Makerere University

About: Makerere University is a education organization based out in Kampala, Uganda. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 7220 authors who have published 12405 publications receiving 366520 citations. The organization is also known as: Makerere University Kampala & MUK.

In vitro sensitivities of Plasmodium falciparum to different antimalarial drugs in Uganda.

Abstract: The control of malaria is challenged by resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to multiple drugs. New combination regimens are now advocated for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria, but the extent of resistance to newer agents is incompletely understood. We measured the in vitro sensitivity of P. falciparum parasites cultured from children enrolled in a drug efficacy trial in Kampala, Uganda, from 2006 to 2008. Sensitivities were measured by comparing levels of histidine-rich protein-2 in parasites incubated with different concentrations of drugs with those in untreated controls. The cultured parasites exhibited a wide range of sensitivities to chloroquine (CQ); monodesethylamodiaquine (MDAQ), the major active metabolite of amodiaquine; and quinine (QN). Mean 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) results were above standard cutoffs for resistance for CQ and MDAQ. Parasites were generally sensitive to dihydroartemisinin (DHA), lumefantrine (LM), and piperaquine (PQ). For CQ, MDAQ, and QN but not the other drugs, activities against individual strains were highly correlated. We also assessed known resistance-mediating polymorphisms in two putative transporters, pfcrt and pfmdr1. When parasites that were least and most sensitive to each drug were compared, the pfmdr1 86Y mutation was significantly more common in parasites that were most resistant to CQ and MDAQ, and the pfmdr1 D1246Y mutation was significantly more common in parasites that were most resistant to MDAQ and QN. In summary, we demonstrated in parasites from Kampala a range of sensitivities to older drugs; correlation of sensitivities to CQ, MDAQ, and QN; and good activity against nearly all strains for DHA, LM, and PQ.

Cost-effectiveness of malaria microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests versus presumptive diagnosis: implications for malaria control in Uganda

Abstract: Background Current Uganda National Malaria treatment guidelines recommend parasitological confirmation either by microscopy or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) before treatment with artemether-lumefantrine (AL). However, the cost-effectiveness of these strategies has not been assessed at rural operational primary care centres.

A staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma: Prognostic factors in Ugandan patients

Abstract: A staging scheme for hepatocellular carcinoma was presented at an International Symposium on Liver Cancer in Kampala, Uganda in 1971. Historical, clinical, and laboratory aspects of that staging scheme were examined for prognostic significance in 72 untreated patients with this disease studied at the Uganda Cancer Institute. The median survival for the entire group was 1 month. The presence of a serum bilirubin concentration of greater than 2 mg/100 ml or weight loss greater than 25% of body weight were the poorest prognostic features. Other factors with prognostic significance were visible abdominal collateral circulation, ascites, tumor differentiation, and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, SGOT, alpha fetoprotein, and proline hydroxylase. A modified staging scheme is presented which defines three prognostically different groups of Ugandan patients. It is hoped this staging scheme will serve as a stimulus for analysis of similar prognostic features in other populations of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.