Mpox: Risks and approaches to prevention.

Since early May 2022, an outbreak due to Mpox virus (formerly called monkeypox) has occurred in many countries around the world. On July 23, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern'. In order to combat the outbreak, it is important to have effective infection prevention and control plans. The first step is to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the risks of infections, followed by the design and implementation of infection prevention and control measures. Mpox is transmitted through direct, indirect, and prolonged contact, through sexual transmission, and via the respiratory route. Men who have sex with men are identified as the most vulnerable population. Home pet-raisers, and health care workers are at risk of catching the disease. The outcome of infection is catastrophic among the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant female and children. The spillover to animals is of great concern. It is important to communicate the risks and have community engagement in the control of this outbreak. The availability of vaccines will add to the capability of containing the outbreak. It is critical to prevent the virus from spreading further. Hence, we review the recent findings on the risk management of Mpox along with the preventive strategies.

"Antibiotic prescribing etiquette" an elective course for medical students: could we recruit potential physicians to fight resistance?

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of medical students' competencies about antimicrobial resistance and their use could facilitate a more effective education for them as future prescribers. The aim is to explore the educational impact of an elective course on medical students' knowledge, perception, and attitude toward antibiotic resistance and use. METHODS: Between December 2021 and January 2022, when a 2-credit hours elective course was designed and implemented, this interventional study was conducted. The primary outcome measure was the change in medical students' knowledge, perception, and attitude about antibiotic resistance and use. Using a pre-post course questionnaire, this outcome was assessed. The secondary measure included students' perception of the course; assessed by a post-course online survey. RESULTS: Among the 50 enrolled students, the total knowledge score had significantly increased after the course with 95% CI After the course, with medium effect size ( Cohen's d= -0.7 ) the participants' mean ± SD total perception and attitude scores had significantly increased (52.38 ± 5.53 vs. 56.84 ± 5.86) respectively, (p = 0.000) with large effect size (( Cohen's d= -0.8) There was a significant positive correlation between the total knowledge, attitude, and perception after the course (r = 0.542, p < 0.01). The mean ± SD of the overall course satisfaction was 4.20 ± 0.94. out of 5. CONCLUSION: Medical students' knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards antimicrobial prescription have been improved after the elective antibiotic prescribing etiquette course. Elective courses could offer a great opportunity to enable the students to understand the extent of the problem, stand on the facts, and take responsibility for the antibiotic resistance crisis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NA.

Predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Egyptian healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination has raised concerns about vaccine hesitancy in general and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in particular. Understanding the factors driving the uncertainty regarding vaccination against COVID-19 is crucial. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was designed to identify the perceptions and attitudes of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards COVID-19 vaccines and determine the predictive factors that affect their willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. An online survey was distributed among HCWs to collect data assessing demographic and general characteristics of the participants and vaccine-related characteristics, including source of information about the vaccine. In addition to items assessing the perception of COVID-19, there were items on COVID-19 vaccines and attitude towards vaccination in general and towards COVID-19 vaccines in particular. RESULTS: The participants were classified according to their willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine as follows: hesitant (41.9%), refusing (32.1%), and willing (26%). Statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups for the perception of COVID-19 vaccines, attitude towards vaccination in general, and COVID-19 vaccines in particular (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the participants adequately perceived COVID-19 severity, prevention, and COVID-19 vaccine safety, they were widely hesitant or refused to be vaccinated. A multidimensional approach is required to increase the vaccine acceptability rate. Higher income and increased years of work experience are positive predictors of willingness to receive a vaccine. Thus, further studies addressing the scope of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy are warranted as an initial step to build trust in COVID-19 vaccination efforts with continuous monitoring of attitudes and practices of HCWs towards COVID-19 vaccines in the future.

Antibiotic Use and Resistance Among Prescribers: Current Status of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice in Egypt.

