Comparative serum lipid and immunohematological values among adult pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculosis lymphadenitis cases and their association with sputum bacilli load and time to culture positivity in Northwestern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The serum lipid and immunohematological values of tuberculosis lymphadenitis (TBLN) patients is poorly documented relative to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the serum lipid and immunohematological values of patients with TBLN in comparison with PTB (PTB) patients. METHODS: An institution-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in Northwest Ethiopia from March to December 2021. The study participants were bacteriologically confirmed PTB (n = 82) and TBLN (n = 94) cases with no known comorbidity and whose ages was greater than 18 years and with no current pregnancy. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA, box plot, and correlation matrix were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The body mass index (BMI), CD4 + T cell count, and high-density lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) values were significantly higher among TBLN cases compared with PTB cases. Additionally, the total white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), total Cholesterol (CHO) and creatinine (Cr) values were relatively higher among TBLN than PTB (P > 0.05). On the reverse, the platelet count and triacylglycerol (TAG) values were relatively higher among PTB than in TBLN cases. While the mean days of culture positivity were 11.6 days for TBLN, the mean days of culture positivity were 14.0 days for PTB. Anemia and serum lipid values showed no correlation with sputum bacilli load and time to culture positivity. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous lymphadenitis patients were well-endowed with serum lipid, immunological and nutritional status compared with PTB cases. Hence, the high incidence rate of TBLN in Ethiopia could not be explained by low peripheral immunohematological values, malnutrition, Anemia, and dyslipidemia. Further study for identifying the predictors for TBLN in Ethiopia is highly desirable.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses infection among military personnel at Bahir Dar Armed Forces General Hospital, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Military personnel are high-risk people for parenteral and sexually transmitted diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Data regarding HBV and HCV prevalence among military personnel in Ethiopia is limited. Hence, the study aimed to determine sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of HBV and HCV among military personnel at Bahir Dar Armed Forces General Hospital, Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a total of 403 military personnel from February to May 2015. Socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected through face to face interview using structured questionnaire. HBV and HCV infection was determined using HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody rapid tests. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess possible risk factors for HBV and HCV infections. RESULTS: The sero-prevalence of HBV and HCV infection were 4.2 and 0.2%, respectively. None of the study subjects were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Higher prevalence of HBV infection (11.3%) was observed in the age group of 40 and above. Being at the age of 40 years and above (COR 7.6; 95% CI 2.0-29.0, p = 0.003), history of nose piercing (COA 5.9; 95% CI 1.2-29.9, p = 0.033) and sexually transmitted infection (COR 4.3; 95% CI 1.1-16.4, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with these viral hepatitis infections. CONCLUSION: Intermediate prevalence of HBV and low prevalence of HCV were observed among military personnel. Strengthening HBV screening strategies among military personal may further reduce these viral diseases.