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Abstract As 2030 approaches, the World Health Organization’s due date for ending intestinal schistosomiasis as a public health problem in all endemic areas, understanding the current trends in the burden of schistosomiasis among schoolchildren in endemic areas is critical for monitoring the progress, identifying areas for improvement, and developing strategies to plan for instant response to mitigate the burden of schistosomiasis. From February to April of 2023, 328 students from three primary schools in Southwest Ethiopia participated in an institution-based cross-sectional study in the detection of Schistosoma mansoni. Intestinal schistosomiasis was identified among 242 school children, with a rate of infection of 73.8% (95% CI: (64.8–83.4%)). The rate of infection was higher among study participants aged between 10 and 13 years [AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: (1.1, 3.44). About 75% of the male participants were infected with Schistosoma mansoni [AOR = 0.83, 95% CI (0.49, 1.41). Nearly half (48.1%) of the S. mansoni infections among study participants were identified as heavy infections. More than half of the male study participants (50.3%) infected with Schistosoma mansoni had heavy infection intensity. Of the total female schoolchildren infected with Schistosoma mansoni, about 44.4% had a heavy infection. The prevalence and intensity of infection of Schistosoma mansoni in the study area are significantly noticeable, raising doubts on the effectiveness of the interventional programs or pin-points possible re-infection. Strategies to end the disease as a public health threat, mainly in remote and endemic areas, should consider novel integrated strategies targeting the life cycle of schistosomes besides the large-scale mass drug administration.

Abstract A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a modern, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective energy conversion technology that utilizes renewable organic waste as fuel, converting stored chemical energy into usable bioelectricity in the presence of a biocatalyst. Despite advancements in MFC technology, several challenges remain in optimizing power production efficiency, particularly regarding anode materials and modifications. In this study, low-cost biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) were coated with a polyaniline (PANI) conducting matrix to synthesize hybrid Fe3O4/PANI binary nanocomposites (NCs) as modified MFC anodes via an in-situ polymerization process. Characterization techniques, including UV–Vis, XRD, SEM, and FT-IR, revealed the successful synthesis of green-routed nano-scaled materials with altered optical properties after matrix coating, high crystallinity in the iron oxide phase, rougher surface morphology, and characteristic Fe–O peaks at 594 cm⁻1. Additionally, the electrochemical behavior of the prepared nano-materials was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), where low ΔEp values (0.473 V) for Fe3O4/PANI NCs indicated the presence of reversible charge transfer mechanisms at the electrode surface, reflecting a high rate of electron transfer. The synthesized nanocomposite was used to modify pencil graphite anodes to construct four single-chamber MFCs: bare pencil graphite anodes, pencil graphite anodes modified with Fe3O4, PANI, and Fe3O4/PANI nanocomposites. The maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) value was 645 ± 24.50 mV, with a high power output of 424.51 ± 6.86 mW/m2 and current density of 2475.01 ± 1.23 mA m−2 produced by the Fe3O4/PANI NCs modified pencil graphite electrode, which is more than six times the efficiency in terms of power density compared to the unmodified pencil graphite electrode (PGE). These results demonstrate that the synthesized nanocomposite plays an effective and value-added role in modifying traditional carbon anode electrodes within an MFC energy conversion device system.

Abstract Nearly half of the deaths among hospitalized human immuno deficiency virus-infected patients in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era have been attributed to liver disease. This may range from an asymptomatic mild increase of liver enzymes to cirrhosis and liver failure. Different works of literature elucidated both retroviral infection and the adverse effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy as a cause of hepatotoxicity. Individual adaptations to medications and environmental exposures, shaped by cultural norms and genetic predispositions, could potentially modulate the risk and progression of liver disease in this population. Therefore, this study aims to assess the predictors of severe hepatotoxicity in retroviral-infected adults receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens within the Ilubabor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult retroviral-infected patients in five selected anti-retro virus therapy clinics from May1 to July 30/2022. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 457 study participants and Binary logistic regression statistical data analysis was used, P value

Abstract Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in women; about 50% of women get during their life time. Moreover, it is a common health problem in patients with gynecological pathologies, which increases the chance of acquiring infection. The aim of this study was to determine the bacterial profile that causes UTI and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern among admitted gynecological cases. A cross-sectional study was conducted in south west Ethiopia region. A total of 386 patients admitted with gynecological cases were recruited by sequential sampling technique and structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and risk factor-related data. About 10 ml freshly voided midstream and catheterized urine specimens were collected using sterile containers. Identification of isolate was done using culture characteristics, gram staining, and a series of biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed as per the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion technique. The data obtained were entered into EpiData Version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS Version 25. A P value of less than 0.05 was used as a level of significance. In this study, the overall prevalence of UTI was 25.4%. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacteria, which accounted for 38 (37.6%), followed by Klebsiella species 22 (21.8%), CONS 14 (13.9%), Staphylococcus aureus 10 (9.9%), Enterobacter species 6 (5.9%), Citrobacter species 5 (4.9%), Proteus mirabilis 4 (4%), and Pseudomonas aeroginosa 2(2%). Histories of UTI (AOR = 1.977, 95% CI 1.06, 3.68, P = 0.032) and catheterization (AOR = 2.38, 95% CI 1.28, 4.45, P = 0.006) were found to be statistically associated with significant bacteriuria. Gram-negative isolates showed a high level of resistance, 88.3% for ampicillin and 66.2% for tetracycline, and a relatively low level of resistance against ceftazidime, 22.1%, and meropenem, 3.9%. Gram-positive uropathogens showed a high level of resistance to penicillin, 91.6%, whereas all isolates were sensitive 100.0% to nitrofurantoin. Furthermore, 80 (79.2%) of the isolates had multidrug resistance, and 16 (26.7%) of both E. coli and Klebsiella spp. produced Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL). In this study, a high prevalence of uropathogenic bacteria and multidrug resistance for commonly prescribed drugs were observed with a significant number of ESBL producers. Therefore, screening admitted gynecological patients, especially for those who have history of catheterization and UTI, by urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing is important.

Abstract Since Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was reported, many commercial Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT) have been developed all over the world, and it has been the standard method. Even though several assays were rapidly developed and applied to laboratory diagnostic testing, the performance of these assays was not evaluated in different contexts. Thus, this study aimed to assess the performance of Abbott SARS-CoV-2, Daan Gene, BGI and Sansure Biotech assays by using Composite Reference Standard (CRS). The study was conducted at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) from December 1 to 30/2020. Of the 164 nasopharyngeal samples were extracted by using a QIAamp RNA mini kit and Abbott DNA sample preparation system. Out of 164 samples, 59.1% were positive and 40.9% were negative by CRS. Sansure Biotech positivity was significantly low compared to CRS (p