Isolation and Phenotypic Characterization of Virulent Bacteriophages Against Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli and Its Phage-Resistant Variant from Sewage Sources.

Purpose: The use of lytic bacteriophages for the control or elimination of pathogenic multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is the promising alternative. However, the emergence of resistant bacterial variants after phage application may challenge its therapeutic benefit. In this study, we aimed to isolate candidate phages from sewage samples against two MDR Escherichia coli as well as their phage-resistant variant. Methods: MDR E. coli isolates (n = 10) obtained from Jimma Medical Center that had been properly identified and stored were used to isolate bacteriophages. Two lytic coliphages were isolated from hospital sewage samples following standard protocols. Upon single phage infection, phage-resistant variant quickly evolved serving as a new host for the isolation of a third lytic phage. This virulent phage's lytic activity against both its host and the wild host was investigated. The host infectivity of the various cocktails was assessed, and each phage's biological properties were studied. Results: Out of the first round of phage isolation process, two lytic phages were identified as VBO-E. coli 4307 and VBW-E. coli 4194. When exposed to VBO-E. coli 4307, the wild-type E. coli 4307 developed resistant variants. A third phage (VBA-E. coli 4307R) was isolated specific to this resistant variant (E. coli 4307R) under optimum condition. For VBO-E. coli 4307, VBW-E. coli 4194, and VBA-E. coli 4307R, the plaque assays generated under comparable conditions were 2.13 × 1010 PFU mL-1, 9.17 × 1012 PFU mL-1, and 3.3 × 1010 PFU mL-1, respectively. These phages have nearly identical stability and lytic ability but differ greatly in their host ranges for VBA-E. coli 4307R. Conclusion: While the wild-type MDR pathogen could easily evolve resistance when exposed to a single phage infection by VBO-E. coli 4307, it is still possible to isolate a novel bacteriophage from environmental samples that is effective against the phage-resistant variants. This indicates that it is possible to manage the effects of phage resistance pathogens even if they are MDR.

ABO and Rh (D) blood group phenotype distribution pattern among blood donors at the Nekemte Blood Bank, Oromia, West Ethiopia: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the distribution of ABO and Rh (D) blood group phenotypes among blood donors. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled blood donors whose socio-demographic and blood group phenotype data were collected from blood bank donor records. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the number and percentage distribution of categorical variables. To determine if the distributions of the ABO and Rh phenotypes differed, a chi-square test was employed. RESULTS: Of 14,887 blood donors with a median age of 20 years (interquartile range = 18-30 years), 72.8% were males, and young donors (age range = 18-24 years) accounted for 61.7%. Group O (45.6%) was the most prevalent ABO blood phenotype, followed by A (29.5%), B (20.2%), and AB (4.7%). The dominant blood group was O positive (42.4%), followed by A positive (27.4%), B positive (18.9%), AB positive (4.3%), O negative (3.2%), A negative (2.1%), B negative (1.3%), and AB negative (0.4%). The overall Rh (D)-negative distribution rate was 7.0%. CONCLUSION: This study showed that blood group O was the most common ABO phenotype, followed by A, B, and AB. Overall, 93.0% of the donors were Rh (D)-positive. These findings may help guide blood transfusion programmes.

Outcomes following COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among healthcare professionals in Oromia region, Ethiopia.

Vaccines are not free from adverse outcomes. However, the evidence of adverse outcomes following COVID-19 vaccination among health-care professionals (HCPs) in the study setting was scanty. Aimed to assess outcomes following COVID-19 vaccination and associated factors among health-care professionals in Oromia region, Ethiopia. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from 1 October to 30 October 2021. Data were collected using questionnaire created on Google forms. A snowball sampling technique through the authors' network on the popular social media was used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. The Adjusted Odd Ratio (AOR) along with the 95% confidence level and variables with a p value <.05 were considered to declare the statistical significance. About 93.9% of the participants had experienced mild-to-moderate adverse outcomes following COVID-19 vaccination. Being married [AOR = 4.19, 95% CI:2.07,8.45] ,family size >5 [AOR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.74, 15.34], family not tested for COVID-19 [AOR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.15,0.97], lack of family support to take the vaccine [AOR = 3.58, 95% CI: 1.75, 7.33], heard anything bad about the vaccine [AOR = 4.17, 95% CI: 1.90,9.13] and very concerned as the vaccine could cause Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) [AOR = 6.24, 95% CI: 1.96,19.86] were statistically associated with the outcome. The study showed that over nine out-of-often participants had experienced mild-to-moderate adverse outcomes following COVID-19 vaccination. However, severe adverse outcome experienced was very low, which could not hinder to take the vaccine due to fear of its side effects. Marital status, family size, family tested for COVID-19, lack of family support to take the vaccine, hearing anything bad about the vaccine, and being concerned about as the vaccine could cause adverse events were factors associated with the outcome.

