Research and publications

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Research Areas

  • Drug resistance in Mycobacteria and other bacterial species
  • Improving diagnostic methods
  • Host-pathogen interactions
  • Molecular Epidemiology of Mycobacteria
  • Disease evolution during co-infections in tuberculosis
  • TB in hard to reach communities

Ongoing Research Projects

• Improving the management of hospitalized presumptive Xpert MTB/RIF-negative tuberculosis cases in Ethiopia
• Utilization of tuberculosis preventive therapy among people living with HIV in Gambella Region
• Healthcare facility based intensified tuberculosis case detection in Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia
Completed Research Projects
• Culture free diagnosis and follow-up of multidrug resistant tuberculosis patients in Africa (NCT03303963).
• Improved infectious diseases research and surveillance in Ethiopia through capacity building in bioinformatics and sequencing
• Evaluation of contact investigation as a strategy to improve tuberculosis case detection among university students in Ethiopia
• Improving the diagnosis of tuberculosis in hard to diagnose populations: Clinical evaluation of GeneXpert MTB/RIF and alternative approaches in Ethiopia
• Assessment of Bacteriophage Diversity in Jimma town.
• Comprehensive assessment of TB among hard to reach population in Ethiopia
• Molecular Epidemiology and Drug Resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among Refugees and its impact on the Surrounding Communities in Ethiopia.
• Abattoir Based Molecular Epidemiology of Bovine Tuberculosis and assessment of public health awareness in and around Jimma town, South West Ethiopia

Publications
So far more than 40 articles were published from the research center.

