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Papers by C. Bii

Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Scho... more Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya School of Biological Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Centre for Microbiology, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author

Natural Products: An Indian Journal, 2011

The use of plants for medicinal purposes is an important part of the culture and tradition inAfri... more The use of plants for medicinal purposes is an important part of the culture and tradition inAfrica and the world at large. Up to 80% of the world population depends directly on the traditional medicine for the primarily health care. The objective of this study was to collect, extract and determine antimicrobial activities of Clutia abyssinic and Erythrina abyssinica plants. The two plant samples were collected from Bomet District. Taxonomical identification was done at East African Herbarium. Leaves and stem bark were air dried and separately grounded into fine powder. The powdered material was extracted with Hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water. Extracts of the two plants were screened against bacterial and fungal isolates. The highest inhibition zone diameters recorded was 23.0 mm from hexane extract of E. abyssinica against Trichophyton mentagrophyte. The solvents used for extraction were used as negative control while fluconazoles and gentamycin were used as standards. T...

East African Medical Journal, 2018

Background: There is a growing concern that barber shops could serve as potential reservoirs of b... more Background: There is a growing concern that barber shops could serve as potential reservoirs of bacterial, fungal or even viral pathogens. Along with this background little is known about microbiological hazards associated with barbershops in Kenyatta Market, Nairobi County. Objective: To determine the microbiological hazards of barber shops by isolating and identifying potential bacterial pathogens from materials and equipment used in barber shops by swabbing surfaces of combs, brush, shaving machines/ clippers, customer apron, shelve and towels using moistened sterile cotton swabs. Design: Cross sectional study design was used to evaluate microbiological hazards of barber shops. Setting: Kenyatta market and its environs, barber shops. Subjects: All barbers within Kenyatta market as well as those around Ngumo and who consented to participate in the study and whose barber shops have the materials and equipment of interest. Results: A total of 56 bacterial isolates were isolated from...

African journal of health sciences, 1996

In recent years, there has been a growing global, regional and local concern about the potential ... more In recent years, there has been a growing global, regional and local concern about the potential health hazards associated with air pollution. Great attention has so far been paid to pollution associated with oxides of sulphur, CO, nitrogen oxides, O(3), trace organics, selected trace metals like lead, and miscelleneous suspended particulate matter. But, apart from these much talked about pollutants, urban air pollution associated with fungal spores from garbage pose a major environmental human health problem in most urban centres in Africa. Garbage probably accounts for most of the fungal spores in air, and, therefore, people, particularly those living close to heaps of garbage are exposed to very high concentrations of fungal spores. There is a possibility that a high correlation exists between the current incidence of respiratory infections and levels of fungal spores in the air. Air pollution by fungal spores has not been a matter of great concern in the past, and therefore, it ...

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2006

To determine the significance of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in the Kenyan paediatric popula... more To determine the significance of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in the Kenyan paediatric population. Sixty samples of induced sputum from children aged < or =23 months, half of whom were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, admitted with severe pneumonia in Nairobi were subjected to immunofluorescent staining for detection of P. jirovecii and microbiological culture. P. jirovecii was detected in 8/60 (13%) as a copathogen with other respiratory pathogens. Five of eight samples with >5 oocysts were from HIV-positive children aged < or =6 months, while equivocally scored samples (< or =5 oocysts) were from HIV-negative children aged >6 months. Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly recovered in 26/ 60 (43%), followed by Escherichia coli 11/60 (18%) and Staphylococcus aureus 8/60 (13%). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated infrequently. Candida albicans was recovered from 27/60 (45%), while the frequency of ...

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by tea plant, which play multiple essential roles ... more Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by tea plant, which play multiple essential roles in plant physiology and have potential health properties on human health, mainly as antioxidants, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive and antimicrobial agents. Microbial resistance has become an increasing global problem; there is a need to find out novel potent antimicrobial agents with alternative modes of action as accessories to antibiotic therapy. This study investigated the antimicrobial, synergistic and antioxidant properties of tea polyphenols. The synergistic effect of tea polyphenols in combination with conventional antimicrobial agents against clinical multidrug-resistant microorganisms has been investigated and valuable data generated on the potential synergistic properties of tea polyphenols.

