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Biomedical subjects

E Tsega

Publications and source records attributed to E Tsega.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Idiopathic ulcerative colitis among Ethiopian patients with chronic diarrhoea.

Using both exclusion and inclusion criteria, a search for idiopathic ulcerative colitis was made among patients who presented with chronic diarrhoea over a period of 3 years. Five of 19 patients with chronic diarrhoea were clinically, histologically and radiologically compatible with idiopathic ulcerative colitis. Though rare, idiopathic ulcerative colitis does exist among this population and, therefore, should be looked for in patients presenting with chronic diarrhoea.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Glucose tolerance in adult Ethiopian patients with liver disease and porphyria cutanea tarda.

Glucose tolerance test was done in 61 patients with liver disease, 54 with porphyria cutanea tarda and 62 controls. The results showed that 45 patients (73.8%) from the liver disease group, 19 (35.2%) from the porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) group and only 7 individuals (11.3%) from the control group had an abnormal glucose tolerance test. The differences were significant. Although nutritional state is known to influence the glucose tolerance test, we did not find any significant difference in the mean body mass index between those with an abnormal glucose tolerance test and those without in both groups of patients. Furthermore, the prevalence of an abnormal glucose tolerance test in those above and below 40 years in each group of patients was not significantly different, indicating that age probably played no significant role in this study. Therefore, glucose intolerance is common among Ethiopian patients with liver disease and PCT. As some patients with an abnormal glucose tolerance test may be expected to develop asymptomatic diabetes, we recommend that periodic blood glucose determinations should be part of the management.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The role of milk and lactose intolerance in Ethiopian patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia: a case control study.

Milk intolerance, lactose intolerance and non-ulcer dyspepsia are common among Ethiopians. This study, therefore, was designed to find out if milk intolerance associated with lactase deficiency account for non-ulcer dyspepsia. Ninety-eight patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia and 95 controls were examined and interviewed for demographic data and milk drinking habits. Then each had a lactose tolerance test (LTT), stool examination for pH, ova and parasites. The demographic characteristics and the number of milk drinkers were comparable in the 2 groups. However, milk intolerance and lactose intolerance were significantly higher among the patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia than among the control group (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.05 respectively). The combination of milk intolerance, lactose intolerance and LTT was also significantly different (p less than 0.01). The mean stool pH was markedly reduced after lactose ingestion and there were more ova and parasites in the stools of the control group. These observations suggest that milk intolerance and/or lactose intolerance account significantly for the symptoms of the patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. However, since lactose intolerance and abnormal LTT are very common among adult Ethiopians symptoms related to the drinking of milk should be interpreted with caution vis-a-vis the results of the lactose loading test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in Ethiopia with emphasis on the importance of vertical transmission.

This two-year controlled study was conducted to define the mode of transmission of hepatitis B infection in Ethiopia. Twenty-five of 500 (5%) expectant mothers were identified as HbsAg positive (Group A). A control group of 29 mothers negative for HBsAg (Group B) was randomly selected. These 54 mothers and their families (husbands, infants and the infants' older siblings) were followed for two years with determinations of serological markers of ongoing or past hepatitis B virus infection at 6, 12 and 24 months. Social and clinical data as well as possible factors contributing to the spread of HBV (ie tattoos, circumcision, etc.) were compiled from questionnaires. Twenty-one of the 25 (84%) HBsAg positive mothers had anti-HBe and none had HBeAg. One case of vertical hepatitis B virus transmission was seen while horizontal transmission during the study period occurred in two infants and in two older siblings. Potential risk factors for non-perinatal transmission were highly prevalent in both groups and may represent the main route of transmitting the infection, while, as shown in the present study, the vertical transmission of HBV infection only plays a minor role in the maintenance of the high infection rate in Ethiopia. Vaccinating all babies soon after birth would, therefore, be an effective means of eradicating or reducing the hepatitis B virus infection and its sequelae.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Serological and demographic survey of Epstein-Barr virus infection in Ethiopia.

A demographic and serological survey of Epstein-Barr virus infection was carried out in 5 geographically representative regions of Ethiopia. 80% of the 500 people studied were under 15 years of age. 82% of children under 5 years of age and 94% under 10 years of age were positive for IgG anti-viral capsid antigen (VCA) antibody. 51 of 100 children under 12 months of age and from 5 different provinces were positive for anti-VCA antibody. Of these, 23 were under 6 months. The distribution of anti-VCA antibody positivity was comparable in both sexes, in each age group and in the different provinces at different altitudes. Economic status, expressed in terms of estimated income, type of water supply, mode of excreta disposal and family size, did not significantly influence the distribution of anti-VCA antibody. Thus, early exposure to Epstein-Barr virus, with asymptomatic or subclinical presentation, probably accounts for the rarity of typical infectious mononucleosis in young adult Ethiopians. The lack of a relationship between Epstein-Barr virus infection and Burkitt's lymphoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, malaria as well as liver diseases is briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among Ethiopian blood donors: is HBsAg screening necessary?

