Publications by authors named "Ethel M'kandawire"

Article Synopsis
  • Enteric infections from viral pathogens like rotavirus and adenovirus are a significant public health issue, prompting the need for effective surveillance systems in wastewater to identify risk areas.
  • In Zambia, researchers tested wastewater samples using different methods to concentrate viruses, resulting in a high detection rate (90% for HAdV and 70% for RVA) through molecular techniques.
  • The study concluded that certain concentration methods, particularly skimmed milk flocculation and bag-mediated filtration, could be beneficial for ongoing surveillance in resource-limited settings, highlighting the importance of monitoring these pathogens in the community.
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Background: The irrational use of antibiotics in humans and livestock has contributed to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated the commonly sold and dispensed antibiotics for prophylaxis in broiler chickens in pharmacy and agro-veterinary shop personnel in the Lusaka District of Zambia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to October 2023 among 200 veterinary medicine dispensers in the Lusaka District of Zambia using a simulated farmer or mystery shopper approach.

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The misuse of antibiotics in livestock contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria of animal origin is of public health concern since drug resistant pathogens in animals can spread to humans. Several countries have therefore introduced regulations to restrict the use of antibiotics in livestock.

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(), a major foodborne disease-causing pathogen found in raw cow milk, has even far more reaching public health ramifications as it encodes for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study aimed to identify multidrug-resistant (MDR) from raw cow's milk and evaluate their antimicrobial-resistant profiles. In total, 418 pooled raw cow milk samples were collected from milk collection centers and analysed using standard culture methods to isolate Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) was conducted using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and PCR was used to identify cefotaxime (CTX) resistant genes.

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Background And Aim: Pig farming is a livelihood activity undertaken by many rural communities in Tanzania. However, pigs in rural communities become infected with , a zoonotic parasite leading to porcine cysticercosis (PCC). Thus, routine meat inspection is fundamental in ensuring that the meat consumed is PCC-free.

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Lead (Pb) contamination in the environment affects both humans and animals. Chronic exposure to Pb via dietary intake of animal products such as milk from contaminated areas poses a health risk to consumers; therefore, the present study investigated Pb contamination in cow milk and its health risk impact on humans through consumption of milk from cattle reared in the proximity of a Pb−Zn mine in Kabwe, Zambia. Fresh milk samples were collected from cows from Kang’omba (KN), Kafulamse (KF), Mpima (MP), Mukobeko (MK), and Munga (MN) farming areas.

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Anthropogenic pollution with heavy metals is an on-going concern throughout the world, and methods to monitor release and impact of heavy metals are of high importance. With a view to probe its suitability as molecular biomarker of metal pollution, this study has determined a coding sequence for metallothionein of the African sharptooth catfish . The gene product was recombinantly expressed in in presence of Zn(II), Cd(II), or Cu, and characterised by Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry and elemental analysis.

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Zambia's Kafue River receives wastes from various sources, resulting in metal pollution. This study determined the degree of contamination of 13 metals (Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Hg and Pb) in Kafue River sediment and the associated ecological risks at six sites in three different seasons. The level of contamination for most metals showed significant site and seasonal differences.

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Canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis is a highly contagious enteric disease of young dogs. Limited studies have been done in Zambia to investigate the prevalence of CPV in dogs. Blood was collected from dogs from three veterinary clinics (clinic samples, = 174) and one township of Lusaka (field samples, = 56).

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A retrospective and prospective analysis of clinical records of dogs diagnosed with Babesia infections was carried out for the years 2000 to 2013 from practices in Lusaka, Zambia. Records of 363 dogs with confirmed Babesia infections were analysed using demographic factors including sex, breed, age, and clinical signs in relation to haematological findings and Babesia species. The clinical and laboratory findings observed are described as well as Babesia species identification.

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The study determined heavy metal concentrations and MT1 nucleotide sequence [phylogeny] in liver of the Kafue lechwe. Applicability of MT1 as a biomarker of pollution was assessed. cDNA-encoding sequences for lechwe MT1 were amplified by RT-PCR to characterize the sequence of MT1 which was subjected to BLAST searching at NCBI.

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Hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius L) are large semi-aquatic mammals that can be exposed to metals and metalloid from both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Therefore, knowledge of metal and metalloid accumulation characteristics in hippopotami living in the national park is important from ecotoxicological point of view. Levels of toxic metals (Cd, Pb and Hg) and metalloid (As) in hippopotami liver from the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia were far lower compared to the established values of toxic levels in cattle.

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