Genotypes of Candida albicans from Stool Samples of HIV Sero Positive and HIV Negative Individuals in Nairobi, Kenya

Candida albicans is one of the commonest opportunistic yeast pathogens that infect both healthy and immune-compromised individuals. Currently there are five recognized genotypes of C. albicans based on the 25 rDNA gene. Different genotypes of C. albicans have been shown to differ in their virulence and susceptibility to antifungal drugs and, thus accurate identification of the infecting genotype is essential for guiding antifungal therapy. The aim of the study was to determine the genotypes of C. albicans from stool samples of HIV sero positive and HIV negative individuals and ascertain whether there is an association between HIV status and genotype distribution. A total of forty four (44) Candida albicans isolates from the stool samples of 28 HIV sero positive patients attending an outpatient HIV/AIDS management clinic and 16 HIV negative individuals attending a hospitality industry support program at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) were genotyped using PCR primer pairs that span the transposable intron region of the 25S rDNA. Genotype A C. albicans was the most prevalent type (61.4%) followed by genotype C (11.4%) and genotype B (4.5%). Genotype B C. albicans was not isolated from HIV negative individuals. There was no significant difference in the genotype distribution of C. albicans isolates from HIV sero positive and HIV negative individuals (p=0.304). Ten (22.7%) C. albicans isolates could not be genotyped using the transposable region primers an indication of possible new genotypes. Genotype A is the most predominant C. albicans isolate both in HIV sero positive and HIV negative individuals and there is no predilation of any genotype to HIV infected. There is a possibility of new genotypes of C. albicans and sequence analysis may be warranted. Keywords: Genotypes, C. albicans, stool, HIV, Kenya

Determinants of Pastoral Communities’ Participation in Community Based Eco-Tourism Enterprises as Livelihood Diversification Strategy

Pastoralism has been the main source of livelihood for pastoral communities in Kenya. However pastoral based livelihoods are declining due of vagaries of climate change, reduced rangelands and lack of competitive markets for pastoral products. Livelihood diversification options in pastoral areas depend on alternative resources at the area of habitants. In Laikipia Kenya, enormous Ecotourism activities pose as a potential source of alternative livelihood to pastoralists. Past studies have shown that vagaries of climate change as a major determinant for pastoralist to engage in ecotourism activities, other determinants have not been empirically determined. The study was aimed at identifying other determinants. Data was collected by interviewing 231 households in Laikipia County. Heckman switching regression model was used in analysis. Factors such as engagement in off farm incomes activities, ownership of land and good infrastructure are major determinants of participation in ecotourism enterprises. Key words: Livelihood, diversification, ecotourism, pastoralism, participation

Isolation and Characterization of Endophytic Fungi from Medicinal Plant Warburgia ugandensis

The aim of this study was to isolate fungal endophytes from medicinal plant Warburgia ugandensis and determine antimicrobial activity of their metabolites on three human pathogens; (Candida albicans 90018, E coli 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus 29213). Seventeen (17) endophytic fungi were isolated and identified as; Nigrospora oryzae, Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium sp. (2), Fusarium Oxysporum, Phomopsis sp.(2), Colletotrichum acutatum, Altanaria sp. (2), Cochliobolus sativus, Bionectria ochroleuca, Phyllosticta gardeniicola, Guignardia mangiferae, Tricharina gilva, Diaporthe amygdali and Trichoderma harzianum. Phytochemical screening of their metabolites showed absence of phenols and alkaloids; presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols and glycosides in most of the extracts. Most of the fungal endophytes didn’t seem to have active metabolites after screening for presence of antimicrobial activities. Extracts from Phomopsis mali, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum had minimum antimicrobial activity. The study showed that fungal endophytes can be a potential source of metabolites which can be useful in pharmaceutical industry. Key words: Fungal endophytes, Warburgia ugandensis, phytochemicals, active metabolites, antimicrobial activit