Browsing by Author "Atiku, Saad Mahjub"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of biosafety and biorisk management practices among medical laboratory students in two institutions in Uganda
    (Elsevier, 2022-09-07) Padde, John Roberts; Akiteng, Winnie; Edema, William; Atiku, Saad Mahjub; Tibyangye, Julius; Tekakwo, Job; Andruga, Cosmas; Hope, Derick; Musinguzi, Benson; Gesa, Jean Brenda; Amadile, Lawrence; Agondua, Robert
    Medical laboratory workers handle clinical specimens, which are a threat of exposure to infectious agents. Notably, medical laboratory science students report for internships with only theoretical knowledge of biosafety and biorisk management practices, predisposing them to a higher risk of laboratory hazards. In this study, we assessed the influence of entry-level students' adherence to practices and attitudes towards biosafety and biorisk management during the Internship. An online survey tool was used to explore the practices and attitudes towards laboratory biosafety and risk management. Of the 96 students, 60 (62.5%) anonymous responses were received, and of these, 60.3% were direct entrants, and 32.8% were diploma entrants. Most (91.7%) of the students attended hospital internships, with 60.2% in Biosafety Level (BSL)-2 laboratories and 70.2% rotating in all the core areas of laboratory medicine. The 8.3% who did not attend any internship were under the direct entry category. Exposure to biohazards was not significantly associated with laboratory safety level and student entry category (P> 0.05). Recommended laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the safety level of the laboratory and student entry category (P> 0.05). Poor attitudes towards certain laboratory biosafety practices were not significantly associated with the biosafety level of the training laboratory (P> 0.05), whereas training (P = 0.021) and clean-up procedures (P = 0.048) were associated with laboratory safety levels, respectively. The direct entrants had no access to BSL-3 laboratories, and this category of students had a negative attitude towards internship attendance. Therefore, there is a need to create a multi-channel full range laboratory biosafety and biorisk management teaching reforms based on practical application, real case studies, and laboratory simulation to be incorporated into the curriculum to benefit the direct entrant.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    In-vivo efficacy profiles of plasmodium falciparum to Artemether- Lumefantrine, the recommended first-line treatment of uncomplicated Malaria in Kisii County Kenya
    (South Asian Journal of Parasitology, 2021) Maniga, Josephat Nyabayo; Rael, Masai; Bwogo, Pacifica; Ntulume, Ibrahim; Tibyangye, Julius; Atiku, Saad Mahjub; Onchoke, Vera Bella; Mong’are, Samuel
    Place and Duration of the Study: This study was carried out in Kisii County, Kenya in 2021, during the months of February to June. Methodology: Multi-stage random sampling was used. Participants suspected to be having malaria were recruited, confirmed for P. falciparum and treated with Arthemeter- Lumefantrine (AL). The participants were followed for 28 days. Efficacy of the AL treatment was assessed as per the WHO criteria (2007). Data was analyzed using the chi square (χ2), Fisher’s exact test and twosample t test. Results: Follow-up was completed for 84% (231.0± 0.23) participants. The study reported Earlier Treatment Failure (ETF) of 27 (11.7 %), Late Clinical Failure (LCF) of 20 (8.7 %), Late Parasitological Failure (LPF) of 11(3.9 %), and Adequate Clinical and Parasitological Failure (ACPR) of 173 (75.0 %). Fever was not detected among 1.45% (3.98 ± 0.25) during enrollment. The treatment outcome with AL was first noted at day 3 of the follow up with 15.2 ± 0.33 of the patients testing negative for P. falciparum. By day 28, 94% (217.14 ± 0.72) of the patients were cleared of parasitemia. Age and weight were statistically significant factors influencing the treatment outcomes at, Age, p=0.005 and Weight, p=0.001. Conclusions: Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) remains efficacious in the study area, however more studies using molecular methods needs to be conducted.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) of Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes (ACE1 and ACE2):
    (Sage Publishing, 2023-04-03) Atiku, Saad Mahjub; Kasozi, Dennis; Campbell, Katrina
    Background. Although it is common knowledge that the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) and other viral infections have an uneven impact globally, the reasons for this are still indistinct. The absence of equivalent capacities worldwide in screening, testing, and reporting of cases is one of the ideas put forward to explain this discrepancy. The molecular developments are noteworthy, particularly the role played by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ACEs (ACE1 and ACE2). The virus can enter the host cell thanks to the transmembrane protein ACE2, which is a homolog of ACE1. Objectives. With a focus on the I/D genotype of ACE1 and the rs2285666 SNV of ACE2, we elucidated the prevalence of SNPs in ACE1 and ACE2 in various geographic locations. We examined the relationship between these SNPs and the global patterns of COVID-19 prevalence. Methods. 66 of the 127 articles obtained using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google directly conformed to the search terms; geographical distribution of viral infections, the prevalence of COVID-19, ACE1, ACE2, SNPs, and prevalence of the DD genotype, and rs2285666. Results. The DD genotype of ACE1 and the rs2285666 SNV of ACE2 are vital in their gene expression and contribute greatly to viral disease susceptibility, development, and severity. There was generally a high prevalence of the DD genotype in Europe and America, where COVID-19 had a more devastating effect than in Asia and Africa. The prevalence of the SNV rs2285666 varied in the following order: East Asia> South Asia >America>Europe >Africa. However, there were conflicting agreements in the association of rs2285666 with COVID-19 susceptibility and prevalence. Conclusion. The ACE1 DD genotype and COVID-19 prevalence have been positively linked in a number of studies. The ACE2 rs2285666 SNV, however, has yielded no definitive results. To determine the relationship between these SNVs and COVID-19 incidence, more research is required.