Four hundred and fifty-nine Ethiopian volunteer blood donors were prospectively studied for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Delta agent infections. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 11%, anti-HBs and only anti-HBc 66% and 2%, respectively. Thus, the total HBV infection rate was 79%. There was a single donor with antibody against Delta antigen. The rarity of HBeAg among HBsAg carriers, the lack of occurrence of factors favouring transmission and risk calculations using the available data indicate that post-transfusion hepatitis due to HBV is unlikely to be common in this highly endemic country with very limited financial resources allocated for health services. Thus, we question the validity of indiscriminate screening of all donated blood and we suggest that health policies should emphasize the need for preventive measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Long-term effect of high-dose, short-course chloroquine therapy on porphyria cutanea tarda.

Forty-six patients with porphyria cutanea tarda were observed for a mean period of 32 months (range 4-86) after treatment with high-dose, short-course chloroquine phosphate. There was early improvement in the cutaneous manifestations except in exposed parts with with the hyperpigmentation and hypertrichosis which improved more slowly (3-6 months). Mean serum transaminase and mean urinary porphyrin levels remained below the pre-treatment values. There was no deterioration of liver function in any of the group treated with chloroquine and the underlying liver disease followed the usual independent course. Only six patients (13 per cent) relapsed. Considering the immediate effectiveness, good compliance, safety, lasting remission and low rate of relapse with prompt response on further treatment, high-dose, short-course treatment with chloroquine should be considered as the treatment of choice in porphyria cutanea tarda.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Hepatitis A, B, and delta infection in Ethiopia: a serologic survey with demographic data.

A total of 500 individuals from five different regions of Ethiopia were studied. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and serologic tests were carried out to detect antigen and antibody markers of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis A virus, and the delta agent. Data on the economic status, number of rooms per household, number of persons per household, type of water supply, and mode of excreta disposal revealed that the majority of the population surveyed lived with economic hardship, overcrowding and poor hygiene. Only 36 persons gave a past history of jaundice. The mean carrier rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 6.2%, the mean overall hepatitis B virus marker prevalence was 42%, and in those over 14 years of age it was 76%. Among those who were positive for HBsAg, there was a tendency for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to decrease and the corresponding antibody (anti-HBe) to increase with advancing age. No woman more than 15 years of age had demonstrable hepatitis B e antigen in serum. Antibody to hepatitis A virus was detected in 84%. Three positive individuals were found to have antibody to the delta agent.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Peptic diseases in Ethiopia: a prospective analysis of 200 endoscopically proven cases.

The clinical features of 200 Ethiopian patients with endoscopically confirmed duodenal ulcer were studied according to a prospectively formulated protocol. The peak age incidence of duodenal ulcer is between 30 and 40, about 10 years younger than in the Western world. Unlike reports from other parts of Africa, the male to female ratio is 3:1 and the commonest complication is haemorrhage and not pyloric stenosis. Gastric ulcers and stomal ulcers are rare. Forty-eight per cent of 80 patients, whose blood groups were determined, are "O" positive and 30% "A" positive. The diagnostic value of aggregates of classical signs and symptoms, barium meal and the fibreoptic endoscopes are discussed in detail.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Regulation of human lymphocyte activation by alpha-fetoprotein. Evidence for selective suppression of Ia-associated T-cell proliferation in vitro.

The immunoregulatory effects of purified human fetal- and hepatoma-derived AFP have been evaluated on allogeneic and autologous mixed lymphocyte reactions (AMLR). In striking contrast to the weak or negligible inhibitory effect on allogeneic reactions, the relatively vigorous proliferative activity of normal human T lymphocytes responding to irradiated autologous non-T stimulator cells was found to be highly sensitive to AFP-mediated suppression. Thus, the addition of purified AFP to AMLRs in concentrations that can be considered physiological with respect to the levels normally detected in fetal and newborn sera reduced the proliferative response by as much as 80 to 90 per cent of control responses occurring in the presence of equivalent amounts of albumin. Consistent immunosuppressive effects were observed in tests with six individually isolated preparations of AFP and no significant differences were evident in the inhibitory potency of fetal versus hepatoma AFP. AMLRs were also shown here to be more susceptible than allogeneic reactions to the blocking effect of anti-Ia antibodies. Therefore, on the basis of our present findings we suggest that an important, and perhaps primary function of AFP may be to control Ia-associated autoreactive T cell proliferation during early ontogeny. Consistent with this reasoning is our finding that most of the strong immunosuppressive action of cord serum on AMLR is abrogated by the selective removal of AFP.

Histocompatibility Antigens Class II↗