
    Background: The cerebellum forms a major part of the brain and its function is to control all muscular movements and coordination. Injury or damage to the cells of the cerebellum may lead to conditions like; ataxia, Joubert syndrome, and many others. These injuries may be a result of traumatic brain injuries or toxic agents such as mercury, tin, and aluminum. For example, mercury exposure has been reported to be part of our daily lives, therefore it is important to understand the pathological implication that might follow these exposures and also with the help of a local herb; Galinsoga parviflora (GP) to find a cheap and readily available management solution to mercury toxicity in the cerebellum. Objective: This study was designed to demonstrate the effects of Galinsoga parviflora (Cav) aqueous leaf extract on mercury-induced cerebellar damage in adult male mice. Method: Twenty-five adult male mice of an average weight of 25g were randomly divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each (n=5). The animals in Groups 1-5 received oral administration of distilled water, 2.3mg/kg body weight of HgCl2, 2.3 mg/kg HgCl2 followed by GP extract (800mg/kg), GP extract (800mg/kg) followed by 2.3 mg/kg HgCl2 and GP extract (800mg/kg) followed by 2.3 mg/kg HgCl2 concurrently respectively. These treatments were followed by behavioral tests, euthanization of the animals through perfusion fixation and tissue samples were harvested for histological, histochemical and biochemical analyses. Results: There was evidence of pyknotic cells, degenerating myelin, region of linear distribution of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of group 2 animals. Also, these animals exhibited abnormal neuromuscular function and uncoordinated balance and posture. Furthermore, there was reduction in CAT (220.28±27.84) and SOD (43.25±13.28) concentration and increase in MDA (3.03±0.09) levels in the cerebellum of the mice. The animals in group 3 revealed reduced pyknotic cells, presence myelination in their cerebellum. Also, they showed neuromuscular function and coordinated balance and posture controls. Furthermore, there was significant increase in concentration of CAT (264.52±3.61) and SOD (50.0±4.08) and reduced in level of MDA in the cerebellum (2.96±0.20). Group 4 animals revealed evidence of less pyknotic cells, reduced linear distribution of Purkinje cells, evidence of myelination in the cerebellum. Also these animals exhibited neuromuscular functions and coordinated balance and posture controls. Furthermore, there was significant increase in concentration of CAT (299.25±13.49), reduction in concentration vii SOD (55.0±5.40) and increase in MDA (3.19±0.15) level in the cerebellum. Group 5 animals revealed evidence of relatively high normal pyramidal cell, shorter region of reduced linear distribution, normal axonal myelination of Purkinje fibers. Also the animals showed normal neuromuscular function, coordinated balance and posture, significant increase in concentration of CAT (275.4±16.04), SOD (76.75±2.36) and increase level of MDA(2.73±0.19) in the cerebellum. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study revealed that mercury exposure in the cerebellum of mice caused pyknosis, reduced myelination in the axons, loss of neuromuscular function, loss of balance and coordination and reduced antioxidant activities. However, the introduction of Galinsoga parviflora in the cerebellum acted as a therapeutic agent against mercury toxicity in the cerebellum of adult male mice.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Characterization of escherichia coli isolates producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase from urinary tract infected patients in selected hospitals in Kisii County, Kenya
    (Kampala International University, 2023-10) Christine Gechemba Mokaya
    Brief introduction: The second easiest sickness in the world after respiratory disorders is Urinary tract infection (UTI), a type of contamination that affects the urethra, ureters and bladder. The pathogen that infects the circulatory and urinary systems most frequently across the globe is Escherichia coli. Numerous medical facilities have been devastated by E. coli’s antibiotic resistance, making it difficult to eradicate infections among patients. This has created a global healthcare problem, by limiting the antimicrobial medications that can be used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Development of resistance is due to change in bacterial genes involved in virulence and pathogenicity and these genes can be studied at molecular level. Objectives of the study: Characterization of multi-drug resistant E. coli isolates from