    1. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Rigouts L, Abebe G. Increased detection of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis by GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/Rifampicin assay after bleach concentration. Int J Mycobacteriol. April 2016; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.03.005 
    2. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Dimah B, Efa F, Abdella K, Kebede W,  Abdissa K, Abebe G. Drug resistance-conferring mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Southwest Ethiopia. Int J Mycobacteriol. March 2016; DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.02.009 
    3. Abera W, Cheneke W, Abebe G. Incidence of antituberculosis-drug-induced hepatotoxicity and associated risk factors among tuberculosis patients in Dawro Zone, South Ethiopia: A cohort study. Int J Mycobacteriol. 2016 Mar;5(1):14-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2015.10.002.
    4. Cheneke W, Suleman S, Yemane T, Abebe G. Assessment of glycemic control using glycated hemoglobin among diabetic patients in Jimma University specialized hospital, Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2016 Feb 15;9(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s13104-016-1921-x.
    5. Akessa G, Tadesse M, Abebe G. Survival Analysis of loss to Follow-up treatment Among TB Patients at Jimma University specialized hospital, Jimma, South west Ethiopia. Inter J Statist Mech. Volume 2015, 2015.
    6. Likisa J, Suleman S,  Belachew T, Abebe G. Outcomes of highly active antiretroviral therapy and its predictors: a cohort study focusing on tuberculosis co-infection in South West Ethiopia.   BMC Res Notes. 2015 Sep 15;8:446. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1417-0.
    7. Tadesse M, Abebe G, Abdissa K, Aragaw D, Abdella K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, Apers L, C. de Jong  B, Rigouts R. GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis on Concentrated Fine Needle Aspirates in High Tuberculosis Burden Settings. PLoS One. 2015 Sep 14;10(9):e0137471. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137471.
    8. Mulisa G, Workneh T, Hordofa N, Saudi M, Abebe G, Godana J. Multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and associated risk factors in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Int J Infect Dis 2015 Aug 28.  Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2015.08.013
    9. Abdissa K, Tadesse M, Abdella K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, Abebe G. Diagnostic performance of fluorescent light emitting diode microscopy for tuberculous lymphadenitis in a high burden setting. Trop Med Int Health.2015 August 6. doi: 10.1111/tmi.12585. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 26250964
    10. Abdella K, Abdissa K, Kebede W, Abebe G. Drug Resistance Patterns of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex and Associated Factors among Retreatment Cases around Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2015; 15(599). (Highly Accessed)
    11. Kebede W, Mathewos B, Abebe G. H. Pylori Prevalence and Its Effect on CD4+ Lymphocyte Count in Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients at Hospitals in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. Int Jour Immunol. 2015; 3(1):7-13. DOI: 10.11648/j.iji.20150301.12
    12. Mulisa G, Abdissa K, Abebe G. Bacterial contamination of mobile phones of healthcare workers at Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Jimma, South West Ethiopia. Int Jour Infect Control. 2015; 11(1).
    13. Abdissa K, Tadesse M, Bezabih M, Bekele A, Apers L, Rigouts L, Abebe G. Bacteriological methods as add on tests to fine-needle aspiration cytology in diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis: can they reduce the diagnostic dilemma? BMC Infect Dis. 2014 Dec 31;14(1):3850. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25551280; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4299128.
    14. Sewunet T,  Kebede W, Wondafrash B,  Workalemau B, Abebe  G.  Survey of Safety Practices among Hospital Laboratories in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.  Ethiop J Health Sci. 2014 Oct; 24(4): 307-310. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v24i4.5
    15. Ayele D,  Abebe G, Seunet T.  Immunological Markers and Hematological Parameters among Newly Diagnosed Tuberculosis Patients at Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2014 Oct; 24(4): 311-318. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ejhs.v24i4.6
    16. Likisa J, Suleman S, Belachew T, Abebe G. Mortality of Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy with and without TB coinfection in Jimma University Hospital, Ethiopia: Retrospective Cohort Study.Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research 09/2014; 5(9):350. 
    17. Tadesse M, Abebe G, Abdissa K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, Apers L, Colebunders R, Rigouts L. Concentration of lymph node aspirate improves the sensitivity of Acid  fast smear microscopy for the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2014 Sep 3;9(9):e106726. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106726. eCollection 2014. PubMed PMID: 25184279; PubMedCentral PMCID: PMC4153659.
    18. Reji P, Aga G, Abebe G. The role of AFB microscopy training in improving the performance of laboratory professionals: analysis of pre and post training evaluation scores. BMC Health Serv Res. 2013 Oct 7;13:392. doi: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-392.
    19. Abebe G, Deribew A, Apers L, Abdissa A, Kiflie Y, Koole O, Colebunders R. Evaluation of the 2007 WHO guideline to diagnose smear negative tuberculosis in an urban hospital in Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis. 2013 Sep 11;13(1):427. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24020936. (Highly Accessed)
    20. Woldemichael K, Haileamlak A, Muluneh AT, Alemseged F, Tessema F, Asefa M,  Mamo Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G. Biochemical profile at Gilgel Gibe field research center, southwest Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2012 Aug;22(S):51-60. PubMed PMID: 23319840; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3542744.
    21. Haileamlak A, Muluneh AT, Alemseged F, Tessema F, Woldemichael K, Asefa M, Mamo Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G. Hematoimmunological profile at Gilgel Gibe field research center,  southwest Ethiopia.Ethiop J Health Sci. 2012 Aug;22(S):39-50. PubMed PMID: 23319839; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3542742.
    22. Tessema F, Haileamlak A, Muluneh AT, Alemseged F, Woldemichael K, Asefa M, Mamo Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G. Physical measurement profile at Gilgel Gibe field research center,  southwest Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2012 Aug;22(S):29-37. PubMed PMID: 23319838; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3542743.
