Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a common and widespread problem contributing to a significant morbidity and mortality, attributed partly by the increase in antimicrobial resistance among the etiological agents. This study was done to determine the spectrum of bacterial isolates and their susceptibility patterns causing SSIs at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania.

In low-income countries, the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) without laboratory confirmation is very common, especially in primary health facilities. This scenario often leads to unnecessary and ineffective antibiotic prescriptions, prompting the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. We conducted this study to examine the antibiogram of uropathogens causing community-acquired urinary tract infections among outpatients attending selected health facilities in Tanzania. Method: This was a cross-sectional health centre-based survey conducted for a period of five months, from July to November 2021, in the Mwanza and Dar es Salaam regions in Tanzania. We enrolled consecutively a total of 1327 patients aged between 2 and 96 years with a median [IQR] age of 28 [22–39] from Dar es Salaam (n = 649) and Mwanza (n = 678). Results: Significant bacteriuria was observed in 364 (27.4% [95%CI: 25.0–29.9]) patients, from whom 412 urinary pathogens were isolated. Gram-negative bacteria contributed to 57.8% (238) of the 412 uropathogens isolated, of which 221 were Enterobacterales, and Escherichia coli was the most frequent. Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were the most frequently isolated among Gram-positive uropathogens (n = 156). Generally, resistance among Escherichia coli ranged from 0.7% (meropenem) to 86.0% (ampicillin) and from 0.0% (meropenem) to 75.6% (ampicillin) in other Enterobacterales. Moreover, about 45.4% (108) of Enterobacterales and 22.4% (35) of Gram-positive bacteria were multidrug resistant (MDR), p = 0.008. We observed 33 MDR patterns among Gram-negative bacteria, predominantly AMP-CIP-TCY (23/108; 21.3%), and 10 MDR patterns among Gram-positive bacteria, most commonly CIP-GEN-TCY (22/35; 62.9%). Conclusion: the presence of a high number of wide-ranging uropathogens that are multidrug resistant to a variety of antibiotics points to the need to strengthen the laboratory diagnostic systems for the regular surveillance of the antimicrobial resistance of uropathogens to guide and update empirical treatment guidelines.

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are serious and life-threatening, associated with high mortality and morbidity. In resource-limited settings, there is a paucity of data on predictors of outcome in patients with BSI. This study aimed at examining the predictors of mortality in patients with BSI as well as bacteria causing BSI. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital between April and May 2018. Blood culture results from all inpatients at the clinical microbiology laboratory were recorded and clinical information was retrieved retrospectively from the files. Bacteria from positive blood culture were identified and antimicrobial susceptibility was performed. The overall prevalence of BSI was, 46/402 (11.4% 95% CI 8.6–15), with a case fatality rate of 37%. There was a significantly high rate of BSI in patients who had died (19.5%) compared to those who survived (9.2%) p = 0.008. Gram-negative bacteria (74%) were the common cause of BSI, with a predominance of Enterobacteriaceae (22), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11). The majority of bacteria (70.5%) isolated from patients with BSI were Multi-drug resistant (MDR). Forty-six percent of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to meropenem while 68% (15/22) of Enterobacteriaceae were extended-spectrum β lactamase producers. Carbapenemase production was detected in 27% (3/11) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one Proteus mirabilis. Forty percent of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Positive blood culture (aOR 2.24, 95%CI 1.12–4.47, p 0.02) and admission to the intensive care unit (aOR 3.88, 95%CI 1.60–9.41, p = 0.003) were independent factors for mortality in suspected BSI. Isolation of MDR bacteria was an independent predictor for mortality in confirmed BSI (aOR 15.62, 95%CI 1.24–161.38, p = 0.02). The prevalence of BSI was 11.4%, with the majority of bacteria in BSI were MDR. Positive blood culture, admission to the ICU and MDR were predictors for mortality.

