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Biomedical subjects

G Assefa

Publications and source records attributed to G Assefa.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

The relationship between disease pattern and disease burden by chest radiography, M. tuberculosis Load, and HIV status in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Addis Ababa.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the impact of HIV coinfection on the chest radiographic pattern and extent of disease and its relation to the load of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Ethiopian out-patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 168 patients with cultureverified pulmonary tuberculosis had their chest X-rays (CXR) reviewed for the site, pattern, and extent of disease and the findings were correlated to (a) the mycobacterial culture count and bacillus load after sputum concentration and (b) the HIV status of the patients. RESULTS: HIV-positive patients were less likely to have cavitary disease (p < 0.001) and more likely to have pleural effusion (p = 0.08), miliary (p < 0.05), and interstitial (p < 0.01) patterns. A total of 15 (9.2%) patients had normal chest X-rays. HIV-infected patients had a CXR classified as normal or with minimal involvement (p = 0.059) and a reduced mycobacterial colony count (p = 0.002) compared to HIV-negative patients. Middle and lower lung involvement were more common in HIV-positive patients. CONCLUSION: CXR findings in the setting of an underlying HIV infection tend to be more atypical and could present as either normal or with minimal involvement. In general, HIV-positive patients had lower colony count of M. tuberculosis than HIV-negative patients. Of particular interest is the finding of a large number of normal chest X-rays in HIV-infected patients. With the rising incidence of both tuberculosis and HIV infection in Ethiopia, the finding of a normal chest X-ray and a negative smear poses a challenge for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Clinical and radiological prevalence of skeletal fluorosis among retired employees of Wonji-Shoa sugar estate in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and radiological prevalence of skeletal fluorosis among the retired employees of Wonji-Shoa sugar estate. DESIGN: Retrospective and cross-sectional study. SETTING: Wonji-Shoa sugar estate, an agro-industrial estate located in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and sixty three employees of the estate who retired between 1995 and 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical evidence of impaired squatting, neck and lumbar mobility, kyphosis, and X-ray evidence of fluorosis. RESULTS: Skeletal fluorosis was more evident among the males (p<0.05), and the prevalence was higher among the factory and the agricultural workers than among the administrative workers (p<0.05). Clinical prevalence was 20% versus the radiological prevalence of 70.3%, indicating that many cases were asymptomatic. Impaired neck and lumbar mobility and impaired squatting significantly agreed with the radiological diagnosis (p<0.05) while kyphosis was not. CONCLUSION: Further clinical and epidemiological studies are suggested and strengthening of the existing defluoridation programmes within the area is recommended.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed2001

An evaluation of the diagnostic value of clinical and radiological manifestations in patients attending the addis ababa tuberculosis centre.

Our investigation is based on 1,000 consecutive patients attending the routine outpatient services of the Addis Ababa Tuberculosis Demonstration and Training Centre (ATBDTC) in Addis Ababa during the period November 1996-March 1997. By using sputum microscopy for acid-fast bacilli (AFB), chest radiography (CXR) and clinical assessment these patients had been diagnosed as having either AFB-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) (n = 139), AFB-negative PTB (n = 61) or non-tuberculosis (non-TB) (n = 800). These three diagnostic groups were subsequently re-assessed by us with regard to selected demographic and clinical parameters, including CXR, in order to identify and weight markers significantly linked to proven PTB. The sum of the individual weights provided diagnostic scores (DS); the average DS for AFB-positive patients was 653.5 +/- 174 and that for non-TB patients was 219.1 +/- 138.7. The calculated cut-off value between these two groups was 444. Ten (7.2%) AFB-positive PTB patents had a DS below the calculated cut-off, while 46 (5.8%) of the 800 non-TB cases had diagnostic scores exceeding this value. Our DS system achieved 92.8% sensitivity and 94.3% specificity, with positive and negative predictive values of 73.7% and 98.7%, respectively. When plotting the individual DS values of the 61 AFB-negative TB patients, 24 (39.3%) fell below the cut-off. It is most likely that these patients did not have PTB. We conclude that there is a need for improved and standardized diagnostic approaches for TB-suspected patients who depend upon clinical and CXR criteria for correct diagnosis. Our score system may be helpful in this context.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration in Tikur Anbessa Hospital: a report of preliminary experience.

Ultrasound guided intervention was performed in Tikur Anbessa Hospital for two consecutive years in 72 patients from surgical, medical and paediatric wards who had abdominal masses, abscesses, pulmonary and mediastinal masses and encysted pleural effusions with the objective of avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention and to generate awareness among physicians as to the potential use of ultrasound in the management of similar patients. There were 41 males and 31 females. Twenty nine patients were from surgical, 28 patients from paediatric and the remaining 15 from medical ward. There were 30 thoracic and 42 abdominal indications for ultrasound guided intervention. The patients had a mean age of 25 years. Successful diagnostic tap with or without drainage and ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of intra-thoracic and abdominal abscesses and masses were performed, except in one anterior mediastinal mass of which the fine needle aspiration result was inconclusive. Unnecessary surgery was obviated hence morbidity and mortality were reduced and unnecessary cost avoided, and appropriate planning of treatment regimen was assisted. Complication from the procedure were minimal, and included mild haemoptysis from inadvertent puncture of one of the chest hydatid, and asymptomatic iatrogenic pneumothorax from puncture of anterior mediastinal mass.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

Extensive subcutaneous soft tissue calcification in a neonate following hypothermia: case report.