    23. Alemseged F, Haileamlak A, Tegegn A, Tessema F, Woldemichael K, Asefa M, Mamo  Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G. Risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases at  Gilgel Gibe field research center, southwest Ethiopia: population based study. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2012 Aug;22(S):19-28. PubMed PMID: 23319837; PubMed Central  PMCID: PMC3542740.
    24. Muluneh AT, Haileamlak A, Tessema F, Alemseged F, Woldemichael K, Asefa M, Mamo Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G, Deribew A, Abebe M. Population based survey of chronic non-ommunicable diseases at Gilgel Gibe field research center, southwest Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2012 Aug;22(S):7-18. PubMed PMID: 23319836; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3542738.
    25. Abebe G, Deribew A, Apers L, Abdissa A, Deribie F, Woldemichael K, Shiffa J, Tesfaye M, Jira C, Bezabih M, Aseffa A, Bekele A, Colebunders R. Tuberculosis lymphadenitis in Southwest Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2012 Jul 6;12(1):504. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22770435.
    26. Abebe G, Abdissa K, Abdissa A, Apers L, Agonafir M, de-Jong BC, Colebunders R. Relatively low primary drug resistant tuberculosis in southwestern Ethiopia. BMC  Res Notes. 2012 May 10;5(1):225. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22574696.
    27. Deribew A, Abebe G, Apers L, Abdissa A, Deribe F, Woldemichael K, Jira C, Tesfaye M, Shiffa J, Aseffa A, Bezabih M, Abeje T, Colebunders R. Prevalence of pulmonary TB and spoligotype pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis among TB suspects in a rural community in Southwest Ethiopia.BMC Infect Dis. 2012 Mar 13;12:54. PubMed PMID: 22414165; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3378444.
    28. Alemu A, Tsegaye W, Golassa L, Abebe G. Urban malaria and associated risk factors in Jimma town, south-west Ethiopia. Malar J. 2011 Jun 24;10:173. PubMed PMID: 21699741; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3128012. (Highly Accessed)
    29. Alemu A, Abebe G, Tsegaye W, Golassa L. Climatic variables and malaria transmission dynamics in Jimma town, South West Ethiopia. Parasit Vectors. 2011 Mar 2;4:30. PubMed PMID: 21366906; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3055844. (Highly Accessed)
    30. Abebe G, Paasch F, Apers L, Rigouts L, Colebunders R. Tuberculosis drug resistance testing by molecular methods: opportunities and challenges in resource limited settings. J Microbiol Methods. 2011 Feb;84(2):155-60. Epub 2010 Dec 1. Review. PubMed PMID: 21129417.
    31. Abebe G, Deribew A, Apers L, Woldemichael K, Shiffa J, Tesfaye M, Abdissa A, Deribie F, Jira C, Bezabih M, Aseffa A, Duchateau L, Colebunders R. Knowledge, health seeking behavior and perceived stigma towards tuberculosis among tuberculosis suspects in a rural community in southwest Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2010 Oct 11;5(10):e13339. PubMed PMID: 20948963; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2952624.
    32. Deribew A, Tesfaye M, Hailmichael Y, Apers L, Abebe G, Duchateau L, Colebunders R. Common mental disorders in TB/HIV co-infected patients in Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis. 2010 Jul 9;10:201. PubMed PMID: 20618942; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2911449 . (Highly Accessed)
    33. Deribew A, Abebe G, Apers L, Jira C, Tesfaye M, Shifa J, Abdisa A, Woldemichael K, Deribie F, Bezabih M, Aseffa A, Colebunders R. Prejudice and misconceptions about tuberculosis and HIV in rural and urban communities in Ethiopia: a challenge for the TB/HIV control program. BMC Public Health. 2010 Jul 6;10:400. PubMed PMID: 20604951; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2909168. (Highly Accessed)
    34. Abebe G, Kiros M, Golasa L, Zeynudin A. Schistosoma mansoni infection among patients visiting a health centre near Gilgel Gibe Dam, Jimma, south western Ethiopia. East Afr J Public Health. 2009 Dec;6(3):300-2. PubMed PMID: 20803923.
    35. Mariam ZT, Abebe G, Mulu A. Opportunistic and other intestinal parasitic infections in AIDS patients, HIV seropositive healthy carriers and HIV seronegative individuals in southwest Ethiopia.EastAfr J Public Health. 2008 Dec;5(3):169-73. PubMed PMID: 19374319.
    36. Hailemariam G, Kassu A, Abebe G, Abate E, Damte D, Mekonnen E, Ota F. Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS and HIV seronegative individuals in a teaching hospital, Ethiopia. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2004 Apr; 57(2):41-3. PubMed PMID: 15118206.
    37. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Dimah B, Efa F, Abebe G. Xpert MTB/RIF for rapiddetection of rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis from pulmonarytuberculosis patients in Southwest Ethiopia. Int J Mycobacteriol. 2016 Dec;5Suppl 1:S48-S49. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.09.002. PubMed PMID: 28043605.
    38. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Rigouts L, Abebe G. Increased detection of smear-negativepulmonary tuberculosis by GeneXpert MTB/RIF® assay after bleach concentration.Int J Mycobacteriol. 2016 Jun;5(2):211-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.03.005.PubMed PMID: 27242234.
    39. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Dimah B, Efa F, Abdella K, Kebede W, Abdissa K, Abebe G. Drug resistance-conferring mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis from pulmonarytuberculosis patients in Southwest Ethiopia.Int J Mycobacteriol. 2016Jun;5(2):185-91. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmyco.2016.02.009. PubMed PMID: 27242230.
    40. Abdissa K, Tadesse M, Abdella K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, Abebe G. Diagnosticperformance of fluorescent light-emitting diode microscopy for tuberculouslymphadenitis in a high-burden setting. Trop Med Int Health. 2015Nov;20(11):1543-1548. doi: 10.1111/tmi.12585. PubMed PMID: 26250964.
    41. Tadesse M, Abebe G, Abdissa K, Aragaw D, Abdella K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, ApersL, de Jong BC, Rigouts L. GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay for the Diagnosis ofTuberculous Lymphadenitis on Concentrated Fine Needle Aspirates in HighTuberculosis Burden Settings. PLoS One. 2015 Sep 14;10(9):e0137471. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0137471. PubMed PMID: 26366871; PubMed Central PMCID:PMC4569183.
    42. Abdissa K, Tadesse M, Bezabih M, Bekele A, Apers L, Rigouts L, Abebe G.Bacteriological methods as add on tests to fine-needle aspiration cytology indiagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis: can they reduce the diagnostic dilemma?BMC Infect Dis. 2014 Dec 31;14:720. doi: 10.1186/s12879-014-0720-z. PubMed PMID: 25551280; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4299128.
    43. Tadesse M, Abebe G, Abdissa K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, Apers L, Colebunders R,Rigouts L. Concentration of lymph node aspirate improves the sensitivity of acid fast smear microscopy for the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in Jimma,southwest Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2014 Sep 3;9(9):e106726. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0106726. PubMed PMID: 25184279; PubMed Central PMCID:PMC4153659.

