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Kuma Diriba Urgeya

Kuma Diriba Urgeya

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

Research Title: Formulation and Evaluation of Bacteriophage Cocktail to Eradicate Biofilms Formed by Multi Drug-Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Supervisors: Prof. Mark Willcox, Prof. Naresh Kumar

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that causes a wide range of severe illnesses and accounts for 10% of nosocomial infections worldwide. It can cause life-threatening infections with high morbidity and mortality rates attributed to its resistance to antibiotics. It is the leading cause of device-associated nosocomial infections due to its ability to adhere to surfaces and form biofilm, making it more resistant to antibiotics than planktonic cells. The potential threat posed by multi-drug resistance (MDR) P. aeruginosa and their biofilms has resulted in a growing interest in the development of new antimicrobial agents. As biofilm-related infections continues to be a serious healthcare problem around the world, new methods that prevent and control MDR P. aeruginosa biofilms on medical devices and implants needs to be explored.

Bacteriophage therapy is currently one of the most promising alternatives for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacteria due to its benefits, including low damage to the host microbiota, the ability to self-replicate and their ability to degrade biofilm. Most previous studies used a single phages that cover a limited number of strains, which may stimulate the development of resistant mutants. Therefore, my study will aim to formulate and assess the lytic effect of phage cocktails against various strains of previously characterized multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa biofilm through different doses in-vitro and in animal model.

Education

Master of Science (MSc.) in Medical microbiology at Jimma University, Ethiopia (2018)

Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Medical laboratory technology at Gondar University, Ethiopia (2007) 

Biography

I am currently a PhD student at UNSW. I studied my BSc in Medical laboratory technology at Gondar University, Ethiopia in 2007 and my MSc Degree in Medical Microbiology at Jimma University, Ethiopia in 2018. I have worked  as a Lecturer at Dilla University, Ethiopia for the last 6 years. I have vast experience in clinical microbiology and successfully supervised many undergraduate students at Dilla University. I also worked as the Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science for more than 4 years and also served in different committees at Dilla University. I am also serving as a reviewer for various peer-reviewed journals upon request.

