Background: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in children. Understanding the characteristics of uropathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in a particular setting can provide evidence for the appropriate management of cases. This study aimed to assess the bacterial profile of urinary tract infection, their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated factors among clinically suspected children attending at Felege-Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February–April, 2019. A systematic sampling technique was employed. A mid-stream urine sample was inoculated on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient media and incubated for 24–48 h. Sub-culturing was done on Mac-Conkey and blood agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done on Muller-Hinton agar. A binary logistic regression model was used to see the association between dependent and independent factors. A p-value< 0.05 at 95% CI was considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall prevalence of urinary tract infection was 16.7% (95% CI 12.4–21.1). Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isolates were recovered with a rate of 44/50 (88%) and 6/50 (12%) respectively. Among Gram-negative isolates, E. coli 28/44(63.6%) was predominant while S. saprophyticus 2/6(33.3%) was prevalent among Gram-positive bacterial isolates. Overall, a high level of resistance to ampicillin, augmentin, and tetracycline was shown by Gram-negative bacteria with a rate of 44/44(100%), 39/44(88.6%), and36/44 (81.8%) respectively. About 33/50(66%) of overall multidrug resistance was observed (95% CI 52–78). About six Gram-negative bacterial isolates were extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Having a history of urinary tract infection (P-0.003, AOR 1.86–22.15) and male uncircumcision (p-0.00, AOR 5.5–65.35) were the independent variables that associate for urinary tract infections. Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of urinary tract infection among children was high and considerably a high proportion of multidrug resistance was observed. This result will have a significant impact on the selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents for the treatment of urinary tract infection.

Background: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat worldwide. Poor public health infrastructure, inefficient infection control and mismanagement of TB treatment are among the reasons for the continuous emergence and spread of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB). The final treatment outcome is the most direct measurement of TB control programs. Therefore, this study sought to determine the proportions and predictors of TB treatment outcomes among MDR/RR-TB treated patients. Methods: A 10-year, 2011 to 2021, hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The records of 408 MDR-TB patients, 389 with treatment outcome and 19 on treatment, were collected using a structured checklist. Results: A total of 389 patients with a recorded MDR/RR-TB treatment outcome were included. The treatment success rate was 77.12%, with 58.35% cured and 18.76% treatment completed. The proportion of death rate, treatment default loss to follow-up, treatment failure, and unknown treatment outcome was 9.25%, 6.94%, 3.1%, and 3.6%, respectively. Regarding the patient category, the most successful treatment outcome (83.5%) came from patients diagnosed with relapse cases, followed by new cases (81.8%). An unsuccessful treatment outcome was significantly associated with patients aged > 44 years (AOR, 3.3, 95% CI = 1.55– 6.99). Conclusion and Recommendations: This study indicated that nearly 23% of MDR/RR-TB patients had unsuccessful treatment outcomes and being older was significantly correlated with these outcomes. For better outcomes, it is recommended to strengthen combined treatment adherence interventions and evaluate treatment regimens and administration options. A prospective cohort study may be required to investigate the full range of potential causes of unfavorable outcomes.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of drug resistance by gram-negative bacteria isolated from selected sewage polluted urban rivers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. From a total of 94 river water samples, 90 medically important gram-negative bacterial isolates were recovered to the species level. The predominant bacteria isolated were E. coli. 23 (26%) followed by K. pneumoniae 18 (20%), K. oxytoca 17 (19%). E. coli showed a high level of resistance to ampicillin 21 (91.3%), cefalotin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and cefepime 16 (70%). Both K. pneumoniae and K. oxytoca showed high resistance to ampicillin 16 (94%) and 17 (95%) respectively. Among identified bacterial species, most of them showed a multidrug-resistant pattern. Providential retigerri showed 100% multidrug resistance followed by P. alkalificiens (90%), E. coli (78%), M. morgani (75%), and C. frundi (60%).

