Browsing by Author "Nsereko, Godfrey"

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    Comparison of the efficacy of crude methanolic extracts of Cassia occidentalis and Euphorbia hirta with levamisole-HCL against gastrointestinal nematodes of economic importance to goat production in Uganda
    (Tropical animal health and production, 2019) Nsereko, Godfrey; Emudong, Patrick; Omujal, Joseph; Acai, James; Kungu, Joseph M.; Kabi, Fredrick; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Bugeza, James
    Natural compounds from medicinal plants provide safe and sustainable alternatives to synthetic anthelmintics. In this study, we assessed in vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of Cassia occidentalis (NH-A) and Euphorbia hirta (NH-B) and compared it with levamisole-HCl. The shoots of NH-A and whole plant of NH-B were used to prepare extracts using 70% methanol which were used in the in vitro and in vivo assays. In vitro assays of crude methanolic extracts (CMEs) of NH-A and NH-B on larvae of mixed gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) of goats revealed mortalities of 95.7%(at 100 mg ml−1) and 98.1%(at 50 mgml−1) 24 h postexposure. In vivo assays of NH-A administered orally at doses of 100, 300, 900, and 2700 mg kg−1 bwt revealed dose- and time-dependent anthelmintic effects in goats experimentally infected with mixed species of GINs. NH-B exhibited similar properties when administered at doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1 bwt. Both NH-A (900 mg kg−1 bwt) and levamisole (7.5 mg kg−1 bwt) achieved a 100% reduction in fecal egg count per gram (EPG) on day 21 and day 14 respectively posttreatment. NH-B (400 mg kg−1 bwt) achieved 93.1% and 86.1% reduction in fecal EPG 7 and 14 days postexposure respectively compared with 88.2% and 82.3% reduction with levamisole-HCl 7 and 14 days postexposure. Our results show that extracts of both plants can disrupt helminth lifecycles by suppressing the egg-laying capacity in adult worms but also kill their infective larvae. Future studies should aim at establishing synergies or antagonisms between the two plant extracts and further development for control of helminths in goats.
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    Drivers of the Second Wave and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases in Uganda: A Retrospective Study of Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases
    (ResearchSquare, 2022) Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Nakazibwe, Brenda; Nantongo, Mary; Wafula, Solomon Tsebeni; Bulafu, Douglas; Nsereko, Godfrey
    The COVID-19 continued to pose several public health, social, economic challenges and the drivers for the occurrence of different COVID-19 waves remains undocumented in Uganda. We conducted a crosssectional population-based survey among recovered COVID-19 cases to establish the drivers of SAR-CoV2 infections. We performed a retrospective study and interviewed 1120 recovered COVID-19 cases from 10 selected districts in Uganda. We further conducted 38 Key Informant Interviews of members of the COVID-19 District Taskforce and 19 in-depth interviews among COVID-19 survivors from March to June, 2021.
