Trends of Antibiotic Resistance in ESKAPE Pathogens in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (2015-2022), South Western, Uganda.

Antimicrobial resistance remains a global threat, with increasing infection and death rates. The World Health Organization identified , , , , , and spp. (ESKAPE) as priority pathogens due to their increased antibiotic resistance development.

Sustained Retention, Viral Load Suppression and their Determinants Among Clients on HAART Enrolled Under Differentiated Service Delivery Models in Eastern Uganda.

Background: Although Uganda rolled out Differentiated Service Delivery(DSD) models in June 2017 to improve retention and viral load suppression rates among clients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), these have remained low relative to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDs) targets of achieving 95% population with HIV tested, 95% of tested positive clients for HIV to be on Highly active Antiretroviral therapy and 95% of clients On Antiretroviral therapy be suppressing by 2030(95-95-95 UNAIDS targets). The purpose of this study was to determine sustained retention, viral load suppression and their determinants among clients on HAART enrolled under different Differentiated service delivery models in Katakwi district in Eastern Uganda.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of clients enrolled on HAART in the different approaches of DSD who were active by 2017 and followed up to 2020 was done.

Investigating Metabolic and Molecular Ecological Evolution of Opportunistic Pulmonary Fungal Coinfections: Protocol for a Laboratory-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Fungal-bacterial cocolonization and coinfections pose an emerging challenge among patients suspected of having pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB); however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and microbiome interactions are poorly understood. Understanding how environmental microbes, such as fungi and bacteria, coevolve and develop traits to evade host immune responses and resist treatment is critical to controlling opportunistic pulmonary fungal coinfections. In this project, we propose to study the coexistence of fungal and bacterial microbial communities during chronic pulmonary diseases, with a keen interest in underpinning fungal etiological evolution and the predominating interactions that may exist between fungi and bacteria.

SHARP/NEEDLESTICK INJURIES AMONG CLINICAL STUDENTS AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL IN EASTERN UGANDA.

Background: Clinical students, like health workers, are at risk of sharp/needle stick injuries and potential percutaneous exposure to blood and body fluids. They acquire infections like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) through injuries. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with sharp injuries among clinical students at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.

Psycho-social challenges faced by caretakers of children and adolescents aged 0-19 years with sickle cell disease admitted in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Uganda.

Background: Families of children and adolescents living with sickle cell disease face several challenges ranging from psycho-social to social-economic challenges. This study aimed to explore psycho-social challenges experienced by caretakers of children and adolescents aged 0-19 years with SCD and the various coping mechanisms.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was carried out among caregivers of children with SCD who were admitted to the pediatric wards of the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital from September 2019 to November 2019.

Bacterial colonization, species diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of indwelling urinary catheters from postpartum mothers attending a Tertiary Hospital in Eastern Uganda.

Background: Postpartum urinary Catheter-Related Infections (CRIs) are a significant cause of maternal sepsis. Several studies done have reported the presence of mixed populations of bacteria with a significant increase in Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae spps, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacteria in urine and blood cultures of catheterized patients despite the use of prophylactic antibiotics. This study aimed at determining the bacterial species diversity and susceptibility patterns of indwelling urinary catheters from postpartum mothers attending Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH).

Experiences and views of healthcare professionals on the prescription of antibiotics in Eastern Uganda: A qualitative study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the experiences and views of healthcare professionals on antibiotic prescription in Eastern Uganda.

Methods: This was an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Participants included 16 healthcare professionals from Mbale and Soroti Regional Referral Hospitals.

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among patients in two tertiary hospitals in Eastern Uganda.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from inpatients and outpatients in Mbale and Soroti regional referral hospitals in Eastern Uganda.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of culture and antibiotic sensitivity test results from the microbiology laboratories of the two tertiary hospitals was conducted for a 3-year period (January 2016-December 2018).

Results: Microbiology records of 3092 patients were reviewed and analysed, with 1305 (42.

Antimicrobial resistance at the human-animal interface in the Pastoralist Communities of Kasese District, South Western Uganda.

Intensive usage of antimicrobials in the management of animal diseases leads to selection for resistance among microorganisms. This study aimed to assess antimicrobial use and to describe factors associated with the transmission of antimicrobial resistance between humans and animals in pastoralist communities of Kasese district. A mixed-methods approach was employed in this study.

Malaria preventive practices and delivery outcomes: A cross-sectional study of parturient women in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Uganda.

Background: Uganda ranks third in the number of deaths attributable to malaria and has some of the highest recorded malaria transmission rates in the general population. Malaria in Pregnancy is associated with detrimental effects for the mother and unborn baby and these effects seem to have long term effects and consequences on the life of the baby. Despite the preventive measures put in place by the World Health Organization in antenatal care, the burden of malaria in pregnancy is still high.

Whole genome sequences of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated in a Pastoralist Community of Western Uganda: Phylogenomic changes, virulence and resistant genes.

Background: The crisis of antimicrobial resistance is already here with us, affecting both humans and animals alike and very soon, small cuts and surgeries will become life threatening. This study aimed at determine the whole genome sequences of multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli isolated in a Pastoralist Community of Western Uganda: phylogenomic changes, virulence and resistant genes.

Methods: This was a laboratory based cross sectional study.

Epidemiology and antibiotic susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae associated with the 2017 outbreak in Kasese district, Uganda.

Background: Uganda is among the 51 countries where cholera outbreaks are common with epidemics occurring predominantly along the western border with Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kampala city slums, Busia district which is a border town with Western Kenya, Mbale district and the Karamoja Sub-region. This report summarizes findings from the epidemiologic investigation, which aimed at identifying the mode of transmission and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the Vibrio cholerae isolated in Kasese district, Uganda.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between 2017 and 2018 to describe the epidemiology of the cholera epidemic in Kasese district, Uganda.

Bacterial Aetiology and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Post-Operative Sepsis among Surgical Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Rural Eastern Uganda.

Background: Post-operative wound sepsis remains a surgical challenge of public health concern constituting approximately 20% of the health care-associated nosocomial infections. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial pathogens isolated from post-operative wound infections at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.

Materials And Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from June to October 2015.

Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella species in commercial raw bovine milk in Southwestern Uganda.

Objectives: The purpose and objective of this research was to explore the prevalence of antibodies against Brucella species in raw milk samples collected in Southwestern Uganda, one of the biggest milk producing regions in the Country. We hypothesized that there is a high level of antibodies in milk samples from this region. This builds more evidence to other studies in the region on the level contamination of raw milk.