Sentinel surveillance for patients with acute hepatitis in Egypt, 2001-04.

Viral hepatitis is a major problem in Egypt. To define the epidemiology of the disease, sentinel surveillance was established in 5 hospitals in diverse areas of the country in 2001. Data were completed for patients meeting the case definition for viral hepatitis. Of a total of 5909 patients evaluated, 4189 (70.9%) showed positive antibody markers for hepatitis. Out of those, 40.2% had evidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, 30.0% hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 29.8% hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This surveillance system was useful in identifying the variable endemicity of acute HAV infection in different regions and for better understanding the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infection.

Sentinel surveillance for patients with acute hepatitis in Egypt, 2001-04

Viral hepatitis is a major problem in Egypt. To define the epidemiology of the disease, sentinel surveillance was established in 5 hospitals in diverse areas of the country in 2001. Data were completed for patients meeting the case definition for viral hepatitis. Of a total of 5909 patients evaluated, 4189 [70.9%] showed positive antibody markers for hepatitis. Out of those, 40.2% had evidence of hepatitis A virus [HAV] infection, 30.0% hepatitis B virus [HBV] and 29.8% hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection. This surveillance system was useful in identifying the variable endemicity of acute HAV infection in different regions and for better understanding the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infection

Laboratory-based surveillance of patients with bacterial meningitis in Egypt (1998-2004).

Laboratory-based surveillance for bacterial meningitis was conducted in a network of infectious disease hospitals in Egypt to better understand the epidemiology of this infection. Healthcare and laboratory personnel were trained in basic surveillance and microbiologic processing of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. All bacterial isolates from CSF were confirmed and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. PCR testing was performed on a random subset of purulent, culture-negative CSF specimens. Of 11,070 patients who met criteria for the case definition, 843 (8%) were culture positive (42% positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae, 20% for Haemophilus influenzae serotype b, 17% for each of Neisseria meningitidis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and 6% for other bacteria). Of 1,784 (46%) CSF specimens tested by PCR, 232 (13%) were positive for the first three major pathogens. Of N. meningitidis isolates, 52% belonged to serogroup A, 35% to serogroup B, and 4% to serogroup W135. S. pneumoniae isolates comprised 46 different serotypes, of which 6B, 1, 19A, 23F, and 6A were the most predominant. The overall case-fatality rate for culture-positive cases was 26% and was highest among patients with M. tuberculosis (47%). Factors significantly associated with death (p < 0.05) included admission to rural hospitals, long prodromal period, referral from other hospitals, antibiotic treatment prior to admission, and clear CSF (<100 cells/mm3). Susceptibility to ampicillin and ceftriaxone was observed in 44 and 100% of H. influenzae serotype b isolates and in 52 and 94% of S. pneumoniae isolates, respectively. This surveillance highlights the significant mortality and morbidity associated with bacterial meningitis in Egypt. Decision makers need to review current treatment guidelines and introduce appropriate vaccines for prevention and control of the disease.

Childhood eye injuries in North Jordan.

AIMS: To provide epidemiological data on serious eye injuries among children that can be utilized in planning health education and safety strategies for preventing such injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records were reviewed of 116 children who sustained serious eye injuries which required admission to Princess Basma Teaching Hospital between October 1995 and November 1998. The material was analyzed retrospectively with respect to various epidemiological features. RESULTS: 71.5% of the injured children were male and 28.5% were female. There was a marked preponderance of injuries in the age group 6-10 years. The majority of injuries occurred during play and sport (74.1%). Stones and sharp objects were the most common causes accounting for 18.1% and 17.2% respectively. Most of the sharp objects were household instruments. Perforating injuries were more common than non-perforating injuries. 56% of injured eyes had a low vision with visual acuity between 6/24 and 3/60, and 13% had a blinding outcome with visual acuity less than 3/60. CONCLUSION: The major causes of serious eye injuries among these children were unnecessary risks during play, the use of dangerous objects and insufficient supervision by adults, especially at home. Health education should be directed towards prevention of such serious injuries.

Destruction of aflatoxins B1 and G 1 in bread making.

The effect of processing steps as well preservatives used in French bread making namely propionic acid and/or potassium sorbate (0.2%) on the destruction of aflatoxins B1 and G1 was studied.Mixing and baking processes showed marked destruction of aflatoxins B1 and G1; being 71.2% and 52.5% for aflatoxin B1 after mixing and baking steps, while reaching 73.9% and 54.5% for aflatoxin G1. Fermentation step caused additional 15.3% and 15.0% destruction of aflatoxins B1 and G1.On the other hand, aflatoxin B1 destruction was 79.2% and 50.7% when propionic acid was used and 75.3 and 56.7% in the presence of potassium sorbate and after mixing and baking steps respectively.Concerning aflatoxins G1 it was found that mixing and baking steps showed destruction of 81.9% and 53.4% in the presence of propionic acid and 75.1 and 49.4% in the presence of potassium sorbate in this respective order.Generally, it can be concluded that using propionic acid as preservative appeared to be more effective on the destruction of aflatoxins B1 and G1 than potassium sorbate in French bread making.

Fate of aflatoxins B1 and G 1 residues during biscuit processing.

Effect of biscuit processing on the destruction of aflatoxins B1 and G1 with and/or without some commonly leavening agents used namely sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bisulfite and sodium chloride.It was found that mixing step reduced the concentration of aflatoxins B1 and G1 by 80.7% and 82.7%, while the effect of baking step being 28.9% and 21.5%. The effect of mixing was found to be more pronounced than that baking step.The highest destruction effect on aflatoxin B1 was observed by adding a mixture composed of sodium and ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bisulfite followed by sodium chloride, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bicarbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate alone, where the reduction values of toxin after mixing were 93.4,91.9,91.7, 88.8 and 86.6% respectively, while the baking effect ranged 17.2 to 34.5% in the presence of different leaving agents added.Concerning aflatoxin G1; the highest destructive effect of toxin was adsorbed by adding a mixture of sodium and ammonium bicarbonate and sodium bisulfite followed by sodium bisulfite, sodium chloride, ammonium bicarbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate alone since the destruction values of such toxin after mixing were 96.2%, 92.8%, 92.6%, 89.0% and 87.7% respectively, while the baking effect ranged 20.9 to 34.5% in all leavening agents added.

Factors affecting perinatal mortality (PNM) in women attending Bab El-Shaaria University Hospital.

PIP: This study aimed to identify and to assess the important factors affecting perinatal mortality (PNM) in Cairo. 200 women were selected randomly from the gynecology and obstetric department of Bab El-Shaaria University Hospital. 100 women were the case group of perinatal deaths, while the other 100 women formed the control group. Both groups had similar life styles. The attendance rate for prenatal care was more frequent among the control group. High parity, short birth intervals, twins, preterm births, a birth order of 4 or higher, anemia, diabetes mellitus, and maternal age of 30 years and older were more prevalent among the case group and considered risk factors for perinatal mortality. Adequate health care and family planning services must be available to all women of reproductive age. Good prenatal care is needed for the prevention and control of coexisting diseases, and good obstetric care is needed to prevent the premature rupture of membranes.^ieng

A study of adhesive organelles of Giardia intestinalis.

This study revealed that the adhesive disc of Giardia lamblia trophozoite has different forms. The anterior limitation of the ventrolateral flange to the adhesive disc and its flexibility suggests its participation in the mechanism of attachment of the trophozoite. Normal intestinal crypts promote attachment of Giardia trophozoite by providing a passive mechanical barrier against the main peristaltic flow. The mechanism of attachment is described in details.