Background: Salmonellosis remains an important public health problem globally. The disease is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries that experience poor hygiene and lack of access to clean and safe water. There was an increase in reported cases of Salmonellosis in Njombe Region, Southern Highland of Tanzania between 2015 and 2016 based on clinical diagnosis. Nevertheless, little is known about the factors contributing to the transmission of this disease in the region. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and factors associated with Salmonella infection among patients who report gastrointestinal complaints. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2017 to February 2018 among patients with gastrointestinal complaints at Kibena Regional Hospital. Stool samples were submitted for isolation of Salmonella spp. Identification was based on conventional biochemical tests and serotyping to differentiate typhoid and non-typhoid Salmonella (NTS). Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors independently associated with Salmonella infection. Results: The prevalence of Salmonella infection among participants with gastrointestinal complaints was 16.5% (95% CI: 12.7–21.1) of them, 83.7, 95% CI: 70.9–91.5 were NTS while 16.3, 95% CI: 8.5–29.0 were Typhoid Salmonella species. All isolates were sensitive to ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, whereas 27.8 and 100% were resistant to co-trimoxazole and ampicillin respectively. The odd of Salmonella infection was fourfold higher among participants with formal employment (AOR 3.8, 95% CI, 1.53–9.40). Use of water from wells/rivers (AOR 2.2, 95% CI, 1.07–4.45), drinking untreated water (AOR 2.6, 95% CI, 1.21–5.48) and often eating at a restaurant (AOR 3.4, 95% CI, 1.28–8.93) had increased odds of Salmonella infection. Likewise, having abdominal pain (AOR 8.5, 95% CI, 1.81–39.78) and diarrhea (AOR 2.3, 95% CI, 1.12–4.68) were independent symptoms that predict Salmonella infection. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of Salmonella infection among people who report gastrointestinal complaints and it is clinically predicated by diarhoea and abdominal pain. Employed participants and those eating at restaurant and drinking unsafe water had higher risk of infection. Salmonella spp. causing gastroenteritis has developed resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Background. Bacterial infection remains the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients with burn wounds. The increase in infection and multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens necessitates a periodic review of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in the burn units. The study aimed to determine the magnitude of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative (MDRGN) bacteria in children with burn wound infections and describe the resistance patterns in the tertiary and regional hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Materials and Methods. The study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study design conducted between May 2017 and February 2018. Bacterial isolates from 103 wound swabs of pediatric patients with burn wounds were identified using conventional methods and API 20E. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23.0. Results. A total of 136 pathogenic Gram-negative organisms were isolated from burn wound infections in pediatric patients. The most isolated Gram-negative bacterium was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39.0%), followed by Acinetobacter spp. (28.7%) and Klebsiella spp. (16.2%). MDRGN strains made up 80.1% of all Gram-negative isolates. All (100%) Klebsiella spp. and E. coli were MDR, while 69.2% and 79.2% of Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa, respectively, displayed MDR strains. We observed high levels of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Among P. aeruginosa isolates, highest resistance (81.8%) was seen toward meropenem and piperacillin, 79.5% of Acinetobacter spp. showed resistance to aztreonam, while 93–100% of Klebsiella spp and E. coli displayed resistance to amoxyclavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and ceftazidime. The proportion of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers among Enterobacteriaceae was 78.6%. There was a significant higher rate of infection with MDRGN organisms in pediatric patients with a higher percentage of total burn surface area (TBSA) than patients with lower TBSA ( = 0.016). Conclusions. P. aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp., and Klebsiella spp. are the common Gram-negative pathogens causing burn wound infections in hospitalized pediatric patients in our setting. A high proportion of these organisms were multidrug resistant. The findings appeal for regular antimicrobial resistance surveillance in burn wound infection to inform empirical therapy.

Effective implementation and sustainability of quality laboratory programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa relies on the development of appropriate staff retention strategies. Assessing the factors responsible for job satisfaction and retention is key for tailoring specific interventions aiming at improving the overall impact of health programmes. A survey was developed to assess these factors among 224 laboratorians working in the laboratory programme the University of Maryland implemented in seven Sub-Saharan African countries. Lack of professional development was the major reason for leaving the previous job for 28% of interviewees who changed jobs in the past five years. Professional development/training opportunities was indicated by almost 90% (195/224) of total interviewees as the most important or a very important factor for satisfaction at their current job. Similarly, regular professional development/opportunities for training was the highest rated incentive to remain at their current job by 80% (179/224). Laboratory professionals employed in the private sector were more likely to change jobs than those working in the public sector (P = 0.002). The findings were used for developing specific strategies for human resources management, in particular targeting professional development, aiming at improving laboratory professionals within the University of Maryland laboratory programme and hence its long-term sustainability.