detection and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Shigella isolates from meat and swab samples at butchers' shops in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia

Food borne pathogens are major causes of deaths, illnesses and billions of dollars of expenses. The burden of food borne illness is worsened by the ever increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance microbes. Shigella, a bacterial pathogen associated with food, is reported to account for higher prevalence rates of food borne illness in different settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 10 to June 30, 2013, at the butcher houses of Gondar town in the Northwest of Ethiopia to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Shigella. Cattle raw meat and swab samples from selected critical control points, including knives, chopping boards, and the hands and noses of butchers, were collected and analyzed. The identification of Shigella was carried out using colony characteristics, the Gram reaction, and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The overall hygienic status of the butcher shops was also assessed using a checklist. An observational analysis revealed that the sanitary condition of the butcher shops and their premises was poor. Of 306 samples screened, 10.5% were positive for Shigella Approximately 7.4% of meat samples and 10.2% of swab samples were contaminated with Shigella. Out of the total Shigella isolates, 90.6%, 46.9%, 18.8% and 9.4% were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and tetracycline, respectively. A mul-tidrug resistance pattern was recorded in 27.8% of the isolates. In conclusion, the safety of meat sold at Gondar butchers houses was poor. The identified Shigella isolates showed high levels of drug resistance and multidrug resistance patterns for commonly used antimicrobials in veterinary and human medicine. Practicing wise use of antimicrobials and strict sanitary interventions at different critical control points is strongly recommended, in addition to further in-depth studies to prevent unprecedented consequences from shigellosis

Prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Gondar prisoners, North West Ethiopia

Objective: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis among Gondar town prisoners, North West Ethiopia. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from February to July, 2008 in Gondar Prison. Prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks were involved in the study by giving three sputum samples and filling the questionnaires prepared for risk factor assessment. Acid fast staining technique was employed to detect the presence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli in the sputum samples. Data was analyzed using SPSS version13 computer software and presented in table. Chi-square test was used to assess associations and a P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant. Results: A total of 384 prisoners, 349 male and 35 females, with a mean age of 33.3 years were involved in the study. The prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis among those prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks was 8.59%. Only the length of imprisonment had a significant association (χ 2= 18.82, P-value<0.0001) with the prevalence of tuberculosis. Conclusions: This study indicated that tuberculosis among prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks in Gondar prison is very high. Therefore Periodic screening of the prisoners and screening of newly introduced prisoners should be practiced so as to minimize the burden of tuberculosis in prisoners.

Prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Gondar prisoners, North West Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE@#To assess the prevalence and risk factors of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis among Gondar town prisoners, North West Ethiopia.@*METHODS@#A cross sectional study was conducted from February to July, 2008 in Gondar Prison. Prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks were involved in the study by giving three sputum samples and filling the questionnaires prepared for risk factor assessment. Acid fast staining technique was employed to detect the presence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli in the sputum samples. Data was analyzed using SPSS version13 computer software and presented in table. Chi-square test was used to assess associations and a P-value less than 0.05 was taken as significant.@*RESULTS@#A total of 384 prisoners, 349 male and 35 females, with a mean age of 33.3 years were involved in the study. The prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis among those prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks was 8.59%. Only the length of imprisonment had a significant association (χ (2)= 18.82, P-value<0.0001) with the prevalence of tuberculosis.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study indicated that tuberculosis among prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks in Gondar prison is very high. Therefore Periodic screening of the prisoners and screening of newly introduced prisoners should be practiced so as to minimize the burden of tuberculosis in prisoners.

Prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Gondar prisoners, North West Ethiopia

Objective:To assess the prevalence and risk factors of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis amongGondar town prisoners,NorthWestEthiopia.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted fromFebruary toJuly,2008 inGondarPrison.Prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks were involved in the study by giving three sputum samples and filling the questionnaires prepared for risk factor assessment.Acid fast staining technique was employed to detect the presence of theMycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli in the sputum samples.Data was analyzed usingSPSS version13 computer software and presented in table.Chi-square test was used to assess associations and aP-value less than0.05 was taken as significant.Results:A total of384 prisoners,349 male and35 females, with a mean age of33.3 years were involved in the study.The prevalence of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis among those prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks was8.59%.Only the length of imprisonment had a significant association(χ2=18.82,P-value<0.0001) with the prevalence of tuberculosis. Conclusions:This study indicated that tuberculosis among prisoners with cough duration of more than two weeks inGondar prison is very high.ThereforePeriodic screening of the prisoners and screening of newly introduced prisoners should be practiced so as to minimize the burden of tuberculosis in prisoners.

Opportunistic and other intestinal parasites among HIV/AIDS patients attending Gambi higher clinic in Bahir Dar city, North West Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the magnitude of opportunistic and non-opportunistic intestinal parasitic infections among HIV/AIDS patients in Bahir Dar.@*METHODS@#Cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV/AIDS patients attending Gambi higher clinic from April1-May 30, 2009. Convenient sampling technique was employed to identify the study subjects and hence a total of 248 subjects were included. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data of patients. Stool samples were examined by direct saline, iodine wet mount, formol-ether sedimentation concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique.@*RESULTS@#Out of 248 enrolled in the study, 171(69.0%) (90 males and 81 females) were infected with one or more intestinal parasites. The highest rate of intestinal parasites were observed among HIV/AIDS patients (80.3%, 151/188), and the infection rate of HIV negative individuals was 33.3% (20/60). Cryptosporidum parvum (43.6%), Isospora belli (15.5%) and Blastocystis hominis (10.5%) were opportunistic parasites that were found only in HIV/AIDS patients.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Opportunistic parasite infections are common health problem among HIV/AIDS patients in the study area. Therefore, early detection and treatment of these parasites are important to improve the quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients.