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Objectives: This study aimed to conduct a comparative assessment of bacterial cross-contamination in commercial and non-commercial processing plants including associated risk factors for bacterial contamination. Study Design: This was analytic cross sectional survey on bacterial contamination of broiler carcasses between different processing systems. Introduction: Zambia, like most African and Asian Countries, still practices “live-open non-commercial broiler carcass processing systems” besides the “closed abattoir based systems”. However, shelf life, spoilage and hygiene levels have been postulated to vary based on the type of processing system. Live-open non-commercial processing systems are popular among majority consumers owing to their perceived “freshness”, compared to commercially dressed chickens. In between, consumers have to balance freshness and quality assurance. Ultimately, this becomes inert, remotely but an important public health issue. However, lack of empirical evidence on safety levels to guide consumer product selection leaves them to speculation. It is this need to close this gap that created an impetus for us to undertake this study. Methods: Biological samples were collected before carcass wash and after carcass wash alongside a structured questionnaire that gathered risk-associated data. Standard microbiological enumeration methods were used to isolate bacteria and enumerate contamination. Results: Broiler carcasses processed from “open” non-commercial systems were more contaminated (45.6%) than “closed-abattoir” commercially processed systems (35%). Escherichia coli were major contaminants (71.3%) and few Salmonella spices (typhi or para-typhi) in 1.3%. Risk analysis indicates washing (method) of carcasses at commercial systems was significantly more risky for contamination than non-commercial ones. Major sources of contamination were “distance from water sources”. Increased volume of slaughters per day (>15,000 birds) for commercial systems accounted for increased cross-contamination, particularly, distance from water source was a ma-jor risk factor for contamination.

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has risen as a serious cross-cutting global public health emergency. At the center of this emergency, foods of animal origin have particularly been singled out as possible drivers despite the paucity of information. This study has been formulated to provide answers to the identified critical gaps in the food safety industry and the public health sphere. In particular, this study was undertaken to investigate the AMR of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in raw retail table eggs in Lusaka, Zambia. Materials and Methods: Accordingly, a cross-sectional study to determine antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli and Salmonella from raw retail table eggs was undertaken. Standard bacteriological methods involving culture and phenotypic characterization were applied. A total of 1080 raw table eggs pooled into composite samples (five eggs per composite sample) translating into 216 distinct and independently identifiable compounded sample units were collected from randomly selected supermarkets and open markets over 4 months (August 2018-November 2018). The eggs were screened for the presence of E. coli and Salmonella within 24 h of sample collection by standard microbiological methods. The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion technique was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing using a panel of nine different antibiotics. Results: A total of 216 pooled egg samples were analyzed at two levels of contamination, (i) eggshell and (ii) egg content. From the eggshell, five compounded samples were positive for Salmonella spp. representing 2.31% (5/216), while 34.26% (74/216) were positive for E. coli. On the other hand, samples from egg contents were negative for Salmonella and E. coli. Eggshells were more likely to be contaminated by E. coli compared to the egg content (χ2=20.95, p

Domestic animals and wildlife are considered important reservoirs from which Non-Typhoid Salmonella serotypes have emerged to cause public health concerns worldwide. Identification of the zoonotic origin of such organisms is important to understand the risk factors associated with a diversity of host types. In this study, phenotypic and genetic properties of Salmonella strains isolated from domestic animals and wildlife sources were characterized to determine their potential for causing invasive salmonellosis. The isolates were characterized into serogroups, serotypes, fermentative groups, resistotypes, and beta-lactamase activity types. Further, Salmonella plasmid virulence genes responsible for extraintestinal manifestations were determined among Salmonella serotypes from domestic animals (bovine, horse, dogs, and chickens) and wildlife (Leopard, Sable and Impala). Thirty-four Salmonella strains belonging to four sero-groups; B, C1, D1, and a non- reactive group, were isolated and identified from the various animal hosts studied. The most prevalent sero-group was D1 (50.0%; 17/34) Salmonella strains, all from domestic animals followed by a non-reactive group (29.4%; 10/34) strains. Further, 12 serotypes, were detected among the strains. The most predominant serotype was Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (47.1%; 16/34) isolated from horse and chicken, followed by S. Mbandaka (8.8%; 3/34) from dog and chicken. All Salmonella isolates were resistant to at-least four antimicrobial agents. Ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin and penicillin G were observed as the most frequently resisted antimicrobial agents. Salmonella Enteritidis and S. Mbandaka isolated from the horse and dog respectively, each displayed multidrug resistance to 6 antimicrobial agents. All strains harboured Salmonella invasion A gene unique to the genus, while some strains possessed Salmonella plasmid virulence locus gene. In conclusion, the present study isolated and identified multi-drug resistant Salmonella serotype strains that possess virulence genes which are of potential public health concern.