This study examined the pathogenic microbial levels in second hand undergarments and compared the... more This study examined the pathogenic microbial levels in second hand undergarments and compared the effectiveness of disinfection methods used to reduce microbial load in the garments. Of special interest were pathogenic microbes in undergarments such as panties, bras, socks and towels which were collected from various flea markets. The study was planned following prior casual questioning of consumers to find out the most common decontamination methods used on these clothes. Clothe samples collected from the Gikomba second hand market were examined in a biomedical laboratory for evidence of high levels and types of pathogenic microbes and persistence of the pathogenic microbes that can be attributed to skin infection after decontamination procedures. Culture and biochemical methods were used for investigation. A variety of potential skin pathogens were isolated from unwashed second hand undergarments, socks and towels. Several bacteria were isolated including Methicillin-resistant St...

Grasas y Aceites

The polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of tea seed oil from C. sinensis TRFK 301/5... more The polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of tea seed oil from C. sinensis TRFK 301/5 (green colored) and TRFK 306 (purple colored) and C. oleifera were evaluated. The total polyphenolic content, total catechins and catechin fractions were significantly different in the oils. C. oleifera contained significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher amounts of catechins and polyphenols than C. sinensis. C. oleifera also exhibited a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (18.81 ± 0.46%) compared to C. sinensis (TRFK 306; 15.98 ± 0.13 and TRFK 301/5; 14.73 ± 0.47%). The antimicrobial activities of tea seed oil and two selected oils (olive and eucalyptus oil), were also evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candinda albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. S. aureus was significantly inhibited by the oils compared to E. coli. The oils inhibited the growth of T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans, although they had no effect on C. neoformans. Tea seed ...

Natural Fusarium and fumonisin contamination were evaluated in 86 stored maize samples and correl... more Natural Fusarium and fumonisin contamination were evaluated in 86 stored maize samples and correlated to damaged kernels (%). Maize samples were collected from selected farmers in Aflatoxin ‘hot’ zones of Eastern province. Samples were collected from Kitui and Kibwezi districts in May to June 2008. Fusarium species were isolated and identified using morphological characteristics at Mycology Laboratory, Kenya Medical Research Institute. Fumonisinquantification was done using ELISA (RIDASCREEN ® ELISA test kit (Art. No.: R3401) at Bora Biotech, Nairobi. Colony Forming Unit (CFU) counts indicated that apart from Aspergillus a common contaminant in maize, Fusarium species infestation was also high. The most common species being F. verticillioides isolated at (39.9 %) in the two districts. Other isolated Fusarium species included, F. proliferatum (15.1 %), F. solani (9.0 %), F. anthophilium (9.0 %), F. oxysporium (15.1 %), and F. Lateritium (12.1 %). Damaged kernels analysed in this stud...

Multidrug resistant microbes are a health management challenge in immunocopromised individuals. T... more Multidrug resistant microbes are a health management challenge in immunocopromised individuals. The study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial potential and toxicity of the methanol extracts of Hosludia opposita, Rhus natalensis and Combretum illairii. The plants were collected from Kilifi District and authenticated at East African Herbarium. Samples collected were extracted in methanol. Quantitative bioassay was done using disc diffusion method; minimum inhibition concentration was done using broth dilution methods. The isolates used for bioactivity testing were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentarophyte. Phytochemical screening was done using thin layer chromatograpy and cell toxicity was done using human embryonic lung cells. The H. opposita and C. illairii had terpenoids, flavonoids and anthaquinones. All the extracts were safe to the mammalian cells. Combretum illairii plant extracts had good activity against S. au...

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Jun 4, 2010

Traditionally Prunus africana stem bark decoctions are used for treating and managing chest pain,... more Traditionally Prunus africana stem bark decoctions are used for treating and managing chest pain, malaria, and fever. The present study investigated the antibacterial and antifungal activity of hexane and methanol stem bark extract of Prunus africana. Disc diffusion assay was used to evaluate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosus ATCC 27852, Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA), Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. The methanol extracts were active against Trichopyton mentagrophyte, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae at concentrations of 0.039, 0.073, 0.156 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively. The extract of the above plant had no activity against Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. The antifungal and antibacterial activity of P. africana demonstrated supports the claimed antimicrobial uses of the plant in the traditional medicine and provides scientific prove for their medicinal uses.

