Comparison of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Results of Stool and Sputum in Children with Presumptive Tuberculosis in Southern Ethiopia.

The introduction of stool as a readily obtainable sample and the recently developed simple one-step (SOS) stool processing method on Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) offer an opportunity for TB diagnosis in children. We conducted this study in secondary health facilities in Ethiopia, which are the first-level referral facilities for childhood TB diagnosis and treatment, with the aim to determine if stool-based TB diagnosis can be performed with a reasonable level of concordance with sputum tests using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra. Eligible children 0-14 years old with presumptive pulmonary TB were asked to provide stools in addition to routinely requested sputum samples. We determined the level of agreement between the stool and sputum test results. Of the 373 children included in the study, 61% were <5 years of age and 56% were male. Thirty-six children (9.7%) were diagnosed with TB, and all started treatment. The rate of concordance between stool and sputum was high, with a kappa value of 0.83 (p < 0.001). There were more Xpert Ultra positive results on stool (n = 27 (7.2%)) than on sputum/NGA (n = 23 (6.2%)). Laboratories in secondary hospitals can perform stool-based TB diagnosis in children, with high concordance between stool and sputum test results reaffirming the applicability of the SOS stool method.

Determinants of pneumonia among children attending public health facilities in Worabe town.

Childhood pneumonia is common in developing countries, with significant morbidity and mortality. Taking the significance of the problem and variability of risk factors into account, a study was needed to identify the potential determinants of pneumonia in under-five children. A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted among 435 children (145 cases and 290 controls) aged 2-59 months at public health facilities in Worabe town from December 28, 2016, to January 30, 2017. Data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 22. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to determine association between dependant and independent variables. Among the factors assessed, stunting [AOR = 3.6,95% CI: 1.9-6.9], carrying the child on the back during cooking [AOR = 2.0,95% CI: 1.2-3.2], absence of chimney in the cooking room [AOR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.7], having a history of asthma [AOR = 5.0,95% CI: 2-12], and a previous acute upper respiratory tract infection [AOR = 3.7,95% CI:2.3-6.1] were significantly associated with pneumonia.

Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, Associated Factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Bacteria Among Pregnant Women Attending Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the presence of bacteria in significant quantity in the absence of signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI). ASB, if it occurs during pregnancy, can cause serious complications both among fetus and pregnant women. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ASB, its associated factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial isolates among pregnant women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2019 among 290 pregnant women at Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Clean-catch midstream urine specimens were collected using sterile containers and cultured on MacConkey agar and sheep blood agar to isolate bacteria. Socio-demographic and obstetric data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22. The association between ASB and risk factors was assessed using logistic regressions. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered as a cut point to determine the significant association. RESULTS: From 290 study participants, 16.9% with 95 CI [13.1, 21.5] were positive for ASB. The predominant bacteria were Escherichia coli (43%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20%). Majority of E. coli (91.0%) were susceptible to nitrofurantoin and gentamycin; most of them were resistant to amoxicillin (86.4%) and cotrimoxazole (77.7%). The proportion of multi-drug resistance (MDR) isolates was 57.1%. Previous infection with UTI, previous history of catheterization, and natural abortion were significantly associated with ASB. CONCLUSION: In the study area, ASB is prevalent in the study area indicating the importance of screening of ASB and possible treatment to prevent its consequences.