Browsing by Author "Ssenku, Jamilu E."

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    Disproportionate Distribution of HBV Genotypes A and D and the Recombinant Genotype D/E in the High and Low HBV Endemic Regions of Uganda: A Wake-Up Call for Regional Specific HBV Management
    (International journal of hepatology, 2022) Mukasa Kafeero, Hussein; Ndagire, Dorothy; Ocama, Ponsiano; Drago Kato, Charles; Wampande, Eddie; Kajumbula, Henry; Kateete, David; Walusansa, Abdul; Kudamba, Ali; Edgar, Kigozi; Ashaba Katabazi, Fred; Namaganda, Maria Magdalene; Ssenku, Jamilu E.; Sendagire, Hakim
    Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of liver-related diseases. In Uganda, there is a regional disparity in the HBV burden. Our study was aimed at establishing the circulating genotypes in a low and a high endemic region to give plausible explanations for the differences in regional burden and guide the future management of the disease. Methods. A total of 200 HBsAg-seropositive subjects were recruited into the study by convenience sampling. The HBsAg Rapid Test Strip (Healgen Scientific Limited Liability Company, Houston, TX77047- USA) was used to screen for HBsAg while the Roche machine (Roche, Basel Switzerland/Abbot Technologies (USA)) was used to determine the viral load. The Chemistry Analyzer B120 (Mindray, China) was used for chemistry analysis. For HBV genotyping, total DNA was extracted from whole blood using the QIAamp® DNA extraction kit. Nested PCR amplification was performed using Platinum Taq DNA Polymerase (Invitrogen Corporation, USA) to amplify the 400 bp HBV polymerase gene. Purification of nested PCR products was performed using Purelink PCR product purification kit (Life Technologies, USA). Automated DNA sequencing was performed using BigDye Terminator v3.1 Cycle Sequencing Kit on 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, USA). The NCBI HBV genotyping tool (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/genotyping/formpage.cgi) was used for determination of genotype for each HBV sequence. Pearson’s chi-square, multinomial logistic regression, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for the analysis. All the analyses were done using SPSS version 26.0 and MedCalc software version 19.1.3 at 95% CI. A p < 0:05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Majority of our study subjects were female (64.5%), youth (51.0%), and married (62.0%). Overall, genotype A was the most prevalent (46%). Genotype D and the recombinant genotype D/E were proportionately more distributed in the high endemic (38.2%) and low endemic (36.5%) regions, respectively. Genotype D was significantly more prevalent in the high endemic region and among the elderly (p < 0:05). Genotype D was significantly associated with elevated viral load and direct bilirubin (p < 0:05). The recombinant genotype D/E was significantly associated with elevated viral load (p < 0:05). Similarly, genotype A was significantly associated with elevated AST and GGT, lowered viral load, and normal direct bilirubin levels (p < 0:05). Conclusion. There is disproportionate distribution of genotypes A and D and the recombinant genotype D/E in the low and high endemic regions of Uganda. This probably could explain the differences in endemicity of HBV in our country signifying the need for regional specific HBV management and control strategies.
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    Herbal medicine used for the treatment of diarrhea and cough in Kampala city, Uganda
    (Tropical Medicine and Health, 2022) Walusansa, Abdul; Asiimwe, Savina; Ssenku, Jamilu E.; Anywar, Godwin; Namara, Milbert; Nakavuma, Jesca L.; Kakudidi, Esezah K.
