Bacteriological and molecular characterization of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from tuberculous lesions collected among slaughtered cattle, Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: In Ethiopia, the distribution of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) has long been known and documented as a major problem of animal health. However, the burden of circulating M. bovis strains is poorly understood in the country. Therefore; this study aimed to identify and characterize the mycobacterial isolates responsible for BTB in Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on tuberculous lesions that had been collected from slaughtered cattle between September 2018 to June 2019. Collected lesions were cultured and tested for tuberculous bacilli. The MPT64 assay and Genotype line probe assay (LPA) were used for identification of mycobacterial isolates, and region of deletion 4 (RD4) typing and spoligotyping were used to characterize the M. bovis strains. RESULTS: Of the total 1458 examined slaughtered cattle, only 62 (4.3, 95%CI; 0.0328-0.0542) had tuberculous lesions. The highest number of gross tuberculous lesions were observed from the lymph nodes of the thoracic cavity; at the mediastinal (40.3%, 25/62) and bronchial (22.6%, 14/62) lymph nodes. Of the 62 collected tuberculous lesions; 18 (29.0%) were culture positive for mycobacterium isolates, and only five isolates were confirmed for M. tuberculosis complex (MTBc) by the MPT64 assay and LPA. All the five MTBc isolates were positive for RD4 typing of M. bovis with a PCR product size of 446 bp, and no isolate was noticed to have M. tuberculosis. The detected M. bovis strains displayed five spoligotypes; with the common SB1176 and SB0133 M. bovis strains, although the two spoligotypes had not been previously reported. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that BTB in North Gondar, Ethiopia, is caused by M. bovis strains SB1176 and SB0033, with low frequency. Thus, the finding highlights the importance of continuous surveillance for mycobacterial strains in cattle populations.

Degradation of bradykinin by a metalloendopeptidase from Streptococcus pyogenes.

OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus pyogenes secretes streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB), which cleaves kininogen to liberate bradykinin. In addition, this bacterium also has cell-associated bradykinin-degrading activity. Here, we characterized the bradykinin-degrading enzyme produced by S. pyogenes. METHODS: The effects of various peptidase inhibitors on bradykinin degradation by intact S. pyogenes and cell lysates were assessed. Cleavage of bradykinin and other peptides by a recombinant putative metalloendopeptidase (Sp-Pep) from S. pyogenes was analyzed by mass spectrometry. The enhancement of vascular permeability induced by bradykinin (before and after treatment with Sp-Pep) was evaluated in guinea pig skin. RESULTS: Various S. pyogenes strains expressed Sp-Pep. Immunoadsorption of S. pyogenes with an anti-Sp-Pep antibody showed that 80% of the bradykinin-degrading activity in S. pyogenes was due to Sp-Pep. Recombinant Sp-Pep cleaved bradykinin, and cleavage caused a loss of its extravasation-inducing potential. Sp-Pep-mediated degradation of bradykinin was 40 times more efficient than degradation of substance P and angiotensin II. While S. pyogenes secreted mature SpeB in stationary phase, this bacterium produced Sp-Pep during all tested growth phases. CONCLUSIONS: S. pyogenes produces a cell-associated metalloendopeptidase that degrades bradykinin.

Determination of trace elements in Ethiopian, Vietnamese, and Japanese women using high-resolution IC-PMS.

OBJECTIVES: Humans and other living organisms require small quantities of trace elements throughout life. Both insufficient and excessive intakes of trace elements can have negative consequences. However, there is little information on serum level of trace elements in different populations. This study examines serum levels of trace elements in Ethiopian, Japanese, and Vietnamese women. METHODS: Random samples of healthy women who were referred for routine hospital laboratory examinations in the cities of Hanoi, Sapporo, and Gondar were invited to participate in the study. Serum levels of magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and calcium were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Furthermore, body mass index of each study participant was determined. RESULTS: The mean ± SD serum concentrations of zinc (µg/dL), copper (µg/dL), iron (µg/dL), selenium (µg/dL) and calcium (mg/dL), respectively, were 76.51 ± 39.16, 152.20 ± 55.37, 385.68 ± 217.95, 9.15 ± 4.21, and 14.18 ± 3.91 in Ethiopian women; 111.49 ± 52.92, 105.86 ± 26.02, 155.09 ± 94.83, 14.11 ± 3.41, and 11.66 ± 2.51 in Vietnamese women; and 60.69 ± 9.76, 107 ± 156, 268 ± 128, 8.33 ± 3.65, and 11.18 ± 0.68 in Japanese participants. Ethiopian women had significantly higher level of serum calcium than Vietnamese and Japanese women (both P < 0.05). Although the mean calcium concentration in Vietnamese women was higher than in women from Japan, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Furthermore, compared with Japanese women, Ethiopian women had significantly high iron and copper concentrations (P < 0.05). Serum selenium and zinc levels were higher in Vietnamese than Ethiopian women. CONCLUSION: The study revealed a remarkable difference in serum concentrations of trace elements in women from different countries, implying differences in trace elements in the food or soil.

