Antimicrobial resistance at the human–animal interface in the Pastoralist Communities of Kasese District, South Western Uganda

Abstract

Intensive usage of antimicrobials in the management of animal diseases leads to selection for resistance among microorganisms. This study aimed to assess antimicrobial use and to describe factors associated with the transmission of antimicrobial resistance between humans and animals in pastoralist communities of Kasese district. A mixed-methods approach was employed in this study. Rectal swabs were collected from the participants and cattle and transported in Carry–Blaire transport medium to the laboratory within 24 h of collection for culture and sensitivity to confirm carriage of multi-drug resistant bacteria. In-depth interviews were conducted among veterinary officers, veterinary drug vendors, human health facility in-charges in both public and private health facilities, and operators of human pharmacies and drug shops. Carriage of multi-drug resistant bacteria among humans was 88 (93%) and 76(80%) among cattle. Consumption of lakeshore water and carriage of multi-drug resistant bacteria in cattle were associated with carriage of multi-drug resistant bacteria in the human population. The prevalence of multi-drug resistance among organisms Isolated from both humans and animals was high. There is a high likelihood of transmission of multi-drug resistance between humans and animals.

Antibiotic resistance profiles and population structure of disease-associated Staphylococcus aureus infecting patients in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Western Uganda

“…Although tetracycline dispensing for these infection types has not been reported at FPRRH, it is commonly used in treatment of Ugandan livestock, as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, antiparasitic and as a growth supplement [ 42 ]. Nevertheless, resistance levels in livestock in Western Uganda have been reported as low as 8 % [ 43 ] or 12 % [ 42 ], implying possible widespread but unrecognised dispensing of this antibiotic to humans [ 44 ].…”

Antibiotic resistance profiles and population structure of disease-associatedStaphylococcus aureusinfecting patients in Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Western Uganda

“…Although tetracycline dispensing for these infection types has not been reported at FPRRH, it is commonly used in treatment of Ugandan livestock, as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, antiparasitic and as a growth supplement [41]. Nevertheless, resistance levels in livestock in western Uganda have been reported as low as 8% [42] or 12% [41], implying possible widespread but unrecognised dispensing of this antibiotic to humans [43].…”

What is the role of the environment in the emergence of novel antibiotic resistance genes? – A modelling approach

“…However, depending on the diet investigated, the approximate numbers of bacteria taken in from food were in the range of 10 6 to 10 9 bacteria per person and day, which is a fairly wide range. In addition, this does not account for bacterial exposure through other routes, such as recreational swimming 22,23 , wounds 35 and through direct contact with animals 33,36,37 . Thus, the definition of D in our model does not reflect that the origins of bacteria that the average human is exposed to are not equally distributed across environments.…”