Occurrence, antimicrobial resistance pattern and molecular characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from bovine’s milk and meat in Mekelle City, Ethiopia

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic and emerging foodborne zoonotic pathogen that encompasses a diversity of strains with varied virulence and can cause serious human and animal infections worldwide with low incidence but high hospitalization and case fatality rates. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016 to June 2017 to estimate the molecular epidemiology of L. monocytogenes and its serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance pattern of isolates in Mekelle City. A total of 768 (384 of milk and 384 meat) samples of bovine origin were collected using a purposive random sampling technique. Isolation and identification of L. monocytogenes was done according to standard and recommended bacteriological procedures. Genome-based confirmation of each isolate was performed at species and serovar levels by targeting Iap, Imo0737, ORF2819 and ORF2110 genes using specific primers. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using agar plate antibiotic disk diffusion method. The overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes was 26 (3.39%). Sample type prevalence rates of L. monocytogenes were 4.17 % and 2.6% in meat and milk samples, respectively. There was a statically significant difference (p<0.05) on the prevalence rates of the organism in meat samples collected from abattoir (1.67%), butcher shops (8.33%), and restaurants (8.33%). Serovars that were identified were belonged to 1/2b and 4b. Large proportions of isolates were highly susceptible to Ampicillin (88.46%) and Vancomycin (84.62%). However, the isolates had shown the highest level of resistance against Nalidixic Acid (96.15%). The highest intermediate was observed to Amoxicillin (57.69%). Moreover, 42.31% of the isolates were developed resistance for more than two drugs. Hence, both its occurrence and development of a multi-drug resistance indicated that, a coordinated effort is imperative to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by this pathogen in food chains and on controlled and careful use of antimicrobials both in veterinary and human treatment regimes.

Measuring the Semi-Century Ecosystem-Service Value Variation in Mekelle City Region, Northern Ethiopia

The Mekelle city region is facing severe ecosystem degradation. The study area has experienced unprecedented land-use dynamics over the past 47 years, but the effect of these dynamics on ecosystem-service values remains unknown. Estimating the various ecosystem services from a city region perspective has not been attempted so far. The rationale of this study was to estimate the spatial–temporal ecosystem-service value variations. The methodology employed was land-use/land-cover (LULC) datasets of remotely sensed datasets of the years 1972, 1984, 2001, 2012, and 2019, and ecosystem service value coefficient, expert focus group discussion, and document review were used. The digital satellite images were processed, classified, and analyzed using Earth Resource Development Assessment System (ERDAS) Imagine. Computations of changes in the land-use categories were made using Arc GIS 10.5.1, Eviews for time series data analysis, and XLSTAT analytical tools were used. Over the whole study period from 1972 to 2019, a loss of USD 128.6 million was observed, which is a reduction of 501.9%. The study shows that due to land-use changes, the total ecosystem service value is decreasing annually, suggesting that much more severe ecosystem degradation is due to occur. The results are relevant to policy development and indicate that ecological restoration is the best option in the study area.

Assessment of the Reasons for Culling and its Relation to Age at Culling in Dairy Cows in and around Mekelle City, Tigray, Ethiopia

Background Culling is defined as the departure of cows from the herd because of sale, slaughter, salvage, or death. Culling is an important cost for dairy farms. At the same time, culling is a way to increase herd productivity and profitability, as keeping diseased and unproductive cows might result in lower herd milk production and deteriorated reproduction. In order to maximize profitability, the proportion of voluntary culling (selling for dairy purposes or culling due to low production) should be highest among the total culling rate. Previous studies indicate an ascending trend in the proportion of involuntary culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥5 cow-years in 2016-2017. Objective This study was conducted to assess the reason for culling a dairy cow and its association with age at culling in and around Mekelle using a structured questioner format and direct observation. Visits were performed to each farm to collect data directly from owners or animal attendants and using direct observation. Materials and Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted in and around Mekelle city dairy farm from November, 2016 to April, 2017. Results The most common causes of culling were disease and economic reasons. The most common causes of voluntary culling were economic reasons (17.39), low milk yield (20.29%), and aging (8.70%). The common causes of involuntary culling were diseases (34.78%), injury (7.25%), and infertility (5.80%). In this study rates of culling increased with parity. The highest rate of culling was in animals between parity 2 and 5, increased from (14.49%) to (21.74%) and slightly decreased from parity 6 to 7, i.e. (13.04)% to (8.70)%, respectively. The highest rates of culling were between 3 and 5-years, (17.39)% and (23.19)%, respectively. Conclusion This study indicated animals were culled at premature age because of involuntary culling, which is economically not feasible, diseases were the most common causes of involuntary culling and voluntary culling was the most type of culling in dairy cattle farms and animals mostly culled for decreased production and economic reasons.

