Records: First record of the Wattled Crane Grus carunculatus in Uganda

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An investigation of alternative bean seed marketing channels in Uganda

The distribution of newly released bean seed is often a weak link in the technology transfer process. To assist national commodity programs to devise cost-effective delivery systems, research was conducted in Uganda to test the appropriateness of bean seed distribution through four non-conventional channels: rural shops, a rural health clinic, women`s groups and an NGO. The findings confirm the feasibility of distributing seed packets through market and non-market channels and show that each delivery system has advantages and disadvantages which must be assessed by seed suppliers in a country-specific context. The paper offers guidelines for the distribution of new bean varieties by formal institution

The HIV-HCV co-infection dynamics in absence of therapy

Paper presented at the 5th Strathmore International Mathematics Conference (SIMC 2019), 12 - 16 August 2019, Strathmore University, Nairobi, KenyaHIV-HCV co-infection is whereby an individual is infected with both viruses HIV and HCV. Globally, approximately 4 to 5 million people are co-infected with HIV and HCV. HCV infection significantly causes morbidity and mortality among HIV patients. HCV is known to progress faster and cause more liver-related health problems and death among people who are HIV/AIDS positive than those who are negative. Co-infection with HCV complicates the management of HIV/AIDS. Mathematical modeling generally provides an explicit framework by which we can develop and communicate an understanding of transmission dynamics of an infectious disease. In this article, a deterministic model is used in which ordinary differential equations are formulated and analyzed to study the HIV-HCV co-infection dynamics in absence of therapy. The findings reveal that the basic reproduction number for HIV-HCV co infection dynamics is equal to the maximum of single-disease basic reproduction numbers. This implies that the dynamics of the HIV-HCV co-infection will be dominated by the disease with the bigger basic reproduction numberInstitute of Mathematical Sciences, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya. Uganda Virus Research Institute London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Ugand

Advancing Diagnosis and Treatment in People Living with HIV and Tuberculosis Meningitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis. Inadequate diagnostic testing and treatment regimens adapted from pulmonary tuberculosis without consideration of the unique nature of TBM are among the potential drivers. This review focuses on the progress being made in relation to both diagnosis and treatment of TBM, emphasizing promising future directions. RECENT FINDINGS: The molecular assay GeneXpert MTB/Rif Ultra has improved sensitivity but has inadequate negative predictive value to "rule-out" TBM. Evaluations of tests focused on the host response and bacterial components are ongoing. Clinical trials are in progress to explore the roles of rifampin, fluoroquinolones, linezolid, and adjunctive aspirin. Though diagnosis has improved, novel modalities are being explored to improve the rapid diagnosis of TBM. Multiple ongoing clinical trials may change current therapies for TBM in the near future

Emerging Anthelmintic Resistance in Poultry: Can ethnopharmacological approaches offer a solution?

Limited pharmacological studies have been conducted on plant species used against poultry helminths. The objective of this study was to provide a basis for plant based anthelmintics as possible alternatives against poultry anthelmintic resistance. The study justified the need for alternative anthelmintics. The study places emphasis on the increasing anthelmintic resistance, mechanism of resistance, and preparational protocols for plant anthelmintics and their associated mechanism of action. Pharmaceutical studies on plants as alternative therapies for the control of helminth parasites have not been fully explored especially in several developing countries. Plants from a broad range of species produce a wide variety of compounds that are potential anthelmintics candidates. Important phenolic acids have been found in Brassica rapa L. and Terminalia avicenniodes Guill. and Perri that affect the cell signaling pathways and gene expression. Benzo (c) phenanthridine and isoquinoline alkaloids are neurotoxic to helminths. Steroidal saponins (polyphyllin D and dioscin) interact with helminthic mitochondrial activity, alter cell membrane permeability, vacuolation and membrane damage. Benzyl isothiocyanate glucosinolates interfere with DNA replication and protein expression, while isoflavones from Acacia oxyphylla cause helminth flaccid paralysis, inhibit energy generation, and affect calcium utilization. Condensed tannins have been shown to cause the death of nematodes and paralysis leading to expulsion from the gastro-intestinal tract. Flavonoids from Chenopodium album L and Mangifera indica L act through the action of phosphodiesterase and Ca(2+)-ATPase, and flavonoids and tannins have been shown to act synergistically and are complementary to praziquantel. Artemisinins from Artemisia cina O. Berg are known to disrupt mitochondrial ATP production. Terpenoids from Cucurbita moschata L disrupt neurotransmission leading to paralysis as well as disruption of egg hatching. Yeast particle encapsulated terpenes are effective for the control of albendazole-resistant helminths

Civil conflict and sleeping sickness in Africa in general and Uganda in particular

Conflict and war have long been recognized as determinants of infectious disease risk. Re-emergence of epidemic sleeping sickness in sub-Saharan Africa since the 1970s has coincided with extensive civil conflict in affected regions. Sleeping sickness incidence has placed increasing pressure on the health resources of countries already burdened by malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis. In areas of Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Angola, sleeping sickness occurs in epidemic proportions, and is the first or second greatest cause of mortality in some areas, ahead of HIV/AIDS. In Uganda, there is evidence of increasing spread and establishment of new foci in central districts. Conflict is an important determinant of sleeping sickness outbreaks, and has contributed to disease resurgence. This paper presents a review and characterization of the processes by which conflict has contributed to the occurrence of sleeping sickness in Africa. Conflict contributes to disease risk by affecting the transmission potential of sleeping sickness via economic impacts, degradation of health systems and services, internal displacement of populations, regional insecurity, and reduced access for humanitarian support. Particular focus is given to the case of sleeping sickness in south-eastern Uganda, where incidence increase is expected to continue. Disease intervention is constrained in regions with high insecurity; in these areas, political stabilization, localized deployment of health resources, increased administrative integration and national capacity are required to mitigate incidence. Conflict-related variables should be explicitly integrated into risk mapping and prioritization of targeted sleeping sickness research and mitigation initiatives