School of Biosecurity, Biotechnolgy and Laboratory Sciences (SBLS) Collection
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
1 - 5 of 138
-
ItemKnowledge, attitudes and practices on antibiotic use, litter handling and antibiograms of Escherichia coli from selected chicken farms in Wakiso Sub-county, Wakiso District, Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)Chicken farm workers face health risks due to possible exposure to resistant bacteria and genes from chicken litter. Limited knowledge exists among chicken farms in Wakiso Subcounty in Uganda. This study therefore set out to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPS) of farm workers on chicken litter handling and antimicrobial use as well as antibiograms and selected resistance genes of E. coli isolates obtained from chicken litter and chicken farm workers in selected chicken farms in Wakiso Subcounty. A cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. 30 chicken farms were visited to collect data. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the KAPS of farm workers on chicken litter handling and antimicrobial use followed by a non- participatory observation to observe farmers’ practices. 60 samples, 30 from chicken litter (L) and 30 from farmers’ hand swabs (H), were analysed for presence of E. coli using standard phenotypic tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests using 8 common antibiotics employed modified Kirby-Bauer agar disc diffusion technique and specific tetracycline (tetA, tetB) and sulphonamide (sul1, sul2) genes were assayed using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the knowledge of farm workers about litter handling and usage was high (74.5%) and their attitudes and practices were poor at the level of 48% and 47.7%, respectively. The knowledge of farm workers about antimicrobial use was good (68%), the attitudes of farm workers were favourable (76%) and the practices of farm workers were fair (51%). All observed farms were rated as fair in terms of general cleanliness. The overall prevalence of E. coli was 55% (n=60) out of which 83.3% where from L and 26.7% from H. Out of the eight antibiotics, tetracycline (TE) and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (SXT) were the most resisted by E. coli isolates whereby resistance to TE was observed in 100% of isolates from H and 96% from L and resistance to SXT was observed in 87.5% of isolates from H and 76% from L. Susceptibility by E. coli isolates was exhibited most towards Ceftriaxone and gentamycin by all the isolates from H, then 96% and 76%, respectively from L isolates. Multi-drug resistance was exhibited by 75.8% (n=33) samples out of which 25 samples were from L and 8 samples from H. The E. coli isolates (n=33), with positive amplicons of sul2 and sul1 genes were 93.9% and 39.4%, respectively. The E. coli isolates (n=33) with positive amplicons of tetA and tetB genes were 93.9% and 15.2%, respectively. High resistance of E. coli isolates from both farmers’ hand swabs and chicken litter and associated high prevalence of sul2, sul1, tetA and tetB genes was indicative of possible exposure of farm workers to resistance bacteria and genes from chicken litter which calls for more sensitisation to the farm workers about proper litter handling and antimicrobial use.
-
ItemAssessment of cattle production systems and herd health practices as drivers of artificial insemination adoption in selected districts in Uganda(Makerere University, 2025)This study assessed cattle production systems, herd health practices, and their influence on artificial insemination (AI) adoption in the districts of Mbarara, Kabale, and Mpigi. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 355 cattle keeping households selected via a multistage design combining purposive, stratified, probability proportional to size, and simple random sampling. Neyman allocation guided district samples (Mbarara = 120, Kabale = 132, Mpigi = 103). A structured, pre-tested questionnaire (pilot n=30; Cronbach’s α=0.87) was administered in face-to-face interviews during September to October 2024 using Kobo Collect. Data were cleaned in Microsoft Excel (2007) and analyzed in SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics summarized demographics, production systems, herd health, and AI adoption. Pearson’s Chi-square tested group differences in the districts (α=0.05). A multiple regression model was used to show how demographic characteristics, cattle production systems, and health practices predict artificial insemination adoption. The study foundout that cattle production systems differ significantly by district (p<0.001 throughout). Kabale was high in zero-grazing and crossbred profile. Mpigi had more exotic breeds yet low milk yield was observed. Mbarara reported high use of extensive and semi-intensive system. Herd health practices were largely homogeneous, with only routine herd testing of diseases varying by district. AI access and use were uneven. Access was greater in Mbarara and Kabale and lowest in Mpigi. Information channels and perceived barriers were district-specific. In multivariable analysis, male and Christian religion were positively associated with AI use (p≤0.022), whereas keeping local, crossbred, or exotic pure breeds, fenced farming, higher milk yield per cow, reliance on home-grown feeds, and conducting deworming, tick control, or broader biosecurity were negatively associated (p≤0.045). These findings may support use of targeted and district-specific strategies that both expand reliable AI access in areas with low use and reframe the value scheme of AI for higher-performing, fenced, and bio secure farms. Furthermore, tailored communication through local information channels and inclusion-focused outreach can close demographic, production systems, and herd health management gaps in AI uptake.
