Identification of Bacterial Uropathogen and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Patients with Diabetic and Hypertension Attending Dilla University General Hospital, Dilla, Ethiopia.

Background: Having a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a serious health issue which is caused by microbial colonization and proliferation in the urinary system. Patients with diabetes and blood pressure are more vulnerable to bacterial urinary tract infections because their host defense is compromised and their urine has a high glucose content. A proper and quick investigation of uropathogen and their antibiogram is key to patient treatment and infection control. Objective: Aimed to assess the identification of bacterial uropathogen and antimicrobial resistance patterns among diabetic and hypertension patients attending DUGH, Ethiopia. Methods: A Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2022 among 158 diabetic and hypertensive patients using a clean catch mid-stream urine sample. Pretested structured questionnaires were used to collect data from study participants. Urine samples were taken and cultured on Blood agar, MacConkey agar and CLED Agar for the identification of uropathogen. An antimicrobial susceptibility test was done according to CLSI. Binary and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the association. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of bacterial uropathogenic among diabetes mellitus and hypertension patients was 15.2%. E. coli (29.2%), coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) (20.8%), K. pneumoniae 3 (12.5%) and S. aureus 2 (12.5%) were the leading isolated uropathogens. In our study, illiterates (AOR =8.1, 95% CI: (5.1-12.4)), participants with high blood glucose levels (AOR=1.81, 95% CI: (1.01-2.21)) and comorbid patients (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI: (4.1-17.2)) were significantly associated with UTI. Both gram-negative and gram-positive isolated bacteria showed higher resistance to most of the commonly used antibiotics. Multidrug resistance was reported in 62.5% of the total isolates. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of bacterial isolate and multidrug resistance. Therefore, continuous monitoring of microbiological and antimicrobial surveillance of UTI among DM patients is crucial for appropriate treatment and infection control.

Perceived Stigma and Its Association with Gender and Disclosure Status among People Living with HIV/AIDS and Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinics in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The psychological experience of being rejected, blamed, and ashamed in relation to a recognized medical disease is known as perceived stigma. It has a close connection to psychological health and therapy afterward. To the best of our knowledge, there has not been any national systematic review and meta-analysis research on this topic. Therefore, we conducted this analysis to thoroughly evaluate the pooled prevalence of perceived stigma among HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopia who are receiving antiretroviral therapy and its relationship to gender differences and disclosure status. Method: We investigated the eight databases for quantitative Ethiopian studies published in English from 2008 to 2021 that looked at the relationship between felt stigma, gender, and disclosure status. To meet the statistical requirements of a systematic review and meta-analysis analysis, the random effect model for pooled prevalence of perceived stigma, log odds ratio for associated variables, I-squared statistics for heterogeneity, and Egger's test for publication bias were implemented. The Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument's standard data extraction method was performed to collect the necessary data, and STATA-14 statistical software was used for analysis. Result: A total of 8 cross-sectional Ethiopian studies with 3,857 participants were integrated into this systematic review and meta-analysis study. The pooled prevalence of perceived stigma among people living with HIV/AIDS and attending antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia was OR = 50.36% (95% CI: (40.71, 60.00), I 2 = 97.3%, p=0.000 ). The pooled odds ratio of being male was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.53, 1.68, I 2 = 86.7%, p=0.000) and disclosure status was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.09, 7.89, I 2 = 97.9%, p=0.000). Conclusion: In this study, half of the participants encountered stigma. There was no statistically significant correlation between gender difference, disclosure status, and the perception of stigma. To address the mental and psychological issues of people living with HIV/AIDS, it is necessary to look into other factors that influence perceived stigma. It is recommended to screen for and treat perceived stigma with prompt examination and follow-up.

Associated risk factor of tuberculosis infection among adult patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem causing death among millions of people each year. Even though many of the World Health Organization recommended tuberculosis control strategies were implemented, there is still a major gap in tuberculosis case detection and treatment which resulted in rapid transmission of the cases in high burden countries. This study aimed to provide updated information on the contributing factors for the development of tuberculosis. Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Gedeo Zone from February to July 2021 to assess the risk factors of tuberculosis. Cases were confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis patients with age ⩾18 years, while controls were participants who were confirmed to be pulmonary tuberculosis negative with the same age. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the associated risk factor. Results: A total of 368 individuals (173 cases and 173 controls) were included in this study. Based on the multivariable logistic regression analysis, we identified six variables as independent risk factors for the development of tuberculosis after controlling possible confounders. Those were patients with income <1500 Ethiopian birr per month (adjusted odds ratio = 2.35; 95% confidence interval: 1.22-3.97), patients with no educational background (illiterate) (adjusted odds ratio = 2.10; 95% confidence interval: 1.17-2.51), patients smoking cigarette (adjusted odds ratio = 2.89; 95% confidence interval: 2.10-3.82), patients chewing khat (adjusted odds ratio = 2.86; 95% confidence interval: 1.28-3.79), patients in close contact with known tuberculosis cases (adjusted odds ratio = 3.63; 95% confidence interval: 2.24-4.46), and patients being positive for HIV (adjusted odds ratio = 3.01; 95% confidence interval: 1.07-3.52) who were found to be significantly associated with tuberculosis development, while Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination had a protective effect against the development of tuberculosis (adjusted odds ratio = 0.52; 95% confidence interval: 0.21-0.88). Conclusion: The priority should be given to the identified contributing factors through application of coordinated efforts on screening of patients suspected for pulmonary tuberculosis and all contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients and treatment of known tuberculosis cases, and appropriate control methods to reduce Mycobacterium tuberculosis cases.

