Academic submissions (CoVAB)

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    Antimicrobial resistance of selected bacteria isolated from the oral and rectal swabs of rodents around Bwindi Impenetrable National park
    (Makerere University, 2019-07-18) Doreen, Katusabe
    The objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence of Salmonella, Escherichia .coli and Staphylococcus aureus in rats from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and their associated antimicrobial sensitivities. A cross section study was carried out from July to November 2018, where rats were trapped and captured from the homes where the oral and rectal swabs were collected aseptically and stored in Stuart transport media. These samples were cultured for E.coli, Salmonella and S. aureus SNA ,XLD ,and VRBA media respectively after which biochemical tests were carried to confirm the species. Finally, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried on Mueller-Hinton agar using selected antimicrobial agents(Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Ceftiofur, Ampicillin and Enrofloxacin). The bacteria, S. aureus, E. coli and salmonella were isolated in in this study. In the oral samples, E. coli had the highest prevalence (90%), followed by S. aureus (88%). In the rectal samples; 80% S. aureus, 88% E.coli and 4% salmonella were positive. Overall, resistance was more towards tetracycline and streptomycin in both the oral and rectal samples. In the oral samples, E coli was more resistant to tetracycline followed by staphylococcus aureus. Drugs such as enrofloxacin (OFX5), ceftiofur (XNL30), Ampicillin (SAM) and streptomycin (S10) represented the highest antibacterial activity against almost all the test bacteria especially S. aureus. In the rectal samples, S. aureus represented the highest level of resistance to tetracycline followed by Salmonella. Staphylococcus aureus showed susceptibility to enrofloxacin, ceftiofur, ampicillin and streptomycin. This study shows that rats are reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant bacteria that affects humans and animals especially the endangered mountain gorillas. Therefore, due to the fact that humans and animals around wildlife protected areas often share certain food and water sources, the risk of contracting these pathogenic organisms is high. It is necessary to carry out mass sensitization to people in these communities through UWA and ministry of health about the effects of rats within their homesteads and hence institute a vermin control program. Rats from the forest should also be sampled to find out if they also contain these pathogenic bacteria.
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    Assessing the burden of gastrointestinal nematodes and their susceptibility to Ivermectin in goats slaughtered in Uganda Meat Industries Limited,Kampala District
    (Makerere University, 2019-07) Kamoga, Joseph
    Gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections are one of the major causes of production losses in commercial goat farms worldwide, the deadliest in goats being Hemonchus contortus because of its blood sucking nature. Recent reports suggest that there is irrational use of antihelmitic drugs such as Benzimidazoles which has led to evolution of multi-resistant species of GIT nematodes hence ineffective control of GINs. This study therefore, determined the burden of GINs and their susceptibility to ivermectin in goats slaughtered in Uganda Meat Industries Limited, Kampala district. A total of 50 goats were randomly selected and fresh contents from their GIT were collected after their slaughter from the abattoir. Laboratory analysis was done using floatation, sedimentation and McMaster techniques to identify and enumerate the nematode egg types. Larval cultures were done to grow eggs into larvae after 21 days of incubation at room temperature, Baerman’s technique was carried out to isolate the larvae from the coprocultures and larval motility inhibition tests were done to assess GIN susceptibility to IVM. The highest egg per gram of fresh GIT contents was 4300 and lowest was 50. The highly frequent GIN genera were Trichostrongylus larvae, 62% (31/50) followed by Cooperia larvae, 38% (19/50) and then Hemonchus larvae, 30% (15/50), Nematodirus larvae, 12% (6/50) and the lowest being Ostertagia, Bunostomum and Oesophagostomum larvae with a frequency of 8% (4/50) each. The 1mg/ml of ivermectin killed 100% of the GIN larvae but the serial dilution with the highest ivermectin concentration (0.5mg/ml) killed 88.8% of the larvae after paralysis and the lowest diluted ivermectin concentration (5×10-8 mg/ml) killed 0% of the larvae however, they were paralyzed thus susceptibility of GINs to Ivermectin but the larvae (L3) in five control experiments were neither killed nor paralyzed after the 3 days of observation. The probit analysis indicated that LC95 was 0.5186mg/ml with Standard Error (SE) of 0. 0032. Therefore, LC95 when GINs were exposed to ivernectin in vitro was in the range of 0.5154 -0.5218mg/ml at 95% confidence interval. In conclusion, the GIN burden was high (90%) and therefore, routine deworming with ivermectin should be adopted by goat farmers.
