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Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common cause of morbidity worldwide. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) bacteria are the major cause of urinary tract infections. UPEC strains derive from different phylogenetic groups and possess an arsenal of virulence factors that contribute to their ability to overcome different defense mechanisms and cause disease. The objective of this study was to identify phylogroup and virulence genes of UPEC among urinary tract infection patients. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted from January 1, 2017 to October 9, 2017. E. coli bacteria were isolated from UTI patients using culture and conventional biochemical tests. Identification of phylogroup and genes that encodes for virulence factors was done using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data was processed and analyzed with SPSS version16.0 and Epi-info version 3.4.1 software. Results The most common urologic clinical manifestation combinations in this study were dysuria, urine urgency and urgency incontinence. The frequent UPEC virulence gene identified was fimH 164 (82%), followed by aer 109 (54.5%), hly 103 (51.5%), pap 59 (29.5%), cnf 58 (29%), sfa 50 (25%) and afa 24 (12%).There was significant association between pap gene and urine urgency ( p -0.016); sfa and dysuria and urine urgency ( p -0.019 and p -0.043 respectively); hly and suprapubic pain ( p -0.002); aer and suprapubic pain, flank pain and fever ( p -0.017, p -0.040, p -0.029 respectively). Majority of E. coli isolates were phylogroup B2 60(30%) followed by D 55(27.5%), B1 48(24%) and A 37(18.5%). There was significant association between E. coli phylogroup B2 and three virulence genes namely afa, pap, and sfa ( p -0.014, p -0.002, p -0.004 respectively). Conclusion In this study the most frequent E. coli virulence gene was fimH, followed by aer, hly, pap, cnf, sfa and afa respectively. There was significant association between E. coli virulence genes and clinical symptoms of UTI. The phylogenetic analysis indicates majority of uropathogenic E. coli isolates were phylogroup B2 followed by phylogroup D. Phylogroup B2 carries more virulence genes. Hence, targeting major UPEC phylogroup and virulence genes for potential vaccine candidates is essential for better management of UTI and further research has to be conducted in this area.

Objective Gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection (STI) next to Chlamydia. Untreated cases could results in major complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, fetal death and congenital infections. Gonorrhea has been treated with antibiotics for more than eight decades. However, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in gonococcus seriously compromises the management of the disease. The aim of this review was to describe the current developments in the field of azithromycin resistant gonococci. Methods Literatures published in English in the last 10 years were retrieved from PubMed, SCOPUS, Google scholar, Cochrane library and the Google databases using relevant searching terms. Results Gonococcus is capable of using a number of strategies to confer resistance as the bacterium has an extraordinary capacity to alter its genome. So far the accumulated data on the field showed that the world is heading towards a pandemic of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) gonococcus which is now seems to be evolving into a true “superbug”. Hence, in the near future gonorrhea may become untreatable on the international basis unless new drugs become available. An antibiotic resistance in gonococcus has been noted beginning in 1940s against sulfonamides. Since then, resistance has rapidly emerged to penicillins, tetracyclines, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins. Currently, in most nations, the injectable extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC), i.e. ceftriaxone based therapy is the only remaining option for gonorrhea. Based on the WHO and the US-CDC recommendations, countries are increasingly using a combination of cephalosporin and azithromycin for the treatment of gonorrhoea. Azithromycin revolutionized gonoccocal therapy as it shortened treatment time by more than half from 7 to 14 days and improved patient compliance due to high tissue levels and long half-life. However, constantly emerging reports from different parts of the globe showed that N. gonorrhoeae is developing significant level of resistance against azithromycin, and so far more than 33% level of resistance was reported. Two strategies have been commonly implicated in gonococcal resistance against azithromycin: over expression of an efflux pump (due to mutations at mtrR coding region) and decreased antimicrobial affinity (due to mutations in genes encoding the 23S ribosomal subunit). Conclusions With no alternative antimicrobial treatment options for gonorrhoea and only a few new drugs in the development pipeline, it is necessary to monitor drug resistance and optimize treatment regimens regularly. Moreover, investigations for novel drugs should be wired.

