Schistosoma mansoni

Background. Intestinal schistosomiasis is one of the most widespread parasitic infections in tropical and subtropical countries. Objective. To determine the prevalence of S. mansoni infection and associated determinant factors among school children in Sanja Town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March, 2013. 385 school children were selected using stratified proportionate systematic sampling technique. Pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data and associated determinant factors. Stool samples were examinedusing formol-ether concentration and Kato-Katz technique. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Multivariate logistic regression was done for assessing associated risk factors and proportions for categorical variables were compared using chi-square test. P values less than 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Results. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was 89.9% (n=346). The overall helminthic infection in this study was 96.6% (n=372). Swimming in the river, washing clothes and utensil using river water, crossing the river with bare foot, and fishing activities showed significant association with the occurrence of S. mansoni infection. Conclusion. Schistosoma mansoni infection was high in the study area. Therefore, mass deworming at least twice a year and health education for community are needed

A 17-year trend analysis of malaria at Adi Arkay, north Gondar zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract Background Malaria is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This study aimed to determine the trend of malaria among febrile patients seeking treatment over 17 year (1997–2013) at Adi Arkay, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A 17-year malaria microscopy data were extracted retrospectively at Adi Arkay health centre. Time series and curve estimation analysis were used to evaluate trends in the data. Pearson’s Chi square test was also used to describe associations of variables. Results Over 17 years, 20,483 blood films were requested for malaria diagnosis at the health centre. Out of this, 7428 (36.1%) were microscopically confirmed malaria cases. Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, and their mixed infection accounted for 68.85, 28.79, and 2.34% of all malaria cases, respectively. There was a remarkable reduction of overall malaria during the 17 years. Malaria was reported in all age groups of both sexes, but its positivity rate was significantly higher in males and in the 15–24 years than their counterparts. Conclusion In relative terms, the overall positivity rate of malaria in the area over 17 years showed a significant reduction, but its magnitude as a public health problem is still alarming. Plasmodium falciparum played a significant role in the remarkable drop of overall malaria in the area, whereas vivax malaria remained unchanged. Therefore, control measures should continue to strengthen targeting both predominant malaria parasites in the area

Molecular detection of Enteropathogens from diarrheic stool of HIV positive patients in Gondar, Ethiopia

Abstract Background Infectious diarrhea is a common problem in the developing world, especially among people living with HIV/AIDS. Traditional diagnostic methods such as stool culture and microscopic examination are limited by resources and poor sensitivity. The use of molecular diagnostics for enteropathogen detection in this region of sub-Saharan Africa has not been fully explored. We sought to identify risk factors and characterize enteropathogens from diarrheic stools of HIV-positive patients in Gondar, Ethiopia using multiplex molecular panels targeting key infectious agents. Methods A cross-sectional study of 100 stool samples was performed. Samples were collected consecutively from HIV- positive patients presenting with diarrhea at University of Gondar Hospital clinic, a major center in NW Ethiopia. Genomic DNA was extracted from stool and processed using a multiplex molecular panel Allplex™ [Seegene, Canada]. Correlations between patient characteristics, symptoms, public health risk factors, and enteropathogen type (s) were studied. Eighty-six samples were successfully analyzed by molecular methods. Results The mean age was 35 with 43% male. Eighty percent lived in an urban area, 18% had access to well water only, and 81% practiced proper hand hygiene. The majority of patients (72%) were receiving HAART with a median CD4 cell count of 362/μL. Multiple pathogens were detected in 94% of specimens, with an average of 5 enteropathogens per sample. Common bacteria, viruses, and parasites detected were Shigella spp./enteroinvasive E. coli (80%), enterotoxigenic E. coli (73%), Norovirus (16%) and B. hominis (62%). CD4 cell count < 500/ μL was associated with the presence of viruses (p = 0.004) and the absence of STEC (p = 0.010). The use of HAART or CD4 levels was not associated with the number of enteropathogens detected. Conclusions Diarrheic stool from HIV-positive outpatients in Gondar, Ethiopia had on average 5 enteropathogens present in their stool. Shigellaspp./enteroinvasive E. coli and enterotoxigenic E. coli are the major pathogens, not dissimilar to immunocompetent individuals in low income countries

Syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus infections among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic of Gondar family guidance association, Northwest Ethiopia: implication for prevention of mother to child transmission

Abstract Background Sexually transmitted infections constitute a major public health problem worldwide. Syphilis and HIV infections cause various adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV and syphilis infections among pregnant women at Gondar Family Guidance Association clinic, northwest Ethiopia. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using sociodemographic and laboratory data obtained from registration books of Gondar Family Guidance Association clinic from January 2011 to April 2015. A binary logistic regression model was fit to identify factors associated with HIV and syphilis infections. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the strength of association between factors associated with HIV and syphilis infections. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 3504 pregnant women were included in the study from January 2011 to April 2015. The seroprevalence of HIV, and syphilis were 145 (4.1%) and 66(1.9%), respectively. Twenty-three (0.66%) women were co-infected. Age group 20–29 years (AOR: 3.86; 95% CI: 1.36–10.89), age group ≥30 years (AOR: 6.08; 95% CI: 2.04–18.14) compared to age < 20 year, and HIV-infection (AOR: 14.6; 95% CI: 8.49–25.18) were significantly associated with syphilis infection. There was a decline in trend seroprevalence of HIV from 5.2% in 2011 to 2.1% in 2015; and decline in syphilis seroprevalence from 2.6% in 2011 to 1.6% in 2015 but not statistically significant. Conclusion The data showed that syphilis and HIV infections are still critical public health concerns among pregnant women. Screening of all pregnant women for these infections is valuable. Further community-based studies to identify risk factors are necessary