Detection of HCV RNA in saliva of Egyptian children receiving frequent blood transfusions

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is considered a major public health problem allover the world, especially Egypt. Blood is almost the only route for HCV diagnosis. It has been reported that HCV could be detected in other body fluids including saliva which represents an easier route than blood especially in infants and children. This study aimed to: 1] Assess the prevalence of HCV infection among high risk group of Egyptian children. 2] Evaluate the detection of HCV antibodies [anti-HCV] and HCV RNA in saliva against their detection in serum among HCV positive children. This study included 200 children [92 males and 108 females] who were attendants of Haematology Clinic at Abu El-Reish Hospital, Cairo University, for receiving frequent blood transfusions. Serum and saliva samples were analyzed for detection of anti-HCV by ELISA technique and for HCV RNA by a home made RT-PCR method. Liver function tests were performed also. Results of serum samples revealed that 134/200 [67%] children were anti-HCV seropositive, out of them 79/134 [59%] children had HCV RNA in their sera. Saliva samples of HCV infected children [n=79] showed that 53/79 [67.1%] and 31/79 [39.2%] were anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive respectively. Prevalence of HCV infection was 39.5% of 200 studied children [67% of 134 anti-HCV positive children]. It could conclude that: 1] Prevalence of HCV infection among the studied children is considered high. 2] Saliva could play a possible role of biological fluids as a non parenteral route of intrafamilial spread of HCV infection. 3] More sensitive techniques could be developed to use saliva as a reliable route for HCV detection

Surveillance of needle stick injuries [NSI] and sharp injuries at two centers in Pakistan

A base line studies to assess the Needle Stick Injuries [NSI] and sharp injuries and its outcome in health care providers. Descriptive study. Based on collection of relevant data spreading over a period of five years [from 1995-2000] from two tertiary care centers one public and other private. This study was conducted in 1342 healthcare workers [Public sector 612 and private sector 730]. Individuals comprising of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, operation theatre Staff and staff in other department of tertiary care centers. The method involved was proper filling of NSI Protocol form and informing directly concerned department and laboratory investigations for Hepatitis B Virus [HBV], Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] and Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] at both the centers and additional Hepatitis G Virus [HGV] and culture at only one center [Public center]. Total positive cases at public sector hospital were 364 [59.5%] out of 612 and 317 [43.4%] out of 730 at private sector hospital. Out of 612 NSI cases there were 260 [42.5%] HBV, 64 [10.5%] HCV, 03 [0.5%] HGV 01[0.1%], bacterial infection 36[5.9%] and 248[40.5%] negative at public sector hospital. At private sector hospital out of 730 NSI cases there were 272 [37.3%] HBV, 42 [5.7%] HCV, 03 [0.4%] HIV and [413 56.6%] were negative. Data collected was analyzed by statistical tests. NSI is a major healthcare workers problem. It is necessary to deal with it amicably and effectively

Intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus, A possible contributing factors for transmission

One hundred and fifty relatives of thirty HCV related CLD [as index cases] and one hundred healthy blood donors as a control group were included. By using ELISA-II, HCV antibodies were detected in 71 of the relatives and in 25 of the controls with a highly significant difference between the two groups. The highest prevalence [60%] was observed among spouses of the index cases versus 44.2% and 44% with offspring and siblings, respectively. A significant increase in anti HCV positivity with increasing ages of relatives and with the duration of marriage was observed. In addition of being relatives of HCV related CLD, history of tattooing, blood transfusion and parenteral anti-bilharzial treatment were significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. Long period of contact with the index case, high post bilharzial infection and high mean age could explain the high prevalence among relatives in this study