Browsing by Author "Ndoboli, Dickson"

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    Integrating multi-wet laboratory diagnostics to study staphylococci in animals in Uganda
    (BMC Microbiology, 2024) Kakooza, Steven; Eneku, Wilfred; Nabatta, Esther; Wampande, Eddie M.; Ssajjakambwe, Paul; Wanyana, Mariam; Munyiirwa, Damien F. N.; Ndoboli, Dickson; Namuyinda, Dorcus; Athieno, Grace; Kayaga, Edrine; Okwasiimire, Rodney; Sayaka, Tsuchida; Kazunari, Ushida; Ken’ichi, Sakurai; Mutebi, Francis
    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. The bacteria were speciated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and tested for virulence factors [beta lactamases, lecithinase, deoxyribonuclease (DNase), haemolysins] and resistance to ten antimicrobials of clinical and veterinary relevance. Tetracycline and methicillin resistance genes were also tested. Results The prevalent diseases were mastitis in cattle and skin infections in dogs. Of the 111 staphylococci tested by MALDI-TOF MS, 79 (71.2%) were Staphylococcus aureus, 27 (24.3%) were Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and 5 (4.5%) were Staphylococcus schleiferi. All these strains expressed haemolysins. The prevalence of strains with lecithinase, penicillinase, cephalosporinase and DNase was 35.9% (14/39), 89.7% (35/39), 0.0% (0/39) and 87.2% (34/39), respectively. Staphylococci were primarily resistant to early penicillins (over 80%), tetracycline (57.7%), and chloramphenicol (46.2%). Minimal resistance was noted with cloxacillin (0.0%), ciprofloxacin (9.6%), and cefoxitin (3.8%). The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 78.8% for general staphylococci, 82.2% for S. aureus, 73.1% for S. pseudintermedius, and 60.0% for S. schleiferi. Multidrug resistant staphylococci were significantly more prevalent in the cattle isolates than in the dog isolates (P < 0.05). The prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) tested by resistance to cefoxitin and mecA carriage was 3.8%. These four strains were all isolated from dog skin infections. The tetK gene was the most predominant (35.4%), followed by tetM (25.0%). Conclusion In resource-constrained settings, the approach of integrated diagnostics promises sustainable disease surveillance and the addressing of current capacity gaps. The emergence of MRS (zoonotic bacteria) in companion animals creates a likelihood of reduced treatment options for related human infections, a threat to global health.
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    Training manual for frontline animal extension service providers on antimicrobial resistance in poultry production
    (Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, 2023) Kakooza, Steven; Eneku, Wilfred; Ayebare, Dreck; Ndoboli, Dickson; Mbatidde, Irene; Waiswa, Joshua; Barasa, Martin; Kristina, Roesel; Arshnee, Moodley
    The poultry industry is rapidly growing in Uganda and the products from the industry are widely consumed by many the domestic and regional population. Chickens are the most widely distributed livestock among households in Uganda, 31% (3.4 million) households are engaged in poultry as a source of income and food (Annual Agricultural survey, 2019). The number of chickens has increased by 23% in recent years from 35.8 million chicken in 2016 to 44.2 million in 2020 (MAAIF statistical abstract, 2021). According to the 2009 livestock census, 99% of the chicken owning households had indigenous chickens. These were mainly found in the Eastern and Northern parts of Uganda while the exotic chickens were more in the Central region. The exotic chicken population is estimated to be 850,000 chicks per week and 130,000-layer day-old chicks per week based on production capacities of the major hatcheries in the country (UDC, 2022). Other poultry species kept for meat or eggs include ducks, turkeys, guinea fowls, and pigeons and their population is estimated at 2.2 million. Despite the many advantages of rearing chicken, some people have abandoned the business due to unforeseen challenges or production requirements that were not anticipate. Some of the challenges include; persistent disease outbreaks, poor flock performance (low production) and inability to recover investment costs. Chickens are frequently exposed to disease causing agents within the environment including the household, introduced from outside by caretakers or other animals due to weak biosecurity measures and overstocking. These challenges lead to indiscriminate use of antibiotics in poultry throughout the production cycle; a phenomenon that has greatly contributed to antimicrobial resistance. Farmers use antibiotics for treatment, prophylaxis and growth promotion and many of them access and administer antibiotics to chicken without prescription. This has led to increased cost of production through heavy expenditure on antibiotics and loss of stock. Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to the poultry industry in Uganda and multidrug resistant bacteria from farms have been reported. According to Kakooza et al., 2021, in their retrospective study at the central diagnostic laboratory, multidrug resistance was established for E. Coli and Salmonella spp in poultry). The resistant organisms may contaminate human food and water sources and cause infections in humans that are difficult to treat. The waste from poultry houses with resistant bacteria is a potential source of contamination of crops such as vegetables that are grown using chicken manure. Good production practices are key in reducing the burden of diseases, frequency of drug use, reduce production costs overtime and minimize the risk of microorganisms becoming resistant to antimicrobial drugs. The adage of “prevention is better than cure” is much applicable in poultry production.