Biology subjects

Muma, J. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Muma, J. B..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Antimicrobial Resistance Among Practising Veterinary and Para-veterinary Professionals in Zambia

In this study, we aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of veterinary and para-veterinary professionals concerning antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in order to identify key drivers of inappropriate antimicrobial use and gaps in current stewardship efforts. Data was collected from a cross-sectional survey of 144 veterinary and para-veterinary professionals (n=144) using an online structured self-administered questionnaire in ZOHO software. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and logistic regression in IBM SPSS Statistics Version 25. The findings revealed a high foundational knowledge of AMR, with 66.7% correctly defining AMR. The majority of respondents (82%) acknowledged that overuse of antimicrobials reduces their effectiveness and expressed strong support for mitigation efforts, with 95.8% endorsing farmer education as a key strategy. However, significant gaps in practice persisted: 75% of animal owners frequently initiated antibiotic use without supervision; professionals largely relied on empirical treatment (62.5%); and only 20.8% of professionals routinely performed antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), due to barriers like cost and laboratory accessibility. Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant associations between socio-demographic variables and levels of AMR knowledge or attitudes. This suggests that barriers to responsible antimicrobial use may be more structural than individual. We conclude that while Zambian practicing veterinary and para-veterinary professionals possess strong AMR awareness and positive attitudes, risky practices do persist. We recommend strengthening AMR stewardship with a holistic One Health approach by improving veterinary services to promote more appropriate and effective antimicrobial use. Author SummaryAntibiotics are essential for treating sick animals, but their misuse can lead to antimicrobial resistance, where bacteria no longer respond to the drugs meant to kill them. This problem threatens both animal and human health. In Zambia, veterinary and para-veterinary professionals are actively involved in administering treatments and supporting decisions related to antibiotic use in livestock and pets. We wanted to understand what these professionals know, believe, and do when it comes to using antibiotics responsibly. To find out, we surveyed 144 veterinary and para-veterinary professionals from across the country. We learned that most of them were aware that misuse of antibiotics can make treatments less effective and that drug-resistant bacteria can spread between animals and people. Many also supported educating farmers and working with human health experts to tackle the issue. However, we also discovered that antibiotics were often used in animals without proper testing or diagnosis, mainly because of limited laboratory access and cost concerns. Our findings show that while knowledge and attitudes are strong, actual practices need improvement. We believe improved access to diagnostic services, more explicit rules, and ongoing training can help veterinary and veterinary paraprofessionals protect both animal and public health from the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Optical mapping compendium of structural variants across global cattle breeds

Structural variants (SV) have been linked to important bovine disease phenotypes, but due to the difficulty of their accurate detection with standard sequencing approaches, their role in shaping important traits across cattle breeds is largely unexplored. Optical mapping is an alternative approach for mapping SVs that has been shown to have higher sensitivity than DNA sequencing approaches. The aim of this project was to use optical mapping to develop a high-quality database of structural variation across cattle breeds from different geographical regions, to enable further study of SVs in cattle. To do this we generated 100X Bionano optical mapping data for 18 cattle of nine different ancestries, three continents and both cattle sub-species. In total we identified 13,457 SVs, of which 1,200 putatively overlap coding regions. This resource provides a high-quality set of optical mapping-based SV calls that can be used across studies, from validating DNA sequencing-based SV calls to prioritising candidate functional variants in genetic association studies and expanding our understanding of the role of SVs in cattle evolution.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella species and Escherichia coli in broiler chickens from farms, abattoirs and open markets in selected districts of Zambia

Salmonella species and Escherichia coli are major bacterial enteropathogens of global public health importance that cause foodborne diseases, thereby contributing to increased human morbidity and mortality. Both pathogens have also been found to contribute towards the spread of antimicrobial resistance through the food chain, especially in poultry. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella sp. and E. coli in broiler chickens at farm level, abattoirs and open markets in selected districts of Zambia. A cross-sectional study was undertaken in seven districts of Zambia to determine the resistance profiles of Salmonella sp. and E. coli obtained from broiler chickens at farms, abattoirs and open markets. A total of 470 samples were collected, including litter, cloacal swabs and carcass swabs. Samples were inoculated into buffered peptone water, sub-cultured onto MacConkey and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar plates. Identification of Salmonella sp. and E. coli was done using the API-20E kit and confirmation by 16S rDNA sequencing. Confirmed isolates were tested against a panel of 10 antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method and interpreted according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Analysis of the antibiotic susceptibility test results was done using WHONET 2018 software. Overall, 4 Salmonella spp. and 280 E. coli were isolated. One of the Salmonella sp. was resistant to ampicillin (25%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (25%) and cefotaxime (25%). E. coli antibiotic resistance was highest to tetracycline (81.4%) and lowest to imipenem (0.7%). The antibiotic susceptibility profile revealed 55% (154/280) multidrug resistant E. coli, with the highest multidrug resistance profile (20.7%) in the ampicillin-tetracycline-trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole drug combination. Furthermore, 4.3% (12/280) of the isolates showed Extensive Drug resistance. The levels of antimicrobial resistance to E. coli and Salmonella observed in market-ready chickens is of public health concern.View Full Text

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2019

Seroprevalence of human Brucellosis and associated risk factors among high risk occupations in Mbeya Region of Tanzania

BackgroundBrucellosis is an infectious zoonotic disease that affects humans, livestock and wildlife.\n\nMethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Mbeya region between November 2015 and January 2016 to investigate the seroprevalence of human brucellosis and identify associated risk factors among individuals in risky occupations in Mbeya Region. A total of 425 humans from six occupational categories were serially tested for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and competitive Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (c-ELISA), for screening and confirmation, respectively. A questionnaire survey was administered to participants collect epidemiological data.\n\nResultsThe overall seroprevalence among the high risk occupational individuals was 1.41% (95% CI: 0.01-0.03). Seroprevalence among the different occupations were as follows: shepherds 1.33% (95% CI: 0.14-0.22); butcher men 5.26% (95% CI: 0.10-0.17) and abattoir workers 1.08% (95% CI: 0.39-0.49). Seroprevalence was noted to vary according to occupation type, milk consumption behaviour, age and sex. Butcher men recorded the highest seroprevalence (5.0%) while individuals who consumed unboiled milk had a higher seroprevalence (1.56%) compared to those who drunk boiled milk. High seropositivity (2.25%) was observed among the age group of 1-10 years while male individuals had a higher seroprevalence (1.41%) than females (0%). Butcher men were at higher risk of exposure compared to other professions.\n\nConclusionOur findings show the presence of brucellosis in occupationally exposed individuals in Mbeya region. There is need to sensitize the exposed individuals in order to reduce the risk of acquiring Brucella infections from animals and animal products This also calls for public health awareness about the disease, and implementation of control measures that will prevent further spread of brucellosis within and outside the study area..\n\nAuthor summaryBrucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis that has evolved to establish itself as an occupational and food-borne disease Worldwide. It is responsible for huge economic losses incurred by livestock keepers and poses a public health risk to humans in most developing countries. In Tanzania, which has the 3rd highest cattle population in Africa, many studies that have been done show that brucellosis exists in livestock, especially in cattle and wildlife. However, very few studies have reported on human brucellosis. The disease has been reported to occur in humans who have direct exposure to cattle or cattle products like livestock farmers, abattoir workers, veterinarians, shepherds and farm workers in many developing countries. A few studies in Tanzania have reported seroprevalences among these high-risk occupations; however, the disease has not been fully described in Mbeya region. This study was therefore aimed at filling these information gaps and contributing to the existing body of knowledge.

epidemiology↗