Veterinary Medicine

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A comparative study of the antimicrobial efficacy of a herbal preparation to synthetic antibiotics for bovine mastitis treatment in Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Ngwisha, Joshua
Mastitis is a universal concern that accounts for reduced milk yield, loss from milk discarding due to antibiotic residues, increased veterinary costs and early culling of cows. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of locally available ethno veterinary herbal (Aloe genus and Curcuma longa) fresh formulations to synthetic antimicrobials on bovine mastitis causing bacteria in-vitro. Herbal formulations for the treatment of mastitis may not have any residual effects in the milk and blood of the treated cows. The plant materials of the genus Aloe and Curcuma longa were sourced within Zambia. The active compounds of these herbs were obtained as crude extracts using the water, ethanol and ethyl acetate solvents. The test microbes comprised of standard controls and field isolates. The agar dilution method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity by observing the susceptibility graded as Susceptible, intermediate or resistant. The synthetic anti-mastitis’ susceptibility 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. On average, the agar dilution trials revealed; 41.8% resistance , 13% intermediate and 45.3% susceptibility for the herbal formulation, while the synthetic antimicrobials produced 23.5% resistance, 5.2% intermediate and 71.3% susceptibility. The gram positive microbes (genera Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Lactobacillus) when analysed alone for the agar dilution tests indicated; 18.8% resistance, 25.3% intermediate and 56% susceptibility on the herbal treatment, while the synthetic anti-mastitis formulation averaged; 16.8% resistance, 4.75% intermediate and 78.5% susceptibility. The gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were mostly resistant and were absent in the field isolates assessed and therefore did not warrant sole analysis. Mean MIC was 11.5mg/ml at the 5% serial dilution for herbal extract compared to the Cephalexin (semi-synthetic antimicrobial) MIC for S. aureus at 0.5mg/L or 0.0005mg/ml. The Aloe genus and Curcuma longa crude herbal formulation from Zambia has antimicrobial efficacy on bovine mastitis causing microbes in-vitro and may be used as an alternative to synthetic anti-mastitis preparations.
Aetio-Pathological Investigations Among Fish Species presenting Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome (EUS) In the Zambezi river Basin in sesheke District of Zambia
(2012-09-17) Songe, Mwansa Mathilda
This study was conducted in Sesheke district of Zambia to investigate the etio pathological changes that occur in fish species presenting with Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome in the Zambezi River Basin. The disease is endemic in Asia, but it is being reported for the first time in Africa. A total of two hundred and seventy (270) fish belonging to sixteen species were sampled from seven (7) major fishing camps in Sesheke district of Zambia during the study period. These species were: Clarias ngamensis, C. gariepinus, Barbus poechii, Tilapia sparmanii, Seranochromis angusticeps, Brycinus lateralis, Micralestes acutidens, Sargochromis carlottae, Hydrocinus vittatus, Phryngochromis acuticeps, Schilbe intermedius, Hepsetus odoe, Labeo lunatus, Oreochromis andersonii, B. unitaeniatus and B. paludinosus. Among the fish samples collected from the field, only Tilapia sparmanii did not show any macroscopic or microscopic lesions.The disease was diagnosed by the histopathological technique. Hematoxylin and Eosin standard stains were used. Grocott stain was used to confirm the presence of fungal hyphae in the tissue sections. Furthermore, samples were cultured for isolation of Aphanomyces invadans, the causative agent of EUS.Following isolation, the infectivity and role of A. invadans in the etiology of fish skin ulceration in Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis andersonii and Barbus paludinosus were investigated in the laboratory through the pathogenicity and challenge studies. Of these species, O. niloticus did not show any visible lesions, even after 32 days post-inoculation. The other two species, on the other hand, were successfully infected with the fimgus after 15 days post-inoculation, upon exposure after disruption of the epidermis. The deeply penetrating ulcers observed in O. andersonii and B. paludinosus after the challenge were characterized by dermatitis, myofibrillar degeneration and necrotizing granulomatous myositis. The experimentally induced lesions also exhibited invasiveness, often involving the kidney, confirming Koch's postulates. Natural infections were characterized by dermatitis, hemorrhages, severe muscular necrosis, necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and myofibrillar degeneration. Invasiveness involving internal organs was also observed. The study has demonstrated that EUS can be experimentally induced in O. andersonii and B. paludinosus after exposure to A. invadans zoospores isolated from the Zambezi river basin.The challenge experiments are significant in establishing which fish species are susceptible to EUS. In this case O. niloticus would be an excellent culture species for the emerging fish farmers in Zambia, owing to its comparative resistance to the disease. It is, therefore, important that these studies are continued in a number of species. This will enhance the true understanding of which species can be affected by EUS in the Zambezi river basin.
Analysis of the relationship between household livestock keeping and malnutrition of under-five years children in rural parts of Eastern Province of Zambia
(2015-10-29) Banda, Yolani
The levels of malnutrition in Zambia are some of the highest in Africa with 51.9% of children less than 5 years of age undernourished. The prevalence of the wasting form of malnutrition is 6%, with Eastern province having the third highest prevalence of stunting in the country, only better than Luapula and Central provinces. At the same time, Eastern province is among the provinces with the highest number of livestock in the country. A case-control study was conducted in Chipata, Chadiza and Lundazi districts of the Eastern Province of Zambia to determine whether there was a relationship between livestock keeping at household level and presence of malnutrition in under-five years aged children. Two sampling frames one for cases (malnourished children) and the other for controls were generated from the health centre under-five years of age children’s registers. The sampled malnourished children were confirmed by use of the Mid Upper Arm Circumference tape and presence of odema. A household was considered as keeping livestock if it had one or a combination of the following: two or more cattle, six or more goats and sheep, fifteen or more full grown birds such chickens. A questionnaire was used to capture all the data on hypothesised risk factors. Fisher's exact test was used to determine associations between categorical variables and binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of malnutrition among under-five years aged children. All statistics were considered significant at p≤0.05. One hundred and forty-five households were sampled using systematic sampling method, of these ninety seven were controls and forty eight were cases. About 72.4% (95% C.I = 63.9 – 81.0%) of households in the study area kept livestock. Although the percentage of households that kept livestock among the cases was slightly lower (31.4%, 95% CI = 22.5 – 40.3%) than among the control (68.6%, 95% CI = 57.9 - 59.3%), livestock keeping alone was not significantly associated with the reduction of malnutrition in under-five years children (p=0.243). Crop farming alone was also found not to be significantly associated with the reduction malnutrition of under-five children at household level (p = 0.447). However, mixed farming (growing crops and keeping livestock) at households level was found to be significantly associated with the low malnutrition levels in the under-five years children (p = 0.008). The percentage of household who practiced mixed farming among the case was lower (31.6%, 95% CI = 17.7 – 45.5%) than those among the controls 68.3% (95% CI = 59.1 - 77.5%). Other variables that were found to be significantly associated with low malnutrition level in under-five years aged children in the study area were birth interval of the siblings and the number of children in the household. It is, therefore, recommended that households in Eastern province should be encouraged to do mixed farming, reduce the number of children they bear and also increased child spacing.
Antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli isolated from dry fish sold in local markets in Lusaka, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2018) Nyimbili, Lillian
Escherichia coli has been known as one of the most common bacteria found in the intestinal tract of human and warm blooded animals. It is the major causative agent of serious infections and a mediator of drug resistance through the production of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase enzymes(ESBL) that hydrolyse the beta-lactam ring on most of the beta lactam antibiotics including of penicillins, cephalosporins, and the monobactam aztreonam. These antimicrobial resistant strains have become a global public health challenge affecting both humans and domestic livestock. In Lusaka and worldwide Fish is considered as a universal protein source consumed by a larger population of people. Some people also favour consuming raw dry fish. The objective of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility and presence of resistant genes of E. coli isolated from dry fish sold in open markets of Lusaka district. A total of 120 fish samples were collected between July 2018 and August 2018. The fish samples were subjected to bacteriological analysis. Of the 120 samples of fish analysed for E. Coli 69 percent were positive for E. coli and 31 percent were negative. The determination of E. coli as an ESBL producing organism was determined by growing the bacteria on MacConkey agar containing 2 mg/L of cefotaxime. Following culturing of E. coli on MacConkey agar containing 2 mg/L of cefotaxime 46 isolates 55.4 percent were detected as ESBL-producing. The E. coli isolates presumably identified to be ESBL producing following culture on MacCkonkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime were subjected to PCR. A total of 35 out of 46 isolates were tested for the presence of the blaCTXM gene and out of these 21 were positive for the blaCTXM gene. Of the samples subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity test suggested that ESBL producing E. coli isolates had conferred resistance to beta-lactum antibiotics and other common antimicrobial agents. The results obtained indicate the need for surveillance on the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in fish sold in open markets and improve the food safety and hygiene of this important source of protein.
Antiviral potential of hadjod (Cissus quadrangularis) extract against newcastle disease virus.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Machamacha, Alberto Filipe
Newcastle Disease (ND) is a highly contagious viral disease that has a devastating global impact on the poultry industry. Ethanol (EtOH) crude extract from the stem of Cissus quadrangularis (CQL) was prepared and tested against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) replication using an in- ovo assay in embryonic chickens. Cissus quadrangularis L, is a perennial plant of the Vitaceae family, with high in active ingredients that have been proved to act against a variety of diseases and disorders. The study aimed to evaluate the antiviral activity of crude extracts of C. quadrangularis against NDV. Nine-day-old embryonated chicken eggs were divided into ten groups (n=10) and received various treatments. Six groups were inoculated with Velogenic NDV (vNDV) isolate AF2 and used for testing antiviral efficacy. Five groups of ten (10) were treated with different concentrations of the working stock extracts solution. The phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, and glycosides were revealed in stem crude extract in the phytochemical tests. Cytotoxicity studies, on the other hand, showed that embryonated eggs could tolerate the all-plant extract at concentrations of 100 mg/mL. Highest chick embryo mortality (73.7%) was observed in the control group (virus only) and lower (11%) in the high extract concentration (75 mg/mL). The tested extract exhibited in ovo antiviral activity against NDV, showing viral titre reduction at a range of 1:64 in the haemagglutination test, indicating 4-times viral load decline compared with untreated embryo (positive control; 1:512) The current findings have clearly demonstrated that the crude EtOH extract from stem of CQL has strong antiviral activity against NDV in ovo. The mortality was lower when the extract was applied and antiviral significant statistical efficacy was observed. In order to further validate the efficacy of the plant extract as anti-NDV, an in vivo study using live chickens and use of standard for fractionations to isolate individual constitutes are recommended. Keywords : Antiviral Activity, Newcastle disease, Crude extract, Cissus quadrangularis
Application of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) concept to study cattle slaughterhouse hygiene and Carcass contamination in Zambia
(2012-09-04) Muma, John Bwalya
The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) concept was applied for the first time to four Zambian cattle slaughterhouses to study slaughterhouse hygiene and bacterial contamination of carcasses. Swabs were collected from carcass surfaces and also from the following environmental surfaces, which were likely to come in contact with carcasses: knives, cutting saws, tables, walls, floors, aprons and worker's hands. Samples were collected from animals at the following operational points: before skinning; after skinning; after evisceration; and after carcasses were chilled for 24 hours. At each operational point, four sites were swabbed except for point A were only two sites were swabbed. Similarly, four different sites were swabbed from each environmental surface per visit. A total of 2176 swabs were collected from 72 carcasses, and 96 swabs from the above mentioned environmental surfaces from slaughterhouses A and B. Observational results for various hygiene categories where scored for slaughterhouse A, B, C and D. Slaughterhouses A and B, in which microbiological contamination analyses were done, had overall mean aerobic plate count, mean total coliform count, and mean coliform count ranges of logio3.67 - 4.14/cm^; logio 1.63 - 2.44/cm^ and logio 1.23 - 1.59/cm^ respectively. Municipal slaughterhouses C and D, with no defined slaughter and dressing procedures, recorded lowest hygiene assessment scores (18.7% and 21.3%) of hygiene satisfaction, respectively). Carcasses that recorded zero duplicate coliform count after skinning were in the range 25 - 30% where as zero duplicates after evisceration ranged from 15-20.3%, Effect of chilling as a critical control point was better illustrated by changes in means of total coliform count (logio 184 to 0.00) and faecal coliform count data (logw 2.5] to 0.00/cm^) than aerobic plate count data (logw 4.10 to 3.82/cm^). Salmonella was isolated from carcasses at all sampling points with skin samples recording high isolation frequencies.The results of this study indicate that neither aerobic plate count nor total coliform counts alone is sufficient to analyse carcass contamination levels at various operational points but the two, however, are complimentary. This study has also demonstrated high levels of bacterial contamination on carcasses, which is known to be associated with poor hygiene. There appears a need to establish slaughter and dressing procedures, and quality assurance programmes based on risk assessment and maximum utilisation of resources. Meat standards also need to be set and this will need an active legislative support to improve both meat safety and quality, and hygiene standards in Zambian cattle slaughterhouses.
