University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Determination of the Outcomes of Laparoscopic Appendecectomies at the University Teaching Hospital, Zambia","authors":"R. Parekh, Hanna Habib","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.691","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.691","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Several studies have demonstrated the superiority of Laparoscopic appendicectomy in managing acute appendicitis. Acute appendicitis has been managed solely by open appendicectomy at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). This was the first study that looked at the management of acute appendicitis by laparoscopy at UTH. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of laparoscopic appendicectomy at UTH. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that included patients that were diagnosed with acute uncomplicated appendicitis. All patients admitted between August 2015 to March 2016 were included in the study. Variables analyses were patient’s data (age, gender, previous surgery, WBC count, symptoms, signs, symptoms), operating time, intrapost operative complications, and length of stay. Results: A total of 9 laparoscopic appendicectomies were performed during the study period. The patients had an average age of 31.8 years and were predominantly female (70%). One case was converted to open appendicectomy and was not included in the laparoscopic data group. The mean operative time for the procedure was 75.5 min (range 50-110min). The length of stay was on average 2.3 days (range 2-3 days). The patients in the study had no complications noted during the follow-up period. No patient developed an intraabdominal abscess during the study period. Conclusion: Laparoscopic appendicectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis resulted in good surgical outcomes in this institution compared to the regional statistics as a reference point. It may be preferred in patients presenting with uncomplicated appendicitis or where the diagnosis is equivocal. Laparoscopic appendicectomy is recommended, especially for the young female patients in our setting.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133885234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Recreational and Natural Water Bodies in Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Lackson Mwape, M. Samutela, Kaunda Yamba, Annie Kalonda","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.751","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a potentially harmful human pathogen associated with both nosocomial and community-acquired infections with increasingly antibiotic resistance. Although microbial contamination of marine waters is predicted to be responsible for millions of gastrointestinal, and acute respiratory infections, and several skin infections, there is little information regarding the microbial contamination of water bodies in many Sub-Saharan countries. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolated from recreational waters and natural water bodies in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a total of 90 water samples collected from recreational and natural water bodies. To isolate S. aureus, standard microbiological methods were used while the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used for susceptibility testing. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected by use of cefoxitin. Results: The overall results showed that there was 36.7% bacterial contamination in the waters tested. From the 90 samples collected, a total of 33 bacteria were isolated, of which 12 (36.4%) were Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus, 9 (27.2%) were S. aureus and 12 (36.4%) were non-staphylococcus species. All the isolates showed 100% resistance to penicillin G and ampicillin. The S. aureus isolates were most susceptible to chloramphenicol (88.9%), cefoxitin (88.9%), ciprofloxacin (100%), amikacin (88.9%) and gentamicin (88.9%). Only 11.1% of isolates showed phenotypic resistance to methicillin after testing against cefoxitin. Conclusion: The results from this study signify that recreational and natural water bodies in Lusaka, Zambia, may be possible reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus, which may possibly be transmitted to humans when using the same waters.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"67 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123525280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gastrointestinal ulceration and gastritis in three wild Temmincks Ground Pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) in captive care in Zambia","authors":"J. Yabe, D. Squarre, Jackson Katampi, R. Mwenda, N. B. Mudenda, Audrine Nkana, S. Sichone, Titus Kaira","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.753","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.753","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Wild rescued pangolins are known to adapt poorly in their captive environment where many die under rehabilitation. Gastrointestinal disease and pneumonia are the most common causes of death in pangolins. However, literature on the pathology of gastric ulcers is rare. Case presentation: The current case report describes the necropsy and histopathological evaluation of three Temminck’s pangolins that died under rehabilitation in Lusaka, Zambia. Grossly, gastric ulcerations of the fundic gland mucosae were seen in the stomachs. Inflammatory cells and erosions of fundic gastric gland mucosa were seen on histopathology. The morphological diagnosis of gastric ulceration with gastritis was attributed to stress and inappropriate diet. Conclusions: The findings are expected to increase knowledge in pangolin diseases and thus improve the conservation efforts to save the pangolin species from extinction.