Effects of Poor Post-slaughter Handling Practices on Microbiological Quality of Fresh Beef from Slaughterhouses in Kenya

Compliance to appropriate post-slaughter practices during meat processing is crucial for production of safe meat and meat products. Meat quality is highly influenced by the prevailing hygiene conditions during production and processing. Poor hygienic conditions can lead to meat contamination and spoilage by pathogenic bacteria hence food borne illnesses and subsequently meat losses. This study evaluated the effects of poor handling practices on the safety and quality of fresh beef from slaughterhouses mainly in pastoral regions in Kenya. About 95 meat and surface swab samples were collected and analysed for total viable counts, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. The mean Staphylococcus aureus from the rump, neck, stomach and hind legs were 5.436, 6.153, 4.868 and 4.977 log CFUg-1 respectively while that for Listeria monocytogenes was 2.259, 2.301, 2.301 and 2.392 log CFUg-1 from rump, neck stomach and hind legs respectively. The highest mean of Escherichia coli counts (3.521 log CFUg-1) was observed from the stomach. The mean TVC counts (6.339 log CFUg-1) were observed at the neck region.  The mean S. aureus, E.coli and TVC were 6.058, 4.504 and 4.491 log CFU/cm2 from the weighing scale while mean S.aureus, E. coli and TVC from steel file were 6.161, 3.482 and 3.733 log CFU/cm2 respectively. The means for S.aureus, E.coli and TVC from wedging knife were 5.926, 3.578 and 4.627 log CFU/cm2 respectively.  The means for S. aureus, E. coli and TVC were 6.141, 3.716 and 4.627 log CFU/cm2 respectively from dust coats whereas those for S. aureus, E. coli and TVC were 6.264, 4.637 and 3.733 log CFU/cm2 respectively from gumboots. The head cover also had its significant level of contamination with S. aureus, E. coli and TVC at 6.161, 3.690 and 4.491 log CFUg-1 respectively. Means for S. aureus and E. coli from clothing, equipment and fresh meat were significantly different (p<0.05).  The level of meat contamination was high and this was attributed to poor handling practices and hygiene conditions. This then necessitates the need for training and capacity building of slaughterhouses and personnel on the need for proper hygiene and good handling practices. Keywords: Post-slaughter Practices; Microbiological Quality; Fresh Beef; Hygiene Practice

The Impact and Successes of a Paediatric Endocrinology Fellowship Program in Africa

Background: The prevalence and distribution of endocrine disorders in children in Africa are not well known because most cases are often undiagnosed or diagnosed too late. The awareness of this led to the launch of the Paediatric Endocrinology Training Center for Africa (PETCA) designed to improve quality and access to health care by training paediatricians from Africa in paediatric endocrinology. Methods: The fellowship is undertaken over an 18-month period: six months of clinical and theoretical training in Kenya, nine months of project research at the fellow’s home country, and three months of consolidation in Kenya. Upon completion, certified paediatricians are expected to set up centers of excellence. Results: There have been two phases, phase I from January 2008 to October 2012 and phase II from January 2012 to April 2015. Fifty-four fellows from 12 African countries have been certified, 34 (phase I) and 20 (phase II). Over 1,000 patients with wide ranging diabetes and endocrine disorders have been diagnosed and treated and are being followed up at the centers of excellence. Conclusion: The successes of the PETCA initiative demonstrate the impact a capacity building and knowledge transfer model can have on people in resource-poor settings using limited resources

