Survey of Brucella infection and malaria among Abattoir workers in Kampala and Mbarara Districts, Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is among the most widespread zoonotic infections estimated at 14% in Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the sero-prevalence, risk factors of Brucella infection and malaria among abattoir workers. METHODS: A survey was conducted among 232 abattoir workers in main abattoirs of Kampala and Mbarara districts in February 2007. A pre-tested questionnaire captured socio-demographic and occupational data. Brachial vein blood was tested for Brucella using Microplate Agglutination Test (MAT) and Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STAT) with a cut off titre of 1:160, and giemsa stained blood slides for malaria. Data was analyzed in SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: Seven males (3%, n = 232) had malaria and dual brucella and Plasmodium falciparum malaria was found in one person. Brucella sero-positivity was 10% (95% CI 6 - 16; n = 232) with 12% (n = 161) in Kampala and 7% (n = 71) in Mbarara district. Non-use of protective gear Odds ratio (OR 3.3, 95% CI (1.25 - 50) and working in the abattoir beyond 5 years OR 2.4 95% CI (1.4 - 5.6) were associated with increased risk of Brucella infection. Age, sex, religion, keeping animals and consumption of raw milk or products were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Brucella infection is a real risk among abattoir workers and use of full protective gear reduced risk significantly. Sensitization and public health care programs are needed to control this emerging problem.

Enteric bacterial pathogens in HIV-infected children with acute diarrhea in Mulago referral and teaching hospital, Kampala, Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: HIV-infected children develop severe bacterial infections. We set out to determine the enteric bacterial pathogens in HIV-infected children and HIV-negative controls with acute diarrhea and their antimicrobial sensitivities. METHODS: Children below 5 years of age with acute diarrhea were screened for HIV and their stools were analyzed by culture and use of antisera and the sensitivities of the pathogens were determined using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Of the 190 children, 47 were HIV positive. The prevalence rates of the pathogens in HIV-infected and -uninfected children were 19% (9/47) and 27% (38/143), respectively; odds ratio = 0.64 (95% confidence interval 0.20-1.97), P value .396. The pathogens in HIV-infected and -uninfected children were Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella species. Most isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole. CONCLUSIONS: Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella species significantly cause acute diarrhea in HIV-infected and -uninfected children and they are highly resistant to cotrimoxazole.