SUMMARY Infection of wild animals by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is raising concern worldwide. This... more SUMMARY Infection of wild animals by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is raising concern worldwide. This article reviews the current epidemiological situation, risk of emergence and control options at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in sub-Saharan Africa. In livestock, bTB has been confirmed in the majority of countries from all parts of the continent. Wildlife infection is confirmed in seven countries from southern and eastern Africa, apparently spreading in the southern Africa region. Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from 17 wild mammal species, although only four are suspected to play a role as maintenance host. Zoonotic risks are a concern, but no direct spillover from wildlife to humans has been documented, and no case of bTB spillback from wildlife to livestock has been confirmed. In this paper we assess the main risk factors of bTB spillover at the wildlife–livestock–human interface and suggest several research themes which could improve the control of the disease in the...
The occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria such as Escherichia ... more The occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria such as Escherichia coli has increasingly become recognized beyond hospital settings. Resistance to other types of antibiotics limits treatment options while the existence of such bacteria among humans, animals, and the environment is suggestive of potential zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic transmission. This study aimed to establish the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) from human, animal, and environmental isolates obtained among farming households within Wakiso district using a One Health approach. Methods: A total of 100 ESBL-EC isolates from humans 35/100 (35%), animals 56/100 (56%), and the environment 9/100 (9%) were tested for susceptibility to 11 antibiotics. This was done using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Data were analyzed in STATA ver. 16 and graphs were drawn in Microsoft excel ver. 10. Results: Most of the ESBL-EC isolates (98%) were resistant to more than two antibiotics. ESBL-EC isolates were most susceptible to meropenem (MEM) (88.0%), and imipenem (82.0%) followed by gentamicin (72%). ESBL-EC isolates from humans were most susceptible to meropenem (MEM) followed by imipenem (IPM)> gentamicin (CN)> ciprofloxacin (CIP). Animal samples were more susceptible to MEM, IPM, and CN but were highly resistant to cefotaxime (CTX)> cefepime (FEP)>other antibiotics. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was mostly reported among households keeping goats under intensive husbandry practices. Seven percent of the isolates exhibited carbapenem resistance while 22% showed aminoglycoside resistance. Similar resistance patterns among humans, animals, and environmental samples were also reported. Conclusion: Our study provides baseline information on non-hospital-based MDR caused by ESBL-EC using a One Health approach. ESBL-EC isolates were prevalent among apparently healthy community members, animals, and their environment. It is important to conduct more One Health approach studies to generate evidence on the drivers, resistance patterns, and transmission of ESBLproducing organisms at the human-animal-environmental interface.
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic in Zambia and several other Sub-Saharan countries. They af... more Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic in Zambia and several other Sub-Saharan countries. They affect livestock production by causing high morbidity and mortality, resulting in increased production losses in terms of live-weight gain, milk production, off-take rates, and draft power. Herein, we applied a facility-based design to assess the proportion and seasonal distribution of theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and heartwater in cattle from selected smallholder farms in Lusaka and Central provinces of Zambia using laboratory records for microscopic examination of haemoparasites. The overall proportions for theileriosis, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis were 33.7% (95% CI: 30.7–38.2%), 8.3% (95% CI: 6.4–10.9%), and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.1–1.4%), respectively. Heartwater was detected in all the six laboratory records reviewed. Lusaka province had the highest proportion of theileriosis at 30.2% (95% CI: 25.5–35.3%), followed by babesiosis, 8.5% (95% CI: 5.8–11.9%), and anaplasmosis, 0.3% ...
Slaughterhouses in South Sudan mirror the economic losses resulting from cattle organs and carcas... more Slaughterhouses in South Sudan mirror the economic losses resulting from cattle organs and carcass condemnation due to zoonotic and epizootic diseases of livestock, such as tuberculosis, cysticercosis, and hydatidosis in cattle. However, due to the war, slaughterhouse record keeping has been inconsistent in South Sudan, and thus the estimation of diseases in cattle and their impact may be underestimated. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the major causes of carcasses and organ condemnation of cattle slaughtered at Lokoloko abattoir and the resulting financial losses. A cross-sectional active abattoir survey involving antemortem and postmortem examinations was conducted on 310 cattle between January 2021 and March 2021. Furthermore, five-year (September 2015–September 2020) retrospective data on meat inspection records were also collected and analyzed. During the antemortem inspection of the active abattoir survey, 103 (33.2%) cattle had signs of disease. These signs in...
BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is a common cause of diarrheal disease in livestock and dogs, and it ... more BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is a common cause of diarrheal disease in livestock and dogs, and it can result in significant economic losses due to decreased productivity and higher treatment costs. The cryptosporidiosis burden in livestock and dogs is largely unknown and underexploited. We designed a cross-sectional research study to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cryptosporidiosis in livestock and dogs.MethodsThe questionnaire data was downloaded from the Kobotoolbox server in excel format for cleaning and analysis. Laboratory results were matched with the questionnaire data and statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 14 and R version 4.2.2. Descriptive statistics were conducted to determine the frequencies, percentages, and proportions of the different study variables. For the categorical variables, 95% binomial and multinomial confidence intervals were obtained using the commands BinomCI(), with Jeffreys approach, and MultinomCI() available in ...
Background The role of human, animal and environmental health workers is increasingly being recog... more Background The role of human, animal and environmental health workers is increasingly being recognized and linked to the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Little has been done in low and middle-income countries despite the seriousness of this public health challenge. Our study explored the perspectives of health workers on the occurrence, transmission, and management of AMR at the human-animal-environment interface. Methods We conducted a descriptive qualitative study within Wakiso district, central Uganda between August and October 2022, using focus group discussions (4) with village health teams (VHTs) and key informant interviews (12) with other cadres of health workers. Data were managed in NVivo 12 and analyzed using thematic network analysis exploiting both deductive and inductive approaches. Findings: Animal health workers had better knowledge of AMR occurrence compared to their counterparts from the human and environmental health sectors. VHTs had...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging challenge to global public health. The use of antib... more 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. This study assessed veterinary drug dispensers’ KAP toward AMR and associated potential contributing factors. A cross-sectional study, using a structured questionnaire, was conducted in three main cities of Malawi, namely Mzuzu, Lilongwe, and Blantyre. A total of 68 agrovet shops were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The KAP level was presented descriptively. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were run to investigate the relationships between the independent and outcome variable. Overall, the KAP score for knowledge, attitude, and practices was 46.7%, 49.2%, and 41.6%, respectively. The s...
BackgroundExtended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producingEscherichia coli(ESBL-PE) represents a signif... more BackgroundExtended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producingEscherichia coli(ESBL-PE) represents a significant global public health concern. Much as humans, animals and environments harbor ESBL-PE, its epidemiology in Uganda is still not well understood. This study explains the epidemiology of ESBL-PE using the one health approach in selected farming households in Wakiso district, central Uganda.MethodologyEnvironmental, human, and animal samples were collected from 104 households. Additional data were obtained using observation checklists and through interviews with household members using a semi-structured questionnaire. Surface swabs, soil, water, human and animal fecal samples were introduced onto ESBL chromogenic agar. The isolates were identified using biochemical tests and double-disk synergy tests. To assess associations, prevalence ratios (PRs) were computed using a generalized linear model (GLM) analysis with modified Poisson and a log link with robust standard errors in R softwar...
University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences
The COVID-19 disease constitutes a pandemic that has created an international public health emerg... more The COVID-19 disease constitutes a pandemic that has created an international public health emergency. Besides the significant health challenges, the impact of the COVID-19 disease has been the restriction of movements that have heavily affected the global economy. The first case of COVID-19 in Zambia was identified on March 18th, 2020. By the end of November 2020, the number of districts reporting COVID-19 infections had increased from 68 to 96, with reports of the highest transmission in the capital city, Lusaka, the Copperbelt, and Ndola districts. As COVID-19 spread across the nation of Zambia, several factors are responsible for the spread of the virus. Despite the extensive collection of research done on determinants of COVID-19 disease, the spatial distribution of the disease along socio-demographical and socio- ecological domains remains speculative and infectious diseases have been less looked into in the areas of anthropological dynamics. This study used a cross-sectional ...
