Enzymatic and fecundity evaluation of Fasciola hepatica exposed to different doses of γ- irradiation in Ethiopian sheep

The upshot of γ-irradiated Fasciola hepatica infection on the activity of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and γ-glutamyl  transpeptidase (GGT) was evaluated in 36 sheep infected with a single dose of 30, 60, 120, and 240 grays and those kept as negative and positive control over 17 weeks. During this period, serum and faecal samples, as well as body weight gains, were taken at weekly intervals. Furthermore, the effects of the irradiation dose (500) for oral vaccination and on the recovery of adult flukes were assessed following primary infection. Eggs were first detected in the faeces of infected sheep on week 8 post-infection. The parasite viability was severely  affected by doses of γ-irradiation of 120 Gy or 240 Gy. In the aforementioned doses, relatively low numbers of mature flukes of about 60 (17.1%) and 38 (10.8%) were recovered than the control group, respectively. The sensitized lambs also showed less hepatic damage  compared with the controls as indicated by lower levels of the serum enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase and γ- glutamyl transferase  significant body weight loss was observed between weeks 6 and 8 post-infection followed by a steady increase of the mean weight of  infected animals across time. In conclusion, vaccination of sheep with γ irradiated metacercariae of F. hepatica appeared to affect the number and development of the fluke population resulting in reduced hepatic damage during migration, reduced fecundity after patency, as measured by worm and egg counts, levels of serum glutamate dehydrogenase and γ- glutamyl transferase

Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniosis in South-west Shoa zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in cattle slaughtered at Sebeta, Tulu Bolo and Weliso abattoirs in southwest shoa zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia to estimate the prevalence of bovine cystiercosis using routine meat inspection method, and questionnaire surveys were undertaken to assess the status of taeniosis and associated risk factors in human in these towns. Accordingly, out of 1216 carcasses examined, 4.6 % were found infected with Cysticercus bovis. Among the positive cases for C. bovis, 39.3 % were viable and 60.7% were non-viable cysts while it was more prevalent in the heart and tongue (39.3% and 30.4%, respectively) than in the diaphragm and liver. Out of 392 respondents, 55.1% had contracted T. saginata at least once in the past years. The prevalence was significantly higher in adults (> 20 years) than youngsters (< 20 years) (P<0.001), in male than females (P=0.046), in Christian than Muslim community (P=0.011), in butchers and abattoir workers than in other occupation (P<0.001), in illiterate than in literate and university graduates (P=0.001) and in raw meat consumers than in others (P<0.01. In conclusion, bovine cysticercosis caused by C. bovis and associated human taeniosis are important problems in the study areas. Improvement in meat inspection procedures and sanitary conditions in the study areas are needed.Key words: Cysticercosis, Cattle, Human, Taeniosis, Ethiopia

Zoonotic helminth parasites of dog in Bishoftu Town, central Ethiopia: prevalence, dog owners’ knowledge and control practice

