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Papers by Hosam Zaghloul

Research paper thumbnail of Vitamin B12: A Non-invasive Biomarker for Monitoring Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development among Egyptian HCV-Infected Patients

Letters in Applied NanoBioScience

Several studies have revealed an association between the high serum levels of vitamin B12 (vit B1... more Several studies have revealed an association between the high serum levels of vitamin B12 (vit B12) and the stage of chronic liver diseases. This study analyzes serum vit B12 levels among Egyptian hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The serum levels of vit B12 were examined in HCV patients without cirrhosis (HCV group, n=30), with cirrhosis (HCV+cirrhosis group, n=24), HCC patients (HCC group, n=30), and healthy individuals (control group, n=16). Serum vit B12 levels increased significantly in HCV+cirrhosis and HCC groups compared with the control group. HCC patients showed a significant increase in vit B12 levels compared with HCV patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, HCV patients without cirrhosis showed no significant increase in vit B12 level than the control group. Also, patients with fibrosis scores (F) from F2 to F4 showed a significant increase in serum vit B12 levels compared with the control group. Regarding correlations with liver functions, ...

Research paper thumbnail of Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: risk factors and causative organisms

Asian Pacific Journal …, 2009

Objective: To determine the prevalent pathogens responsible for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis... more Objective: To determine the prevalent pathogens responsible for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and their sensitivity pattern, to test the efficiency of different culture techniques in microbial isolation, and to study the diagnostic predictors of such cases. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Plasmid pattern analysis in Slime-producing Coagulase negative Staphylococci in acute bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis, chronic blepharitis and corneal ulcer

Egyptian Journal of …, 2007

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) which are indigenous flora of our skin and mucous membran... more Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) which are indigenous flora of our skin and mucous membrane were isolated in large numbers from cases suffering from eye diseases as chronic blepharitis, purulent conjunctivitis, suppurative keratitis and corneal ulcer .This study determines CoNS pathogenicity in eye infections in patients at Ophthalmic Centre ,Mansoura University. Total of 40 isolates of CoNS from infected eyes and 3 isolates from healthy eyes (control) were identified to the species level using automatic Sensititre, subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, Plasmid DNA analysis, B Lactamase production, slime production, and detection of isolates icaA&icaD genes by PCR. S. epidermidis were identified in 79% of isolates. Other species of CoNS were identified in 21% of isolates (P <0.001). 95% of CoNS were resistant to pencillin and 95%of them were sensitive to vancomycin and teicoplanin. 62.7% were β-Lactamase producer,20.9% were Plasmidless .There were10 groups of different plasmid profile and 27.9% contained plasmids of MW 14MDs .47% of S. epidermidis were potitive for slime production and 52.9% of S. epidermidis were positive ica A&D genes. Slime positive isolates were multidrug-resistant as compared to slime negative isolates (P <0.001). Slime-producers possessed multiple plasmids in contrast to no slimeproducers (P <0.001). Plasmid of MW14MDs had correlation with slime producer and with multidrug resistance isolates (P =0.04). So 14MDs plasmid could determine virulence of isolates.

Research paper thumbnail of PIX5 Evaluation of diagnostic methods of cytomegalovirus infection in Egyptian renal transplant recipients

Journal of Clinical Virology, 2009

was consistent with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A second attack happened on posttrans... more was consistent with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A second attack happened on posttransplant day 80. CSF, blood, urine analysis and imaging studies were not remarkable for bacteria, CMV, EBV, HSV, toxoplasma, fungi, leukemic relapse and other neoplastic cells. In the posttransplant period, erythrocyte and platelet concentrates were transfused. It was suspected that the causing agent might be West Nile virus. Then, WNV was investigated by a new developed TaqMan based one-step real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detection and quantification of WNV RNA with oligos targeting 3 non coding region. The first WNV was detected in a blood sample of a patient with acute GVHD in our hospital. Since Turkey is in the Mediterranean Basin where WN fever is an endemic disease, it is critical to investigate WNV in risk groups.