INTRODUCTION: The problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rising worldwide. One of the most significant factors influencing antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries is the lack of the skills and knowledge of health care providers for proper antimicrobial use. AIM: To identify knowledge, characterize practices and describe the attitude of Egyptian prescribers towards antibiotic use. METHODS: A self-administered validated questionnaire was distributed among Egyptian prescribers. RESULTS: Five hundred Egyptian physicians responded to the questionnaire, 113 (22.6%) reported having Antibiotic Stewardship Program (ASP) at their workplace, 99 (19.8%) use international antibiotic guidelines as the main source for prescribing activity, 358 (71.6%) recorded adequate knowledge. Elder prescribers and those who work in private or university hospitals were significantly more knowledgeable (p=0.031 and 0.001, respectively). Forty-seven (9.4%) showed a positive attitude towards proper antibiotic prescription. The type of work institution; primary health clinics and private, or university hospital and the specialty are significantly associated with a positive attitude (p=0.009 and 0.015, respectively). Seventy-eight (15.6%) expressed a proper antibiotic prescription practice. Elder age, more experienced and trained prescribers showed more proper practice. The implementation of ASP and using proper sources of information were significantly associated with proper practice (p=0.012 and 0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Egyptian prescribers have a good level of knowledge about antibiotics. However, low rates of positive attitude and proper practice towards the problem of AMR and ASP are recorded.

Healthcare Workers' Preparedness: An Exploratory Study for Measles Control in a Middle-Income Country.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) should have an active role in measles control. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the HCWs' measles immune status and its influencing factors; to measure their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward measles infection/vaccination; and to identify factors predicting their vaccination status. METHODS: Data were collected using a semi-tailored questionnaire. Immunoglobulin G against measles was measured. Regression analysis for measles vaccination was performed. RESULTS: Approximately 97 HCWs (93.3%) were seropositive, 79 (76.0%) were vaccinated, 18 (17.3%) were previously infected, and 9 (8.7%) were both vaccinated and previously infected. One previously vaccinated participant was seronegative. The immune status was associated with marital status, residence, work duration, infection control training, and wearing personal protective equipment. Positive attitudes and practices were reported. Marital status and infection control training were predictors for measles vaccination. CONCLUSION: HCWs showed readiness to control the spread of measles. National policies for compulsory HCWs' vaccination and immune status check before training and employment are required.

Evaluation of a hepatitis B virus protection intervention among interns at Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common serious liver infection. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a HBV protection intervention on interns, as regards their knowledge, attitude and immune response to HB vaccine and to identify the factors affecting their compliance and immune response to HB vaccination at Zagazig University Hospitals. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 3 phases over 10 months. Phase 1: assessment of knowledge, attitude and HCV/HBV immune status. Phase 2: the implementation of HBV protection campaign; vaccine administration and health education sessions. Phase 3: the assessment of the immune response to the vaccine and the change in knowledge and attitude. RESULTS: Out of 120 participants, 60% were compliant to the vaccination schedule. Needle-stick injury, the seriousness of HBV infection and attendance of infection control courses are the motivating factors to vaccination (p < 0.05). After the 3rd dose, 9.7% were non-responders. BMI and diabetes were the statistically significant predictors of the immune response. The HCWs compliant with vaccination schedule had higher mean scores regarding; total knowledge (15.5 ± 2.1), p < 0.0001 and attitude (14.34 ± 3.8) p < 0.05. A significant improvement is recorded from the posttest results, p < 0.000. CONCLUSIONS: A comprehensive protective program against HBV is an effective tool. A compulsory vaccination program is still needed for interns. Post vaccination monitoring program, including protective measures for vaccine non responders is urgently needed with strict follow up of at risk groups. Occult HBV cases should not be overlooked when screening for immune response to vaccine.

