1. Anti-Toxoplasma antibodies prevalence and associated risk factors among HIV patients
Dechassa TEGEGNE ; Mukarim ABDURAHAMAN ; Moti YOHANNES ; Tadesse MOSISSA
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2016;9(5):460-464
Objectives To assess the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV patients in Agaro Town Health Center of Jimma zone. Methods Convenient sampling was used to collect blood samples from 135 patients attending anti-retroviral therapy from February to March 2015. Serum samples were tested for anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibody by using latex agglutination test. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis. Results Overall seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 80.7% (109/135, CI: 74.04–87.36). In multivariate analysis significant association was observed between anti-T. gondii seropositivity and raw meat consumption (OR: 3.514, CI: 1.167–10.581, P = 0.025), knowledge about toxoplasmosis (OR: 5.225, CI: 1.382, P = 0.015) and sex (OR: 4.023, CI: 1.382–19.762, P = 0.015). Conclusions Immuno compromised patients showed high rate of seropositivity and thus, it is highly advisable to introduce routine anti-T. gondii antibodies serological screening test prior to ART commencement.
2. Anti-schistosomal activities of Echinops kebericho Mesfin root and Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F Gmel flower part crude extracts in Swiss albino mice
Yonas ALEMU ; Zeleke MEKONNEN ; Ahmed ZEYNUDIN ; Abdissa BIRUKSEW ; Moti YOHANNES ; Sultan SULEMAN
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2018;11(10):570-575
Objective: To evaluate the in vivo antischistosomal activities of the crude extracts of Echinops kebericho Mesfin (E. kebericho) root and Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F. Gmel (H. abyssinica) flower. Methods: Mice were infected with (150 ± 10) Schistosoma mansoni cercariae by paddling technique. Crude extracts were administered orally for five consecutive days at doses of 300, 600 and 1 200 mg/kg/day along with 200 mg/kg/day praziquantel and 3% tween 80 given as a control. Results: E. kebericho root extract showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) reduction in fecal egg count of 64.44%, 42.96% & 26.82% and worm burden of 65.71%, 47.86% & 31.43% at treatment doses of 1 200 mg/kg/day, 600 mg/kg/day and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively. Similarly, H. abyssinica flower extracts showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in fecal egg count up to 84.57%, 77.06% & 63.89% and worm burden of 91.43%, 81.43% & 70.71% at a respective dose levels. In addition, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in liver granuloma score was observed in all H. abyssinica administered dose groups and E. kebericho at 1 200 mg/kg/day dose group as compared to infected untreated control group. Conclusions: H. abyssinica and E. kebericho crude extracts show a promising antischistosomal activity.