Browsing by Author "Ripanda, Asha Shabani"

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    Antibiotic-resistant microbial populations in urban receiving waters and wastewaters from Tanzania
    (Elsevier, 2023) Ripanda, Asha Shabani; Rwiza, Mwemezi J.; Nyanza, Elias Charles; Miraji, Hossein; Bih, Numfor Linda; Mzula, Alexanda; Mwega, Elisa; Njau, Karoli N.; Vuai, Said Ali Hamad; Machunda, Revocatus L.
    Antimicrobial resistance against certain medications in the pathogenic microbial community is globally increasing due to the continual discharge and disposal of pharmaceuticals in the environment. The phenomenon resulted in significant antibiotic resistance among several exposed Enterobacteriaceae species, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and rivers serving as significant reservoirs. Despite antibiotic resistance being a tragedy, particularly in treating diseases by using antibiotics, local and regional studies indicating the severity, resistant species and the molecular level insight into these pathogens are scarce, thus requiring immediate intervention. This study, therefore, investigated wastewater from wastewater treatment ponds and receiving waters for the presence of resistant pathogens through phenotypical and molecular approach screening of their genes. Among the 57 analyzed samples, 18 (67%, n = 27) isolates of Klebsiella spp.., 4 (80%, n = 5) isolates of Proteus spp., 1 (100%, n = 1) of isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 6 (18%, n = 34) of E. coli found were resistant to at least 1 among the tested antibiotics. E. coli had an 83% higher proportion of multi-drug resistance (MDR) than Klebsiella spp.., which had 68.5%, and no MDR was shown by P. aeruginosa isolates. Among the 20 bacterial isolates of antibiotic-resistant genes, showed that E. coli harboured 39%, followed by 22% of Klebsiella spp. Eleven (11) isolates of these 20 (55%) contained sulphonamides resistant genes: Sul 1 (n = 4) and Sul 2 (n = 7). Ten (10) isolates (50%) contained the tetracyclineresistant genes in which 4 isolates showed the Tet A, Tet B – 1 and 5 isolates contained Tet D. β-lactamases (bla CTX-M and bla SHV) were found in 7 isolates (35%). The existence of these antibiotic-resistant species in the urban receiving and wastewater presents a threat of transmission of diseases to humans and animals that are not cured by the existing medications, jeopardizing public health safety.
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    A comparative in-vitro study on antimicrobial efficacy of on-market alcohol-based hand washing sanitizers towards combating microbes and its application in combating Covid-19 global outbreak
    (Elsevier, 2022) Vuai, Said Ali Hamad; Sahini, Mtabazi Geofrey; Sule, Khalfani Salim; Ripanda, Asha Shabani; Mwanga, Hossein Miraji
    The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created endless social, economic, and political fear in the global human population. Measures employed include frequent washing hands and using alcohol-based hand sanitisers and hand rubs as instant hand hygiene products. Due to the need to mitigate the pandermic, there is an increase in the local production of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, whose quality and efficacy against germs and the virus are questionable. Therefore, the current study investigated the in-vitro antimicrobial efficacy of on-market alcohol-based handwashing sanitizers used to mitigate the Covid-19 global outbreak toward combating enveloped bacteria such as E. Coli, P. aeroginosa, S. aureus, and a fungus C. albicans. The antimicrobial effectiveness ofalcohol-based hand sanitizer was performed by the agar well diffusion method, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used for statistical analysis. Results indicate that alcohol hand-based sanitizers were more effective in inhibiting P. aeroginosa, with a mean zone of inhibition of 12.47 mm, followed by E. coli, a gramnegative bacterium with a mean zone of inhibition of 12.13 mm than both S. aureus and C. albicans as grampositive bacteria, and fungi respectively had the same inhibition average of 11.40 mm. The overall mean diameter of inhibition was statistically significantly different among the fifteen tested products. Only one brand of alcohol-based hand sanitizers was the most effective in inhibiting microbes. Less effective sanitizers may impair Covid 19 mitigation efforts and put the population at risk instead of protecting it. Indicating the need for all materials used to mitigate Covid 19 pandermic, including alcohol-based hand sanitizers, to be evaluated and monitored to ensure public health safety
