Human rabies control in Lebanon: a call for action.

The status of rabies as a neglected disease has made its eradication rather challenging in different parts of the world despite the availability of a successful vaccine. Lebanon, in particular, is a country endemic to the disease with several cases of rabies deaths reported over the past 30 years. The risk of rabies, however, has taken a new turn over the past few years in Lebanon with two emerging situations that have made the control of the disease rather challenging: the neighbouring Syrian war and the local garbage crisis. Both of these milestone events might have contributed to an increase in the number of disease vectors as well as individuals at risk, thus nourishing the cycle of disease transmission. In this observational study, the effect of these two events are investigated, with an update on the status of this preventable, yet often neglected, disease in the country. Both events were found to be concomitant with a notable increase in the number of dog bites and thus possible rabies exposure. Current regulations are explored through interviews with veterinarians, and custom recommendations, ranging from policies to control dog populations to awareness campaigns in high-risk individuals, are then proposed to help control the disease.

Pulmonary actinomycosis presenting as post-obstructive pneumonia.

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection caused by filamentous Gram-positive bacilli, leading to a purulent discharge due to sulfur granule formation. Thoracic actinomycosis represents around 20% of Actinomyces infections, with endobronchial involvement being fairly uncommon. Pulmonary actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of non-resolving lobar pneumonia or a lobar mass suspicious for malignancy on endobronchial biopsy. A case of endobronchial actinomycosis presenting as post-obstructive pneumonia and mimicking right upper lobe endobronchial carcinoma, which was associated with foreign body aspiration, is reported here.

Microbiology and risk factors associated with war-related wound infections in the Middle East.

The Middle East region is plagued with repeated armed conflicts that affect both civilians and soldiers. Injuries sustained during war are common and frequently associated with multiple life-threatening complications. Wound infections are major consequences of these war injuries. The microbiology of war-related wound infections is variable with predominance of Gram-negative bacteria in later stages. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among isolates affecting war-related wound injuries is a serious problem with major regional and global implications. Factors responsible for the increase in multidrug-resistant pathogens include timing and type of surgical management, wide use of antimicrobial drugs, and the presence of metallic or organic fragments in the wound. Nosocomial transmission is the most important factor in the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Wound management of war-related injuries merits a multidisciplinary approach. This review aims to describe the microbiology of war-related wound infections and factors affecting their incidence from conflict areas in Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Lebanon.

Salmonella burden in Lebanon.

Salmonellosis is a disease that represents a major public health concern in both developing and developed countries. The aim of this article is to evaluate the public health burden of Salmonella illness in Lebanon. The current scope of the Salmonella infection problem was assessed in relation to disease incidence and distribution with respect to age, gender and district. Factors that provide a better understanding of the magnitude of the problem were explored and highlighted. Data reported to the Epidemiologic Surveillance Department at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health between 2001 and 2013 was reviewed. Information obtained was compared to information reported regionally and globally. The estimated true incidence was derived using multipliers from the CDC and Jordan. A literature review of all published data from Lebanon about Salmonella susceptibility/resistance patterns and its serious clinical complications was conducted. The estimated incidence was 13·34 cases/100 000 individuals, most cases occurred in the 20-39 years age group with no significant gender variation. Poor and less developed districts of Lebanon had the highest number of cases and the peak incidence was in summer. Reflecting on the projected incidence derived from the use of multipliers indicates a major discrepancy between what is reported and what is estimated. We conclude that data about Salmonella infection in Lebanon and many Middle Eastern and developing countries lack crucial information and are not necessarily representative of the true incidence, prevalence and burden of illness.

The present and future disease burden of hepatitis C virus infections with today's treatment paradigm - volume 3.

