Hepatitis C virus infection among paediatric patients attending University of Assiut Hospital, Egypt

Few studies have evaluated the epidemiology and risk factors of hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection in children in Egypt. This study of 465 children attending Assiut University Hospital measured the rates of anti-HCV positivity by 3rd-generation ELISA test and of HCV-RNA positivity by PCR, with analysis of some relevant risk factors. The rate of HCV-RNA positivity among ELISA-positive cases [n = 121] was 72.2% overall: 100% in the subgroup with hepatitis, 70.8% in those with a history of multiple transfusions and 58.3% in those without hepatitis or multiple transfusions. History of blood transfusions, frequent injections, hospitalization or surgical procedures were significant risk factors for anti-HCV positivity by ELISA

Acute phase response and immunofluorescence test in differentiation between viral and bacterial respiratory infections in children

In this work, the value of the clinical presentation and host responses [erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein] in distinguishing viral from bacterial respiratory infections was studied in 240 infants and children. An etiologic diagnosis was carried out by cultures of pharyngeal secretions, antibody assays and antigen detection techniques. The results indicated that immunofluorescence [IF] test is the most appropriate rapid, accurate and reliable diagnostic technique for the detection of respiratory viral pathogens. Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] was the most commonly isolated viral agent, while S. pneumoniae was the most commonly incriminated bacterial agent