Hematological Profile Changes Among Oral Contraceptive Users: A Narrative Review.

Hematological profiles are measurable indices of blood that can be used to identify and monitor some pathological and physiological abnormalities. Oral contraceptives are one of the factors which may exert an influence on hematological laboratory test results and have a critical importance. Therefore, the main goal of this review was to evaluate the hematologic profile alterations brought on by the use of oral contraceptives. Accordingly, even though there were studies that showed no significant difference, most of the oral contraceptive users had higher hemoglobin, platelet, and erythrocyte counts than non-users. Other erythrocyte metrics, such as mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and red cell dispersion width, did not significantly change. Moreover, leukocyte count and leukocyte differential count had no significant change among the oral contraceptive users in comparison to non-users. Oral contraceptive users typically have shorter prothrombin times, activated partial thromboplastin times, thrombin times, and greater levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer compared to non-users. However, this review is a narrative review and did not show the pooled effect of oral contraceptives on these hematological parameters. Therefore, it is recommended to do systematic and meta-analysis to determine the pooled effect of oral contraceptives.

Risk stratification and prognostic value of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time among COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a viral disease caused by a new strain of corona virus. Currently, prognosis and risk stratification of COVID-19 patients is done by the disease's clinical presentation. Therefore, identifying laboratory biomarkers for disease prognosis and risk stratification of COVID-19 patients is critical for prompt treatment. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the risk stratification and prognostic value of basic coagulation parameters and factors associated with disease severity among COVID-19 patients at the Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, COVID-19 treatment center, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A follow-up study was conducted among conveniently recruited COVID-19 patients attended from March to June 2021. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire and checklist, respectively. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were analyzed by the HUMACLOT DUE PLUS® machine. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants. Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare the difference between parametric and non-parametric continuous variables, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the value of PT and APTT in the risk stratification and disease prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with disease severity and prognosis. A P-value < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant for all results. RESULT: Baseline PT at a cut-off value ≥ 16.25 seconds differentiated severe COVID-19 patients from mild and moderate patients (AUC: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83-0.95). PT also differentiated mild COVID-19 patients from moderate and severe patients at a cut-off value ≤ 15.35 seconds (AUC: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84-0.96). Moreover, alcohol drinkers were a 3.52 times more likely chance of having severe disease than non-drinkers (95% CI: 1.41-8.81). A one-year increment in age also increased the odds of disease severity by 6% (95% CI: 3-9%). An increment of ≥ 0.65 seconds from the baseline PT predicted poor prognosis (AUC: 0.93, 0.87-0.99). CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Prolonged baseline PT was observed in severe COVID-19 patients. Prolonged baseline PT was also predicted to worsen prognosis. An increase from the baseline PT was associated with worsen prognosis. Therefore, PT can be used as a risk stratification and prognostic marker in COVID-19 patients.

Baseline Thrombocytopenia and Disease Severity Among COVID-19 Patients, Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital COVID-19 Treatment Center, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Thrombocytopenia and platelet indices in COVID-19 patients were important for prompt treatment and management of the disease. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of thrombocytopenia, platelet indices, and its association with disease severity among COVID-19 patients at the Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, COVID-19 treatment center, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 117 conveniently recruited COVID-19 patients from March to June 2021. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire and checklist, respectively. The platelet parameters were analyzed by the Mindray-BC 5800 automated hematological analyzer. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the difference between parametric and non-parametric continuous variables, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with thrombocytopenia. A P-value < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant for all statistical tests. Results: Among COVID-19 patients, 45, 43 and 29 were mild, moderate and severe, respectively. 65.8% of the patients were males and 34.2% were alcohol drinkers with a mean age of 50.6 ± 15.4. Moreover, 44.4% of the patients had co-morbidity. Thrombocytopenia was presented in 23.9% of the patients. It was 4.57 (95% CI: 1.30-16.07) and 6.10 (95% CI: 1.54-24.08) times more likely in the moderate and severe cases compared to mild cases, respectively. Disease severity was also associated with PDW (P-value = 0.001). Conclusion: Even though thrombocytopenia was not presented in most moderate and severe COVID-19 patients, thrombocytopenia and PDW were associated with disease severity.