Prevalence and Risk factors of overt- and occult Hepatitis C virus infection among Chronic Kidney Disease patients under regular Hemodialysis in Egypt

Background: hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is a major health problem. It is more prevalent among chronic kidney disease [CKD] patients. Occult HCV infection, a new, entity has been described

Aims: to find out prevalence of occult HCV infection among CKD patients under regular hemodialysis [RHD] and to define epidemiology of HCV infection among them

Patients and Methods: a sample of 100 CKD patients under RHD was recruited. A questionnaire form was used to collect data. HCV-RNA was tested in serum to detect overt HCV infection patients. HCV-RNA was tested in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of undetected HCV-RNA patients' serum to determine those with occult HCV infection. Rest of the patients was considered HCV free. Biochemical tests were done to all patients

Results: prevalence of overt and occult HCV infection among CKD patients under RHD was 34.0% and 27.3%, respectively. Liver and renal function tests were significantly higher among the overt and occult HCV patients compared to negative HCV patients. Liver function tests were significantly lower among the occult compared to overt HCV patients. Overt HCV patients had significant risk factors compared to negative HCV patients; age group 40-59 years [OR=9.34] and rural residence [OR=3.14]. Also, significant clinical risk factors were the overweight, history of blood transfusion 5>/= times/year, history of nonmedical bloody manipulations, and history of IV drug abuse [OR=3.23, 5.96, 8.28, 7.08, respectively]. Occult HCV patients had significant risk factors compared to negative HCV patients; age group 60 >/= years and rural residence [OR=6.25 and 6.73, respectively]. Significant clinical risk factor was the history of nonmedical bloody manipulations [OR=11.5]

Conclusions and Recommendations: prevalence of overt- and occult HCV infection is high in CKD patients under RHD; this has important clinical and public health implications. There are many significant socio-demographic and clinical risk factors for these infections. A close monitoring of the HD patients and testing them for HCV-RNA in PBMCs yearly to adopted a proper management. Also, more studies on bigger number of patients are required to understand real epidemiology of this health problem

Risk factors and effects of infestation with Pediculosis Capitis and Scabies among primary school students in Cairo, Egypt

Background: Pediculosis capitis [PC] and scabies are an important public health problem in childhood. They have a worldwide distribution. Also, they have many effects on the infested students

Objectives: To define the prevalence of PC and scabies, to find out the socio-demographic, environment, and health care behavior risk factors, and to determine the effects on the studied students in Cairo, Egypt

Subjects and Methods: A cross-section, analytical study design was chosen to conduct this work. Three primary schools were the field of this study. Total number of the students was 1987. The students were clinically examined; for each infested case with PC and/ or scabies a control student was chosen

Results: Prevalence of PC and scabies was 10.2% and 3.4%, respectively. These infestations were more common significantly among students in the public school. Significant social risk factors of infested students were the low level of head of the family education, occupation, and social status. Also, significant personal hygiene risk factors were poor hair, body, and environment hygiene. While significant health care behavior risk factors were student never received skin examination, no early consultation for skin diseases, and no compliance with therapy. Also; female gender, the last birth order child, had previous infestation with PC, had sibling[s] with PC, and had parents with history of infestation with PC were significant risk factors. On the other hand; male gender, the last birth order child, had previous infestation with scabies, had sibling[s] with scabies, and had parents with history of infestation with scabies were significant risk factors. Further, the PC cases with crowding index >1, had no sun access, had shared water supply and bathing facilities, co-sleeping, had no short cut hair, and sharing hair brushes were significant risk factors. On the other hand, the scabitcs with crowding index >1, had no sun access, had shared water supply and bathing facilities, and co-sleeping were significant risk factors. Lastly, presences of psychiatric, sleep, and peers' relations disturbances were significantly more common among the infested students

Conclusions: Many risk factors of PC and scabies can be manipulated, so these infestations can be prevented, so many health hazards on the students could be prevented

Recommendations: Improving students' hygiene, health education, and regular dermatological screening and treatment of students are important essentiality. Also, dermatological health component should be integrated in school health program. Lastly, further studies in different rural and urban areas in Egypt are recommended