Browsing by Author "Rugera, Simon Peter"

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    In-vitro Antibacterial Activity of Allium sativum on Common Food Poisoning Bacteria
    (Journal of Advances in Microbiology, 2022) Ssemwanga, Elastus; Mulungi, Priscillah N.; Tumusiime, Jazira; Dhihume, Willy; Arinaitwe, Bruce; Rugera, Simon Peter; Omara, Denis
    The use of herbal medicines for food poisoning in inadequate resource countries has greatly increased with the limited establishment of antibacterial activity. This study aimed at establishing the antibacterial activity of the aqueous Allium sativum extract against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Allium sativum L. (Amaryllidaceae) was purchased from a farmer in Kasese District and was authenticated. The material was then extracted using distilled water, filtered and lyophilized. Evaluation of the phytochemicals in the extract was done using standard procedures. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the extract was conducted to monitor the reproducibility of the extract. The antibacterial activity of the aqueous garlic extract against the organisms above was evaluated and expressed as Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). Phytochemical screening of the garlic extract showed the presence of amino acids, alkaloids, glycosides and saponins, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. HPLC fingerprints showed 39 and 98 peaks at 220nm and 254nm wavelengths respectively and the presence of various phytochemical compounds in A. sativum. The extract showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli and S. typhi. The aqueous garlic extract exhibited antibacterial activity against tested common food poisoning bacteria, with a high potency against gram-positive bacteria.
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    Incidence of the Metabolic Syndrome among Patients with Epilepsy Attending a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Kigali, Rwanda
    (International Journal of Current Science Research and Review, 2021) Ndayambaje, François Xavier; Gahutu, Jean Bosco; Rugera, Simon Peter; Natukunda, Bernard
    Metabolic syndrome (MetS), a combination of diverse metabolic disorders (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high triglycerides, increased waist circumference, and low high density cholesterol, HDLc), is a well known public health problem worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing dramatically. MetS is a confirmed great risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Presently, limited information exists about incidence and the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in patients with epilepsy. We prospectively estimated the incidence of MetS in patients with epilepsy.We recruited 322 participants, 161 patients with epilepsy and 161 healthy volunteers all of them free of any MetS criteria at the baseline and followed-up them for one year. New onset cases of MetS were defined according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) criteria. Over a 1-year follow-up, we observed 8 incident cases of MetS (7 individuals in patients group and 1 individual in control group) resulting in an annual cumulative incidence rate of 2.5%. We observed 9 cases losses to follow up. Patients with epilepsy presented a higher risk of developing MetS (RR=7.00, 95% CI: 0.891 - 1.67, p=0.032) than in control group. Sedentariness was associated with higher risk for MetS (hazard ratio, HR=6.537, 95%; confidence interval, C.I=1.269-33.685, p value =0.025. Anti-epileptic therapy combined with sedentariness increases the risk of developing MetS among patients with epilepsy. Holistic clinical management of patients with epilepsy will significantly contribute to MetS prevention.
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    Microalbuminuria and Traditional Serum Biomarkers of Nephropathy among Diabetic Patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in South Western Uganda
    (Journal of diabetes research, 2019) Kiconco, Ritah; Rugera, Simon Peter; Kiwanuka, Gertrude N.
    Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common finding in diabetic patients. Microalbuminuria is the earliest clinical evidence of DN. Early detection of microalbuminuria is very important; it allows timely interventions to prevent progression to macroalbuminuria and later end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Objectives. To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria in diabetic patients and establish its association with traditional serum renal markers in assessment of incipient nephropathy. Methods. This cross-sectional study involved 140 participants with diabetes mellitus (DM) attending the diabetic clinic of Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Questionnaires were used to obtain participant data after obtaining written informed consent. Data collected included: age, sex, level of education, history of smoking and alcohol consumption, hypertension, body mass index, family history, and duration of DM. Morning spot urine samples were collected from each participant and blood drawn for analysis of other renal markers. Urine microalbumin was determined quantitatively using immunoturbidity assay (Microalbumin kit, Mindray). Serum creatinine and uric acid and glucose levels were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Results. The overall prevalence of microalbuminuria was 22.9%. Using a simple and multiple linear regression model, serum creatinine (β = 0:010, 95% CI (0.005, 0.014), P = 0:0001) and glucose (β = 0:030, 95% CI (0.011, 0.048), P = 0:0017) levels were significantly associated with microalbuminuria. After adjusting for linearity, family history of DM was the only predictor of microalbuminuria (β = 0:275, 95% CI (0.043, 0.508), P = 0:002). Although microalbuminuria was weakly associated with eGFR (OR = 1:2, 95% CI (0.24, 5.96)), the relationship was not statistically significant (P = 0:824). Conclusion. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes in this study was high. The study suggests the need to screen for microalbuminuria early to reduce the possible burden of ESRD. When serum creatinine is used as a renal function marker among diabetic patients, it should be combined with microalbuminuria for better assessment of incipient nephropathy