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Gebreselassie Demeke Mihiretie

Gebreselassie Demeke Mihiretie

PhD Candidate
Postgraduate Research Student
Medicine & Health School of Optometry and Vision Science

BIOGRAPHY

  • Date of birth:    June /1988
  • Birthplace:        Debre Markos, Ethiopia
  • Sex:                    Male
  • Nationality:        Ethiopian

Research Title: The antimicrobial efficacy of human tear lipids.

Supervisor: Professor Mark Willcox

Co Superisor: Simin Masoudi

Research Abstract                

Infection by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is one of the most pressing issues in global public health which needs to be addressed urgently. Even though some approaches have strong potential to treat MDR infections locally in the future (e.g., topically treat skin or applied on the contact surfaces of medical devices), many still suffer from low to moderate biocompatibility and multiple aspects are required to be addressed before their systemic administration. Certain lipids in the human body have been recognized as broad-spectrum antimicrobe agents. One important potential benefit of innate antimicrobial lipids is that they do not induce damage to cells, therefore, decreasing the likelihood of side effects.

Meibum, the oily secretion of Meibomian glands which are in the eyelid, is the primary source of the tear film lipids, though cell membranes and lipid-binding proteins may also contribute to the production of the tear lipids. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of human tear and meibum lipids against bacteria in vitro.

My project is focused on identifying the tear and meibum lipid classes and testing each component tear lipid class’s antimicrobial efficacy on different bacteria. My other focus will be the mechanism of action of these lipid classes on different bacteria isolates.
Email:

g.mihiretie@unsw.edu.au 

1.    Adugna, A., Demeke G., Toru, M., Tsehay, D., Esmael, A., Mihret, A., & Mulu, A. (2023). Reduced protective efficacy of hepatitis B vaccine among fully vaccinated children in Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 18(7), e0288355. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288355

2.    Tizazu AM, Mengist HM, Demeke G. Aging, inflammaging and immunosenescence as risk factors of severe COVID-19. Immunity & Ageing. 2022 Dec;19(1):1-8

3.    Demeke G, Mengistu G, Abebaw A, Toru M, Yigzaw M, et al. (2021) Effects of intestinal parasite infection on hematological profiles of pregnant women attending antenatal care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: Institution based prospective cohort study. PLOS ONE 16(5): e0250990. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250990

4.    Demeke G, Ayalneh GM, Shiferaw AA, Toru M, Dilnessa T. Sero-Prevalence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B Virus among Pregnant Women at Northwest Ethiopia: An Institution-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Gen Med. 2021 Jun 24; 14:2799-2805. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S320711.

5.    Demeke G, Fenta A, Dilnessa T. Evaluation of Wet Mount and Concentration Techniques of Stool Examination for Intestinal Parasites Identification at Debre Markos Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia. Infect Drug Resist. 2021 Apr 9; 14:1357-1362. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S307683.

6.    Fenta A, Demeke G, Bitew A, Kebede D, Hailu T. Prevalence and Associated Factors of TB Co-Morbidity Among HIV Sero-Positive Individuals in Shegaw Motta District Hospital, Ethiopia. Int J Gen Med. 2020 Dec 15; 13:1529-1536. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S278758.

7.    Mulaw T, Wubetu M, Dessie B, Demeke G, Molla Y. Evaluation of Antimalarial Activity of the 80% Methanolic Stem Bark Extract of Combretum molle Against Plasmodium berghei in Mice. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2019 Jan-Dec; 24:2515690X19890866. doi: 10.1177/2515690X19890866.

8.    Mengist HM, Demeke G, Zewdie O, Belew A. Diagnostic performance of direct wet mount microscopy in detecting intestinal helminths among pregnant women attending ante-natal care (ANC) in East Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes. 2018 May 4; 11(1):276. doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3380-z.

9.    Birhanu MY, Temesgen H, Demeke G, Assemie MA, Alamneh AA, Desta M, Toru M, Ketema DB, Leshargie CT. Incidence and Predictors of Pre-Eclampsia Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: Prospective Cohort Study. Int J Womens Health. 2020 Nov 10; 12:1013-1021. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S265643.

10.  Abebaw, Abtie, Hiwot Tesera, Teshome Belachew, and Gebreselassie Demeke “The bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern among patients with suspected bloodstream infections, Gondar, north-west Ethiopia." Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International 10 (2018): 1-7.

11.  Dilnessa T, Demeke G. Microbiological, physical and chemical quality of swimming water with emphasize bacteriological quality. Glob. J. Med. Res. 2016; 16:18-27.

12.  Dilnessa T, Demeke G, Mengistu G, Bitew A. Emerging blood culture technologies for isolation of blood pathogens at clinical microbiology laboratories. J Med Microb Diagn. 2016;5(2):1-7.
    • Established COVID-19 diagnostic lab and the head of diagnostic laboratory at Debre Markos University from May 2019- up to December 2019, Ethiopia where I have developed molecular biology skills including RT-qPCR.
    • From March 2019- 6 Feb 2024 Worked as assistant professor of Medical Parasitology at Debre Markos University, Ethiopia
    • From October 2017 to November 2019, worked as a head of medical laboratory science department at Debre Markos University, Ethiopia.
    • From sept 2015-to 2019 worked as Lecturer at Debre Markos university, Ethiopia.
    • From Sep 2009 to Sep 2011 Worked as graduate assistant I and II at Mizan- Tepi University, Ethiopia
    • MSc.  Medical parasitology from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, 2015
    • BSc. Medical laboratory technology from Haromaya University, Ethiopia, 2009   

  • Mihiretie, Gebreselassie Demeke. Immunogenicity of Leishmania Derived Antigens in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Using Blood Obtained from Previously Treated Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients of Southwest Ethiopia. Diss. Addis Ababa University, 2015.
    • Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association
    • Ethiopian Public health Association
    • Ethiopian Red Cross association