Browsing by Author "Kiruki, S."

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Distribution and Diversity of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Selected Agro-Industrial Pollution in Njoro River, Nakuru, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Itotia, T.K.; Muia, A.W.; Kiruki, S.; Getenga, Z.M.
Many in-stream activities occur in River Njoro. Consequently, many pharmaceuticals used in farms and hospitals and antibiotic-resistant microbes end up in the River through runoff and sewage. Presence of antibiotic resistance exposes humans and animals to contamination during in-stream activities. This study determined bacteria resistant to both medical and veterinary antibiotics in the catchment. Residual antibiotics and physical chemical conditions and indicators of feacal pollution were investigated. The bacteria resistant to five antibiotics studied varied significantly (P<0.05). Turkana site had highest resistors to ampicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin, while Njoro Canning Factory had highest resistors to gentamycin and Chloramphenical. Indicators of faecal pollution were found in all sites including Sigotik with 413.33±15.28 E.coli per 100 ml of water. Physical chemical measurements showed site differences. The Njoro Canning Factory BOD was 6.99±0.20 mg L-1, whereas Sigotik BOD was 1.28±0.13 mg L-1. Presumptive positive Salmonella, V. cholera and V. parahaemolyticus species were found in Turkana and Ngata sites. There is cause for alarm due to the high numbers of antibiotic resistant bacteria in River Njoro. Proper treatment of the River water before use is recommended, or alternative safe water sources for these communities should be found.
Establishment of Reference Ranges for Liver Biochemistry Tests in Children in Meru County, Kenya
(2018-01) Kainyu, R. M; Njagi, Eliud N. M.; George, O.; Kiruki, S.
This study was aimed at determining the reference range values for eight liver function parameters that are routinely analyzed in the clinical chemistry laboratory of Meru Level 5 Hospital. The study was cross-sectional, population-based and carried out on the young population of ages one to seventeen years in Meru County, Kenya. A total of 768 samples were collected from the volunteers who participated in the study. Out of these, 740, comprising 360 females and 380 males that were found to be free from HIV, Hepatitis B and syphilis were used to construct the reference ranges. DRI - CHEM NX 500I Clinical Chemistry analyzer (Fujifilm, Europe) was used to analyze eight biochemical parameters. Determination of reference ranges was done in order to estimate the lower 2.5 and upper 97.5 percentiles of the distribution by use of parametric methods. The determined percentiles were considered the lower and upper reference limits respectively. Significant sex differences were observed in children reference values for total protein. Other parameters (alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, direct bilirubin, total bilirubin, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) did not show significant sex dependent differences. In conclusion, the findings of this study provide sex-specific reference range values for children from Meru County in Kenya. The study recommends the health care practitioners and facilities in the region under study to adopt the new reference values developed and for other regions in Kenya to carry out a similar study to determine their own reference values.