Helminths and malaria co-infections are associated with elevated serum IgE.

BACKGROUND: Both helminth and malaria infections result in a highly polarized immune response characterized by IgE production. This study aimed to investigate the total serum IgE profile in vivo as a measure of Th2 immune response in malaria patients with and without helminth co-infection. METHODS: A cross sectional observational study composed of microscopically confirmed malaria positive (N=197) and malaria negative (N=216) apparently healthy controls with and without helminth infection was conducted at Wondo Genet Health Center, Southern Ethiopia. A pre-designed structured format was utilized to collect socio-demographic and clinical data of the subjects. Detection and quantification of helminths, malaria parasites and determination of serum IgE levels were carried out following standard procedures. RESULTS: Irrespective of helminth infection, individuals infected by malaria showed significantly high levels of serum IgE compared with malaria free apparently healthy controls (with and without helminth infections). Moreover, malaria patients co-infected with intestinal helminths showed high level of serum IgE compared with those malaria patients without intestinal helminths (2198 IU/ml versus 1668 IU/ml). A strong statistically significant association was observed between malaria parasite density and elevated serum IgE levels (2047 IU/ml versus 1778 IU/ml; P=0.001) with high and low parasitaemia (parasite density >50,000 parasite/µl of blood), respectively. Likewise, helminth egg loads were significantly associated with elevated serum IgE levels (P=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The elevated serum IgE response in malaria patients irrespective of helminth infection and its correlation with malaria parasite density and helminth egg intensity support that malaria infection is also a strong driver of IgE production as compared to helminths.

Nutritional status, intestinal parasite infection and allergy among school children in northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Parasitic infections have been shown to have deleterious effects on host nutritional status. In addition, although helmintic infection can modulate the host inflammatory response directed against the parasite, a causal association between helminths and allergy remains uncertain. The present study was therefore designed to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status, parasite infection and prevalence of allergy among school children. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed involving school children in two elementary schools in Gondar, Ethiopia. Nutritional status of these children was determined using anthropometric parameters (weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age). Epi-Info software was used to calculate z-scores. Stool samples were examined using standard parasitological procedures. The serum IgE levels were quantified by total IgE ELISA kit following the manufacturer's instruction. RESULT: A total of 405 children (with mean age of 12.09.1 ± 2.54 years) completed a self-administered allergy questionnaire and provided stool samples for analysis. Overall prevalence of underweight, stunting and thinness/wasting was 15.1%, 25.2%, 8.9%, respectively. Of the total, 22.7% were found to be positive for intestinal parasites. The most prevalent intestinal parasite detected was Ascaris lumbricoides (31/405, 7.6%). There was no statistically significant association between prevalence of malnutrition and the prevalence of parasitic infections. Median total serum IgE level was 344 IU/ml (IQR 117-2076, n=80) and 610 IU/ml (143-1833, n=20), respectively, in children without and with intestinal parasite infection (Z=-0.198, P>0.8). The prevalence of self reported allergy among the subset was 8%. IgE concentration was not associated either with the presence of parasitic infection or history of allergy. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malnutrition, intestinal parasitism and allergy was not negligible in this population. In addition, there was no significant association between the prevalence of allergy and their nutritional status, and parasite infection. Further research prospective observational and intervention studies are required to address the question of causality between nutritional factors, parasites, and allergy.