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    Assessing the effects of feed presentation on weight gain on intensive broiler production among selected farms in peri-urban areas of Kampala
    (Makerere University, 2019-08) Ayesiiga, Comfort
    This was a case study done on a selected commercial broiler production farm to assess the effect of feed presentation on weight gain of intensive broiler birds in the peri-urban areas of Kampala. Other surrounding farmers were taken into account to give information concerning the choice of feed forms they give to their broilers. These were given prepared semi-structured questionnaires, which aided in getting information from the farmers. Of the 100 randomly selected broiler birds considered in the study, it was observed that there was a greater increase in weight gain among birds fed on pellets than those fed on mash. Mash feeds were more liked by farmers compared to pellets due to the different costs of the former. The weight gain of broiler birds was further estimated using FCR and average feed intake. There was significant increase in the mean body weight gain, feed intake and FCR of the broiler birds fed on the different forms of diet (pellets mash). The highest FCR was observed in mash fed broilers; meanwhile the pellet fed broilers had relatively the least FCR. Most of the farmers reported facing a problem of expensive feeds and diseases, which normally lead to the major losses faced in the broiler production. Therefore pelleted feed rations can be recommended for feeding of broilers in order to attain optimum economic returns.
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    Assessing the factors influencing milk production among small scale dairy farmers in Buyana village in Gomba district
    ( 2019-07) Isabirya, Rogers Kanamina
    The dairy industry in Uganda contributes to about 9% of the country’s GDP and the dairy sector contributes to the nutritional, economic and employment opportunities of the rural communities with dairy farming being a major activity in the south western, central and North Eastern parts of the country. The aim of this study was to establish the factors influencing milk production among small scale dairy farmers in Buyana village. During this survey, data was collecting questionnaires, interviews and observations and all home steeds that were engaged in small scale dairy production were considered. In this study factors like animal breeds, age of the farmers, information accessibility and poor infrastructures were some of the major factors influencing milk production among small scale dairy farmers in the area. The study showed that females aged 36-45 years dominated the business, 40% of the farmers had an educational level of primary and below, 70% of the respondents were married and that 71.7 of the animals reared were crosses. I recommend that farmers should adopt other simple favorable methods of dairy farming. The government should therefore provide more extension services to the small scale dairy farmers.
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    Assessment of factors leading to milk spoilage on selected farms in Rwanyamahembe sub county, DISTRICT.Mbarara
    (Makerere University, 2019-08) Byaruhanga, Brian
    This report entails generally the activities I got involved in during my study. The aim of the study was to find out the on-farm factors causing milk spoilage in Rwanyamahembe Sub-County. Data was collected by physical examination, visual examination, questionnaire and interviews. 55% of the farmers use plastics while 45% use aluminium as milk handling equipment. 35% of milk produced by farmers in this Sub-County is lost through spoilage on a daily basis. Farmers use different methods of controlling milk spoilage. 20% of the farmers use milk filtration, 25% milk healthy animals, 42% sell off milk immediately after milking and 15% use healthy and clean personnel for milking their animals. I recommend that farmers in this Sub-County should be given education and sensitization on different ways of handling milk in order to reduce milk spoilage. Since research has been done on farms, I recommend that further research should be done to determine factors causing milk spoilage at milk collection centres.