Community acquired pneumonia among adult patients at an Egyptian university hospital: bacterial etiology, susceptibility profile and evaluation of the response to initial empiric antibiotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Effective empirical antibiotic therapy for community acquired pneumonia (CAP), based on frequently updated data about the pattern of bacterial distribution and their antimicrobial susceptibilities, is mandatory. AIM: To identify the bacterial etiology of CAP in adults and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns and to evaluate the response to initial empirical antibiotic therapy in an Egyptian university hospital. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional hospital-based study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CAP cases were selected by systemic random sampling from those admitted to the chest department. All were evaluated at admission and 4 days after starting empiric therapy. Typical bacteria were isolated, identified and tested for their antibiotic susceptibility. An indirect IF assay was used to diagnose atypical bacteria. Clinical response to initial empiric antibiotic therapy was clinically, laboratory and radiologically evaluated. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy CAP patients were included. Bacteria represented 50.4% of them. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most prevalent bacterium (10.37%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa (7.78% each). Overall, 76.2% of isolates showed a multidrug resistant phenotype: 82.61% (19/23) S. pneumoniae, 89.66 % (26/29) K. pneumoniae, 65.22% (15/23) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 87.50% (7/8) Escherichia coli and 81.25 % (13/16) Staphylococcus aureus. Broad spectrum ß-lactams, especially carbapenems, and moxifloxacin showed in vitro efficacy on most of the tested isolates. Forty-three cases (15.9%) were nonresponders, 37 (86%) of them showed bacterial etiology. The highest rate of nonresponsiveness (30.43%) was observed in cases receiving antipseudomonal/antipneumococcal ß-lactam plus a fluoroquinolone for suspected P. aeruginosa infection. CONCLUSION: Multidrug resistance in bacteria causing CAP and high frequency of isolation of hospital pathogens are prominent features of this study. Azithromycin containing regimens were associated with the lowest rates of nonresponsiveness. Development and implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program are highly recommended for CAP management.

Pattern of anaesthetic equipment contamination and infection prevention in anaesthesia practice at university hospitals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Infection control is essential in anaesthetic practice for both personnel and equipment used. This study aims to evaluate knowledge of anaesthesiologists about infection control practices and to detect the pattern of anaesthetic devices contamination. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study at two university hospitals was done. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 80 anaesthesiologists and 90 nursing staff. Forty-four samples were taken from rigid laryngoscopes (22 pairs from handle and blade) for detection of bacterial or fungal contamination. Same laryngoscopes were tested for occult blood. RESULTS: The response rate among the physicians was 72% while for nurses 94.4%. The responses were variable reflecting lack of adequate knowledge and unsatisfactory compliance to infection control practices. Tested samples showed no fungal growth. Fourteen (31.8%) samples were negative for bacteriological contamination and 5/44 (11.4%) showed gram-positive bacilli; gram-positive cocci were isolated from 12 samples (27.3%) where Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, shared 18.2% and 9.1% of the total samples. Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from 13 samples (29.5%), of which Klebsiella spp. were most frequent (11.4%). Both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were isolated from 6.8% each. Citerobacter spp. was isolated from 4.5%. Occult blood was found in 45.5% of samples. CONCLUSION: The current study showed contamination of ready-to-use laryngoscopes in operative theatres and ICUs.

Detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among health care providers in an Egyptian university hospital: different diagnostic modalities.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has received much attention and is placed at the core of the infection control agenda. It is considered as a major public health problem in Egypt, where the highest prevalence of HCV exists. The great risk of exposure to infection of health care providers (HCPs) has highlighted the urgent need for implementing an infection control program. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to detect the prevalence of HCV infection among HCPs in Zagazig University Hospitals and to assess the performance of different diagnostic modalities. METHODOLOGY: Blood, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and saliva tests were performed in enrolled HCPs. RESULTS: This study compared HCV diagnosis Hepanostika HCV Ultra ELISA as a screening test and PCR as gold standard test, which resulted in 40.6% positive results by ELISA compared to 34.8% by PCR (p<0.0001), while OraQuick HCV rapid antibody compared to PCR shows that 37.7% of the participants were positive by OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test. Application of standard precautions while dealing with blood has negative significant correlation with HCV infection (rs =-0.265, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: HCPs at Zagazig University Hospitals are at high risk for HCV infection. Lack of compliance and awareness of prevention and control of the infection are associated cofactors. Serum HCV-Ab detection by Hepanostika HCV Ultra ELISA and OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test are sensitive and specific serologic assays for diagnosis with correspondent results to that obtained by quantitative real-time PCR.