Browsing by Author "Kato, Charles Drago"

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    Acute and subacute toxicity profile of ethanolic stem bark extract of Albizia coriaria Welw. ex Oliv. in Wistar albino rats Author links open overlay panel
    (Elsevier Ltd, 2024-06) Obakiro, Samuel Baker; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Owor, Richard Oriko; Andima, Moses; Lukwago, Tonny Wotoyitide; Kawuma, Carol; Gavamukulya, Yahaya; Nabatanzi, Alice; Kibuule, Dan; Kato, Charles Drago; Anywar, Godwin; Waako, Paul
    Abstract Albizia coriaria (Fabaceae) crude extracts are key ingredients of several licensed and unlicensed herbal products in East Africa. However, there is limited and often contradicting information regarding its toxicity. We therefore evaluated the acute and subacute toxicity of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria in mature healthy Wistar albino rats following Lorke’s method and OECD guidelines 407. The LD 50 of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria was 2000 mg/kg. The acute toxicity signs observed included piloerection, hyperventilation, lethargy, and loss of righting reflex. There was a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, red blood cells and haemoglobin in rats after 28 days at the dose of 500 mg/kg. Histological analyses revealed multifocal random parenchymal necrosis and scattered periportal mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver, interstitial nephritis in the kidney and multifocal lymphoid accumulation in the peribronchiolar and perivascular lung tissue at 500 mg/kg. The ethanolic stem bark of A. coriaria was therefore moderately toxic to the rats when administered in a single high oral dose within 24 h. The extract caused a dose dependent toxicity with significant damage to the kidney, liver and lung tissues at a dose of 500 mg/kg after 28 days. Herbal medicines containing A. coriaria extracts should be consumed cautiously due to likelihood of toxicity particularly at higher doses greater than 500 mg/kg. ga1 • This study assesed the acute and subacute toxicity effects of the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria, a key ingredient of several licensed and unlicensed herbal products on Uganda market. • The ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria was found to be moderately toxic when administered in a single high oral dose within 24 h with a median lethal dose of 2000 mg/kg. • In repeated daily doses of 500 mg/kg, the ethanolic stem bark extract of A. coriaria caused significant toxicity to the lungs, liver and kidney tissues. • Herbal medicines containing A. coriaria extracts should be consumed cautiously due to likelihood of associated toxicity particularly at higher doses greater 500 mg/kg.
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    A Descriptive-Multivariate Analysis of Community Knowledge, Confidence, and Trust in COVID-19 Clinical Trials among Healthcare Workers in Uganda
    (Vaccines, 2021) Kasozi, Keneth Iceland; Osuwat, Lawrence Obado; Ninsiima, Herbert Izo; Nalugo, Halima; Kato, Charles Drago; Kiyimba, Kenedy; Matama, Kevin
    Misinformation and mistrust often undermines community vaccine uptake, yet information in rural communities, especially of developing countries, is scarce. This study aimed to identify major challenges associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine clinical trials among healthcare workers and staff in Uganda. Methods—a rapid exploratory survey was conducted over 5 weeks among 260 respondents (66% male) from healthcare centers across the country using an online questionnaire. Twenty-seven questions assessed knowledge, confidence, and trust scores on COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials from participants in 46 districts in Uganda. Results—we found low levels of knowledge (i.e., confusing COVID-19 with Ebola) with males being more informed than females (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.7–3.0), and mistrust associated with policy decisions to promote herbal treatments in Uganda and the rushed international clinical trials, highlighting challenges for the upcoming Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccinations. Knowledge, confidence and trust scores were higher among the least educated (certificate vs. bachelor degree holders). We also found a high level of skepticism and possible community resistance to DNA recombinant vaccines, such as the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine. Preference for herbal treatments (38/260; 14.6%, 95% CI: 10.7–19.3) currently being promoted by the Ugandan government raises major policy concerns. High fear and mistrust for COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials was more common among wealthier participants and more affluent regions of the country. Conclusion—our study found that knowledge, confidence, and trust in COVID-19 vaccines was low among healthcare workers in Uganda, especially those with higher wealth and educational status. There is a need to increase transparency and inclusive participation to address these issues before new trials of COVID-19 vaccines are initiated.
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    Field Evaluation of LED Fluorescence Microscopy for Demonstration of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in Patient Blood
    (Microscopy Research, 2019) Matovu, Enock; Edielu, Andrew; Ojom, James; Nanteza, Ann; Kato, Charles Drago; Ndung’u, Joseph Mathu
    Diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis requires demonstration of parasites in body fluids by microscopy. The microscopy methods that are routinely used are difficult to deploy in resource-limited settings due to practical challenges, including lengthy and tedious procedures, and the need for specific equipment to centrifuge samples in glass capillary tubes. We report here on a study that was conducted in a rural region of eastern Uganda to evaluate new methods that take advantage of a field-deployable LED fluorescence microscope. Examination of acridine orange-stained blood smears by LED fluorescence microscopy resulted in a diagnostic accuracy that was similar to that of routine methods, while the time needed to identify parasites was shortened significantly. These findings make these new microscopy methods attractive alternatives to procedures that are currently used for diagnosis of T. b. rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis.
