The clinical spectrum of severe malaria has not been described in Bushenyi, hence; this study was carried out to document the prevalence, major clinical features, contributing factors and immediate outcome of this number one killer disease of under-five children, at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH). This is a pilot study. Study design was retrospective; carried out in the records department of KIUTH; the study population were files of children, 5 years of age and below who attended KIUTH between August and October 2009, sample size was 100 using systematic random sampling. Ethical clearance and permission were obtained. Data was collected using checklist, entered into Epi-Info version 3.2 and analysed with SPSS 16 statistical software. Prevalence of complicated malaria was 29.8%. Male: female ratio was 1.33:1. Peak age was 3years, 78% of the children had no wasting and 62% slept under treated bed nets. The three most common presentations were febrile multiple convulsions (69%), hyperparasitemia (67%) and circulatory shock (59%), prolonged coma was the least presentation (30%). The infants most commonly present with severe anaemia (60%), while the older ones manifest usually with febrile multiple convulsions (76.9%). Mortality rate was 14%, higher in the malnourished (27.3%), boys (19.3%), age 5year bracket (23.1%), with hypoglycaemia (18.8%), respiratory distress (17.9%) and multiple febrile convulsions (17.4%). The prevalence and mortality from severe malaria was high. The most common presentations were multiple febrile convulsions, hyperparasitaemia and circulatory shock. Immediate outcome was significantly affected by the nutritional status. A larger study will be done in future for a more complete picture of this problem.

The results obtained, provide strong evidence of antiulcer activity of the leaf extract of G. senegalensis and support the traditional uses of the plant for the treatment of ulcer.

Background: The need to map pathogenic bacteria from oral lesions of patients with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains crucial to estimate the potential risk of localized and systemic diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the baseline burden and antibiotic susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria recovered from oral lesions of patients with HIV/AIDS in South‐Western Uganda. Methods: World Health Organization’s aseptic criteria were adopted in oral examination, sample (605) collection, pathogenic bacteria isolation, and sensitivity testing. The included patients with HIV/AIDS had persistent oral lesions, and they received antibiotic treatment. The study was ethically approved by the institutional and national boards. Results: Pathogenic bacteria (31% Streptococcus mutans, 16.4% Proteus mirabilis, 11.8% nonhemolytic Streptococcus species, 11.3% Staphylococcus aureus, 9.5% Branhamella catarrhalis, 8.6% Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 8.1% Klebsiella pneumoniae, 6.8% Escherichia coli, and 5.5% Streptococcus pyogenes) prevalence varied significantly (p < 0.05) with participating districts, and this may indicate that patients are at an increased risk of systemic infection and antibiotic resistance. Females were more in number than males, and 31–50 years were the most predominant age groups. The variation of oral pathogenic bacteria represents the distribution of two ethnics made of five tribes. Gentamycin was the most effective antibiotic against all isolates. Relative resistance to oral antibiotics and sensitivity to ciprofloxacin/cefaclor were bacteria‐dependent. An effective treatment plan for persistent oral lesions should be against pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Conclusions: An observed wide array of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity of patients with HIV/AIDS poses a real problem in the world of antimicrobial resistance, and this clearly provides a higher risk of systemic infectious diseases in these population with HIV/AIDS.

ObjectiveMonosodium glutamate (MSG) has been marred by a lot of controversy on its safety. In a majority of experimental studies, administration of the compound has been parenteral, and yet little is known about MSG safety consumed as a food supplement. In this study, we assessed the effects of low concentrations of MSG on the activity of hydrogen scavenging, catalase activity and climbing as well as lifespan in male Drosophila melanogaster over a 30 days period since this has been sparsely studied.ResultsNo significant differences were associated with MSG at 5%, 1%, 0.2%, 0.04% on hydrogen peroxide scavenging, negative geotaxis and lifespan in W1118 male D. melanogaster. Significant differences were found in 5% MSG on catalase activity, showing that high MSG concentrations would affect tissue health in male D. melanogaster. MSG consumed as a food supplement would be safe at concentrations below 5% MSG.

Background. Annona muricata and Khaya grandifoliola are ethnomedicinally used for the treatment of malaria and have been experimentally shown to have an anti-plasmodial effect, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study investigated the effect of the ethanol extracts of their leaves on parasitemia, radical scavenging and cytokines in Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected BALB/c mice. Methods. BALB/c mice were infected with P. berghei and treated with chloroquine, A. muricata or K. grandifoliola extract for 4 days. The percentage of parasitemia and the level of cytokine expression were determined after treatment. Trace element, phytochemical and nitric oxide (NO) scavenging activity, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging properties assays were done to study the antioxidant effects of AN and KG in vitro. Results. P. berghei consistently increased parasitemia in BALB/c mice. The tested doses (100-, 200-, and 400 mg/kg) of A. muricata and K. grandifoliola attenuated the P. berghei-induced elevation of parasitemia and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-5, and IL-6) in vivo during the experimental period, though not as much as chloroquine. Moreover, both extracts scavenged the DPPH and NO radicals, though A. muricata had more anti-oxidant effect than K. grandifoliola in-vitro. Conclusion. The ethanol extracts of A. muricata and K. grandifoliola reduce parasitemia in P. berghei-treated mice BALB/c by scavenging free radicals and reducing cytokines, though the extracts were not as effective as chloroquine.