Association of human cytomegalovirus with hepatitis C virus infections and its impact on antiviral therapy

Background:CMV infection enhances HCV pathogenesis by preventing the normal mechanisms responsible for HCV clearance, thus playing vital role in HCV persistence and pathogenicity

Objective: To examine the effect of HCV - CMV coinfection on outcome of treatment with pegylated interferon alpha and Ribavirin in chronic HCV patients

Methodology: The study included of 50 cases selected from Outpatient Clinic of The National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute [NHTMRI]. Two groups were classified group 1 [positive HCV PCR and negative CMV Ig G] and included 15 patients versus group 2 [positive HCV PCR and positive CMV Ig G] and included 35 patients

Results: The non responders to treatment were higher in group 2 [65.7 %] than in group 1 [53.3 %] but with no statistical significance

Conclusion: CMV co-infection may influence the HCV treatment outcome, despite it failed to have statistical significance

Awareness of healthcare workers to total parenteral feeding in neonatal units

The partnership between hospital policy and staff procedures needs to be coordinated. In the case of neonatal care, failures of this partnership can result into complications. To evaluate staff awareness, hospital policy and current procedures relating to total parenteral nutrition [TPN] in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Bahrain. A Self-Administered Questionnaire. NICU, King Hamad University Hospital [KHUH] and Salmaniya Medical Center [SMC], Bahrain. The study population consisted of nurses and neonatal doctors in NICUs in King Hamad University Hospital and Salmaniya Medical Center. Participation in the study implied consent; and the survey was anonymous. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed in August 2013 and consisted of 10 multiple-choice and open-ended questions. Sixty-two [80%] were aware of the risks of administering TPN. Different policies and guidelines were followed depending on the institution. Fifty-four [69%] respondents thought that TPN preparation should be carried out under sterile conditions; 63 [80%] preferably by a pharmacist rather than in the ward by doctors or nurses. Low staff satisfaction was found in 19 [67%] because the pharmacy did not prepare the TPN. Although staff may have high knowledge and awareness to reduce TPN risks, there is a clear need for hospital policy to consider the needs of the end user to reduce the neonatal infections