The Magnitude of MTB and Rifampicin Resistance MTB Using Xpert-MTB/RIF Assay Among Tuberculosis Suspected Patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem causing death among millions of people each year. The new barrier that challenges the control of tuberculosis is the emerging and the increasing number of drug-resistant TB that becomes a world concern. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RR-MTB) among presumptive TB patients attending Dilla University Referral Hospital, Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Dilla University Referral Hospital from January 2014 to December 2020. Sputum results were done using Xpert MTB/RIF assay and other necessary data were collected from the registration logbooks using a standardized data extraction format and analyzed using SPSS version 23 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 17,745 presumptive TB patients were included, of which 62.2% were males. The overall prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) was 11.8%, of which 5.1% were confirmed to have RR-MTB. Extra-pulmonary TB was reported in 1.5% of the study participants. The highest prevalence of MTB and RR-MTB was recorded in 2017 with a prevalence of 20.1% and 8.5%, respectively. All age groups were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of MTB (p < 0.036). TB patients with a history of previous treatment and HIV positive were significantly associated with MTB (P < 0.021), while RR-MTB was only significantly associated with patients with a history of previous treatment (P < 0.018). CONCLUSION: A high magnitude of MTB and RR-MTB was reported among TB patients with HIV and a history of previous treatment. Therefore, coordinated efforts should be applied to the improvement of treatment adherence of known TB cases, and appropriate control and prevention methods to reduce the emergence and increase of MTB and RR-MTB cases.

The magnitude of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- producing Enterobacteriaceae from clinical samples in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of resistance among extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae is a serious problem around the world. It results in serious clinical complications in humans and has become a global threat. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in different clinical samples in Ethiopia. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library. All identified observational studies reporting the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae from clinical samples in Ethiopia were included. Four authors independently extracted data and analysed using R software version 3.6.1 and STATA statistical software version 13. A random-effects model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Ethiopia. RESULTS: Of 142 articles reviewed, 14 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the different clinical specimens in Ethiopia was 49 % (95 % CI: 39, 60). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the leading ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae followed by Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii with a prevalence of 74, 67 and 60 %, respectively. ESBL-producing isolates showed a high rate of resistance to cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid (AMC), ampicillin and aztreonam. The better options for the treatment of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are amikacin and Imipenem. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in different clinical samples in Ethiopia is alarmingly high and represents a threat to human health. Hence, a coordinated effort needs to be implemented for the prevention and control of these Enterobacteriaceae .

The prevalence of Listeria species in different food items of animal and plant origin in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Listeriosis is one of the important emerging zoonotic disease affecting human health following the consumption of contaminated food of animal origin. It results in serious clinical complications in humans with a high case facility rate. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of Listeria species in Ethiopia. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library. All identified observational studies reporting the prevalence of Listeria species in different food items of animal and plant origin in Ethiopia were included. Three authors independently extracted data and analyzed them using STATA Version 13 statistical software. A random effects model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of Listeria species in Ethiopia. RESULTS: After reviewing 122 studies, five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The findings from the five studies revealed that the pooled prevalence of Listeria species in different food items of animal and plant origin in Ethiopia was 27% (95% CI 25, 29). The highest prevalence of Listeria species was reported in beef meat followed by ice cream with prevalence rates of 62% (95% CI 50, 75) and 43% (95% CI 33, 53), respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of Listeria species in different food items of animal and plant origin in Ethiopia is an indicator of the presence of public health hazards to the consumer, particularly to the high-risk groups. Hence, awareness creation on food safety and implementation of regulations is strongly recommended.