urinary tract infected patients attending selected hospitals in Kisii County, Kenya. Materials and methods: A total of 203 samples of urine were obtained, bacteriologically analyzed using various biochemical tests, sensitivity tests were done on E. coli isolates and those that were found to be resistant to antibiotics were isolated and characterized using standard microbiology techniques. Results: of the 203 clean midstream samples that were collected and analyzed, 115 (56.65%) yielded bacterial growth, and out of the 115, 24 (20.87%) sample confirmed positive for E. coli. Amoxicillin exhibited high resistance (100%), followed closely by ceftriaxone (53.33%). PCR amplification of DNA from the E. coli isolates that produced ESBL showed the BlaTEM gene's presence (62.5%), and BlaCTX-M genes and BlaSHV genes were absent. Conclusion and recommendation: A prevalence of 20.87% was reported. The study revealed that UPEC isolates were completely (100%) sensitive to imipenem and completely resistant to amoxicillin (100%). BlaTEM gene was the most dominant gene. To avoid excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics as well as treatment failures, it is advised to routinely screen isolates that produce ESBL before administering antibiotics.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Efficacy of Lytic Bacteriophages Isolated from Waste Dumpsites in Southwestern Uganda Against Carbapenem-Resistant P. aeruginosa AND E. coli
    (Kampala International University, 2023-05) Ntulume Ibrahim
    The escalating rate of infections due to carbapenem resistant bacteria has led to a revived interest in compassionate use of phage therapy either as a substitute or supplement to conventional antibiotics. The present study aimed at characterizing and determining the lytic efficacy of bacteriophage isolates from selected waste dump sites in Southwestern Uganda against carbapenem-resistant (CR) P. aeruginosa and E. coli. A laboratory experimental study design was conducted. Eighteen samples (soil and leachate) were collected from 3 selected waste dump sites (Kekombe, Kabagarame and Kidodo waste dumpsites). Phage isolation was done using the double agar overlay plaque technique and their lytic activity against CR P. aeruginosa and E. coli was determined using both spot and in vitro therapeutic inhibition assays. Physico-chemical and biological characterization of efficacious phages was done. The phage cocktail (1:1) was assayed for biofilm inhibitory efficacy. Sixteen lytic phages against CR P. aeruginosa and E. coli were identified. Only four (04) phages; KA06ph03KA, KA01C, BU03B, and KE01E exhibited high virulence with mean efficiency of plating (EOP) of 0.169–0.552) and broad-spectrum of activity. These phages produced clear pin point to small sized plaques (0.1 - 1 mm diameter) and formed turbid haloes on E. coli hosts. These phages had short latent periods (5–20 minutes), short adsorption times (5–15 min), variable burst sizes (21–101 PFU/infected cell) and burst times (25–85 min). Their thermal stability ranged between -20°C to 60°C except phages KA01C and KA06ph03KA that retained stability at both 70°C and 80°C for 10 min and shared pH stability range of 2 to 10. The phage cocktail exhibited maximal inhibitory effects within 2 to 3 hours as compared to individual phages. Even so, it was more effective in treating the planktonic cells and 24 hr old biofilms of CR P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The studied waste dumpsites harbored virulent lytic phages against CR P. aeruginosa and E. coli and the phage cocktail had better therapeutic potential over individual phages. The study therefore recommends molecular characterization and in vivo efficacy testing of the isolated in order to ascertain their safety for therapeutic usage in humans as well as use of phage cocktail as opposed to individual phages.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Monitoring Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Kitagata Hot Spring, Sheema District Southwestern Uganda: A Public Health ImplicatioN
    (Kampala International University, 2023-10) Hambali Kaltume Umar
