Browsing by Author "Muhairwa, A. P."

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Antibiotic susceptibilities of indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and Enterococci spp. isolated from ducks in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
(BMC Research Notes, 2018) Kissinga, H. D.; Mwombeki, F.; Said, K.; Katakweba, A. A. S.; Nonga, H. E.; Muhairwa, A. P.
To estimate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in indicator bacteria Escherichia coli and Enterococci isolated from duck faeces in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. Results: Escherichia coli and Enterococcus isolation rates from ducks faeces were 91 and 100% respectively. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance of E. coli and Enterococcus was 70.3 and 42%, respectively. E. coli resistant to four antibiotics were 28 (30.8%) and showed high resistance to ampicillin (81.3), tetracycline (75.8) and trimethoprim–sulphamethoxine (62.3). Multiple antibiotic resistance of Enterococcus were more than 65%. High resistance rates shown by Enterococcus were observed in rifampin (62%), ampicillin (62%) and tetracycline (42%). Almost all farmers (92.3%) left their ducks to scavenge for food around their houses. Antibiotics used in animal treatments were oxytetracyclines, sulfonamides, penicillin dihydrostreptomycin while in humans were tetracycline, ampicillin, and amoxicillin.
Antimicrobial resistance in faecal samples from buffalo, wildebeest and zebra grazing together with and without cattle in Tanzania
(Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2014-11-28) Katakweba, A. A. S.; Møller, K. S.; Muumba, J.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Damborg, P.; Rosenkrantz, J. T.; Minga, U. M.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Olsen, J. E.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether the practice of co-grazing with cattle and wild life constitutes a risk of transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria to wild ungulates. Methods and Results: Faecal samples were collected from buffalo (n = 35), wildebeest (n = 40), zebra (n = 40) and cattle (N = 20) from Mikumi National Park, Tanzania (MNP), where cattle is prohibited and from Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) where co-grazing is practiced. The number of coliforms and enterococci resistant to selected antibiotics was determined. Wild life generally harboured higher number of resistant Escherichia coli and Enterococci than cattle, but with no general inﬂuence in wild life of co-grazing with cattle. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci were detected in wild life samples, and E. coli resistant to cefotaxime and enroﬂoxacin were observed among isolates from all wild life, but not from cattle. Culture independent estimates of the number of sulII gene copies obtained by qPCR did not differ between wild life from the two sample sites, while tetW was signiﬁcantly higher in samples from MPN than from NCA. Conclusions: Antibiotic resistant bacteria were not more frequently found in ungulates grazing together with cattle than ungulates without this interaction. Signiﬁcance and Impact of the Study: This study did not indicate that transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a frequent event following co-grazing of wild life and cattle.
Characterisation of commensal escherichia coli isolated from apparently healthy cattle and their attendants in Tanzania
(PLOS ONE, 2016-12-15) Madoshi, B. P.; Kudirkiene, E; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Lupindu, A. M.; Olsen, J. E.
While pathogenic types of Escherichia coli are well characterized, relatively little is known about the commensal E. coli flora. In the current study, antimicrobial resistance in commensal E. coli and distribution of ERIC-PCR genotypes among isolates of such bacteria from cattle and cattle attendants on cattle farms in Tanzania were investigated. Seventeen E. coli genomes representing different ERIC-PCR types of commensal E. coli were sequenced in order to determine their possible importance as a reservoir for both antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors. Both human and cattle isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline (40.8% and 33.1%), sulphamethazole-trimethoprim (49.0% and 8.8%) and ampicillin (44.9% and 21.3%). However, higher proportion of resistant E. coli and higher frequency of resistance to more than two antimicrobials was found in isolates from cattle attendants than isolates from cattle. Sixteen out of 66 ERIC-PCR genotypes were shared between the two hosts, and among these ones, seven types contained isolates from cattle and cattle attendants from the same farm, suggesting transfer of strains between hosts. Genome-wide analysis showed that the majority of the sequenced cattle isolates were assigned to phylogroups B1, while human isolates represented phylogroups A, C, D and E. In general, in silico resistome and virulence factor identification did not reveal differences between hosts or phylogroups, except for lpfA and iss found to be cattle and B1 phylogroup specific. The most frequent plasmids replicon genes found in strains from both hosts were of IncF type, which are commonly associated with carriage of antimicrobial and virulence genes. Commensal E. coli from cattle and attendants were found to share same genotypes and to carry antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes associated with both intra and extraintestinal E. coli pathotypes.
