In a study to evaluate the “Prevalence and susceptibility profiles of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Salmonella in dairy farms in Mukono District, Uganda” conducted by Dr. Sylivia Baluka and her team, it was discovered that E. coli bacteria is still resistant to most commonly used antibiotics on dairy farms, which puts humans at risk of bacterial infection of animal origin.

Dr. Sylvia Baluka making a presenting on her research in the Media hall at COVAB on 12th september 2019.

While presenting the study to various scientific researchers at CoVAB on 12^th September, 2019, Dr. Baluka reported that there are a number of food borne diseases that humans are exposed to through consumption of contaminated food, which this research embarks on addressing.

“The prevalence of food borne diseases has an implication when spread from animals to humans, therefore, we are working on a monitoring plan to see that animal dairy products are residue free and safe for human consumption,” said Dr. Baluka.

During this study, 184 samples were collected from 33 selected study farms, which included milk, faecal and water samples and analyzed in the laboratory. It was reported that E. coli isolates from faecal and water samples showed high resistance towards oxacillin, a commonly used antibiotic. Campylobacter and Salmonella were not detected in the study area.

Students listening to Dr. Sylvia Baluka presenting her research.

Dr. Baluka additionally cautioned that oxacillin shouldn’t routinely be used for treating bacterial infections, and that there should be restricted access and use of antibiotics such as; gentamycin and ciproflax among others. She also cautioned that prescriptions should be taken as directed by the physician.

“For these antibiotics to work, we need to achieve a certain quantity in the blood and therefore patients should take antibiotics as directed by the physician,” said Dr. Baluka.

More team members in this project include Prof. Francis Ejobi, Mr. Lameca Buyinza, Prof. Julius Okuni to mention but a few.  

This research was funded by CARNEGIE Postdoctoral research Project: Nurturing Emerging Research Leaders through Post-Doctoral Training at Makerere University (NERLP) 2017-2019 to enhance the Capacity of postdoctoral fellows to become Research leaders in Uganda.