Prevalence and associated factor of Campylobacter species among less than 5-year-old children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the significant reductions in under-five mortality, campylobacteriosis has emerged as one of the most common causative agents of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis in humans. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence of Campylobacter species and associated risk factors among children less than 5 years of age in Ethiopia. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library. All identified observational studies reporting the prevalence and determinants of diarrhea among children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia were included. Two authors independently extracted data and analyzed them using STATA Version 13 statistical software. A random-effects model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence and the associations between determinant factors and campylobacteriosis. RESULTS: Out of 166 papers reviewed, 8 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of Campylobacter species among children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia was 10% (95% CI: 7, 13). Contact with domestic animals (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 2.0, 5.1), illiterate mothers (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.1, 3.8), consumption of animal products (OR: 1.7, 95% CI: 0.7, 4.5), and status of mothers' personal hygiene (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.7, 1.8) were significantly associated with the prevalence of Campylobacter species. CONCLUSION: In our study, Campylobacter species among children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia were significantly high. Contact with domestic animals, illiterate mothers and consumption of animal products were significantly associated with prevalence of Campylobacter species.

Bacterial Isolates from CSF Samples and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Children Under Five Suspected to Have Meningitis in Dilla University Referral Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It causes an estimated 288,649 deaths worldwide per year, of which 94,883 death occur among children under 5 years old. Up to 24% of survivors suffer from long-term sequelae such as epilepsy, mental disability, or sensorineural deafness, especially when the disease is contracted during early childhood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess bacterial isolates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and their antimicrobial resistance patterns among children under 5 years old in Dilla University Referral Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was used to collect clinical data and CSF sample from children under 5 years old who were suspected for meningitis. Sediment of CSF samples was inoculated to blood agar plate, chocolate agar plate, and MacConkey agar for bacterial isolation and identification. Chemical analysis and cytological analysis were also conducted based on standard operating procedures. RESULTS: From a total of 287 CSF samples cultured, causative bacteria were detected in 38 (13.2%). From culture positive cases, the most frequent isolate was Streptococcus pneumoniae (13 (34.2%)) followed by Staphylococcus aureas (7 (18.4%)), Neisseria meningitidis (6 (16%)) and Escherichia coli (6 (16%)). Haemophilus influenzae type b was isolated in 4 (10.5%) children with meningitis. Another cause of meningitis was Streptococcus agalactiae which accounted for 10.5%. Cryptococcus neoformans was detected in 4 (1.9%) cases of meningitis. Of all bacterial isolates, about 42.1% (16/38) were multi-drug resistant. About 38.5% of S. pneumoniae had multi-drug resistance, while about 33.3% of N. meningitidis, 50% of H. influenzae, 57.1% of S. aureas and 40% of E. coli showed multi-drug resistance. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of bacterial meningitis and high rate of drug resistance were observed. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the leading cause of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years old.

Fecal Carriage Rate of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Among Apparently Health Food Handlers in Dilla University Student Cafeteria.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae among food handlers is a public health concern and has become a serious world threat. Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are the predominant ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae and E. coli isolated from the stool of food handlers in the Dilla University Student Cafeteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November to September 2018/2019. A total of 220 stool samples were cultured on MacConkey agar and a series of biochemical tests were performed for the identification of bacterial species. Double-disk synergy method was used for the detection of ESBL-producing strains. RESULTS: The rate of fecal carriage of E. coli and K. pneumoniae among the food handlers of the current study was 66.4%, of which 81.5% was E. coli, while 18.5% was K. pneumoniae. Of the total bacterial isolates, 25.3% were confirmed to be positive for ESBL production, of which 19.9% was E. coli, while 5.5% was K. pneumoniae. ESBL-producing fecal carriage showed high resistance to aztreonam, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and ceftazidime, with resistance rates ranging from 88% to 100%, while the lowest resistance rate was observed against imipenem accounted <26.3%. In this study, 91.9% of ESBL-producers were co-resistant to ß-lactams antibiotics plus at least one of the non-ß-lactam antibiotics. ESBL carriers were more common among food handlers who used antibiotics repeatedly, drunk unpasteurized milk, and ate raw meat. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae fecal carriage is alarmingly high and a threat to human health. MDR to third-generation cephalosporins and non-ß-lactam antibiotics is more common among ESBL producers. Detecting ESBL-producing organisms has a remarkable importance in clinical decision-making. Hence, a coordinated effort should be implemented for the prevention and control of the disease.

