Prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and assessment of trypanocidal drug resistance in tsetse infested and non-tsetse infested areas of Northwest Ethiopia

The Northwestern region of Ethiopia is affected by both tsetse and non-tsetse transmitted trypanosomosis with a significant impact on livestock productivity. The control of trypanosomosis in Ethiopia relies on either curative or prophylactic treatment of animals with diminazene aceturate (DA) or isometamidium chloride (ISM). In the present work; questionnaire survey, cross-sectional and experimental studies were carried out to; a) assess the utilization of trypanocidal drugs; b) determine the prevalence of bovine trypanosomosis and; c) assess the drug resistant problems respectively in Tsetse and non-tsetse infested areas on NW Ethiopia. A total of 100 respondents were included for the survey and the questionnaires focused on the drug utilization practices for the control of Trypanosomosis. Blood from cattle 640 (324 cattle tested in 2011, 316 cattle tested in 2012) and 795 (390 cattle tested in 2011, 405 cattle tested in 2012) were examined from tsetse infested and non-tsetse infested areas respectively using the buffy coat technique and thin blood smear for the detection of trypanosomes and measurement of packed cell volume (PCV). For the assessment of trypanocidal drug resistance three isolates, one from tsetse (TT) and two from non-tsetse (NT) areas were used on thirty six trypanosome naïve calves. The experimental animals were divided randomly into six groups of six animals (TT-ETBS2-DA, TT-ETBS2-ISM, NT-ETBD2-DA, NT-ETBD2-ISM, NT-ETBD3-DA and NT-ETBD3-ISM), which were infected with T. vivax isolated from a tsetse-infested or non-tsetse infested area with 2 × 106 trypanosomes from donor animals, and in each case treated with higher dose of DA or ISM. The results of the questionnaire survey showed trypanosomosis was a significant animal health constraint for 84% and 100% of the farmers questioned in non-tsetse and tsetse infested areas of Northwest Ethiopia respectively. Responses on trypanocidal drug utilization practices indicated that risk factors for the development of drug resistance are common and treatment failures are frequently seen. Accordingly, the majority of farmers in tsetse infested area get trypanocides from drug stores and unauthorized sources whereas those from non-tsetse area get from veterinary clinics. Moreover, treatment administration is mainly by animal health personnel and treatment frequency is a maximum of three times/year/animal in non-tsetse area whereas it is administered mainly by the farmers more than seven times/year/animal in tsetse infested area. The prevalence of trypanosomosis varied from 17.59% in 2011 to 25.0% in 2012 in tsetse infested areas with a significant (P = 0.023) difference. Similarly, in non-tsetse infested area the prevalence was varied from 3.85% in 2011 to 5.93% in 2012 without significant rise. Trypanosoma congolense (75%) was the most prevalent followed by T. vivax (20.58%) and mixed infections (4.41%) in tsetse infested area while in non-tsetse infested area only T. vivax was detected. The overall mean PCV in parasitaemic animals (20 ± 2.3 SD) was significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of aparasitaemic animals (27 ± 4.3 SD). The assessment of trypanocidal drug resistance tests revealed one isolate of non-tsetse infested area against DA in group NT-ETBD2-DA is resistant to the higher dose used with 3 relapsing animals (50% relapses) in the group. Another two relapses were detected one against ISM for the isolate from tsetse infested area (TT-ETBS2-ISM) and one against DA for another isolate (NT-ETBD3-DA) from the non-tsetse area. In conclusion, trypanosomosis is widely prevalent in both study areas causing significant reduction in the mean PCV values. Farmers' trypanocidal utilization practices appear to pose risks of drug resistance problems. The in vivo drug resistance tests indicated the presence of resistant parasites with the higher dose against DA for NT-ETBD2 isolate and suspected resistance problems were detected against ISM and DA for TT-ETBS2 and NT-ETBD3 isolates respectively. Therefore, trypanosomosis is a major constraint in Northwest Ethiopia and drug resistance is a threat in the control of trypanosomosis in both study areas

Pneumococcal colonization and coinfecting respiratory viruses in children under 5 years in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a prospective case–control study

Abstract A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae colonization in conjunction with respiratory virus infections is essential for enhancing our knowledge of the pathogenesis and advancing the development of effective preventive strategies. Therefore, a case–control study was carried out in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to investigate the colonization rate of S. pneumoniae and its coinfection dynamics with respiratory viruses among children under the age of 5 years. Samples from the nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal, along with socio-demographic and clinical information, were collected from 420 children under 5 years old (210 cases with lower respiratory tract infections and 210 controls with conditions other than respiratory infections.). A one-step Multiplex real-time PCR using the Allplex Respiratory Panel Assays 1–4 was performed to identify respiratory viruses and bacteria. Data analysis was conducted using STATA software version 17. The overall colonization rate of S. pneumoniae in children aged less than 5 years was 51.2% (215/420). The colonization rates in cases and controls were 54.8% (115/210) and 47.6% (100/210), respectively (p = 0.14). Colonization rates were observed to commence at an early age in children, with a colonization rate of 48.9% and 52.7% among infants younger than 6 months controls and cases, respectively. The prevalence of AdV (OR, 3.11; 95% CI [1.31–8.19]), RSV B (OR, 2.53; 95% CI [1.01–6.78]) and HRV (OR, 1.7; 95% CI [1.04–2.78]) tends to be higher in children who tested positive for S. pneumoniae compared to those who tested negative for S. pneumoniae. Further longitudinal research is needed to understand and determine interaction mechanisms between pneumococci and viral pathogens and the clinical implications of this coinfection dynamics

