Daniel Asrat

Daniel Asrat
Addis Ababa University | AAU · Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, College of Health sciences

MD, M.Sc, PhD

About

116
Publications
46,556
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Introduction
Daniel Asrat is Professor of Medical Microbiology at the Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Parasitology (DMIP), at Addis Ababa University (AAU). Daniel obtained his MD, M. Sc, PhD (in Medical Microbiology), and a Diploma in Learning-Teaching in Higher Education at AAU. Since 1997 he has been a lecturer, researcher and consultant medical specialist (Medical Microbiologist); from 2012-2015 he was Adjunct Professor at Ohio State University, USA; and he is actively involved in mentoring of M. Sc and PhD students enrolled in Medical Microbiology. Professor Daniel has published 80 peer-reviewed research articles in national and international journals in the area of different disciplines of Medical Microbiology with special emphasis on enteric pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
Additional affiliations
January 1997 - May 2017
Addis Ababa University
Position
  • Professor
January 1997 - present
Addis Ababa University
Position
  • Consultant
Description
  • Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant for 20 years; Recipient of Gold Medal award and Certificate of Recognition for dedicated 18 years of academic service. Published 77 research articles in the area of Medical Microbiology.
January 1997 - present
Addis Ababa University
Position
  • Consultant
Description
  • Lecturer, Researcher and Consultant for 20 years; Recipient of Gold Medal award and Certificate of Recognition for dedicated 18 years of academic service. Published 77 research articles in the area of Medical Microbiology.
Education
September 1986 - January 2003
Addis Ababa University
Field of study
  • Medicine and Medical Microbiology

Publications

Publications (116)
Article
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Background The burden of sepsis worsens due to the continuation of emerging pathogens such as multidrug-resistant Pantoea species. Methods A multicenter study was conducted between October 2019 and September 2020 at four hospitals located in central, southern, and northern parts of Ethiopia. A total of 1416 sepsis patients were recruited and blood...
Preprint
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Background and aims Despite the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), Streptococcus pneumoniae still remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among children under 5 years in sub-Saharan Africa. We sought to determine the distribution of lineages and antimicrobial resistance genes of S. pneumoniae , 5-6 year...
Article
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Antibiotics at suboptimal doses promote biofilm formation and the development of antibiotic resistance. The underlying molecular mechanisms, however, were not investigated. Here, we report the effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of imipenem and colistin on genes associated with biofilm formation and biofilm-specific antibiot...
Article
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Rabies is an important zoonosis in Ethiopia, where lack of research is cited as a constraint to implementation of the national rabies control strategy. We conducted a systematic review of publications and theses on rabies in Ethiopia, to document research gaps and areas of knowledge saturation in relation to geographic and species focus, methods an...
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Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) can cause difficult-to-treat infections. We characterized molecular epidemiology of ceftazidime-resistant P. aeruginosa and carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia. Materials and methods: Non-fermenting gram-negative bacil...
Article
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Sepsis due to carbapenemase-producing and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae is a global health threat. A multicenter study was conducted between October 2019 and September 2020 at four hospitals located in different parts of Ethiopia.
Article
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Background: Sepsis due to multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria is a growing public health problem mainly in low-income countries. Methods: A multicenter study was conducted between October 2019 and September 2020 at four hospitals located in central (Tikur Anbessa and Yekatit 12), southern (Hawassa) and northern (Dessie) parts of Ethiopia. A total...
Article
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Carbapenemase-producing Aeromonas species are an emerging health threat. This study aimed to determine carbapenemase-mediated resistance among Aeromonas isolates from the Akaki river, Ethiopia during the dry and wet seasons in 2019–2020. Antimicrobial susceptibility to carbapenems and cephalosporins was determined and carbapenemase production was c...
Article
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The spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens is a global health concern. Most studies report high levels of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in the aquatic environment; however, levels associated with sediments are limited. This study aimed to investigate the distribution of ARGs in the sediments and water of the Akaki river in Addis Ababa,...
