Primary cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant egyptian women confirmed by cytomegalovirus IgG avidity testing

To determine the frequency of primary cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection in pregnant Egyptian women using CMV IgG avidity testing. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt. A total of 546 pregnant women, presenting for routine antenatal screening, were tested for CMV IgG and IgM using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Sera from CMV IgM-positive women were tested by CMV IgG avidity assay All the 546 pregnant women were seropositive for anti-CMV IgG. Of the 546 women, 40 [7.3%] were positive or equivocal for IgM antibodies. All sera from the 40 women [IgG+/IgM+] showed a high or intermediate CMV IgG avidity index. Of the 40 women, 23 [57.5%] were in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy and had their first-trimester blood retrieved, and the tested CMV IgG avidity assay showed a high avidity index. Women who were IgM positive had no primary CMV infection in the index pregnancy as evidenced by the high CMV IgG avidity testing

[Effect of peer clinical teaching method on the education of operating room students]

The operating room is a complicated system, which coordinates the person, technology, and patient in a physical environment to achieve optimal outcomes. Therefore, improving knowledge and skills of nurses in the operating room is essential. However, the studies indicate that nursing students may not be prepared enough to practice in clinical settings. Due to the lack of students' efficiency in clinical situations, the shortage of nurse instructors, lack of education-practice cooperation, there is a need to change clinical teaching methods. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of peer clinical education model on the expected level of competency in operating room students. This was a pre-experimental design. All operating room freshman students, including 28 people who were passing their clinical course in the Central Sterilization Room at a teaching hospital participated in this study. At the beginning of implementing this model, the curriculum outline such as course objectives, logbook, and evaluation practices was developed. Students were divided into five groups with maximum six members in each. The peer clinical teaching method was used to teach students. At the end, the expected level of competency in operating room students was evaluated. Most students [80%] estimated their competency level to be 4 to 5 [X=3.33 +/- 0.76, CI=3.01-3.65]. They showed a maximum competency in packaging instruments for sterilizing and the minimum competency in working with chemical disinfectant solutions. In addition, over 70% of students believed that they gained necessary guidance on the packing and preparing surgical instruments and using autoclave. They were also satisfied for making communication with the head nurse, and being accepted by ward's staff. Since this educational model emphasizes on the collaboration between skillful staff during clinical training, its implementation in nursing education is recommended.