Comparative study between the conventional methods and a new technique using electromagnetic waves in diagnosis and follow up of treatment of hepatitis C virus infections

Background: A simple, rapid and non- invasive electromagnetic sensor [C-FAST device] was investigated for diagnosis and follow up of HCV patients

Objectives: To test the validity of the C-FAST device compared to the conventional methods used for detection of anti-HCV by ELISA and standard HCV PCR as well follow up newly diagnosed HCV patients receiving HCV treatment

Methodology: This study was carried out on 200 patients suffering from HCV infection and 100 control cases [270 were males, and 30 were females] with their ages ranged from 25-75 years old during the period from May 2014 to May 2015. The patients were diagnosed as HCV positive by clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic methods. The included patients were selected from the Endoscopy Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit in Kobri El Kobba Military Hospital from Outpatient Clinics. The subjects were divided into three groups: group 1 included 100 suspected HCV patients [Acute - chronic]. Group 2 included 100 control subjects 50 healthy group and 50 cases positive for hepatitis B virus], group 3: included 100 HCV patients receiving HCV treatment [combination therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin]

Results: When comparing PCR technique with, C-FAST device for diagnosis of new HCV cases and follow up of treatment, the results using receiver operator characteristic [ROC] curve; showed diagnosis of HCV by using C-FAST. Out of those diagnosed by PCR, the sensitivity findings in the different study phases were from 97.4% to 100% [98.7%] of patients with HCV had a positive C-FAST and the specificity from 95.6% to 97.6% [96.6%] of patients with HCV had a negative C-FAST. The efficacy of the C-FAST device was in the range from 96.3% to 98.2% along the study phases

Conclusion: It is a practical evidence that HCV nucleotides emit electromagnetic signals that can be used for its identification. As compared to PCR, C-FAST it is rapid, valid and non-invasive device

Assessment of laboratory services in PHC units and first referral level hospitals in 5 governorates, Egypt 2002

Parallel to the development in the promotive, preventive; curative services in primary health care are expected to achieve more specially with the concomitant implementation of the referral system and family health record. Aim of this study is to assess the laboratory services in PHC and district hospitals and to evaluate the referral link as regards laboratory services between the two levels. This was across sectional descriptive study during 2002. In this study, all laboratories either in PHC units or hospitals in the five districts assigned for the Health System Upgrading Project II. A pre-designed pre-tested questionnaire form including data about the laboratory workers, their qualifications, and training experience. In addition, data about laboratory basic sanitary requirements, equipments, supplies and its logistics was collected. Referral system between the two levels will be investigated among a sub-sample of PHC laboratory in each district to explore the aspects of strengths and weakness if it is actually exists. Manpower was mainly laboratory technicians who were evenly distributed in different districts. The 2[nd] majority was assistant laboratory technician and they were mainly in Dyrute and Somosta [upper Egypt] 51/62 [82.3%]. Unqualified laboratory worker comes third. Doctors were only 8, and there was one District hospital [somosta] laboratory without a clinical pathologist. Although the mean duration of work as a laboratory Personnel was 13.3 +/- 9.6 years for PHC workers and 11.9 +/- 9.5 years for hospital laboratory personnel, the percentage of those not attending any training course was 54.2% [116/214]. A declining percentage for attending one course, two courses and three courses among PHC personnel and still lower of hospital personnel. Basic sanitary needs: were almost satisfactory except for few PHC units in Dyrute and kantara Gharb. Laboratory equipment and laboratory materials: PHC laboratory and hospital laboratory are generally satisfactory. Some vital equipment are deficient in some hospitals. The need for maintenance besides is vital training of available personnel to use such equipment. Materials for its proper utilization are essential. Needs for redistribution of some materials between hospital laboratories is recommended. Laboratory registration forms: Registration book is the only format we can consider satisfactory. Other format is either not available or available and neglected in some PHC and Hospital lab. The need for maintenance is vital, training of available personnel to use such equipment. Materials for its utilization are essential. Need for redistribution of some materials between hospital laboratories is recommended. Foundation for referral link is vital

Towards premarital counseling among a sample of Egyptian youth

Premarital counseling [PMC] is a necessity to maintain healthy marriage and reproductive performance. To assess knowledge and attitude of Egyptian youth towards PMC as well as their preferences and concerns; a household survey on a multi-center multistage random sample of 1200 Egyptian youth aged from 16 to 25 years of both sexes [45.3% males and 54.7%females] was conducted on four governorates that represent upper Egypt [Assuit], lower Egypt [Dakahlia and Damietta] and Sues Canal governorates [Ismailha]. The results revealed that 77.5% of the total sample heard before about PMC; of them 73.4% knew well its objectives. The majority [93.4%] knew that PMC is targeted for both males and females; Assuit recorded the highest percentage [97.2%]. Mass media was the main source of knowledge [48%]. It was also found that 75.1% of studied youth accept to do PMC, 37.4% agree on compulsory implementation and70.4% direct others to do PMC. Presence of hereditary diseases or STDs was the leading cause to cancel marriage [92.7%and 91.8% respectively]. Educational level was the single most powerful determinant of PMC knowledge and attitude [F=42.08]. In addition, it was ascertained that 34.9% of youth prefer providing PMC through specialized centers. Accuracy was the main reason for their preferences [recorded for 55.1%]. 80 we can conclude that Egyptian youth are not against PMC; but more efforts are required to strength it

Detection of colonisation factor antigen as a rapid screening test for enteropathogenic escherichia coli causing infantile diarrhea

In this study 75 E-coli pools isolated from 120 rectal swab taken from infants suffering from watery diarrhea were studied together with 18 E-coli pools isolated from healthy controls of the same age group. All these E-coli pools were tested for enteropathogenic serotypes, enterotoxigenicity, invasion,presence of colonisation factor antigen and colicine production. Comparing E-coli pools isolated from diarrheal - cases and controls; the incidence of colicinogenic E-coli pools were equally distributed in patients and control groups. The incidence of enterotoxigenic and of enteropathogenic serotypable E coli pools in diarrheal cases were about twice their incidence in the control group. The incidence of colonisation factor antigen in diarrheal E-coli pools was about seven times that in control group. The most commonly associated characters, were toxin production and colonisation factor antigen being three times as much as that in the control group [17.3%, 5.6%] respectively, this shows the importance of detection of colonisation factor antigen by mannose resistant haemagglutination of adult chicken red cells as a simple easily performed screening test for detection of enteropathogenic E-coli in infantile diarrheal cases