Cockroaches as Reservoirs, Vectors, and Potential Sentinels of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Ugandan Communities: A Retrospective Analysis.

Cockroaches could play a role in the transmission dynamics of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) at variable interfaces in Ugandan communities, acting as both reservoirs and vectors. This study investigated the burden and diversity of ARB carried by cockroaches in human settlements in Uganda, so as to understand their role in the spread of these pathogens and their potential as sentinels in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance programs. A retrospective analysis was conducted on two unpublished studies by Makerere University students.

Integrating multi-wet laboratory diagnostics to study staphylococci in animals in Uganda.

Background: Several diagnostic environments in Uganda lack real-time, robust and high-throughput technologies for comprehensive typing of microbes, which is a setback to infectious disease surveillance. This study combined various wet laboratory diagnostics to understand the epidemiology of pathogenic staphylococci isolated from animals in Uganda and the implications for global health security priorities.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted employing records and pathogenic staphylococci (from animals) archived at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL), Makerere University, Uganda, between January 2012 and December 2019.