The effect of coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV) during pregnancy and the possibility of vertical maternal-fetal transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus is challenging the global health care system from time to time. The pregnant state, with alterations in hormone levels and decreased lung volumes due to a gravid uterus and slightly immunocompromised state may predispose patients to a more rapidly deteriorating clinical course and can get a greater risk of harm for both the mother and fetus. Therefore, this systematic review was aimed to assess the effect of coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV) during pregnancy and its possibility of vertical maternal-fetal transmission. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Library until the end of April. All authors independently extracted all necessary data using excel spreadsheet form. Only published articles with fully accessible data on pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV, MARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 were included. Data on clinical manifestations, maternal and perinatal outcomes were extracted and analyzed. RESULT: Out of 879 articles reviewed, 39 studies involving 1316 pregnant women were included. The most common clinical features were fever, cough, and myalgia with prevalence ranging from 30 to 97%, while lymphocytopenia and C-reactive protein were the most common abnormal laboratory findings (55-100%). Pneumonia was the most diagnosed clinical symptom of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 infection with prevalence ranged from 71 to 89%. Bilateral pneumonia (57.9%) and ground-glass opacity (65.8%) were the most common CT imaging reported. The most common treatment options used were hydroxychloroquine (79.7%), ribavirin (65.2%), and oxygen therapy (78.8%). Regarding maternal outcome, the rate of preterm birth < 37 weeks of gestation was 14.3%, preeclampsia (5.9%), miscarriage (14.5%, preterm premature rupture of membranes (9.2%) and fetal growth restriction (2.8%). From the total coronavirus infected pregnant women, 56.9% delivered by cesarean, 31.3% admitted to ICU, while 2.7% were died. Among the perinatal outcomes, fetal distress rated (26.5%), neonatal asphyxia rated (1.4%). Only, 1.2% of neonates had apgar score < 7 at 5 min. Neonate admitted to ICU was rated 11.3%, while the rate of perinatal death was 2.2%. In the current review, none of the studies reported transmission of CoV from the mother to the fetus in utero during the study period. CONCLUSION: Coronavirus infection is more likely to affect pregnant women. Respiratory infectious diseases have demonstrated an increased risk of adverse maternal obstetrical complications than the general population due to physiological changes occurred during pregnancy. None of the studies reported transmission of CoV from the mother to the fetus in utero, which may be due to a very low expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 in early maternal-fetal interface cells.

Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging Features of Patients with COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious disease, and its first outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China. A coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causes severe respiratory distress (ARDS). Due to the primary involvement of the respiratory system, chest CT is strongly recommended in suspected COVID-19 cases, for both initial evaluation and follow-up. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to systematically analyze the existing literature on CT imaging features of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Open Access Journals (OAJ), and Google Scholar databases until April 15, 2020. All articles with a report of CT findings in COVID-19 patients published in English from the onset of COVID-19 outbreak to April 20, 2020, were included in the study. RESULT: From a total of 5041 COVID-19-infected patients, about 98% (4940/5041) had abnormalities in chest CT, while about 2% have normal chest CT findings. Among COVID-19 patients with abnormal chest CT findings, 80% (3952/4940) had bilateral lung involvement. Ground-glass opacity (GGO) and mixed GGO with consolidation were observed in 2482 (65%) and 768 (18%) patients, respectively. Consolidations were detected in 1259 (22%) patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. CT images also showed interlobular septal thickening in about 691 (27%) patients. CONCLUSION: Frequent involvement of bilateral lung infections, ground-glass opacities, consolidation, crazy paving pattern, air bronchogram signs, and intralobular septal thickening were common CT imaging features of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Salmonella, Shigella, and Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factor among Food Handlers in Dilla University Student Cafeteria, Dilla, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Food-borne disease is mostly caused by unsafe food handling and processing as well as poor hygienic practice. Recently, it is a worldwide and local burden to the human health. It is estimated that about one-third of the world population is affected by food-borne diseases annually and become a global public health problem. Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated risk factors of Shigella, Salmonella, and intestinal parasites among food handlers in Dilla University, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November to September 2018/2019. A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data on sociodemographic characteristics. Parasite and bacterial identification, as well as susceptibility testing, was done using standard parasitological and bacteriological procedures. RESULTS: Of the total 220 food handlers included in the study, 38.6%, 9.5%, and 3.2% were positive for intestinal parasites, Salmonella, and Shigella species, respectively. A. lumbricoides (11.4%) was the predominant parasite isolated followed by E. histolytica (7.7%). From the total Salmonella isolates, serogroup D was the most frequent isolate and from the total Shigella species, Shigella flexneri was the predominant isolate. In this study, through irregular medical checkups, those who drunk unpasteurized milk and ate raw meat were significantly associated with intestinal parasites. Both Salmonella and Shigella species were highly resistant to ampicillin (81%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (>70%). Salmonella isolates are highly sensitive to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone, while Shigella is highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. MDR was recorded in 71.4% of all bacterial isolates. CONCLUSION: The presence of a high prevalence of intestinal parasites, Salmonella, and Shigella species that were resistant to the commonly prescribed drugs is a treat to the children and the community at large. Therefore, measures including health education, improvement of safe water supply, sanitation facilities, and continuous monitoring of microbiological and antimicrobial surveillance are crucial.