The future of African nowcasting

Nowcasting (weather forecasting predictions from zero to several hours) has enormous value and potential in Africa, where populations and economic activity are highly vulnerable to rapidly changing weather conditions. Timely issuing of warnings, a few hours before an event, can enable the public and decision-makers to take action. Rainfall radar estimates are not widely available in Africa, nor likely to be in the coming years, and numerical weather prediction (NWP) currently has low skill over the African continent. Therefore, for the delivery of nowcasting in Africa, satellite products are the best practical option and needed urgently (Roberts et al., 2021). Fifteen minute (or faster) updates of MSG (Meteosat Second Generation) images and NWC-SAF (Nowcasting Satellite Applications Facility) products are crucial for nowcasting to warn users (e.g. fisherfolk on Lake Victoria, flooding in urban areas, etc.) on pending severe storms. The possibility to have such products every 10 minutes, as well as data from the forthcoming MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) lightning imager, would be highly beneficial to all African countries, saving lives and livelihoods where high population growth and the most extreme impacts of climate change combine

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

Contains fulltext : 172380.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Mucosal Blood Group Antigen Expression Profiles and HIV Infections: A Study among Female Sex Workers in Kenya.

The ABO blood group antigens are carbohydrate moieties expressed on human red blood cells however; these antigens can also be expressed on some other cells particularly the surface of epithelial cells and may be found in mucosal secretions. In many human populations 80% secrete ABO antigens (termed 'secretors') while 20% do not (termed 'non-secretors'). Furthermore, there are disease conditions that are associated with secretor status.To investigate correlations between secretor status and HIV infection among female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.This cross-sectional study recruited 280 female sex workers aged 18-65 years from the Pumwani Majengo cohort, Kenya. Blood typing was determined by serological techniques using monoclonal antibodies to the ABO blood group antigens. Secretor phenotyping was determined using anti-H specific lectins specific to salivary, vaginal and cervical blood group H antigen using the agglutination inhibition technique and correlated to individual HIV sero-status. Participants were additionally screened for Bacterial vaginosis, Neisseria gonorrhoea and Trichomonas vaginalis.Out of the 280 participants, 212 (75.7%) were secretors and 68 (24.3%) were non-secretors. The incidence of all infections: HIV, Bacterial vaginosis, Neisseria gonorrhoea and Trichomonas vaginalis was higher among secretors compared to non-secretors. However, this difference was only statistically significant for HIV infection incidence rates: HIV infected secretors (83.7%) versus HIV un-infected secretors (71.8%) (p = 0.029) Based on ABO phenotype stratification, the incidence of HIV infection was higher among blood group A secretors (26/52 = 50%), in comparison to B (12/39 = 33.3%: p = 0.066), AB (3/9 = 33.3%: p = 0.355), and O secretors (36/112 = 32.1%: p = 0.028).This is the first report to document the variable expression of the ABH blood group antigens profiling secretor and non-secretor phenotypes in the female genital tract among a high-risk population in a Kenyan population. These findings suggest the non-secretor phenotype may confer a certain degree of protection against HIV infection

The complementary roles of VAMP-2, -3, and -7 in platelet secretion and function

Platelet secretion requires Soluble N-ethylmaleimide Sensitive Attachment Protein Receptors (SNAREs). Vesicle SNAREs/Vesicle-Associated Membrane Proteins (v-SNAREs/VAMPs) on granules and t-SNAREs in plasma membranes mediate granule release. Platelet VAMP heterogeneity has complicated the assessment of how/if each is used and affects hemostasis. To address the importance of VAMP-7 (V7), we analyzed mice with global deletions of V3 and V7 together or platelet-specific deletions of V2, V3, and global deletion of V7. We measured the kinetics of cargo release, and its effects on three injury models to define the context-specific roles of these VAMPs. Loss of V7 minimally affected dense and α granule release but did affect lysosomal release. V3−/−7−/− and V2Δ3Δ7−/− platelets showed partial defects in α and lysosomal release; dense granule secretion was unaffected. In vivo assays showed that loss of V2, V3, and V7 caused no bleeding or occlusive thrombosis. These data indicate a role for V7 in lysosome release that is partially compensated by V3. V7 and V3, together, contribute to α granule release, however none of these deletions affected hemostasis/thrombosis. Our results confirm the dominance of V8. When it is present, deletion of V2, V3, or V7 alone or in combination minimally affects platelet secretion and hemostasis