Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in Uganda Preliminary Results and

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in Uganda: Preliminary Results and Challenges By Francis EJOBI* and Sarah TEGULE College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University A paper presented at the 6 th East African Health and Scientific Conference & International Health Exhibition and Trade Fair: 29 th - 31 st March 2017 – Ecole Technique Professionnelle, Bujumbura - BURUNDI

Introduction Foodborne antimicrobial resistance is a worldwide concern In Uganda, importation, distribution and sale of antibiotics for veterinary use are liberalized There is therefore a huge potential for overuse and misuse of antibiotics in clinical and in preventive veterinary medicine practice.

Introduction cont. This promotes development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria Currently, there is no surveillance program for foodborne antimicrobial resistance in Uganda.

Objective Our overall objective was to generate preliminary data to be used for designing an integrated program for surveillance of foodborne antimicrobial resistance in Uganda.

Materials and Methods A total of 50 samples of beef were collected between May and June 2015 from butcher shops in suburban areas of Kampala. The samples were cultured for E. coli and Salmonella using standard laboratory methods. E. coli isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility using Kirby-Bauer technique

Results E. coli was isolated in 46 out of the 50 samples tested. Salmonella was not isolated in any of the samples Multiple drug resistance was recorded in 43% (20/46) of E. coli isolates All isolates were resistant to erythromycin

Results cont. Least resistance of 0. 02% (1/46) was found for gentamycin Resistance to other antibiotics was recorded as follows: ampicillin (24%, 11/46) ceftriaxone (0. 04%, 2/46) chloramphenicol (13%, 6/46) nalidixic acid (11%, 5/46) tetracycline (35%, 16/46), and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (22%, 10/46).

Challenges The major challenges of antimicrobial susceptibility testing we encountered were: inadequate laboratory infrastructure disconnected data reporting systems in human and animal health sectors, and lack of enabling policies

On-going work 400 chicken fecal and 400 bovine fecal samples have been collected from Wakiso district and have been cultured 715 are confirmed E. coli and 56 are confirmed Salmonella positive (confirmed by PCR) Anti-microbial susceptibility testing, serotyping and molecular studies are being done at North Carolina State University, USA by a Ph. D student

Conclusion A One Health approach should be promoted to generate inter-sectoral data required to fight antimicrobial resistance in Uganda. ◦ Collaborative effort of multiple disciplines working together in monitoring and control of activities. The Human, Animal Health and Agricultural sectors, The Environment and Wildlife experts Food safety professionals

Acknowledgements World Health Organization Organizers Makerere of this Conference University

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