A ten-hour old newborn found in the street where a dog was savaging him, was brought to Black Lion Hospital in 1998. The history, physical findings and radiological features suggested widespread subcutaneous fat necrosis, which later became calcified. Although this is a rare condition, medical workers need to be aware of the possibility of this self-limiting disease, which may occur in abandoned and hypothermic neonates.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2000

Gonadal dysgenesis: case report.

A case of gonadal dysgenesis is reported in an 18 year old Ethiopian boy who had a normal scrotum, a single descended gonad which is cytologically proven to be streak (dysfunctional) with undescended left gonad, a hypoplastic phallus with hypospadias and genitogram showing vaginal canal, uterus and fallopian tubes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Antifertility activity of Ricinus communis seed in female guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-fertility effect of Ricinus communis seed extract. DESIGN: Laboratory-based experiment. SETTING: Laboratory of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1996. RESULTS: The seed extract was found to possess anti-implantation and abortifacient effects. It was also observed that the seed extract prolonged the oestrus cycle of guinea pigs. The dioestrus phase was significantly prolonged as well. After stopping administering the extract, however, the normal dioestrus phase and oestrus cycle started to resume. The seed extract also reduced the weight of the uterus without affecting that of the ovaries significantly. CONCLUSION: Ricinus communis possesses an anti-fertility effect in female guinea pigs, which might be extrapolated in human beings. These findings might support the accredited claim of its traditional use to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Further studies, however, should be pursued.

Abortifacient Agents↗
PubMed1999

Preliminary experience with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in Ethiopia.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and to increase the awareness of physicians practicing in Ethiopia about the procedure. Between April 1993 and October 1997, 47 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Ababa. Cholestasis, postcholecystectomy syndrome and abdominal pain with intermittent jaundice accounted for 91% of the indications. The success rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 81%. Cholestasis provided the highest diagnostic yield followed by postcholecystectomy syndrome and abdominal pain with intermittent jaundice. The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography finding was normal in 18% of cases. The commonest abnormal findings were gall stones (45%), biliary strictures (16%) and pancreatic carcinomas (11%). Using ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, choledocholithiasis was diagnosed in three (21%) and 13 (93%) cases, respectively. The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was confirmed at surgery in all but one patient. Acute cholangitis and asymptomatic elevation of serum amylase and/or lipase were noted in three (6%) and four (9%) cases, respectively. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is generally a safe diagnostic modality and should be used more frequently for the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Vascular effects of sustained-release fibroblast growth factors.

Since the half-life of most angiogenic growth factors is several hours or less, sustained-release delivery would be optimal for their future clinical use. Two fibroblast growth factors, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF), were delivered in two sustained-released modalities (poloxamer 407 and a gelatin sponge [Gelfoam]) to attempt to increase soft tissue vascularity. In vitro bioactivity of ECGF-poloxamer formulations was also tested on endothelial cell cultures. Among vascular-compromised skin flaps in rabbits, ECGF-poloxamer (N = 26), bFGF-poloxamer (N = 5), ECGF-poloxamer (N = 9, irradiated), and bFGF-Gelfoam flaps (N = 22) did not demonstrate significant differences in viability and vascularity compared to controls (p > .05). Irradiation had a detrimental effect on both flap vascularity and viability (p = .02). Future efforts for sustained delivery of angiogenic proteins are critical in order to make them clinically useful in wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) application to irradiated soft tissue.

Delayed postoperative wound healing in previously radiated cancer patients is a common and debilitating occurrence. Prior studies have given evidence that endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) can accelerate neovascularization in soft tissue. To explore its effects in irradiated tissue, an ECGF-heparin formulation (7200 micrograms/mL) contained in Gelfoam was applied to previously irradiated (N = 38) and nonirradiated skin flaps (N = 38) on rabbit ears. Both peripheral neovascularization and flap viability were quantitatively documented by polar planimetry and digital angiography in all flaps. The ECGF-heparin flaps had a greater than twofold increase in both vascularity and viability when compared to their controls among the irradiated and nonirradiated flaps (P < .01). Also, the additional viability and vascularization effects from ECGF-heparin did not appear statistically altered by previous radiation. These results support the promising angiogenic effect of ECGF-heparin in previously irradiated surgical wounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of endothelial cell growth factor on vascular compromised skin flaps.

Angiogenic growth factors have the potential to accelerate vascularization in soft tissue. This study explored the vascular effects of endothelial cell growth factor (1800 micrograms/mL) with heparin (7 micrograms/mL) in gelatin sponge (Gelfoam) in two settings of vascular compromise. On days 2 and 3 ligated skin flaps in the rabbit ear model, peripheral neovascularization, and flap viability were quantitatively documented by digital angiographic analysis and by polar planimetry. The mean flap viability of the treated flaps was two times greater than their controls in the day 2 (N = 24) and day 3 ligation groups (N = 22). The angiograms among the treated flaps in the day 2 ligation group also demonstrated a quantitative increase in vascularization compared with their controls. These results suggest a provocative means for accelerating neovascularization and enhancing viability to vascular compromised skin flaps.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1991

Amniotic band syndrome: a case report.

A report is presented of a 45 day old female infant with congenital amputation of the great toe, complete constriction bands of the lower leg and fingers all of which are explained by congenital amniotic band syndrome. There is a brief review of the literature on the pathology and possible aetiology.

Amniotic Band Syndrome↗