Publications: I published more than 25 papers in reputable peer reviewed journal

Awards: Three awards (internal grant) from Dilla University

Membership and Affiliations: Ethiopian medical laboratory association
Email

k.diriba@unsw.edu.au

List of publications

  • Diriba K, Kasaa T, Alemu Y, Bekele S In Vitro Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria from Suspected External Eye Infected Patients Attending Ophthalmology Clinic, Southwest Ethiopia International Journal of Microbiology:2020, https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8472395   
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Ashuro Z Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Salmonella, Shigella, and Intestinal Parasites and Associated Factor among Food Handlers in Dilla University Student Cafeteria, Dilla, Ethiopia International Journal of Microbiology 2020, https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/315053  
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Tekele L, Ashuro Z Fecal Carriage Rate of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Among Apparently Health Food Handlers in Dilla University Student Cafeteria Infection and Drug Resistance 2020:13 3791–3800, http://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S269425  
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Churiso G The Magnitude of MTB and Rifampicin Resistance MTBUsing Xpert MTB/RIF Assay Among Tuberculosis Suspected Patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia Infection and Drug Resistance 2021:14 3961–3969, https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S327607  
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Getu E The effect of coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, and SARSCoV) during pregnancy and the possibility of vertical maternal–fetal transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis Eur J Med Res (2020) 25:39, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-020-00439  
  • Diriba K, Churiso C The prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Gene Xpert among tuberculosis suspected patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia (2022) 27:24, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00650-x 
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Gemede A and Anja A The magnitude of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae from clinical samples in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis Access Microbiology 2021;3:000195, https://doi.org/10.1099/acmi.0.000195 
  • Diriba K Awulachew E, Associated risk factor of tuberculosis infection among adult patients in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia SAGE Open Medicine (2022) 10: 1–10, https://doi.org/10.1177/20503121221086725 
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Kuma D The prevalence of Listeria species in different food items of animal and plant origin in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis Eur J Med Res (2021) 26:60, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-021-00532-8
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Anja A Prevalence and associated factor of Campylobacter species among less than 5- year-old children in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis Eur J Med Res (2021) 26:2, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-020-00474-7
  • Diriba K, Awulachew E, Bizuneh B Identification of Bacterial Uropathogen and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Patients with Diabetic and Hypertension Attending Dilla University General Hospital, Dilla, Ethiopia Infection and Drug Resistance 2023:16 4621–4633, https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S417033
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Anja A, Getu E, Belayneh F Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging Features of Patients with COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Radiology Research and Practice 2020, https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/1023506
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Aweke N Bacterial Isolates from CSF Samples and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Children Under Five Suspected to Have Meningitis in Dilla University Referral Hospital Infection and Drug Resistance 2020:13 4193–4202, http://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S264692 
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Anja A, Wudneh F, Gemede A Burden, mortality, and associated factors of Pneumocystis jerovesi pneumonia among human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS patients: Systematic review and meta‑analysis Indian J Health Sci Biomed Res 2021;14:12-21, http://doi.org/10.4103/kleuhsj.kleuhsj_104_20 
  • Ashuro Z Tefera Y Zele , Hussen R, Diriba K , Tesfaw A, Aderaw A Prevalence of Work-Related Injury and Its Determinants among Construction Workers in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2021, https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9954084 
  • Churiso G, Diriba K, Girma H, Tafere S Clinical Features and Time to Recovery of Admitted COVID-19  Cases at Dilla University Referral Hospital Treatment Center, South Ethiopia 2022:15 795–806, https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S356606 
  • Churiso G, Diriba K, Girma H, Tafere S COVID-19 Clinical Features and Recovery Time: Factors Affecting the Outcome in Infection and Drug Resistance [Response to Letter] 2022:15 1805–1806, https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S368827 
  • Gebremeskel G , Diriba K, Getaneh B, Melaku A, Eshete N ,Yaw Agyemang S , Negassa1 B, Alembo A, Tesfu M, Cherenet A, Genoro B and Birhanie M Effective Handwashing Practice in Dilla University Referral Hospital; Duration of Hand Rubbing and the Amount of Water as Key Enablers (2022) 16: 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221093481 
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Anberbir S Hematological and Immunological parameters in apparently healthy people in Ethiopia: Systematic review and meta-analysis Hematol Med Oncol, 2020, http://doi.org/10.15761/HMO.1000206 
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Anja A, Wudneh F Nasopharyngeal Carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and its Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern among Healthy People: Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis J Bacteriol Parasitol. 2020 11:383. 10.35248/2155-9597.20.11.383, https://doi.org/10.35248/2155-9597.20.11.383
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Anja A, Belayneh F Safety of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19: Systematic review Glob J Infect Dis Clin Res 6(1): 043-047, https://doi.org/10.17352/2455-5363.000034 
  • Awulachew E, Diriba K, Wudneh F, Gemede A Prevalence of Cryptosporidium species among HIV/AID patients in Sub Saharan Africa; Systematic Review and MetaAnalysis J HIV Clin Sci Res 2020 7(1): 006-012, https://dx.doi.org/10.17352/2455-3786.000130 
  • Ashuro Z, Diriba K, Afework A, Endashaw H Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Indoor Air at Different Hospital Sites of Dilla University: A Cross-Sectional Study.Environmental Health Insights 2022 18;16, https://doi.org/10.1177/11786302221100047 
  • Churiso G, Diriba K, Girma H, Tafere S Laboratory Findings in Different Disease Status of COVID-19 Admitted Patients at Dilla University Referral Hospital Treatment Center, South Ethiopia, Infection and Drug Resistance, 2022:15 4307–4320, https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S370907 
  • Ashuro Z, Husen G, Diriba K Indoor Air Quality in Hospital Settings Environmental Health Literacy Update - New Perspectives, Methodologies and Evidence, http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1002033