Research paper thumbnail of Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Annals of Clinical …, 2009

Background: Considering the increasing use of polymyxins to treat infections due to multidrug res... more Background: Considering the increasing use of polymyxins to treat infections due to multidrug resistant Gram-negative in many countries, it is important to evaluate different susceptibility testing methods to this class of antibiotic.

Research paper thumbnail of P025 Serum level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in patients with malignant lymphoma

Research paper thumbnail of Hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in Egyptian diabetic patients: A preliminary study

Arab Journal of …, 2013

There is controversy regarding whether a specific hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is associated ... more There is controversy regarding whether a specific hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is associated with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate HCV genotype distribution in diabetics and its relation to some clinical and laboratory variables in HCV-positive diabetic versus non-diabetic Egyptians in East Delta. The study included 100 HCV-positive patients of which 66 were diabetic in addition to 35 healthy adults as a control group. Clinical assessment, laboratory measurements of plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and liver functions (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)) as well as HCV genotype determination were done, and AST/platelet ratio index (APRI) and Homoeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The main results were the presence of HCV genotype 3, in 31.8% of the diabetic group and in 26.5% of the non-diabetic group, while the remainder of cases had genotype 4, the predominant genotype in Egypt. This is the first report of the presence of HCV genotype 3 in about 30% of an Egyptian cohort. However, there was no significant difference in genotype distribution between both groups. Further, there were significantly higher values of HOMA-IR, insulin and C-peptide in HCV-positive groups in comparison to the control group, while TNF-α was significantly higher in the HCV-positive diabetic group. However, there were no significant differences between both genotypes regarding these parameters. Although this study reveals for the first time the presence of HCV genotype 3 in a significant percentage of a group of Egyptian patients, where the majority were diabetic, the association between diabetes and certain HCV genotypes could not be confirmed on the basis of our findings. Hence, taking into consideration the impact of such a finding on the treatment decisions of those patients, further studies are warranted to explore these findings to a greater extent.

Research paper thumbnail of Therapeutic effects of acrobatic exercise and magnetic field exposure on functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice

…, 2011

The effects of acrobatic exercise and magnetic stimulation (MS) in mice applied either separately... more The effects of acrobatic exercise and magnetic stimulation (MS) in mice applied either separately or in combination while on recovery after spinal cord injury have been investigated. This progress has been compared in six groups of animals. The first two groups consisted of non-injured and injured animals, respectively, which were not exposed to any treatment. The third group included injured animals that participated in an acrobatic exercise and were exposed to MS applied at the frequency of 1 Hz. The animals in the fourth group were exposed to the MS (1 Hz) only, without performing any acrobatic exercises. While the mice in the fifth group participated in the acrobatic exercise and were exposed to MS at 15 Hz, the animals in group six received an acrobatic exercise without exposure to MS. The effects of the treatment were evaluated with the Basso Mouse Scale, the Horizontal Ladder Scale, and the Abnormal Posture Scale. While all groups showed improvement at the end of the study period, the animals that received exercise combined with 1 Hz MS demonstrated the best functional improvement. The animals exposed to the MS applied at a frequency of 15 Hz combined with acrobatic exercise, and those animals that were engaged in exercise and were not exposed to the MS, performed the worst. The area of the spared white matter at the lesion center correlated well with functional recovery and was greatest in the animals that received MS (1 Hz) combined with exercise.