The total number, morbidity and mortality attributed to viraemic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections change over time making it difficult to compare reported estimates from different years. Models were developed for 15 countries to quantify and characterize the viraemic population and forecast the changes in the infected population and the corresponding disease burden from 2014 to 2030. With the exception of Iceland, Iran, Latvia and Pakistan, the total number of viraemic HCV infections is expected to decline from 2014 to 2030, but the associated morbidity and mortality are expected to increase in all countries except for Japan and South Korea. In the latter two countries, mortality due to an ageing population will drive down prevalence, morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, both countries have already experienced a rapid increase in HCV-related mortality and morbidity. HCV-related morbidity and mortality are projected to increase between 2014 and 2030 in all other countries as result of an ageing HCV-infected population. Thus, although the total number of HCV countries is expected to decline in most countries studied, the associated disease burden is expected to increase. The current treatment paradigm is inadequate if large reductions in HCV-related morbidity and mortality are to be achieved.

Strategies to manage hepatitis C virus infection disease burden - volume 3.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic was forecasted through 2030 for 15 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and the relative impact of two scenarios was considered: increased treatment efficacy while holding the annual number of treated patients constant and increased treatment efficacy and an increased annual number of treated patients. Increasing levels of diagnosis and treatment, in combination with improved treatment efficacy, were critical for achieving substantial reductions in disease burden. A 90% reduction in total HCV infections within 15 years is feasible in most countries studied, but it required a coordinated effort to introduce harm reduction programmes to reduce new infections, screening to identify those already infected and treatment with high cure rate therapies. This suggests that increased capacity for screening and treatment will be critical in many countries. Birth cohort screening is a helpful tool for maximizing resources. Among European countries, the majority of patients were born between 1940 and 1985. A wider range of birth cohorts was seen in the Middle East and Asia (between 1925 and 1995).

Historical epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in select countries - volume 3.

Detailed, country-specific epidemiological data are needed to characterize the burden of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection around the world. With new treatment options available, policy makers and public health officials must reconsider national strategies for infection control. In this study of 15 countries, published and unpublished data on HCV prevalence, viraemia, genotype, age and gender distribution, liver transplants and diagnosis and treatment rates were gathered from the literature and validated by expert consensus in each country. Viraemic prevalence in this study ranged from 0.2% in Iran and Lebanon to 4.2% in Pakistan. The largest viraemic populations were in Pakistan (7 001 000 cases) and Indonesia (3 187 000 cases). Injection drug use (IDU) and a historically unsafe blood supply were major risk factors in most countries. Diagnosis, treatment and liver transplant rates varied widely between countries. However, comparison across countries was difficult as the number of cases changes over time. Access to reliable data on measures such as these is critical for the development of future strategies to manage the disease burden.

Challenges facing human rabies control: the Lebanese experience.

Rabies is one of the most important zoonotic infections worldwide. The burden of the disease continues to be significant in countries in the Middle East where the most important vector is stray dogs. Control efforts are hindered by lack of awareness and incomplete post-exposure prophylaxis. The aim of this article is to re-assess the situation of rabies in Lebanon and compare it to other Middle Eastern countries. Eight cases of rabies and 5280 incidents of animal bites to humans were reported to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health between 2001 and 2012. Dogs were the only vector of infection and were responsible for most reported animal bites to humans. An average of 3·2 doses of vaccine per bite was administered as post-exposure prophylaxis. The status of human and canine rabies control, the risks associated with children's behaviour and the hazards of secondary wild reservoirs are discussed. Our data illustrates the importance of prevention through vector control, public awareness and education, and timely administration of active and passive immunization, as well as the significance of regional cooperation and monitoring the circulation of viral variants in wild animals.

Mucormycosis in the Eastern Mediterranean: a seasonal disease.