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    Assessment of protein digestibility of yellow mealworm in pigs at Geneva Farm Katooke
    (Makerere University, 2018) Kakembo, Fredrick Elishama
    Piggery farming is one the most rapidly growing businesses in Uganda in the past five years both on small and large scale. However this rapid growth is associated with an increased demand of inputs, feeds and their supplements being at the top. Among all feed supplements used, protein supplements are the most important as they contribute to the fast growing of the animal and quality of meat. Currently the most used protein supplements are silver fish and soybeans however which are consumed by humans as well leading to competition, hence making their use in pig farms very expensive reducing the profit margins of farmers and forcing many out of business. This therefore calls for alternative protein sources. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as a complete replacement of soybeans and silver fish in piggery farming. The effects were determined by comparing the protein content on dry matter basis, protein digestibility as well as daily weight gain in pigs. A total of ten 2-months old large white pigs were divided into 3 groups of 4pigs by 3 pigs by 3 pigs and fed on 20% yellow mealworm feed, 20% silver fish feed and 20% soybean feed respectively for a period of 14 days. Their fecal matter was collected and used to determine percentage digestibility. The protein content of yellow mealworm was 42.75% which was slightly lower for silver fish (48.42%) but much higher than that of soybeans (37.94%). The protein digestibility was highest in pigs fed on 20% yellow mealworm feed (92.63±0.64)% which was statistically similar to those fed on silver fish (89.96±0.96)% (p value > 0.05) but significantly different from those fed on soybean which had the lowest protein digestibility of (47.45±2.04)% (p value < 0.05). Average daily weight gain for pigs fed on yellow mealworm (0.443±0.031)kg was slightly lower than those fed on silver fish (0.452±0.037)kg but much higher than those fed on soybeans (0.367±0.461)kg. Thus the study clearly showed that the yellow mealworm can be used to completely substitute silver fish and soybeans in piggery feed rations.
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    Assessment of the factors leading to mortality in chicks of two weeks old in selected farms of Mukono District
    (Makerere University, 2019-07) Ofungi, Joyna
    The aim of the study was to assess the factors that lead to mortality rate of chicks in Mukono district from the local perspective. This study employed a survey research design using majorly qualitative method of data collection. The sample size comprised of poultry commercial farmers who were 11 in number. Data from the poultry famers was collected by the use of interview guides and content analysis was employed to analyzed the data The study showed that overcrowding of the chicks in the corners of brooder rooms 30%; inappropriate brooding temperatures 25.6% were the major factors leading to mortality in chicks’ others included poor breed of parent stock 18% and diseases 12% which affect the chicks in their early stages of life in Mukono district. The extension staff should educate farmers on how to brooder chicks to avoid high mortality in early stages of life and they should also train them on proper management during brooding.
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    Characterizing silage production and usage among selected dairy cattle farms in Nyarwanya sub-county Bushenyi district
    (Makerere University, 2019-08-28) AGGREY, TUKUREKWA
    The cross-sectional study was carried out in Bushenyi district to characterize silage production and usage among selected cattle dairy farms in Nyarwanya sub-county. The study aimed at determining the number of farmers that feed their animals on silage, it was also aimed at establishing the technology farmers use during silage making and finding out challenges farmers face during silage making. Quantitative data was collected from 25 randomly selected respondents using questionnaires. The study employed a qualitative data approach and a case study design to collect and analyze data. Data collection methods included; documentary review, in-depth interviews, focused group discussions and interview guides. The study revealed that twenty-five dairy cattle farmers in Nyarwanya sub-county feed their cows on silage especially in dry season when the pastures are scarce in order for them to maintain the milk production. It was revealed that farmers use local means (using pange to chop fodder instead of a chopper and compressing using feet) to produce silage and this has made it hard for them to produce silage in large quantities. Despite some challenges such as inadequate machines used in silage production and less government support, farmers have been able to form cooperatives where they have collected money and bought the equipment’s that help them in the process of silage production and through such cooperatives they have been able to get support from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
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    Evaluation of acute oral and sub-acute dermal toxicity of tick burn spray in mice and rats
    ( 2019-07) Kilama, Justine
