Insect Science, Biotechnology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics
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Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Species Occurrence and Seasonal Variation of Malaria Vectors in Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia Anmut Assemie, Dasash Mulu, Eyerus Mekuriaw, Workineh Muluken Biomed Research International, 2026 Environmental change can alter the species occurrence and seasonal distribution of malaria vectors to higher altitudes and latitudes. Highlands remain dynamic due to factors that favor their growth and development. Invasive species have proliferated into new ecological niches, increased. These studies aimed to determine the species occurrence and seasonal variation of malaria vectors in the selected study area. Entomological surveys were conducted in different types of larval habitats from October 2023 up to June 2024 within four purposively selected study villages. The species were morphologically identified using a stereomicroscope, and then data was analyzed using R version 4.3.1 (2023‐06‐16 ucrt) statistical analysis software. A total of 721 malaria vector larvae were collected, representing Anopheles gambiae s.l., An. funestus s.l., An. coustani , and An. pharoensis . An. gambiae s.l. was the dominant species, accounting for 43.82% ( n = 316) of all collections, while An. pharoensis was the least abundant (7.9%, n = 57). Spatial variation was observed, with Shemo Boyo recording the highest number of larvae (45.50%, n = 328), whereas Kemecho Borara had the lowest (9.57%, n = 69). Among the habitat types, ditches had the highest mean larval density (2.61 larvae per sample), followed by swamps (1.5) and riverbeds (0.8), whereas water pans had the lowest density (0.14). Overall mean larval density was 1.11 larvae per sample, and larval abundance significantly differed across habitat categories (f (3,647) = 4.005, p = 0.012). These findings indicate that An. gambiae s.l. is the predominant malaria vector in the area and likely plays a primary role in local transmission. Further studies on spatial mapping, physicochemical characterization, habitat preference, and isolation of malaria parasites are recommended to guide targeted larval source management and reduce the burden of mosquito‐borne diseases.
Determinants of vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic among children aged 12–23 months in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study Tigist Enyew Gedamu, Anmut Assemie, Leyla Temam Aleye, Meskerem Teketel Woldemariam, Tsegaye Gebre Argago, Alula Seyum Buda Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2025 BackgroundMillions of children, particularly in low and middle-income countries, are deprived of a comprehensive vaccination schedule. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue by significantly disrupting vaccination schedules and other critical health initiatives. In light of this challenge, our study sought to evaluate vaccination coverage and identify its determinants among children aged 12–23 months in southern Ethiopia during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a community-based cross-sectional study. Three kebeles were purposively selected, with 415 households with 12–23-month-old children from each kebele selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data were collected using an adapted Ethiopian 2019 Mini Demographic Health Survey immunization coverage tool. Data were entered, cleaned, and checked using EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Variables with a P-value of <0.05 were considered significant determinants of full vaccination coverage.ResultsOur study found that the full vaccination coverage rate among children in the study area was 44.5% (95% CI = 39.8–49.4). Households with two children were nearly twofold more likely to be fully vaccinated (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.01–3.95, P-value = 0.047), children whose caregivers reported traveling to the nearest immunization site were nearly threefold more likely to be fully vaccinated (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.38–5.57, P-value = 0.004,), children who underwent multiple immunization schedules were less likely to be fully vaccinated (AOR = 0.068, 95% CI = 0.035–0.134, P-value = 0.000), and children whose caregivers reported receiving information from television were twice as likely to be fully vaccinated (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.05–3.89).ConclusionsIn summary, our findings indicate a pressing need to address the identified determinants to improve vaccination coverage, which is currently below the World Health Organization's recommended levels. Therefore, targeted efforts must be made to enhance awareness and accessibility, particularly focusing on family size, logistical barriers, multiple immunization schedules, and effective communication through various media channels. Meeting the recommended vaccination rate will require coordinated action among healthcare providers, policymakers, and communities.