Article
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Background: Gastrointestinal colonization rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) is the major risk factor for infection and dissemination of resistance clones in healthcare facilities. This study aimed to investigate the magnitude of the fecal carriage of ESBL-PE and associated factors among hospitalized pa...
Article
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Background: Production of Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and Carbapenemase is the most common strategy for drug resistance in clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae. This study was conducted to determine the magnitude of ESBL and Carbapenemase production (CPE) among clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae causing bloodstream infections (...
Article
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Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae are public health threats. This study aims to characterize ESBL and AmpC producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from sepsis patients. A multicenter study was conducted at four hospitals located in central (Tikur Anbessa and Yekatit 12), southern (Hawassa) and northern (D...
Article
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Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE), and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is a public health concern. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the magnitude of carbapenemase and ESBL producing bacteria isolated from patients affe...
Article
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Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial infectious diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis globally, and is recognized as a significant zoonotic pathogen. Antimicrobial resistance amongst Campylobacter isolates is a significant global concern. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify and characterize Campylobacter species in humans,...
Article
Objective The burden of antimicrobial resistance and spread of epidemic clones are rarely reported from low-income countries. We aimed to investigate genome-based epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) at a tertiary hospital in Jimma, Ethiopia. Methods Bacteria were isolated from clinical specimens ob...
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Background One Health is particularly relevant to the Horn of Africa where many people’s livelihoods are highly dependent on livestock and their shared environment. In this context, zoonoses may have a dramatic impact on both human and animal health, but also on country economies. This scoping review aimed to characterise and evaluate the nature of...
Article
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Background In several countries, introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has led to a decline in antimicrobial-resistant pneumococcal disease but has also resulted in a concomitant increase in antimicrobial-resistant, non-vaccine serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. We sought to determine the magnitude of penicillin and macrolide...
Article
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Introduction: There is a scarcity of data on pediatric community-acquired sepsis (CAS) in Ethiopia. We sought to determine the etiology, role of Streptococcus pneumoniae, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and prognostic factors in children with CAS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study of 101 children aged 0...
Article
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Background Genomic epidemiology of antibiotic resistance is not sufficiently studied in low-income countries. Objectives To determine prevalence of ESBL production, and resistome and virulome profiles, of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia. Methods Strains isolated from patients with suspected infections between June...
Article
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Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) serotypes, sequence types, and antimicrobial resistance profile vary across different geographic locations affecting disease patterns in newborns. These differences are important considerations for vaccine development efforts and data from large countries in Africa is limited. The ai...
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Introduction: Group B streptococcus was identified as the leading cause of neonatal disease in developed countries. There is scarce data from developing countries. The surrogate for early-onset neonatal disease caused by Group B streptococcus is the rectovaginal colonization of pregnant women before delivery. Objective: to determine the Group B s...
Article
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Rectovaginal area of pregnant women can be colonized transiently with group B Streptococcus (GBS) without causing disease. The bacteria can be transmitted to the newborn before and during birth and cause early-onset neonatal disease. In this study, we aimed to determine the GBS colonization rate among pregnant women before delivery and their newbor...
Preprint
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Background: There is a scarcity of data on pediatric community-acquired sepsis (CAS) in Ethiopia. We sought to determine the etiology, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and prognostic factors in children with CAS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 101 children aged 0-15 yrs with suspected CAS was performed. B...
Article
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Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health problem and is the leading cause of death from a single bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex. The emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains aggravate the problem, especially in tuberculosis high burden countries such as Ethiopia. The supposedly high initial cost...
Article
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Background Treponema pallidum and HIV are among the most common public health problems in Ethiopia. These infections are interrelated. Treponema pallidum causes genital ulcer which enhances HIV transmission and complicates HIV by causing severe ulcer among HIV-positive individuals. Although Treponema pallidum and HIV have a similar route of transmi...
