Academic submissions (CoVAB)
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ItemStructural analysis of the interaction of embB protein mutations of mycobacterium tuberculosis with ethambutol and their effect on the interaction( 2024)Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a global health challenge exacerbated by the emergence of drug-resistant strains. Ethambutol is a critical first-line anti-TB drug targeting the embB protein, an enzyme essential for mycobacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Mutations in the embB gene are associated with resistance to ethambutol, reducing treatment efficacy and complicating disease management. This study aimed at investigating the interaction between the wild-type and specific mutant embB proteins and ethambutol and to investigate the effects of these specific embB mutations on this interaction. Computational docking and structural interaction analysis of the wild-type embB protein with Protein Data Bank (PDB) ID: 7BVF and its common mutants (M306V, M306L, E378A) with ethambutol was performed using PyRx software and LigPlot respectively. Binding affinities were calculated and the interaction sites were identified and analysed using molecular docking techniques and 2D ligand interaction diagrams respectively. The wild-type embB protein demonstrated a binding affinity of -4.8 kcal/mol with ethambutol, involving key residues such as Leu561, Thr564, Tyr502 and Asp498, forming a network of hydrogen bonds ranging from 2.87 Å to 3.26 Å. In contrast, embB mutants exhibited reduced binding affinities: -3.8 kcal/mol for M306V, -3.9 kcal/mol for M306L, and -4.7 kcal/mol for E378A. These mutations disrupted the hydrogen bond network, involving fewer residues and exhibiting weaker interactions with ethambutol. The findings highlight the critical role of specific residues in the embB protein for maintaining high-affinity interactions with ethambutol. Mutations in these residues significantly reduce drug binding, contributing to resistance. This study underscores the importance of targeting these mutations for the development of novel therapeutic agents and suggests the need for enhanced diagnostic tools to detect embB mutations in clinical isolates for effective TB management.
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ItemFarmer factors affecting the use and performance of artificial insemination among selected dairy farms in and around kigarama sub-county, sheema district, western Uganda(Makerere University, 2019-07)A cross sectional study was conducted in Kigarama sub county Sheema district, Western Uganda to determine farmer factors affecting the use and performance of AI among dairy farms. It mainly focused on the area extension workers, AI technicians and the dairy farmers. A total of 50 farms were selected using both the sampling method and the criterion of the farm producing at least 5 litres per day. On the other, all extension workers were selected and included 2 AI technicians and 2 veterinary officers. The study was to profile the current performance of AI using conception rate alongside the associated factors and to determine the constraints faced by dairy farmers. AI use was found to be 26% and it was associated with age of a farmer, availability and use of extension services and cattle ownership (P<0.05). However, there was no relationship between use of AI with breed of the animal, education of the farmer, occupation and period of keeping animals (experience) (P>0.05). The performance of AI was at 2 SC-1 due to mainly the farmer’s ability to detect heat early, time of insemination and finally quality of AI service and semen used. A great number of farmers admitted knowing that borrowed bulls may bring in diseases to the farm but continued with the practice. It was also noted that AI technicians lacked current techniques, as they had never been retrained.
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ItemAssessing the effects of feed presentation on weight gain on intensive broiler production among selected farms in peri-urban areas of Kampala(Makerere University, 2019-08)This was a case study done on a selected commercial broiler production farm to assess the effect of feed presentation on weight gain of intensive broiler birds in the peri-urban areas of Kampala. Other surrounding farmers were taken into account to give information concerning the choice of feed forms they give to their broilers. These were given prepared semi-structured questionnaires, which aided in getting information from the farmers. Of the 100 randomly selected broiler birds considered in the study, it was observed that there was a greater increase in weight gain among birds fed on pellets than those fed on mash. Mash feeds were more liked by farmers compared to pellets due to the different costs of the former. The weight gain of broiler birds was further estimated using FCR and average feed intake. There was significant increase in the mean body weight gain, feed intake and FCR of the broiler birds fed on the different forms of diet (pellets mash). The highest FCR was observed in mash fed broilers; meanwhile the pellet fed broilers had relatively the least FCR. Most of the farmers reported facing a problem of expensive feeds and diseases, which normally lead to the major losses faced in the broiler production. Therefore pelleted feed rations can be recommended for feeding of broilers in order to attain optimum economic returns.
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ItemAssessment of factors leading to milk spoilage on selected farms in Rwanyamahembe sub county, DISTRICT.Mbarara(Makerere University, 2019-08)This report entails generally the activities I got involved in during my study. The aim of the study was to find out the on-farm factors causing milk spoilage in Rwanyamahembe Sub-County. Data was collected by physical examination, visual examination, questionnaire and interviews. 55% of the farmers use plastics while 45% use aluminium as milk handling equipment. 35% of milk produced by farmers in this Sub-County is lost through spoilage on a daily basis. Farmers use different methods of controlling milk spoilage. 20% of the farmers use milk filtration, 25% milk healthy animals, 42% sell off milk immediately after milking and 15% use healthy and clean personnel for milking their animals. I recommend that farmers in this Sub-County should be given education and sensitization on different ways of handling milk in order to reduce milk spoilage. Since research has been done on farms, I recommend that further research should be done to determine factors causing milk spoilage at milk collection centres.
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ItemPrevalence of bacterial isolates in blood cultures and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles at mbale regional referral hospital laboratory(Makerere University, 2019-06)The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria identified in blood culture to improve empirical antibiotictherapy .The study was retrospective cross sectional in nature involved review of patients' laboratory records and files at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Microbiology Laboratory for the period of two years (February 2019-February 2017).Relevant information like age, sex, organism isolated and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were obtained from the patients records. During the two years, 254 blood culture were received from different departments like OPD, ACU, CAS in the Hospital. In a total of 254 blood culture, 19 yielded monomicrobial growth. An incidence of positive blood culture was 7.5%(19/254) that included Gram-positive cocci 78.9%and Gram-negative bacilli 21.1%. The most frequently identified species was staphylococcus aureus 78.9% and Enterobacteriaceace accounted for 21.1% included entrobactor 10.5%, Escherichia coli 5.3% and salmonella typhi was also 5.3%. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 18 antimicrobial agents were determined by minimum inhibitory concentration using standard Kirby Bauer's Method. Imipenem showed 100% activity against all isolates. Tetracycline was 100% sensitive against both salmonella and Entrobactor but 0% activity against staphylococcus aureus. High sensitivity was also seen to Tetracycline (100%), oxacillin (100%), Gentimycin (89%). Gentamycin was 77.8%, Nitrofurantoin 66.7%, cefuroxime 60% against staphylococcus auerus. High resistance was seen against ampicillin (100%),Augmentin(100%), Cotrimoxazole(83%). caluvulinic acid (80%). Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to most of antimicrobial agents tested from 0-44.4% sensitivity.It is concluded that staphylococcus auerus is the principal organism responsible for blood stream infection and resistant to most of antimicrobial agents. Imepenem is the effective antimicrobialage