Nephrotoxicity associated with aminoglycoside therapy in paediatrics: experiences from a leading referral hospital in Kenya.

Introduction: This study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of nephrotoxicity in paediatric patients receiving aminoglycoside therapy at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Kenya.

Methods: Between July and September 2018, a prospective cohort study involving children receiving aminoglycoside treatment was carried out at KNH. Before beginning and after finishing the aminoglycoside therapy, the levels of serum creatinine were assessed.

Exploring nature's antidote: unveiling the inhibitory potential of selected medicinal plants from Kisumu, Kenya against venom from some snakes of medical significance in sub-Saharan Africa.

The present study investigated the efficacy of and against venom (BAV), venom (NAV), and venom (NSV). 40 extracts and fractions were prepared using n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. efficacy against snake venom phospholipase A (svPLA) was determined in 96-well microtiter and agarose-egg yolk coagulation assays.

Assessment of the toxicity assay as a substitute of the mouse lethality assay in the determination of venom-induced toxicity and preclinical efficacy of antivenom.

Mice are routinely used in snake venom research but are costly and subject to pain and suffering. The crustacean could be an alternative to mice, but data to support its adoption in snake venom research is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of as a surrogate of mice in assessing the toxicity of venoms and the preclinical efficacy of antivenoms.

Antibacterial Activity of Venom from the Puff Adder (), Egyptian Cobra (), and Red Spitting Cobra ().

(Puff adder), (Egyptian cobra), and (Red spitting cobra) venoms were tested for antimicrobial activity. This evaluation employed disc diffusion and microbroth dilution techniques. Gram-positive bacteria ( and ) and Gram-negative bacteria (, , and ) were used.

Preliminary Phytochemical Composition and Anthelmintic Activity of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of against Mixed Gastrointestinal Worms in Dogs.

is used by some indigenous communities in Kenya to control gastrointestinal worms in animals. Plant-based anthelmintics are gaining popularity globally in the control of gastrointestinal worms in animals. The egg hatch inhibition assay was used to assess the anthelmintic efficacy of aqueous and ethanol leaf extracts of against the eggs of mixed gastrointestinal helminths in dogs.

Studies on the ethnopharmacology, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of (Vahl.) Endl., in rats.

The Mbeere South community of Embu County consume leaves of for its stimulant and euphoretic actions. Other indigenous uses of the plant are undocumented. Information on the pharmacology and safety of this plant is also scanty.

Preclinical efficacy testing of three antivenoms against venom-induced lethality.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of Inoserp, Vins bioproducts, and South African Institute of Medical Research (SAIMR) polyvalent antivenoms in neutralizing venom-induced lethality in mice. The neutralization efficacy of the antivenoms were expressed as effective dose, median effective ratio, potency, normalized potency, volume, and the number of vials of antivenom required to neutralize 100 mg of venom (NAV).

as an animal model for the preliminary evaluation of snake venom-induced toxicity.

Lethality and cytotoxicity assays of snake venoms and their neutralization by antivenom require many mice for the experiments. Recent developments have prompted researchers to seek alternative strategies that minimize the use of mice in line with Russel and Burch's 3Rs philosophy (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). is an animal model widely used for toxicity screening.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in exclusively breastfed infants at a tertiary healthcare facility in Nairobi, Kenya.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in exclusively breastfed infants at the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, Kenya (AKUHN). The relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D; 25OHD, parathyroid hormone (PTH), maternal vitamin D supplementation, and sunlight exposure were also determined.

Methods: Blood from 98 infants was assayed for 25OHD, calcium, phosphate, and PTH.

Medicinal plants used in managing diseases of the respiratory system among the Luo community: an appraisal of Kisumu East Sub-County, Kenya.

Background: Poor access to healthcare in rural communities causes many people to seek herbalists who use medicinal plants for the treatment of various disease conditions. Most knowledge of traditional herbal medicine makes use of indigenous remedies which are often undocumented and are at risk of being lost. The preservation of this knowledge may facilitate scientific inquiry into promising new therapeutic molecules.

Enzymatic activity and brine shrimp lethality of venom from the large brown spitting cobra (Naja ashei) and its neutralization by antivenom.

Objective: Naja ashei is a snake of medical importance in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Little is known about the enzymatic (snake venom phospholipases A; svPLA's) and toxic (lethal) activities of N. ashei venom and crucially, the safety and capacity of available antivenom to neutralize these effects.

Management and cost of snakebite injuries at a teaching and referral hospital in Western Kenya.

Data on the cost of snakebite injuries may inform key pillars of universal health coverage including proper planning, allocation, and utility of resources. This study evaluated the injuries, management, and costs resulting from snakebites at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kenya.  In total, medical records of 127 snakebite victims attending JOOTRH between January 2011 and December 2016 were purposely selected and data on the age, gender, type of residence (urban or rural), part of the body bitten, time of bite, injuries, pre-hospital first aid, time to hospital, length of stay, treatment, and costs were collected.

Revered but Poorly Understood: A Case Report of (Black Mamba) Envenomation in Watamu, Malindi Kenya, and a Review of the Literature.

The black mamba () ranks consistently as one of the most revered snakes in sub-Saharan Africa. It has potent neurotoxic venom, and envenomation results in rapid onset and severe clinical manifestations. This report describes the clinical course and reversal of effects of black mamba envenomation in a 13-year-old boy in the Jimba area of Malindi.

Acute Poisonings at a Regional Referral Hospital in Western Kenya.

The emergency department (ED) of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) handles many cases of poisoning. However, there is scant information on the factors, agents, and outcomes of poisoning at the hospital. The aim of this work was to determine the factors, agents, and outcomes of poisoning at JOOTRH.

Epidemiology of snake bites in selected areas of Kenya.

Introduction: Snake bites are a silent public health problem in Kenya. Previous studies on snake bites in the country have mainly focused on identifying offending snake species, assessing the severity of envenomation and testing the efficacy of antivenom. Factors associated with snake bites in the country are yet to be fully understood.

Enalapril-Induced Angioedema: Two Case Reports in a Rural Health Facility in Kenya.

Tolerability, a good safety profile, affordability, and a preponderance to afford cardio-renal protection in patients with diabetes make enalapril one of the most commonly prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. However, there is low awareness of enalapril/ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema among medical personnel. This is because the diagnosis presents an ongoing challenge, particularly when the presentation is delayed following long-term therapy with ACE inhibitors.

The legislative and regulatory framework governing herbal medicine use and practice in Kenya: a review.

Complementary and alternative medicine is an integral component of primary healthcare in Kenya. This is because the infrastructural health setup in the country is inadequate in catering for all the medical needs of the population. This particularly holds true in the rural areas where many rural folk rely on products of herbal origin to offset their healthcare needs.