Prevalence of cystic echinococcosis among livestock in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas in Uganda.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) remains a significant challenge in Uganda with precise status largely undocumented in most communities. To determine CE prevalence, post-mortem examination was done on 14 937 livestock (5873 goats, 1377 sheep, 3726 zebu cattle and 3054 Ankole cattle) slaughtered in abattoirs in the districts of Moroto in Karamoja region, Kumi in Teso region and Nakasongola and Luwero in Buganda region. The overall CE prevalence was 21.

Phyto-Mediated Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Photocatalytic Performances.

The greatest challenge of the current generation and generations to come is antimicrobial resistance, as different pathogenic bacteria have continuously evolved to become resistant to even the most recently synthesized antibiotics such as carbapenems. Resistance to carbapenems limits the therapeutic options of MDR infections as they are the only safe and effective drugs recommended to treat such infections. This scenario has complicated treatment outcomes, even to the commonest bacterial infections.

Supply Chain and Delivery of Antimicrobial Drugs in Smallholder Livestock Production Systems in Uganda.

This study assessed the veterinary drug supply chain in Uganda, the constraints faced by the actors, and how the challenges influence the use of antimicrobial (AMs) by livestock farmers. We carried out stakeholder consultation workshops, key informant interviews and a knowledge, practices, and awareness survey with actors of the veterinary drug supply chain. We also profiled drugs stored in 23 urban and peri-urban drug shops in Lira and Mukono districts to record the commonly sold drugs.

Isolation and characterization of chitosan from Ugandan edible mushrooms, Nile perch scales and banana weevils for biomedical applications.

Of recent, immense attention has been given to chitosan in the biomedical field due to its valuable biochemical and physiological properties. Traditionally, the chief source of chitosan is chitin from crab and shrimp shells. Chitin is also an important component of fish scales, insects and fungal cell walls.

International lineages of Salmonella enterica serovars isolated from chicken farms, Wakiso District, Uganda.

The growing occurrence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella enterica in poultry has been reported with public health concern worldwide. We reported, recently, the occurrence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovars carrying clinically relevant resistance genes in dairy cattle farms in the Wakiso District, Uganda, highlighting an urgent need to monitor food-producing animal environments. Here, we present the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and sequence type of 51 Salmonella isolates recovered from 379 environmental samples from chicken farms in Uganda.

Seroprevalence of brucellosis and risk factors associated with its seropositivity in cattle, goats and humans in Iganga District, Uganda.

Introduction: The burden of brucellosis among smallholder farmers is poorly-documented in Uganda. The disease burden is likely to be high, given the high levels of endemicity, lots of exposures and due to lack of control measures. In order to designate appropriate control measures, the magnitude and risk factors for brucellosis need to be known.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica from Dairy Cattle Farms in the Wakiso District, Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Enterobacteriaceae producing β-lactamases have spread rapidly worldwide and pose a serious threat to human-animal-environment interface. In this study, we present the presence of Salmonella enterica (1.3%) and commensal Escherichia coli (96.

A systematic review: the current status of carbapenem resistance in East Africa.

Objective: In this systematic review, we present the molecular epidemiology and knowledge gaps of the carbapenem resistance in East Africa as well as the future probable research interventions that can be used to address the emergence of carbapenem resistance in the region.

Results: The 17 articles which presented concrete information about the prevalence of carbapenem resistance in East Africa were reviewed. Tanzania exhibited the highest level of carbapenem resistance at 35% while DRC had the lowest level at 0.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards cystic echinococcosis in livestock among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda.

A cross-sectional study was done from March 2013 to May 2014 to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered to 381 respondents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to find the relationship between knowledge about CE and factors such as age, sex, and level of education across all regions.

Sociocultural factors associated with fish consumption in Lake Albert fishing community: Guidelines for lead and mercury.

Fish consumption in subsistence fishing community is a life style associated with lead and mercury uptake for humans. Fish consumption is influenced by sociocultural factors, exposure and health risks. Unfortunately, no sociocultural study in the Lake Albert fishing community in light of lead and mercury exists.

Risk factors, perceptions and practices associated with Taenia solium cysticercosis and its control in the smallholder pig production systems in Uganda: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: Prevalence studies report Taenia solium cysticercosis in pig and human populations in Uganda. However, the factors influencing occurrence in smallholder pig production systems are not well documented and little is known about farmers' perceptions of T. solium cysticercosis or farmer practices that could reduce transmission.

Mercury concentration in muscle, bellyfat and liver from and consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities in Uganda.

