Browsing by Author "Obua, celestino"

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    Field-adapted sampling of whole blood to determine the levels of amodiaquine and its metabolite in children with uncomplicated malaria treated with amodiaquine plus artesunate combination
    (Malaria Journal, 2009) Ntale, Muhammad.; Obua, celestino; Mukonzo, Jackson; Mahindi, Margarita; Gustafsson, Lars L; Beck, Olof; Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper
    Background: Artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) has been widely adopted as first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. In Uganda, amodiaquine plus artesunate (AQ+AS), is the alternative first-line regimen to Coartem® (artemether + lumefantrine) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Currently, there are few field-adapted analytical techniques for monitoring amodiaquine utilization in patients. This study evaluates the field applicability of a new method to determine amodiaquine and its metabolite concentrations in whole blood dried on filter paper. Methods: Twelve patients aged between 1.5 to 8 years with uncomplicated malaria received three standard oral doses of AQ+AS. Filter paper blood samples were collected before drug intake and at six different time points over 28 days period. A new field-adapted sampling procedure and liquid chromatographic method was used for quantitative determination of amodiaquine and its metabolite in whole blood. Results: The sampling procedure was successively applied in the field. Amodiaquine could be quantified for at least three days and the metabolite up to 28 days. All parasites in all the 12 patients cleared within the first three days of treatment and no adverse drug effects were observed. Conclusion: The methodology is suitable for field studies. The possibility to determine the concentration of the active metabolite of amodiaquine up to 28 days suggested that the method is sensitive enough to monitor amodiaquine utilization in patients. Amodiaquine plus artesunate seems effective for treatment of falciparum malaria.
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    Prevalence and predictors of prior antibacterial use among patients presenting to hospitals in Northern Uganda
    (BioMed Central, 2015) Ocan, MOSES; Manabe5, Yukari C.; Baluku, Hannington; Atukwase, Esther; Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper; Obua, celestino
    Background: Human antibacterial exposure occur in different ways including consumption of animal and agricultural products as well as use of prescribed and non-prescribed agents. We estimated the prevalence and explored the predictors of antibacterial use among patients presenting to hospitals in northern Uganda. Methods: Four hundred fifty (450) patients were randomly selected and antibacterial use prior to hospital visit measured using a questionnaire and urine antibacterial activity assay. Urine antibacterial bioassays were performed using American type culture collections of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pyogenes. Data were analysed using STATA 12.0 at 95 % confidence level. Results: Of 450 patients interviewed, 62.2 % had used antibacterial agents. Urine antibacterial activity was detected in 30.4 % of the samples tested. Of the 85 patients who reported not taking any antibacterial at home, 16 (18.8 %) had urine with antibacterial activity. Most test bacteria, E. coli (74.5 %), B. subtilis (72.6 %) and S. pyogens (86.7 %) were sensitive to urine of patients who reported using antibacterial drugs before hospital visit. From the interview, metronidazole 15.6 % (70/450), amoxicillin 12 % (54/450), and ciprofloxacin 10.4 % (47/450) were the most used antibacterial agents. Patient age (OR, 2.45: 95 % CI: 1.02–5.91: P = 0.024), time-lag between last drug intake and hospital visit (OR: 3.18: 95 % CI: 1.44–7.0: P < 0.0001), and time-lag between illness onset and hospital visit (OR: 1.89: 95 % CI: 0.38–5.1: P = 0.027) predicted the use of antibacterial agents before hospital visit. Discussion: Community antibacterial use continues to take place in an unregulated manner. In addition, physiciansrarely seek to ascertain prior use of antibacterial agents among patients presenting to hospitals. This couldhave a bearing on patient treatment outcomes. Conclusion: Knowledge of prior antibacterial use among patients presenting to hospitals is useful to physicians in ensuring antibacterial stewardship.