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global community in many ways. Combating the COVID-19 pandemic requires a coordinated effort through engaging public and service providers in preventive measures. The government of Ethiopia had already announced prevention guidelines for the public. However, there is a scarcity of evidence-based data on the public knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) and response of the service providers regarding COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the public KAP and service providers' preparedness towards the pandemic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from late March to the first week of April 2020. Participants were conveniently sampled from 10 different city sites. Data collection was performed using a self-administered questionnaire and observational assessment using a checklist. All statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficient and chi-square tests were performed. A total of 839 public participants and 420 service providers enrolled in the study. The mean age was 30.30 (range = 18-72) years. The majority of the respondents (58.6%) had moderate knowledge about COVID-19, whereas 37.2% had good knowledge. Moreover, 60.7% and 59.8% of the participants had a positive attitude towards preventive measures and good practice to mitigate the pandemic, respectively. There was a moderate positive correlation between knowledge and attitude, whereas the correlations between knowledge and practice and attitude and practice were weak. With regard to service providers' preparedness, 70% have made hand-washing facilities available. A large majority of the respondents (84.4%) were using government-owned media followed by social media (46.0%) as a main source of information. The public in Addis Ababa had moderate knowledge, an optimistic attitude and descent practice. The information flow from government and social media seemed successful seeing the majority of the respondents identifying preventive measures, signs and symptoms and transmission route of SARS-CoV-2. Knowledge and attitude was not associated with practice, thus, additional innovative strategies for practice changes are needed. Two thirds of the service provider made available hand washing facilities which seems a first positive step. However, periodic evaluation of the public KAP and assessment of service providers' preparedness is mandatory to combat the pandemic effectively.

Urinary tract infections are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. The emergence of multiple-drug-resistant (MDR) strains of gram-negative bacteria causing urinary tract infection has become a serious concern in cancer patients. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the spectrum and antibiotic resistance pattern of bacterial isolates related to urinary tract infections among cancer patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Hospital based prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for three months from January to March 2018 in tertiary care hospital located in the capital city of the country. Gram-negative bacteria isolated from urine specimens from hospitalized patients with cancer were characterized using standard microbiological methods. Modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion technique was applied for antimicrobial susceptibility testing in accordance with CLSI 2019 criteria. Of totally 292 urine samples tested, eighteen (6.3%) were culture positive cases, Escherichia coli (44.4%) was the highest proportion isolated uropathogen followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.2%) and Citrobacter diversus (16.7%). The antibiotic susceptibility results showed meropenem and nitrofurantoin as the most effective antibiotics for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Citrobacter diversus isolates. The rate of multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates were 33.3% (6/18), and meropenem and nitrofurantoin were the most effective antibiotic against MDR isolates. The study findings showed a significant distribution of MDR gram-negative bacteria which may increase the burden of urinary tract associated infections in cancer patients. Carbapenem (meropenem) can be considered as effective agents to treat MDR cases in our region.

Neurotropic pathogens such as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) which result in chronic infections in the brain are associated with mental illnesses. In view of this, a growing body of literature has revealed the possible interaction of schizophrenia and T. gondii infection. A case-control study was conducted from February 2018 to January 2019 among 47 Schizophrenia patients and 47 age and sex-matched controls. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Serum was used for serological analysis of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies through chemiluminescent immunoassay. Proportions and mean with standard deviations (SD) were used as descriptive measures and variables with p-values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant and independently associated with schizophrenia. The mean ages of schizophrenia patients and controls were 29.64 ± 5.8 yrs and 30.98 ± 7.3 yrs, respectively. We found that 81.9% (77/94) of the study subjects had a positive anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. While the difference is statistically insignificant, schizophrenic patients have a marginally higher seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis than controls (87.2% vs 80.9%; p = 0.398). Schizophrenia cases who live in homes with soil floors have a significantly higher T. gondii infection as compared to those who live in homes with cement/ceramic floors (90.9% vs 33.3%; p = 0.004). Furthermore, there was a significantly lower T. gondii infection among schizophrenic cases who were taking antipsychotic medication for more than three yrs (79.3% vs 100.0%, p = 0.039). On the other hand, among all study subjects who have T. gondii infection, subjects who are addicted to khat and alcohol were about seven times more likely to develop schizophrenia (71.4% vs 47.7%, OR = 7.13, p = 0.024). Our data is not sufficient to show a significant positive correlation between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia. For study subjects with T. gondii infection, addiction to khat and alcohol is one of the risk factors for schizophrenia.

