Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Bovine Sub-Clinical Mastitis Burden in Low and High Tick Acaricide Resistance Regions of Uganda

Mastitis, antimicrobial resistance and acaricide resistance pose significant threats to the development of the dairy industry in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from CMT positive cows on farms located in high (HARA) and low (LARA) acaricide resistance challenge regions of Uganda. Among selected herds in both regions, subclinical mastitis (SCM) screening was performed using CMT. CMT positive samples were collected, cultured, bacteria isolated and antibiotic sensitivity tests conducted. Overall, the prevalence of SCM in cows was 71.5% and 27.7% for HARA and LARA respectively. A SCM herd prevalence of 66.3% and 28.2% was recorded for HARA and LARA respectively. Furthermore, 67.5% and 20.8% of the cows in the HARA and LARA groups, respectively, had three out of four udder quarters infected with SCM. Staphylococcus aureus (44.2%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) (47.6%) were the most prevalent causative agents of SCM isolated from cows from HARA and LARA, respectively. Most isolates from both regions were highly resistant to penicillin (HARA, 84.3%;LARA, 95.6%) and colistin (HARA, 100%;LARA, 97.8%). Tetracycline (77.1%) and oxacillin (76.1%) resistance was high in isolates from HARA and LARA, respectively. Intermediate responses (neither susceptible nor resistant) to antibiotics were more common in isolates from HARA than in those from LARA. With this level of antibiotic resistance, there is a potential risk of failure to control mastitis in dairy cattle using antibiotics, especially in the HARA region, which may possibly jeopardize the growth of the dairy industry in Uganda.

The role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in healthcare delivery system: A case study of child immunisation in Kabarole district, Uganda

Background: The importance of civil society organisations in health care delivery systems cannot be under-rated in sub-SaharanAfricaand other developing nations worldwide. Civil society organisations play a central role in service delivery and development of democracy. However, little is known about the roles and achievements of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in healthcare. The study aimed at exploring the role of civil society organisations in health care delivery system particularly in children immunization. Methods: A questionnaire survey involving 282 households was conducted. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics followed by multivariable logistic regression. Results: Ninety seven percent (97%) confirmed that CSOs/NGOs healthcare facilities played a major role in healthcare service delivery. 84% travelled long distances to access the healthcare services including child immunisation services. Travelling long distances (>2 km) to access for health care services including immunization compared to short distance (<1 km) (OR = 0.4, P = 0.0001), possessing a food stores (enguli) compared to not having a food store (enguli) (OR = 2.3, P = 0.002), having separate animal houses compared to not having livestock houses (OR = 0.09, P = 0.0001), and owning a bicycle compared to not having a bicycle (OR = 2.2, P = 0.005) are important determinants for the number of clients at CSO health centers. Further, possessing and using a cellphone compared to no cellphone (OR = 3.7, P = 0.001), Possessing and watching a television compared to not having a television (OR = 2.4, P = 0.002), educated compared to not acquiring any formal education (OR = 0.084, P = 0.0001), and female compared to male respondent (OR = 0.49, P = 0.0045) are other most important factors likely to determine the numbers of clients at the CSO healthcare. Conclusion: Geographies of CSO and community socioeconomics strongly determine the operations and the roles played by the CSO healthcare services in Uganda. Further studies to assess the role of CSO health service providers in other healthcare services need to be done.