A cross-sectional study was used to identify and assess prevalence and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of Escherichia coli and other enterobacteria isolated from healthy wildlife and livestock cohabiting at a 10,000 acres game ranch near Lusaka, Zambia. Purposive sampling was used to select wildlife and livestock based on similarities in behavior, grazing habits and close interactions with humans. Isolates (n = 66) from fecal samples collected between April and August 2018 (n = 84) were examined following modified protocols for bacteria isolation, biochemical identification, molecular detection, phylogenetic analysis, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed using R software, Genetyx ver.12 and Mega 6. Using Applied Profile Index 20E kit for biochemical identification, polymerase chain reaction assay and sequencing, sixty-six isolates were identified to species level, of which Escherichia coli (72.7%, 48/66), E. fergusonii (1.5%, 1/66), Shigella sonnei (22.7%, 14/66), Sh. flexinerri (1.5%, 1/66) and Enterobacteriaceae bacterium (1.5%, 1/66), and their relationships were illustrated in a phylogenetic tree. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance or intermediate sensitivity expression to at least one antimicrobial agent was detected in 89.6% of the E. coli, and 73.3% of the Shigella isolates. The E. coli isolates exhibited the highest resistance rates to ampicillin (27%), ceftazidime (14.3%), cefotaxime (9.5%), and kanamycin (9.5%). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 18.8% of E. coli isolates while only 13.3% Shigella isolates showed MDR. The MDR was detected among isolates from impala and ostrich (wild animals in which no antimicrobial treatment was used), and in isolates from cattle, pigs, and goats (domesticated animals). This study indicates the possible transmission of drug-resistant microorganisms between animals cohabiting at the wildlife–livestock interface. It emphasizes the need for further investigation of the role of wildlife in the development and transmission of AMR, which is an issue of global concern.

This study was conducted at the livestock/wildlife interface areas of national parks and traditional cattle grazing areas. The main aim of the study was to establish the occurrence of Escherichia coli serogroups isolated from Kafue lechwe antelopes (Kobus leche kafuensis) and pastoral cattle. A total of 593 faecal samples from lechwe (232) and pastoral cattle (361) were conveniently picked from the grazing pastures in the interface areas and cultured for E. coli. From each faecal sample, two or three presumptive E. coli isolates were picked to constitute 1,283 isolates with 574 from lechwe and 708 from cattle. Some of these isolates were found to be similar to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 on CHROMagar and sorbitol MacConkey agar. Only 18 E. coli isolates from Kafue lechwe antelopes were grouped into eight serogroups while 32 from pastoral cattle were grouped into 16 serogroups. The most prevalent type-able serogroups from lechwe antelopes and pastoral cattle were O125 (5.8%) and O29 (4.2%), respectively. On further analysis by fermentation of various sugars, some isolates showed a similar pattern suggesting that the strains were indistinguishable. Key words: Escherichia coli, diarrheagenic, Shiga toxin, Kobus leche kafuensis, pastoral cattle.

The isothermal and chimeric primer-initiated amplification of nucleic acids (ICAN) is a new isothermal DNA amplification method composed of exo Bca DNA polymerase, RNaseH and DNA-RNA chimeric primers. We detected invA of Salmonella from chicken carcasses, egg yolk and cattle fecal samples. Fifty-three of 59 isolates were invA-positive in ICAN-chromatostrip detection. The result was consistent with those obtained by standard PCR. Salmonella invA was detected in 12 of 14 carcass rinses by ICAN, while in 7 of 14 rinses by standard PCR. These results indicate that ICAN is an efficient, sensitive and simple system to detect invA of Salmonella species in developing countries such as Zambia.