Diarrhea is a serious health problem in children, with the highest mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa. Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is among the major bacterial causes of diarrhea in children under age five. The present study aims to determine molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of DEC and identify contributing factors for acquisition among children under age five in Central Ethiopia. A health facility-centered cross-sectional study was conducted in Addis Ababa and Debre Berhan, Ethiopia, from December 2020 to August 2021. A total of 476 specimens, 391 from diarrheic and 85 from non-diarrheic children under age five were collected. Bacterial isolation and identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, and pathotype determination using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were done. Of the 476 specimens analyzed, 89.9% (428/476) were positive for E. coli, of which 183 were positive for one or more genes coding DEC pathotypes. The overall prevalence of the DEC pathotype was 38.2% (183/476). The predominant DEC pathotype was enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (41.5%, 76/183), followed by enterotoxigenic E. coli (21.3%, 39/183), enteropathogenic E. coli (15.3%, 28/183), enteroinvasive E. coli (12.6%, 23/183), hybrid strains (7.1%, 13/183), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (1.6%, 3/183), and diffusely-adherent E. coli (0.6%, 1/183). DEC was detected in 40.7% (159/391) of diarrheic and 28.2% (24/85) in non-diarrheic children (p = 0.020). The majority of the DEC pathotypes were resistant to ampicillin (95.1%, 174/183) and tetracycline (91.3%, 167/183). A higher rate of resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (58%, 44/76), ciprofloxacin (22%, 17/76), ceftazidime and cefotaxime (20%, 15/76) was seen among EAEC pathotypes. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 43.2% (79/183) of the pathotypes, whereas extended spectrum ß-lactamase and carbapenemase producers were 16.4% (30/183) and 2.2% (4/183), respectively. All six common DEC pathotypes that have the potential to cause severe diarrheal outbreaks were found in children in the study area; the dominant one being EAEC with a high rate of MDR.

Background Cervical cancer is caused by infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPVs). It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Ethiopia and globally. To develop efficient vaccination and HPV-based cervical cancer screening approaches, data on genotype distribution of HPVs is crucial. Hence, the study was aimed to review HPV genotype distribution in Ethiopia. Methods Research articles were systematically searched using comprehensive search strings from PubMed/Medline and SCOPUS. Besides, Google Scholar was searched manually for grey literature. The last search was conducted on 18 August 2021. The first two authors independently appraised the studies for scientific quality and extracted the data using Excel sheet. The pooled HPV genotype distribution was presented with descriptive statistics. Results We have included ten studies that were reported from different parts of the country during 2005 and 2019. These studies included 3633 women presented with different kinds of cervical abnormalities, from whom 29 different HPV genotypes with a sum of 1926 sequences were reported. The proportion of high-risk, possible/probable high-risk and low-risk HPVs were at 1493 (77.5%), 182 (9.4%) and 195 (10.1%), respectively. Of the reported genotypes, the top five were HPV 16 (37.3%; 95% CI 35.2.1–39.5%), HPV 52 (6.8%; 95% CI 5.8–8.0%), HPV 35 (4.8%; 95% CI 3.9–5.8%), HPV 18 (4.4%; 95% CI 3.5–5.3%) and HPV 56 (3.9%: 95% CI 3.1–4.9%). Some of other HR-HPV groups include HPV 31 (3.8%), HPV 45 (3.5%), HPV 58 (3.1%), HPV 59(2.3%), and HPV 68 (2.3%). Among the high-risk types, the combined prevalence of HPV 16/18 was at 53.7% (95% CI 51.2–56.3%). HPV 11 (2.7%: 95% CI 2.1–3.5%), HPV 42 (2.1%: 95% CI 1.5–2.8%) and HPV 6 (2.1%: 95% CI 1.4–2.7%) were the most common low-risk HPV types. Conclusions We noted that the proportion of HR-HPV types was higher and HPV 16 in particular, but also HPV 52, HPV 35 and HPV 18, warrant special attention in Ethiopian’s vaccination and HPV based cervical screening program. Additional data from other parts of the country where there is no previous HPV genotype report are needed to better map the national HPV genotypes distribution of Ethiopia.

