The overall purpose of this project is to improve public health through reduced spread of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) zoonotic infections, in urban livestock production systems in low-income countries. The more specific aim of the project is to investigate the occurrence and diversity of AMR Campylobacter strains in poultry, in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
The project includes different poultry farms; small holders and large commercial farms and also local food markets. The results will be linked to information about antibiotic usage on farm level, and farmers and retailers knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to spread and mitigation of AMR Campylobacter.
Poultry is of major importance for livelihoods, food and nutrition for urban poor people, but there are public health risks associated with keeping and consuming poultry and poultry products. Live poultry may carry AMR zoonotic bacteria, for example Campylobacter, without showing any clinical symptoms. Campylobacteriosis is one of the most common causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide.
In general, data on Campylobacter and AMR in the poultry value chain in Eastern Africa, and in Uganda particular, is scarce. This will be the first time Campylobacter isolates from Uganda are genotypically and phenotypically investigated regarding antimicrobial resistance genes. The research group at SLU has collaborated with Makerere University, in Kampala, in other projects on zoonotic and/or food borne diseases. Results generated from the project will reflect a wider smallholder farmer segment and the results will likely be valid for other Eastern African countries with similar socioeconomic and agricultural settings.
Olivia Graaf Bjöersdorff, PhD-student. Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, SLU. olivia.graaf.bjoersdorff@slu.se
Sofia Boqvist, Senior Lecturer and External Collaboration Specialist
Department of Biomedical Science and Veterinary Public Health, SLU
sofia.boqvist@slu.se, +46 18-67 23 88, +46 72 240 34 94
