Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with genotyping method among human immunodeficiency virus positive pediatric patients in Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study design

Abstract Background: Increasing evidence suggests that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are becoming more prevalent throughout the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected community. However, there is scarcity of data about the prevalence of MRSA among HIV positive pediatric patients in the study area. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and types of MRSA among S. aureus isolates of HIV positive pediatric patients in the Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: Pediatric patients who attended the clinic from December 2013 to April 2014 were included in the study. Genotype MRSA VER 3.0 was used for characterization of S. aureus isolates. This detected methicillin-resistance-mediating mecA and mecC genes and the bicomponent cytotoxic virulence factor Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Among 126 S. aureus isolates, 37.3% and 11.9% were mecA and Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene positive, respectively. Patients of FHRH (P = 0.04) and DRH (P = 0.02) have statistical significance for mecA gene. Panton–Valentine leukocidin gene positive strains were about 97% less likelihood to be mecA gene positive (P = 0.001). Conclusion: A high prevalence of pathogenic MRSA strains among HIV positive pediatric patients was observed. Most of the MRSA types were hospital acquired. Hence, strict hygienic approaches by healthcare workers in hospitals should be implemented. In addition, screening and treatment of MRSA for HIV positive pediatric patients is recommended. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2018;32(3):00-000] Key words: MRSA, pediatrics, HIV, Ethiopi

Tomato quality as influenced by different packaging materials and practices

In this study, the effect of retailing packaging material on tomato quality was investigated. Specifically, non-defective tomato fruits were selected after harvest and packed in four different packaging materials; open market bag, open box, sealed box and Xtend bag. A total of six treatments were prepared by storing the packaged fruits at 4 or 17°C for 10 days. Quality attributes of tomatoes such as calyx freshness, weight loss, fruit firmness, total soluble solids (TSS), colour and physiological damage were assessed. Generally, both packaging material and storage temperature affected the quality of the tomato fruits. The quality of tomato fruits stored at 4oC was generally superior to those stored at 17°C.Calyx of tomato fruits stored in open market bag (stored at 17°C) and open box (stored at 17°C) were very dry after storage compared to the tomato fruits stored at 4°C. Tomato fruits packed in Xtend bag and sealed box were firmer than those packed in open box and open market bag. The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in sealed box was substantially higher (8.25%) than that in Xtend bag (2.07%). In contrast, the oxygen (O2) concentration in the Xtend bag was higher (18.90%) than that in the sealed box (14.75%). Tomatoes packed in Xtend bag and sealed box had minimal changes in colour intensity (C*), showed lower TSS values compared to tomato fruits packed in other packaging materials. Xtend bag and sealed box seems to be better packaging material for storing tomato fruits for a period of 10 days

Tuberculosis Lymphadenitis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infections among Lymphadenitis Patients in Northwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are among the major health problems in Ethiopia. This study assessed the proportion of tuberculosis lymphadenitis (TBLN), HIV infection and their co-infection among TBLN presumptive individuals at the selected hospitals in NorthwestEthiopia.METHODS: Institution based cross sectional study was carried out. Data on demographic and clinical variables were collected with standardized questionnaire. Microbiological culture was done on specimen obtained by fine needle aspirates. The HIV status was determined by rapid anti-HIV antibody test. Data was entered and scrutinized using SPSS version 20 statistical packages. A stepwise logistic regression model was used. The result was considered as statistically significant at P<0. 05.RESULTS: A total of 381 lymphadenitis patients were included in the study. The overall prevalence of TBLN and HIV were at 250(65.6%) and 9(2.4%), respectively and their co-infection was at 6(2.4%). Based on the cytological examination, 301(79.0%) of them were diagnosed as TBLN. The age group, (P=0.01) and residency, (P=0.01) were found significantly associated with TBLN. Similarly, unsafe sex was also statistically significant for HIV infection (P=0.007).CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis lymphadenitis is the leading cause of TB and lymphadenitis in the region. However, TBLN-HIV coinfection was promisingly low. High rate of discrepancy was noticed between cytological and culture results. Hence, the TBLN diagnostic criteria shall pursue revision

Wound healing effect of aqueous extracts of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus from Northwest Ethiopia in albino mice

Back ground: The practice of traditional medicine to treat wound and bleeding disorders in Ethiopia is based on use of numerous herbs. In Ethiopia, the traditional healers use the leaves of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus for wound healing purposes. But no scientific study is reported on the in vivo evaluation of the pharmacological effect of the two selected plants collected locally from Zegie and around Lake Tana monasteries, Northwest Ethiopia. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the wound healing effects of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus on a mouse model. Methods: 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Brucea antidysenterica and 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Croton marcostachyus leaf aqueous extract solutions were applied on the 1.5cm inflicted wound on the trunk part of the mice of different groups. The degree of wound healing as a percentage was calculated from the wound diameter for each experimental animal. Result: The aqueous extract 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus achieved a relatively higher degree of wound healing percent compared to the control group. Moreover, the 100mg/ml aqueous leaf extract of Croton marcostachyus and Brucea antidysenterica have shown higher degree of wound healing percent compared to the 50mg/ml concentrations of the two plants. Conclusion: The current study concluded that the aqueous extracts of Brucea antidysenterica and Croton marcostachyus possess excellent wound healing potential. Hence, the results of the current study support the traditional use of leaf extracts of Croton marcostachyus and Brucea antidysenterica as remedies for wound healing. Further studies are required to isolate the active compounds and determine safety margin of the plant extracts. Key words: Wound healing, Brucea antidysenterica, Croton marcostachyu