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"75 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115561040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacteriology and Antibiotic Sensitivity Patterns of Urine in Urology Patients with Indwelling Urinary Catheters at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"M. Moono, Spasojevic Nenad, V. Mapulanga","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.692","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.3.692","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most common nosocomial infection in hospitals worldwide, and the incidence has been reported to be up to 35%. The growing antibiotic resistance amongst the uropathogens isolated from CAUTI makes it challenging to manage. In Zambia, prolonged catheter use is a burden, particularly in patients awaiting definitive surgery, the elderly and the socioeconomically challenged. Bacterial colonisation following catheterisation is inevitable, with reports estimating the risk to be around 5-10% per day. By day 10, virtually all patients with urinary tract instrumentation have healthcare-associated UTI, with the duration of catheterisation the most important factor. Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at UTH over a period of 10 months from July 2015 to May 2016. The cases were inpatients and outpatients with indwelling catheters in situ for not less than three calendar days. Simple random sampling was used to select candidates who were inpatients awaiting definitive surgery and outpatients in the same category as they attended clinics. Data collection and collection of specimens were done by the principal investigator, which was analysed by the microbiologist based at the UTH microbiology laboratory. The patients were recruited at one point, and the data collection exercise employed a questionnaire to collect socioeconomic demography and clinical information. The variables were collected using the data collection sheet for each participant. The data was then entered into SPSS software to clean and analyse data. The categorical variables were presented as proportions. The main concerns arising during specimen collection were the duration between the time of specimen collection and transfer to and processing at the main laboratory, which was kept within one hour. Specimens received within two hours of the collection were accepted. Results: A total of 228 patients were enrolled from both outpatient and inpatient departments. Approximately 75% yielded growth of bacteria, and 25.0% were negative. The pure growth yielded Klebsiella Pneumoniae 28.0% and E. coli 25.2%, as the most isolated pathogens. The antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed the highest resistance of the above isolates to ampicillin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and borderline with cotrimoxazole. The organisms were least resistant to amikacin, imipenem, nitrofurantoin, and gentamycin. Acetinobacter and Citrobacter species were also highly resistant to the above drugs with nitrofurantoin in addition but least resistant to ampicillin. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of CAUTI in the urology section of the UTH, and practices such as poor hand hygiene, open catheter drainage, non-aseptic methods of catheter insertion and poor catheter care are possible contributing factors. There is an association between the insertion of indwelling catheters and ","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"46 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129586764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vancomycin Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus Species isolated at the University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia: Should We Be Worried?","authors":"Matenge Mutalange, Kaunda Yamba, Chiristine Kapesa, Frank Mtonga, Masiye Banda, J. Muma, B. M. Hangombe, L. Hachaambwa, F. Bumbangi, G. Kwenda, M. Samutela","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.1.482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.1.482","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species cause invasive infections such as bacteremia and infective endocarditis. Despite vancomycin being the drug of choice for drug-resistant infections caused by these species, few studies have been conducted to ascertain vancomycin resistance in the African setting. This is crucial given the rising resistance in these organisms. This study aimed to isolate S. aureus and Enterococcus species and determine their susceptibility to vancomycin and other antibiotics at the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which S. aureus and Enterococcus spp isolates from the skin, soft tissue and bloodstream infections were included. Standard microbiological and Kirby-Baur (disc diffusion and E-strips) methods were used to identify and determine the susceptibility of the organisms, respectively. Results: From 59 S. aureus isolates, 37 were from the skin and soft tissue and 22 from blood culture. Twenty-six (44.1%) of these were Methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Thirty-nine Enterococcus were isolated from blood cultures only. Of the S. aureus (16) and Enterococcus (14) isolates tested with vancomycin E-strips, none were vancomycin-resistant. However, 12.5% S. aureus and 14.3% Enterococcus showed intermediate vancomycin susceptibility. S. aureus were resistant to penicillin (93.2%), erythromycin (52.5%) and tetracycline (50.8%). Enterococcus showed resistance to penicillin (83%) and tetracycline (84.6%). Conclusions: There was no vancomycin resistance among S. aureus and Enterococcus, implying vancomycin is still a viable treatment option for invasive infections. Given the intermediate vancomycin susceptibility, treatment guided by minimum inhibitory concentration results, continued surveillance and prudent use are key.