    Globally, diarrheal and respiratory diseases are among the main causes of mortality and morbidity. In Uganda, cities are facing proliferation of trade in herbal medicines (HM), including those for diarrhea and/or cough. Information on the economic, and the ethnopharmacological aspects of these HM is scarce, deterring the sector from achieving optimal capacity to support national development. We profiled the anti-diarrhea and/or anti-cough HM, and the basic economic aspects of HM trade in Kampala city, to support ethnopharmacological knowledge conservation and strategic planning. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 65 herbalists using semi-structured questionnaires. This was supplemented by an observational survey using a high-resolution digital camera. Data were collected following the guidelines for research on HM, established by Uganda National Drug Authority, and World Health organization. Results: Eighty-four plant species from 41 families were documented. Fabaceae and Myricaceae had the highest number of species (9, 10.7% each). Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck was the most commonly cited for cough, with a relative frequency of citation (RFC) of 1.00, and its relative medical importance was not significantly different from the other top 5 species except for Azadirachta indica A.Juss (RFC = 0.87). Entada abyssinica A. Rich (RFC = 0.97) was the most cited for diarrhea. Trees (34, 40.5%) were mostly used, and mainly harvested from wild habitats (55.2%) in 20 districts across Uganda. These HM were mainly sold as powders and concoctions, in markets, shops, pharmacies, and roadside or mobile stalls. The highest prices were Uganda Shillings (UGX) 48,000 ($13.15)/kg for Allium sativum L, and UGX 16,000 ($4.38)/kg for C. limon. All participants used HM trade as a sole source of basic needs; majority (60.0%) earned net monthly profit of UGX. 730,000 ($200) ≤ 1,460,000 ($400). The main hindrances to HM trade were the; disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 65, 100%), and the scarcity of medicinal plants (58, 89.2%). Conclusion: There is a rich diversity of medicinal plant species traded in Kampala to treat diarrhea and cough. The HM trade significantly contributes to the livelihoods of the traders in Kampala, as well as the different actors along the HM value chain throughout the country
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    Impediments to Agricultural Production in Uganda and Measures to Enhance Soil Fertility Utilizing Organic Soil Amendments: A review
    (Cogent Food & Agriculture, 2022) Nabyonga, Lydia; Basamba, Twaha Ali; Nyakoojo, Clement; Ssenku, Jamilu E.
    Agriculture is the greatest resource that supports life on earth. The rapidly growing human population has globally escalated the demand for agricultural products including; food, fodder, medicines, and biofuels, but their supply has been limited. This has been attributed to the gradually declining quality and quantity of natural resources. The agricultural sector in Uganda has suffered from the effects of land-use shift as one of the major challenges contributing to land degradation. This has been aggravated by poor soil management practices leading to low soil productivity. The global campaign to adopt fertilizer use has generated significant outcomes in boosting production but with severe consequences of environmental pollution from the bulky fertilizers used. This review paper seeks to identify bottlenecks in the line of agricultural production and environmental sanitation in Uganda, with a proposed alternative of using well-processed organic fertilizers from biomass and nano-fertilizers postulated to eliminate fertilizer bulk. The paper further highlights Azolla as one of the high biomass plants with potential agricultural benefits when used as an organic fertilizer. The literature search for this review paper was based on the information published on the web of science and extracts from interviews. All authors recommended the adoption of safer organic and nano-fertilizer technologies as the alternative solution to improving soil productivity while promoting environmental sanitation in Uganda.
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    Medically important bacteria isolated from commercial herbal medicines in Kampala city indicate the need to enhance safety frameworks
    (Scientific Reports, 2022) Walusansa, Abdul; Nakavuma, Jesca L.; Asiimwe, Savina; Ssenku, Jamilu E.; Aruhomukama, Dickson; Sekulima, Tahalu; Kafeero, Hussein M.; Anywar, Godwin; Katuura, Esther; Nabatanzi, Alice; Musisi, Nathan L.; Tugume, Arthur K.
    The high global bacterial infection burden has created need to investigate the neglected potential drivers of pathogenic bacteria, to inform disease prevention. Kampala is facing a proliferation of herbalists, selling herbal medicine (HM), of largely unregulated microbiological quality. We evaluated the bacterial contamination burden in HM sold in Kampala, to support evidence-based redress. The total viable loads (TVL), total coliform counts (TCC), E. coli counts, and prevalence of selected bacterial strains in 140 HM were examined using conventional culture, following the guidelines of World Health Organization (WHO), and Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA). Data were analyzed using D’Agostino-Pearson test, frequencies, proportions, Chi-square, and Mann–Whitney U test with STATA version-15.0. Fifty (35.7%), fifty-nine (42.1%), and twelve (8.6%) HM were unsafe for human use because they exceeded WHO’s permissible limits for TVL, TCC, and E. coli counts respectively. Solids had significantly higher mean TVL than liquids. Violation of NDA’s guidelines was significantly associated with high TVL. Fifty-nine bacteria, viz., Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 34; 57.6%), Escherichia. coli (12; 20.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (7; 11.9%), Klebsiella oxytoca (3; 5.1%), Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp. (1; 1.7% each), were isolated from 45 (32.1%) samples. These bacteria can cause severe clinical diseases, and promote deterioration of HM potency.