Traditional therapeutic uses and phytochemical screening of some selected indigenous medicinal plants from Northwest Ethiopia

Background: Medicinal plants including Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysentrica and Croton macrostachyus in the Zegie and Lake Tana area are among the main herbal agents traditionally used to treat various illnesses. However, scientific investigations including their phytochemical screening have not been conducted. Objective: To survey the use of these selected medicinal plants by traditional healers and/or herbal medicine users in the Zegie and Lake Tana areas, and conduct phytochemical screening of such commonly used herbal agents. Methodology: Detailed interviews about the therapeutic uses of Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysentrica and Croton macrostachyus were conducted among the traditional healers and users in the study area. The plants were collected and separately extracted using water and ethanol and the crude extracts screened for phytochemical components by using standard procedures. Results: The interview results from the traditional healers and users in the study area on the selected medicinal plants pointed to the therapeutic usage of these herbal agents for a variety of disease conditions, including infectious and non-communicable diseases. Plant extracts from Achyranthes aspera and Brucea antidysentrica showed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates and vitamin C but the absence of saponins and proteins (peptides). Croton macrostachyus was found to have most of the screened phytochemical constituents (including saponins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, free amino acids and vitamin C) except proteins. Discussion: The herbal agents were found to have a variety of therapeutic uses for various illnesses in the area. The presence of the above mentioned phytoconstituents detected may be responsible for the therapeutic activities of these herbal agents. Key words: Traditional medicines, phytochemicals, Achyranthes aspera, Brucea antidysentrica, Croton macrostachyu

Androgenic steroid composition of the hexane/ methanol whole plant extract of Solanecio tuberosus (Selbilla) around Lake Tana Northwest Ethiopia

The plant kingdom is a treasure house of potential drugs. Steroids are very important molecules that mediate awide range of biological functions in the human body. Today, there is no study reporting the androgenic steroidcontent of Solanecio tuberosus extract. In this study, the androgenic steroid content of hexane/methanol extractof S. tuberosus was analyzed by Fourier transform (FT)-infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy,FT-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thin layer chromatography. Androgenic steroid derivatives such aspredinsolone, testosterone cypionate, and methyltestostrone were identified. The present study showed thatS. tuberosus can be considered as a potential remedy to improve the sexual and physical health of men as theygo aged and in testosterone deficient condition if further studies are conducted on safety and efficacy of theplant material

Experimental investigation on characteristics of sisal fiber as composite material for light vehicle body applications

Abstract Sisal fiber composites became attractive due to their high specific strength, lightweight and biodegradability. The aim of this work is to examine characteristics of sisal fiber as composite material for light body vehicles on experimental basis. Composite materials prepared using biodegradable natural fibers are found to be most promising materials which can be used in vehicle body which results in reduction of overall weight of the vehicle. In this work sisal fiber was used. Sisal fiber was extracted using knife from the sisal plant leaves collected from Ethiopian highland. To remove cellulosic matter and improve surface roughness of the sisal fiber, it was immersed in sodium hydroxide solution for 24 h. The specimen of composite material is prepared using the general purpose resin as a matrix, the hardener and the sisal fiber as a reinforcement material with the fiber orientation of 00, ± 450, 00 & 900 by using experimental (hand layup fabrication technique). The specimen was prepared and tested as per ECAE and ASTM standard. From the test results it was found that sisal fiber composite is a good light weight replacement for conventional materials in vehicle body applications. From the experiment result it was observed that different orientation of fiber has shown enhanced mechanical properties of the sisal fiber composite material

Health impacts of bedbug infestation: A case of five towns in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Background: Bedbug is a wingless human blood-sucking bug that generally infests houses and beds. Bedbug infestation is prevalent across the country. Despite its prevalence, however, there is scarce information on the epidemiological, psychological, social and public health impacts of the infestation. This lack may arise from the absence of sufficient research in the area. The impetus for this study arose from this recognition. This study therefore assessed the extent of bedbug infestation in five towns in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, and its impact on public health in the areas considered in this study.Methods: A community-based cross sectional study was conducted in five towns of Amhara Regional State from 1 March 2015 to 30 June 2016. Bedbug inspection was done following the Michigan manual for prevention and control of bedbug recommendation. The presence of a living or dead bedbugs, their eggs, their skin discarded in shedding, and their fecal stains or droppings were taken as an infestation. In addition, data from households were collected using pretested, structured and interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were computed to identify associated factors.Results: From the 203 residential institutions surveyed, evidence of prevalence of bedbugs was located in 75.9% (154) houses. From among the infested residents, 87%, 83.1%, and 71.4% had faced one or more psychological, social and health impacts, respectively. Residential institutions in Bahir Dar town administration were 3.4 times more likely to be infested by bedbug than those in Amanuel town (AOR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1-11). The chances that residents of Kobo town administration had to be infested by bedbug were 41 times more than that of the residents in Amanuel town (AOR: 41; 95%CI: 8-206). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the rates of bedbug infestation and the type of residential institutions.Conclusions: Bedbug infestation was found to be a major public health problem in Bahir Dar, Woreta and Kobo towns. A significant psychological, social and health impact was observed in the communities. Thus, aggressive public health promotion campaigns against bedbug are recommended to empower the communities and equip them with preventive strategies. Moreover, an effective pest management strategy also needs to be made a priority health agenda, in the particular areas of study. A larger study is recommended to assess more in-depth impacts of bedbug infestation on public health [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2017;31(4):251-258]Keywords: Bedbug infestation, Ethiopi