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115350044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In-vitro potential of crude extracts of selected garden herbs for mastitis management in Zambia","authors":"Joshua Ngwisha, M. Samutela, M. Zulu, Wizaso Mwasinga, Nair M.N Balakrishnan, K. Choongo, B. Hang'ombe","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.1.523","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.1.523","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: The advent of bovine mastitis associated antimicrobial resistance has necessitated development of alternative herbal remedies. In this study, we tested, in-vitro, the antimicrobial efficacy of three crude extracts: (1) aqueous, (2) ethanol and (3) ethyl acetate extracts of Zambian cultivated Aloe barbadensis Miller (Aloe vera) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and also made comparisons to synthetic anti-mastitis formulations. Methods: The active compounds of these herbs were obtained as crude extracts using water, ethanol and ethyl acetate as solvents. The test microbes comprised of ten standard controls including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 84 field isolates (all gram positive bacteria) from clinical and subclinical mastitis milk samples from selected districts of the Southern Province of Zambia belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus and Lactobacillus. The agar dilution method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity by observing the sensitivity which was graded as sensitive, intermediate or resistant. Commercial synthetic anti-mastitis preparations served as positive controls and their sensitivity was compared to that of the herbal preparations. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) of the herbal formulation was also determined using two-fold serial dilutions. Results: The agar dilution test results of the field isolates indicated 18.8% resistance, 25.3% intermediate and 56% sensitivity for the herbal extracts, while the synthetic anti-mastitis preparation averaged 16.8% resistance, 4.75% intermediate and 78.5% sensitivity. The gram negative controls tested were generally resistant. On average, the agar dilution trials revealed; 41.8% resistance, 13% intermediate and 45.3% sensitivity for the herbal formulation while the synthetic antimicrobials produced 23.5% resistance, 5.2% intermediate and 71.3% sensitivity. Mean MIC was 11.5mg/ml at the 5% serial dilution for the herbal extract compared to the Cephalexin (semi-synthetic antimicrobial) MIC for S. aureus at 0.5mg/L or 0.0005mg/ml. Conclusion: The herbs Aloe vera and Curcuma longa from Zambia showed antimicrobial efficacy on bovine mastitis causing microbes and may be used as a cheaper alternative to synthetic anti-mastitis preparations and as an aid to fight antimicrobial resistance to the benefit of the most affected and resource limited small-scale dairy farmers.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"92 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123357209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors Associated with Short Term Outcomes of Hypospadias Repair at the University Teaching Hospitals-Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Seith Kalota, Nenad Spasojevic, B. Bvulani","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.2.688","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.2.688","url":null,"abstract":"The study aimed to establish whether age at the time of surgery, glans size, urethral plate width, suture material, urethral catheter blockage/dislodgement and haemoglobin level influence short term outcomes of hypospadias surgery at the University Teaching Hospitals (UTH), Lusaka Zambia. This was a consecutive (total enumerative) observational cohort study done at D-block and Clinic 7 at UTH Lusaka over nine months. A total of 41 patients were enrolled, and their demographic data, haemoglobin, maximum glans width size and urethral plate size before creating glans wing or midline plate incision were noted and measured. Logistic regression assessed urethroplasty complications on urethral plate size, glans size, haemoglobin, suture material and catheter problems. The average age of participants was 34 months. Distal hypospadias was the most common type at 61%, while middle hypospadias was 27% and proximal hypospadias 12%. The complication rate was 34%. The most common complication seen was urethrocutaneous fistula at 53%. The other complications seen included 11.8% glanular dehiscence, 11.8% infections, 6% persistent chordee and 6% penile torsion. The risk factors for postoperative complications included the location of the urethral opening. The more proximal the site of the hypospadias, the higher the complication rate. Complications were strongly associated with haemoglobin levels of less than 11.5g/dl (p=0.001) and catheter blockage or dislodgment (p=0.008). There was no association of complications with Socioeconomic status, age at the time of repair, glans width size or suture material. Contrary to the finding of many authors, a wider urethral plate in this study was associated with a higher complication rate.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134484353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Conservation Agriculture and Soil Fertility Improvements: Indications from Smallholder Farmers in Chafukuma, Solwezi, Zambia","authors":"Bridget Bwalya Umar, Joshua Sakambuta","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.2.592","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.2.592","url":null,"abstract":"This study assessed the effects of conservation agriculture (CA) practices on soil fertility of smallholder farmers’ agricultural fields in Chafukuma, North Western Zambia. A total of 34 paired soil samples from adjacent agricultural fields in which CA and conventional agriculture (CV) had been practiced for at least five years were analysed for significant differences in plant available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), total nitrogen (N), soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil reaction (pH). Smallholder farmers’ CA practices and their perceptions of CA’s effects on soil fertility were investigated through 34 semi structured interviews. Secondary data on CA was collected through desk analysis of CA publications. The study found evidence of CA associated improvements in soil fertility (Tcalc= 4.520, p < 0.0001). This improvement was attributed to the consistent use of good agronomic practices in CA fields whereas these practices were mostly absent from CV fields. The study concludes that CA improved soil fertility in agricultural fields of smallholder farmers in Chafukuma, and could be promoted in CA systems in other high rainfall areas of Zambia provided all the important agronomic practices are utilized consistently. Most of the CA associated agronomic practices could also be extended to CV fields successfully.