University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences, 2021
Developing a price policy that ensures financial viability in order to continue providing a servi... more Developing a price policy that ensures financial viability in order to continue providing a service. The same is true for veterinary services whose economic nature has to be understood for practitioners to adjust prices for smooth income flows to the business. However, veterinary practitioners’ prices often vary across practices without a clear understanding of the economic nature of animal healthcare or elasticity of demand for the services they provide. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the price elasticity of demand for veterinary services using the University of Zambia Veterinary Clinic (UNZAVET) as a case study. To meet this objective, historical five-year data (2014-2018) was collected from the clinics’ medical and financial records. The data was then entered and analysed using both Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Version 20. The price elasticity of demand was calculated using an end-point method. The association between inflation rate and revenue was estimated using Simple ...
Background The food industry is increasingly becoming more scrutinized, given the frequency and i... more 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. in freshly slaughtered cattle carcasses by utilizing standard and molecular biological techniques. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted from March to December 2020 with 200 samples being equally collected in the rainy and dry seasons. A total of 180 and 20 swabs were aseptically collected from carcasses and the environment respectively. Samples were first subjected to pre-enrichment in half-strength Fraser broth followed by enrichment in full strength Fraser broth and subsequent plating on Listeria agar. Listeria growth characteristics were identified up to species level based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics. Further, molecular detection ...
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals... more Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals that are emerging with a serious public health impact particularly in individuals with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes. Recent scientific evidence is shifting from NTMs being known as traditional environmental organisms to serious pathogenic organisms in both animals and humans. In humans, factors attributable to this rise have been linked mainly to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome pandemic. In recent years there has been an increase in multidrug resistant Tuberculosis in Zambia and it is thought that NTMs could possibly be the cause. This study was therefore formulated to review available information on the prevalence of NTM in humans, animals and the environment, species distribution, zoonotic potential and public health importance in Zambia. This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was done in PubMed an...
Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, 2018
Background: South Sudan has endured decades of armed conflict, with the most recent in 2016. This... more Background: South Sudan has endured decades of armed conflict, with the most recent in 2016. This has left the health system and infrastructure overstretched by a myriad of infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Our study aimed at quantitatively and qualitatively documenting TB dynamics and challenges with access to health care during a period of civil unrest in Wau. Materials & Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out between January and February 2016 at Wau Teaching Hospital (WTH). Sputum was randomly collected from 207 of the 1035 TB suspects and analyzed using Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) and Fluorescent Microscopy (FM), Culture, Capilia MTBC Neo, and DST. The laboratory results and questionnaire metadata were used for descriptive statistics, logistic regression in R version 3.4.2. These results were presented along with results from a qualitative assessment of the situation at WTH. Results: Of 207 TB suspects, 39 (18.8%) were positive on FM with bacilli growth on culture, later confirmed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Only 5.4% of the cases were resistant to Isoniazid. Age; 20-45 OR = 13 (95%CI = 2.4-25.6, p = 0.011), > 46 OR = 3 (95%CI = 0.5-58, p = 0.005) and raw milk consumption OR = 2.2 (95%CI = 0.37-42.48, p = 0.005) were associated with being TB positive. The qualitative evaluation reveals that gunfights in the surroundings of Wau influenced the number of patients attending WTH, with some travelling up to 545 km to seek medical attention. Conclusion: We report a high prevalence of tuberculosis among patients who presented at WTH, with approximately 1 out of 5 individuals testing positive for tuberculosis. This is likely an underestimation given the challenges patients had to endure as they sought medical attention. Tuberculosis epidemiology is likely to be driven by individual and household factors, but further investigations are needed to fully understand the risk profile. The tools in use were adequate for TB diagnostics and we observed a remarkably low prevalence of drug resistance, a statistic that is worth preserving. We therefore call for action from all stakeholders.
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most frequent and important infectious disease causing ... more Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most frequent and important infectious disease causing morbidity and mortality globally. The World Health Organization estimates the incidence of all forms of TB in Zambia at 444/100,000. Tuberculosis case notification rates have increased eightfold over the past two decades and this is largely due to the concurrent Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic. The cornerstone of Tuberculosis control is early case detection and treatment which is promoted by Direct Observed Treatment-Short course strategy. This paper reviews the available information in English on TB situation in Ndola district of Zambia with the purpose of assessing successes recorded over the reviewed period. Results: This review has noted a reduction in the number of new cases of TB recorded, improved diagnosis and treatment success of TB in Ndola district over the reviewed period. Conclusion: This review has observed a reduction in the number of new cases of TB recorded in Ndola district over a period of ten years due to the strategies put up by the National TB Program as well as the effective implementation of the strategies by the District Medical team. These strategies included the Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS).