Article
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Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent colonizer of human and several animal species, including dairy cows. It is the most common cause of intramammary infections in dairy cows. Its public health importance increases inline to the continuous emergence of drug-resistant strains; such as Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Indeed, the r...
Article
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Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common and important clinical problem in pediatrics. Recurrent UTIs may lead to renal scarring, hypertension, and end-stage renal dysfunction later in life. The objective of the study was to determine bacterial profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among chi...
Article
Introduction: In Ethiopia, there is a lack of data on pneumococcal serotypes causing acute otitis media (AOM) in children. We aimed to study the etiology, pneumococcal serotypes and antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates from children with AOM with spontaneous perforation of the tympanic membrane (SPTM). Methods: We carried out a prospect...
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Background: Despite significant advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression protocols, follow up periods and antimicrobial stewardship in modern medicine; post-renal transplantation urinary tract infection remained a major public health problem globally. This multiple serious squeals includes asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis and pyeloneph...
Preprint
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Background: Despite significant advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppression protocols follow up periods and antimicrobial stewardship in modern medicine; post-renal transplantation urinary tract infection remained a major public health problem globally. This multiple serious squeal includes asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis and pyelonephrit...
Article
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Background There is a scarcity of data on pneumococcal serotypes carried by children in Ethiopia. We studied pneumococcal nasopharyngeal carriage rate, serotypes and risk factors among children with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods A prospective observational cohort study was carried in children with CAP, aged 0-15 years in two pediatri...
Article
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Background Group B streptococcus (GBS) is reported as the leading cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. Newborns from GBS colonized pregnant women are at high risk of infection. Method A Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from November 05, 2014 to March 25, 2015. A total o...
Article
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Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. We sought to determine the magnitude, etiology and risk factors of CAP in children five years after introduction of PCV10 in Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study on bacterial etiology and risk factors of CAP among children...
Article
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Contamination of drinking water in household water storage containers and inadequate water supplies are common public burdens in low- and middle-income countries, including towns in Wegera District, Ethiopia. Our study aimed to assess the quality of drinking water and identify factors associated with diarrhea in households with under-five (U5) chil...
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Background The spectrum of pathogens causing bloodstream infections (BSIs) in cancer patients has shown significant fluctuations in different geographical areas and time. We studied the microbial spectrum and drug-resistance profile of pathogens causing BSIs in febrile cancer patients at a referral hospital in Ethiopia. Methods This cross-sectiona...
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Salmonella is one of the common causes of food‐borne bacterial illnesses. The primary sources of human nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection are food animals. This study characterized temporally and spatially related Salmonella isolated during April 2013 to March 2014 from faeces of diarrhoeic human patients in Addis Ababa (n = 68) and food anima...
Article
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Background Salmonella and Shigella remain the major contributors to acute enteric infections and diarrhoea. Hence, the objective of this study was to isolate and determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Shigella and Salmonella species from children with acute diarrhoea in Mekelle Hospital and Semen Health Center. Methods A cross secti...
Article
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Introduction Childhood diarrhea is highly prevalent in slums in developing countries, but it remains understudied. The objectives of this study were to explore the prevalence of Giardia, rotavirus and bacterial enteropathogens among diarrheic and non-diarrheic children and investigate socio-environmental determinants of diarrhea in two Ethiopian to...
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Background In recent years, saprophytic bacteria have been emerging as potential human pathogens causing life-threatening infections in patients with malignancies. However, evidence is lacking concerning such bacteria, particularly in sub-Saharan countries. This study was designed to determine the spectrum and drug resistance profile of the rare ba...
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Background Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) causes a serious health problem and affects millions of people worldwide. Patients with obstetric fistula usually suffer from incontinence of urine and stool, which can predispose them to frequent infections of the urinary tract. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the etiologic agents, drug res...