Development of a sensitive HPLC method to measure in vitro permeability of E- and Z-isomeric forms of thiosemicarbazones in Caco-2 monolayers

In the current study, we developed a HPLC method to quantitatively measure the permeability of the BpT-based chelators, 2-benzoylpyridine 4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Bp4eT) and 2-benzoylpyridine 4-allyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Bp4aT), across human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) monolayers as a model of gut absorption. In aqueous solution, Bp4eT and Bp4aT formed inter-convertible Z and E isomers that were resolved by HPLC. Peak area was linear with respect to chelator concentration. Acceptable within-day and between-day precision (\u3c22%) and accuracy (85-115% of true values) were obtained over a range of 1.0-100. μM for Bp4eT and 1.5-300. μM for Bp4aT. Limits of detection were 0.3. μM and 1. μM for Bp4eT and Bp4aT, respectively, while corresponding limits of quantification were 1. μM and 5. μM. Both chelators showed significant ability to chelate iron in THP-1 cells using a calcein-based assay and no apparent cytotoxicity was observed within 24. h. Ratios of the apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical transport for Bp4eT were 1.10 and 0.89 at 100. μM and 300. μM respectively, indicating equal bi-directional movement of the compounds. Similarly, ratios were 0.77 and 0.92 for Bp4aT, respectively. This study demonstrates that Bp4eT and Bp4aT can be efficiently transported through Caco-2 cells and can potentially be formulated for oral delivery. © 2012 Elsevier B.V

Development of a sensitive HPLC method to measure in vitro permeability of E- and Z-isomeric forms of thiosemicarbazones in Caco-2 monolayers

In the current study, we developed a HPLC method to quantitatively measure the permeability of the BpT-based chelators, 2-benzoylpyridine 4-ethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Bp4eT) and 2-benzoylpyridine 4-allyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Bp4aT), across human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) monolayers as a model of gut absorption. In aqueous solution, Bp4eT and Bp4aT formed inter-convertible Z and E isomers that were resolved by HPLC. Peak area was linear with respect to chelator concentration. Acceptable within-day and between-day precision (<22%) and accuracy (85-115% of true values) were obtained over a range of 1.0-100. ?M for Bp4eT and 1.5-300. ?M for Bp4aT. Limits of detection were 0.3. ?M and 1. ?M for Bp4eT and Bp4aT, respectively, while corresponding limits of quantification were 1. ?M and 5. ?M. Both chelators showed significant ability to chelate iron in THP-1 cells using a calcein-based assay and no apparent cytotoxicity was observed within 24. h. Ratios of the apical to basolateral and basolateral to apical transport for Bp4eT were 1.10 and 0.89 at 100. ?M and 300. ?M respectively, indicating equal bi-directional movement of the compounds. Similarly, ratios were 0.77 and 0.92 for Bp4aT, respectively. This study demonstrates that Bp4eT and Bp4aT can be efficiently transported through Caco-2 cells and can potentially be formulated for oral delivery.8 page(s

Cancers preventive practice and the determinants in Amhara regional state, Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundCancer is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In Ethiopia, 5.8% of deaths are attributed to cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the cancers preventive practice and associated factors in North West Ethiopia, 2019.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Bahir Dar city residents. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 845 study participants. Data were collected through a validated interviewer administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was adapted from the American cancer association cancer prevention toolkit. Descriptive statistics were computed and presented in charts and texts. The model fitness was checked using Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit (P > 0.05). Bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with cancer preventive practice. A p-value ResultA total of 845 study participants took part in the study. Nearly 63% of the respondents were females. About 28% (95%CI: 24, 30) of the study participants had good preventive practice. Age ≥ 45 years (AOR = 0.31; 95%CI: 0.15, 0.62), female (AOR = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.35, 0.71) family member with cancer (AOR = 1.68, 95%CI: 1.07, 2.62) and had good knowledge (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI: 1.14, 2.42) were the identified determinants of cancer preventive practices.ConclusionThis study revealed that the level of cancer preventive practices was low. Family member with cancer, knowledge about cancer, older age, and being female were significantly associated with cancer preventive practices. This finding underscores the importance of interventions to enhance cancer preventive practices

Food Safety and hygiene practices and the Determinants among street vendors during the Chain of Food Production in Northwest Ethiopia

Background: There is mounting evidence that Ethiopia is becoming a more street-food-consuming nation. The hygienic and safety procedures, however, are not adequately evaluated. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the magnitude of food safety and hygiene practices and associated factors among street food vendors of Bahir Dar City. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 10 to April 10, 2019. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire with an observational checklist. The collected data were entered into EPI Data and analyzed by R software. Descriptive statistics were computed. A Binary logistic regression model was fit to identify the association and strength of exploratory variables and food safety and hygiene practices at a 95 % confidence interval and p-value 2500 Birr (AOR = 4.99; 95%CI: 2.42, 10.3), work experience of >2 years (AOR = 2.05; 95%CI: 1.15, 3.65), having supervision by health professionals (AOR = 2.45; 95%CI: 1.25, 4.85), having good knowledge about food safety and hygiene (AOR = 3.84; 95%CI: 1.42, 10.36), and having a favorable attitude towards food safety and hygiene (AOR = 2.71; 95%CI: 1.12, 6.57) were determinants of food safety and hygiene practice. Conclusions: The level of good food safety and hygiene practices was low. Monthly income, work experience, supervision by health professionals, knowledge, and attitude toward food safety and hygiene were identified as the determinants of good food safety and hygiene practice