Micronutrient levels and nutritional status of school children living in Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Several micronutrients are essential for adequate growth of children. However, little information is available on multiple micronutrient status of school children in Ethiopia. The present study was designed to evaluate the relationship between multiple micronutrient levels and nutritional status among school children. METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric data, blood and stool samples were collected from 100 children at Meseret Elementary School in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia. Serum concentration of magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium and molybdenum were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Anthropometric indices of weight-for-age, height-for-age and BMI-for-age were used to estimate the children's nutritional status. Stool samples were examined by standard microscopic methods for intestinal parasites. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting, underweight, wasting and intestinal parasitoses among school children was 23%, 21%, 11% and 18%, respectively. The mean serum levels of magnesium, calcium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium and molybdenum were 2.42±0.32 (mg/dl), 15.31±2.14 (mg/dl), 328.19±148.91 (µg/dl), 191.30±50.17 (µg/dl), 86.40±42.40 (µg/dl), 6.32±2.59 (µg/dl), and 0.23±0.15 (µg/dl), respectively. Selenium deficiency, zinc deficiency and magnesium deficiency occurred in 62%, 47%, and 2% of the school children, respectively. Height-for-age showed significant positive correlation with the levels of copper and molybdenum (p = 0.01) and with the levels of magnesium (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Deficiencies of selenium and zinc were high among the school children although the deficiencies were not significantly related with their nutritional status. The prevalence of both malnutrition and intestinal parasitism was not negligible. These calls for the need to undertake multicentre studies in various parts of the country to substantiate the data obtained in the present study so that appropriate and beneficial strategies for micronutrient supplementation and interventions on nutritional deficiencies can be planned.

Vitamin A deficiency during pregnancy of HIV infected and non-infected women in tropical settings of Northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is known to be a major public health problem among women of reproductive age in South East Asia and Africa. In Ethiopia, there are no studies conducted on serum vitamin A status of HIV-infected pregnant women. Therefore, the present study was aimed at determining the level of serum vitamin A and VAD among pregnant women with and without HIV infection in tropical settings of Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from 423 pregnant women and from 55 healthy volunteers who visited the University of Gondar Hospital. Serum concentration of vitamin A was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: After controlling for total serum protein, albumin and demographic variables, the mean ± SD serum vitamin A in HIV seropositive pregnant women (0.96 ± 0.42 µmol/L) was significantly lower than that in pregnant women without HIV infection (1.10 ± 0.45 µmol/L, P < 0.05). Likewise, the level of serum vitamin A in HIV seropositive non-pregnant women (0.74 ± 0.39) was significantly lower than that in HIV negative non-pregnant women (1.18 ± 0.59 µmol/L, P < 0.004). VAD (serum retinol < 0.7 µmol/L) was observed in 18.4% and 17.7% of HIV infected and uninfected pregnant women, respectively. Forty six percent of non-pregnant women with HIV infection had VAD while only 28% controls were deficient for vitamin A (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The present study shows that VAD is a major public health problem among pregnant women in the tropical settings of Northwest Ethiopia. Considering the possible implications of VAD during pregnancy, we recommend multivitamin (which has a lower level of vitamin A) supplementation in the care and management of pregnant women with or without HIV infection.

Occurrence, seasonality and genetic diversity of Vibrio vulnificus in coastal seaweeds and water along the Kii Channel, Japan.

Vibrio vulnificus is a ubiquitous toxigenic bacterium found in a coastal environment but little is known about its occurrence and seasonality among seaweeds, which are widely consumed as seafood in Japan. Therefore, we have observed the bacterium's abundance in seawater and seaweed samples from three areas of the Kii Channel, Japan, during June 2003 to May 2004. A total of 192 samples were collected: 24 from each source in summer, autumn, winter and spring. The samples were selectively cultivated following the most probable number (MPN) technique. Vibrio vulnificus population ranged from 0 to 10(3) MPN 100 mL(-1) seawater or 10 g seaweeds; higher counts were observed during summer. The optimum temperature, salinity and pH for the bacterium were 20-24 degrees C, 24-28 p.p.t. and 7.95-8.15, respectively. However, seaweeds always contained higher V. vulnificus than seawater. Among 280 V. vulnificus strains, detected by species-specific colony hybridization and PCR, 78, 74, 11 and 16 were from seaweeds and 46, 42, 2 and 11 were from seawater during summer, autumn, winter and spring, respectively. Ribotyping of 160 selected strains revealed a higher genotypic diversity (18 patterns) among strains from seaweeds than from seawater (10 patterns). Seaweeds can thus act as a potential habitat for V. vulnificus and are more unsafe for consumption during summer.