Research paper thumbnail of Hepatitis G virus infection in Egyptian children with chronic renal failure (single centre study)

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 2009

Background Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is an RNA virus. It is mainly transmitted through exposure to ... more Background Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is an RNA virus. It is mainly transmitted through exposure to contaminated blood although other routes may also exist. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) are at high risk of acquiring HGV because they require frequent blood transfusions. Ongoing HGV infection can be only diagnosed by demonstrating viremia in patient sample by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. Antibodies to the envelop protein E2 (anti E2) of HGV is an indicator of virus clearance and testify past HGV contact. This cross sectional study was done to assess the frequency of HGV exposure (ongoing and past infection) in Egyptian children with CRF and to study the possible risk factors of infection. Methods This study included 100 children with CRF [34 on regular haemodialysis (HD) and 66 before the start of dialysis (predialysis)]. All patients sera were tested for HGV RNA by RT-PCR, anti E2, hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAB). Twenty five healthy children of matched age & sex were used as controls. Results HGV RNA was positive in 9 (26.5%) of HD and 9 (13.6%) of predialysis children. Anti E2 was positive in 14 (41.2%) of HD and 19 (28.8%) of predialysis children. In comparison to controls; CRF (n = 100); HD and predialysis children had significantly higher prevalence of anti E2 [4% VS 33% for all CRF cases; (p = 0.002)& 41.2% (p = 0.002) and 28.8% (p = 0.01); for HD and predialysis groups; respectively]. HGV RNA was significantly more prevalent only in HD children in comparison to controls (p = 0.03). HD and predialysis children did not have significant difference in the prevalence of HGV RNA (p = 0.16) or anti E2 (p = 0.26). HGV exposure was not correlated with positivity of anti HCV (p = 0.32), HCV RNA (0.09), HBsAg/HBcAB (p = 1), age (p = 0.06), or gender (p = 0.83). It was significantly correlated with duration of the disease (p < 0.001). Ongoing HGV infection was significantly more prevalent with frequent blood transfusion (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in serum levels of ALT (p = 0.09), total bilirubin (p = 0.1) and albumin (p = 0.06) in children with ongoing infection in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusions The frequency of HGV exposure in Egyptian children with CRF appears to be high and is mainly related to frequent blood transfusions and longer disease duration. HGV infection in these children is not associated with significant changes in hepatic biochemical parameters.

Research paper thumbnail of Correction: Genotypic detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by DNA sequencing: a randomized trial

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 2009

Correction to Genotypic detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosi... more Correction to Genotypic detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by DNA sequencing: a randomized trial

Research paper thumbnail of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a problem in the burns unit

Egyptian Journal of …, 2003

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a frequent cause of nosocomial infe... more Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a frequent cause of nosocomial infection. It causes significant morbidity and mortality to the burn patients who have been shown to become colonized and infected more readily than other patient groups. Extensive burn injuries are particularly susceptible to infection as a result of the disruption of the normal skin barrier and accompanying depression of immune responses. Extended hospitalization and antibiotic therapy have been identified as additional risk factors for MRSA carriage and infection. The aim of this study was to know the incidence of MRSA infection and the effect of patients colonization by MRSA on the incidence of graft infection in the Burns Unit at Mansoura University Hospitals in the period from January 2001 to January 2002. Sterile swabs were taken from the nostrils, hair, hand skin and skin graft of the patients. The swabs were identified by morphological characteristics, Gram staining, coagulase production and sensitire identification system. The results revealed that colonization of patients skin with MRSA increased the risk of graft infection while nostril and hair colonization didn't significantly increase the incidence of graft infection. The production of enterotoxins A,B,C and D were evaluated in the isolated strains by reversed passive latex agglutination. Enterotoxin A was the most prevalent in the examined isolates. MRSA may have contributed to graft breakdown. We recommend regular screening of burns patients to give an early warning of the presence of MRSA and allow the assessment of barrier and infection control techniques.

