BackgroundPaper currency is used for every type of commerce and plays an important role in the life of human beings. However, the combination of its widespread use and constant exchange make paper currency a likely agent for disease transmission. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial load and safety of Ethiopian paper currencies collected from some food vendors in Jimma town.MethodsStandard microbiological methods were used for the enumeration of various microbial groups, isolation and characterization of pathogenic bacteria and their growth potential in selected weaning foods. A total of 100 samples of Ethiopian paper currencies, consisting of five denominations, from street food venders, hotels and cafeterias in Jimma town were collected aseptically. Sterile cotton swabs moistened with buffered peptone water solution were used for swabbing and the swabs were separately soaked into 10 ml sterile buffered peptone water solution.ResultsMean microbial counts of Aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms and Aerobic bacterial spores were (log CFU/cm2) 6.32, 4.43, 3.14, 2.98 and 3.78, respectively. However, mean counts of Yeasts and Moulds were below detectable levels. There was statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) among the mean counts of microbes isolated from samples of paper currencies. The predominantly isolated microbial groups were Staphylococcus spp. (34.06%) followed by Bacillus spp. (31.88%), Enterobacteraceae (13.39%), Micrococcus spp. (9.55%) and Streptococcus spp. (9.03%). Overall, 25% and 10% of the samples were positive for S. aureus and Salmonella spp, respectively. In challenge study, Salmonella spp. and S. aureus reached the infective dose within 12 to 18 hours of inoculation.ConclusionThus, paper currencies could be considered as one of the possible vehicles for transmission of disease causing microorganisms. Poor handling practices and personal hygiene of the food vendors could contribute to the observed microbial counts. Thus, it calls for awareness development on the potential risks associated with poor handling of paper currencies at all level of the food establishments.

BackgroundIn least developing countries, there are few data on children’s critical care. This makes the provision of aid and improvement of outcome difficult.ObjectivesTo describe admission and outcome patterns of children managed in a general intensive care unit at Jimma University Specialized Hospital (JUSH), Ethiopia, over a 5-year period.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study design was used. All children from birth to 14 years of age who were admitted to the general ICU of the hospital from 2009–2013 were included. Patient charts and ICU documentation log were reviewed.ResultsA total of 170 children were admitted to the ICU of JUSH over the study period. The greater share was taken by males (54.7%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. The overall mortality rate was 40%. The majority of the children were in the age range of 10–14 years (38.8%). Of the total number of patients admitted, 34.7% were trauma cases, 45.8% of whom died. The highest percentage, 69.5%, of trauma patients were admitted for head injuries. Among the trauma cases, burn and polytrauma were the second and third leading causes (15.3%) of admission. Postoperative patients and medical patients accounted for the rest of the admitted cases (28.2% and 27.6% of the cases respectively).ConclusionThe leading cause of admission and death was trauma. Postoperative and medical causes of admission were also significant. The mortality rate in the ICU was very high, and this could be due to various factors. Further research benchmarking and interventions are highly recommended.

This article has reviewed researches that obtained from peer-reviewed literatures on Salmonellosis and Shigellosis in different parts of Ethiopia. The prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella, the causative agent for Salmonellosis and Shigellosis, respectively, their antibiogram and growth potential were the main objectives of this review. Foodborne diseases related to unhygienic food handling practices remain a major public health problem across the globe. The problem is severe in developing countries due to limitations in securing optimal hygienic food handling practices. Data shows that an estimated 70% of cases of diarrheal diseases are associated with the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. Among these microorganisms Salmonella and Shigella are the major ones. In most studies of Antibiograms tests, Salmonella and Shigella spp. showed high resistance to the commonly used antibiotics which indicate serious problems in antimicrobial therapy globally, especially in developing countries. In challenge studies, Salmonella and Shigella spp. reached the infective dose within 4 to 24 hours of inoculation, respectively in various food samples. In this review, it is noted that these potentially pathogens are still public health problems. Therefore, there needs health education, frequent monitory and evaluation system of microbiological and antimicrobial surveillance so as to plan intervention strategies for at risk population in the area of water sanitation and hygienic food handling practice to minimize the burden posed by the diseases Salmonellosis and Shigellosis. Keywords: Antibiograms; Diarrheal diseases; Ethiopia; Foodborne diseases; Growth potential; Salmonellosis; Shigellosis. IntroductionAs far back as the documentation of human history goes, consumption of food unsafe for health and its consequences have been one of man's major health problems. They still remain to be a major public health concern globally. Food-borne diseases are known to be responsible for a large proportion of adult illnesses and deaths; more importantly, as sources of acute diarrheal diseases, they are known to claim the lives of overwhelming numbers of children every day [1].Globally, Food borne diseases remain a major public health problem. The problem is severe in developing countries due to difficulties in securing optimal hygienic food handling practices. Evidently, in developing countries, up to an estimated 70% of cases of diarrheal disease are associated with the consumption of contaminated food [1]. Transmission of enteropathogenic bacteria is affected directly or indirectly through objects contaminated with faeces. These include food and water indicating the importance of faecal-oral humanto-human transmission [2].Furthermore, acute infective diarrhoea and gastroenteritis are major causes of ill health and premature deaths in developing world due, in large part, to the lack of safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as poorer overall health and nutritional status. According to the ...

Paper currencies could be one of the most potential vehicles to transmit diseases amongst the people. The daily transactions have made the paper currency to pass through many hands and pathogens become imposed on them before they are finally deposited in banks. Modern scientific studies have confirmed the presence of various pathogenic bacteria on paper currencies. Amongst others, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sps, Citrobacter sps, Mycobacterium leprae, Shigella sps, Streptococcus sps, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Klebsiella sps and Escherichia coli were the dominant contaminants of paper currency samples. Furthermore, researches have also shown that paper currencies could be contaminated by several fungal pathogens like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus sps, Penicillium sps, Candida sps, Trichoderma sps, Trichoderma viride, Alternaria tenuis A. paraticus, Sporotrichum sps and Fusarium sps. Besides, several studies revealed that, paper moneys were also contaminated by parasitic species of different helminthes that include parasitic nematodes and tapeworm like Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, hookworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Dipylidium caninum. Therefore, paper currency is generally contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and this contamination may play a significant role in the transmission of potentially harmful microorganisms that are resistant to commonly used antibiotics and therefore represents risks and public health hazards to the community and individuals handling paper currencies. So, there needs frequent awareness development efforts to improve the poor hygienic practices being exercised while handling paper currencies.