    Existence of multi-acaricide resistant ticks in the south-western cattle corridor of Uganda has created windows for introduction of plethora of illicit chemicals for tick control including Tick Burn Spray (TBS). The dilemma with TBS ranges from debatable labels on its bottle (70mg/ml chlorpy and 20g/ml cypermethrin), absence on NDA catalogue to its unknown safety to livestock and/ livestock products and humans. This study aimed at investigating the active ingredients of TBS, as well as determination of acute oral and sub-acute dermal toxicity of TBS in mice and rats. Chemical analysis using in-house Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) discovered presence of 45% w/v metrifonate in TBS. In acute toxicity, 24 young adult mice divided equally into five treatment groups were exposed orally to 1ml of ascending doses of TBS with the aid of gavage tube. The main toxidrome shown by all exposed mice groups were ataxia, gait and posture abnormalities, respiratory disorder, increased salivation, urination, defecation, lacrimation, piloerection, tremors, convulsions, and subsequently death. Probit analysis revealed oral LD50 of TBS in mice to be 9.35 mg/kg at a standard error (S.E) of 0.44 mg/kg with 95% confidence interval. For sub-acute toxicity, a group of 12 rats were dermally exposed to 4mls of 5.625mg/ml of TBS for 21 days at 5 days intervals. Histopathological investigations indicated hepatic vacuolar degeneration (80%), perivascular necrosis (60%), splenic hemosiderosis (70%), and thickening of alveolar septa in the lungs (100%). Hematological findings discovered significant (p-value=0.01) average increase in the red blood cell counts from 8015000/µL in control group to 8490000/µL in the treatment group. Liver function tests also showed significant average increases in the levels of alanine aminotransferase from 67.0 U/L to 158.5 U/L and, aspartate aminotransferase from 155.0 U/L to 272.0 U/L in treatment groups. The findings of kidney function test showed a p-value=0.01, average decreases in the plasma level of sodium ions from 140.5 to 128.5 mEq/L and chloride ions from 99.3 to 92.4 mEq/L in the treatment groups. In conclusion, the findings of this study indicates that the active substance (metrifonate) present in Tick Burn Spray is highly toxic to the liver, lungs and the spleen of the rats, and hence its usage may potentially be detrimental to the health of humans, livestock and environment. Therefore, national vigilance criteria and policy should be set for the public to restrict, identify, report and prohibit usage of illicit, smuggled, non-registered acaricides, or agrochemicals. Further trials should be conducted to ascertain the chronic toxicity of this product on livestock.
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    Evaluation of the in-vitro acaricidal activity of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Annona muricata on Rhipicephalus appendiculatus
    ( 2018-10) Lutanda, Phillip
    ABSTRACT In Uganda tick-borne diseases (TBD)are responsible for almost 90% of the total disease control costs and over 60% of total farm inputs which is a big loss to farmers and the economy at large and the principal method employed to control TBDs is the use of synthetic acaricides. However botanical herbs are available locally and if evaluated for acaricidal properties, they can be used to control ticks. This study was carried out with the aim of in vitro acaricidal efficacy evaluation of Annona muricata against Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. The leaves of A. muricata were collected, shade dried and ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained by maceration. The acaricidal activities of crude ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of A. muricata were assessed against adult R. appendiculatus ticks and R. appendiculatus larval stages using AIT and LPT, respectively. Five concentrations of both crude extracts 1.25%,2.5%,5%,10% and 20% with two replicates for each were used. The mean percentage mortalities of both the adult ticks and larval stages were recorded as well as the mean percentage egg laying inhibition. Both extracts were also screened for the presence of phytochemicals such as tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, anthracenosides and anthocyanosides. The results obtained indicated that both extracts at all concentrations had no effect on the larval stages of the ticks when LPT was carried out. For AIT, aqueous extract had no effect on egg laying inhibition as well as mortality at all concentrations. However, despite the fact that the ethanolic extract had no effect on egg laying inhibition, it exhibited mean percentage adult mortalities of 10% and 35% at concentrations of 100mg/ml (10%) and 200mg/ml (20%) respectively. The ethanolic extract contained alkaloids, tannins, anthocyanosides, flavonoids and anthracenosides. However, the aqueous extract contained all the above except anthracenosides but saponins. The ethanolic
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    Factors affecting the quality of hides and skins at farm level district in Kalongo sub county, Nakasongola
    (Makerere University, 2019-08) Kato, Paul
    This study aimed at determining the factors that affect the quality of hides and skins in Kalongo sub county, Nakasongola district. Information was collected on selected livestock households and farms through questionnaire, interviews and direct observation. 31 participants were involved in the study and 48.39% (15/31) strongly believed that animal husbandry such as nutrition, breeding and selection, parasite and disease control and livestock branding affects the quality of hides and skins to a great extent, 29.03% (9/31) believed it affects to a moderate extent, 16.13 % ( 5 / 31 ) suggested it affects to a little extent and 6.45 % ( 2/31) didn't agree at all that animal husbandry affects the quality of hides and skins. The study identified various damages inflicted on hides and skins in Kalongo sub county and scratches counted for 45.16% whiplashes counted for 25.81%, hornlets were at 19.35% and other damages counted for 9.6%. The great effect of animal husbandry on the quality of hides and skins and the various damages inflicted on hides and skins calls for sensitization of rural farmers on the measures to minimize the damages inflicted on hides and skins through increased awareness campaigns.