Evaluation of stress hormone (cortisol) levels and some biochemical parameters of pigs kept under intensive management systems in Morogoro, Tanzania
(TANZANIA VETERINARY ASSOCIATION, 2017) Bakari, G. G.; Mollel, E.; Max, R. A.; Muhairwa, A. P.
The worldwide increase in demand for animal products in recent decades has necessitated raising of food animals under intensive systems that have been demonstrated to cause stress to animals. A cross sectional study was carried conducted to evaluate the welfare of pigs kept under intensive system using serum cortisol levels and some biochemical parameters as indicators of stress. A total of 302 pigs, aged three months to two years, from urban and peri-urban areas of Morogoro township were purposively involved in the study which assessed farm management aspects (housing and feeding) and blood levels of cortisol and some biochemical parameters (glucose, total protein and cholesterol). Results showed that serum cortisol levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in pigs from the peri-urban farms than those dwelling in the urban settings. Weaner pigs and boars had the highest serum cortisol levels compared to other groups. Significantly high levels of plasma cholesterol (p < 0.05) were measured in boars followed by gilts and weaners all kept in the urban areas whereas no significant differences were observed as far as plasma glucose and total proteins were concerned. Result on farm management assessment showed that urban piggery housing was of better quality than in the peri-urban and that feeding was largely influenced by local availability of the major feed ingredients such as maize bran and vegetable residues. About 80% of urban pigs were maintained on high concentrate feed due to availability of swills (restaurant leftovers) and maize bran whereas low concentrate feed with mainly vegetable residues dominated in the peri-urban settings. It is concluded that, serum cortisol levels observed in the current study were a reflection of stress to different groups of pigs kept under the intensive system and that feeds had some direct effect on biochemical parameters such as plasma cholesterol levels.
Factors associated with acquisition of enteric episodes in cattle waste handlers in Morogoro, Tanzania
(Research Gate, 2017) Madoshi, B. P.; Lupindu, A. M.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Olsen, J. E.
The study explored risk factors for acquiring enteric disease in animal waste handlers as occupational hazards. A qualitative survey of 124 of respondents from Morogoro peri-urban and urban areas was done. Eight four respondents had experienced enteric episodes as compared to forty who didn’t mention, and among those who mentioned the episodes, 55.95% had reported this to a health facility while 44.05% had consulted a nearby pharmacy or drug shop. Heaping in living plots was mostly practiced storage method within living plots (70.97 %). The percentage of handlers who were aware of risks for acquiring enteric pathogens from cattle after handling their wastes was 43.55%. There was limited awareness of government guideline on handling such wastes (3.23%) and washing hands without soap was found to be the most common health measures taken after handling animal wastes (70.16%). Statistically significant difference was observed in knowledge on occupational hazards (p = 0.001), zoonotic pathogens awareness (p=0.05), experience of participants (p=0.05) and protective gears (p = 0.022). The animal wastes handlers could be constantly exposed to risks associated with enteropathogens due to the lack of training on proper measures to handle animal wastes as occupational hazard, government interventions of formulating laws and by-laws which are user friendly. This could protect the attendants themselves against the zoonotic enteropathogens, the public in general and the environment.
First Report on a Randomized Investigation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Fecal Indicator Bacteria from Livestock, Poultry, and Humans in Tanzania
(Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2018-04-01) Katakweba, A. A. S.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Lupindu, A. M.; Damborg, P.; Rosenkrantz, J. T.; Minga, U. M.; Mtambo, M. A.; Olsen, J. E.
