Frequency and site mapping of HIV-1/SIVcpz, HIV- 2/SIVsmm and other SIV gene sequence cleavage by various bacteria restriction enzymes: Precursors for a novel HIV inhibitory product

Resistance, toxicity and virologic failure have underlined the need to develop new HIV inhibitory products. Base on the natural bacteria “restriction modification system” antiviral immune model, we setout to analyze the effects of various restriction enzymes on the HIV genome. A computer simulated model using Web cutter Version 2.0, and cytogenetic analysis. 339 restriction enzymes from Promegadatabase, 10 HIV-1/SIVcpz genes, 10 HIV-2/SIVsmm genes and 10 other SIV genes. Gene sequences were fed into Web cutter 2.0 set to search enzymes with at least 6 recognition base pairs (palindromes).A background in vitro cytogenetic control analysis using HIV-1/SIVcpz GAG, POL and ENV genes was done. Of the 339 enzymes used, 238 (70.2%) cleaved the HIV-1/SIVcpz A1.BY.97.97BL006_AF193275genome with 9037 bp compared to 225 (66.4%) and 219 (64.6%) for the HIV-2/SIVsmm genome (9713 bp) and other SIV B.FR.83.HXB2_LAI_IIIB_BRU_K03455 genome (9719 bp), respectively. Individual genes had differing but potent susceptibility to the enzymes, with a 98.9% Web cutter PPV (95%CI, 97.2%-99.6%) for in vitro cytogenetics. The natural bacteria RMS antiviral immune model offers precursors for developing novel HIV and other viral therapeutic molecules

Solubility tests and the peripheral blood film method for screening for sickle-cell disease: A cost benefit analysis

Objective. To determine the cost benefit of screening for sicklecelldisease among infants at district health centres in Uganda using sickling, solubility tests and the peripheral blood film method.Methods. Pilot screening services were established at districthealth centres. Cost benefit analysis (CBA) was performed in four scenarios: A1 – where there are no sickle-cell screening services at district health centres and all children are referred either to Mulago national referral hospital or A2 – a regional hospital for haemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis; B1 – when there are screening services at district health centres, only positive samples are taken either to Mulago Hospital or B2 – the regional hospital for confirmation using haemoglobin electrophoresis. Calculations were done in Uganda shillings (USh).Results. Initial operational costs were high for all scenarios but variably reduced in the subsequent years. Scenarios A1 and A2 were very sensitive compared with B1 and B2. Scenario A1 had the highest screening costs in the subsequent years, costing over 62 000 USh per test in both eastern and western Uganda. Scenario B2 was sensitive and cheaper when using the sickling test, but was expensive and insensitive when using the solubility test and more insensitive though cheaper when using the peripheral blood film method.Conclusions and recommendation. Screening children in Mulago hospital using haemoglobin electrophoresis (A1) was very expensive although it was sensitive. Screening the children at four health centres using the sickling method and confirming positive samples at a regional hospital (B2) was both cheap and sensitive and is therefore recommende

The reliability of sickling and solubility tests and peripheral blood film method for sickle cell disease screening at district health centers in Uganda.

Bien que les analyses hématies falciformes, la solubilité et le film sanguin périphérique soient aujourd’hui disponibles pour le dépistage de la maladie drépanocytaire en Ouganda, leur fiabilité et aisance d’applicabilité n’ont pas été déterminées. Cette étude a été, par conséquent réalisée pour déterminer la fiabilité de la méthode de dépistage des analyses des hématies falciformes et de la solubilité ainsi que le film sanguin périphérique pour la SCD (sigle anglais pour Sickle cell disease) en Ouganda. Ceci a été une étude descriptive basée au laboratoire et réalisée par le Collège des Sciences de la Sante de l’Université de Makerere. Les 200 prélèvements des enfants ages de 6 mois à 5 ans ont été analysés de façon indépendante en utilisant la méthode des analyses d’hématies falciformes, la solubilité et le film sanguin périphérique. L’acétate de cellulose de l’électrophorèse de l’hémoglobine a été utilise comme échantillon. Les analyses des hématies falciformes et de solubilité ont eu la sensibilité de 65,0% et 45,0%, respectivement, et le film sanguin périphérique a eu 35,0%/. Les hématies falciformes, la solubilité et le film sanguin périphérique ont eu les spécifications de 95,6%, 90,0% et 96,7% respectivement. Les hématies falciformes ont eu la précision diagnostique de 92,5%, la solubilité – 85,5% et le film sanguin périphérique – 90,5%. Les hématies falciformes ont eu le Kappa de Cohen de 0,6, la solubilité – 0,3 et le film sanguin périphérique – 0,4. L’analyse des hématies falciformes a eu une période de rotation de 38 minutes, la solubilité – 70 minutes et le film sanguin périphérique – 44 minutes. En conclusion, l’analyse des hématies falciformes a été plus fiable et plus facile à exécuter que l’analyse de la solubilité et la méthode de film sanguin périphérique. Elle serait, par conséquent, une analyse recommandée pour le dépistage préliminaire des enfants pour la SCD aux centres de santé IV au niveau de districts et confirmer seulement les résultats positifs en utilisant l’électrophorèse de l’hémoglobine.KEY WORDS: Screening - Sickling and solubility tests -Peripheral blood film - Sickle cell disease - Uganda

Mosquitoes LTR Retrotransposons: A Deeper View into the Genomic Sequence of Culex quinquefasciatus

A set of 67 novel LTR-retrotransposon has been identified by in silico analyses of the Culex quinquefasciatus genome using the LTR_STRUC program. The phylogenetic analysis shows that 29 novel and putatively functional LTR-retrotransposons detected belong to the Ty3/gypsy group. Our results demonstrate that, by considering only families containing potentially autonomous LTR-retrotransposons, they account for about 1% of the genome of C. quinquefasciatus. In previous studies it has been estimated that 29% of the genome of C. quinquefasciatus is occupied by mobile genetic elements

