School of Biosecurity, Biotechnolgy and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS) Collection
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ItemEffect of pawpaw juice extract on the microscopic parameters of buck epididymal semen(Makerere University, 2023)Antioxidants are key to sperm viability due to their protective effects against formation the formation of free oxygen radicals and cell damage of spermatozoa during preservation. In order to improve the life span of refrigerated buck semen, this study was carried out to determine the effect of pawpaw juice extract on spermatozoa viability of semen since it is rich in antioxidants. Pooled semen from three indigenous (Mubende) bucks, abuck per week diluted with Tris-egg yolk-based extender and supplemented with pawpaw fruit juice extract at different concentrations of 0, 2, 5 and 7/100ml respectively. Following dilution, the semen samples were assessed subjectively after invitro storage at 5°C for 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours as regard sperm motility, abnormality and integrity using a phase-contrast microscope. The results showed highest level of sperm abnormalities in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract 7/100ml in all time intervals and lowest levels of sperm abnormalities in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract at 5/100ml at 0hours but higher than the control. This indicated a protective measure in pawpaw juice extract at 5/100ml. The results also showed highest levels of sperm motility in control compared to other samples with time. However better progressive motility was recorded in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract at 2/100ml compared to all pawpaw juice extract extenders. It is also important to note a sharp decrease in progressive motility in extended semen supplemented with 5/100ml with time when compared with the rest of the samples. The results showed almost a similar level of acrosome integrity in all categories of the semen extenders with time. Highest levels of acrosome integrity were observed in the control sample at 0 hours and the least levels of acrosome integrity was observed in extended semen supplemented with pawpaw juice extract at 7/100ml. The findings revealed that the antioxidants in pawpaw fruit have less protective ability to maintain sperm viability during storage of sperms at low temperatures.
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ItemIn silico identification of candidate B-cell epitopes and Chimeric proteins derived from OmpA, OmpK35, OmpK36, and Pal proteins for control of Klebsiella pneumoniae( 2024)Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterium that causes nosocomial infection in healthcare settings. Despite the high morbidity and mortality rate associated with these bacterial infections, no effective vaccine is available to counter the pathogen. The application of bioinformatics tools has influenced the development of vaccines by focusing on isolated epitopes capable of eliciting highly targeted immune responses. In this study, bioinformatics tools were used to identify immune-dominant epitopes from four key Klebsiella pneumoniae proteins: Outer membrane protein A (OmpA), Outer membrane protein K35 (OmpK35), Outer membrane protein K36 (OmpK36) and Peptidoglycan associated protein (Pal). Twenty-one chimeric proteins were designed by combining these epitopes with flexible and rigid linkers of varying lengths. The chimeras were then thoroughly evaluated for physicochemical properties, antigenicity, and allergenicity. Among the designed chimeras, >Chimera6 was the most promising candidate, exhibiting superior stability, high antigenicity, excellent solubility, and non-allergenic characteristics. These findings suggest that >Chimera6 has the potential to induce a robust and targeted immune response against Klebsiella pneumoniae infections. The study findings represent a significant steptowards the rational design of an effective Klebsiella pneumoniae vaccine andopens avenues for further research and validation. By combining computational approaches with experimental validation, the development of a successful vaccine that can combat the menace of Klebsiella pneumoniae and contribute to global health security will be possible.
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ItemAssessment of hardness of water samples from selected closed water system in Kitgum Municipality, Kitgum District, Northern Uganda( 2024)This study conducted in Kitgum Municipality evaluated the water quality of closed water systems, revealing that 96.7% of samples were classified as very hard water. The mean concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and iron were 79.87 mg/L, 48.689 mg/L, and 0.525 mg/L respectively, with varying ranges. These findings were compared against USGS and WHO standards, highlighting consistent classification of very hard water and occasional iron levels exceeding WHO guidelines. Geological factors, including limestone and dolomite deposits, were proposed as contributors to high mineral content, while iron presence could have stemmed from local soil and Rock leaching or infrastructure corrosion. Implications of these findings span public health and infrastructure domains, with health risks linked to cardiovascular diseases, Kidney stone and other organ damages from prolonged hard water consumption, alongside dermatological issues from elevated iron and iron overload. Infrastructure faces challenges like scaling and system deterioration, escalating maintenance costs and impairing domestic and industrial appliances efficiency. Mitigating strategies such as ion exchange, reverse osmosis and Lime Soda softening were proposed, contingent on application scale, water quality targets, cost-efficiency, and energy use. Comprehensive monitoring and public education on health risks are recommended to ensure sustainable water quality management in Kitgum Municipality.