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    Histo-Morphological Description of the Digestive System of the Rippon Barbel Barbus Altianals (Boulenger 1900): A Potential Species for Culture
    (Uganda Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2016) Aruho, Cassius; Tibenda, Victo Namulawa; Bugenyi, Fred; Kato, Charles Drago; Kisekka, Magidu; Rutaisire, Justus
    Morphology of the digestive system can help define the feeding adaptation habits of a given fish species in a given environment. In a study to describe the nature and functionality of the digestive system of Barbus altianalis, samples of B. altianalis were taken from River Nile. Their Lengths and weights were measured and the gut structure preserved. The structure of the digestive tract of the B. altianalis was described using simple morphological observations and standard histological procedures. The digestive tube of B. altianalis is stomachless and valveless, progressively and uniformly reducing in size from the proximal to distal end. The digestive tract is on average 2.22 ± 0.37 times longer than its body length. The mouth is terminal and protrusible and pharyngeal palatal organ is well developed. The last gill arch is modified into pharyngeal teeth and the eosophagus is short and muscular. Histological sections revealed the presence of taste buds from the lips to the cranial eosophagus and these regions of the digestive tract are lined by a stratified squamous epithelium. The intestines are lined by simple or pseudo stratified columnar epithelial layer which is highly folded. Goblet cells containing both acidic and neutral mucins are present throughout the entire digestive tract and are more numerous in the pharynx and the proximal part of the intestine. Lobes of pancreatic acini are discrete and scattered among liver cells, around the intestine and few are seen in the spleen surrounding blood vessels. Thus, the liver could most accurately be termed a hepatopancreas structure.
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    Knowledge, perceptions and effects of Ebola virus disease outbreak on the pig value chain in the agro-pastoralist district of Luwero, Central Uganda
    (BMC infectious diseases,, 2021) Birungi, Doreen; Tumwine, Gabriel; Kato, Charles Drago; Ssekamatte, Tonny; Ocaido, Michael; Majalija, Samuel
    Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks have a significant impact on the health and wellbeing, and livelihoods of communities. EVD response interventions particularly affect the food value chain, and income security of pig farmers in agro-pastoral communities. Despite the enormous effort of EVD response interventions, there is paucity of information towards EVD among those involved in the pig value chain, as well as the effect of EVD outbreaks on the pig value chain. This study therefore, assessed the knowledge, perceptions on the occurrence of Ebola and its effects on the pig value chain in the agro-pastoral district of Luweero, Central Uganda. A cross sectional study was conducted in two parishes of Ssambwe and Ngalonkulu, Luwero district. A total of 229 respondents were included in the study. Structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS version 22 while qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Of the 229 respondents, 95.6% could recall the occurrence of the last EVD outbreak in their locality. About 24.5% associated EVD with touching pigs or eating pork. Regarding knowledge, 194 (84.7%) correctly associated EVD with handling Ebola infected persons, 191 (83.4%) with migration of people from endemic areas, 148 (64.9%) eating monkey meat, 127 (55.5%) with eating bats, and 198 (64.9%) with conducting public meetings where there is an Ebola infected person. Out of 142 farmers, 55 (38.7%) believed that Ebola outbreaks affected demand and sale of pigs. The EVD outbreak significantly led to a reduction in the average number of pigs sold (P = 0.001), the average number of pigs bought by traders (P = 0.04), and the number of pigs sold/ slaughtered by butcher men at pork eating places (P = 0.03). This study showed that EVD outbreak negatively affected the pig value chain i.e., the demand and supply of pigs and pork. Therefore, there is need to sensitize the stakeholders in the pig value chain on EVD in order to minimize the negative economic impacts associated with EVD outbreaks.
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    Plasma cytokine profiles associated with rhodesiense sleeping sickness and falciparum malaria co-infection in North Eastern Uganda
    (Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology, 2019) Nsubuga, Julius; Kato, Charles Drago; Nanteza, Ann; Matovu, Enock; Alibu, Vincent Pius
    Immunological Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) studies often exclude malaria, although both infections overlap in specific endemic areas. During this co-infection, it is not known whether this parasitic interaction induces synergistic or antagonistic cytokine response among humans. This study determined prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense HAT and plasma cytokine profile levels associated with HAT and/or malaria infections.
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    Seroprevalence of brucellosis and risk factors associated with its seropositivity in cattle, goats and humans in Iganga District, Uganda
    (The Pan African Medical Journal, 2019) Nguna, Joyce; Dione, Michel; Apamaku, Micheal; Majalija, Samuel; Rwabita Mugizi, Denis; Odoch, Terence; Kato, Charles Drago; Tumwine, Gabriel; Kabaasa, John David; Curtis, Kellie; Graham, Michael; Ejobi, Francis; Graham, Thomas
    The burden of brucellosis among smallholder farmers is poorly-documented in Uganda. The disease burden is likely to be high, given the high levels of endemicity, lots of exposures and due to lack of control measures. In order to designate appropriate control measures, the magnitude and risk factors for brucellosis need to be known. We established the burden of and risk factors for Brucella seropositivity in cattle, goats, and humans in Iganga district, eastern Uganda. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in in Kigulamo Parish, Iganga District. We enrolled 226 households and administered a structured questionnaire to heads of households to capture data on socio-demographic characteristics, human brucellosis-related risk factors, and livestock farming practices. Human, cattle, and goat blood samples were collected and tested serologically using commercial indirect-ELISA kits manufactured by USDA, USA. Results: of 451 human blood samples, 20 (4.4%) were positive. Among 345 cattle blood samples, 4 (1.2%) were positive and among 351 goat blood samples, one (0.3%) was positive. Persons who reported consuming locally-made dairy products had 4 times higher odds of Brucella seropositivity (OR = 4.0, CI = 1.14-14.03, p = 0.031) than those who did not. None of the risk factors we asked about were significantly associated with seropositivity in cattle and goats. Conclusion: the seroprevalence of brucellosis in humans in smallholder households in Kigulamo was relatively low and associated with consumption of locally made dairy products. No ri sk factors were significantly associated with seropositivity in livestock, likely due to the small number of seropositive animals. We recommend a One Health approach to control brucellosis simultaneously in animals and humans needed to sustainably reduce the burden of brucellosis in Uganda and beyond.