Background. Hepatitis C virus is a highly genetically heterogenous bloodborne pathogen that is responsible for acute and chronic hepatitis. Globally, an estimated 71 million population is chronically infected with this virus from which 399,000 people die every year. Its prevalence is high in Ethiopia and varies from region to region, even among different studies within a region. Methods. Electronic databases, including Science Direct, Medline, HINARI, African Journals Online, TRIP database, African Index Medicus, and Directory of Open Access Journals, searched from 2010 to 2020 and published articles were included. Due to evidence of considerable heterogeneity, the pooled prevalence of anti-HCV was analyzed using the random-effects model. The possible sources of heterogeneity were analyzed through subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and meta-regression. Funnel plots and Egger’s test statistics were used to determine the presence of publication bias. Results. The analysis of 56 articles showed that the prevalence of anti-HCV in Ethiopia ranged from 0% to 22%. The pooled prevalence estimated was 2% (95% CI 2.0–3.0), and the meta-regression statistics indicated that the diagnostic method , study group , and level of bias showed statistically significant association with the outcome variable. The sensitivity analysis claims no influence on the overall effect estimate while removing a single study from the analysis at a time. Egger’s test statistics declare the presence of publication bias that is handled using time and fill analysis. Conclusions. The pooled prevalence of anti-HCV in Ethiopia was high. Predictor variables, including the diagnostic method, study group, and level of bias, showed a statistically significant relationship with the outcome variable. Strengthening the scope of existing prevention and control programs and implementing novel approaches, including screen-and-treat, could significantly help to tackle this critical public health issue. The study provides a current estimate which is valuable for policymakers and other responsible bodies.

The bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern among patients with suspected bloodstream infections, Gondar, north-west Ethiopia Abtie Abebaw,1 Hiwot Tesera,2 Teshome Belachew,3 Gebreselassie Demeke Mihiretie1 1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Science, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Bahirdar University College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Background: The bacteria most likely to cause bacteremia include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Haemophilus, and Neisseria genera. Bloodstream infections remain one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Drug-resistant pathogens are becoming the most challenging problem and they have different economic and social impacts around the world. Objective: To study the bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility among bacteremia-suspected patients in the University of Gondar Teaching Hospital from September 2003 to February 2013. Materials and method: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2013 at the University of Gondar. Data were collected and extracted manually from the microbiology registration books of the hospital laboratory using checklists and were checked for its completeness and consistency. Result: Among a total of 856 blood samples analyzed, 169 (19.7%) cases were bacteremia confirmed. From the confirmed cases, 98 (58%) were male and 71 (42%) female. Culture positivity rate was highest (44%) in the age group of ≤28 days followed by the age group of 29 days–5 years. Conclusion: In our study, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most common causative agent for bacteremia among the Gram-positive isolates. The overall antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the Gram-positive isolates was an intermediate level of resistance (60%–80%), but Gram-negative bacteria showed a high level of resistance (>80%) against ampicillin and amoxicillin. Keywords: bacteremia, drug susceptibility, sepsis, resistant

Background: Globally, in 2012, about 1.2 million estimated cases were reported with ~ 135,000 deaths annually. In Ethiopia, specifically in our study area, limited information is found on the oropharyngeal carriage, antimicrobial resistance pattern, and associated risk factors forN. meningitidisamong school children. So, the aim of this study was to assess oropharyngeal carriage rate ofN. meningitidis,antibiotic susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors among primary school children in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from January to April, 2019 in Gondar town. Multi stage simple random sampling technique was used. A total of 524 oropharyngeal swabs were collected using sterile plastic cotton swabs. Modified Thayer Martin media was used for primary isolation. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was done based on Kirby-Bauer method on Muller-Hinton agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance of an isolate to two or more antimicrobial classes tested. Logistic regression model was used to see the association between dependent variables (Carriage rate ofNeisseria meningitidis, Serogroups ofNeisseria meningitidis andAntimicrobial susceptibility patterns) and independent variables (Socio-demographic data and risk factors). Variables with aP- value ≤0.2 during bivariable analysis was taken to multivariable analysis to check significant association of meningococcal carriage with risk factors. Finally, aP-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Data was summarized using numbers, percentages and tables.Results: A total of 53(10.1%) (CI: 7.6–12.8)N. meningitidisisolates were identified. Serogroup A 13 (24.5%) was the most prevalent followed by Y/W135 11(20.7%) whereas serogroup B 4(7.6%) was the least identified serotype. Meningococcal isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (45.3%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (73.6%). Overall, most of meningococcal isolates showed about 32(60.4%) multidrug resistance. Meningococcal carriage rate was significantly associated with family size, tonsillectomy, passive smoking, number of students per class, sharing utensils, history of visiting healthcare institutions, and indoor kitchen.Conclusion: This study highlights the need for reinforcement of case-based, laboratory confirmed surveillance ofN. meningitidiscarriage in Ethiopian elementary school students to enable mapping of distribution of serotypes of the causative organisms across the country and determine the current potential necessity of vaccination.