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ItemPrevalence and associated risk factors of helicobacter pyroli infections among the patients attending ROTOM Hospital, Muhanga in Rukiga District(Makerere University, 2025)Helicobacter Pylori is a spiral gram-negative pathogenic bacterium causing inflammation of the stomach tissues leading to gastric ulcers. H. pylori are associated with cause of gastric cancer proven through a variety studies. Higher prevalence in developing countries and over 50% worldwide causes global public health problem throughout life. The study aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of H. pylori infections among patients attending ROTOM Hospital, Muhanga in Rukiga district. Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted for patients attending ROTOM Hospital Muhanga in Rukiga district from December 2024 to March 2025 and data obtained was analysed stata. Results: In a total of 379 participants included in the study, among them, 221 (58.3%) tested positive, and 158 (41.7%) tested negative for H pylori infections. Female participants (143) had many cases of H pylori infections indicating 59.7% almost the same with males presenting 59.1 % (78 cases) of H pylori infections. The highest prevalence was among (6079) age group having 79 cases (69.3%,), age group 20-39 with 41cases (56.2%), then 40-59 age group with 38 cases (46.9%) and lastly those with ≤ 19 years with 29 cases (43.3%). Conclusion: Prevalence was 58.3% which was high meaning a certain high percentage of population is afflicted with H. pylori infections, a serious public health concern that can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, healthcare workers could provide health education on the aforementioned risk factors, the government and other stakeholders could improve the source of drinking water in the area. The need for further studies to a better understanding of the epidemiology of H. pylori infection, which is helpful in diagnosis and prevention of diseases.
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ItemAntimicrobial resistance profile of pathogenic isolates among out-patients receiving health care services at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu – Uganda(Makerere University, 2024)Antibiotic resistance poses a profound threat to human health with associated increased mortality rates and the odds ratio of readmission for resistant infections is as high as 1.492 (49.2%). It has increasingly caused high mortality and morbidity especially in low and middle-income communities with limited access to proper diagnosis, antibiotic prescription and use inadequately regulated. In Uganda alone; there was 30,700 associated deaths with 7,100 directly caused by antimicrobial resistance. The study aimed at determining antimicrobial resistance profile of pathogenic isolates among out-patients receiving health care services at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Gulu – Uganda. This was a cross-sectional study conducted between January 2024 to April, 2024 on 101 out-patients receiving health care services at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital employing non-probability convenience sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic factors and risk factors. The samples were cultured and antibiotic test set for the isolates. Out of the 101 patients, females 55 (54.46%) had a higher level of antibiotic resistance. The most affected age group was 15 to 24 (40.59%) with the mean age of 33.62 (±19.13). Secondary level of education was the most predominant level at 52 (51.49%), higher antibiotic resistance was amongst peasant farmers at 40 (39.60%) than other occupation. Higher antibiotic resistance was amongst family size of 5-7 (51.49%). Purchasing the drugs over the counter and self-medication were the most likely direct associated risk factors to antibiotic resistance. S. aureus was the most predominant bacteria at 24 (23.76%), followed by E. coli at 23 (23.77%), Coagulase negative staphylococcus 18 (17.82%), with the least being S. agalactiae at 2 (1.98%). The others were P. mirabilis at 9 (8.91), followed by K. peumoniae at 6 (5.94%). Acinetobacter spps, E. faecalis, P. vulguris and S. pyogenes were all at 4 (3.96%) respectively, P. aeruginosa (2.97%). The highest antibiotic resistance was recorded in Streptomycin (S) at 100% followed by Nalidixic acid (NA) at 95.24%, Ampicillin (AMP) at 94.87%, Cefuroxime (CXM) at 83.72%. There was complete susceptibility to Amikacin and Imipenem. S. aureus and E. coli continues to be the most widely spread organisms with the purchasing of drugs over the counter and self-medication being the most associated risk factors.