Many dog helminth parasites are endemic in many countries of the world posing public health threat. However, they were neglected and less studied in the developing countries such as Ethiopia. This cross-sectional study carried out from November 2016 to April 2017 in Bishoftu town aims at estimating the prevalence of major gastrointestinal tract (GIT) zoonotic helminth parasites of dogs and assessing dog owner’s knowledge and control practice against zoonotic dog parasites. Accordingly, the whole area of Bishoftu town was divided into 60 blocks, of which 10 were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was prepared in English, pretested and administered face to face to 140 dog-owning respondents using two local languages: Amharic and Affan Oromo. Fecal samples collected from 238 dogs after administration of ivermectin and praziquantel at recommended doses to increase sensitivity of detection and to get favorable cooperation of owners. For case detection flotation technique is used for parasite egg identification and parasite morphology for parasites observed in the feces. Pearson’s Chi-square (χ2), p-values and 95% confidence intervals calculated to measure association. Four zoonotic helminthic parasites detected with combined infection prevalence of 59.24% (95% CI: 52.84-65.35). The prevalence of each was 33.61% (95% CI: 27.86 – 39.90) Ancylostoma (A.) caninum, 29.41% (95% CI: 23.93 – 35.56) Toxocara (T.) canis, 19.75% (95% CI: 15.14 – 25.34) Dipylidium (D.) caninum, and 2.10% (95% CI: 0.87 – 4.98) Echinococcus (E.) granulosus. The prevalence of A. caninum and T. canis was significantly higher than the prevalence of D. caninum and E. granulosus. Mixed infection with two parasites recorded in 13.87% whereas concurrent infection with three parasites registered in 5.88% of the dogs. Statistically significant association (p<0.05) was observed between overall infection prevalence and the sex of dogs, where infection prevalence of A. caninum (p<0.001) and T. canis (p<0.001) were significantly higher in male than in female dogs. The questionnaire survey revealed that only 40% of the respondents were aware of the transmission of zoonotic helminthes to humans while none know the route of transmission. Of all the respondents, 58.57% reported regular deworming of their dogs, at least twice per annum, whereas 47.86% of respondents clean and dispose dogs’ excrement with household garbage and 88.57% of dog owners remove dogs’ excrement without using glove, facemasks, boots and/or coverall/gown for personal protection In relative terms high prevalence of zoonotic helminth parasites infestation was observed in owned dog population with poor awareness about route of transmission. Thus, it is advisable to create awareness of dog owners in waste management and use of Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPE). Keywords: Ancylostoma; Bishoftu; Dipylidium; Echinococcus; Ethiopia; Toxocar

Prevalence of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria among neonates suspected for sepsis in Africa : a systematic review and meta-analysis

DATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: All generated data and research materials used during this systematic review and meta analysis are available from paper and supplementary material.BACKGROUND: The emergence and rapid spread of gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenems among newborns is concerning on a global scale. Nonetheless, the pooled estimate of gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenem that cause neonatal sepsis in developing nations remains unknown. Thus, this study aimed to determine the combined prevalence of gram-negative bacteria resistant to carbapenem in African newborns who were suspected of having sepsis. METHODS: All studies published from January 1, 2010, up to December 30, 2023, from PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus electronic databases, and the Google Scholar search engine were researched. Isolates tested for carbapenem from neonates with sepsis, English language papers conducted in Africa, and cross-sectional and cohort studies papers were included. Using PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed studies that assessed the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The “Joanna Briggs Institute” was used critically to evaluate the quality of the included studies. The data analysis was carried out using STATA™ version 17. Heterogeneity across the studies was evaluated using Q and I 2 tests. The subgroup analysis was done and, funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were used to detect publication bias. A sensitivity analysis was conducted. RESULTS: All 36 studies were included in the meta-analysis and systematic review. The pooled prevalence of carbapenem resistance in Africa was 30.34% (95% CI 22.03–38.64%). The pooled estimate of gram-negative bacteria resistant to imipenem, and meropenem was 35.57% (95% CI 0.67–70.54%) and 34.35% (95% CI 20.04% – 48.67%), respectively. A. baumannii and Pseudomonas spp. had pooled prevalence of 45.9% (95% CI 33.1–58.7%) and 43.0% (95% CI 23.0–62.4%), respectively. Similarly, Pseudomonas spp. and A. baumannii also exhibited strong meropenem resistance, with a pooled prevalence of 29.2% (95% CI 4.8–53.5%) and 36.7% (95% CI 20.1–53.3%), respectively. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were the two most common isolates. CONCLUSION: There should be urgent antimicrobial stewardship practices, strengthened surveillance systems and effective treatment for neonates with sepsis. There was remarkable variation in resistance across the continent.https://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/Medical MicrobiologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Camel management as an adaptive strategy to climate change by pastoralists in southern Ethiopia