 

Modules and manuals

  1. Belachew T, Jira C, Asres T, Faris K, Abebe G and Haddis A. Acute febrile illness for the Ethiopian Health Center Team. 2006.  Jimma University in collaboration with the Ethiopia Public Health Training  Initiative, The Carter Center, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health and the Ethiopia Ministry of Education.
  2. Belachew T, Jira C,  Asres  T, Getahun T,  Abebe G, Tesfahun A et al.   Manual on Reproductive Health. 2003. Jimma University in collaboration with the Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative, The Carter Center, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health, and the Ethiopia Ministry of Education.

Presentations

  1. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Dimah B, Efa F, Abdella K, Kebede W,  Abdissa K, Abebe G. Drug resistance-conferring mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis from pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Southwest Ethiopia. National Tuberculosis Research Conference, Dire Dawa University, March 21-23, 2016, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
  2. Tadesse M, Aragaw D, Rigouts L, Abebe G. GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay for the Diagnosis of Smear-Negative Tuberculosis: Can Bleach Concentration Increase Detection of M. tuberculosis? National Tuberculosis Research Conference, Dire Dawa University, March 21-23, 2016, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
  3. Abebe G, L. Rigouts, B. CdeJong, A. Bekele, K. Abdella, L. Apers
    M. Bezabih, M. Tadesse, D. Aragaw, K. Abdissa.  GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis on Concentrated Fine Needle Aspirates in High Tuberculosis Burden Settings. Tuberculosis Co-Morbidities and Immunopathogenesis (B6). Part of the Keystone Symposia Global Health Series, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. February 28—March 3, 2016; Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colorado, USA.
  4. Abebe G. Application of Molecular Techniques in the Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases.  Fourth Ethio Health Congress, May 9- 11, 2015, Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia-Invited speaker
  5. Abdella K, Abdissa K, Abebe G. Drug Resistance Patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex and Associated Factors among Retreatment Cases around Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. Consultative and dissemination workshop on HIV and TB in Ethiopia.Axum Hotel, Mekelle, Ethiopia. April 22-24, 2015
  6. Abdissa K, Tadesse M, Abdella K, Bekele A, Bezabih M, Abebe G. Added value of light emitting diode (LED)-based fluorescence microscopy for the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis.  Jimma University Annual Research Conference, February 5-6, 2015, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
  7. Abebe G. Medical Laboratory Practice in Ethiopia: The Past, Present and Future. Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association 19th Annual Conference and CPD, Ghion Hotel, August 02 – 03, 2014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Invited speaker
  8. Abebe G. Genetic Diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Isolates Assessed by Spoligotyping around Jimma, Southwest Ethiopia. Belgian Scientific Institute of Public Health. July 2, 2014, Brussels, Belgium
  9. Mycobacteriological methods as add on tests to FNA cytology in diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis: Can they reduce the diagnostic dilemma? 9th  National tuberculosis research conference, Hawassa University, March 21-24, 2014, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
  10. Tadesse M, Abdissa K, Bezabih M, Bekele A, Abebe G. Liquid Culture Method (BACTEC™ MGIT 960™ TB detection system) for Diagnosis of Mycobacterial Lymphadenitis: Comparison with different diagnostic methods at Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association 18th Annual Conference and CPD, Ghion Hotel, June 8-9, 2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  11. Cheneke W, Yemane T, Suleman S and Abebe G. Assessment of glycemic control among diabetic patients using glycated hemoglobin in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association 18th Annual Conference and CPD, Ghion Hotel, June 8-9, 2013, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  12. Abebe G. Prevalence of Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Tuberculosis Suspects in a Rural Community, Southwest Ethiopia.  Fifth national tuberculosis research conference, Jimma University, October 22, 2009, Jimma, Ethiopia.
  13. Abebe G, Atomsa A, Deribew A. Detection of Pulmonary Tuberculosis by Smear Microscopy: Quality Control. Fifth national tuberculosis research conference, Jimma University, October 22, 2009, Jimma, Ethiopia.
  14. Abebe G. Awareness and health seeking of TB suspects in Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center. Fifth national tuberculosis research conference, Jimma University, October 22, 2009, Jimma, Ethiopia
  15. Abebe G, Romano M, Korf H, Huygen K.  Evaluation of the host immune response raised against different isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Presented on Ethiopian third national tuberculosis research workshop at Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), December 22, 2006, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.