Mucormycosis is a fairly rare fungal infection caused by ubiquitous fungi of the order Mucorales and primarily affects immunocompromised hosts. A series of 16 cases of invasive mucormycosis admitted to three referral centres in Beirut, Lebanon between 1981 and 1999 is described. It includes 12 patients with rhinocerebral, three with cutaneous, and one with pulmonary infection. Onset of symptoms occurred in the summer and autumn in 15 out of 16 patients, showing a statistically significant seasonal variation (P=0.007) A recent report of 19 patients from Tel Aviv describes a strikingly similar seasonal pattern. Studies on atmospheric concentration of Mucorales spores in the Eastern Mediterranean are lacking. Weather pattern analysis in Beirut revealed clustering of onset of invasive mucormycosis at the end of a dry, warm period, which begins around May and ends in October. Mucormycosis incidence appears to be seasonal in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Immunity to chickenpox among school adolescents in Lebanon and options for vaccination.

Varicella infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality in adolescents and adults. The primary infection, chickenpox, results in lifelong immunity to chickenpox. A seroprevalence study carried on adolescents 15-18 years of age attending schools in Lebanon showed 96.6% immunity to varicella. The positive predictive value for immunity to chickenpox based on history alone was 97.4%, whereas the negative predictive value was 4.5%. Coming from a bigger family was a statistically significant predictor of immunity to chickenpox. In a developing country like Lebanon the merits and limitations of implementing universal varicella vaccination is discussed in relation to seroprevalence and socioeconomic factors.

Chronic scalp wound infection due to Rhodococcus equi in an immunocompetent patient.

A case of chronic scalp wound infection due to Rhodococcus equi in an immunocompetent individual following heavily contaminated traumatic injury was successfully treated by combining antibiotics and surgery. The agents used were erythromycin and rifampicin.

Nasoseptal variation in relation to sinusitis. A computerized tomographic evaluation.

Paraseptal structural abnormalities are common in patients with sinusitis. They may coexist with radiographic changes suggestive of sinusitis. Their etiological role in patients with no history of sinus disease is still controversial. In this study, computerized tomographic scan of orbits of 89 cases with no history of sinusitis were reviewed between 1996 and 1998. The incidence of septal deviation, concha bullosa and paradoxical middle turbinates was looked at. Their correlation with sinusitis was analyzed using CM-square statistical method. Results showed that the presence of these anatomical abnormalities is not associated with an increased incidence of sinusitis as shown radiologically. We conclude that the presence of septal deviation or large middle turbine on routine rhinoscopy does not mandate further radiological evaluation of the sinuses in the absence of history of sinusitis.

Human rabies in Lebanon: lessons for control.

Human rabies is known to be endemic in countries bordering Lebanon, but its prevalence in Lebanon has not been studied before. All eight cases of human rabies reported to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health between 1991 and 1999 were reviewed, as well as three other cases admitted to the American University of Beirut Medical Center. A total of 1102 cases of animal bites to humans, the majority of which were dog bites, were reported to the Ministry of Public Health between 1991 and 1996. In this period, 2487 doses of rabies vaccine were administered to the above group, as post-exposure prophylaxis. Veterinarians, a high risk and educated group, were interviewed, and only 7 out of 72 were found to have been vaccinated. Major improvements in surveillance and reporting, better control of animal rabies, more awareness especially among high risk groups, and regional cooperation, are all needed to prevent and control this deadly infection.

Direct carotid cavernous fistula after submucous resection of the nasal septum.

A carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is an abnormal arteriovenous anastomosis between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. Etiologies of this condition reported in the literature so far include facial trauma, rupture of an intracavernous aneurysm of the carotid artery, Ehler-Danlos syndrome and fibromuscular dysplasia of the cerebral arteries. Such fistulae were reported as complications of rhinoplasty, transsphenoidal surgery, embolization of cavernous sinus meningioma, and rhinocerebral mucormycosis. CCF may also occur spontaneously in children or as a congenital malformation. However, to our knowledge, submucous resection of the nasal septum has not been reported before to cause direct carotid-cavernous fistula. CT and angiographic findings are presented and a review of the literature for reported causes of CCF is made as well as a brief discussion of the possible pathophysiology.