Browsing by Author "Nafuka, Sylvia N."
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Item Isolation and Genus identification of bacteria from urine contaminated soils of Windhoek(University of Namibia, 2016) Haindongo, Erastus H.; Bock, Ronnie A.; Nafuka, Sylvia N.; Mumbengegwi, Davis R.Public urination is a common sight in the vicinity of drinking establishments in Katutura, as well as other open spaces around Windhoek. A study was conducted to determine if there was a shift in the balance of the microflora in urine contaminated soils. It was hypothesized that, given soils from the same geographic region but under distinct urine conditions, the identity and counts of the pathogenic and actinobacteria communities would vary. For the purpose of this study, pathogenic microorganisms were limited to those known to cause infections of the urinary tract. Soil samples from 4 contaminated locations (Ara-Dorado, Hakahana, Eveline and Greenwell Matongo suburbs) and controls were qualitatively tested for urease activity. Selective media was used for the isolation and enumeration of pathogenic and beneficial actinobacterial colonies. Dorado showed the greatest extend of urease activity>>>Hakahana and Eveline>>Green well matongo. There is a significant difference between the colony counts at a contaminated and non-contaminated (control) site, p = 0.019(= 0.05). The results indicated that public urination introduces pathogenic bacteria, causing a shift in the balance of the normal flora.Item Phytochemical analysis and in vitro anti-plasmodial activity of selected ethnomedicinal plants used to treat malaria associated symptoms in northern Namibia(University of Namibia, 2013) Nafuka, Sylvia N.; Mumbengegwi, Davis R.The search for biologically active compounds from plants is of importance for discovery of novel medicine against infectious diseases such as malaria. The aims of this study were to identify ethno-medicinal plants that are used to treat malaria-associated symptoms in traditional settings in northern Namibia; to detect and quantify the presence of major anti-plasmodial phytochemicals to evaluate the anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum 3D7A strain of the extracts of lead plants. Ten plants were identified through a survey conducted by the Multidisciplinary Research Centre at the University of Namibia. Nineteen methanolic extracts from 10 selected ethnomedicinal plants were prepared and analyzed using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to detect classes of anti-plasmodial phytochemical compounds. Furthermore, total phenolic and alkaloids were also quantified. Furthermore, in vitro anti-plasmodial activity of crude methanol and aqueous extracts at 5, 10 and 50 mg/ml was evaluated against P. falciparum 3D7A strain at 1% parasitaemia and 2% hematocrit after 48 hours. The study revealed the presence of at least one of the major anti-plasmodial classes of compounds such as terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids and coumarins in all the plant extracts analyzed. Out of 10 plant species, Mundulea sericea’s shoots indicated the presence of all five major anti-plasmodial phytochemical. The plants species studied show a high estimate of total alkaloids (0.37- 21.21 mg/1g of extracts) and phenolics (99. 58 - 444.07 GA/E mg/ml). Methanol extracts of M. sericea, D. mespiliformis and Cyphostemma spp showed the best anti-plasmodial activity with range of IC50 values from 3.179 to 3.523 mg/ml. The presence of anti-plasmodial phytochemical classes of compounds and high in vitro anti-plasmodial activity of selected plants extracts support the further investigation of these plants, as potential sources of novel anti-plasmodial compounds for malaria drug discovery.Item The use of traditional medicinal plants as antimicrobial treatments(University of Namibia Press, 2015) Mumbengegwi, Davis R.; Du Preez, Iwanette C.; Dushimemaria, Florence; Auala, Joyce R.; Nafuka, Sylvia N.Microbial infections are a major cause of morbidity and sometimes mortality, especially in developing countries such as Namibia. Severe poverty is the root cause of this undesirable situation as it leads to malnutrition, inadequate sanitation and consumption of unclean food and drink. This, compounded by lack of education and access to primary healthcare, results in infections by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa (Table 4.1). The most vulnerable to infectious diseases caused by microbial agents are children under the age of five, where 66% of deaths in this age group are a result of such diseases; 34% of all deaths are attributed to infectious diseases. This was underscored by WHO’s (World Health Organization’s) Regional Director for Africa, Luis Gomes Sambo, in 2011 when he said 63% of deaths on the continent were caused by microbial infections, with HIV/AIDS accounting for 38.5% of these (Anon, 2012). Thus, the most vulnerable groups are young children and individuals whose immune systems are compromised by HIV infection (Table 4.2). Community-acquired bacteraemia is a major cause of death in children at rural sub-Saharan district hospitals. A study by Berkley et al. (2005) showed that 12.8% of infants younger than 60 days had bacteraemia. Escherichia coli and group b streptococcus were the predominant infectious agents.