Assessing bacteriological quality of fresh black soldier fly larvae.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Laiser, Ester
Black Soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is an insect larva that is used as a source of proteins for animals, including pigs, poultry, and fish. It is also used to decompose organic matter. This study aimed to assess the bacteriological quality of fresh BSFL and investigate the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus as potential model pathogens. A total of 17 BSFL samples were collected from a dumpsite in May 2022. Then washed, disinfected with 70% ethanol before rinsed twice with distilled water, 1g weighed and homogenized then inoculated to MacConkey and Blood agar media and incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Bacteria isolated from BSFL were identified using colony morphology, Gram staining, Catalase test, Mannitol Salt Agar for Staphylococcus and Eosin Methylene Blue for E. coli, and the isolates obtained were selected based on their characteristics. E. coli and Staphylococcus were subjected to Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (AST) using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Antibiotics-resistant isolates were further assessed for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-encoding genes using Polymerase Chain Reaction. From 17 samples the process of culturing yielded 79 isolates based on colony morphology. Out of 79 isolates, only 20 (25%) were Gram-negative, while the remaining 59 (75%) were Gram-positive. Among the 20 Gram-negative strains, 95% (19/20) were E. coli, while Gram-positive isolates were dominated by Staphylococcus at 47.5% (28/59). All 19 E. coli isolates were resistant to three or more antibiotics classes (multidrug-resistant), exhibiting resistance to gentamicin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, cefotaxime, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and ampicillin. Furthermore, three out of 19 (3/19, 16%) E. coli isolates tested positive for blaTEM and blaCTX-M drug resistance genes that encode class A extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and can be responsible for therapeutic problems due to the resistant conferred. While all Staphylococcus isolates showed resistance to cloxacillin, none of them was positive for the mecA gene. The study revealed that fresh BSFL harbour bacteria of zoonotic significance.
Assessing the practices, knowledge and perception of patients and health care workers towards prevention of tuberculosis in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania
(University of Zambia, 2015) Marko, Astrida Niyonizigiye
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global infectious disease health problem. It causes ill-health among millions of people each year. Tanzania, like other countries in Africa, shares the same TB burden with an estimated prevalence of 337 per 100,000 populations. Many people including Health Care workers (HCWs) have been infected with TB. The objectives of this study were to identify factors influencing TB transmission among HCWs and patients; to describe how the level of knowledge, perception, and attitude of HCWs and patients influence TB preventive practices and to explore the health seeking behavior among patients and HCWs. The study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital and Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The research design was a health facility-based cross-sectional study. Both qualitative and quantitative design approaches were employed. The quantitative approach was health facility-based using self-administered questionnaire for HCWs and patients. While qualitative approach was Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) with HCWs and patients; key informants interviews and observations that involved assessing the knowledge, practices, and perception of HCWs and patients towards prevention of tuberculosis transmission. Questionnaires were administered to 384 respondents identified by simple random selection; 90 participants were selected for the nine FGDs; six for patients and three for HCWs. FGDs were conducted for males and females independent of each other and covered the age groups 15-29, 30-39 and 40-50 years old. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata, version 11 for descriptive and inferential statistics analysis basing on the following age categories; 15- 29, 30-39, and 40-50 years. Data collected through FGDs were analyzed thematically. As would be expected, more HCWs (17.1%) were aware of TB compared to patients (9.4 %,). In terms of duration before treatment, patients delayed by at least 2 months more compared to (HCWs). HCWs who stopped anti-TB drugs were significantly fewer than patients (5.2 % versus 7.7%, P= < 0.0001). In terms of patients and HCWs knowledge in relation to TB, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Generally, participants were knowledgeable about modes of TB infection. Despite this, there were many other factors that prevented their health seeking behaviors. These included preference to going to pharmacies; using local medicine; fear of TB/HIV association and HIV testing; belief in traditional medicine; self-medication; fear of stigmatization and discrimination; fear of losing employment; high cost of accessing medical services; delay in diagnosis; frequent misdiagnosis; and, taking more than one month (and up to six months) before seeking appropriate medical treatments. Even after getting treatments some patients preferred to stop medication in order to seek alternative health care; avoid severe side effects. The knowledge of patients and HCWs on prevention of TB is not practiced. It is concluded that knowledge of HCWs and patients by itself is not sufficient to reduce the TB burden and transmission in Tanzania. There is need to change or improve people‟s perceptions and misconceptions, practices and beliefs. Further, there is need to improve testing equipment and availability of competent laboratory technicians at all levels of HCFs (from the level of dispensary to referral hospitals), availability and accessibility of PPEs. Effective TB infection prevention and control strategies should be in place for sensitizing the community and HCWs on TB prevention transmission.