    Background: The alarming prevalence of Klebseilla pneumoniae in most recreational places such as hot spring waters is concerning, yet this superbug is associated with accelerated dissemination of multi drug resistance genes. The present study aimed at determining the spatial temporal prevalence of multi drug resistant K. pneumoniae in Kitagata hot spring, Sheema district, Southwestern Uganda. Methods: A descriptive longitudinal study design was conducted between May and July, 2023. Eighty water samples were collected in the morning and evening from purposively selected points of the hot spring at an interval of 1 week during the rainy and dry season. Temperatures at each point were measured prior to sample collection and two samples at varying depth were obtained. Five millitres of each homogenized sample was pre-enriched in brain heart infusion broth and then presumptive identification of K. pneumonia isolates was done both blood and violet red bile agars. Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method was performed followed by phenotypic detection of both extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase (CR) production. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect resistance genes; blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaKPC. Data was analyzed using SPSS-20 to obtain chi square tests and Person’s product moment correlation coefficient using regression analysis. Statistical significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The prevalence of K. pneumoniae in Kitagata hot spring was 30.0%. 100% isolates exhibited extreme resistance to ampicillin, rifampicin, ceftazidime, and then followed by azithromycin (79.2%). 95.8% harbored blaTEM gene, followed by blaKPC gene (33.3%), both blaTEM + blaKPC genes (25.0%), blaCTX (20.8%), both blaTEM + blaCTX genes (12.5%) while 2 (8.3%) harbored the three resistance genes. A higher prevalence of K. pneumoniae (35.0%) was reported in the dry season as compared to the wet season (25.0%). The occurrence of MDR strains significantly increased overtime during the course of the study. Carriage of the three studied resistance genes was positively correlated with the second phase of sample collection and dry season while negatively correlated with temperature except isolates that harbored either blaTEM only or blaTEM+KPC +CTX genes. Conclusions: Kitagata hot spring serves as hot spot for continuous dissemination and acquisition multi drug resistant K. pneumoniae harboring resistance genes that encode for ESBL and CR production. The health sector should strengthen one health programs, AMR surveillance system, and sturdy stewardship training to provide health education to the communities
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effects of Tamarindus indica Seeds’ Aqueous Extract on the Kidney and Liver , Following High-cholesterol diet Exposure in Male Wistar Rats
    (Kampala International University, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences., 2023-04) Ibrahim Ssengendo
    Hypercholesterolemia has been reported by world heart federation (2017) to be prevalent globally to up 39%, and Nakibbuka et al (2015) indicated the rise in elevated cholesterol levels among youth and elderly in rural and urban centers of Uganda. The use of traditional medicine in the management of diseases is on the rise in developing countries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of an aqueous extract of Tamarindus indica seeds (AETI) on the Kidney and Liver of male Wistar rats fed on a high-cholesterol diet (HCD). Thirty Rats were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 6) as follows; Group I (2 ml/ kg distilled water), Group II (HCD and 300mg/kg AETI), Group III (HCD and 500mg/kg AETI), Group IV (HCD and 260mg/kg Questran), Group V (HCD and 2 ml/ kg distilled water). The administration lasted for 61 days, HCD was only introduced for the first forty days. The administration of distilled water, AETI, and Questran were done orally via gastric tube. Blood samples for lipid profile analysis were collected on day 41 and day 62, after which the rats were euthanized to harvest the Kidney and Liver for macroscopic and microscopic examination. There was no significant change in the average body weight of the rats throughout the experiment, except in groupV when compared to normal control. The Liver sections present severe Liver injury in HCD + 2ml/kg distilled water group, moderate Liver injury in the 300mg/kg AETI group, very mild histomorphological changes in the 500mg/kg AETI group and no histomorphological changes in the Questran group. The Kidney sections showed no visible histological changes. The lipid profile analysis showed a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the levels of total serum cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride in rats treated with AETI, with the 500mg/kg dose showing a better response than the 300mg/kg, when compared to the Questran group. The effects of AETI against elevated cholesterol levels were greater at day 62 than day 41. In conclusion, Tamarindus indica seeds had protective effects against tissue injuries in Liver caused by raised blood cholesterol levels and also lowered the elevated blood cholesterol levels in rats