Vol 60, No 3 (2022): July 2022 Issue

Background: Microalbuminuria is usually accompanied by undiagnosed dyslipidemia. We aimed to assess the correlation between microalbuminuria and early atherosclerotic changes in type 1 diabetics by comparing two groups of patients according to their UAER (Urinary Albumin Excretion Rate) status.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study including 167 patients with confirmed type 1 diabetes segregated into the following groups (patients with normoalbuminuria vs. patients with microalbuminuria).

Results: Our study revealed a definite preponderance of males (52.10%). The mean age was 29.55±11.36 years, whereas the diabetes duration was 12.73±8.14 years. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 39.5%. Significant correlation was observed between lipid profiles such as TG and LDL (r=0.227; r=0.166, respectively) and lipid ratios TC/HDL, LDL/HDL, and TG/HDL (r=0.322; r=0.351; r=0.386, respectively) with UAER. The findings showed that the last quartile of TC/HDL ratio (cOR=6.89[2.61-18.14]; p<10^-³) and LDL/HDL ratio (cOR=5.48 [2.10-14.30]; p=0.001) were higher in microalbuminuric patients. Similarly, we noticed higher values in the last two quartiles (3^rdand 4^th) of the TG/HDL ratio with p values of 0.05 and 10^-³, respectively. TG/HDL ratio was a strong indicator for atherosclerotic disease (sensitivity of 82.1%, specificity of 84.2%, and diagnostic accuracy of 0.775). In contrast to females who developed microalbuminuria, lipid ratios and lipid profiles were significantly greater in male patients.

Conclusions: Patients who develop microalbuminuria are characterized by dyslipidemia and a higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Hence, early detection of microalbuminuria associated with dyslipidemia is crucial for the effective prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the major public health problems in Ethiopia. A number of rapid techniques for the isolation and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been approved by World Health Organization. However, the available laboratories, which have financial constraints, require culture media or techniques that are rapid and inexpensive .

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 7% sheep blood agar medium for primary isolation of tuberculois from pulmonary tuberculosis suspected patients.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 212 tuberculosis suspected individuals from five selected health facilities in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from November 2013 to March 2014. Sputum specimens were collected and examined using AFB smear microscopy, cultured on 7% sheep blood agar and Lowenstein Jensen medium. Molecular characterization using RD9 deletion was done for AFB confirmed isolates

Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 7% sheep blood agar compared with the golden standard of Lowenstein Jensen medium was 96.4%, 98.1%, 94.7% and 98.7%, respectively. The performance of 7% sheep blood agar and sediment smear microscopy was comparable to Lowenstein Jensen. No significant difference in the rate of contamination (p>0.05) where the rate of contamination was 4.7% (20/424) on 7% sheep blood agar tubes and 5.2% (22/424) on Lowenstein Jensen tubes.

Conclusions: Mycobacterial growth time was less on sheep blood agar as compared to Lowenstein Jensen, and 7% sheep blood agar medium may be a good alternative of Lowenstein Jensen medium for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from sputum in resource limited settings.

Background: The infection and inflammation of the cornea that causes pain, reduced vision, light sensitivity, tearing or discharge from the eye, and in severe cases loss of vision is bacterial keratitis. 

Methods: The present is a cross-sectional study designed to assess the incidence of bacterial keratitis among suspected keratitis patients who visited Berhan Aini hospital and community hospitals of Godaif and Biet Mekae over the past year. The study subjects were diagnosed by the ophthalmic officer and were sent to our room to take the needed sample.

Results: A total of 330 suspected bacterial keratitis patients (330 eyes) were examined during the study period of one year. The total 220 (66.66%) cases were culture positive, the most common bacteria isolated was Staphylococcus aureus, 110 (50%); followed by Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus aureus CoNS 66 (30%), Streptococcus pneumoniae, 33(15%); and Streptococcus viridans 11 (5%). S.aureus isolate showed 99 (90%) sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, rifampin, gentamycin, vancomycin, and nitrofurantoin, 88 (80%) to chloramphenicol, 77 (70%) to clindamycin, 66 (60%) to erythromycin, and 55 (50%) to tetracycline, whereas it was 110 (100%) resistant to oxacillin and Penicillin. The most predisposing factor among the cases was trauma.