Assessment of antibacterial properties of dried garlic and onion against common bacterial pathogens.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Kalyati, Constance
According to the World Health Organization, the extensive and sometimes indiscriminate use of antibiotics for treatment and as growth promoters in the animal production industry has resulted in the widespread development of antibiotic resistance. As such, antimicrobial resistance cannot be overemphasized as the discovery trend of resistant strains has continued. Thus, the pursuit of new natural plant-based antibiotics is a call to action for scientists to save the world. Garlic and onions are traditional herbs that have been used since ancient times in the preparation of not only food but medicines as well. In this study, the aim was to assess if dried garlic, red, and yellow onions possess antibacterial properties and the effect evaporation procedures and temperatures used have on their activity. Cured Allium sativum (garlic) and Allium cepa (onion) were bought from the local market. The plants were dried, coarsely crushed, and macerated using solvents: ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water. To obtain the crude extracts, two evaporation procedures were used: water bath and oven evaporation; water bath evaporation was at a temperature of 95ºC, whereas oven evaporation was at 35ºC. To test for antibacterial activity, agar dilution method was used against standard American Type Culture Colony strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi all of which are of public health significance. The activity was then graded as susceptible, intermediate, or resistant. Among the extracting solvents used, water extracts had the highest yield potential, which was followed by ethanol and finally ethyl acetate in order of decreasing polarity. Results showed that extracts from the oven evaporating procedure were more efficacious compared to those of water bath evaporation procedure indicating that the active ingredient is heat labile to high temperatures and in this case 95ºC. The best antibacterial extracting solvent from the oven evaporating procedure was the water extracting solvent, which was effective against all four test organisms. The activity was followed by ethanol, with ethyl acetate being the least effective. Based on the water bath evaporating procedure, extracts obtained from ethanol were more efficacious compared to the two extracting solvents, which showed a higher percentage of bacteria resistance. Following the individual antibacterial assessment of garlic, red onion, and yellow onion with respect to the two evaporating procedures used, observations were made that the percentage of susceptible bacteria to the plant extracts subjected to oven evaporation was higher than the percentage susceptibility of the bacteria to the plant extracts subjected to water bath evaporation. Therefore, based on the findings, it can be said that dried garlic and onions do have antibacterial properties against bacterial pathogens under study and that the plants have a higher potency when exposed to a low evaporation temperature like 35ºC as opposed to a high temperature of 95ºC. However, evaporation at temperature 35ºC and below is recommended so as to minimize the exposure of these plants to heat, thereby raising their antibacterial activity.
Bacterial contamination determination and performance of a solar heater in the pasteurisation of cow milk in Western province, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia., 2019) Chibwe, Mary
Although milk contains many nutrients necessary for growth, raw milk may harbor numerous pathogens. The milk pathogens may be shed in harvested milk from an infected animal and may transmit zoonotic diseases. Consumption of raw milk is common in developing countries. However, milk needs to be pasteurised to render it safe for human consumption. In resource poor communities milk pasteurization is hindered due to lack of access to electricity and heat energy forcing people to consume raw milk. In this study, the presence of pathogens in raw milk was investigated and the identified pathogens were subjected to solar heating in order to determine the possible u province was collected. The collected milk was subjected to bacterial contamination determination and identification of selected bacterial species. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus species were identified as the major contaminants. Milk contaminated with these pathogens was subjected to heating using conventional methods and solar heating in the months of April, May, June and July 2017. Furthermore, other organisms that included Salmonella and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus were also subjected to solar heating. Further, 63 farmers who supplied milk to the milk collection centres in the study area were interviewed in order to capture bio-data, milk handling and consumption practices. The results indicated that solar heating is not effective in the cooler months of the year. It was also observed that sterilized milk allows rapid bacteria proliferation when contaminated compared to raw milk suggesting the presence of intrinsic antimicrobial factors in unsterilized milk. Pasteurization using electricity is expensive for rural communities and solar energy is a cheaper source of energy which can be used to inactivate pathogens in the months with no cloudy cover. This study also demonstrated that consumption of raw milk is a common traditional practice in western province where knowledge and application of good hygiene practice during milk collection, storage and transportation is inadequate. There is need to discourage consumption of raw milk and promote boiling of milk using affordable and environmentally friendly methods. More milk collection centres need be established and the traditional farmers should be trained in milk handling.
Biometric and Morphologic characetistics of the Skull of the Gwembe Valley Dwarf Goat(Capra hircus)breeds of Zambia
(2015-04-23) Kataba, Andrew
This study gives the first morphometric description of the skull of the Gwembe Valley Dwarf (GVD) goat, the applied regional anatomy of the head region as well as the gross morphology of this indigenous goat breed of Zambia. The dearth of information on the cranial morphometry, applied anatomy of the head region and general morphology on domestic animals and the indigenous goats in particular was the motivation behind this study. Thirty heads (15 male and 15 female heads) were collected from purposively and randomly sampled GVD goat aged 18 months and above from a slaughter slab and processed for cranio-morphometry investigation. Forty three morphometrical measurements were recorded from each of the 30 skulls. From these, simple descriptive statistics, multivariate statistics, craniofacial indices, and the coefficient of variation analyses performed and obtained. Further, the variance of the skull structure was determined using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The comparative craniometry analysis of the male and female skulls was also carried out. Additionally, twelve measurements of some clinically important landmarks around the skull useful for regional anesthesia in the mandibular regions of head were taken on all 30 skulls and summarized using descriptive statistics. The gross morphology or the macro-anatomy of the general skull of this breed was equally noted. The skull length and skull breadth were 15.02 ± 1.09 cm and 8.14 ± 0.39 cm, respectively. According to the results, the GVD goat breed can be classified as mesocephalic (cephalic index 54.4 ± 3.37), and mesoprosopic (facial index 58.5 ± 3.46); and orbits were rounded (orbital index 99.10 ± 0.08).The skull length and the skull breadth of the GVD goat were positively correlated to the facial index (p < 0.025) at 95% significance level (two-tailed). On the other hand the skull length was negatively correlated to the cephalic index. The results from Principal Component Analysis indicated that skull variance was concentrated on the first two principal components. The first principal component explained only 34.2 % of the generalized variance in skull parameters while the first three principal components explained 56% of the variance. The analysis (PCA) did not give any special emphasis to a particular variable. Broadly speaking, the skull variation in GVD goat was centred on total variation in shape of the skull. A Non-Parametric One-way Analysis of Variance (NPMANOVA) test with Mahalanobis distance reflected no differences between male and female skulls from the general skull parameters (F=1.104, p=0.317), and significant difference (p<0.05) between male and female goat skulls based on the horn parameters (F=4.752, p=0.006) was observed. The distance between the lateral ends of the alveolus of the incisor tooth to the mental foramen was 1.58 ± 0.19 cm. The length and maximum height of the mandibles were 11.24 ± 0.52 cm and 6.64. ± 0.44 cm, respectively. The distance from mandibular angle to below of mandibular foramen was 1.21 ± 0.08 cm, while the distance from the mandibular foramen to the base of the mandible and mandibular angle to below mandibular foramen were 2.35 ± 0.26 cm and 1.10 ± 0.07 cm, respectively. These results are of clinical importance and aid in regional nerve blocks of the infraorbital, mental and mandibular nerves. From the gross morphological examinations of all the 30 skulls of the GVD goat, it was observed that morphologically, sexual dimorphism was evident in the frontal bone with the frontal eminence being more prominent in males than females. Accessory supraorbital foramina were observed in some skulls irrespective of the sex. This study has described the biometric and the morphologic characteristics of the GVD goat and concludes that a contribution for comparative model for other African local caprine breeds in general and Zambian caprine breeds in particular has being made. Being the first study of its kind in Zambia, it makes a significant contribution to a better understanding of the GVD skull typology. It is envisaged that the results obtained in this study will be useful as baseline research data in comparative goat neuroanatomy and neuropathology. The result further provides a valuable reference data for regional anaesthesia of the head region in Gwembe Valley Dwarf goat breed.