Micronutrient deficiencies and anemia among preschool children in rural Vietnam.

The prevalence of trace elements deficiencies, vitamin A deficiency, anemia, and their relationships were investigated in a cross sectional study involving 243 children aged from 12 to 72 months in rural Vietnam. Serum levels of copper, zinc, selenium and magnesium were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and that of retinol by high performance liquid chromatography. Hemoglobin concentration in whole blood was measured by the cyanmethemoglobin method. The prevalence of deficiencies in zinc, selenium, magnesium, and copper was 86.9%, 62.3%, 51.9%, and 1.7%, respectively. On the other hand, 55.6% were anemic and 11.3% had vitamin A deficiency. Deficiency in two or more micronutrient was found in 79.4% of the children. Parameters associated significantly with anemia were selenium deficiency (OR 2.80 95% CI 1.63-4.80, p=0.0002) and serum retinol<1.05 micromol/L (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.10-3.05, p=0.021). Magnesium deficiency (OR 3.09 95% CI 1.36-7.03) was found to be a risk factor for zinc deficiency and vice versa. The results indicate that micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent among preschool children in Vietnam. In addition, the results also demonstrate a strong relationship between selenium deficiency and anemia. Clearly, sustainable strategies are urgently required to overcome the problems in the country.

Serum zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, and magnesium levels in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Pregnant women in developing countries are vulnerable to multiple micronutrient deficiencies. Studies assessing serum levels of the micronutrients and magnitude of their deficiencies are very scarce in African subjects. This study was aimed at determining serum levels of micronutrients in 375 pregnant (42 HIV seropositive) and 76 non-pregnant women (20 HIV seropositive) who visited the University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia. Serum concentrations of zinc,\ copper, selenium, calcium, and magnesium were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Irrespective of HIV serostatus, pregnant women had significantly higher serum concentrations of copper and copper/zinc ratio and significantly lower magnesium compared to those in non-pregnant women (P < 0.05). Except for selenium, which was significantly lower in HIV-seropositive pregnant women (P < 0.05), the mean serum concentrations of zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium were not significantly different between pregnant women by HIV serostatus. The prevalence of deficiency in zinc, magnesium, selenium, and calcium in the pregnant women, irrespective of their HIV serostatus, was 66.7%, 25.6%, 21.9%, and 9.3%, respectively. The magnitude of deficiency in zinc, magnesium, and selenium was significantly higher in HIV seropositive pregnant women (76.2%, 52.4%, and 45.2%) than that in HIV-seronegative pregnant women (65.5%, 22.2%, and 18.9%) and in HIV-seronegative non-pregnant women (42.9%, 8.1%, and 30.4%; P < 0.05). Deficiency in one, two, three, or four mineral elements was observed in 44.8%, 14.4%, 9.9%, and 5.1% of the pregnant women, respectively. Only 25.9% of the pregnant women and 44.7% of the non-pregnant women were not deficient in any of the micronutrients. The high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Gondar, Ethiopia warrants the need for strategies on prevention and control of the deficiencies.

Skin sensitivity reactions to some allergens in different population groups of Ethiopian subjects.

The prevalence of allergic diseases to a variety of allergens has only been studied in a few countries and it has never been studied in Ethiopia. This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence of skin sensitivity reactions to allergens in Ethiopian subjects. A total of 216 subjects were tested with a skin scratch test using five types of allergens and also for total and differential white blood cell counts. Positive reaction to one or more allergens was detected in 49.5% of the subjects, the most prevalent allergen being mite extract. Some 27% showed a positive reaction to multiple allergens. The mean eosinophil count was higher in the subjects reacting to at least one of the allergens compared to those with no reaction (p=0.038). The results demonstrate a high prevalence of allergic reactions to the few allergens tested. Further studies using several allergens are recommended to substantiate this finding.

HIV and intestinal parasites in adult TB patients in a teaching hospital in Northwest Ethiopia.