Insecticidal Activities of Plants Extract Against Malaria Vectors in Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia Anmut Assemie, Dasash Mulu, Alemayehu Getahun, Negalign Awoke, Workineh Muluken, Tigist Enyew, Amha Gebremariam, Yihenew Aynalem Journal of Parasitology Research, 2025 Environmental changes due to global warming and human activities have negatively impacted malaria vector control in Hadiya zone, Ethiopia. Plants contain anthraquinoes. Flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, saponin, steroids, tannin, and terpenes that are target specific, rapidly biodegradable, ecofriendly, and less toxic to human health. The objective of the study was to evaluate the insecticidal activities of Azadirachta indica (neem) and Allium sativum L. (garlic) ethanol extracts against malaria vectors in the study area. Then, 20 g from each (A. indica and A. sativum L.) were extracted separately by ethanol solvents. The phytochemical analysis was evaluated from the crude sample based on standard methods. Then, insecticidal activities were evaluated by introducing the fourth instar larva at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ppm concentrations, and data were subjected to probit analysis to determine the LC50 and chi‐square test to check the significance of the mortality by R statistical software. The presence of phytochemical tests such as alkaloids, saponin, tannin, phenol, anthraquinoes, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, terpenes, and flavonoids was obtained. The mortality of malaria vectors due to ethanol extract of A. indica and A. sativum was observed. The highest (90.66%) mortality was observed in the ethanol extract of A. sativum at 250 ppm concentration. A. sativum extracts have a significant effect only on the mortality of Anopheles gambiae s.l (X2 = 13.6, p = 0.008687) and Anopheles pharoensis (X2 = 11.002, p = 0.02655), but A. indica have a significant effect only on the mortality of An.pharoensis (X2 = 14.26, p = 0.00651). The lowest LC50 (39 ppm) was observed in the ethanol extract of A. sativum. So, A. sativum extract was highly toxic than A. indica extract and more effective in the reduction of malaria vectors but further studies will be conducted to determine the insecticidal activities at pupa and adult stages.
Larvicidal Activities of Allium sativum L. and Zingiber officinale Rosc. Extracts against Filariasis Vectors in Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia Anmut Assemie, Temam Gemeda Biomed Research International, 2023 Mosquitoes present an immense threat to millions of people worldwide and act as vectors for filariasis disease. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale extracts against filariasis vectors. The larvae were collected from the breeding site by using standard procedures for identification and larvicidal activities. Twenty grams (20 g) from each (Allium sativum and Zingiber officinale) were extracted separately by aqueous, ethanol, and methanol solvents. The phytochemical analysis was determined in the crude sample by using standard methods. Then, larvicidal effects were determined by introducing 10 larvae of the vectors to the concentrations of 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 750 ppm of the crude sample, and data were subjected to probit analysis to determine the LC 50 and Chi-squared test to check the significance of the mortality by R software. Anopheles funestus, Anopheles gambiae s.l., Anopheles pharoensis, Culex antennatus, and Culex quinquefasciatus were the filariasis vectors identified during the study period. The presence of phytochemical tests such as anthraquinones, flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, saponin, steroids, tannin, and terpenes was obtained. The larvicidal effects of the selected plant extracts ranged from 0%-100%. The lowest LC 50 (53 ppm) was observed for A. sativum methanol test extract against Cx. quinquefasciatus. Ethanol extracts of A. sativum have a significant effect on An. funestus ( X 2 = 7.5 , p = 0.02352 ) and Cx. quinquefasciatus ( X 2 = 10.833 , p = 0.0.0044 ), whereas aqueous extracts have a significant effect only on An. gambiae s.l. ( X 2 = 7.0807 , p = 0.029 . Ethanol extracts of Z. officinale have a significant effect only on the mortality of An. pharoensis ( X 2 = 7.0807 , p = 0.029 ), but methanol and aqueous extracts have no significant effect against filariasis vectors. In conclusion, A. sativum have a high toxic effect than Z. officinale extract against filariasis vectors in all type of solvents. So using those plant extracts is the best to reduce the risk of the synthetic chemical on nontarget organisms and the environment, in addition to the control of mosquito-borne diseases, but further studies will be conducted to evaluate the toxicity at different stages of the vectors.