This study provides an estimate of antimicrobial resistance in intestinal indicator bacteria from humans (n = 97) and food animals (n = 388) in Tanzania. More than 70% of all fecal samples contained tetracycline (TE), sulfamethoxazole (STX), and ampicillin (AMP)-resistant coliforms, while cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant coliforms were observed in 40% of all samples. The average Log10 colony forming units/g of CTX-resistant coliforms in samples from humans were 2.20. Of 390 Escherichia coli tested, 66.4% were resistant to TE, 54.9% to STX, 54.9% to streptomycin, and 36.4% to CTX. Isolates were commonly (65.1%) multiresistant. All CTX-resistant isolates contained blaCTX-M gene type. AMP- and vancomycin-resistant enterococci were rare, and the average concentrations in positive samples were low (log10 0.9 and 0.4, respectively). A low-to-moderate resistance (2.1–15%) was detected in 240 enterococci isolates to the drugs tested, except for rifampicin resistance (75.2% of isolates). The average number of sulII gene copies varied between Log10 5.37 and 5.68 with no significant difference between sample source, while cattle had significantly higher number of tetW genes than humans. These findings, based on randomly obtained samples, will be instrumental in designing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) intervention strategies for Tanzania
Hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to oesophageal foreign body in a dog - a case report
(2007) Makungu, M.; Malago, J.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Mgasa, M. N.
Hypertrophic osteopathy is a pathological disease process that occurs secondary to intra thoracic lesions that are either pulmonary or non pulmonary in origin. A 6-year-old female German shepherd cross was presented with complaints of losing body condition, anorexia, lameness, and swollen limbs. Clinical examination revealed swelling of all four limbs which were hard and painless on palpation. Radiographic examination of the limbs and the thoracic cavity revealed, irregular periosteal new bone formation along the shafts of most of the long bones and an oval-shaped 6 cm diameter radio dense caudal mediastinal mass. At post-mortem examination, an oesophageal diverticulum was found, filled with foul smelling creamy exudates and a bone foreign body firmly adherent to the wall. Hypertrophic osteopathy secondary to oesophageal foreign body was diagnosed based on history, clinical examination, radiography, post-mortem picture and histopathology.
Isolation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus from apparently healthy human animal attendants, cattle and cattle wastes in Tanzania
(Wiley Online Library, 2018-03-07) Madoshi, B. P.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Lupindu, A. M.; Olsen, J. E.
AIM: The study aimed to isolate and characterize Enterococcus species from apparently healthy waste attendants, cattle and cattle waste in Tanzania. Emphasis was given to antimicrobial resistance and in particular occurrence of vancomycin (VA)-resistant enterococci. METHODS AND RESULTS: Faecal samples were collected from healthy cattle, cattle waste attendants and cattle house wastes, and isolation of Enterococcus species was performed using Slanetz Bartley agar. Isolates were characterized with regard to species, antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of VA resistance genes. Enterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent species from all sources of isolation (43·5%), followed by Enterococcus faecium (38·4%). Isolates of E. faecium showed a higher number of phenotypic antimicrobial resistance than isolates of E. faecalis. Fifty-eight isolates, which showed resistance or intermediate resistance to VA by disc diffusion test, were analysed for VA-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) by PCR. The vanA gene was detected in 14 isolates of E. faecium and 12 isolates of E. faecalis, while vanB was detected in three isolates. No isolates were found to carry vanC1-gene. CONCLUSION: VRE was detected in both human and cattle samples, despite no known use of antimicrobial agents that can select for VRE in livestock in Tanzania. Enterococcus faecalis was the most commonly isolated species from cattle and humans. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study provides information on the prevalence of VRE in human and nonhuman samples in Tanzania calling for further studies on the origin of VRE in such isolates, since no selection mechanism in Tanzania are known.
Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates from free range domestic duck (Cairina moschata) in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
(Tropical Animal Health and Production - Springer, 2009-06-16) Nonga, H. E.; Muhairwa, A. P.
Prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility of thermophilic Campylobacter isolated from freeranging ducks was determined in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. Ninety intestinal contents from ducks were screened for thermophilic Campylobacter using Skirrow’s protocol. Of the Campylobacter jejuni isolates, 50 were tested for sensitivity to 12 antibiotics. Overall prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter was 80%. The prevalence of Campylobacter in adult ducks (91.3%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than ducklings (68.2%). The isolation rate of C. jejuni (81.9%) was significantly (P<0.001) higher than C. coli (18.1%). All C. jejuni isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, nitrofurantoin and amikacin. Forty eight percent, 74% and 82% of isolates were resistant to cefuroxime sodium, tetracycline and ampicillin respectively. Between 20–50% of isolates were resistant to erythromycin, gentamicin, cloxacillin and amoxicillin. Norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin had lower C. jejuni resistance of 10% and 16% respectively. C. jejuni isolates from adult ducks showed significantly higher rates of resistance (p< 0.05) to most antibiotics than did duckling isolates.High prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter in ducks could be of public health significance in Morogoro municipality. The observed multidrug resistance in this study poses a threat of transfer of antibiotic resistance to human pathogens because of the close contact between ducks and human.
Prevalence of intestinal parasites in pig manure and the potential for zoonotic transmission in urban/peri-urban areas of Morogoro municipality, Tanzania
(Livestock Research for Rural Development, 2017) Ngowi, H. A.; Mushi, P. E.; Lupindu, A. M.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Muhairwa, A. P.
Information on the prevalence and potential health consequences associated with the presence of parasites in livestock manures is lacking in many developing countries. In 2015, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 79 pig farms to estimate farm-level prevalence of helminth eggs using McMaster technique and protozoan parasite oocysts using the Modified Ziehl–Neelsen technique in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. Farm-level representative samples of manure were collected from pig manure disposal sites in each farm. Pig farmers’ knowledge and practices related to pig husbandry and manure handling were assessed using a structured questionnaire. All pigs were reared indoors and their manures were handled in solid form. Farm-level prevalence of strongyle eggs was 7.6% (95% CI: 1.8, 13.4) and that of Ascaris spp. was 6.3% (95% CI: 0.9, 11.7). Prevalence of acid-fast protozoan oocysts was 6.3% (95% CI: 0.9, 11.7), includingIsospora spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Eimeria spp. Approximately 27.8% (95% CI: 17.9, 37.7) of the samples had acid-fast objects that resembled microsporidia and other fungal spores. About 94.9% (95% CI: 90.0, 99.8) of the farmers reported to have experienced diseases in their pigs, commonly helminthosis. Only about 42.5% (95% CI: 31.3, 53.9) believed that pig manure could cause some human health problems. Approximately, 65.3% (54.3, 76.3) reported to clean their pig pens daily. About 61.1% (95% CI: 49.9, 72.3) reported to wear special clothing when removing pig manure. Handling of pig manure is associated with potential biological hazards with potential for zoonotic transmission in urban/peri-urban areas of Morogoro municipality, Tanzania. Further studies are needed to measure the actual risks associated with livestock manure handling and utilisation including parasite viability and characterization studies to guide implementation of appropriate bio-security and bio-safety measures in urban/peri-urban livestock farms.
A retrospective study of production and reproductive conditions in crossbred dairy cows attended at Sokoine University of Agriculture Animal Hospital, Tanzania
(African Journal Online, 2014-05-15) Muhairwa, A. P.; Barnabas, E.; Nonga, H. E.