The level of HIV infection and intestinal parasitoses among TB patients was assessed in a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 257 patients in Gondar, Ethiopia. In TB patients, our study reported co-infection with HIV (52.1%) and intestinal parasites (40.9%) The high prevalence of HIV and intestinal parasites indicates an increased morbidity inTB patients and emphasized the importance of continued HIV sero-surveillance, stool analysis and treatment.

Immune response to ovalbumin following bisphenol A administration in mice fed with a low level of dietary protein.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We have previously shown that bisphenol A (BPA) augments T-helper (Th) 1 activity with no significant effects on an established oral tolerance to ovalbumin (OVA) in mice fed with a normal protein diet. The present study aimed to examine the effect of BPA on the immune response in a mouse model maintained on a very low protein diet (5% casein). METHODS: Mice were fed on a 5% protein diet, together with either OVA (OVA-fed) or water (water-fed), immunized intraperitoneally with OVA at 3-week intervals and administered BPA between the 2 immunizations. A week after the last immunization, animals were sacrificed and examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serum titers of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), OVA-specific IgE, immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG1, IgG2a, and the production of interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-12. RESULTS: In both BPA-treated and non-treated animals, OVA feeding resulted in lower titers of total and OVA-specific IgE, and OVA-specific IgG (p<0.05). There were higher levels of interferon-gamma (p<0.05), IL-4, and IL-12 (p<0.05) in animals with OVA tolerance following BPA treatment. However, IL-12 production was augmented only in BPA-treated water-fed animals (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: BPA administration in mice fed with a low level of dietary protein augmented Th1 cytokines more profoundly in the animals with OVA tolerance than in the non-tolerant animals.

Seaweeds as a reservoir for diverse Vibrio parahaemolyticus populations in Japan.

Gastroenteritis caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has recently been associated with foods prepared with seaweeds, but little is known about the bacterium's abundance and diversity among seaweeds in coastal environment. Therefore, we determined its phenotypic and genotypic diversity in relation to its seasonal abundance in seawater and seaweed samples from three areas of Kii Channel, Japan during June 2003 to May 2004. Isolates were obtained by selective enrichment of samples and detection of V. parahaemolyticus by colony hybridization with a species-specific probe. A total of 128 isolates comprising 16 from each source in each season were characterized by serotyping and ribotyping. V. parahaemolyticus was more abundant in seaweeds (3,762 isolates) than in water samples (2,238 isolates). Twenty and 17 serotypes were found among the selected seaweed and seawater isolates, respectively. Cluster analysis revealed 19, 11, 7 and 9 ribotypes during summer, autumn, winter and spring, respectively. Seaweeds supported a diverse V. parahaemolyticus population throughout the year and thus seaweeds are a reservoir for the organism. However, V. parahaemolyticus occurrence had positive correlation with water temperature and its abundance in seaweeds was at least 50 times higher during summer than in winter.

Seroprevalence of syphilis and HIV-1 during pregnancy in a teaching hospital in northwest Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is one of the countries in which sexually transmitted infections are highly prevalent. However, the data needed to present a realistic picture of the infections are lacking. This study was therefore designed to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis and HIV-1 among pregnant women at the University of Gondar Teaching Hospital. A prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted between March and June, 2005. Blood samples were collected from 480 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the hospital. Sera were tested for syphilis using the Rapid Plasma Regain (RPR) and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination (TPHA) kits, and serostatus for HIV infection was checked using rapid HIV diagnostic test kits following the manufacturers' instructions. The mean (+/-SD) age of the study participants was 26.1 (+/-7.2) years. The seroprevalence of syphilis was 1%. Antibodies against HIV-1 were detected in 9.6% of the pregnant women. A higher HIV-1 prevalence (13%) was observed in the 25- to 29-year-old age group followed by the 30- to 34-year-old age group (10.2%). Only one subject (2.2%) was found to be positive for both HIV-1 and syphilis. The data indicated a relatively declined prevalence of syphilis and HIV-1 among pregnant women in an urban antenatal clinic. However, incidence and behavioral studies are required to substantiate the findings.

