Background Volatile organic compounds such as gasoline and other fuels are associated with a wide variety of deleterious health effects including liver and kidney diseases. Gasoline station workers are exposed to a mixture of hydrocarbons during dispensing. However, no published studies investigated the liver and renal function tests of gasoline station workers in Ethiopia. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess liver and renal function tests among gasoline station workers. Method A comparative cross sectional study was conduct from January 2018 to April 2018 at Mekelle city, Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. Liver and renal function tests were analyzed on gasoline exposed (n = 43) and controls (n = 47) by Pentra C400 automated clinical chemistry analyzer. Student independent t-test and one way-ANOVA statistical methods were employed using SPSS Ver23. P-value < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Result The mean level of ALT, AST, Urea, creatinine, and uric acid was significantly higher among gasoline stations workers when compared to control study participants. There was also a significant increase in ALT, AST, Urea, creatinine and uric acid among gasoline stations with above 6 years exposure when compared with those exposed for �2 and3-6years. Conclusion These findings suggest that increasing liver and renal parameters may be associated with exposure to gasoline and it is dependent on time of exposure to gasoline.

Effective control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) 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 Mtb 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. Plasma levels of leptin and DHEA were significantly low in PTB and TBLN patients compared to healthy controls (P&lt;0.0001 and P=0.02, respectively), whereas these levels significantly increased following anti-TB treatment (P=0.002 and P=0.0001, respectively) among TB patients. The levels of estradiol and testosterone significantly improved following anti-TB treatment (P=0.03 and P=0.0003, respectively), whereas cortisol and growth hormones declined significantly (P &lt;0.05). Similarly, LAM-specific IgG, IgM and IgA were significantly higher in PTB patients compared to other groups, whereas levels of IgG1 subtype were significantly higher among LTBI groups compared to both TB patients and QFT-negative individuals (P&lt;0.0001). Overall, we observed significantly variable levels of endocrine hormones as well as immunoglobulins across the spectrum of TB illness and such profiling has a significant contribution in selection of effective biomarkers that have roles in TB treatment monitoring or diagnostics. Although this study did not show a functional association between hormones and antibodies, alterations in the levels of these biomarkers suggest the key roles these markers play in TB pathogenesis.

Introduction/Objective Continuing professional development (CPD) is required for health workers in practice to update knowledge and skills regularly to match the changing complexity of healthcare needs. The objective of this study was to identify the training needs of Medical Laboratory professionals in Ethiopia. Methods/Case Report A total of 457 Medical Laboratory professionals from five region and two city administrations were involved in the study. Data was collected from August 02 to 21, 2021 with structured self-administered online tool with five-point Likert scale. The tool had consent, demography, cross-cutting issues, and main activity area specific to medical laboratory. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) Majority of the participants were male (80.1%). Participants from Amhara region 110 (24.1%) were the largest groups in the survey followed by Oromia 105(23%) and Addis Ababa 101(22.1%). The study participants comprised of 54.7% with a Bachelor degree, 31.3% with a diploma (Associate degree), and 14% with a Master’s degree. The participants had varying years of service, ranging from less than one year to over 10 years of experience. Most of the participants work as generalists (24.1%) followed by working in microbiology (17.5%) and Parasitology (16%). The majority (96.9%) was working in a public sector or training institutions and the rest were employed in the private sector. Our study showed that the three most important topics selected for training in the cross cutting health issues were health and emerging technology, computer skills and medico-legal issues. Topics under microbiology, clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics were selected as the most preferred technical areas for training. Participants have also selected topics under research skill and pathophysiology. When the laboratory specific issues were regrouped based on areas of application as technical competence, research skill and pathophysiology, thirteen topics under technical competence, four topics under research skill and three topics under pathophysiology were picked as priority areas. Conclusion In conclusion, our study identified that CPD programs should focus on topics that address technical competence in microbiology, clinical chemistry and molecular diagnostics. Additionally competencies in research skill and updating knowledge in pathophysiology should also receive due attention in designing trainings.

BackgroundLactose intolerance (LI) is a pathological condition characterized by the inability to digest sugar, lactose, due to the absence or insufficient activity of the lactase enzyme (β-galactosidase). Currently, laboratory diagnostic procedures for LI are poorly practiced in Ethiopia, and so LI treatment is based on an empirical diagnosis. Thus, the objective of the study was to determine the magnitude and associated factors of lactose intolerance among malnourished under-five children in Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March 2018 – July 2018.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among malnourished under-five children admitted in the pediatric unit, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Ethiopia. By using a convenient sampling technique structured questionnaire was administered to gather information on the socio-demographic characteristics of study participants and associated risk factors of LI. Moreover, a fresh stool sample was collected from the study participants to measure stool pH, reducing substances, and microscopy examination for intestinal parasites. Data entery and analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21) software.ResultsThe study included 169 malnourished under-five children. Among those 90 (53.3%) were male with a median age of 12 months. The magnitude of LI was 18.3%. Among the study participants, the highest numbers of LI cases were in the age group of less than 12 months; 17(10.1%) followed by 13-24 months; 13(7.7%). Factors that show significant association with LI on bi-variate logistic analysis were family history of lactose intolerance (P=0.043) and diarrhea (P=0.001). In addition; the problem after taking milk (P=0.007), type of therapeutic milk formula (P=0.001), and frequency of stool/24hr (P=0.023) were found to be independent predictors factors of lactose intolerance in the study population.ConclusionThe magnitude of LI was high in the study setting. Thus, more attention should be given on the proper laboratory diagnosis of LI, for better management of cases at the Yekatit 12 hospital. In addition, similar large scale studies at the molecular level are required to strengthen the present findings of LI in Ethiopia.

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