Foodborne pathogens are the most common cause of foodborne disease worldwide. They contaminate food at all stages of the food chain, at the agricultural production level (soil and irrigation), from animal sources or at the time of preparation by food handlers. Therefore, food security is a critical issue that affects everyone in the world. Current studies indicate that the problem is more severe in low-income countries like Ethiopia. The majority of studies in Ethiopia have been conducted partially on human, animal or environmental samples with conventional culture-based diagnostic methods. Therefore, this review was conducted to gather information on the main foodborne pathogens and identify gaps in their traceability. Clinically important foodborne pathogens in Ethiopia include ( A. lubmbricoids, Toxocara spp., H. nana. E. histolytica/dispar, G. intestinalis, H. diminuta and C. belli ), bacteria ( Salmonella spp, E. coli O157:H7, B. anthracis, Yersinia, C. perfringens, Klebsiella spp. M. paratuberculosis , and L. monocytogenes ), and viruses like (rotaviruses, enteroviruses and astroviruses, hepatitis E virus). In Ethiopia, all isolated foodborne bacterial pathogens showed high rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In particular, the most studied foodborne pathogens, Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., and E. coli from specific sources, showing high levels of resistance to most of the antibiotics prescribed in Ethiopia. The occurrence and persistence of AMR in food is one of the main factors causing the spread of antimicrobial resistance in different compartments, humans, animals and the environment. Therefore, strategies of coordination and struggle from a One Health perspective is an urgent strategy to control antibiotic resistance in order to achieve better outcomes for human and animal health.

Background Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is cytosolic enzyme, which has a vital role for the integrity and functioning of red blood cells. Lower activity of this enzyme leads to the occurrence of acute haemolytic anaemia after exposure to oxidative stressors like primaquine. Primaquine is an important drug for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax and blocking transmission of Plasmodium falciparum, and thereby enhancing malaria elimination. However, there is a need to identify G6PD deficient individuals and administer the drug with caution due to its haemolytic side effects. The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of G6PD deficiency among malaria-suspected individuals. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2020 to September 2021 in Metehara Health Centre, Eastern Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic and clinical information of the study participants. Capillary and venous blood samples were collected based on standard procedures for onsite screening, dried blood spot preparation, and malaria microscopy. The G6PD enzyme activity was measured by careSTART™ G6PD biosensor analyzer. Data was entered and analysed by SPSS. Results A total of 498 study participants were included in the study, of which 62% (309) were males. The overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency based on the biosensor screening was 3.6% (18/498), of which 2.9% and 4.8% were males and females, respectively. Eleven of the G6PD deficient samples had mutations confirmed by G6PD gene sequencing analysis. Mutations were detected in G267 + 119C/T, A376T, and ChrX:154535443. A significant association was found in sex and history of previous malaria infection with G6PD deficiency. Conclusions The study showed that the G6PD deficient phenotype exists in Metehara even if the prevalence is not very high. G267 + 119C/T mutation is the predominant G6PD variant in this area. Therefore, malaria patient treatment using primaquine should be monitored closely for any adverse effects.

Parasitic and microbial contamination and the pattern of occurrence of the parasite species depends on weather conditions, socio-cultural conditions, sampling season, analyzed vegetable products, and other factors. Therefore, local assessment of vegetable contamination is crucial for targeted and effective interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2022. A questionnaire was used to assess factors associated with parasite contamination of vegetables during the marketing period. The selected vegetables were purchased and processed for parasite and microbial analysis using standard methods. Finally, all data were summarized and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. A total of 180 vegetable samples were purchased from 180 vendors. This study identified a total of 129 parasites from 180 vegetable samples, with an overall contamination rate of (75; 41.7%). Both protozoa (41; 31.8%) and helminthes (88; 68.2%) were identified from vegetables. Contamination with more than one parasite species was (38; 21.1%). The kind of produce, finger nail status of vendors/sellers, the medium of the display, the type of market and not washed prior to display were significantly associated with parasite contamination. The results also showed that vegetable microbial load for total heterotrophic count, total coliform count, fecal coliform count, yeast count, and mold count was higher in the afternoon than in the morning. To decrease risks to public health, local health authorities and/or market inspectors should establish and implement strategies to reduce contamination such as encouraging specific display medium and washing of vegetables prior to display.