Helicobacter pylori infection and associated risk factors among HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals in Northern Ethiopia.

Background: H. pylori infection is a common bacterial infection worldwide, but its prevalence varies widely between different regions and populations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of H.

CD4 T cell count and HIV-1 viral load dynamics positively impacted by H. pylori infection in HIV-positive patients regardless of ART status in a high-burden setting.

Background: There is a widespread co-infection of HIV and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) globally, particularly in developing countries, and it has been suggested that this co-infection may affect the course of HIV disease. However, the interplay between H.

Association of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Antigen-4 Gene Polymorphism with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: In silico Analysis of Biological Features of CTLA-4 Protein on Ethiopian Population.

Background: T1DM is a chronic organ-specific T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease characterized by the selective destruction of β-cells in the islets of Langerhans, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. Genes for cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 have been hypothesized as possible contender genes for T1DM vulnerability. However, it has not been studied in the Ethiopian population yet.

Alteration of Endocrine Hormones and Antibody Responses in Different Spectrum of Tuberculosis Disease.

Effective control of () infection is mediated by multifaceted factors that involve both the endocrine and immune system. Profiling hormones and antibodies in different stages of TB provides insight in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we profiled endocrine hormones (dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, testosterone, estradiol, growth hormone and leptins) and strain H37RV lipoarabinomannan (LAM)-specific antibody levels in plasma samples, collected from pulmonary TB (PTB) patients, TB lymphadenitis (TBLN) patients and latently infected (QFT-positive) or uninfected (QFT-negative) apparently healthy individuals using ELISA.

Opportunistic Cryptococcal Antigenemia in the HAART Era at HIV Epidemic Settings of Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: is a frequent opportunistic infection in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. While the advent of ART reduces the occurrence of cryptococcal meningitis in HIV patients, cryptococcal disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world especially in sub-Saharan Africa which is the epicenter of HIV. This study aimed to assess the cryptococcal antigenemia, CD4+ Th cell counts, HIV RNA viral load, and clinical presentations among HIV-positive patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

Validation of in-house liquid direct agglutination test antigen: the potential diagnostic test in visceral Leishimaniasis endemic areas of Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis in Ethiopia is a re-emerging threat to public health, with increased geographical distribution and number of cases. It is a fatal disease without early diagnosis and treatment; thus, the availability of affordable diagnostic tools is crucial. However, due to delays caused by import regulations, procurement and late delivery of imported test kits, accessibility remains a problem in the control program.

T lymphocyte subpopulations and intestinal helminthes profile among tuberculosis patients co-infected with HIV before and after anti tubercular treatment at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Background: Tuberculosis continues to be a health problem of both developed and developing countries, and its incidence has currently increased due to HIV induced immune suppression. HIV-co-infection decreases the total number of CD4+ T cells since the virus preferentially replicates with in activated CD4+ T cells and macrophages, resulting in the disruption of granuloma to contain M. tuberculosis.

TNF-α (-308) Gene Polymorphism and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Ethiopian Diabetes Patients.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder resulting from insulin insufficiency or function. Predisposing factors for T2DM are mainly genetic and environmental. Genetic polymorphism of cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is suggestive of interference with insulin-sensitive glucose uptake and induces insulin resistance that ultimately could lead to T2DM.

Immunological Impacts of Diabetes on the Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The interaction between diabetes and major world infections like TB is a major public health concern because of rapidly rising levels of diabetes. The dual burden of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM) has become a major global public health problem. Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of active and latent tuberculosis.

Comparison of RPR and ELISA with TPHA for the Diagnosis of Syphilis: Implication for Updating Syphilis Point-of-Care Tests in Ethiopia.

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the spirochete , and it persists to be a major public health problem in Africa, including Ethiopia. Syphilis diagnosis is made by either nontreponemal or treponemal approaches, though in developing countries the diagnosis relies mostly on nonspecific tests due to several reasons. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and agreement of rapid plasma reagin (RPR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with hemagglutination assay (TPHA) as a gold standard for the diagnosis of syphilis.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factors among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Suspected Patients Attending University of Gondar Hospital, Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the major public health problems in developing countries. Hence, it is significant to explore coinfection with intestinal parasites and pulmonary tuberculosis because coinfection increases the complexity of control and prevention of pulmonary tuberculosis and parasitic diseases.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites among pulmonary tuberculosis suspected patients.