Antimicrobial resistance to a panel of ten agents was determined by the disc diffusion technique for 83 Escherichia coli isolates, 29 Enterococcus faecium isolates and 62 Enterococcus faecalis isolates from faecal samples of apparently healthy pastoral cattle in the wildlife/livestock interface areas. Of all the E. coli isolates, 8% were diarrhoeagenic E. coli strains, 6% were enteropathogenic E. coli strains and 2% were enterotoxigenic E. coli strains. A high frequency of E. coli resistance to penicillin, erythromycin, cotrimoxazole and nitrofurantoin was observed. Enterococci showed the highest percentage of resistance to gentamycin, amoxycillin, ampicillin and tetracycline. None of the E. coli strains and Enterococci strains was resistant to tetracycline and vancomycin respectively. The results of this study underscore the presence of an animal reservoir of antibiotic resistant microorganisms that have the potential to enter the food chain., Osjetljivost 83 izolata vrste Escherichia coli, 29 izolata vrste Enterococcus faecium i 62 izolata vrste Enterococcus faecalis izdvojenih iz uzoraka izmeta klinički zdravih goveda u području dodira domaćih i divljih životinja, određena je difuzijskim postupkom prema deset antimikrobnih pripravaka. Od ukupno izdvojenih, 8% sojeva bakterije E. coli bilo je dijarejogeno, 6% enteropatogeno i 2% enterotoksigeno. Ustanovljena je česta otpornost vrste E. coli prema penicilinu, eritromicinu, kotrimoksazolu i nitrofurantoinu. Enterokoki su u najvećem postotku bili otporni prema gentamicinu, amoksicilinu, ampicilinu i tetraciklinu. Nijedan od izolata E. coli nije bio otporan prema tetraciklinu, a nijedan od enterokoka nije bio otporan prema vankomicinu. Rezultati istraživanja upućuju na postojanje životinjskoga rezervoara bakterija otpornih na antibiotike za koje postoji mogućnost da se prenesu u ljudski prehrambeni lanac.

A cross-sectional study was performed in the livestock-wildlife interface areas of Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National Parks and the non-interface area of Kazungula to determine the prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. in domestic ruminants and identify individual animal risk factors of infection. A total of 1245 cattle from 124 herds and 280 goats and sheep from 29 flocks were tested sequentially for Brucella antibodies using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) and competitive ELISA. In cattle, individual seroprevalence ranged from 14.1% to 28.1%, while herd sero-prevalence ranged from 46.2% to 74.0% in the three study areas. No goat or sheep tested positive for Brucella antibodies. Three types of cattle grazing strategies were encountered: locally grazed herds (LGH), transhumantly grazed herds (TGH) and river flood plain grazed herds (FGH). Brucella seroprevalence was seen to vary according to area and grazing strategy: Lochinvar and transhumant grazed herds recorded the highest figures, respectively. Age, sex and history of abortion were found to have independent effects on individual seroprevalence. This study establishes that brucellosis is endemic in domestic animals in the livestock-wildlife interface areas of Blue Lagoon and Lochinvar national parks and the disease is also present in Kazungula. We observed that type of grazing strategy had significant impact on cattle Brucella seroprevalence and that transhumant herds were at high risk of being infected.

In the retrospective study of soil-borne diseases of cattle in Zambia, malignant edema and blackquarter were widespread. One hundred and sixty-five cases with malignant edema and 103 cases with blackquarter were reported between 1985 and 1997. It was found that specific soil-conditions associate the emergence of the soil-borne diseases. Soil samples from five areas in Zambia were examined for the presence of genus Clostridium. Direct immunofluorescent assay (IFA) examination showed that C. septicum, C. novyi and C. chauvoei were detected in the soil of specific areas in Zambia, respectively. Causal organisms such as C. perfringens were isolated from the soil samples. The information of area-specific distribution of Clositridium species may give an efficient program in protecting cattle and man.