Characterisation of the Mycoplasm mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony from Kazungula District of Zambia, a Contagious Bovine Pleuropnueumonia Outbreak Area
(2013-02-03) Munkombwe, Muuka Geoffrey
This study was conducted to characterise the Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony (MmmSC) variant in the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP)new outbreak area of Kazungula District of Southern Province of Zambia. Kazungula is the southern most in Southern province and borders the Western Province, a known CBPP endemic area. During the study it was observed that 186 cattle (23.3%, CI 20.5 to 26.5) out of 797 examined at the farms showed overt clinical signs of CBPP. Samples were collected from carcases showing pathognomonic lesions of CBPP at slaughter of the observed 186 animalswhich were arbitrally categorised in to onset, acute and chronic depending on the predominating lesions seen onpost-mortem. Using this type of categorisation, 19 (36.5%, CI 24.0 to 51.1%), 11 (21.3%, CI 11.6 to 35.1) and 22 (42.3%, CI 29.0 to 56.7) of onset, acute and chronic lesions respectively were observed. A total of 80 samples were collected from the main study area using the purposive sampling design. Additionally, 10 samples using the same method were collected from Western and North-western Provinces for comparative purposes on the results obtained. It was demonstrated during the study that Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Small Colony (MmmSC) could be isolated from the pathological tissues using the PPLO conventional media containing Horse serum and the non conventional media containing donkey blood agar. The isolated colonies were confirmed to be MmmSC using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Antibiotic susceptibility of the studied isolates generally showed that the MmmSC were susceptible to growth inhibition effects of nitrofurantoin,tetracycline, gentamycin, erythromycin, co-trimoxazole and tylosin except one from Kazungula district which resisted all the antibiotic effects other than that of tylosin. IV The isolates were further characterised using Restriction Enzyme Analysis (REA) and the isolates studied did not show any polymorphic differences and a conclusion inferred that the MmmSC causing CBPP in the study area could have a common originality. Furthermore, the study confirmed that the disease outbreak was from Western Province as isolates from Western and Southern Provinces were similar apart from one isolate from Kazungula which showed antibiotic resistance to the antibiotics studied
Characterisation of the Mycoplasm mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony from Kazungula District of Zambia,a Contagious Bovine Pleuropnueumonia Outbreak Area
(2013-02-07) Munkombwe, Muuka Geoffrey
This study was conducted to characterise the Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides Small Colony (MwmSC) variant in the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP)new outbreak area of Kazungula District of Southern Province of Zambia. Kazungula is the southern most in Southern province and borders the Western Province, a known CBPP endemic area. During the study it was observed that 186 cattle (23.3%, CI 20.5 to 26.5) out of 797 examined at the farms showed overt clinical signs of CBPP. Samples were collected from carcases showing pathognomonic lesions of CBPP at slaughter of the observed 186 animalswhich were arbitrally categorised in to onset, acute and chronic depending on the predominating lesions seen onpost-mortem. Using this type of categorisation, 19 (36.5%, CI 24.0 to 51.1%), 11 (21.3%, CI 11.6 to 35.1) and 22 (42.3%, CI 29.0 to 56.7) of onset, acute and chronic lesions respectively were observed. A total of 80 samples were collected from the main study area using the purposive sampling design. Additionally, 10 samples using the same method were collected from Western and North-western Provinces for comparative purposes on the results obtained. It was demonstrated during the study that Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides Small Colony {MmmSC) could be isolated from the pathological tissues using the PPLO conventional media containing Horse serum and the non conventional media containing donkey blood agar. The isolated colonies were confirmed to be MmmSC using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Antibiotic susceptibility of the studied isolates generally showed that the MmmSC were susceptible to growth inhibition effects of nitrofurantoin,tetracycline, gentamycin, erythromycin, co-trimoxazole and tylosin except one from Kazungula district which resisted all the antibiotic effects other than that of tylosin. The isolates were further characterised using Restriction Enzyme Analysis (REA) and the isolates studied did not show any polymorphic differences and a conclusion inferred that the MmmSC causing CBPP in the study area could have a common originality. Furthermore, the study confirmed that the disease outbreak was from Western Province as isolates from Western and Southern Provinces were similar apart from one isolate from Kazungula which showed antibiotic resistance to the antibiotics studied except tylosin.