A study was performed in 2008 to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis and brucellosis in tradi... more A study was performed in 2008 to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis and brucellosis in traditionally reared cattle of Southern Province in Zambia in four districts. The single comparative intradermal tuberculin test (SCITT) was used to identify TB reactors, and the Rose Bengal test (RBT), followed by confirmation with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA), was used to test for brucellosis. A total of 459 animals were tested for tuberculosis and 395 for brucellosis. The overall prevalence of BTB based on the 4 mm and 3 mm cutoff criteria was 4.8% (95% CI: 2.6–7.0%) and 6.3% (95% CI: 3.8–8.8%), respectively. Change in skin thickness on SCITT was influenced by initial skin-fold thickness at the inoculation site, where animals with thinner skin had a tendency to give a larger tuberculin response. Brucellosis seroprevalence was estimated at 20.7% (95% CI: 17.0–24.4%). Comparison between results from RBT and c-ELISA showed good agreement (84.1%) and revealed subject...
Recently, the world has witnessed emergence of novel diseases such as avian influenza, HIV and AI... more Recently, the world has witnessed emergence of novel diseases such as avian influenza, HIV and AIDS, West Nile Virus and Ebola. The evolution of these pathogens has been facilitated mainly by a constantly evolving animal-human interface. Whilst infectious disease control was previously conceptualised as either public health or animal health related issues, the distinction between disciplinary foci have been blurred by multiple causal factors that clearly traverse traditional disciplinary divides. These multiple evolutionary pressures have included changes in land use, ecosystems, human-livestock-wildlife interactions and antibiotic use, representing novel routes for pathogen emergence. With the growing realisation that pathogens do not respect traditional epistemological divides, the ‘One Health’ initiative has emerged to advocate for closer collaboration across the health disciplines and has provided a new agenda for health education. Against this background, the One Health Analyti...
SUMMARY Infection of wild animals by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is raising concern worldwide. This... more SUMMARY Infection of wild animals by bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is raising concern worldwide. This article reviews the current epidemiological situation, risk of emergence and control options at the wildlife–livestock–human interface in sub-Saharan Africa. In livestock, bTB has been confirmed in the majority of countries from all parts of the continent. Wildlife infection is confirmed in seven countries from southern and eastern Africa, apparently spreading in the southern Africa region. Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from 17 wild mammal species, although only four are suspected to play a role as maintenance host. Zoonotic risks are a concern, but no direct spillover from wildlife to humans has been documented, and no case of bTB spillback from wildlife to livestock has been confirmed. In this paper we assess the main risk factors of bTB spillover at the wildlife–livestock–human interface and suggest several research themes which could improve the control of the disease in the...
The occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria such as Escherichia ... more The occurrence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria such as Escherichia coli has increasingly become recognized beyond hospital settings. Resistance to other types of antibiotics limits treatment options while the existence of such bacteria among humans, animals, and the environment is suggestive of potential zoonotic and reverse-zoonotic transmission. This study aimed to establish the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) from human, animal, and environmental isolates obtained among farming households within Wakiso district using a One Health approach. Methods: A total of 100 ESBL-EC isolates from humans 35/100 (35%), animals 56/100 (56%), and the environment 9/100 (9%) were tested for susceptibility to 11 antibiotics. This was done using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Data were analyzed in STATA ver. 16 and graphs were drawn in Microsoft excel ver. 10. Results: Most of the ESBL-EC isolates (98%) were resistant to more than two antibiotics. ESBL-EC isolates were most susceptible to meropenem (MEM) (88.0%), and imipenem (82.0%) followed by gentamicin (72%). ESBL-EC isolates from humans were most susceptible to meropenem (MEM) followed by imipenem (IPM)> gentamicin (CN)> ciprofloxacin (CIP). Animal samples were more susceptible to MEM, IPM, and CN but were highly resistant to cefotaxime (CTX)> cefepime (FEP)>other antibiotics. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was mostly reported among households keeping goats under intensive husbandry practices. Seven percent of the isolates exhibited carbapenem resistance while 22% showed aminoglycoside resistance. Similar resistance patterns among humans, animals, and environmental samples were also reported. Conclusion: Our study provides baseline information on non-hospital-based MDR caused by ESBL-EC using a One Health approach. ESBL-EC isolates were prevalent among apparently healthy community members, animals, and their environment. It is important to conduct more One Health approach studies to generate evidence on the drivers, resistance patterns, and transmission of ESBLproducing organisms at the human-animal-environmental interface.
