Front Vet Sci
November 2024
Introductions: The low participation of small-scale farmers in livestock markets in sub-Saharan Africa, including Zambia, is a major inhibitor to private sector investment in the livestock subsector. Despite the immense potential of the livestock industry to bolster the economic development of countries in this region, several socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural factors contribute to this hindrance.
Methods: This study was conducted in the Western Province of Zambia and adopted a qualitative research approach to understand the challenges and barriers affecting livestock markets among smallholder cattle farmers.
JAC Antimicrob Resist
October 2024
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of pathogens such as is among the top 10 threats to global health. However, clinical and molecular data are scarce in Zambia. We, therefore, evaluated the AMR profiles of nosocomial infections (NIs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
August 2024
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a public health problem exacerbated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and the inadequate capacity of laboratories to conduct AMR surveillance. This study assessed the capacity of laboratories in seven faith-based hospitals to conduct AMR testing and surveillance in Zambia. This multi-facility, cross-sectional exploratory study was conducted from February 2024 to April 2024.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWastewater-based surveillance has emerged as an important method for monitoring the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This study investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater in Zambia. We conducted a longitudinal study in the Copperbelt and Eastern provinces of Zambia from October 2023 to December 2023 during which 155 wastewater samples were collected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: 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.
Objectives: This study assessed antibiotic prescribing patterns in primary healthcare facilities and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of commensal and enterococci isolated from pregnant women and children under 5 years of age.
Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Lusaka and Ndola districts of Zambia. Prescription pattern data were obtained from hospital pharmacies.
Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health crisis. This study assessed the general public's consumption of antibiotics and associated factors in the Lusaka district of Zambia.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 2038 participants between December 2022 and January 2023.
Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) are fungi-produced toxins found in crops like peanuts, maize, and tree nuts. They constitute a public health concern due to their genotoxic and carcinogenic effects. A deterministic exposure risk assessment to AFB1 through the consumption of peanuts was conducted on children using the Margin of Exposure (MOE) and the liver cancer risk approaches.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLOS Glob Public Health
January 2023
Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) have been used as empiric treatment for BSI and other invasive infections for years; however, their overuse could promote the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Thus, this study aimed to determine the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological features and the effects of antimicrobial resistance on the outcomes of BSIs at a referral hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibiotics (Basel)
January 2023
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging challenge to global public health. The use of antibiotics in the veterinary field is one of the contributing factors to AMR mostly due to poor knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of dispensers. Veterinary drug dispensers are expected to guide clients on indications, contraindications, and withdrawal periods of veterinary drugs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlobally, the inappropriate dispensing and use of antibiotics in animals has contributed to the development of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In Zambia, there is insufficient information among community pharmacy professionals on antibiotic use (ABU) and AMR in food-producing animals. This study assessed community pharmacy professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding poultry antibiotic dispensing, use, and bacterial AMR in the Lusaka district of Zambia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIncreased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been reported for pathogenic and commensal , hampering the treatment, and increasing the burden of infectious diarrhoeal diseases in children in developing countries. This study focused on exploring the occurrence, patterns, and possible drivers of AMR isolated from children under-five years in Zambia. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the Lusaka and Ndola districts.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: This study investigated antimicrobial susceptibility and genomic profiling of isolated from bloodstream infections at a tertiary referral hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, 2018-2019.
Method: This was a prospective hospital-based study involving routine blood culture samples submitted to the microbiology laboratory at the University Teaching Hospital. Identification of and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles was achieved through conventional and automated methods.
Background: The food industry is increasingly becoming more scrutinized, given the frequency and intensity with which zoonotic diseases are being reported. Pathogen tracking has become more applicable with regards food safety. It is in this regard that the present study was formulated to track Listeria species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFis a public health threat linked to fast foods such as broiler chickens. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of species in chickens from abattoirs and evaluate their antimicrobial resistance. In total, 150 broiler carcass swabs distributed as cloacal ( = 60), exterior surface ( = 60), and environmental ( = 30) were collected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntibiotics (Basel)
March 2022
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem affecting animal and human medicine. Poultry production is among the primary sources of income for many Zambians. However, the increased demand for poultry products has led to a subsequent increase in antimicrobial use.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrucellosis is a neglected debilitating zoonosis widely recognized as an occupational health hazard. The seroprevalence of human anti- antibodies in high-risk populations, as well as their risk factors, have not been well-documented in Zambia. This study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence in herdsmen and abattoir workers and assess the associated risk factors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Brucellosis is an important disease for both veterinary and public health. A study was conducted to understand the seroprevalence of brucellosis and its associated risk factors in pastoral areas of Kagera, Tanzania.
Methods: Sera from 156 patients with malaria-like symptoms were analyzed using the commercial rapid agglutination test (specific for and detection) and Fluorescence Polarization Assay (FPA).
Background And Aim: in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods remains consistently under-reported globally. Nevertheless, several independent studies conducted to investigate have elucidated the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of in RTE-associated foods and their antibiotic resistance profiles. Given the rapid increase in consumption of RTE foods of both animal and plant origin, it is imperative to know the prevalence deductive data focusing on how much of is present in RTE foods, which is critical for food safety managers and retailers to assess the possible risk posed to end-users.
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