Article
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Background Infections by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are an emerging problem in children nowadays. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae among children suspected of septicemia and urinary tract infections (UT...
Article
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Background Beta-lactam and quinolone antimicrobials are commonly used for treatment of infections caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) and other pathogens. Resistance to these classes of antimicrobials has increased significantly in the recent years. However, little is known on the genetic basis of resistance to these drugs in Salmonella isolat...
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Background Among children diagnosed to have chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease (RHD) in Ethiopia, many have been observed to develop recurrence of rheumatic fever (RF) despite secondary prophylaxis. This study determined the throat culture positivity rate and drug susceptibility pattern of beta hemolytic streptococci (BHS) isolated from child...
Article
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Salmonellae are major worldwide zoonotic pathogens infecting a wide range of vertebrate species including humans. Consumption of contaminated dairy products and contact with dairy cattle represent a common source of non-typhoidal Salmonella infection in humans. Despite a large number of small-scale dairy farms in Addis Ababa and its surrounding dis...
Article
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Introduction: Staphylococcal food intoxication is dependent on the production of enterotoxins, the single most important virulence factors. Various studies conducted in Ethiopia have depicted the prevalence of S. aureus in bovine milk. However, there is no published data regarding the enterotoxin gene profile of S. aureus isolates in Ethiopia. The...
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Introduction: Listeria monocytogenes is of major significance in human and veterinary medicine. Most human Listeria infections are foodborne and the association of contaminated milk and dairy produce consumption with human listeriosis is noteworthy. In Ethiopia, there is limited data regarding the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in raw bovine milk...
Article
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Background Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is an important public health problem worldwide. Consumption of animal-derived food products and direct and/or indirect contact with animals are the major routes of acquiring infection with NTS. Published information, particularly on the serotype distribution of NTS among human patients with gastroenteritis...
Article
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The objective of the current study was conducted to explore antimycotic activity of 3 odoriferous angiospermic plants (Lippia adoensis Hochst. var. koseret, Rosmarinus officinalis and Ruta chalepensis). Essential oils of Lippia adoensis Hochst. var. koseret, Rosmarinus officinalis and Ruta chalepensis were tested against toxigenic strain of Aspergi...
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Assessment of risk factors associated with milk production systems is central to ensuring quality and safety of milk and milk products. This study was aimed at identifying possible risk factors in milk contamination in urban and peri-urban areas of the central high lands of Ethiopia. A total of 477 on-farm pooled milk (n = 433) and combined bulk mi...
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To describe a 4-day laboratory medicine course for clinicians given at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, designed to improve the use of laboratory-based diagnoses. Each day was dedicated to one of the following topics: hematology, blood bank/transfusion medicine and coagulation, chemistry, and microbiology. The course included lectures, case-based...
Article
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Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common genital tract infections among reproductive age group. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis varies from country to country even in the same country it varies among populations of interest. Different social and sexual factors can contribute to the development of bacterial vaginosis. The aim of this stud...
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Background: Contamination of food commodities with spoilage fungi presents a problem of global concern, since the growth and metabolism of these organisms can cause serious food-borne illnesses and a rapid spoilage of food products. Aspergillus species, a type of opportunistic fungi linked to food spoilage is the leading cause of infection, mycotox...
Article
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This study was performed to investigate effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth, and mycotoxin production. In vitro antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activities of Cymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare, and Trachyspermum ammi essential oils were carried out on toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species. Plant materials were...
Article
Aims: To determine the association between multicellular behaviour, integron status and antibiotic resistance among 87 Ethiopian Salmonella enterica isolates of animal and human origin. Methods and results: Isolates were characterized for their biofilm forming ability, antimicrobial susceptibility and the presence and characteristics of a class...
Article
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Objective: To investigate effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth and mycotoxin production. Method: In vitro antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity of essential oils was carried out using poisoned food techniques, spore germination assay, agar dilution assay, and aflatoxin arresting assay on toxigenic strains of Aspe...