Microbiological quality and safety of Rastrineobola argentea retailed in Kisumu townmarkets,

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate faecal contamination and safety of Rastrineobola argentea sold in retail markets in Kisumu town. Design: This was a repeated cross sectional study and based on random sampling. Setting: Kisumu city, targeting six markets; Oile, Jubilee, Kibuye, Kondele, Nyalenda and Manyatta. Results: A total of 60 fish samples were analysed. All the fish were found to be contaminated with E. coli, and in addition 6.67% of the fish products tested positive for Salmonella. Shigella was absent in all samples analysed. 26.53% of E. coli isolates tested were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents tested, with the highest level of resistance detected against cotrimoxazole at 38.76%. The E. coli multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.084 indicating that the contamination was not originating from a high -risk source. A plasmid of approximately 5.6 kb was commonly isolated from E. coli isolates that showed resistance to ampicillin. Plasmids isolated were not transferable by conjugation. Conclusion: The presence of Salmonella spp and occurrence of MDR E. coli were identified as some of the possible health risks that may be associated with R. argentea displayed for sale in Kisumu city markets. This possess a real health risk through consumption or directly through contact with the fish products

Microbiological Quality And Safety Of Rastrineobola Argentea Retailed In Kisumu Town Markets, Kenya

Objective: To investigate faecal contamination and safety of Rastrineobola argentea sold in retail markets in Kisumu town. Design: This was a repeated cross sectional study and based on random sampling. Setting: Kisumu city, targeting six markets; Oile, Jubilee, Kibuye, Kondele, Nyalenda and Manyatta. Results: A total of 60 fish samples were analysed. All the fish were found to be contaminated with E. coli, and in addition 6.67% of the fish products tested positive for Salmonella. Shigella was absent in all samples analysed. 26.53% of E. coli isolates tested were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents tested, with the highest level of resistance detected against cotrimoxazole at 38.76%. The E. coli multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.084 indicating that the contamination was not originating from a high – risk source. A plasmid of approximately 5.6 kb was commonly isolated from E. coli isolates that showed resistance to ampicillin. Plasmids isolated were not transferable by conjugation. Conclusion: The presence of Salmonella spp and occurrence of MDR E. coli were identified as some of the possible health risks that may be associated with R. argentea displayed for sale in Kisumu city markets. This possess a real health risk through consumption or directly through contact with the fish products. East African Medical Journal Vol. 85 (10) 2008: pp. 509-51

Perspectivas acuáticas: actitudes y percepciones de los actores en las prácticas de transporte de peces vivos dentro del sector pesquero de Kenia