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    Farmer factors affecting the use and performance of artificial insemination among selected dairy farms in and around kigarama sub-county, sheema district, western Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2019-07) Ahisibwe, James
    A cross sectional study was conducted in Kigarama sub county Sheema district, Western Uganda to determine farmer factors affecting the use and performance of AI among dairy farms. It mainly focused on the area extension workers, AI technicians and the dairy farmers. A total of 50 farms were selected using both the sampling method and the criterion of the farm producing at least 5 litres per day. On the other, all extension workers were selected and included 2 AI technicians and 2 veterinary officers. The study was to profile the current performance of AI using conception rate alongside the associated factors and to determine the constraints faced by dairy farmers. AI use was found to be 26% and it was associated with age of a farmer, availability and use of extension services and cattle ownership (P<0.05). However, there was no relationship between use of AI with breed of the animal, education of the farmer, occupation and period of keeping animals (experience) (P>0.05). The performance of AI was at 2 SC-1 due to mainly the farmer’s ability to detect heat early, time of insemination and finally quality of AI service and semen used. A great number of farmers admitted knowing that borrowed bulls may bring in diseases to the farm but continued with the practice. It was also noted that AI technicians lacked current techniques, as they had never been retrained.
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    Gross and histopathological lesions associated with zoonoses in rodents captured in households from selected districts of Uganda
    ( 2019-08) Sande, Moses
    Rodents live in close proximity to humans in many habitats around the world. They are a threat to public health because of the physical destruction to property and pathogens they carry. Several epidemiological studies investigating rat-borne illnesses have been done around Uganda, however, lesions associated with zoonoses in rodents have not been described. This study was conducted on rodents captured during a major surveillance studies on acute febrile illnesses in Uganda. Rodents were captured from households using Sherman’s rat traps, euthanized searched for arthropod vectors. The vectors were collected for another study and the euthanised rodents were identified morphologically. The dead rats were necropsied and gross lesions were recorded. Organs collected from the rodents were preserved in 10% buffered formalin and processed for histopathology using routine procedures for Haematoxylin and eosin. A total of 159 rodents were captured of which 74.2% (n=118) were black rats (Rattus rattus), 20.1% (n=32) were house mice (Mus musculus) and 5.7% (n=09) were shrews. Grossly, most of the lesions were observed in the liver of 12 black rats. These consisted of mild to moderate and in some instance severe multifocal pale areas of necrosis. Histopathological examination of these liver lesions revealed numerous multifocal well demarcated and walled-off granulomas compressing and destroying the hepatic cord and parenchyma while others had cysts with different developmental stages of tapeworm (Taenia taeniaformis). The granulomas contained Capillaria hepatica nematodes in different developmental stages with numerous typical ova. There was degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes, bridging fibrosis and biliary hyperplasia, surrounded by inflammatory foci composed of lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. The brains of rodents with these liver lesions also had vacuolation of the neuropil of the brain stem and parts of white matter of the cerebrum. This study highlights the presence of C. hepatica as zoonotic agent circulating in rodents in Uganda with R. rattus as the major reservoir. Further study of this disease in rodents and children is required since the children are the most affected. Clinicians need to be aware of hepatic capillariasis in differential diagnosis of liver diseases amongst children in Uganda.