East African Medical Journal, 2011

Hugonia castaneifolia belongs to the family Linaceae and is commonly known as ‘Mukuro ’ by the Gi... more Hugonia castaneifolia belongs to the family Linaceae and is commonly known as ‘Mukuro ’ by the Giriama people of Kenya. As a traditional medicine among this community, the roots concoctions are

African Journal of Health Sciences, 2019

Background: Globally, Superficial fungal infections are common problems in patients infected huma... more Background: Globally, Superficial fungal infections are common problems in patients infected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The most common, predisposition being unknown HIV status and low socio-economic factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with Superficial mycoses in patients attending Alupe Outpatient Clinic and its environs. After ethical approval, was obtained from ethical review committee, KEMRI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 371 patients from two health facilities in Busia County Kenya. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire after patients had consented. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences ( SPSS ) version 20. Results: Of 371 respondents; 42.86% (159) were males and 57.14% (212) were females. The mean age for both sexes was 30.8 years with std. dev of 20.0046 and a range of [1,89].The HIV status for respondents were; negative 49.33%, positive 6.20%, unknown ...

East African medical journal, 2012

East Africa Medical Journal Vol. 89 No. 6 June 2012 ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF HUGONIA CASTENEIF... more East Africa Medical Journal Vol. 89 No. 6 June 2012 ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF HUGONIA CASTENEIFOLIA AND ITS POTENTIAL USE FOR THE CONTROL OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS K. Korir, Kenya Medical Research Institute P. O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya, C. Mutai, Kenya Medical Research Institute P. O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya, J. Nandako, Catholic University of Eastern Africa P. O. Box 62157-00200, Nairobi, Kenya and C. Bii, Kenya Medical Research Institute P. O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

East African Medical Journal, 2011

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is documented as an opportunistic pathogen in HIV/A... more Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is documented as an opportunistic pathogen in HIV/AIDS infection. Increasing prevalence of resistance by S. aureus to commonly prescribed antimicrobials pose a threat in its treatment, resulting to increased morbidity and mortality. The importance of each pathogen in resistance of S. aureus to antimicrobials has not been established. Objectives: To identify, characterised and determine bacteria associated with wound infection. To determine the relationship between HIV and infectors of wounds and the correlation of co-infection in S. aureus and drug susceptibility. Design: A cross-sectional study conducted for over five years from 2003-2007. Setting: Centre for infections and parasitic disease Control Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute Clinic. Subject: Outpatient who were 18 years and above presenting with topical wounds at CIPDCR- Busia; Kenya Medical R...

Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 2018

African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2013

The tea polyphenols have been shown to possess many medicinal properties including antifungal act... more The tea polyphenols have been shown to possess many medicinal properties including antifungal activity, but there have been few studies regarding antifungal activity. The antifungal activity of tea polyphenols was evaluated on Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans employing the disc diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tea polyphenols against C. albicans ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate of C. neoformans was determined. Tea polyphenols showed antifungal activity against C. albicans ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate of C. neoformans and both demonstrated an MIC of 1 mg/ml after 24 h. Both fungus were found to be sensitive to tea all tea extracts (p<0.05). The inhibition zone diameters significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated to the catechins (EGCG and EGC), total TFs and total TRs. The study reveals the antifungal properties of green, white and black tea products from Kenyan germplasm that may find therapeutic applications in future.

The antibacterial and synergistic effects of black, green, white tea and other specialty teas suc... more The antibacterial and synergistic effects of black, green, white tea and other specialty teas such as purple tea extracts processed from Kenyan tea germplasm were evaluated and compared with extracts from processed teas of Chinese and Japanese cultivars using disc diffusion method. Methicillin and penicillinase resistant S. aureus ATCC 25923 was most susceptible to the tea extracts; showing the largest inhibition diameters. Extracts from processed black, black tea buds, green, purple coloured leaf (both aerated and nonaerated) and white teas weakly inhibited (p>0.05) E. coli ATCC 25922 and a clinical isolate of S. typhi at a concentration of 1mg/ml after 24 hours. Synergism was observed between all tea extracts and penicillin G against methicillin and penicillinase resistant S. aureus ATTC 25923. This suggests that the concomitant administration of tea and penicillin G may not impair the antibacterial activity of penicillin G. KEYWORDS: Black tea; green tea; white tea; methicilli...

Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Scho... more Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya School of Biological Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya Centre for Microbiology, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Chemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author

Natural Products: An Indian Journal, 2011

The use of plants for medicinal purposes is an important part of the culture and tradition inAfri... more The use of plants for medicinal purposes is an important part of the culture and tradition inAfrica and the world at large. Up to 80% of the world population depends directly on the traditional medicine for the primarily health care. The objective of this study was to collect, extract and determine antimicrobial activities of Clutia abyssinic and Erythrina abyssinica plants. The two plant samples were collected from Bomet District. Taxonomical identification was done at East African Herbarium. Leaves and stem bark were air dried and separately grounded into fine powder. The powdered material was extracted with Hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and water. Extracts of the two plants were screened against bacterial and fungal isolates. The highest inhibition zone diameters recorded was 23.0 mm from hexane extract of E. abyssinica against Trichophyton mentagrophyte. The solvents used for extraction were used as negative control while fluconazoles and gentamycin were used as standards. T...

East African Medical Journal, 2018

Background: There is a growing concern that barber shops could serve as potential reservoirs of b... more Background: There is a growing concern that barber shops could serve as potential reservoirs of bacterial, fungal or even viral pathogens. Along with this background little is known about microbiological hazards associated with barbershops in Kenyatta Market, Nairobi County. Objective: To determine the microbiological hazards of barber shops by isolating and identifying potential bacterial pathogens from materials and equipment used in barber shops by swabbing surfaces of combs, brush, shaving machines/ clippers, customer apron, shelve and towels using moistened sterile cotton swabs. Design: Cross sectional study design was used to evaluate microbiological hazards of barber shops. Setting: Kenyatta market and its environs, barber shops. Subjects: All barbers within Kenyatta market as well as those around Ngumo and who consented to participate in the study and whose barber shops have the materials and equipment of interest. Results: A total of 56 bacterial isolates were isolated from...

African journal of health sciences, 1996

In recent years, there has been a growing global, regional and local concern about the potential ... more In recent years, there has been a growing global, regional and local concern about the potential health hazards associated with air pollution. Great attention has so far been paid to pollution associated with oxides of sulphur, CO, nitrogen oxides, O(3), trace organics, selected trace metals like lead, and miscelleneous suspended particulate matter. But, apart from these much talked about pollutants, urban air pollution associated with fungal spores from garbage pose a major environmental human health problem in most urban centres in Africa. Garbage probably accounts for most of the fungal spores in air, and, therefore, people, particularly those living close to heaps of garbage are exposed to very high concentrations of fungal spores. There is a possibility that a high correlation exists between the current incidence of respiratory infections and levels of fungal spores in the air. Air pollution by fungal spores has not been a matter of great concern in the past, and therefore, it ...

The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 2006

To determine the significance of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in the Kenyan paediatric popula... more To determine the significance of Pneumocystis jirovecii infection in the Kenyan paediatric population. Sixty samples of induced sputum from children aged < or =23 months, half of whom were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive, admitted with severe pneumonia in Nairobi were subjected to immunofluorescent staining for detection of P. jirovecii and microbiological culture. P. jirovecii was detected in 8/60 (13%) as a copathogen with other respiratory pathogens. Five of eight samples with >5 oocysts were from HIV-positive children aged < or =6 months, while equivocally scored samples (< or =5 oocysts) were from HIV-negative children aged >6 months. Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly recovered in 26/ 60 (43%), followed by Escherichia coli 11/60 (18%) and Staphylococcus aureus 8/60 (13%). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated infrequently. Candida albicans was recovered from 27/60 (45%), while the frequency of ...

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by tea plant, which play multiple essential roles ... more Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by tea plant, which play multiple essential roles in plant physiology and have potential health properties on human health, mainly as antioxidants, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive and antimicrobial agents. Microbial resistance has become an increasing global problem; there is a need to find out novel potent antimicrobial agents with alternative modes of action as accessories to antibiotic therapy. This study investigated the antimicrobial, synergistic and antioxidant properties of tea polyphenols. The synergistic effect of tea polyphenols in combination with conventional antimicrobial agents against clinical multidrug-resistant microorganisms has been investigated and valuable data generated on the potential synergistic properties of tea polyphenols.