Live fish are in high demand all over the world, especially in China, where quality standards align with consumer preferences. In Kenya, discussions on live fish, particularly in aquaculture-rich regions, are focal points. However, the lack of a systematic approach to transporting live fish poses challenges for stakeholders. This research explores attitudes and perceptions of stakeholders in Kenya regarding the adoption and transportation of live fish, shedding light on transportation procedures and sector challenges. Using a descriptive research design, primary data were collected from diverse aquaculture stakeholders through a questionnaire, addressing their knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward live fish transportation in the country. The study unveils varied patterns of live fish transportation in Kenya, influenced by the purpose and distance. Private cars are prominent at 26.3%, with Nyanza and Mombasa leading at 35%. Modified vans are prevalent in Central-Nairobi and Western regions (25% and 22.5%, respectively), while public transport is widespread, especially in Central and Nairobi (25%). Purpose-built live fish vehicles dominate in Western and Nyanza (20% and 17.5%, respectively). Crustaceans like lobsters and crabs are primarily exported from the Coastal region (27.5%). Participants generally assessed their knowledge of live fish transportation as moderate, with a basic understanding of fish welfare. Feedback indicates common practices in live fish transport in Kenya as sealed tanks, plastic bags, and purpose-built vehicles. Temperature and oxygen fluctuations poses a significant challenge during transportation across all regions, particularly in Mombasa and Kisumu. The use of anaesthetics, especially for food fish, is infrequently reported. The study revealed favourable perceptions of stakeholders to live fish transportation and welfare, indicating early adoption. Further research is recommended on fish welfare, best management practices, technological advancements, and interdisciplinary studies to enhance the sustainability of live fish transportation sector and fish welfare in Kenya.Los peces vivos tienen una gran demanda en todo el mundo, especialmente en China, donde los estándares de calidad se alinean con las preferencias de los consumidores. En Kenia, los debates sobre peces vivos, particularmente en regiones ricas en acuicultura, son puntos focales. Sin embargo, la falta de un enfoque sistemático para el transporte de peces vivos plantea desafíos para las partes interesadas. Esta investigación explora las actitudes y percepciones de las partes interesadas en Kenia con respecto a la adopción del transporte de peces vivos, arrojando luz sobre los procedimientos de transporte y los desafíos del sector. Utilizando un diseño de investigación descriptivo, se recopilaron datos primarios de diversos actores de la acuicultura a través de un cuestionario, abordando sus conocimientos, percepciones y actitudes hacia el transporte de peces vivos en el país. El estudio revela patrones variados en Kenia, influenciados por el propósito y la distancia. Los coches privados ocupan un lugar destacado con 26,3%, con Nyanza y Mombasa a la cabeza con 35%. Las furgonetas modificadas prevalecen en las regiones Central-Nairobi y Occidental (25% y 22,5%, respectivamente), mientras que el transporte público está muy extendido, especialmente en Central y Nairobi (25%). Los vehículos para peces vivos construidos expresamente dominan en Western y Nyanza (20% y 17,5%, respectivamente). Los crustáceos como langostas y cangrejos se exportan principalmente desde la región Costa (27,5%). En general, los participantes evaluaron su conocimiento sobre el transporte de peces vivos como moderado, con una comprensión básica del bienestar de los peces. Los comentarios indican prácticas comunes en el transporte de peces vivos en Kenia, como tanques sellados, bolsas de plástico y vehículos especialmente diseñados. Las fluctuaciones de temperatura y oxígeno plantean un desafío importante durante el transporte en todas las regiones, particularmente en Mombasa y Kisumu. El uso de anestésicos, especialmente para el consumo de pescado, es poco frecuente. El estudio reveló percepciones favorables de las partes interesadas sobre el transporte y el bienestar de los peces vivos, lo que indica una adopción temprana. Se recomienda realizar investigaciones adicionales sobre el bienestar de los peces, las mejores prácticas de gestión, los avances tecnológicos y los estudios interdisciplinarios para mejorar la sostenibilidad del sector del transporte de peces vivos y el bienestar de los peces en Kenia

Virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes are enriched in the plasmidome of clinical Escherichia coli isolates compared with wastewater isolates from western Kenya

Many low-middle income countries in Africa have poorly-developed infectious disease monitoring systems. Here, we employed whole genome sequencing (WGS) to investigate the presence/absence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence-associated (VA) genes in a collection of clinical and municipal wastewater Escherichia coli isolates from Kakamega, west Kenya. We were particularly interested to see whether, given the association between infection and water quality, the isolates from these geographically-linked environments might display similar genomic signatures. Phylogenetic analysis based on the core genes common to all of the isolates revealed two broad divisions, corresponding to the commensal/enterotoxigenic E. coli on the one hand, and uropathogenic E. coli on the other. Although the clinical and wastewater isolates each contained a very similar mean number of antibiotic resistance-encoding genes, the clinical isolates were enriched in genes required for in-host survival. Furthermore, and although the chromosomally encoded repertoire of these genes was similar in all sequenced isolates, the genetic composition of the plasmids from clinical and wastewater E. coli was more habitat-specific, with the clinical isolate plasmidome enriched in AMR and VA genes. Intriguingly, the plasmid-borne VA genes were often duplicates of genes already present on the chromosome, whereas the plasmid-borne AMR determinants were more specific. This reinforces the notion that plasmids are a primary means by which infection-related AMR and VA-associated genes are acquired and disseminated among these strains.The Cambridge–Africa ALBORADA Research Fund, the Academy of Medical Sciences GCRF networking grant, a studentship from the NC3Rs and a studentship from the Cambridge Trust-CONACyT.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/meegid2022-02-26hj2021BiochemistryGeneticsMicrobiology and Plant Patholog

