Publications by authors named "Alex Mwesigwa"
Background: Malaria is a significant public health challenge in Uganda, with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) responsible for most of malaria infections. The high genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) associated with P.
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- Commensal oral Candida species can turn pathogenic in people with weakened immune systems, leading to oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) due to various factors.
- The study assessed several enzymatic activities (phospholipase, proteinase, hemolysin, esterase, and coagulase) and biofilm formation in 35 Candida isolates from people living with HIV experiencing OPC.
- Results revealed that most isolates exhibited strong phospholipase and proteinase activities, with significant biofilm formation, while other enzymatic activities were less prevalent.
Article Synopsis
- The study examines the prevalence of Candida species causing oropharyngeal and oral candidiasis among individuals with HIV in Africa, in light of improved treatments like antiretroviral therapy and the universal test and treat (UTT) policy.
- It analyzed data from 14 studies involving over 4,200 participants, finding that a significant majority of the Candida species isolated were C. albicans, while non-albicans species like C. glabrata and C. tropicalis were also present.
- The research indicates a decrease in the prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis since the introduction of UTT, with a pooled prevalence of 48%, suggesting effective interventions, although certain challenges remain.
Article Synopsis
- P. falciparum is a major health concern, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing to 99% of malaria infections, with symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe based on various factors like host immunity and genetic diversity.
- A study conducted on 225 malaria patients in Uganda utilized seven microsatellite markers to analyze the genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) in P. falciparum infections among asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.
- Results showed high genetic diversity in both groups, with no significant difference in MOI, indicating a prevalence of polyclonal infections, and notable linkage disequilibrium between different infection types, while genetic differentiation among parasite populations was low.
In recent years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an alarming threat to global health as notable increase in morbidity and mortality has been ascribed to the emergence of superbugs. The increase in microbial resistance because of harboured or inherited resistomes has been complicated by the lack of new and effective antimicrobial agents, as well as misuse and failure of existing ones. These problems have generated severe and growing public health concern, due to high burden of bacterial infections resulting from scarce financial resources and poor functioning health systems, among others.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The incidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Africa is on the rise. Oropharyngeal candidiasis is mainly caused by ; however, a shift in the etiology towards non- species is increasing. In addition, there are variations in the epidemiological distribution of species causing oropharyngeal candidiasis among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in Africa.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Despite the increased frequency of oropharyngeal candidiasis among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), its management is no longer effective due to empirical treatment and emergence of antifungal resistance (AFR). This study sought to investigate the prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis and assess the antifungal susceptibility profile of oropharyngeal species isolated from people living with human immunodeficiency virus. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between oropharyngeal candidiasis and CD4 T cell as well as viral load counts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Oropharyngeal species are part commensal microflora in the the oral cavity of health individuals. Commensal species can become opportunist and transition to pathogenic causes of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) in individuals with impaired immunity through ecological cues and expression of virulence factors. Limited studies have evaluated virulence attributes of oropharyngeal species among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) with OPC on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Plasmodium falciparum causes most of the malaria cases. Despite its crucial roles in disease severity and drug resistance, comprehensive data on Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity and multiplicity of infection (MOI) are sparse in SSA. This study summarizes available information on genetic diversity and MOI, focusing on key markers (msp-1, msp-2, glurp, and microsatellites).
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