This study examined the pathogenic microbial levels in second hand undergarments and compared the... more This study examined the pathogenic microbial levels in second hand undergarments and compared the effectiveness of disinfection methods used to reduce microbial load in the garments. Of special interest were pathogenic microbes in undergarments such as panties, bras, socks and towels which were collected from various flea markets. The study was planned following prior casual questioning of consumers to find out the most common decontamination methods used on these clothes. Clothe samples collected from the Gikomba second hand market were examined in a biomedical laboratory for evidence of high levels and types of pathogenic microbes and persistence of the pathogenic microbes that can be attributed to skin infection after decontamination procedures. Culture and biochemical methods were used for investigation. A variety of potential skin pathogens were isolated from unwashed second hand undergarments, socks and towels. Several bacteria were isolated including Methicillin-resistant St...

Grasas y Aceites

The polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of tea seed oil from C. sinensis TRFK 301/5... more The polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of tea seed oil from C. sinensis TRFK 301/5 (green colored) and TRFK 306 (purple colored) and C. oleifera were evaluated. The total polyphenolic content, total catechins and catechin fractions were significantly different in the oils. C. oleifera contained significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher amounts of catechins and polyphenols than C. sinensis. C. oleifera also exhibited a higher DPPH radical scavenging activity (18.81 ± 0.46%) compared to C. sinensis (TRFK 306; 15.98 ± 0.13 and TRFK 301/5; 14.73 ± 0.47%). The antimicrobial activities of tea seed oil and two selected oils (olive and eucalyptus oil), were also evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candinda albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. S. aureus was significantly inhibited by the oils compared to E. coli. The oils inhibited the growth of T. mentagrophytes and C. albicans, although they had no effect on C. neoformans. Tea seed ...

Natural Fusarium and fumonisin contamination were evaluated in 86 stored maize samples and correl... more Natural Fusarium and fumonisin contamination were evaluated in 86 stored maize samples and correlated to damaged kernels (%). Maize samples were collected from selected farmers in Aflatoxin ‘hot’ zones of Eastern province. Samples were collected from Kitui and Kibwezi districts in May to June 2008. Fusarium species were isolated and identified using morphological characteristics at Mycology Laboratory, Kenya Medical Research Institute. Fumonisinquantification was done using ELISA (RIDASCREEN ® ELISA test kit (Art. No.: R3401) at Bora Biotech, Nairobi. Colony Forming Unit (CFU) counts indicated that apart from Aspergillus a common contaminant in maize, Fusarium species infestation was also high. The most common species being F. verticillioides isolated at (39.9 %) in the two districts. Other isolated Fusarium species included, F. proliferatum (15.1 %), F. solani (9.0 %), F. anthophilium (9.0 %), F. oxysporium (15.1 %), and F. Lateritium (12.1 %). Damaged kernels analysed in this stud...

Multidrug resistant microbes are a health management challenge in immunocopromised individuals. T... more Multidrug resistant microbes are a health management challenge in immunocopromised individuals. The study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial potential and toxicity of the methanol extracts of Hosludia opposita, Rhus natalensis and Combretum illairii. The plants were collected from Kilifi District and authenticated at East African Herbarium. Samples collected were extracted in methanol. Quantitative bioassay was done using disc diffusion method; minimum inhibition concentration was done using broth dilution methods. The isolates used for bioactivity testing were Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Trichophyton mentarophyte. Phytochemical screening was done using thin layer chromatograpy and cell toxicity was done using human embryonic lung cells. The H. opposita and C. illairii had terpenoids, flavonoids and anthaquinones. All the extracts were safe to the mammalian cells. Combretum illairii plant extracts had good activity against S. au...

Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, Jun 4, 2010

Traditionally Prunus africana stem bark decoctions are used for treating and managing chest pain,... more Traditionally Prunus africana stem bark decoctions are used for treating and managing chest pain, malaria, and fever. The present study investigated the antibacterial and antifungal activity of hexane and methanol stem bark extract of Prunus africana. Disc diffusion assay was used to evaluate antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosus ATCC 27852, Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA), Candida albicans ATCC 90028, Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophyte. The methanol extracts were active against Trichopyton mentagrophyte, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae at concentrations of 0.039, 0.073, 0.156 and 2.5 mg/ml, respectively. The extract of the above plant had no activity against Cryptococcus neoformans ATCC 66031 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. The antifungal and antibacterial activity of P. africana demonstrated supports the claimed antimicrobial uses of the plant in the traditional medicine and provides scientific prove for their medicinal uses.