Social Dynamics of Ebola Virus Disease: A Case of Bundibugyo District, Uganda

Background: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) presents with a high global mortality and is known to be a highly infectious disease with devastating and gendered effects on the social fabric, yet most of the science has focused on the disease’s biology. However, little has been documented with regard to the gender and social aspects of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in two sub counties (Kikyo and Bundibugyo Town Council) in Bundibugyo District in Western Uganda. The study was set to examine the gender differences in the level of knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about EVD. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A structured questionnaire was administered to 254 respondents, 50% of whom were women. Simple random sampling was used to select the participants. Questionnaire data were analysed using SPSS at univariate and bivariate levels. Qualitative methods such as key informant interviews (with 6 participants) and Focus Group Discussions (three, one with men alone, another with women alone and the last one with both men and women) were also used to collect additional information from participants. Results: The findings indicated that socio-demographically, the majority (35%) of the respondents were aged between 20 and 29 years, 53% of whom were females. More women (about 56%) compared to men (44%) attained secondary education while more men (about 51% versus 49% of the women) reported that they were married. In terms of religion, the majority of the survey participants were Catholics (59% females and 49% males). With regard to communities’ knowledge about EVD, there was no significant relationship between men and women in terms of prior knowledge about EVD, risk factors and control measures. However, slightly more males (about 51%) than females (49%) had heard about EVD and more males (about 52%) than females (48%) admitted that they were at risk of contracting the disease. On the control measures, slightly more females than males (about 53% vs. 47% respectively) proposed avoiding contact with infected persons. The results further revealed that more males (about 51%) than females (49%) were willing to relate with EVD survivors, and this was due to the latter’s fear of contracting the disease. The major devastating effects of EVD that were reported included loss of lives, disruption of peoples movements, isolation of people, disruption of children’s school activities, stigma and discrimination of survivors. More females (about 52%) than males (about 48%) reported that EVD survivors were discriminated during the EVD outbreak in Bundibugyo District. Conclusions: This study has shown that whereas both men and women demonstrate average knowledge about EVD, there is need for more training and sensitization targeting women who have delusions about the severity of the disease, its risk factors, stigma and the integration of survivors in the affected communities. Communities also need to be sensitized about the gender roles that increase both the burden of EVD and the risk of men and women contracting the disease. This will lead to more culturally sensitive responses to EVD outbreaks in future.

Effects of Hydrogels on Tree Seedling Performance in Temperate Soils before and after Water Stress

Super Absorbent Polyacrylate (SAP) hydrogels absorb and store water thereby aiding plant establishment when incurporated in the soil. The effect of cross-linked SAP hydrogel amendment on the performance of tree seedlings of Picea abies, Pinus sylivestris and Fagus sylvatica grown in temperate soils under water stress and non-water stress periods was investigated in a green house. The objective was to compare the root and shoot biomass of seedlings of the three species grown in sand, loam and clay soils amended with 0.4% w/w hydrogel in non water stress conditions as well as survival, root and shoot biomass after subjection to water stress. The seedlings were grown for 16 weeks, harvested and shoot as well as root biomass determined before water stress. The seedlings were also subjected to water stress and their biomass assessed at death following the water stress. The results showed that root and shoot biomass were generally higher in hydrogel amended soils compared to the controls. Root and shoot biomass of Fagus sylvatica was lower compared to Picea abies and Pinus sylivestris before water stress. The 0.4% hydrogel amendment significantly increased species’ survival in the different soils studied. Although root biomass was higher in hydrogel amended sandy soil compared to other soils, P. sylivestris and F. sylvatica shoot biomass were higher in hydrogel amended clay and loam soils compared to the sandy soil after water stress. Biomass was higher in sand compared to loam and clay soils under non-water and water stressed conditions. Since SAP hydrogel amendment improved the survival and biomass production of tree seedlings before and after water stress, use of SAPs could be promoted to enhance seedling production in water stress and non-water stress environments.

Improved the biocompatibility of cancellous bone with compound physicochemical decellularization process

Due to the unique microstructures and components of extracellular matrix(ECM),decellularized scaffolds had been used widely in clinical.The reaction of the host toward decellularized scaffolds depends on their biocompatibility,which should be satisfied before applied in clinical.The aim of this study is to develop a decellularized xenograft material with good biocompatibility for further bone repair,in an effective and gentle method.The existing chemical and physical decellularization techniques including ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA),sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)and supercritical carbon dioxide(SC-CO2)were combined and modified to decellularize bovine cancellous bone(CB).After decellularization,almost 100%of A-Gal epitopes were removed,the combination of collagen,calcium and phosphate was reserved.The direct and indirect contact with macrophages was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and immunological response of the materials.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)were used in the in vitro cells’proliferation assay.The decellularized CB was proved has no cytotoxicity(grade 1)and no immunological response(NO,IL-2,IL-6 and TNF-α secretion inhibited),and could support MSCs proliferated continuedly.These results were similar to that of commercial decellularized human bone.This study suggests the potential of using this kind of combine decellularization process to fabricate heterogeneous ECM scaffolds for clinical application.