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    Prevalence and dynamics of clinically significant bacterial contaminants in herbal medicines sold in East Africa from 2000 to 2020: a systematic review and metaanalysis
    (Tropical Medicine and Health, 2021) Walusansa, Abdul; Asiimwe, Savina; Kafeero, Hussein M.; Iramiot, Stanley J.; Ssenku, Jamilu E.; Nakavuma, Jesca L.; Kakudidi, Esezah K.
    Infectious diseases remain a leading cause of mortality and morbidity around the world, and those caused by bacteria are common in the East African region. In this region, trade and consumption of herbal medicine has been expanding in the recent decades. Herbal medicines may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria; however, there is limited information due to fragmented studies in East Africa. In this meta-analysis, we critically analyzed original research related to the incidence of pathogenic bacterial contaminants of HM in the East African region since 2000. The aim was to create a comprehensive understanding of the extent and dynamics of bacterial contamination in HM, to guide future research and concerted public health protection in the region. Methodology: The study was conducted according to the standards of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. We searched and evaluated published articles from eleven electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, HerbMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, Scifinder Scholar, Cochrane Library, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, EMBASE, Biological Abstracts and Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau Abstracts). Prevalences of different bacterial species, Cochran’s Q test, and the I2 statistic for heterogeneity were evaluated using a software called MedCalcs. Random and fixed effects models were used to determine the pooled prevalence of clinically significant bacteria from studies which were included in this meta-analysis. The potential sources of heterogeneity were examined through sensitivity analysis, sub-group analysis, and meta-regression at 95% level of significance.
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    Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum bacterial infection induces organ-specific callose and hydrogen peroxide production in banana
    (PhytoFrontiers, 2021) Sadik Mustafa, Abubakar; Tugume, Benison; Ssenku, Jamilu E.; Ssemanda, Paul; Athman, Shahasi Y.; Oryem-Origa, Hannington; Kubiriba, Jerome; Dinesh-Kumar, Savithramma P.; Tugume, Arthur K.
    Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) bacteria cause banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), the most destructive disease of bananas in East and Central Africa. During early stages of infection in susceptible banana cultivars, incomplete systemic movement of Xcm limits bacterial colonization in the upper organs. Mechanistic basis of this delayed movement is unknown. We hypothesized that Xcm infection triggers basal pattern triggered immune (PTI) responses whose spatial and temporal variability along banana’s anatomical structure accounts for initially limiting Xcm in upper organs. Hence, we examined PTI responses such as callose deposition and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in different organs in response to Xcm infection in BXW susceptible Kayinja and Mbwazirume banana cultivars and wild resistant progenitor Musa balbisiana. Xcm-induced callose increased and peaked at 14 days post inoculation (dpi) and 28dpi as assessed by fluorescence microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. The levels of Xcm-induced H2O2 and callose were highest in the pseudostems and corms, respectively, and were independent of host susceptibility or resistance to BXW. H2O2 production showed a biphasic transient pattern with an initial increase at 1-hour post Xcm-inoculation (hpi), followed by a decline 3- 6hpi and then a second increase by 12hpi. Our findings point to organ-specific responses to Xcm infection in bananas. The corm which doubles as a subterranean parenating organ and interface between mother plants and lateral shoots, was the most responsive organ in callose production while the pseudostem was the most responsive organ in H2O2 production, suggesting the significance of these organs in banana response to BXW.