Research paper thumbnail of Detection of Occult Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Virus Infections from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Immunological investigations, 2010

To investigate the problem of occult HCV &amp; HBV infections in patients with persistently l... more To investigate the problem of occult HCV &amp; HBV infections in patients with persistently longstanding abnormal liver function test results of unknown etiology and to investigate occult HCV in patients with sustained virological response (SVR). The study included two groups; first group included 40 patients with persistently longstanding abnormal liver function test, in addition to 62 patients with history of hepatitis C who developed SVR. HCV RNA status was tested in serum by conventional RT-PCR and by real-time PCR in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). HBV DNA in PBMCs was done in first group only. In first group, PCR in PBMCs was positive for HCV RNA in 4 patients with elevated liver enzymes and HBV DNA was positive in PBMCs in 3 patients. In patients with SVR, 7 patients were positive for HCV RNA in PBMCs. Patients with long-standing abnormal results of liver-function tests with unknown etiology may have HCV RNA or HBV DNA in their PBMCs in the absence of anti-HCV antibodies, HBV markers, serum HBV DNA and serum HCV RNA.In Patients with SVR, HCV RNA in PBMCs is recommended to detect residual infection especially in those with high serum HCV RNA levels before treatment.

Research paper thumbnail of Acute sporadic hepatitis E in children: diagnostic relevance of specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G compared with nested reverse transcriptase PCR

FEMS Immunology & …, 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the putative role played by the hepatitis E virus (HEV)... more This study was carried out to investigate the putative role played by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in acute hepatic dysfunction in paediatric patients with acute non-A-C hepatitis. We also evaluated the diagnostic value for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays relative to nested reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for HEV RNA detection. Sixty-four children with acute hepatitis were included in the study, in addition to sixteen healthy children with matched age and sex. All studied subjects were negative for IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, IgM antibody to hepatitis B virus core antigen, antibody to hepatitis C virus, and by RT-PCR for HCV RNA. HEV RNA was detected in 23.4% of patients, followed by detection of specific IgM in 17.2% and IgG in 12.5% of patients. Two cases were positive for IgG in the control group (12.5%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 26.7%, 85.7%, 71.9%, respectively, for IgM, and 26.7%, 91.8%, and 76.6%, respectively, for IgG. From this study we can conclude that HEV is a frequent virus found sporadically with acute hepatitis among paediatric patients. We cannot depend upon serology alone for diagnosis; rather, both molecular and serological methods must be applied for accurate diagnosis.

Research paper thumbnail of Vitamin B12: A Non-invasive Biomarker for Monitoring Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development among Egyptian HCV-Infected Patients

Letters in Applied NanoBioScience

Several studies have revealed an association between the high serum levels of vitamin B12 (vit B1... more Several studies have revealed an association between the high serum levels of vitamin B12 (vit B12) and the stage of chronic liver diseases. This study analyzes serum vit B12 levels among Egyptian hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. The serum levels of vit B12 were examined in HCV patients without cirrhosis (HCV group, n=30), with cirrhosis (HCV+cirrhosis group, n=24), HCC patients (HCC group, n=30), and healthy individuals (control group, n=16). Serum vit B12 levels increased significantly in HCV+cirrhosis and HCC groups compared with the control group. HCC patients showed a significant increase in vit B12 levels compared with HCV patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, HCV patients without cirrhosis showed no significant increase in vit B12 level than the control group. Also, patients with fibrosis scores (F) from F2 to F4 showed a significant increase in serum vit B12 levels compared with the control group. Regarding correlations with liver functions, ...

Research paper thumbnail of Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: risk factors and causative organisms

Asian Pacific Journal …, 2009

Objective: To determine the prevalent pathogens responsible for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis... more Objective: To determine the prevalent pathogens responsible for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and their sensitivity pattern, to test the efficiency of different culture techniques in microbial isolation, and to study the diagnostic predictors of such cases. ...

Research paper thumbnail of Plasmid pattern analysis in Slime-producing Coagulase negative Staphylococci in acute bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis, chronic blepharitis and corneal ulcer

