Foodborne pathogens are the most common cause of foodborne disease worldwide. They contaminate food at all stages of the food chain, at the agricultural production level (soil and irrigation), from animal sources or at the time of preparation by food handlers. Therefore, food security is a critical issue that affects everyone in the world. Current studies indicate that the problem is more severe in low-income countries like Ethiopia. The majority of studies in Ethiopia have been conducted partially on human, animal or environmental samples with conventional culture-based diagnostic methods. Therefore, this review was conducted to gather information on the main foodborne pathogens and identify gaps in their traceability. Clinically important foodborne pathogens in Ethiopia include (A. lubmbricoids, Toxocara spp., H. nana. E. histolytica/dispar, G. intestinalis, H. diminuta and C. belli), bacteria (Salmonella spp, E. coli O157:H7, B. anthracis, Yersinia, C. perfringens, Klebsiella spp. M. paratuberculosis, and L. monocytogenes), and viruses like (rotaviruses, enteroviruses and astroviruses, hepatitis E virus). In Ethiopia, all isolated foodborne bacterial pathogens showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In particular, the most studied foodborne pathogens, Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., and E. coli from specific sources, showing high levels of resistance to most of the antibiotics prescribed in Ethiopia. The occurrence and persistence of AMR in food is one of the main factors causing the spread of antimicrobial resistance in different compartments, humans, animals and the environment. Therefore, strategies of coordination and struggle from a One Health perspective is an urgent strategy to control antibiotic resistance in order to achieve better outcomes for human and animal health.

Background: Birth weight or size at birth is an important indicator of the child’s vulnerability to the risk of childhood illnesses and diseases. Low birth weight is closely associated with fetal and neonatal morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and chronic diseases in life. The study was aimed to assess the birth weight of neonates and associated factors among mothers who gave birth at a public hospital in North Wollo, 2020. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 337 mothers who gave birth in public hospitals of North Wollo, Ethiopia from January 1st to June 30, 2020. A systematic sampling technique was used to reach the study participants. Data were entered using Epi data 3.1 software and analysis will be done using SPSS 20. Adjusted beta coefficient with 95% confidence interval and p-value ≤ 0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Results: A total of 337 mothers were included with a response rate of 100%. The mean ± SD weight of the child was 2.94 ± 0.65 kilograms. The prevalence of low birth weight was 24% (95% CI= 19.6, 28.8). Maternal nutritional factors correlate with newborn weight. Age of the mother, family average monthly income, being single, alcohol use, education, female sex, had no abortion history and multigravida became statistically significant predictors of birth weight. Conclusion: Almost one-fourth of the newborn child had low birth weight. It will be better to give special attention to mothers with associated factors.

Background: Bacterial contamination of milk is a primary culprit for causing foodborne illnesses, presenting a significant health hazard for millions of individuals around the globe. The level and variety of microorganisms present in raw milk determine its degree of contamination and the potential health risks it poses. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from February to August. A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and hygiene practices from milk distributors and traders. Raw milk, yoghurt, swabs from milk containers and drinking cups were collected and processed for bacterial isolation and identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, MDR screening and confirmation, ESBL screening and confirmation. Finally, all data were pooled and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Results: A total of 120 samples of fresh milk, yogurt and cotton swabs from milk containers and cups were collected. A total of 80 bacterial isolates were isolated from 120 samples. Among the bacteria isolated, S. aureus 17 (21.3%), E. coli 17 (21.3%), S. epidermidis 14 (17.5%), Klebsiella spp. 9 (11.3%) and Salmonella spp. 7 (8.8%) were detected most often. High rate of contamination was observed in fresh milk 23 (28.8%) and yogurt 23 (28.8%). All isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic tested. Comparatively, high rates of resistance were observed in all isolates to the most commonly prescribed antibiotics in Ethiopia. However, lower rates of resistance have been observed for recently introduced antibiotics in Ethiopia. Of the isolates, 20 (25.0%) were resistant to eight or more antibiotics. While 16 (20.0%), 12 (15.0%), 9 (11.3%) isolates were resistant to two, three and five antibiotics, respectively. Of the bacteria isolated, 52/80 (65.0%) were MDR, 25/49 (51.0%) were screened for ESBL production, and 20/49 (40.8%) isolates were confirmed as ESBL producer. Conclusion: This study showed a high rate of bacterial isolates along with MDR and ESBL-producing strains in raw milk, yoghurt, milk container swabs and drinking cup swab samples, associated with poor hygiene and sanitation practices.