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    Intravenous ketamine-xylazine anesthesia through intermittent bolus infusion for surgical suitability in mongrels
    (Makerere University, 2019-07) Opok, Yasin
    An experimental study aimed at finding physiological effects, optimal dosage regimen, and assessing surgical operation suitability was organized in 4 females and 4 males’ mongrels using ketamine – xylazine combination. It was planned into 2 phases; the first was to obtain physiological effects and optimal dosage regimen and the second to achieve surgical operation’s suitability by carrying out ovariohysterectomy, enterotomy, gastrotomy and femoral fracture repair. In phase one, dogs were organized into protocol A, B, C each protocol having 1 male and 1 female dogs with varying dosage regimen. A (5 mg/kg ketamine and 2 mg/kg xylazine; 1.25 mg/kg ketamine and 0.5 mg/kg xylazine) B, (2 mg/kg ketamine and 1mg/kg xylazine; 3.333 mg/kg ketamine and 0.333 mg/kg xylazine) C, (22 mg/kg ketamine administered to effect and 1.1mg/kg xylazine as a bolus before ketamine; 5.5 mg/kg ketamine and 0.55 mg/kg xylazine) for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, respectively. In phase 2, the same dogs were grouped into W, X, Y with additional 2 dogs which were not used in phase 1. W, had 2 female dogs for ovariohysterectomy; X, had 1 male and 1 female dogs for gastrotomy and enterotomy, Y had 1 male and 1 female dogs for femoral fracture repair. All dogs exhibited a non-significant increase in rectal temperature. Protocol A and B showed a non-significant decrease in heart rate while C had an increase. Dysrhythmia, bradycardia was also noted. Respiratory rate decreased in all protocols. Pedal reflex was of grade 0. Anesthesia was adequate with quick onset in all protocols; smooth induction, recovery with no salivation and convulsion in A and B while C showed convulsion signs. Palpebral reflex remained sluggish. Protocol A had comparatively better results to B and C. 1 dog died from protocol B at 107th minutes. Protocol A was the most suitable for surgical operations. However, this study did not cater for effects in other breeds of dogs, biochemical and hematological parameters.
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    Performance of broiler chicken in selected farms of Wakiso district.
    (Makerere University, 2019-07-17) Kugonza, Kabyanga Catherine
    The study was carried out to determine the performance of broilers chicken in the selected farms of Wakiso district. Primary data was collected using standard questionnaires and telephone interviews and was codded and analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPASS 2010). The study shows that all the interviewed farmers (100%) use deep litter system when raising broilers because it’s cheap. The live weight of birds in the study is 1.8kg at 6weeks of age and the main challenges faced by farmers were; fake drugs and vaccines on market and lack of enough market for readily broilers (16.7%). The recommendation in the study is; supporting farmers to mix their own feeds at their farms so that they have birds with a heavier weight that meets the required weight on market.
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    Prevalence and risk factors of brucellosis among livestock with history of abortion in Ibuje, Apac District, Uganda
    ( 2019-08) Bekalaze, Phillip
    Brucellosis is one of the endemic zoonotic diseases in Uganda and of a great public health and economic significance world wide. Because of the associated abortion, the disease causes high economic losses to livestock farmers. Communal grazing systems can perpecuate the disease in the different mixing herds. This is due to continous exposure of healthy animals to infection. The endemic nature can predispose humans who consume milk to the disease especially those that take raw milk. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to estimate the seroprevalence, risk factors, peoples knwoledge, attitude and practices associated with brucellosis in cattle, goats and sheep with history of abortion in Ibuje sub-county, Apac district in Northern Uganda. A total of 134 blood samples were collected, 78 from cattle and 56 from goats and sheep with a history of abortion. The sera were analysed using Rose-Bengal test (RBT) and positive sera were subjected to Slow Agglutination Test with reducing serum volume upto a threefold to confirm seropositivity. The overall cattle individual-level and herd-level sero-prevalence was 10.3% (8/78, 95% CI: 5.3-19%) and 27.3% (6/22, 95% CI: 13.1-48.2%), respectively. There was no brucellosis sero-positive animal in all the fifty six goats and sheep sampled. Introducing new cattle to the farm was found to be significantly associated with sero-positivity (OR: 7.1, CI: 8-68% with a P-value of 0.022). This suggests a continuous need to screen new animals for brucellosis before their introduction into the farm. Majority of cattle, goats and sheep farmers had not heard about brucellosis and did not know about prevention of the disease. A substantial number of cattle owners took raw milk while less number of goats and sheep owners would take raw milk. Most of the cattle farmers would assist their animals during delivery while a few goats and sheep owners would assist their animals during delivery. Removing retained placenta was practiced by majority of the farmers and all were having history of relapsing fever in their homes.