Egyptian Journal of …, 2007

Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) which are indigenous flora of our skin and mucous membran... more Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) which are indigenous flora of our skin and mucous membrane were isolated in large numbers from cases suffering from eye diseases as chronic blepharitis, purulent conjunctivitis, suppurative keratitis and corneal ulcer .This study determines CoNS pathogenicity in eye infections in patients at Ophthalmic Centre ,Mansoura University. Total of 40 isolates of CoNS from infected eyes and 3 isolates from healthy eyes (control) were identified to the species level using automatic Sensititre, subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, Plasmid DNA analysis, B Lactamase production, slime production, and detection of isolates icaA&icaD genes by PCR. S. epidermidis were identified in 79% of isolates. Other species of CoNS were identified in 21% of isolates (P <0.001). 95% of CoNS were resistant to pencillin and 95%of them were sensitive to vancomycin and teicoplanin. 62.7% were β-Lactamase producer,20.9% were Plasmidless .There were10 groups of different plasmid profile and 27.9% contained plasmids of MW 14MDs .47% of S. epidermidis were potitive for slime production and 52.9% of S. epidermidis were positive ica A&D genes. Slime positive isolates were multidrug-resistant as compared to slime negative isolates (P <0.001). Slime-producers possessed multiple plasmids in contrast to no slimeproducers (P <0.001). Plasmid of MW14MDs had correlation with slime producer and with multidrug resistance isolates (P =0.04). So 14MDs plasmid could determine virulence of isolates.

Research paper thumbnail of PIX5 Evaluation of diagnostic methods of cytomegalovirus infection in Egyptian renal transplant recipients

Journal of Clinical Virology, 2009

was consistent with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A second attack happened on posttrans... more was consistent with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). A second attack happened on posttransplant day 80. CSF, blood, urine analysis and imaging studies were not remarkable for bacteria, CMV, EBV, HSV, toxoplasma, fungi, leukemic relapse and other neoplastic cells. In the posttransplant period, erythrocyte and platelet concentrates were transfused. It was suspected that the causing agent might be West Nile virus. Then, WNV was investigated by a new developed TaqMan based one-step real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for detection and quantification of WNV RNA with oligos targeting 3 non coding region. The first WNV was detected in a blood sample of a patient with acute GVHD in our hospital. Since Turkey is in the Mediterranean Basin where WN fever is an endemic disease, it is critical to investigate WNV in risk groups.

Research paper thumbnail of Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Annals of Clinical …, 2009

Background: Considering the increasing use of polymyxins to treat infections due to multidrug res... more Background: Considering the increasing use of polymyxins to treat infections due to multidrug resistant Gram-negative in many countries, it is important to evaluate different susceptibility testing methods to this class of antibiotic.

Research paper thumbnail of P025 Serum level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in patients with malignant lymphoma

Research paper thumbnail of Hepatitis C virus genotype distribution in Egyptian diabetic patients: A preliminary study

Arab Journal of …, 2013

There is controversy regarding whether a specific hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is associated ... more There is controversy regarding whether a specific hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype is associated with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate HCV genotype distribution in diabetics and its relation to some clinical and laboratory variables in HCV-positive diabetic versus non-diabetic Egyptians in East Delta. The study included 100 HCV-positive patients of which 66 were diabetic in addition to 35 healthy adults as a control group. Clinical assessment, laboratory measurements of plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and liver functions (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)) as well as HCV genotype determination were done, and AST/platelet ratio index (APRI) and Homoeostasis Model of Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The main results were the presence of HCV genotype 3, in 31.8% of the diabetic group and in 26.5% of the non-diabetic group, while the remainder of cases had genotype 4, the predominant genotype in Egypt. This is the first report of the presence of HCV genotype 3 in about 30% of an Egyptian cohort. However, there was no significant difference in genotype distribution between both groups. Further, there were significantly higher values of HOMA-IR, insulin and C-peptide in HCV-positive groups in comparison to the control group, while TNF-α was significantly higher in the HCV-positive diabetic group. However, there were no significant differences between both genotypes regarding these parameters. Although this study reveals for the first time the presence of HCV genotype 3 in a significant percentage of a group of Egyptian patients, where the majority were diabetic, the association between diabetes and certain HCV genotypes could not be confirmed on the basis of our findings. Hence, taking into consideration the impact of such a finding on the treatment decisions of those patients, further studies are warranted to explore these findings to a greater extent.

