Project Title: Pathogens of Forest and water- birds

Project Implementation period: 2015 -

Project lead: Louisa Sawyerr

Project description:

Inadvertently, wild animals may come into contact with antimicrobials though they do not use antimicrobial agents. For wild animal species inhabiting protected areas, contact with antimicrobial agents is considered uncommon. However, human disturbances in natural environments may lead to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria in wild animals. Migratory birds may also pick pathogens and antimicrobial pathogens which may be spread along their migration route. Therefore, it is important to monitor wild bird populations for pathogens and antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

Donor: UG- Carnegie Next Generation of Academics in Africa

Objectives:

1. To isolate and characterise pathogens of forest and water- birds;
2. To determine antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacteria isolated from forest and water- birds.

Activities:

1. Collect samples (faeces, cloacal swabs or blood) from forest or water- birds;
2. Use various identification techniques to isolate and characterise pathogens;
3. Perform agar dilutions and disk diffusion methods for testing antimicrobial sensitivity.