Prevalence of Strongyle Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Horses and Donkeys in and around Mekelle City, Northern Part of Ethiopia

Background. In Ethiopia, equines serve in traction power, carting, recreation, festival packing, riding, transportation, and other activities since time immemorial. Strongyles are common equine health problems in Ethiopia though research based data on equine strongyles are limited particularly in the study areas, in and around Mekelle city. Therefore, the present study was intended to estimate the prevalence of common equine strongyles in and around Mekelle city from November 2018 to April 2019 and to assess risk factors associated with infection of strongyle parasites as well. Cross sectional design was used in this study, and the study population consisted of both donkeys and horses of all age and both sex groups. From randomly selected horses and donkeys, approximately 25 grams of faecal samples was drawn with gloved hands from rectum of study equines, labeled, and transported to laboratory for coprological examination. Flotation technique was employed to separate parasitic eggs from faeces, followed by microscopic examination for identification of strongyle eggs based on morphology. Pearson’s chi-square (χ2) was carried out to determine association between risk factors and parasitic infection. Moreover, both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were computed to assess the strength of association of those risk factors at 95% CI and P < 0.05 . Result. Out of 384 samples collected, 204 were found to be positive for strongyles with an overall prevalence of 53.13%. Prevalence of strongyle species in equines was also estimated to be 53% and 53.3% for donkeys and horses, respectively. Accordingly, of the six risk factors considered, only three factors (age, management type, and body condition scores) were found to influence the occurrence of strongyle infection and to be statistically significant as well. Conclusion. The higher prevalence of equine strongyles in the present study might be suggestive of urgent and coordinated actions to be in place.

Determinants of intrauterine contraceptive device utilization at primary health care facilities in Mekelle City, northern Ethiopia

Background Each year, the current level of modern contraceptive use averts 188 million unintended pregnancies, which in turn results in 112 million fewer abortions. Of the 867 million women in the developing world who are sexually active and want to avoid becoming pregnant, approximately 222 million of them have an unmet need for modern contraception. In spite of several advantages and potential effectiveness of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, its utilization still too low in Sub Saharan African countries including Ethiopia. Objectives To identify the determinant factors for utilization of intra uterine contraceptive device among women visiting primary health care facilities in Mekelle city. Method Facility based unmatched case-control study design was conducted among 234 women (78 cases and 156 controls). Data was collected by structured questionnaire. Data entry and cleaning was done using EPI- Info version 5.3.1 and analysis done using SPSS version 20.0 statistical software. During analysis the variables were defined, categorized and the difference in variables was determined. Odds ratio used to show degree of association between independent variables with Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Result Marital status ([AOR (95%CI) =8.59(2.60–28.43)], number of pregnancies (AOR (95%) CI = 5.69(1.020–31.802), number of alive children [AOR (95%CI) =3.5 (1.03–11.9) are variables continued to have statistically significant association with use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Other determinants found to have significant association includes awareness about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, visual exposure to Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, and participants told about availability of health care provider able to insert Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Conclusion This study has identified marital status, Gravidity, number of alive children and awareness to Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device as major determinants for use of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Thus, it is vital at addressing the aforementioned determinants will be vital to improve utilization of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device. Plain English summary Among long acting reversible modern contraceptive methods, Intra Uterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) are the most reliable and effective as well as with fewer side effects. Despite these advantages and cost effective potential of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device its utilization is still too low in Sub Saharan countries like Ethiopia. Thus, this study intended to identify the factors that limit the utilization of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device among women of Ethiopia in Mekele City. The study identify that the utilization of Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device was determined by the marital status of the women, the number of previous pregnancy and recent alive children and the level of awareness about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device of the women. Therefore, providers training that focus on promoting Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device, centering on increasing awareness and practice about Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device is very important.

Determinants of Hyperemesis Gravidarum Among Pregnant Women in Public Hospitals of Mekelle City, North Ethiopia, 2019: Unmatched Case-Control Study

Background: Globally, hyperemesis gravidarum affects 0.3 to 3.6% of pregnant women. The etiology of hyperemesis gravidarum is unclear. In Ethiopia, limited studies have been conducted on the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum. Therefore this study is aim to identify the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum among pregnant women in public hospitals of Mekelle city, North Ethiopia. Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted from May to October 2019, with the ratio of 1:2(109 cases and 218 controls). Cases were women with hyperemesis gravidarum and controls were women who had no hyperemesis gravidarum. Cases were enrolled using consecutive sampling techniques and controls were selected by a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by interview using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Statistical significance was considered at p- 0.05, and the strength of association was assessed by odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Result: Being housewife (AOR=2.43; 95% CI; 1.27, 4.62), unplanned pregnancy (AOR=2.58; 95% CI; 1.27, 5.24), had family history of hyperemesis gravidarum (AOR=3.85; 95% CI; 1.69, 8.75). H. pylori infection (AOR=3.50; 95% CI; 1.92, 6.39), high perceived stress (AOR=7.01; 95% CI; 2.56, 19.18) and being in the first and second trimester (AOR=6.01; 95% CI; 1.87, 19.26), and (AOR=4.73; 95% CI; 1.59, 14.00) were determinant of hyperemesis gravidarum. Conclusion and Recommendations: In this study; being a housewife, unplanned pregnancy, had a family history of hyperemesis gravidarum, H. pylori infection, high perceived stress, and being in the 1st and 2nd trimester of pregnancy were found to be the determinants of hyperemesis gravidarum. We recommend stress should be minimized through psychological support during follow up of pregnancy. Screening for H. Pylori should be taken as routine investigations for pregnant women who complain of nausea and vomiting.