Characterization of antimicrobial resistant escherichia coli and salmonellain village chickens in selected districts of Lusaka.
(University of Zambia, 2020) Mwenda, Tigwadire angellah
Antimicrobial agents used in poultry productionare a great contributorto the emergence of resistant microorganisms. This cross- sectional study focused on characterization of the phenotypes of antimicrobialresistant E. coli and Salmonella in market ready- village chickens in Lusaka province of Zambia. Random sampling was used to sample 179 market ready village chickens from 55 households and 5 commercial establishments. At each point, cloacal swabs were collected from randomly selected chickens.E. colipositive isolates found were 66 and non for Salmonella. E. coli isolates gave 37% of the sampled chickens and were all tested for resistance to 10 classes of antibiotics. Each of the isolates was found to be resistant to at least oneantibiotic and the results were as follows: Ampicillin 66.7%, Ceftazidime 12.1%, Cefotaxime 37.9%, Gentamicin 50%, Nalidixic acid 37.9%, Ciprofloxacin 60.6%, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole 62.1%, Colistin 42.4 %, Chloramphenicol 27.3% and Tetracycline 81.8 %. Data revealed that village chickens in Lusaka province are reservoirs of resistant E. coli and it can, therefore be concluded that the use of antimicrobial agents should be reduced in poultry production in order to reduce antibiotic resistance.This calls for an effective surveillance system to ensure that there iscontinuous monitoring of AMR in Zambia.
Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistant Salmonella and Escherichia Coli in retail Broiler Chickens in Lusaka province of Zambia
(University of Zambia, 2019) Muligisa-Muonga, Elizabeth
The steady increase in the demand for poultry in Zambia and the world over has put a strain on poultry producers leading to the introduction of new practices such as the use of antibiotics in order to boost production. However, in many resource poor countries, the use of these antibiotics is often not monitored. When antibiotics are misused it can result in the emergence of antibiotic resistance in organisms that could find their way into poultry meat such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli). These organisms, as well as others, that could be found in poultry meat, form a reservoir of Antimicrobial Resistant Genes that can be spread from one bacterium to another through horizontal gene transfer, whether pathogenic, commensal or environmental in nature. This spread is facilitated by cross-contamination of the poultry meat when in contact with other surfaces or products. A cross-sectional study was undertaken at the retail level in four districts of Lusaka province (Lusaka, Chilanga, Chongwe and Kafue) in order to determine the proportion of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella and E. coli from retail broiler chickens and to determine the genes that confer the resistance. Sampling was done between January and May 2018. A total of 250 whole broiler carcasses were purchased from 26 open markets (n=134) and 37 supermarkets (n=116). An open market was defined as an unrestricted competitive market in which any buyer and seller is free to participate, while a supermarket was defined as a self-service shop offering a wide variety of food and household products organized into aisles. Upon purchase, all samples were transported in a cooler box containing ice packs to the UNZA Veterinary Public Health Laboratory. Laboratory isolation included a whole carcass rinse in buffered peptone water (Oxoid), pre-enrichment and subsequent incubation at 37OC overnight. Ten microliter (10µL) of the incubated broth was then transferred to MacConkey agar (Oxoid UK) for E. coli isolation while 1ml was also transferred to Rappaport Vassiliadis (Oxoid UK) and later subcultured on Xylose-Lysine Deoxycholate agar (Oxoid UK) for isolation of Salmonella. Biochemical tests were performed on all suspected isolates using Analytical Profile Index (API 20E) (Biomerieux®). Further identification of the isolates was done using 16S rRNA sequencing for bacteria and Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion technique using a panel of 10 different antibiotics. The panel of antibiotics comprised of Ampicillin (10µg), Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (30µg), Imipenem (10µg), Nalidixic acid (30µg), Ciprofloxacin (5µg), Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (25µg), Colistin (10µg), Chloramphenicol (30µg), Tetracycline (30µg) and Cefotaxime (30µg). Analysis of the disk diffusion results was done using WHONET 2018 software. A total of 148 E. coli isolates were identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Fifty three percent (53%) (n=79) of the isolates were from Open markets while 47% (n=69) were from Supermarkets. Tetracycline recorded the highest resistance of 76.4%, followed by Ampicillin 51.4%, Trimethoprim Sulphamethoxazole 44.6%, Nalidixic Acid 23.6%, Chloramphenicol 14.2%, Cefotaxime 12.8%, Ciprofloxacin 8.1%, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid 5.4%, Colistin 5.4% and Imipenem 0.7%. FiveSalmonella isolates was recovered and two were resistant to Tetracycline and Ampicillin, but were susceptible to the other eight antimicrobials. The three target genes of resistance were Tet1, Sul1 and CtxM. The resistant isolates had atleast one of these genes encoded in their DNA, with the beta-lactam gene being the highest. This study has demonstrated the presence of resistant E. coli isolates on broiler chicken from both open and supermarkets. Such resistance patterns pose a threat to public health, hence the need to find the predisposing causes. Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, E. coli, Salmonella, Poultry, Zambia
Clinical significance of acinetobacter species isolated from the university teaching hospital, Lusaka.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Mwanamoonga, Leocrisia;
Acinetobacter species have emerged as important pathogens globally responsible for various infections and are among the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Acinetobacter species has in the recent past been the causative agent of several infections such as sepsis, Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP), soft tissue infections (wound and infections), and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and meningitis. In this study, 60 Acinetobacter species were isolated, of which forty (40) were clinical specimens from patients with various conditions and 20 were environmental isolates. The environmental specimens were from surfaces and equipment in contact with the patients, such as beds, beddings, suction machines, ventilators, ward gowns and endotracheal tubes. The environmental sources contributed a significant proportion of Acinetobacter species isolated at 33.3% (at 95% CI: 21.1-45.6). The clinical isolates had a total of 40 isolates (66.7%). Among them, the admission ward showed the highest number of Acinetobacter species isolated (n=13), followed by the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) (n=12), and the least number was from the Main Intensive Care Unit (MICU) (n=1). From both the environmental and clinical isolates, the most frequently isolated species was Acinetobacter baumannii (n=43), with the least being A. ursingii (n=1). The Acinetobacter spp. had 50% (20) isolation in sepsis and 15% (6) meningitis. The resistance gene AdeB (efflux pump) was detected in 82.5% of the clinical isolates, and resistance to amikacin was observed at 1.6%. The isolates resistant to imipenem were observed at 17%., whilst the Oxa48 for carbapenem resistance was not detected in both the clinical and the environmental isolates. The study also showed that the isolates detected from the environmental isolates were also isolated from the clinical isolates.
