Browsing by Author "Budambula, N.L.M"

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    Evaluation of an Antigen-Antibody “Combination” Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay For Diagnosis Of Hepatitis C Virus Infections
    (2014-10) Budambula, N.L.M; Nitschko, H.; Odari, E.O
    BACKGROUND: Development of “combination” assays detecting in parallel, within a single test, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antigens and antibodies, not only reduces the window period in HCV-infection but also costs. Reduction of costs is important for developing countries where money and personal resources are limited. METHODS: We compared the Monolisa® HCV Antigen-Antibody Ultra (Bio-Rad Laboratories Limited, Marnes La Coquette, France) with the AXSYM HCV version 3.0 (Abbot Diagnostics, Germany)-the latter assay detecting only antibodies to HCV. Seventy three HCV-PCR positive and negative samples were tested. RESULTS: Although the two assays showed comparable results, two samples from a bone marrow transplant (BMT) patient of viral loads 7.8 x 105 and 8.9 x 106 IU/mL could not be detected by the Monolisa® HCV Antigen-Antibody Ultra assay. Failure to detect the two samples with viral loads considered above threshold of detection for antigen proteins suggested a lack of sensitivity by this assay to discover viral capsid protein in patient samples. Genotyping of these samples revealed genotype 1b, a HCV-subtype which is widespread and should thus be easily detected. CONCLUSION: We conclude that although this assay depicts high sensitivity and specificity in detecting antibodies to HCV, it seems not to add further benefit in our study population to detect HCV infections by enhanced sensitivity due the potential contingency to trace viral capsid antigens. KEY WORDS: Ag-Ab Combination assay, Hepatitis C Virus, ELISA, Monolisa HCV Ag-Ab Ultra
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    Improvement of edible crotalaria spp through artificial pollination
    (UoEm, 2023-11-23) Wasonga, M.A; Arunga, E.E; Muli, J.K.; Budambula, N.L.M
    Slender leaf (Crotalaria ochroleuca and Crotalaria brevidens) are indigenous leafy vegetables commonly cultivated in Kenya with high nutritive value and medicinal benefits. Despite the benefits of the vegetable it is grown and consumed only in some parts of the world and has been neglected in terms of research. Artificial pollination of any crop forms the basis of improvement however, there is limited information on the breeding of Crotalaria. The study aimed to cross two distinct species of Crotalaria using artificial pollination. Two landraces from two counties in Kenya were crossed in a completely randomized design set up within the greenhouse. A six-day-old flower bud of C. ochroleuca of, the female parent was emasculated. A fully opened flower of C. brevidens was used as a pollen source. The pollen was rubbed on the stigma of the female parent and inserted back into the keel petal. Data were collected on the total number of mature pods and seeds then subjected to analysis of variance. The artificial pollination cross of C. ochroleuca and C. brevidens showed a success rate of 75%. The time of crossing did not have significant effect on the success rate, pod and seed production. The rubbing method was the best method of artificial interspecific pollination of Crotalaria. Successful interspecies pollination is a foundation for the improvement of edible Crotalaria through hybridization