Studies on West Nile virus infection in Egypt

We conducted a prospective cohort study to determine prevalence and incidence of West Nile virus [WNV] in Egypt. Cohorts were established in Upper [UE], Middle [ME], and Lower [LE] Egypt. Additionally, a cross-sectional serosurvey was performed in the North [NS] and South [SS] Sinai. Cohorts were bled initially and 1 year later. Sera were tested for WNV-IgG by ELISA and positive sera were confirmed by plaque reduction neutralization test [PRNT]. Sentinel chicken flocks placed in the above sites were bled monthly for virus isolation and serology. Mosquitoes were collected monthly from the above sites and tested for WNV. Human seroprevalence rates were 35%, 27%, 14%, 1% and 7% in UE, ME, LE, NS and SS, respectively. Seroconversion rates were 18%, 17% and 7% in UE, ME and LE, respectively; 49% of the seroconverters reported undiagnosed febrile illness. Sentinel chickens showed seroconversion in all study sites. WNV was isolated from both sentinel chickens and mosquitoes in cohort sites. This study demonstrates that WNV was actively circulating during the study period in different areas in Egypt and causing febrile illness in a considerable proportion of individuals in the study sites

prevalence of hepatitis B markers among students attending Hodeidah and Hadhramout universities in Yemen

Objectives: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B [HB] surface antigen [HBsAg] and HepatitisB core antibodies [HBcAb] among university students in Yemen

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 742 students attending Hadhramout and Hodeidah University from October to May 2000. Blood samples were collected from all students and sera tested for total HB core antibodies [IgG+IgM] and HBsAg using Wellcozyme[ Abbott-Murex, South Africa]

Results: Three hundred and twenty six students were enrolled from Hodeidah University, and 416 students from Hadhramout University. Approximately two-thirds of the total enrolled were males and 86.5% were >/= 20 years. The overall prevalence rates for HBsAg and HBcAb were 2.0% and 14.4%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the HBsAg prevalence rate between different age groups. HBcAb prevalence rate was significantly higher for those students >20 years of age. Male students had statistically higher prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAB than female students [2.4% vs. 1.2%, p>0.05, and 19.0% vs.5.0%, p< 0.001 respectively]. Hodeidah university students had five times more likely to have HBsAg marker than Hadhramout university students [OR = 5.26, 95% CI=1.47-18.80] [p<0.01]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age [adjusted OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.06-1.28], male gender [adjusted OR=4.05, 95% CI=2.15-7.66] and being a student at Hodeidah University [adjusted OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.07-2.61] were independent risk factor for HBV infection

Conclusion and recommendation: The overall prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb among university students is much lower than that reported among other segments of the general population in Yemen this finding suggests that knowledge and awareness of preventive measures play a significant role in lowering the risk of HBV infection. Nevertheless, the sero-prevalence rate is relatively high considering the mode of HBV transmission. Further studies are needed to look at the possible risk factors in Yemen where cultural practices differ from those in other countries