Co-joint trematode infections in cattle from Kafue and Zambezi river basins of Zambia
(2012-09-17) Yabe, John
This study investigated the heterologous interaction among Fasciola gigantica, Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. co-joint infections in cattle based on egg and worm counts. A total of 315 cattle from trematode endemic areas along the Kafue and Zambezi flood plains were screened at Turn Pike abattoir for either F. gigantica in the liver, Schistosoma spp. in the mesenteric veins and/ or Amphistomum spp. in the rumen. One hundred and thirty three of the abattoir examined cattle harboured one, two or all three trematodes. Faecal samples, livers, mesenteries, lungs, kidney, spleen, abomasum and rumens from fifty randomly selected trematode infected cattle were collected for ftirther laboratory examination. There were heavy Amphistomum (mean ± SEM = 622.08 ± 97.87), low Schistosoma (mean ± SEM = 3*3.68 ± 7.44) and low Fasciola (mean ± SEM = 19.46 ± 4.58) worm burdens. There was no significant difference (x^ =575.34, p =0.923) between F. gigantica and Schistosoma worm burdens. A significant difference (x^ =1210, p =0.038) was observed between F. gigantica and Amphistomum worm burdens. A total of 32% (n = 50) harboured all the three trematodes, 66% had F. gigantica and Amphistomum spp. infections, 52% had Schistosoma spp. and Amphistomum spp. infections while 32% had F. gigantica and Schistosoma infections. A positive correlation (p = 0.014) was obtained between F. gigantica and Amphistomum worm burdens. There was no correlation between Amphistomum and Schistosoma worm burdens (r = 0.15, p = 0.302) and between F. gigantica and Schistosoma worm burdens (r = -0.12, p = 0.390). Schistosoma faecal egg and tissue egg counts had positive correlations (p < 0.001) with worm burden. Fasciola eggs were also detected in the liver, lung, kidney, mesenterium and spleen. Fasciola tissue egg counts were significantly higher than faecal egg counts (p < 0.001). Histopathological examination of the lungs did not confirm the presence of Fasciola eggs in the tissue. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that there is no significant cross-protection among these trematodes in cattle in endemic areas. Therefore, existence of co-joint infections and lack of cross-protection among F. gigantica. Schistosoma and Amphistomum infections in endemic areas should be considered when formulating control measures of trematode infections.
Comparative determination of human health risks associated with consumption of contaminated groundwater with lead in selected areas surrounding the former lead mine in Kabwe and non-mining areas in Lusaka, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Tasha, Siame
Human exposure to Lead (Pb) through the ingestion of contaminated groundwater with Pb has been associated with countless health effects. The current study aimed to determine the Pb levels in groundwater and assess the associated human health risks of exposure to Pb through the consumption of groundwater in selected areas surrounding the former lead mine in Kabwe and non-mining areas in Lusaka. A comparative cross-sectional study design was used to determine the levels of Pb and other physicochemical parameters in groundwater of former Pb mining areas in Kabwe and non-mining areas in Lusaka. The human health risk assessment was conducted by estimating the Daily intakes of groundwater in adults and children from mining areas and non-mining areas. A total of 61 groundwater samples were collected from boreholes, that is 34 from mining areas in Kabwe, and 27 samples from non-mining areas in Lusaka. The samples were anlaysed for Pb using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Results showed the Pb levels in groundwater samples from the former Zinc-Lead mining areas in Kabwe (median= 0.131 mg/L) were significantly higher (p< 0.05) than the Pb levels from non-mining areas (median= 0.071mg/L) in Lusaka. Overall, 91% of the groundwater samples from mining and 74% from non-mining areas were above the maximum acceptable limit of 0.010 mg/L of Pb in borehole drinking water (WHO, 2011). The study showed that physicochemical parameters like temperature (median= 23-24.8), Total Dissolved Solids (median= 303-601ppm), and pH (6-7.27) were within the WHO-acceptable levels. However, electricity conductivity from mining areas (585 μS/cm) and non-mining areas (1100 μS/cm) indicated levels that exceeded the WHOs permissible limits of ≤ 400 μS/cm. This could be attributed to the influence of the leachate from the former mining waste in the mining areas. Spearman's rank correlation analysis test showed that the levels of Pb in groundwater were not influenced by the concentration of the other measured physicochemical parameters. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) for adults and children from mining areas recorded significantly higher (p< 0.05) values than non-mining areas. The median EDIs for adults (0.004 mg/L) and children (0.013 mg/L) from mining areas as well as children (0.007mg/L) from non-mining areas surpassed the WHOs recommended daily intake of 0.003 mg/L in drinking water. The estimated Target Hazard Quotients (THQs) in children (4.333) and adults (1.333) from mining areas as well as children (2.333) from non-mining areas were > 1. This suggests that health risk complications are likely to accumulate in the future if control measures are not laid in place. Additionally, the estimated cancer risk (CR) was in the range of 5.6 x 10-5 to 1.0 x10-4 which is within the EPAs threshold risk value (1x 10-6) and residual level (1x10-4), therefore, the cancer risk was unlikely. Collectively, drinking groundwater from boreholes in areas surrounding the former Zinc-Lead mine in Kabwe and non-mining areas in Lusaka are a source of exposure to waterbourne Pb in Kabwe and Lusaka. Therefore, ensuring that groundwater sources are monitored for heavy metal levels in accordance with WHO guidelines should be considered. Lastly, investigating the source of Pb contamination of groundwater in non-mining areas of Lusaka is required.
