ABSTRACT
Background: incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] has rapidly increased worldwide. HCC is the sixth most common malignancy and the third most common cause of cancer related death. Since HCC usually develops in a damaged liver, the prognosis of HCC depends not only on tumor progression but also on the degree of liver dysfunction. In Egypt, HCC constitutes 70.48% of all liver tumors among Egyptians
Aim of the Work: to validate the use of AFP model as a predictor of response, recurrence and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma patients after locoregional treatment
Patients and Methods: this study was conducted at Tropical Medicine department and HCC clinic, Ain Shams University Hospitals. The study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt in accordance with local research governance requirements
Results: according to this classification 130 patients are for RFA and 70 patients are for TACE but actually 132 patients underwent TACE and 68 patients underwent RFA this could be explained by the facts that some lesions are large in size [>4cm] and others are located near main bile duct, intestinal loop or blood vessel so RFA couldn't be done
Conclusion: AFP model may be a predictor of response, recurrence and survival in HCC patients undergoing locoregional treatment [TACE or RFA] but more studies with larger sample size are needed to validate its use
ABSTRACT
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] has been recognized as an important nosocomial pathogen in hospitals worldwide. Infection with MRSA strains is usually preceded by nasal colonization. In order to prevent nosocomial transmission of MRSA, active screening of patients on admission for early detection of the reservoir colonized patients is advised and a targeted approach to the use of contact precaution are essential
Subjects and methods: This study included 2 groups of subjects: Group [A]: 50 patients admitted to the tropical medicine department and Group [B]: 50 health care workers in the hospitals. The included subjects [of both groups], underwent full history taking, laboratory investigations, swabs from anterior nares
Results: MRSA was detected in 11 patients [22%] in group A, the next most detected organism was methicillin-sensitive S. aureus [MSSA] [10 patients, 20%]. On the other hand; MRSA was detected in 2 [4%] of the 50 studied health care workers [HCWs], the commonest organism among health care workers was Diphtheroid [18 HCWs, 36%].Male sex, residence in a rural area, and smoking were significant risk factors for MRSA nasal colonization in patients group
Conclusion: MRSA control programs may be more efficient and cost effective if targeted to patients with these risk factors and when the actual prevalence among the health care workers is well known