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    A comparative in-vitro study on antimicrobial efficacy of on-market alcohol-based hand washing sanitizers towards combating microbes and its application in combating Covid-19 global outbreak
    (Elsevier, 2022) Vuai, Said Ali Hamad; Sahini, Mtabazi Geofrey; Sule, Khalfani Salim; Ripanda, Asha Shabani; Mwanga, Hossein Miraji
    The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created endless social, economic, and political fear in the global human population. Measures employed include frequent washing hands and using alcohol-based hand sanitisers and hand rubs as instant hand hygiene products. Due to the need to mitigate the pandermic, there is an increase in the local production of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, whose quality and efficacy against germs and the virus are questionable. Therefore, the current study investigated the in-vitro antimicrobial efficacy of on-market alcohol-based handwashing sanitizers used to mitigate the Covid-19 global outbreak toward combating enveloped bacteria such as E. Coli, P. aeroginosa, S. aureus, and a fungus C. albicans. The antimicrobial effectiveness of alcohol-based hand sanitizer was performed by the agar well diffusion method, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used for statistical analysis. Results indicate that alcohol hand-based sanitizers were more effective in inhibiting P. aeroginosa, with a mean zone of inhibition of 12.47 mm, followed by E. coli, a gramnegative bacterium with a mean zone of inhibition of 12.13 mm than both S. aureus and C. albicans as grampositive bacteria, and fungi respectively had the same inhibition average of 11.40 mm. The overall mean diameter of inhibition was statistically significantly different among the fifteen tested products. Only one brand of alcohol-based hand sanitizers was the most effective in inhibiting microbes. Less effective sanitizers may impair Covid 19 mitigation efforts and put the population at risk instead of protecting it. Indicating the need for all materials used to mitigate Covid 19 pandermic, including alcohol-based hand sanitizers, to be evaluated and monitored to ensure public health safety.
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    Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemistry and Antiviral Potential of Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
    (MDPI, 2022) Srivastava, Bajarang Bal Lal; Ripanda, Asha Shabani; Mwanga, Hossein Miraji
    Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been a famous root crop for its medicinal properties since pre-historical times. Lack of effective therapeutics for most viral diseases, higher cost of some antiviral therapies, and the emergence of antiviral drug resistance are increasingly reported. Drug resistance is predicted to be a leading cause of mortality globally by 2050, thus requiring intervention. The need for effective natural antiviral compounds to mitigate viral diseases, such as curcumin, calls for further studies. Curcumin, a primary curcuminoid compound, has demonstrated a broad activity as an antiviral agent. Due to the need to overcome drug resistance to chemically synthesised drugs, the best option is to improve and adapt the use of natural antiviral agents. The antiviral potential of curcumin is hindered by its solubility and bioavailability. Recently, different techniques, such as the preparation of curcumin carbon quantum dots, have been used to improve curcumin antiviral activity. Therefore, the current review aims to assess curcumin’s benefits as a natural antiviral agent and techniques to improve its medicinal activity. Future use of curcumin will aid in mitigating viral diseases, including resistant strain, hence sustainability of the entire community. In this case, research and innovation are required to improve the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin for medical uses.
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    Prevalence and factors associated with continual opioid use among patients attending methadone clinic at Mwananyamala hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
    (Elsevier, 2019) Ripanda, Asha Shabani; Srivastava, Bajarang Bal Lal; Vuai, Said Hamad; Nyundo, Azan A
    Trends of continual drug use while under treatment have been reported worldwide. This paper assesses opioid use among patients receiving treatment in a methadone clinic for opioid addiction. A total of 126 urine samples were analyzed using LC–MS/FTMS. About 16% of patients were found to have a high prevalence level of opioids use. Prevalence level was significantly associated with the duration of treatment (p = 0.0121) and age (p = 0.0328). About 125/126 patients were found to have remnants of opioids of abuse. Therefore, measures should be taken to overcome continual use of opioids among clients.