Introduction: Opportunistic infections are an illness that exists more frequently and is more severe in people with HIV. In HIV/AIDS patients, opportunistic infections still cause morbidity and mortality even after the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and most patients die as direct or indirect complications of opportunistic infections. This study was aimed to identify the determinants for the occurrence of opportunistic infections in HIV-positive patients having HAART follow-up in DBRH, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 339 study subjects were involved under institution-based unmatched case–control study design and simple random sampling technique. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were entered using Epidata version 3.1 and analyzed for descriptive and logistic regression models by SPSS version 21. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: After adjusting potential confounders, drinking alcohol (AOR=3.12, 95% CI: 1.07– 9.06), BMI < 18.5 (AOR= 3.36, 95% CI: 1.49– 7.55), previous history of opportunistic infections (AOR= 2.96, 95% CI: 1.51– 5.8) were independent predictors of opportunistic infections in people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART. Conclusion: In this study, the poor clinical and biochemical status, and behavioral factors were being the predictors of the occurrence of opportunistic infections. HIV/AIDS patients must be assessed and screened for opportunistic infections.

Introduction. Despite the development of oral hypoglycemic medications, diabetes and its associated complications continue to be significant clinical issues. The purpose of this study was to examine the antidiabetic effects of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek seeds in mice that had been given alloxan to cause diabetes. Methods. In Swiss albino mice, diabetes was brought on by a single intraperitoneal injection of the drug alloxan (150 mg/kg). For 14 days, glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) and methanol extract of V. radiata seeds (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were given orally. Following oral administration of V. radiata to mice, the blood glucose levels (BGL) and body weight were measured at 7 and 14 days. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the trial, and blood samples were taken for the evaluation of insulin, glycated hemoglobin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels. It was determined how much glycogen was present in the liver. Additionally, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of V. radiata were determined, along with the in vitro DPPH (2, 2 diphenyl-1-picrylhrazyl) free radical-scavenging activity. < 0.05 was chosen as the cutoff for statistical significance. Results. Following oral administration of V. radiata for 14 days, diabetic mice’s BGL and bad cholesterol (TC and TG) levels significantly decreased, while HDL levels increased. Treatment with V. radiata significantly decreased the levels of AST, ALT, and glycated hemoglobin when compared with diabetes control. On the other hand, it raised insulin levels and the amount of liver glycogen. V. radiata underwent phytochemical analysis, which identified the presence of tannins, saponins, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, and glycosides. Per gram of V. radiata seed extract, the total phenolic content was 43.12 ± 3.14 mg of gallic acid equivalents, while the total flavonoid content was 38.35 ± 2.6 mg of quercetin equivalents. Ascorbic acid was shown to have an IC₅₀ value of 18.64 µg/ml during a DPPH-scavenging assay, while V. radiata had an IC₅₀ value of 73.35 µg/ml. Conclusion. According to the findings of the current study, the methanolic extract of the seeds from the plant V. radiata possesses significant antidiabetic characteristics that are on par with those of the commonly used drug glibenclamide. Hence, V. radiata seems to be effective as a natural antidiabetic.

Introduction: Pregnancy is characterized by a sequence of dynamic physiological changes that impact multiple organ system functions and is associated with various changes in pulmonary anatomy and physiology. Precise knowledge of the pulmonary function test parameters helps to understand and manage the course and outcome of pregnancy leading to safe delivery. It also helps to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of normal pregnancy on pulmonary function tests among pregnant women in Debre Berhan Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: A total of 176 study participants (first, second, and third trimester; and control) were involved under a comparative cross-sectional study design and convenience sampling technique. Anthropometric data, oxygen saturation of arterial blood, and pulmonary function tests were measured. Data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software. Means of all parameters were compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison test. Statistical significance was preset at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: Mean of FVC for the controls, first, second, and third trimesters was 2.59 ± 0.26, 2.13 ± 0.15, 1.93 ± 0.27, and 1.90 ± 0.11 liters, respectively. Except for FEV_1%, the mean values of FVC, FEV₁, PEFR, and FEF _{25– 75%} in the pregnant group (all the three trimesters) were significantly decreased from the controls (P< 0.05). Strong negative correlation was seen between SaO₂ and RR (r= − 0.865; P < 0.01). As the pregnancy progressed from first to the third trimester, dynamic pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV₁, FEF_25-75%, and PEFR) were dropped and the respiratory rate increased. Conclusion: The results had shown the tendency of obstructive pattern while pregnancy becoming advanced. We have observed also a remarkable decline of SaO₂ in pregnant women that might be counterbalanced by raised respiratory rate.