Background Diarrhea, particularly of enteric bacterial pathogen, remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ethiopia. Despite the high prevalence of diarrheal disease among under-five children, antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens test is not part of routine childcare in the study area. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility status of Salmonella and Shigella species among diarrheic children attending public health institutions in Ambo town, west Showa, Ethiopia. Methods Institutional based, cross-sectional study was carried out from January to July 2014 among 239 diarrheic children below five years of age in Ambo town, Ethiopia. Information about patient demographics, signs, and symptoms was obtained from the parents/guardians of each child using a questionnaire. Stool samples from diarrheic children were collected and processed for isolation of Salmonella and Shigella using conventional microbiology procedures. Suspected Salmonella isolates were confirmed by genus-specific PCR and serotyped using a slide agglutination test. Susceptibility to 10 commonly used antimicrobials was assessed using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results From the 239 children screened, only nine (3.8%) of them were positive for either Salmonella ( n  = 3) or Shigella ( n  = 6) and 19 (7.9%) positive for the intestinal parasite. Three species of Shigella were identified: Shigella flexinari (n = 3), Shigella boydii ( n  = 2), and Shigella sonnei ( n  = 1). The three Salmonella isolates were S. chicago, S. caracas, and S. saintpaul. Salmonella and Shigella isolates were resistant to ampicillin (88.9%), followed by tetracycline (66.7%), cotrimoxazole (55.6%), chloramphenicol (44.4%), amoxicillin (33.3%), nalidixic acid (11.1%) and cefotaxime (11.1%). All isolates were sensitive to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamycin. Conclusion In this study, either Salmonella or Shigella species were detected only in 3.8% of diarrheic children in Ambo town, suggesting the dominance of other causes of diarrhea in the study area. A further study targeting other causes of diarrhea should be conducted to establish the major causes of childhood diarrhea in the study area.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327243.].

Tuberculosis is a major public health challenge in the resource-limited endemic setting of sub-Saharan Africa. The diagnostic challenge becomes worse for smear-negative TB cases. Even if efforts for non-sputum-based TB diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, there was limited data on blood-based immunological biomarkers among smear-negative PTB patients.Therefore, we assessed the phenotypic profile (HLA-DR, CD-38, Ki-67) of M. tuberculosis specific CD4 + T cells expressing dual IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines from smear negative PTB patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. An institutional-based longitudinal cohort study was conducted in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, on new smear-negative PTB who were adult and HIV-negative in comparison with multiple comparator groups. A total of 149 (confirmed patients with non-TB respiratory disease -33, smear-negative TB-29, smear-positive TB-34, apparently healthy - 53) study participants was enrolled. The expression level of activation (HLA-DR, CD-38) and proliferation (Ki-67) markers from dual IFN-γ and TNF-α cytokines expressing PPD specific CD4 + T cells were assessed after surface and intracellular cytokine staining. To confirm the presence of M. tuberculosis, MGIT/LJ culture, PCR, and smear microscopy were performed. The overall level of HLA-DR and CD-38 expression in smear-negative and positive pulmonary TB patients were substantially higher than that of confirmed non-TB respiratory illness, apparently healthy QFT positive and negative study participants (p-value = 0.0127, p-value < 0.0001, p-value = 0.0043, p-value <0.0001, respectively) before commencing anti TB treatment. Also, among the smear-negative and positive pulmonary TB cohort, the expression of CD-38, HLA-DR, and HLA-DR + CD-38 + expression was reduced in the second month and six-month cohort compared with baseline data (p-value= < 0.0001, p-value = 0.00365, p -value = 0.0001, respectively). In this study, we found the diagnostic and prognostic potential of activation markers, particularly CD-38, in smear-negative PTB patients from dual M. tuberculosis-specific IFN-γ + TNF-α+ cytokine producing CD4 + T cells in both the presumed ex vivo and antigen-specific stimulation assays.