Malaria Prevalence and Distribution of Plasmodium Species in Southern Region of Ethiopia Anmut Assemie Journal of Parasitology Research, 2022 Malaria is caused by Plasmodium species and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, which is the most common medical concern all over the world, including in Ethiopia. The current systematic review’s goal was to determine the overall malaria prevalence and Plasmodium species distribution in Ethiopia’s southern area. To achieve these objectives, 716 articles were manually searched from online databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The pooled metalogistic regression was calculated with the STATA 16 software to present the pooled prevalence with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Eighteen full-text articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study, out of the 716 studies initially identified. The majority of the articles in the systematic review used a cross-sectional study design, with sample sizes ranging from 160 to 583,668 participants. The study’s lowest and highest malaria prevalence was 0.93% and 82.84%, respectively. During the current systematic review, the estimated malaria prevalence was 19.19% (95% CI: 14.67–23.70). There were 263,476 positive individuals in the study, accounting for 148,734, 106,946, and 7,796 cases of P. falciparum, P. vivax, and mixed infections, respectively. The overall prevalence of P. falciparum and P. vivax was 8.97% (95% CI: 6.31, 11.63) and 7.94% (95% CI: 6.56, 9.33), respectively. According to the systematic review, the most predominant Plasmodium species responsible for malaria disease in the study area was P. falciparum. The highest malaria rates were found in this systematic review. In the systematic review, P. falciparum was the most dominant Plasmodium species that was responsible for malaria disease in the study area. This systematic review indicates the highest malaria prevalence in the southern regions of Ethiopia. Therefore, existing malaria prevention and control strategies in the southern region of Ethiopia should be revised.
The Occurrence and Distribution of Plasmodium Species in Woyn Wuha Health Center, Ethiopia Anmut Assemie Biomed Research International, 2022 Plasmodium species is an important causative agent of malaria in the world including Ethiopia, and the majority of people were at risk of infection. The study’s general objective was to determine the occurrence and distribution of Plasmodium species in the study area through microscopic examination of blood films. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the study sites from September 2016 to February 2017. Out of 512 participants, 32 (6.25%) were malaria positive. Of these, 17 (53.12%, 95% CI: 0.358, 0.704) were P. vivax, 12 (37.5%, 95% CI: 0.207, 0.543) P. falciparum, and 3 (9.375%, 95% CI: -0.007, 0.195) mixed out of the total positive case. The occurrence of parasites was greater in rural villages (59.375%) than in urban villages (40.625%) but not significant ( χ 2 = 1.2917 , d f = 1 , p = 0.2557 ). More males were infected compared to females but not significant ( χ 2 = 0.0005665 , d f = 1 , p = 0.981 ). The monthly distribution of Plasmodium species was higher in September and October but there was no significant variation in each month ( χ 2 = 10.142 , p = 0.4281 ). Due to the high occurrence of Plasmodium vivax in the study area, the result contrasts with the national figure of the Plasmodium species report. The result of the current study may be useful to those individuals who work in Plasmodium species control and prevention program.
The Effect of Edible Mushroom on Health and Their Biochemistry Anmut Assemie, Galana Abaya International Journal of Microbiology, 2022 Edible mushrooms are fungi that can be seen with the naked eye and are relatively easy to gather by hand. This review article highlights the health benefit and the biochemistry of several mushroom species. Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus species. Lentinus edodes, and Volvariella species are the most acceptable varieties among the cultivated mushroom. Various biochemical methods such as methanol, ethanol, and water extract of different parts of the edible mushroom in the laboratory have been applied to determine and/or quantify the presence and effectiveness of their chemical compounds, food value, and medicinal properties. They contain varying amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, minerals, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, and lectins and vitamins, as well as lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Due to the presence of those vital nutrients, mushrooms are the best food item with high nutritional value. These compounds have a wide range of therapeutic effects and can act as immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents. Routine consumption of edible mushrooms would give adequate protection due to the presence of all the necessary nutrients from them. Therefore, edible mushrooms are herbal antibiotics to many diseases as well as various cancers of humans.