Comparative determination of tick burden and diversity in intensively managed wildlife estates under those with and without prescribed burning.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Maambo, Bhagoos
Prescribed burning in ex-situ conservancies ecosystems significantly reduces tick burden and diversity. In Zambia, the role of ticks in zoonotic disease transmission is not well described, partly, due to limited available information on tick burden and diversity in ex-situ conservancies. This study aimed to compare three management systems that are currently used to control ticks in ex-situ conservancies. Tick samples were collected between October 2021 and April 2022, a total number of 267 ticks were collected from the ground/vegetation in three tick management systems early burning, late burning and no burning in 36 transects across 3 ex-situ conservancies in Central, Lusaka and Southern provinces. These ticks were morphologically identified at the University of Zambia, School of Veterinary Medicine, parasitology laboratory. Collected ticks belonged to 11 species: Rhipicephalus species, (n=6), (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus evertsi, Rhipicephalus microplus, Rhipicephalus decoloratus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rhipicephalus pulcherus, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis); Amblyomma species (n=2), (Amblyomma variagatum, Amblyomma poposum), and Hyalomma species (n=2) (Hyalomma Rufipes and Hyalomma truncatum). The most common species were R. evertsi (19.4 %), Amblyomma variagatum (14%), and Hyalomma truncatum (11%). The highest species diversity, and burden was found to be highest in no-burn management system (p<0.01), whilst no significant differences were observed between late and early burning systems (P>0.776) based on Bartlett’s test for equal variance. To a large extent, these results have elucidated for the first time in Zambia that the use of fire as a management tool effectively reduces tick diversity and burden in closed ex-situ conservancy areas. Additionally, the results intimate a reduction of ticks in both early and late burning, despite the differences being not significant. The findings of this study have far reaching policy implications when it comes to tick management in ex-situ conservancies, when it comes to adoption of fire as a preferable method in ex-situ conservancies
Comparative Studies of Escherichia Coli and Salmonela Servars isolated from Kafue Lechwe and Pastrol Cattle in the Interface Areas of the Kafue Flats of Zambia
(2012-12-20) Mubita, Charles Miyanda
This study was conducted at Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National Parks in the interface areas of wildlife and livestock of the Kafue Flats of Zambia to establish the prevalence and relatedness of Escherichia colt and Salmonella serogroups isolated from Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) and pastoral cattle. A total of 593 faecal samples were processed of which 232 (39.1%) were from Kafue lechwe while 361 (60.8%) were from pastoral cattle. Seventy-seven (33.2%) of 232 samples were compound faecal contents from rectum (R), ceacum (C), small intestine (SI) and the ileo-ceacal junction(ICJ) of each carcass, while 155 (66.8%) were faecal droppings conveniently picked from the grazing pastures. Altogether, there were 1283 presumptive E. coll isolates from Kafue lechwe and pastoral cattle out of which 248 (19.3%) had growth characteristics as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 (STEC) on sorbitol MacConkey agar and CHROMagar O157. Of 248 suspected STEC isolates, 104 (41.9%) were from Kafue lechwe while 144 (58.1%) were from pastoral cattle. Only 18 out of 104 (17.3%) E. coli isolates from Kafue lechwe were serogrouped into 8 serogroups while E. coli isolates from pastoral cattle were typed into 16 serogroups. In case of Salmonella, 59 isolates from Kafue lechwe were identified on biochemical and physiological characterization, of which 39 were from Lochinvar NP, while 20 were from Blue-lagoon NP. Nineteen (32.2%) were confirmed on serological typing with Salmonella somatic polyvalent antisera, while 40 (67.8%) were non-typeable. Furthermore, of the 19 Salmonella isolates, 5 (26.3%) were identified to belong to serogroup 8 serovars while the rest did not react to the available Salmonella antisera groups. Thirty suspected Salmonella isolates were isolated and biochemically identified from faecal samples of the pastoral cattle, out of which 13 (43.3%) tested positive on agglutination test with Salmonella polyvalent antisera while the rest of the isolates were non-typeable. Only one (3.3%) isolates was found to belong to Salmonella group 8. Most E. coli isolates from Kafue lechwe were resistant to metronidazole (98.8%) a drug for protozoan and anaerobic infections, followed by penicillin G (97.6%) and amoxicillin (29%) drugs targeting gram positive bacteria. Resistance to co-trimoxazole was also observed (15.1%). All the E. coli isolates from pastoral cattle were resistant to metronidazole, while resistance to other antimicrobials tested (co-trimoxazole, oxacillin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, cephalexin and penicillin G) showed values below 7.1%. The antibiotics to which Salmonella isolates from Kafue lechwe were most resistant to were metronidazole (100%), followed by penicillin G (89.2 %), co-trimoxazole (67.7%), cephalexin (59.5%) and gentamycin (18.9%). Salmonella isolates from pastoral cattle were most resistant to metronidazole (90.9%), followed by penicillin G (72.7 %), and gentamycin (54.5%). None of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, co-trimoxazole, oxacillin and tetracycline. Similarly, the study showed that Salmonella serovars from Kafue lechwe and pastoral cattle had an identical pattern of antimicrobial resistance, suggesting they were related. Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolates from Kafue lechwe and pastoral cattle in the wildlife/cattle Interface Areas of Kafue Flats were examined for the presence of virulence genes capable of causing diseases in humans. Of the 55 E. coli isolates tested, 33 (60%) were found to harbour one of the virulence genes. Out of 33 isolates, 28 (84.8%) were positive to Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) heat-stable toxin 1 (EAST1) gene, with E. coli isolates from cattle being the most predominant in this group (18/28) (64.3%). Out of 53 Salmonella isolates, 39 (73.6%) were positive to invA gene of which 19 (48.7%) isolates were serologically positive to Salmonella polyvalent O antisera, while the rest were non-typeable. All the Salmonella isolates belonging to serogroup 8 were positive to invA gene. These results demonstrate the potential of Kafue lechwe and pastoral cattle faeces as a possible vehicle for transmission of pathogenic and multi-drug resistance diarrheagenic E. coli and Salmonella in the Interface Areas of Kafue Flats, Zambia.

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