Prevalence of the Staphylococcal Enterotoxins Genes in Raw and Milk Products along the Value Chain in Mbeya and Mbozi Districts, Tanzania

The study determined the prevalence of genes coding for Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) from Staphylococcus aureus isolates in milk produced and sold in Mbeya and Mbozi districts in Tanzania. Samples of raw milk (n=300), boiled hot (ready-to-consume) milk (n=72) and sour milk (n=72) were randomly collected from smallholder dairy farmers, milk collection points (MCP) and milk shops. Laboratory analysis showed that 59.7% of the milk samples contained Staphylococcus species. Biochemical tests showed that 12.4% of the isolates were positive for S. aureus, of which 5.6, 2.5 and 4.3% were from samples collected from farmer’s herd milk, MCP and milk shops, respectively. Furthermore, multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (mPCR) results showed that 36.4% of the total S. aureus isolates (n=55) had SEs genes. Frequently observed gene was Sea (32.6%) while Sej was not detected in any of the isolates. The distribution of the SEs genes along the milk market channel showed 35, 15 and 50% of the genes came from isolates samples collected at farm level, MCP and milk shops, respectively. Moreover, no statistical difference were observed for SE coding gene between the districts and seasons, though higher (65%) prevalence of S. aureus isolates carrying SEs genes were observed in dry than wet season (35%). The prevalence of SE coding gene in raw, boiled hot and sour milk were 4.3, 5.6 and 4.2%, respectively. The results obtained show that milk produced and marketed in the two districts contained S. aureus isolates expressing gene for enterotoxins production which pose a potential public health risk. Hence, the results indicate the need to institute proper hygienic measures by all milk stakeholders in order to avoid contamination of milk with S. aureus. Further studies on the diversity and distribution of enterotoxins producing S. aureus in the Southern highlands and other areas in the country are recommended. Keywords: Boiled hot milk, sour milk, enterotoxins, Staphylococcus aureus, Multiplex PC

Survey of physicochemical characteristics and microbial contamination in selected food locally vended in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Biomed central Research notel 2015Background: Raw milk, raw fruit juice and raw fish are enriched with essential nutrients for human diet but are prone to microbial contamination along the value chain. This cross sectional study was conducted to assess physicochemical characteristics and microbial quality of raw milk, fruit juice and fish from food vendors in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania. The physicochemical assessment of food samples was done by smell, colour, presence of debris, turbidity, consistence, pH and clot on alcohol test. Hygiene of food containers, personnel and the vending environment was also assessed. Qualitative and quantitative microbial assessment of food was done using standard laboratory protocols as described by Tanzania Bureau of Standards and International Systems of Standards. Results: Raw milk sold in Morogoro was of poor quality since was adulterated with water, contained sediments and clotted on alcohol test. Up to 63 % of the milk samples were contaminated with Escherichia coli and 60 % had higher total viable count (TVC) than the recommended values. Raw fruit juice was stored in dirty containers and sold under unhygienic environment. Seventy-three percent of juice samples had TVC beyond the recommendations while E. coli contamination rate was 63.3 %. The raw fish samples had started spoiling as depicted through sensory evaluation. E. coli contamination rate was 55 % and that of Campylobacter jejuni was 0.5 %. The mean TVC of raw fish was 8.1 (Log cfu/g) and 96.2 % of the fish samples had TVC beyond the recommended limits of 5.0 Log cfu/g. Conclusions: The physicochemical characteristics of food vended in Morogoro Municipality were of poor quality. The food had high bacterial contaminations. This situation poses health risks to the public and losses to food vendors due to spoilage. Stakeholders in food value chain should be educated on safe production and good hygienic practices. Routine quality and safety assessment of locally vended food, inspection of selling premises and regular health checkup of the personnel involved in food vending industry should be instituted

Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis literature in Tanzania provides research evidence justification for control:A systematic scoping review