Abstract Introduction Experiences of low rainfall and frequent droughts have had enormous impacts on livestock production and pastoralists’ livelihoods in southern Ethiopia. The Borana pastoralists are dependent on livestock husbandry with the dominance of cattle in their herds for generations. Recently, the Borana communities have engaged in extensive livestock species diversification, with more focus on camel management as an adaptation strategy to the severity of recurrent droughts. Although increasing interests in camel management among the Borana pastoralists are acknowledged, the driving forces for the increase in camel population in the region have not been addressed. The aim of this study was to assess the trend in camel management as an adaptation strategy towards climate change among the Borana pastoral households. The study also investigated evidence of climate change and the driving factors for camel adoption. Methods The study was conducted in three purposively selected kebeles, which is a lower administrative unit in Ethiopia, of Yabello district in Borana Zone in southern Ethiopia focusing on 156 randomly selected camel-owning households. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods whereby data gathering tools such as key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussions (FGD), household surveys (HS), and field observations were used. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS software version 16. Results Pastoralists’ perceptions and the existing meteorological data analysis showed an increasing trend in temperature but a decreasing pattern in rainfall over the last 27 years (i.e., during the last four Gada periods). Both pastoralists’ observations and existing meteorological data analysis showed an increasing incidence of recurrent droughts with decreasing availability of grazing and water resources. Respondents further explained that cattle are more vulnerable during severe droughts. The findings also showed that camel management as an adaptation strategy by the Borana pastoralists began recently and showed a steady increase in trend over the last four Gada periods. Pastoralists’ perceptions and the existing analysis confirmed that camels’ potential for high milk production and their capacities to withstand harsh environmental condition are among the many reasons that contributed to the adoption of camels by pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Camels were also more preferred with the changing ecology of rangeland vegetation dynamics towards bush encroachment. Conclusions It seems that the high potential of camels for milk production and their abilities to withstand harsh environmental conditions are the major driving forces that contributed to the adoption of camels by pastoralists in southern Ethiopia. Hence, the adoption of camels by pastoralists in southern Ethiopia could be best understood in terms of livelihood diversification option to ensure the food security of pastoral households. We conclude that the increase in camel population in Borana during the last four Gada periods could be attributed to communities’ responses to the impact of climate change and frequent droughts

Anthraquinones from the Roots of Kniphofia insignis and Evaluation of Their Antimicrobial Activities

Sequential extraction using a cold maceration method and column chromatographic separation of the roots Kniphofia insignis headed to the isolation of three anthraquinones: one monomeric anthraquinone (1) and two dimeric anthraquinones (2 and 3). It was further purified by Sephadex LH-20 and recrystallized. The structures of these compounds were established based on the spectroscopic analyses including NMR (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR and infrared) and comparison with reported literatures. In an in vitro antimicrobial assay of the crude extracts, the isolated compounds were made against four bacterial strains (S. aureus ATCC 25923, B. subtilis ATCC 6633, E. coli ATCC 35218, and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and Fusarium spp. fungal strain. In the crude extracts of chloroform, substantial antimicrobial activity was seen with the highest activity against B. subtilis (16 mm) and E. coli (22 mm). Meanwhile, compound 1 has a better zone of inhibition with 14 mm against P. aeruginosa, whereas compound 2 showed better activity (13 mm) against Fusarium spp. fungal strain

Epidemiology of self-medication with modern medicines among health care professionals in Nekemte town, western Ethiopia

Abstract Objective Self-medication is defined as use of medicines to treat self-recognized illnesses. It is widely used in Ethiopia. However, its extent of use is unknown among health professionals. This study aimed to assess prevalence and reasons of self-medication with modern medicines among health professionals. A cross-sectional study was conducted on the health professionals, working in the public health facilities. Data were collected from March to May, 2016 using semi-structured questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences. A chi square test was used as test of significance at 95% of confidence interval. Results A total of 154 health professionals were enrolled, with 53% were being females. The finding revealed that prevalence of self-medication with modern medicines was 67.5%. Financial constraints (32.5%) and familiarity with medicines (24%) were the major reasons of self-medication. It also showed that self-medication with modern medicines was significantly associated with marital status (χ2 = 19.57, P = 0.00). Analgesics (53%) and antibiotics (36%) were the most commonly used categories of medicines. Self-medication with modern medicines was highly practiced among health professionals. Financial constraints and familiarity with medicines were the two major reasons of practicing