Pneumococcal Carriage and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns in Mother-Baby Pairs in a rural community in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to estimate pneumococcal carriage and determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the pneumococci isolated in the mother-baby pairs in Ngora district after the roll out of the pneumococcal vaccine. We hypothesized that high carriage of S. pneumoniae in mothers leads to carriage in their babies and hence a greater chance of contacting pneumoniae. Results: Consecutive sampling technique was used to select 152 mother-baby pairs from the community visits and those seeking care at the health facility. We collected nasal swabs from both baby and mother for culture and sensitivity using the Kirby-Bauer’s agar disc diffusion method. This study found that there was a low prevalence of pneumococcal carriage in the mother-baby pair in Ngora district. We also observed high rates microbial resistance to Penicillin which is the first-line management of pneumonia in Uganda. The relationship between pneumococcal carriage and immunization status suggest that Pneumococcal vaccine is protective against pneumococcal carriage. Resistance of S. pneumoniae to the commonly used antibiotics was high. Key words: Pneumococcal carriage, mother-baby pair, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, immunization with PCV 10, Eastern Uganda.

COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake and Self-Reported Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in Mbale City Eastern Uganda

“…The district level has the district hospitals at the helm followed by health centers IV,III, II and community extension health workers called Village health team (VHTs) serving as level I. Mbale city is located in the Eastern region of Uganda. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital is a tertiary hospital-serving the districts of Busia, Buddaka, Kibuku, Kapchorwa, Bukwa, Butaleja, Manafwa, Mbale, Pallisa, Sironko, budduda, Bukedea and Tororo (20). It's a 470-bed capacity hospital and serves as a teaching hospital for Busitema University Faculty of Health Sciences as well as an Internship center for graduates from medical schools for a one-year internship under the supervision of qualified specialists and Consultants.…”