Without surveillance studies on mercury (Hg) levels in predominant fish species and parts eaten in a fishing community, the FAO/WHO guidelines might be surpassed, hence health risk. A monitoring study in a developing country with 29 (Nile tilapia) and 34 (Nile perch) from landing sites provided muscle, bellyfat and liver samples for Mercury detection using Inductive Couple Plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. The study shows that fish eaten in the fishing community are small with fewer risks from mercury.

Risk estimates for children and pregnant women exposed to mercury-contaminated and in Lake Albert Uganda.

Exposure to mercury contaminated fish predisposes populations particularly children and pregnant women to various health hazards including neurotoxicity, reproductive abnormalities and cognitive disorders. Earlier studies in the Lake Albert community have demonstrated the presence of mercury in Nile tilapia and Nile perch. However, the risk estimates for vulnerable groups such as Children and pregnant women is not well documented.

Perceptions about mercury and lead in fish consumed in Lake Albert fishing communities Uganda.

Fish consumption is a lifestyle in fishing communities influenced by individual and communal perceptions. However, information about individual perceptions about fish consumption in the vulnerable fishing community in a developing country is lacking. Without this study, the benefits of fish consumption in a vulnerable community may not be realized.

Serological and molecular investigation for brucellosis in swine in selected districts of Uganda.

Brucellosis is a notifiable zoonotic disease affecting livestock, humans, and wildlife in Uganda. Pigs can be infected with human pathogenic Brucella suis biovars 1 and 3 and can be a significant source of brucellosis for humans. Uganda has a rapidly growing pig population, and the pork consumption per capita is the highest in East Africa.

Sero-prevalence of Taenia spp. cysticercosis in rural and urban smallholder pig production settings in Uganda.

The pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, is prevalent in Uganda although the prevalence has not been determined in all areas of the country. A cross-sectional study, to determine the sero-prevalence of the parasite in pigs kept under rural and urban production settings, was carried out in three Ugandan districts, Masaka, Mukono and Kamuli. Serum samples from 1185 pigs were tested for the presence of T.

Prevalence and risk factors of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs in Moroto and Bukedea districts in Uganda.

A cross sectional study was conducted in Moroto and Bukedea districts of Uganda from May to September 2013 to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs. Fresh dog faecal samples were collected, preserved in 70 % ethanol, and later screened for presence of taeniid eggs using zinc chloride floatation method. Positive samples were confirmed by a copro-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) for E.

Assessment of the economic viability of goat management systems in Goma Sub County and Mukono Town Council in Mukono District, Uganda.

This study sought to assess the profitability of the goat enterprises under different management systems. The research covered two selected sub-counties of Mukono District (Goma and Mukono Town Council). A total of 888 goats from 129 herds/farms were studied.

Shiga toxin gene-containing Escherichia coli from cattle and diarrheic children in the pastoral systems of southwestern Uganda.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains from cattle and diarrheic children in a pastoralist community in Uganda were investigated. The STEC strains belonged to a variety of different serogroups, and 70% of the strains were positive for the intimin gene, eae. STEC strains from two of the children were closely related to bovine strains.

Evaluation of the gill filament-based EROD assay in African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) as a monitoring tool for waterborne PAH-type contaminants.

The ability of African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) in inducing cytochrome P-450 class 1A (CYP1A) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) biomarkers was determined in liver and gill filaments after 4 days of waterborne exposure to the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Male (n=6) and female (n=6) fish were exposed to B[a]P added to the water (30 microg/l) corresponding to 5 mg/kg total body weight. Five female and six male fish, exposed to acetone alone added to the water served as controls.

Use of sulfonamides in layers in Kampala district, Uganda and sulfonamide residues in commercial eggs.

Background: Use of antimicrobials like sulfonamides in production of layers is a public health risk since it inevitably results in sulfonamide residues in eggs. The presence of the residues may be influenced by knowledge, attitudes and practices of farmers regarding use of sulfonamides (and other antimicrobials) in poultry.

Objective: The study aimed at assessing the possible contribution of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of poultry farmers to the presence/levels of sulfonamide residues in hen eggs.

The quality of water from protected springs in Katwe and Kisenyi parishes, Kampala city, Uganda.

Background: In the sub-urban areas of Kampala city, springs are a major source of water for domestic use. Though spring water is considered to be aesthetically acceptable for domestic use, presence of poorly designed pit latrines, poor solid waste management as well as poor and inadequate spring protection, may lead to contamination of spring water with pathogenic bacteria.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to examine the bacteriological quality of water from ten springs in Katwe and Kisenyi parishes of Kampala, and to identify and quantify risks for spring water contamination with faecal bacteria.