Coinfection and clinical manifestations of tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected and -uninfected adults at a teaching hospital, northwest Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The pattern of clinical presentations of tuberculosis (TB) is reflected in the microbiological, radiological, and histological characteristics of the disease. However, coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) poses special diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. This study was aimed at assessing the clinical manifestations of TB in patients with or without HIV coinfection in a hospital-based cross-sectional study in Gondar, Ethiopia. METHODS: TB was diagnosed following standard clinical, bacteriological, radiological, and histological procedures. HIV serostatus was checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: This study included 257 TB patients, of whom 52.1% were coinfected with HIV. Pulmonary TB and extrapulmonary TB were diagnosed in 64.2% and 35.8% of the patients, respectively. No significant association was found between sputum smear positivity and HIV serostatus. One-fifth of the patients reported hemoptysis. More than one-third had chest pain, and >90% reported fever and weight loss. Night sweats and cough were reported by 86% and 82.5%, respectively. Coarse crepitations were the most frequent auscultatory finding (33.9%). Sputum smear positivity rate was 26.8%. Cavitation was significantly associated with sputum smear positivity (odds ratio = 9.0, 95% confidence interval = 2.4-34.1). Wasting, cough of

Molecular epidemiology of HIV type 1 in treatment-naive patients in north Ethiopia.

To understand the predominant HIV subtype and drug-resistant viruses in northwest Ethiopia, isolates from 92 antiretroviral drug-naive HIV-1-infected tuberculosis patients were analyzed. Of these patients, 90 (97.8%) were found to be infected with viral subtype C. Other isolates had subtype A (1.1%) and subtype D (1.1%). No primary mutations were associated with protease inhibitor drug resistance. One case (1.1%) had the reverse-transcriptase mutation, V75I. Two patients (2.2%) had the G190A mutation, which confers resistance to the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, nevirapine. Our study demonstrates that subtype C is the major HIV-1 subtype in northwest Ethiopia. Our results also reveal that the population in the study area had been exposed to antiretrovirals and that treatment-naive patients had drug resistance mutations. Thus, our results emphasize the need for routine drug resistance monitoring in northwest Ethiopia.

Vitamin A deficiency in patients with diarrhea and HIV infection in Ethiopia.

Diarrhea, micronutrient deficiencies and HIV/AIDS are major public health problems in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was aimed to investigate serum levels of vitamin A in diarrheic patients with and without HIV co-infection compared to healthy controls. Two hundred eleven diarrheic patients (110 HIV infected), 87 apparently healthy controls and 41 asymptomatic HIV seropositive blood donors who visited the University of Gondar Hospital, in Gondar, Ethiopia were included. Stool samples were examined for enteropathogens following the standard procedures. Serum vitamin A levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Shigella species were isolated from 8.5% of the patients while intestinal parasites were detected in 32.2% without significant difference by HIV serostatus. The mean+/-SD serum vitamin A in diarrheic patients with (0.82+/-0.59 micromol/L) and without (0.84+/-0.54 micromol/L) HIV co-infection and in asymptomatic HIV infected blood donors (0.96+/-0.52 micromol/L) was significantly lower than that in healthy controls (1.52+/-0.71 micromol/L), p<0.001. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD, serum retinol < 0.70 micromol/L) was observed in 52.7% and 45.5% of diarrheic patients with and without HIV co-infection, respectively. About 13% of healthy controls and 29.3% of asymptomatic HIV infected blood donors were deficient in vitamin A. The levels of serum vitamin A were not associated with the presence of intestinal parasites or Shigella species. The findings demonstrate that VAD is a severe public health problem among diarrheic patients in Gondar, Ethiopia. Intervention programmes involving health and nutrition education and supplementation of vitamin A might help in reducing morbidity in such patients.

Comparison between Holstein cow's milk and Japanese-Saanen goat's milk in fatty acid composition, lipid digestibility and protein profile.

The fatty acid composition, the lipid digestibility and protein profile of Japanese-Saanen goat's milk were characterized. Caprine milk contained substantial quantities of C(4:0) to C(10:0) fatty acids as compared with Holstein cow's milk. The lipids of the former showed significantly higher digestibility in vitro by porcine lipase than those of the latter (P<0.05). As determined by SDS-PAGE, the respective contents of alpha(s1)-casein, one of the major allergens, were 3.9% and 33.7% in caprine and bovine milk.