-
ItemSeroprevalence of rift valley fever virus and risk factors among domestic ruminants at the human- livestock- wildlife interfaces of Lake Mburo-Nakivale and Pian-Upe conservation areas(Makerere University, 2025)Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is one of the major zoonotic diseases in Uganda, affecting livestock, wildlife, and humans, and transmitted by mosquitoes. Although wildlife potentially harbors RVF virus (RVFV) strains, livestock exposure to RVFV at human-livestock-wildlife interfaces remains underexplored. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Satellite Research Sites (SRS) within Lake Mburo-Nakivale Conservation Area (LMCA) and Pian-Upe Conservation Area (PUCA). Using a 2- stage sampling design, livestock herds were randomly selected from the selected villages within the SRS. Blood samples and qualitative data were collected. A total of 1,572 livestock were sampled from both LMCA and PUCA. Serum samples were analyzed using a validated indirect ELISA RVF virus Nucleoprotein (NP) protocol to determine the seropositivity of anti-RVFV IgG antibodies. Descriptive, crude, and adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed on both laboratory and field data. Overall RVFV seroprevalence was 34.7% (546/1572), (95% CI, 32.4-37.1%). RVFV Seropositivity per conservation area was 38.3% (297/775) in LMCA, and 31.2% (249/797) in PUCA. RVFV Seropositivity per species was 41.3% (66/160) in sheep; 33.3% (290/870) in cattle and 35.1% (190/542) in goats. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that being over 5 years old (AOR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8; p=0.005), grazing in park and farm areas (AOR = 4.9; 95% CI, 1.7-14.2; p=0.003), and animals watered with piped water (AOR = 3.7; 95% CI, 1.1-12.0; p=0.030) or from rivers/streams (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-4.2; p=0.009) were significantly associated with RVFV exposure. There was high RVFV seropositivity reported among the domestic ruminants sampled in this study. More RVFV seropositive animals were distributed in herds closest to the national parks, and natural resources (lakes and rivers) in the areas. Animals older than 5 years, and herds which utilized both park and farm as grazing pattern, as well as those which were watered using piped water, and rivers or streams were seropositive at multivariate logistic regression analysis. These findings could guide in the development of effective RVF control strategies in these high risk areas of Uganda.
-
ItemGenetic characterization of influenza viruses in bat populations in selected caves in Kapchorwa District(Makerere University, 2025)Bats are well-established reservoirs for a wide range of zoonotic viruses, including those with pandemic potential. Despite their significance as reservoirs for zoonotic viruses, the potential role of Ugandan bats in influenza virus transmission remains poorly characterized. Their ecological diversity and frequent interactions with human environments underscore the need for targeted surveillance in selected caves in Kapchorwa district. This study investigated the diversity of bat species, the detection, and genetic characteristics of influenza viruses in bat populations inhabiting selected caves in Kapchorwa district in 2022. Bats were captured using mist traps by trained field personnel and subsequently released after sampling. Using sterile swabs, oral and rectal swabs were collected from each captured bat for laboratory analysis. Bat species, sex, reproductive status, age class, and morphometric evaluation were conducted. Specimens were obtained and transported to the laboratory for further investigations. Molecular analysis was performed on all samples, and sequencing was conducted on the presumptive positive ones to genetically characterize the influenza viruses. In the selected caves in Kapchorwa district, six bat species were captured inhabiting caves in 2022, with Rhinolophus spp. being the most frequently sampled, followed by Myonycteris angolensis and Hipposideros ruber. Less frequently captured species included Nycteris thebaica, Coleura afra, and Miniopterus fraterculus. Influenza A viruses were detected in 0.59% (n=3/512) samples analyzed. The positive samples were all obtained from rectal swabs collected in 2022. Influenza detections were in Hipposideros ruber (n=2) and Rhinolophus eloquens/ fumigatus species complex (n=1), confirming that these species are potential reservoirs of influenza viruses. Molecular characterization of the positive samples showed strong alignments with the PB1 gene of the H18N11 influenza virus, confirming the presence of this distinct bat-specific virus lineage in those selected caves in Kapchorwa district. The high sequence identity and low E-values across all samples provide robust evidence of the genetic relationship between these local strains and previously identified H18N11 viruses from other regions. Although the influenza virus was found in only three (3) bats, which lowers the immediate risk to humans, it is important to monitor influenza strains circulating in bats for any changes that might make it more dangerous. We recommend protecting bat habitats, keeping track of bat-borne viruses regularly, and studying how these viruses interact with bats to better understand and prevent future health risks and outbreaks.
-
ItemGenetic diversity and evolution of the measles virus in Uganda (2011-2023) based on the haemagglutinin gene and matrix fusion non-coding region( 2025)Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that remains a leading cause of childhood illness and death globally. Recent treatment advances exist, but sporadic outbreaks still occur due to factors like low vaccination rates, vaccine hesitancy, incomplete doses, and occasional vaccine ineffectiveness. This study employed Sanger sequencing technology to establish the measles virus diversity and evolution, focusing on the Matrix/Fusion-noncoding region (MF-NCR) and the hemagglutinin (H) gene, which have been demonstrated to have superior variability in contrast to the routinely used Nucleocapsid (N-450) gene. 245 samples that matched the inclusion criteria were screened for measles virus by qRT-PCR. One hundred twenty-nine Measles virus sequences (66 H gene, 63 MF-NCR) were generated from these samples, which had been collected from 29 districts during the period 2011-2023. Fifty-nine samples from 24 districts yielded Measles virus sequences for both the H gene and MF-NCR. All the study samples belonged to the B3 genotype and subgroups were seen within all 5 major clusters based on the H gene and MF-NCR. The MF-NCR showed a higher nucleotide variability of 3.3448×10⁻⁴ substitutions/site/year compared to the H gene that had 1.5521×10⁻⁴ substitutions/site/year. Fifty-two non-synonymous mutations were seen in the H gene of the study sequences, with 11 [R195I, N200D, S240N, K295R, G316S, E395G, N396D, A400V, G546S, D574N, Q575K] linked to epitope binding sites, and possibly contributing to vaccine ineffectiveness, especially those seen in the vaccinated but diseased population. Overall, these findings show that the H gene and MF-NCR can complement the routinely obtained N gene data in epidemiological classification and highlight major mutations at antigenic sites that need to further scrutiny to confirm if vaccine antibodies failed to neutralize the Measles virus due to detected mutations.