PhD Student Presents Research Findings at Conference in United States

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UKZN PhD student Ms Lorika Beukes presented aspects of her PhD research at the American Society for Microbiology’s 4^th annual conference in Washington DC in the United States of America on Antimicrobial Resistance in Zoonotic Bacteria and Foodborne Pathogens.

Participants included major stakeholders from the US Food and Drug Administration, the US Department of Agriculture/Food Safety and Inspection Service, the European Food Safety Authority, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and members of the World Health Organization’s advisory group.

The conference highlighted international concerns regarding the transfer of antimicrobial resistance from small-scale food crops and animal groups such as poultry, livestock, household pets and even reptiles, to humans and the dire impact that had.

Beukes presented parts of her PhD research on the microbial analysis of pit latrine samples in rural communities in the eThekwini Municipality, reporting on the detection of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus spp.

According to Beukes, these organisms can present potential health risks to households due to lack of hygiene and proper sanitation.

This research formed part of a collaborative project between UKZN, the eThekwini Municipality and Partners in Development (PID) to assess the hygiene conditions of those living in rural areas with pit latrines and those responsible for emptying them.

By attending the conference, Beukes had the opportunity to interact with major international stakeholders and fellow microbiologists working on antimicrobial resistance.

 Lorika Beukes