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    Early cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Uganda: epidemiology and lessons learned from risk-based testing approaches – March-April 2020
    (Globalization and Health, 2020) Migisha, Richard; Kwesiga, Benon; Mirembe, Bernadette B.; Amanya, Geofrey; Kabwama, Steven N.; Kadobera, Daniel; Bulage, Lilian; Nsereko, Godfrey; Wadunde, Ignatius; Tindyebwa, Tonny; Lubwama, Bernard; Kagirita, Atek A.; Kayiwa, John T.; Lutwama, Julius J.; Boore, Amy L.; Harris, Julie R.; Kyobe Bosa, Henry
    On March 13, 2020, Uganda instituted COVID-19 symptom screening at its international airport, isolation and SARS-CoV-2 testing for symptomatic persons, and mandatory 14-day quarantine and testing of persons traveling through or from high-risk countries. On March 21, 2020, Uganda reported its first SARS-CoV-2 infection in a symptomatic traveler from Dubai. By April 12, 2020, 54 cases and 1257 contacts were identified. We describe the epidemiological, clinical, and transmission characteristics of these cases. Methods: A confirmed case was laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection during March 21–April 12, 2020 in a resident of or traveler to Uganda. We reviewed case-person files and interviewed case-persons at isolation centers. We identified infected contacts from contact tracing records. Results: Mean case-person age was 35 (±16) years; 34 (63%) were male. Forty-five (83%) had recently traveled internationally (‘imported cases’), five (9.3%) were known contacts of travelers, and four (7.4%) were community cases. Of the 45 imported cases, only one (2.2%) was symptomatic at entry. Among all case-persons, 29 (54%) were symptomatic at testing and five (9.3%) were pre-symptomatic. Among the 34 (63%) case-persons who were ever symptomatic, all had mild disease: 16 (47%) had fever, 13 (38%) reported headache, and 10 (29%) reported cough. Fifteen (28%) case-persons had underlying conditions, including three persons with HIV. An average of 31 contacts (range, 4–130) were identified per case-person. Five (10%) case-persons, all symptomatic, infected one contact each. Conclusion: The first 54 case-persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Uganda primarily comprised incoming air travelers with asymptomatic or mild disease. Disease would likely not have been detected in these persons without the targeted testing interventions implemented in Uganda. Transmission was low among symptomatic persons and nonexistent from asymptomatic persons. Routine, systematic screening of travelers and at-risk persons, and thorough contact tracing will be needed for Uganda to maintain epidemic control
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    Evaluation of effectiveness and safety of Subolesin anti-tick vaccine in Ugandan multi-site field trial
    (NPJ Vaccines, 2024) Kabi, Fredrick; Marinela, Contreras; Semakula, Jimmy; MartaSánchez-Sánchez; Clara, Muñoz-Hernández; Mugerwa, Swidiq; Kasaija, Paul; Kirunda, Halid; Gabrieladela, Fuente; Ruben, Fernandez-Melgar; Marta, Rafael; Isabel, G. Fernández de Mera; Matovu, Moses; Kyakuwa, Ivan; Dhikusooka, Moses; Nsereko, Godfrey; Boma, Paul; Bugeza, James; Mwesigwa, Moses; Namukasa, Agnes; Obonyo, Philip; Ssekabunga, Nicholas; Adyero, Okeny E.; Rutaisire, Justus; Christian, Gortazar; José de la Fuente
    Vaccines are the most effective and sustainable intervention to control ticks and tick-borne disease (TBD). Using a personalized vaccine design based on regional tick genotypes, a Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Subolesin protective antigen was used in a field trial evaluating tick vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety in cattle infested with multiple tick species in different Ugandan agro ecological zones. Vaccination with SUB was safe with a protective capacity against anemia and infection, and reduced the number of infested cattle, tick fitness (feeding and reproduction)with vaccine effectivenessagainstmultipletickspeciesbetween93.2%at167-196dayspost-vaccination(dpv)and 61.4% at 251–327 dpv. Total integrated vaccine efficacy/effectiveness was estimated as 98.8%. The Subolesin-based vaccine is protective against multiple cattle tick infestations under field conditions in Uganda. These results support registration and commercialization of the vaccine to reduce tick populations and associated risks for human and animal TBD and chemical acaracides in Uganda.
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    Gaps in Measles Vaccination Coverage in Kasese district, Western Uganda:Results of a Qualitative Evaluation
    (BMC Infectious Diseases, 2022) Walekhwa, Abel Wilson; Musoke, David; Nalugya, Aisha; Biribawa, Claire; Nsereko, Godfrey; Wafula, Solomon Tsebeni; Nakazibwe, Brenda; Nantongo, Mary; Odera, Doreen Awino; Chiara, Achangwa; Boyce, Ross Mathew; Mulogo, Edgar Mugema
    Despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine, measles remains a substantial public health problem in many countries including Uganda. In this study, conducted between June–August 2020 following a local outbreak, we sought to explore the factors that could affect measles vaccination coverage in rural western Uganda.