East African Medical Journal, 2011

Hugonia castaneifolia belongs to the family Linaceae and is commonly known as ‘Mukuro ’ by the Gi... more Hugonia castaneifolia belongs to the family Linaceae and is commonly known as ‘Mukuro ’ by the Giriama people of Kenya. As a traditional medicine among this community, the roots concoctions are

African Journal of Health Sciences, 2019

Background: Globally, Superficial fungal infections are common problems in patients infected huma... more Background: Globally, Superficial fungal infections are common problems in patients infected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The most common, predisposition being unknown HIV status and low socio-economic factors. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with Superficial mycoses in patients attending Alupe Outpatient Clinic and its environs. After ethical approval, was obtained from ethical review committee, KEMRI. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 371 patients from two health facilities in Busia County Kenya. Data was collected using semi structured questionnaire after patients had consented. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences ( SPSS ) version 20. Results: Of 371 respondents; 42.86% (159) were males and 57.14% (212) were females. The mean age for both sexes was 30.8 years with std. dev of 20.0046 and a range of [1,89].The HIV status for respondents were; negative 49.33%, positive 6.20%, unknown ...

East African medical journal, 2012

East Africa Medical Journal Vol. 89 No. 6 June 2012 ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF HUGONIA CASTENEIF... more East Africa Medical Journal Vol. 89 No. 6 June 2012 ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF HUGONIA CASTENEIFOLIA AND ITS POTENTIAL USE FOR THE CONTROL OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS K. Korir, Kenya Medical Research Institute P. O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya, C. Mutai, Kenya Medical Research Institute P. O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya, J. Nandako, Catholic University of Eastern Africa P. O. Box 62157-00200, Nairobi, Kenya and C. Bii, Kenya Medical Research Institute P. O. Box 54840-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

East African Medical Journal, 2011

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is documented as an opportunistic pathogen in HIV/A... more Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is documented as an opportunistic pathogen in HIV/AIDS infection. Increasing prevalence of resistance by S. aureus to commonly prescribed antimicrobials pose a threat in its treatment, resulting to increased morbidity and mortality. The importance of each pathogen in resistance of S. aureus to antimicrobials has not been established. Objectives: To identify, characterised and determine bacteria associated with wound infection. To determine the relationship between HIV and infectors of wounds and the correlation of co-infection in S. aureus and drug susceptibility. Design: A cross-sectional study conducted for over five years from 2003-2007. Setting: Centre for infections and parasitic disease Control Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute Clinic. Subject: Outpatient who were 18 years and above presenting with topical wounds at CIPDCR- Busia; Kenya Medical R...

Journal of Scientific Research and Reports, 2018

African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2013

The tea polyphenols have been shown to possess many medicinal properties including antifungal act... more The tea polyphenols have been shown to possess many medicinal properties including antifungal activity, but there have been few studies regarding antifungal activity. The antifungal activity of tea polyphenols was evaluated on Candida albicans ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans employing the disc diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tea polyphenols against C. albicans ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate of C. neoformans was determined. Tea polyphenols showed antifungal activity against C. albicans ATCC 90028 and a clinical isolate of C. neoformans and both demonstrated an MIC of 1 mg/ml after 24 h. Both fungus were found to be sensitive to tea all tea extracts (p<0.05). The inhibition zone diameters significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated to the catechins (EGCG and EGC), total TFs and total TRs. The study reveals the antifungal properties of green, white and black tea products from Kenyan germplasm that may find therapeutic applications in future.

The antibacterial and synergistic effects of black, green, white tea and other specialty teas suc... more The antibacterial and synergistic effects of black, green, white tea and other specialty teas such as purple tea extracts processed from Kenyan tea germplasm were evaluated and compared with extracts from processed teas of Chinese and Japanese cultivars using disc diffusion method. Methicillin and penicillinase resistant S. aureus ATCC 25923 was most susceptible to the tea extracts; showing the largest inhibition diameters. Extracts from processed black, black tea buds, green, purple coloured leaf (both aerated and nonaerated) and white teas weakly inhibited (p>0.05) E. coli ATCC 25922 and a clinical isolate of S. typhi at a concentration of 1mg/ml after 24 hours. Synergism was observed between all tea extracts and penicillin G against methicillin and penicillinase resistant S. aureus ATTC 25923. This suggests that the concomitant administration of tea and penicillin G may not impair the antibacterial activity of penicillin G. KEYWORDS: Black tea; green tea; white tea; methicilli...