Background Despite Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis (TSTC) having been put high on the global agenda of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which over the last years has received a lot of attention, there has been no control programmes in place in sub-Saharan Africa, a highly endemic region. This could be attributed to lack of awareness of many stakeholders on the burden and impact of T. solium. This information is essential in guiding TSTC policies, practices and research agendas as well as encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration in the control of this important zoonotic parasite using a One Health approach. National elimination of the parasite is the foundation for global eradication. This will require that substantial country-level information is provided to all key stakeholders. We have mapped out TSTC research evidence in Tanzania to inform on disease burden and potential for integrated control measures. Methodology/Principal findings A scoping review of all TSTC studies undertaken in Tanzania and published up to December 2018 was conducted. The articles were searched from PUBMED, AJOL, Google Scholar and Google in general. Fifty-one (51) articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Prevalence of taeniosis of 2.3% - 5.2% was estimated based on copro-antigen ELISA while human cysticercosis of >16% was estimated based on serum antigen ELISA (Ag-ELISA) or IgG Western Blot. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) contributed significantly to epilepsy in adults. Farm prevalence of porcine cysticercosis were 6.0% - 17.4% (lingual examination) and 1.5% - 33.3% (Ag-ELISA). Slaughter-slab prevalence were 0% - 18.2% (routine meat inspection). Lacking latrines, watering pigs with river or pond water, and feeding pigs with potato peels were associated with porcine cysticercosis prevalence. Washing hands by dipping method increased the risk of human cysticercosis. In 2012, the number of DALYs/1000 person-years for NCC-associated epilepsy was 0.7 (95% UI, 0.2–1.6), around 5 million USD (95% UI, 797,535–16,933,477) were spent due to NCC-associated epilepsy and nearly 3 million USD (95% UI, 1,095,960–5,366,038) were potentially lost due to porcine cysticercosis. Three rounds of annual treatment of school-age children with praziquantel significantly reduced prevalence of taeniosis and porcine cysticercosis. Health education was efficacious in improving knowledge and attitudes favourable for control of TSTC while a single dose of oxfendazole 30 mg/kg body weight was efficacious in eliminating T. solium cysticerci from pig musculature. Conclusions/Significance The observed high burden of TSTC and the significant contribution of NCC to epilepsy in Tanzania warrant urgent interventions. Evaluation of best control options should make use of disease transmission dynamics models such as cystiSim, taking into account findings from the field based intervention studies. In addition, locally adapted management guidelines for people suffering from NCC are urgently needed

Anthrax outbreaks in the humans - livestock and Wildlife interface areas of Northern Tanzania: a retrospective record review 2006–2016

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Bacteriological Quality of Tilapia Fish from Treated Wastewater in Peri-Urban Areas, Morogoro, Tanzania

Agriculture, forestry and fisheries 2016; 5 (5): 202-206The aim of this study was to assess faecal bacterial contamination in tilapia fish from wastewater treatment ponds at Mzumbe and in pristine water in Mindu dam. Tilapia fish (fish flesh and fish intestines) and water samples were analysed for Escherichia coli and total plate count. The concentration of E. coli in fish intestines ranged from about 1 - 3.5 log cfu/g and <1 log cfu/g in fish flesh. Total plate count ranged from 1 – 3 log cfu/g in fish flesh and 2 – 6 log cfu/g in fish intestines. The concentration of E. coli in pristine water in Mindu dam ranged from 0 to 15 cfu/mL. From the inlet to outlet of Mzumbe wastewater treatment pond, there was a significant reduction (p<0.05) of E. coli concentration along the gradient from 2.05 to 0.55 log cfu/mL, respectively. These findings demonstrated that tilapia fish from the two study sites were of good quality for human consumption based on microbial faecal contamination. On the other hand treated wastewater of the quality found in this study may be used for aquaculture. However, continuous monitoring for bacteriological quality and safety parameters including E. coli and total plate count is required.Danish International Development Assistance (DANIDA

Ecological niche modeling as a tool for prediction of the potential geographic distribution of Bacillus anthracis spores in Tanzania

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Association of Long-Term Pesticide Exposure and Biologic Parameters in Female Farm Workers in Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Study

The study aimed to assess the association of long-term pesticide exposure (≥5 years) with hematological, serum biochemical parameters and acetylcholinesterase activity in farm workers. These pesticides included organophosphorus pesticides, carbamates, pyrethroids, dithiocarbamates, and other pesticides such as endosulfan. Applying a cross-sectional study design, 69 females from a pesticide-exposed farm population and 30 females from a district not using pesticides (reference group) were studied. The mean red cell corpuscular volume and hematocrit values were significantly lower (74.7 ± 9.1 fl; 95% CI 72.5–76.9 and 32.0% ± 4.6%; 95% CI 30.9–33.1, respectively) in the exposed compared to the reference group, whereas mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and platelets were significantly higher (37.4 ± 3.8 g/dL; 95% CI 36.5–38.3 and 374.1 ± 95.3/L; 95% CI 351.2–396.9, respectively) in the exposed compared to the reference group. Mean serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (20.7 ± 8.9 U/L; 95% CI 18.5–22.9) and creatinine (83.9 ± 6.6 μmol/L; 95% CI 82.3–85.5) were significantly higher in the exposed compared to the reference group. A higher mean esterase activity (AChE 0.6 ± 0.2 mM/min/mg protein; 95% CI 0.56–0.7; BChE 0.9 ± 0.4 mM/min/mg protein; 95% CI 0.9–1.1) was noted in the exposed group. Regression models suggest that occupational exposure (p &lt; 0.001) could be a predictor of esterase (AChE and BChE) activity and biochemical changes (β = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3–0.5; β = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.6–0.9, respectively). Long-term pesticide exposure affects the hemato-biochemical and esterase responses, establishing the need for further studies

Risk factors for human cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in the hotspot districts of Northern Tanzania: An unmatchedcase-controlstudy

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