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Detecting Plasmodium parasite DNA and host blood meals in the abdomens of fed mosquitoes enables timely decisions for effective malaria control. Hence, this study aimed to detect the Plasmodium parasite DNA and identify sources of blood meals in the abdomens of freshly fed Anopheles mosquitoes in South Ethiopia. A cross-sectional entomological survey was conducted in 12 malaria-endemic Kebeles near the southern Rift Valley Lakes, Abaya and Chamo, as a baseline for a trial evaluating house screening and/or ivermectin treatment for domestic animals to control malaria. Four hundred sixteen houses were selected for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light trap collections. The mosquito species were identified using morphological and molecular methods. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was employed for the detection of Plasmodium parasite DNA and blood source identification. Plasmodium vivax (2.0%; 9/446) and P. falciparum (0.2%; 1/446) were detected in the abdomens of mosquitoes. Out of 446 tested Anopheles specimens, 85% (378/446) fed on six vertebrate hosts, while 15% (68/446) tested negative for these hosts. Goat blood was the most common, accounting for 67% (299/446), followed by human blood (23%; 102/446). Cow blood was identified in 19% (84/446) of the fed mosquitoes, while dog blood was present in 13% (57/446). Chicken and pig blood accounted for < 1% of blood meal sources. The overall human blood meal index was 23%, including mixed blood meal sources. Anopheles arabiensis was the most prevalent species, comprising 85% (380/446) of the nine Anopheles species identified, followed by An. pharoensis 7% (33/446) and An. tenebrosus 3% (13/446). Detecting Plasmodium parasites in the mosquitoes’ abdomens can enhance preparedness for malaria control. Anopheles mosquitoes obtain blood from various sources, with goats being the most common, followed by humans. Interventions targeting these mosquitoes may prioritise animal sources.

Background Efforts to control malaria face several challenges, including the presence of parasite reservoirs within the community that contribute to disease transmission. This study aimed to assess malaria prevalence among community members using microscopy and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect parasite reservoirs in malaria-endemic settings. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in malaria-endemic districts of the Gamo Zone in the southern Rift Valley of Ethiopia. The research was conducted as part of a baseline assessment for a trial evaluating the impact of house screening and ivermectin treatment of domestic animals on malaria incidence. Capillary blood samples were collected from the study participants to prepare blood films and dried blood spots. Malaria parasite detection and species identification were performed using both microscopy and nested PCR. Results Of 4745 participants screened by microscopy, malaria prevalence was 2.7% (126/4745; 95% CI: 2.2–3.2%). Nested PCR was performed on 1183 samples, including 97 microscopy-positive and 1,086 microscopy-negative samples. PCR confirmed 67% (65/97) of microscopy-positive cases, yielding a PCR-corrected microscopy prevalence of 1.4% (65/4745). Submicroscopic infections were detected in 6.1% (66/1086) of microscopy-negative samples. Malaria prevalence across Kebeles ranged from 0.5–2.3% by microscopy and 4.1–9.6% by PCR. Species misclassification by microscopy was common: 19.5% of P. falciparum infections were misidentified as P. vivax , 14.0% of P. vivax as P. falciparum , and 33.0% of microscopy-positive samples were PCR-negative. Conclusion These findings emphasize that community-based malaria diagnosis using microscopy underestimates malaria prevalence, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic methods.

Background. Streptococcus pyogenes is the most frequent cause of pharyngitis and skin infections in children and causes immune complications like rheumatic fever and rheumatoid heart disease (RHD), particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, antibiotic resistance pattern, and associated factors of Streptococcus pyogenes among pediatric patients suspected of acute pharyngitis in Sidama Region, Southern Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 213 acute pharyngitis suspected pediatric patients from April to September 2022 at Hawassa University Compressive Specialized Hospital and Yirgalem Hospital. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A throat swab was cultured to isolate S. pyogenes, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using standard bacteriological techniques. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and P value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Result. Out of 213 throat swabs cultured, 22 (10.3%) with 95% CI (6.6–14.6%) were S. pyogenes positive. All isolates of S. pyogenes were sensitive to penicillin and amoxicillin. In contrast, 8 (36.4%) isolates exhibited resistance to tetracycline, 7 (31.8%) to ceftriaxone, 6 (27.3%) to erythromycin, and 5 (22.7%) isolates showed multidrug resistance. The presence of palatal petechiae (P=0.037) and tonsillar swelling or exudate (P=0.007) were significantly associated with S. pyogenes carriage in children suspected of having acute pharyngitis. Conclusion. In this study, the prevalence of S. pyogenes among children suspected with acute pharyngitis was low compared to other studies. The isolates showed a high level of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, the treatment of pediatric acute S. pyogenes pharyngitis should depend on an antimicrobial susceptibility test. Furthermore, evaluation of S. pyogenes pediatric acute pharyngitis risk factors and tracking of antibiotic resistance are crucial in the controlling of pediatric acute S. pyogenes pharyngitis.