BackgroundSalmonella has been recognized as a major cause of food borne illness associated with meat products worldwide. The wide spread of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella has been a serious global human and animal health problem. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Salmonella isolates from butcher shops of Gondar town, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June, 2013 in Gondar town. After receiving written consent from the study participants, raw meat and swab samples from butcher shops’ utensils and meat handlers were collected and tested using standard bacteriological methods. The isolates were identified using colony characteristics, Gram-reaction, biochemical reaction and sugar tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Check list was used to record general hygienic conditions and practices in the butcher shops. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.ResultsButcher shop premises and utensils sanitation and personnel’s hygiene were poor. The overall prevalence of Salmonella was 17.3 %. Salmonella was detected in 32 (35.6 %) meat samples, 13 (23.2 %) hand swabs, 5 (9.1 %) knife swabs, and 3 (5.6 %) chopping board surface swabs. Of the total 53 Salmonella isolates subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test, 47 (88.7 %), 35 (62.3 %), 19 (35.8 %), 17 (32.1 %) and 16 (30.2 %) of them exhibited resistance to Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Nitrofuranthoin, Tetracycline, and Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprime, respectively. Furthermore; 15 (28.3 %) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant from which highest isolation was recorded from meat samples and 40 (75.5 %) isolates of Salmonella showed resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents tested. Interestingly, all of the isolates were susceptible to Gentamycin and Ceftriaxone.ConclusionThe general sanitary condition of the butcher shops and utensils used and personnel hygiene were not to the recommended standards. Contamination of meat, knives, and meat handlers hand with Salmonella was found high. Furthermore; multidrug-resistant Salmonella is circulating in the butchers’ shop which is strong enough to warrant the revision of butcher shops sanitation policy and treatment regimen for infections implicated by Salmonella in the study area. Further in-depth study including serotyping and antimicrobial resistant gene identification is recommended.

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan organism that infects both birds and mammals. Human infections are particularly serious if they occur during pregnancy and may result in abortion or congenitally acquired disorders which primarily affect the central nervous system. This study assessed seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women at Debre Tabor, Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May, 2013. A total of 263 pregnant women who came to Debre Tabor public health facilities for antenatal care were selected and included in the study. The venous blood serum was tested using toxolatex agglutination test. Data on socio-demographic and potential risk factors were collected using structured questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify associations between dependent and independent variables.ResultsOf 263 pregnant women included in the study, 180 (68.4%, 95% CI: 63.1-71.4%) were found to be seropositive for anti-toxoplasma antibody. Multivariable analysis showed; age group ≥36 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.01–12.5), cannot read and write (AOR = 4.77; 95% CI: 1.01-30.3), and cat ownership (AOR = 3.36; 95% CI: 1.39-8.12) were significantly associated with seropositivity of T.gondii infection.ConclusionsSeroprevalence of T.gondii infection in Debre Tabor town was high. Age, educational status and presence of cats in home were identified as factors associated with T.gondii infection. Education of pregnant women about the transmission and prevention methods of this infection through health extension and in antenatal care clinics is important. Besides, studies on incidence of toxoplasmosis in newborns and infants are recommended.

A cross-sectional study was carried out in sheep and goats kept under extensive management system in Tullo district, Western Harerghe zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, during the period from November, 2013 to April, 2014. The main objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence of nematode infection in small ruminants and to assess associated risk factors with its occurrence. A total of 384 fecal samples were collected from 168 sheep and 216 goats. The samples were examined using floatation technique and eggs per gram of faeces were determined. The overall prevalence for the nematode infection was 50.8% (195/384). Different nematode eggs including Strongyle (177, 46.1%), Strongyloides (35, 9.1%) and Trichuris eggs (31, 8.1%) were identified. The mean eggs per gram count showed that, 100 (56.5%) were heavily infected, 61(34.5%) were moderately infected and the remaining were lightly infected. The coproculture examination from the positive samples for strongyle eggs revealed the presence of Trichostrongylus species (sp), Haemonchus sp., Oesophagostomum sp., Cooperia sp., and Bunostomum sp. Gastrointestinal nematode parasitism is more prevalent (AOR=2.23) in sheep as compared to goats. It was also higher in animals with poor (AOR=4.54) and medium body conditions (AOR=2.02) as compared to animals with good body conditions. However, there was no statistically significant association between the occurrence of the infection and age, sex and origin of the animals'. In conclusion, gastrointestinal nematode parasites were highly prevalent in the study area and this could hamper health and productivity of the small ruminants. Thus, strategic control of nematode parasites should be planned and implemented to reduce the economic losses and welfare problems of the animals.

Croton macrostachyus leaves are used for treatment of wounds by traditional healers in Ethiopia. Despite the use of this plant in the treatment of wound, there is limited data to support its medicinal use. The present study provides scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of methanolic extract of C. macrostachyus leaves in rats. The leaves of Croton macrostachyus were studied for the presence of some secondary metabolites and wound healing activity. Ointments were made by incorporating the methanolic extract in simple ointment base B.P. in the concentration of 5 and 10% (w/w). Standard Nitrofurazone was used for comparison. Wound healing activity was studied, using excision and incision wound models. In excision wound model, percentage wound contraction, period of epithelization and morphological changes on the healed wounds were studied while incision wound model was used to determine breaking strength. The results were expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) and comparisons among treatment groups were made using one-way analysis of variance. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extracts of leaves of C. macrostachyus showed the presence of different metabolites such as flavonoids and saponins which are reported to have significant wound healing activity. The results of epithelization period, percentage of wound contraction and morphological evaluation of groups of animals in the test groups showed significant (p < 0.05) wound healing activity compared to those treated with simple ointment. Similarly, the difference in breaking strength was significant (p < 0.05) for both 5 and 10% (w/w) methanol extract of C. macrostachyus ointment treated groups. Morphological evaluation showed a relatively better healing and growth of hair around the wound area in the 10% methanol extract of C. macrostachyus ointment treated group. Methanolic extract of C. macrostachyus enhanced wound healing significantly, corroborating the folk medicinal use of this plant.

A cross sectional study was conducted in dairy farms of Addis Ababa city from November 2011 to April 2012 to estimate the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus and its associated risk factors in mastitic dairy cows. Milk samples were collected from 153 (50 clinical and 103 subclinical) mastitic lactating crossbred cows and were subjected to laboratory examination for identification of Staphylococcus aureus. Of the 153 mastitic cows, 67 were Zebu-Holstein Frisian and 86 were Zebu-Jersey crossbred. Bacterial identification was based on colony morphology, gram staining characteristics, and enzymatic tests including catalase and coagulase. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 74 (48.4%) milk samples. It was higher (n= 63, 61.1 %) in subclinical cases as compared to clinical form of the disease (n= 11, 22%). The occurrence of bovine mastitis associated with Staphylococcus aureus varied significantly (p<0.05) between breed, lactation stage, parity and age. It was higher (n= 49, 56.9%) in Zebu-Jersey than Zebu-Holstein Frisian (n= 25, 37.3%) crossbred cows. Staphyloccocal mastitis is a major health problem in dairy farm of Addis Ababa causing huge economic loss. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus can leads to public health hazard through consumption of raw milk or milk products from infected animals. Therefore, early diagnosis and screening of cows for mastitis is important to limit spread of the disease. Appropriate control and prevention measures should be in place to reduce Staphylococcus aureus mediated bovine mastitis. Routine pasteurization of milk should also be practiced to safeguard the public health.