Knowledge gaps, attitude and beliefs of the communities about sickle cell disease in eastern and western Uganda

Background: The management of sickle cell disease (SCD) has remained insurmountable in developing countries such as Uganda, because most communities are not aware of it.Objective: To determine knowledge gaps, attitudes and beliefs of the communities about sickle cell disease in Eastern and Western Uganda.Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.Setting: The districts of Sironko and Mbale in Eastern Uganda and Mbarara and Ntungamo in Western Uganda.Subjects: Households, students and health workers.Results: Household respondents from Eastern Uganda were more aware of SCD than those from Western (

Plasma cholesterol and related lipid levels of seemingly healthy public service employees in Kampala, Uganda

Background: As Uganda's economy improves, many people tend to adopt western diets and sedentary life styles that predispose to cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. These may be in silent danger without any typical symptoms to send early warning signals. In Uganda, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus are rapidly emerging as major causes of morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study was conducted to determine spot levels of plasma lipid indicators of CVD in seemingly healthy public service employees in Kampala, Uganda. The purpose of this study was achieved through analysis of fasting plasma samples for the following: Total cholesterol (TC), Triacylglycerols (TG), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and molar ratios of LDL/HDL, TC/ HDL, and TC/TG. Methods: One hundred and seventy four fasting executives 85 males and 89 females employed in public service in Kampala, Uganda, were investigated to determine enzymatically spot levels of TC, TG, HDL, and LDL from which their mutual ratios were calculated. Results: In each of the 7 parameters studied, the samples showed risk factors for CVD at the following rates :HDL 10% ,LDL/HDL 12%, TG 47%, LDL 48%, TC/HDL 53% TC 66%, TG/HDL 68%,. Conclusions: In all the cut off points used, each analyte had a significant percentage of public service employees at risk of CVD. It is therefore concluded that hypercholesterolaemia and other dyslipidemias exist among seemingly healthy public service employees in Kampala, Uganda, and this needs urgent intervention at both individual and national levels. African Health Sciences Vol. 6(3) 2006: 139-14

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FOOD AND NUTRITION Occurrence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in street-vended foods and general hygienic and trading practices in Nakawa Division, Uganda

ABSTRACT Food borne diseases such as Salmonellosis and entero-haemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) have been associated with consumption of street-vended foods in many African countries. Although health problems associated with consumption of street-vended foods do exist in Uganda, up to this day, there is limited scientific data on the microbiological quality and safety of street-vended foods in various regions of the country. The aim of this study was to establish the occurrence of common food-poisoning pathogens including E. coli and Salmonella spp. in selected street-vended foods sold in Nakawa and Naguru Parishes located in peri-urban Kampala city. Samples analyzed in the present study were based on four food categories which comprised of mainly high risk foods and those prone to adulteration by dubious street food vendors. In particular, food samples including fish stew, meat stew, fried eggs, salads, and unbottled drinking water were taken for microbial analysis from the study area. Standard microbiological methods were used for isolation, enumeration, and identification of bacteria. The SPSS software was used for the analyses and the significance level was set at p<0.05. Binary stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors that may influence exposure of street-vended foods to pathogens. In the results, E. coli levels were found to be 100% and 60% in Nakawa and Naguru Parishes respectively. Microbial enumeration of Salmonella spp. was negative for all samples tested. Vendors who did not meet adequate personal hygiene standards, adjusted odds ratio, AdjOR: 0.96, CI: 0.85-0.99 and those who stored food at inappropriate temperatures, AdjOR: 0.88, CI: 0.47-0.97 were more likely to have their food exposed to pathogen spreading vectors. The presented results indicate that street foods vended in Nakawa and Naguru Parishes are a source of contamination as elucidated by presence of E. coli. Street food vending may be improved by supporting the identified at-risk groups

The accuracy of self monitoring blood glucose meter systems in Kampala Uganda

Background: Many blood glucose self-monitoring systems are privately and publicly used by people in Uganda and technical and human errors may occur during their operation. Many patients were referred to Kololo polyclinic laboratory to have their blood glucose checked because the values obtained on the patients' glucose meter systems did not tally with familiar clinical signs and symptoms. This prompted an experimental set up to check glucose meter systems using a larger number of patients. Objective: The objective was to collate the technical conditions and standing operational procedures of four common glucose meter systems; observe the time, ambient temperature and humidity at which the meter systems operate locally; and compare the performance of three meter systems A, B, and C with the Sensorex glucose meter system on a number of capillary blood samples. Setting: Kololo polyclinic laboratory – a privately run facility in Kampala, Uganda. Design: An experimental set up to compare four glucose meter systems. Methods: Instruction manuals of the four glucose monitoring systems were studied and used to familiarize with the meter operations. One hundred and fourteen capillary blood specimens were assayed for blood glucose. Blood glucose values were instantly read off the four randomly set meter systems A, B, C, and Sensorex, noting the time, ambient temperature and humidity. Results from meter systems A, B, and C were regressed against those of Sensorex using Epi-Info computer program. Results: Blood glucose concentration levels on meter system A tallied with those on Sensorex meter system. However, those on meter system B and C were significantly lower and different. Temperature and humidity adversely affected the analytical performance of meter systems B and C in the Kampala environ. Conclusion: Some of the blood glucose monitoring systems in Kampala, Uganda are poor performers and may lead to the mismanagement of patients. There is need for a system to ensure national quality control of blood glucose monitoring systems. African Health Sciences 2003; 3(1): 23-3