There have been limited field-based studies on animal diseases in particular production and reproductive diseases in crossbred dairy cows in Tanzania. This work reviews ten years records between 1994 and 2003 to establish the occurrences of production and reproductive diseases/disorders in dairy cows attended at Sokoine University of Agriculture Animal Hospital (SUAAH). During this period 1363 cows were attended and the occurrence of reproductive and production diseases/disorders was at the rate of 22.4% and 21.1%, respectively. Major reproductive disorders recorded were anoestrus (38.5%), retained placenta (29.7%), dystocia (9.8%), abortions (6.8%), metritis (6.1%) and pyometra (4.7%). The recorded production diseases included mastitis (65.9%), milk fever (8.4%), non-mastitis udder diseases (8.0%) and laminitis (7.0%). Occurrences of anoestrus and mastitis were statistically higher compared to other diseases recorded (P < 0.05). It is concluded that production diseases and reproductive disorders in particular anoestrus and mastitis are common among dairy cows attended at the SUAAH. Thus, there is a need for extensive epidemiological investigations on the recorded diseases and disorders to better determine the prevalence, predisposing factors, economic impacts and develop strategies for the control at farm level.
Seroprevalence and factors affecting canine monocytic ehrlichiosis and canine brucellosis in Tanzania
(Roavs, 2012) Muhairwa, A. P.; Msoffe, P. L. M.; Mtambo, M. M. A.; Mwakijungu, E. O.
A cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia canis and Brucella canis in dogs in Morogoro Tanzania. The study was conducted between June and September 2010. A total of 100 randomly selected dogs were tested for the presence of Ehrlichia canis and Brucella canis antibodies using the Immunocomb ® dot-ELISA tests (Biogal, Israel). Epidemiological factors such as age, sex, breed, health status, body condition and tick infestation were studied. E. canis antibodies were detected in 25% (n=100) of the dogs. B. canis antibodies were not detected in any of the study dogs. The difference in seroprevalence between old and adult dogs was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was also a significant difference in seroprevalence between dogs in good and those in fair body conditions (P<0.05). Seropositivity to E. canis was not associated with the other epidemiological factors. This study provides the first serological evidence of E. canis infection but found no evidence of antibodies to B. canis in dogs in Morogoro. Canine ehrlichiosis was found to be a prevalent disease in Morogoro and calls for regular testing and treatment of clinical cases and tick control measures to protect dogs from E. canis infection. The study also points out the need for further investigation on the presence of canine brucellosis.
spa typing and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococcus aureus from healthy humans, pigs and dogs in Tanzania
(The Journal Infection Developing Countries, 2016-07) Katakweba, A. S.; Muhairwa, A. P.; Espinosa -Gongora, C.; Guardabassi, L.; Mtambo, M. A.; Olsen, J. E.
Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen causing infections in humans and animals. Here we report for the first time the prevalence of nasal carriage, spa typing and antimicrobial resistance of S. aureus in a Tanzanian livestock community. Methodology: Nasal swabs were taken from 100 humans, 100 pigs and 100 dogs in Morogoro Municipal. Each swab was enriched in Mueller Hinton broth with 6.5% NaCl and subcultured on chromogenic agar for S. aureus detection. Presumptive S. aureus colonies were confirmed to the species level by nuc PCR and analysed by spa typing. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined by disc diffusion method. Results: S. aureus was isolated from 22 % of humans, 4 % of pigs and 11 % of dogs. A total of 21 spa types were identified: 13, 7 and 1 in human, dogs, and pigs, respectively. Three spa types (t314, t223 and t084) were shared between humans and dogs. A novel spa type (t10779) was identified in an isolate recovered from a colonized human. Antimicrobials tested revealed resistance to ampicillin in all isolates, moderate resistances to other antimicrobials with tetracycline resistance being the most frequent. Conclusion: S. aureus carrier frequencies in dogs and humans were within the expected range and low in pigs. The S. aureus spa types circulating in the community were generally not shared by different hosts and majority of types belonged to known clones. Besides ampicillin resistance, moderate levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed irrespective of the host species from which the strains were isolated.