Conclusion: The most common bacteria causing bacterial keratitis were found to be caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Trauma was found to be the most common exposing factor for bacterial keratitis without any statistically significant association with the culture-positive result (p>0.05). S. aureus was found to be highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, vancomycin, rifampin, and nitrofurantoin, and it was 100% resistant to oxacillin and penicillin when the antimicrobial activity of several antibiotics was evaluated.

Background: Chronic alcohol consumption damages liver functions causing health problems. Because of the cold-environment, some adults in Chencha town are heavy consumers of strong local-Areki called “Katikala” (34.09% ABV). However, information concerning the impact of heavy” Katikala” intake on liver enzymes has not yet been explored.

Objective: To assess the impacts of chronic heavy “Katikala” intake on liver enzymes and secondly to see changes in percent of body fat level on adult subjects living in “Chencha” town and compare it with non-alcoholic controls.

Methodology: A group of 34-chronic heavy “Katikala” consumers were compared with 34 abstainers of comparable ages (mean age: 35 years). Information was obtained on the quantity and duration of alcohol consumed. Serum Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and Gamma Glutamyl transpeptidase levels were measured to standard laboratory procedures. Percent body fat (%BF) was recorded and SPSS (ver. 21software used to analyze data by taking p-value < 0.05 for declaring significance.

Results: Compared with abstainer controls, chronic “Katikala” consumers showed significantly higher Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and Gamma Glutamyl transpeptidase Serum levels with (p<0.001). Percent of body fat (%BF) was significantly lower in chronic drinkers than abstainers (p<0.001). AST to ALT ratio (> 2) was higher in chronic heavy drinkers than controls. Duration and quantity of “Katikala” consumption were uncorrelated with the concentration of Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and Gamma Glutamyl transpeptidase (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Subjects chronically consuming “Katikala” showed significantly raised serum Aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and Gamma Glutamyl transpeptidase as well as lower percent body fat level compared with normal controls. Our data suggests the negative influence of “Katikala” consumption on liver function and as well as body weight affecting health.

Introduction Bitter Kola (Garcinia Kola) and kola nut, contains substances  attributed to numerous effects on humans including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic properties, anti-infective and caffeinism. This study explores Bitter kola and kola nut use and its impact on treatment outcome on People Living with HIV (PLWHIV).

Methods: The study was conducted at a Military Hospital in Nigeria. An analytical cross-sectional study was done using questionnaire among 700 HIV-positive clients selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected by researcher and three trained assistants. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for identifying associations and predictors, respectively. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Findings show that 260 (63.6%) and 179 (25.6%) have ever and currently used Bitter kola/Kola nut, respectively. Also, 14 (7.8%) used Bitter kola/Kola nut alone while 165 (92.2%) used it in addition to other substances, especially with alcohol 123 (68.7%). Bitter kola use was associated with age (p = 0.037), gender (p < 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001), and number of children (p < 0.011). Identified predictors were being a female (AOR 0.79; 95% CI 0.08-0.92) and earning <18,000 Naira (AOR 2.91; 95% CI 2.03-21.54). There was no association of Bitter kola/kola nut use with CD4 count and viral load suppression.

Conclusion: Though Kola nut and Bitter kola use was high as in the general population we have not found any effect on treatment outcome among PLWHIV. This calls for more research to ascertain if there are other possible beneficial effects on PLWHIV.

Background: Leprosy is a chronic mycobacterial disease of public health importance. The role of the health workers in leprosy diagnosis and management of leprosy is crucial. Hence, in this study, the knowledge, attitude and practice of the health workers was assessed at one of the leprosy high burden pocket areas (Kokosa) in the Oromia Regional State.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kokosa public health centers at 7 health facilities and 86 health workers included.. Upon informed consent, data were collected from health workers through a self-administered structured questionnaire in July 25-26, 2015. On-site observation was used to assess individuals and group performance. Bloom’s cut off point was used to describe the knowledge and practical skills whereas Likert’s scale was used to describe the attitude of the respondents.

Results: Data obtained from 86 health workers were included to the final analysis of knowledge and attitude. Among the participants, 72.1% of the health workers had poor knowledge of leprosy. A quarter of respondents (25.6%) had unfavorable attitude towards leprosy. Among 62 health workers assessed for practical skills, only 4 (6.5 %) diagnosed leprosy correctly. Forty percent of the health workers had less than 4 years of service whereas 48% of them had 5-14 years of service.

Conclusion: Leprosy tailored training program should be implemented to improve knowledge and skills of health workers on leprosy diagnosis and treatment.