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    Prevalence and risk factors of helminthic infestation in goat kids in Kambuga Subcounty, Kanungu District, Uganda
    (Makerere University, 2019-08) Turyatunga, Alex
    A cross sectional study was carried out to understand the epidemiology of helminthic infestation in goat kids in Kanungu district, Kambuga Sub County. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 106 goat kids’ of less than 6 months from 21 purposively selected farms. Fecal sedimentation and simple floatation techniques were used to analyze the samples for helminths parasites. A questionnaire was used to gather information about the risk factors associated with helminths infestation in goat kids. The study revealed that the prevalence at individual level and at herd level was 83%and 95.2% respectively. Trichostrongylus spp (63.2%) had the highest prevalence while the least prevalent was trichuris spp (0.9%) and oesophagostomum spp (0.9%). At herd level, the prevalence of Trichostrogylus spp (95.2%), followed by Heamonchus spp (85.7%) and Nematodirus spp (81%) were high. The least prevalence was seen in Trichuris spp and Oesophagostomum spp. The study also revealed that sex of the kids greatly influenced helminths infestation as a statistically significant difference (p=0.049) was found between sex of the kids. Highly significant (p<0.05) relationships were recorded between age, sex and breed wise variations with helminths. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed (p>0.05) in the prevalence with marital status, hygiene and grazing system. Due to the high prevalence of helminths parasites in goat kids from the study area, it is recommended that farmers should practice routine worm control. Knowledge concerning Helminths biology and epidemiological Infestation patterns caused by these parasites is essential in the development of appropriate control strategies and this has a potential to reduce production losses.
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    Prevalence of bacterial isolates in blood cultures and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles at mbale regional referral hospital laboratory
    (Makerere University, 2019-06) Busiku, Shadrack
    The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and the antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria identified in blood culture to improve empirical antibiotictherapy .The study was retrospective cross sectional in nature involved review of patients' laboratory records and files at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Microbiology Laboratory for the period of two years (February 2019-February 2017).Relevant information like age, sex, organism isolated and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were obtained from the patients records. During the two years, 254 blood culture were received from different departments like OPD, ACU, CAS in the Hospital. In a total of 254 blood culture, 19 yielded monomicrobial growth. An incidence of positive blood culture was 7.5%(19/254) that included Gram-positive cocci 78.9%and Gram-negative bacilli 21.1%. The most frequently identified species was staphylococcus aureus 78.9% and Enterobacteriaceace accounted for 21.1% included entrobactor 10.5%, Escherichia coli 5.3% and salmonella typhi was also 5.3%. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 18 antimicrobial agents were determined by minimum inhibitory concentration using standard Kirby Bauer's Method. Imipenem showed 100% activity against all isolates. Tetracycline was 100% sensitive against both salmonella and Entrobactor but 0% activity against staphylococcus aureus. High sensitivity was also seen to Tetracycline (100%), oxacillin (100%), Gentimycin (89%). Gentamycin was 77.8%, Nitrofurantoin 66.7%, cefuroxime 60% against staphylococcus auerus. High resistance was seen against ampicillin (100%),Augmentin(100%), Cotrimoxazole(83%). caluvulinic acid (80%). Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to most of antimicrobial agents tested from 0-44.4% sensitivity.It is concluded that staphylococcus auerus is the principal organism responsible for blood stream infection and resistant to most of antimicrobial agents. Imepenem is the effective antimicrobialage
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