Research paper thumbnail of Therapeutic effects of acrobatic exercise and magnetic field exposure on functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice

…, 2011

The effects of acrobatic exercise and magnetic stimulation (MS) in mice applied either separately... more The effects of acrobatic exercise and magnetic stimulation (MS) in mice applied either separately or in combination while on recovery after spinal cord injury have been investigated. This progress has been compared in six groups of animals. The first two groups consisted of non-injured and injured animals, respectively, which were not exposed to any treatment. The third group included injured animals that participated in an acrobatic exercise and were exposed to MS applied at the frequency of 1 Hz. The animals in the fourth group were exposed to the MS (1 Hz) only, without performing any acrobatic exercises. While the mice in the fifth group participated in the acrobatic exercise and were exposed to MS at 15 Hz, the animals in group six received an acrobatic exercise without exposure to MS. The effects of the treatment were evaluated with the Basso Mouse Scale, the Horizontal Ladder Scale, and the Abnormal Posture Scale. While all groups showed improvement at the end of the study period, the animals that received exercise combined with 1 Hz MS demonstrated the best functional improvement. The animals exposed to the MS applied at a frequency of 15 Hz combined with acrobatic exercise, and those animals that were engaged in exercise and were not exposed to the MS, performed the worst. The area of the spared white matter at the lesion center correlated well with functional recovery and was greatest in the animals that received MS (1 Hz) combined with exercise.

Research paper thumbnail of Hepatitis G virus infection in Egyptian children with chronic renal failure (single centre study)

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 2009

Background Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is an RNA virus. It is mainly transmitted through exposure to ... more Background Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is an RNA virus. It is mainly transmitted through exposure to contaminated blood although other routes may also exist. Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) are at high risk of acquiring HGV because they require frequent blood transfusions. Ongoing HGV infection can be only diagnosed by demonstrating viremia in patient sample by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR. Antibodies to the envelop protein E2 (anti E2) of HGV is an indicator of virus clearance and testify past HGV contact. This cross sectional study was done to assess the frequency of HGV exposure (ongoing and past infection) in Egyptian children with CRF and to study the possible risk factors of infection. Methods This study included 100 children with CRF [34 on regular haemodialysis (HD) and 66 before the start of dialysis (predialysis)]. All patients sera were tested for HGV RNA by RT-PCR, anti E2, hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAB). Twenty five healthy children of matched age & sex were used as controls. Results HGV RNA was positive in 9 (26.5%) of HD and 9 (13.6%) of predialysis children. Anti E2 was positive in 14 (41.2%) of HD and 19 (28.8%) of predialysis children. In comparison to controls; CRF (n = 100); HD and predialysis children had significantly higher prevalence of anti E2 [4% VS 33% for all CRF cases; (p = 0.002)& 41.2% (p = 0.002) and 28.8% (p = 0.01); for HD and predialysis groups; respectively]. HGV RNA was significantly more prevalent only in HD children in comparison to controls (p = 0.03). HD and predialysis children did not have significant difference in the prevalence of HGV RNA (p = 0.16) or anti E2 (p = 0.26). HGV exposure was not correlated with positivity of anti HCV (p = 0.32), HCV RNA (0.09), HBsAg/HBcAB (p = 1), age (p = 0.06), or gender (p = 0.83). It was significantly correlated with duration of the disease (p < 0.001). Ongoing HGV infection was significantly more prevalent with frequent blood transfusion (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in serum levels of ALT (p = 0.09), total bilirubin (p = 0.1) and albumin (p = 0.06) in children with ongoing infection in comparison to healthy controls. Conclusions The frequency of HGV exposure in Egyptian children with CRF appears to be high and is mainly related to frequent blood transfusions and longer disease duration. HGV infection in these children is not associated with significant changes in hepatic biochemical parameters.

