University of Health and Allied Sciences

About: University of Health and Allied Sciences is a education organization based out in Ho, Ghana. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 637 authors who have published 1063 publications receiving 9380 citations. The organization is also known as: UHAS & IAU-024335.

Correction to: Detection and quantification of antibiotic residues in urine samples of healthy individuals from rural and urban communities in Ghana using a validated SPE-LC-MS/MS method

Abstract: The role of unregulated and inappropriate dispensing, and use of antibiotics remains significant in the development of antimicrobial resistance in infectious disease endemic regions of developing countries. The exposure to antibiotics from unfamiliar and unsuspecting sources such as drinking water and food, and adulterated herbal medicines remains a cause for concern. A sensitive SPE-LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the quantification and qualification of 12 antibiotics, including amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, metronidazole, ampicillin, cefuroxime, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, sulphamethoxazole, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, benzylpenicillin, and erythromycin, in the urine of healthy volunteers. The method was linear (r2 > 0.98) within the concentration range 50–5000 ngmL−1 for all the analytes. Instrument precision of 8–27% and 4–21% at 100 and 1000 ngmL−1 levels were demonstrated. High mean recoveries between 71 and 125% with minimal variations were obtained for all compounds in the accuracy study. Limits of detection and quantification ranged between 70.3–271.0 ngmL−1 and 213–821 ngmL−1 respectively. The validated method successfully detected and quantified 9 of the 12 analytes, with the exception of clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and benzylpenicillin. Most of the samples contained one analyte (52, 86.7%), with a handful containing two (7, 11.7%) and three analytes (1, 1.7%). Ciprofloxacin was the modal analyte detected (17, 24.6%), with amoxicillin and trimethoprim recording the average lowest (22.76 × 103 ngmL−1) and highest concentrations (255.47 × 103 ngmL−1) respectively. The developed method is a useful tool for non-invasive monitoring of consumption and the irrational use of antibiotics in microbial resistant-prone regions of the world.

Synthesis, molecular docking studies and ADME prediction of some new triazoles as potential antimalarial agents

Abstract: The challenges concerning the control of malaria remain due to the continuous emergence of drug resistant strains. Over the years, the use, misuse, and abuse of antimalarials have created a conducive environment for the development of resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains. We herein report on the synthesis, characterization and antimalarial activity of a library of seven novel 1,2,3-triazoles as part of the drug discovery campaign against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum. The interactions of the triazoles with plasmepsin II, plasmepsin IV, falcipain-2 and the heme detoxifying protein-all key proteins of Plasmodium falciparum degradosequesterome (Dsq) were also investigated by molecular docking. The compounds 3a-d, 4–6 were synthesized by CuAAC click reaction in good to excellent yields of 73–98% and characterized by melting point, UVvisible, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance (1H and 13C) and MS techniques. Compounds 3a-d displayed high in vitro potency (IC50s: 0.62–22.11 ug/ml) against the chloroquine-resistant Dd2 lab strain of Plasmodium falciparum and low toxicity (SI > 1 except compound 4) to human erythrocytes. Computational studies indicated that the compounds 3a-3d had an absorption of 76–91%, and they were category III acute oral toxins (LD50 from 500 to 5000 mg/kg). The molecular docking study suggests that compounds 3a-d interacted with plasmepsin IV and the heme detoxifying protein with high affinity and a moderate affinity for falcipain-2.

The Use of Screening Algorithm to Defer Blood Donors with Subclinical Malaria

Abstract: Plasmodium falciparum infection in blood donors is common in malaria endemic countries, including Ghana. To date, there are no established exclusion criteria to defer a donor carrying malaria parasites. Therefore, based on significant independent variables identified in this study, donor malaria screening algorithm was developed to be used by blood banks to screen blood donors for subclinical malaria. Each significant variable was weighted one (1) point and its alternative response was weighted negative one (−1) point. Accumulation of the points determines the risk level of the donor. These weighted points were used to categorize infected donors as having negligible ( 9 points) risk. Based on accumulated weight of ≥5 points, the algorithm was 94.7% (54/57) sensitive but 82% (298/364) specific. With this level of specificity, 18% of the blood donors without malaria would have been deferred. Therefore, it is imperative that all donors with accumulated risk ≥5 be screened for malaria using either malaria rapid test kit or microscopy.