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134164052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparing Rectal Biopsy Using Artery Forceps And Full-Thickness Rectal Biopsy In Diagnosing Hirschsprung’s Disease At University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka","authors":"Grainer Chizoma, Sidney Shampile, B. Bvulani, Penius Tembo","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.2.689","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.2.689","url":null,"abstract":"Hirschprung’s disease is a congenital disorder characterised by functional constipation whose onset is dependent on the length of the affected bowel and always involves the rectum. Rectal biopsy for histological analysis is the most definitive form of diagnosis. Full-thickness biopsy, which involves full wall laceration under general anaesthesia, continues to be commonly practiced in many African countries, including Zambia. Rectal suction biopsy, which can obtain a superficial-thickness biopsy as deep as the submucosa, has been adopted as the gold standard in the western world, leaving the invasive full-thickness biopsy with its associated risks for inconclusive cases. However, different types of forceps using the grasp and cut method have been shown to be able to obtain superficial-thickness biopsies that are as good or even superior to the rectal suction biopsy. The medium curved artery forceps was proposed to provide a simple, less invasive and hopefully cost-effective method of obtaining superficial rectal biopsies. Thirty-one (31) patients were enrolled in a prospective, single-blind study that was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital in the Department of Surgery, Paediatric Surgical unit from 2018 to 2019. Two biopsy specimens were obtained from each patient in the same sitting using the full-thickness biopsy method and artery forceps and compared the results. Out of 31 patients, 19 (61.30%) of the full-thickness biopsy specimens were adequate for diagnosis, whereas only 4 (12.9%) of the superficial-thickness biopsy specimens using curved artery forceps were adequate. The biopsy obtained using the curved artery forceps had a high sensitivity (93.3%) and poor specificity (13.3%), and predictive value. Although not all patients required suturing hence saving on consumables, none of the patients developed any complications during or after the procedures. Based on these results, the medium curved artery forceps is a poor choice for obtaining rectal biopsies. The traditional full-thickness biopsy procedure should be continued. Efforts should be made to acquire the necessary tools to obtain superficial thickness biopsy and reserve full-thickness biopsy for indeterminate cases.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"15 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132404153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Beef Carcasses in Namwala and Lusaka Districts of Zambia","authors":"Wizaso Mwasinga, J. Muma, C. Kankya, C. Mumba, Musso Munyeme","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.5.1.490","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.5.1.490","url":null,"abstract":"Abattoirs have been purported to be ideal areas were possible microbial contamination of meat products is likely to occur. Food of animal origin, mainly beef, has been identified as a source of dietary protein for humans albeit it being a source of food-borne diseases including zoonoses. This study was carried out to evaluate bacterial contamination and the risk factors associated with contamination of beef carcasses during processing. A total of four abattoirs were sampled within three months with one in Namwala and three in Lusaka districts. A total of 314 beef carcass surface swabs were obtained from the neck region by swabbing the carcasses, immediately after evisceration and after washing. Results The results of mean total viable counts (TVC) of carcass contamination were enumerated as the mean log from 4.7 Log10 cfu/cm2 in an abattoir where Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) was practiced to 5.8 Log10 cfu/cm2 without HACCP. Bivariate analysis showed a significant difference in carcass contamination when town abattoirs (Lusaka) were compared with rural ones (Namwala); χ2 = 43.87, P < 0.0001. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified poor hygiene practices, the absence of antemortem inspection, and lack of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) implementation as significant factors associated with carcass contamination. Conclusion A high microbial load as determined by the Total Viable Count is an indicator that beef is being produced under poor abattoir hygiene conditions. Therefore, beef carcasses with high bacterial loads are potential sources of foodborne pathogens leading to foodborne disease and hence there is need for advocating for good hygiene practices in the abattoirs.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"78 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121167116","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}