Research paper thumbnail of Correction: Genotypic detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by DNA sequencing: a randomized trial

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 2009

Correction to Genotypic detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosi... more Correction to Genotypic detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by DNA sequencing: a randomized trial

Research paper thumbnail of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a problem in the burns unit

Egyptian Journal of …, 2003

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a frequent cause of nosocomial infe... more Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a frequent cause of nosocomial infection. It causes significant morbidity and mortality to the burn patients who have been shown to become colonized and infected more readily than other patient groups. Extensive burn injuries are particularly susceptible to infection as a result of the disruption of the normal skin barrier and accompanying depression of immune responses. Extended hospitalization and antibiotic therapy have been identified as additional risk factors for MRSA carriage and infection. The aim of this study was to know the incidence of MRSA infection and the effect of patients colonization by MRSA on the incidence of graft infection in the Burns Unit at Mansoura University Hospitals in the period from January 2001 to January 2002. Sterile swabs were taken from the nostrils, hair, hand skin and skin graft of the patients. The swabs were identified by morphological characteristics, Gram staining, coagulase production and sensitire identification system. The results revealed that colonization of patients skin with MRSA increased the risk of graft infection while nostril and hair colonization didn't significantly increase the incidence of graft infection. The production of enterotoxins A,B,C and D were evaluated in the isolated strains by reversed passive latex agglutination. Enterotoxin A was the most prevalent in the examined isolates. MRSA may have contributed to graft breakdown. We recommend regular screening of burns patients to give an early warning of the presence of MRSA and allow the assessment of barrier and infection control techniques.

Research paper thumbnail of Detection of Occult Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Virus Infections from Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Immunological investigations, 2010

To investigate the problem of occult HCV &amp; HBV infections in patients with persistently l... more To investigate the problem of occult HCV &amp; HBV infections in patients with persistently longstanding abnormal liver function test results of unknown etiology and to investigate occult HCV in patients with sustained virological response (SVR). The study included two groups; first group included 40 patients with persistently longstanding abnormal liver function test, in addition to 62 patients with history of hepatitis C who developed SVR. HCV RNA status was tested in serum by conventional RT-PCR and by real-time PCR in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). HBV DNA in PBMCs was done in first group only. In first group, PCR in PBMCs was positive for HCV RNA in 4 patients with elevated liver enzymes and HBV DNA was positive in PBMCs in 3 patients. In patients with SVR, 7 patients were positive for HCV RNA in PBMCs. Patients with long-standing abnormal results of liver-function tests with unknown etiology may have HCV RNA or HBV DNA in their PBMCs in the absence of anti-HCV antibodies, HBV markers, serum HBV DNA and serum HCV RNA.In Patients with SVR, HCV RNA in PBMCs is recommended to detect residual infection especially in those with high serum HCV RNA levels before treatment.

Research paper thumbnail of Acute sporadic hepatitis E in children: diagnostic relevance of specific immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G compared with nested reverse transcriptase PCR

FEMS Immunology & …, 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the putative role played by the hepatitis E virus (HEV)... more This study was carried out to investigate the putative role played by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in acute hepatic dysfunction in paediatric patients with acute non-A-C hepatitis. We also evaluated the diagnostic value for anti-HEV immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays relative to nested reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) for HEV RNA detection. Sixty-four children with acute hepatitis were included in the study, in addition to sixteen healthy children with matched age and sex. All studied subjects were negative for IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus surface antigen, IgM antibody to hepatitis B virus core antigen, antibody to hepatitis C virus, and by RT-PCR for HCV RNA. HEV RNA was detected in 23.4% of patients, followed by detection of specific IgM in 17.2% and IgG in 12.5% of patients. Two cases were positive for IgG in the control group (12.5%). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 26.7%, 85.7%, 71.9%, respectively, for IgM, and 26.7%, 91.8%, and 76.6%, respectively, for IgG. From this study we can conclude that HEV is a frequent virus found sporadically with acute hepatitis among paediatric patients. We cannot depend upon serology alone for diagnosis; rather, both molecular and serological methods must be applied for accurate diagnosis.