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic in Zambia and several other Sub-Saharan countries. They af... more Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) are endemic in Zambia and several other Sub-Saharan countries. They affect livestock production by causing high morbidity and mortality, resulting in increased production losses in terms of live-weight gain, milk production, off-take rates, and draft power. Herein, we applied a facility-based design to assess the proportion and seasonal distribution of theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and heartwater in cattle from selected smallholder farms in Lusaka and Central provinces of Zambia using laboratory records for microscopic examination of haemoparasites. The overall proportions for theileriosis, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis were 33.7% (95% CI: 30.7–38.2%), 8.3% (95% CI: 6.4–10.9%), and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.1–1.4%), respectively. Heartwater was detected in all the six laboratory records reviewed. Lusaka province had the highest proportion of theileriosis at 30.2% (95% CI: 25.5–35.3%), followed by babesiosis, 8.5% (95% CI: 5.8–11.9%), and anaplasmosis, 0.3% ...
Slaughterhouses in South Sudan mirror the economic losses resulting from cattle organs and carcas... more Slaughterhouses in South Sudan mirror the economic losses resulting from cattle organs and carcass condemnation due to zoonotic and epizootic diseases of livestock, such as tuberculosis, cysticercosis, and hydatidosis in cattle. However, due to the war, slaughterhouse record keeping has been inconsistent in South Sudan, and thus the estimation of diseases in cattle and their impact may be underestimated. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the major causes of carcasses and organ condemnation of cattle slaughtered at Lokoloko abattoir and the resulting financial losses. A cross-sectional active abattoir survey involving antemortem and postmortem examinations was conducted on 310 cattle between January 2021 and March 2021. Furthermore, five-year (September 2015–September 2020) retrospective data on meat inspection records were also collected and analyzed. During the antemortem inspection of the active abattoir survey, 103 (33.2%) cattle had signs of disease. These signs in...
BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is a common cause of diarrheal disease in livestock and dogs, and it ... more BackgroundCryptosporidiosis is a common cause of diarrheal disease in livestock and dogs, and it can result in significant economic losses due to decreased productivity and higher treatment costs. The cryptosporidiosis burden in livestock and dogs is largely unknown and underexploited. We designed a cross-sectional research study to determine the prevalence and factors associated with cryptosporidiosis in livestock and dogs.MethodsThe questionnaire data was downloaded from the Kobotoolbox server in excel format for cleaning and analysis. Laboratory results were matched with the questionnaire data and statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 14 and R version 4.2.2. Descriptive statistics were conducted to determine the frequencies, percentages, and proportions of the different study variables. For the categorical variables, 95% binomial and multinomial confidence intervals were obtained using the commands BinomCI(), with Jeffreys approach, and MultinomCI() available in ...
Background The role of human, animal and environmental health workers is increasingly being recog... more Background The role of human, animal and environmental health workers is increasingly being recognized and linked to the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Little has been done in low and middle-income countries despite the seriousness of this public health challenge. Our study explored the perspectives of health workers on the occurrence, transmission, and management of AMR at the human-animal-environment interface. Methods We conducted a descriptive qualitative study within Wakiso district, central Uganda between August and October 2022, using focus group discussions (4) with village health teams (VHTs) and key informant interviews (12) with other cadres of health workers. Data were managed in NVivo 12 and analyzed using thematic network analysis exploiting both deductive and inductive approaches. Findings: Animal health workers had better knowledge of AMR occurrence compared to their counterparts from the human and environmental health sectors. VHTs had...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging challenge to global public health. The use of antib... more 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. This study assessed veterinary drug dispensers’ KAP toward AMR and associated potential contributing factors. A cross-sectional study, using a structured questionnaire, was conducted in three main cities of Malawi, namely Mzuzu, Lilongwe, and Blantyre. A total of 68 agrovet shops were selected using a simple random sampling technique. The KAP level was presented descriptively. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were run to investigate the relationships between the independent and outcome variable. Overall, the KAP score for knowledge, attitude, and practices was 46.7%, 49.2%, and 41.6%, respectively. The s...
BackgroundExtended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producingEscherichia coli(ESBL-PE) represents a signif... more BackgroundExtended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producingEscherichia coli(ESBL-PE) represents a significant global public health concern. Much as humans, animals and environments harbor ESBL-PE, its epidemiology in Uganda is still not well understood. This study explains the epidemiology of ESBL-PE using the one health approach in selected farming households in Wakiso district, central Uganda.MethodologyEnvironmental, human, and animal samples were collected from 104 households. Additional data were obtained using observation checklists and through interviews with household members using a semi-structured questionnaire. Surface swabs, soil, water, human and animal fecal samples were introduced onto ESBL chromogenic agar. The isolates were identified using biochemical tests and double-disk synergy tests. To assess associations, prevalence ratios (PRs) were computed using a generalized linear model (GLM) analysis with modified Poisson and a log link with robust standard errors in R softwar...
University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences
The COVID-19 disease constitutes a pandemic that has created an international public health emerg... more The COVID-19 disease constitutes a pandemic that has created an international public health emergency. Besides the significant health challenges, the impact of the COVID-19 disease has been the restriction of movements that have heavily affected the global economy. The first case of COVID-19 in Zambia was identified on March 18th, 2020. By the end of November 2020, the number of districts reporting COVID-19 infections had increased from 68 to 96, with reports of the highest transmission in the capital city, Lusaka, the Copperbelt, and Ndola districts. As COVID-19 spread across the nation of Zambia, several factors are responsible for the spread of the virus. Despite the extensive collection of research done on determinants of COVID-19 disease, the spatial distribution of the disease along socio-demographical and socio- ecological domains remains speculative and infectious diseases have been less looked into in the areas of anthropological dynamics. This study used a cross-sectional ...
University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences, 2021
Developing a price policy that ensures financial viability in order to continue providing a servi... more Developing a price policy that ensures financial viability in order to continue providing a service. The same is true for veterinary services whose economic nature has to be understood for practitioners to adjust prices for smooth income flows to the business. However, veterinary practitioners’ prices often vary across practices without a clear understanding of the economic nature of animal healthcare or elasticity of demand for the services they provide. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the price elasticity of demand for veterinary services using the University of Zambia Veterinary Clinic (UNZAVET) as a case study. To meet this objective, historical five-year data (2014-2018) was collected from the clinics’ medical and financial records. The data was then entered and analysed using both Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS Version 20. The price elasticity of demand was calculated using an end-point method. The association between inflation rate and revenue was estimated using Simple ...
Background The food industry is increasingly becoming more scrutinized, given the frequency and i... more 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. in freshly slaughtered cattle carcasses by utilizing standard and molecular biological techniques. Methods A cross-sectional study design was conducted from March to December 2020 with 200 samples being equally collected in the rainy and dry seasons. A total of 180 and 20 swabs were aseptically collected from carcasses and the environment respectively. Samples were first subjected to pre-enrichment in half-strength Fraser broth followed by enrichment in full strength Fraser broth and subsequent plating on Listeria agar. Listeria growth characteristics were identified up to species level based on their morphological and biochemical characteristics. Further, molecular detection ...
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals... more Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals that are emerging with a serious public health impact particularly in individuals with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes. Recent scientific evidence is shifting from NTMs being known as traditional environmental organisms to serious pathogenic organisms in both animals and humans. In humans, factors attributable to this rise have been linked mainly to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome pandemic. In recent years there has been an increase in multidrug resistant Tuberculosis in Zambia and it is thought that NTMs could possibly be the cause. This study was therefore formulated to review available information on the prevalence of NTM in humans, animals and the environment, species distribution, zoonotic potential and public health importance in Zambia. This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was done in PubMed an...
Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases, 2018
Background: South Sudan has endured decades of armed conflict, with the most recent in 2016. This... more Background: South Sudan has endured decades of armed conflict, with the most recent in 2016. This has left the health system and infrastructure overstretched by a myriad of infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Our study aimed at quantitatively and qualitatively documenting TB dynamics and challenges with access to health care during a period of civil unrest in Wau. Materials & Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out between January and February 2016 at Wau Teaching Hospital (WTH). Sputum was randomly collected from 207 of the 1035 TB suspects and analyzed using Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) and Fluorescent Microscopy (FM), Culture, Capilia MTBC Neo, and DST. The laboratory results and questionnaire metadata were used for descriptive statistics, logistic regression in R version 3.4.2. These results were presented along with results from a qualitative assessment of the situation at WTH. Results: Of 207 TB suspects, 39 (18.8%) were positive on FM with bacilli growth on culture, later confirmed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Only 5.4% of the cases were resistant to Isoniazid. Age; 20-45 OR = 13 (95%CI = 2.4-25.6, p = 0.011), > 46 OR = 3 (95%CI = 0.5-58, p = 0.005) and raw milk consumption OR = 2.2 (95%CI = 0.37-42.48, p = 0.005) were associated with being TB positive. The qualitative evaluation reveals that gunfights in the surroundings of Wau influenced the number of patients attending WTH, with some travelling up to 545 km to seek medical attention. Conclusion: We report a high prevalence of tuberculosis among patients who presented at WTH, with approximately 1 out of 5 individuals testing positive for tuberculosis. This is likely an underestimation given the challenges patients had to endure as they sought medical attention. Tuberculosis epidemiology is likely to be driven by individual and household factors, but further investigations are needed to fully understand the risk profile. The tools in use were adequate for TB diagnostics and we observed a remarkably low prevalence of drug resistance, a statistic that is worth preserving. We therefore call for action from all stakeholders.
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most frequent and important infectious disease causing ... more Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the most frequent and important infectious disease causing morbidity and mortality globally. The World Health Organization estimates the incidence of all forms of TB in Zambia at 444/100,000. Tuberculosis case notification rates have increased eightfold over the past two decades and this is largely due to the concurrent Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic. The cornerstone of Tuberculosis control is early case detection and treatment which is promoted by Direct Observed Treatment-Short course strategy. This paper reviews the available information in English on TB situation in Ndola district of Zambia with the purpose of assessing successes recorded over the reviewed period. Results: This review has noted a reduction in the number of new cases of TB recorded, improved diagnosis and treatment success of TB in Ndola district over the reviewed period. Conclusion: This review has observed a reduction in the number of new cases of TB recorded in Ndola district over a period of ten years due to the strategies put up by the National TB Program as well as the effective implementation of the strategies by the District Medical team. These strategies included the Directly Observed Therapy Short course (DOTS).
A study was performed in 2008 to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis and brucellosis in tradi... more A study was performed in 2008 to estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis and brucellosis in traditionally reared cattle of Southern Province in Zambia in four districts. The single comparative intradermal tuberculin test (SCITT) was used to identify TB reactors, and the Rose Bengal test (RBT), followed by confirmation with competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA), was used to test for brucellosis. A total of 459 animals were tested for tuberculosis and 395 for brucellosis. The overall prevalence of BTB based on the 4 mm and 3 mm cutoff criteria was 4.8% (95% CI: 2.6–7.0%) and 6.3% (95% CI: 3.8–8.8%), respectively. Change in skin thickness on SCITT was influenced by initial skin-fold thickness at the inoculation site, where animals with thinner skin had a tendency to give a larger tuberculin response. Brucellosis seroprevalence was estimated at 20.7% (95% CI: 17.0–24.4%). Comparison between results from RBT and c-ELISA showed good agreement (84.1%) and revealed subject...
Recently, the world has witnessed emergence of novel diseases such as avian influenza, HIV and AI... more Recently, the world has witnessed emergence of novel diseases such as avian influenza, HIV and AIDS, West Nile Virus and Ebola. The evolution of these pathogens has been facilitated mainly by a constantly evolving animal-human interface. Whilst infectious disease control was previously conceptualised as either public health or animal health related issues, the distinction between disciplinary foci have been blurred by multiple causal factors that clearly traverse traditional disciplinary divides. These multiple evolutionary pressures have included changes in land use, ecosystems, human-livestock-wildlife interactions and antibiotic use, representing novel routes for pathogen emergence. With the growing realisation that pathogens do not respect traditional epistemological divides, the ‘One Health’ initiative has emerged to advocate for closer collaboration across the health disciplines and has provided a new agenda for health education. Against this background, the One Health Analyti...
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Papers by Musso Munyeme