Ethical leadership and staff retention in Uganda’s health care sector: The mediating effect of job resources

This paper examined the mediating effect of job resources on the relationship between ethical leadership and staff retention in Uganda. Utilising a sample of 214 health care workers, a cross-sectional research design was adopted. SPSS v. 21 and Analysis of Moment Structure v. 21 were used in the data analysis. Job resources as a whole was established to be a partial mediator in the relationship between ethical leadership and staff retention. Ethical leadership and job resources individually predicted staff retention. Overall, 66% of the variance in staff retention is explained. As a limitation, data were collected in a cross-sectional survey, which might have confounded the causality among the studied variables. Future researchers could conduct longitudinal studies to address this limitation. The findings suggest that leaders need to be ethical in their dealings if they are to enhance the retention function of their staff in their respective organisations. Health care managers should endeavour to provide job resources in order to mitigate the effects of job overload so as to improve on staff retention in their organisations. This study finds support for job resources as a mediator in the relationship between ethical leadership and staff retention in Uganda’s health care sector. This is consistent with the requirements for the examination of process variables in relationships so as to make concrete inferences

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Pond Fertilization in Western Kenya

In the recent past, fish farming has gained great prominence in Kenya as the country straggles to meet food security. Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) farming has attracted the most demand, with the use of manure to enhance primary productivity in fish ponds being encouraged as a form of increasing productivity and returns on investment. The objective of this study was to understand the role of Nile tilapia farming in greenhouse emissions (GHGEs) in the region. Generally, there is paucity of such information originating from sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we report the levels of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Nile tilapia fish ponds fertilized with organic and inorganic fertilizers. We also try to establish if there exists any relationship between GHGEs and physicochemical parameters (PCPs). The methane fluxes ranged from 0.001 to 0.043°mg·m−2h−1 in UF ponds, 0.005 to 0.068°mg·m−2h−1 in IF ponds, and 0.001 to 0.375°mg·m−2h−1 in OF ponds. The findings show that the fluxes were significantly different (P0.05), ranging from −0.180 to 1.40°mg·m−2h−1 in UF ponds, −0.020 to 1.101°mg·m−2h−1 in IF ponds, and −0.049 to 1.746°mg m−2h−1 in OF ponds. N2O mean fluxes were not significantly different (P>0.05), ranging from −0.628 to 0.326°µgm−2h−1 in UF ponds, −0.049 to 0.187°µgm−2h−1 in IF ponds, and −0.022 to 1.384°µgm−2h−1 in OF ponds. UF had a mean flux of −0.003 ± 0.175°µgm−2h−1, IF had a mean flux of 0.032 ± 0.056°µgm−2h−1 and OF had a mean flux of 0.093 ± 0.324°µgm−2h−1. There was significant difference in the carbon to nitrogen (CN) ratio among the fertilization treatments (P0.05). The study observed that fertilization of Nile tilapia ponds significantly increases the release of CH4 emission and the CN ratio. Temperature, conductivity, and CN positively correlated with CH4, CO2, and N2O emissions. Dissolved oxygen showed a negative correlation with CH4 and CO2 emissions while negatively correlated with N2O emissions. The study identified the use of OF as a potential form of fish farming that promotes the emission of GHGEs and calls for adoption of sustainable technologies for the management of organic and inorganic fertilizers before their use in pond fertilization