Browsing by Author "Kuchaka, Davis"

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Genomic characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients attending regional referral hospitals in Tanzania
(BioMed Central, 2024-08-14) Geofrey, Mujungu; Sauli, Elingarami; Kanje, Livin; Beti, Melkiory; Shayo, Mariana; Kuchaka, Davis; Zwetselaar, Marco; Wadugu, Boaz; Mmbaga, Blandina; Mkumbaye, Sixbert; Kumburu, Happiness; Sonda, Tolbert
Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization increases the risk of subsequent infection by MRSA strain complex interlinking between hospital and community-acquired MRSA which increases the chance of drug resistance and severity of the disease. Objective Genomic characterization of Staphylococcus aures strains isolated from patients attending regional referral hospitals in Tanzania. Methodology A laboratory-based cross-sectional study using short read-based sequencing technology, (Nextseq550,Illumina, Inc. San diego, California, USA). The samples used were collected from patients attending selected regional referral hospitals in Tanzania under the SeqAfrica project. Sequences were analyzed using tools available in the center for genomic and epidemiology server, and visualization of the phylogenetic tree was performed in ITOL 6.0. SPSS 28.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results Among 103 sequences of S. aureus, 48.5% (50/103) carry the mecA gene for MRSA. High proportions of MRSA were observed among participants aged between 18 and 34 years (52.4%), in females (54.3%), and among outpatients (60.5%). The majority of observed MRSA carried plasmids rep5a (92.0%), rep16 (90.0%), rep7c (90.0%), rep15 (82.0%), rep19 (80.0%) and rep10 (72.0%). Among all plasmids observed rep5a, rep16, rep20, and repUS70 carried the blaZ gene, rep10 carried the erm(C) gene and rep7a carried the tet(K) gene. MLST and phylogeny analysis reveal high diversity among MRSA. Six different clones were observed circulating at selected regional hospitals and MRSA with ST8 was dominant. Conclusion The study reveals a significant presence of MRSA in Staphylococcus aureus strains from Tanzanian regional hospitals, with nearly half carrying the mecA gene. MRSA is notably prevalent among young adults, females, and outpatients, showing high genetic diversity and dominance of ST8. Various plasmids carrying resistance genes indicate a complex resistance profile, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to manage MRSA infections in Tanzania.
Status and future prospects for mobile phone-enabled diagnostics in Tanzania
(PLOS, 2024-08-09) Theonest, Ndyetabura; Ngowi, Kennedy; Kussaga, Elizabeth; Lyimo, Allen; Kuchaka, Davis; Kiwelu, Irene; Machuve, Dina; Vianney, John-Mary; Reboud, Julien; Mmbaga, Blandina; Cooper, Jonathan; Buza, Joram
Introduction Diagnosis is a key step towards the provision of medical intervention and saving lives. However, in low- and middle-income countries, diagnostic services are mainly centralized in large cities and are costly. Point of care (POC) diagnostic technologies have been developed to fill the diagnostic gap for remote areas. The linkage of POC testing onto smartphones has leveraged the ever-expanding coverage of mobile phones to enhance health services in low- and middle-income countries. Tanzania, like most other middle-income countries, is poised to adopt and deploy the use of mobile phone-enabled diagnostic devices. However, there is limited information on the situation on the ground with regard to readiness and capabilities of the veterinary and medical professionals to make use of this technology. Methods In this study we survey awareness, digital literacy and prevalent health condition to focus on in Tanzania to guide development and future implementation of mobile phoned-enable diagnostic tools by veterinary and medical professionals. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions, guided in-depth interviews and focus group discussion administered to the participants after informed consent was obtained. Results A total of 305 participants from six regions of Tanzania were recruited in the study. The distribution of participants across the six regions was as follows: Kilimanjaro (37), Arusha (31), Tabora (68), Dodoma (61), Mwanza (58), and Iringa (50). Our analysis reveals that only 48.2% (126/255) of participants demonstrated significant awareness of mobile phone-enabled diagnostics. This awareness varies significantly across age groups, professions and geographical locations. Interestingly, while 97.4% of participants own and can operate a smartphone, 62% have never utilized their smartphones for health services, including disease diagnosis. Regarding prevalent health condition to focus on when developing mobile phone -enabled diagnostics tools for Tanzania; there was disparity between medical and veterinary professionals. For medical professionals the top 4 priority diseases were Malaria, Urinary Tract Infections, HIV and Diabetes, while for veterinary professionals they were Brucellosis, Anthrax, Newcastle disease and Rabies. Discussion Despite the widespread ownership of smartphones among healthcare providers (both human and animal), only a small proportion have utilized these devices for healthcare practices, with none reported for diagnostic purposes. This limited utilization may be attributed to factors such as a lack of awareness, absence of policy guidelines, limited promotion, challenges related to mobile data connectivity, and adherence to cultural practices. Conclusion The majority of medical and veterinary professionals in Tanzania possess the necessary digital literacy to utilize mobile phone-enabled diagnostics and demonstrate readiness to adopt digital technologies and innovations to enhance diagnosis. However, effective implementation will require targeted training and interventions to empower them to effectively apply such innovations for disease diagnosis and other healthcare applications.
Trends and seasonal variation in gastrointestinal infections in Tanzania: Analysis of 5-year DHIS2 data toward implementing the sampling cycles and metagenomic analyses
(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-04-29) Mwing’a, Gerald; Kimu, Patrick; Beti, Melkiory; Shayo, Mariana; Kuchaka, Davis; Mchome, Zaina; Mahundi, Masoud; Kumalija, Claud; Sindato, Calvin; Sonda, Tolbert; Kazyoba, Paul
Objectives: Gastrointestinal (GI) infections, such as diarrhea and dysentery, continue to be major contributors of morbidity and mortality in low-resource countries. Determining trends and seasonality of GI infections provides a better understanding of how interventions can be improved to reduce the burden. To this effect, an analysis of data from the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) was conducted to determine the trend and seasonal variations of GI infections in regions located in the Great Lakes of Tanzania. Methods: Data from DHIS2 of 22 districts in Tanzania recorded between January 2018 and December 2022 were analyzed for trends and seasonal variations in GI infections. The data were managed and analyzed by STATA and Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 1,511,623 GI cases were recorded between January 2018 and December 2022, with diarrhea leading by 84.4%. Data have shown clear seasonal variations of GI infection: peaks during the rainy season and decline in the dry season. Conclusion: Results have revealed that there is a significant decrease in GI infections from January to August, and the cases increase from September to December. This confirmed two sampling cycles, the dry and rainy season, within which pathogen characteristics and diversity will be elucidated.