Genetic diversity of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in imported and domestic camels in Saudi Arabia

Camels gained attention since the discovery of MERS-CoV as intermediary hosts for potentially epidemic zoonotic viruses. DcHEV is a novel zoonotic pathogen associated with camel contact. This study aimed to genetically characterize DcHEV in domestic and imported camels in Saudi Arabia. DcHEV was detected by RT-PCR in serum samples, PCR-positive samples were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. DcHEV was detected in 1.77% of samples with higher positivity in domestic DCs. All positive imported dromedaries were from Sudan with age declining prevalence. Domestic DcHEV sequences clustered with sequences from Kenya, Somalia, and UAE while imported sequences clustered with one DcHEV isolate from UAE and both sequences clustered away from isolates reported from Pakistan. Full-genome sequences showed 24 amino acid difference with reference sequences. Our results confirm the detection of DcHEV in domestic and imported DCs. Further investigations are needed in human and camel populations to identify DcHEV potential zoonosis threat

Out-of-Wedlock Pregnancy Among Single Mothers in Khartoum, Sudan: Sociodemographic Characteristics, Causes, and Consequences

Background: Out-of-wedlock childbearing is a global phenomenon that has lifelong consequences on the lives of both mothers and their children. The aim of this study is to identify the sociodemographic characteristics, causes, and consequences of outof- wedlock pregnancy among single mothers in Khartoum, Sudan.Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Mygoma Orphanage Center (MOC) and Shamaa Rehabilitation Center (SRC) using convenience sampling among 200 participants. A validated questionnaire with 25 items was used to collect data. The data were entered into Epi-Data Manager and analyzed using the SPSS. Results: The study found that most of the single mothers in Khartoum who gave birth out of wedlock were young and had just completed their university education. Most of them discovered their pregnancy during the second or third trimester, and nearly half of them did not receive any antenatal care. The majority of the children born to these mothers were preterm and had a low birth weight. Additionally, many mothers reported experiencing social stigma and rejection from their families due to their out-of-wedlock pregnancy. The study also highlighted loneliness, stress, and romantic relations as the main causes of out-of-wedlock pregnancy among single mothers in Khartoum, Sudan.Conclusion: The study provides useful insights into the sociodemographic characteristics, causes, and consequences of out-of-wedlock pregnancy among single mothers in Khartoum, Sudan. Social stigma and lack of support were identified as significant barriers to the reintegration of single mothers and their children into society. Future research should focus on investigating the long-term effects of outof- wedlock pregnancy on mothers and their children

High IgA antiphospholipid autoantibodies in healthy Sudanese explain the increased prevalence among Sudanese compared to Swedish systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Objectives: IgA antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients of African American, Afro-Caribbean and South African origin. Nevertheless, data from North Africa are lacking, and most studies use manufacturer-suggested cut-offs based on Caucasian controls. Therefore, we compared aPL isotypes in Sudanese and Swedish SLE patients using nation-based cut-offs. Methods: Consecutive SLE patients and age- and sex-matched controls from Sudan (N = 115/106) and Sweden (N = 340/318) were included. All patients fulfilled the 1982 American College of Rheumatology SLE classification criteria. Antiphospholipid syndrome-related events were obtained from patients' records. IgA/G/M anticardiolipin and anti-beta(2) glycoprotein I (beta(2) GPI) were analysed with two independent assays. IgA anti-beta(2) GPI domain 1 (D1) was also investigated. Manufacturers' cut-offs and the 95th and 99th percentile cut-offs based on national controls were used. Results: Sudanese patients and controls had higher levels and were more often positive for IgA aPL than Swedes when using manufacturers' cut-offs. In contrast, using national cut-offs, the increase in IgA aPL among Sudanese patients was lost. Occurrence of IgA anti-D1 did not differ between the countries. Venous thromboses were less common among Sudanese patients and did not associate with aPL. No clinical associations were observed with IgA anti-beta(2) GPI in Sudanese patients. Thromboses in Swedes were associated with IgG/M aPL. Fetal loss was associated with aPL in both cohorts. Conclusions: IgA anti-beta(2) GPI prevalence was higher among Sudanese compared to Swedish patients when manufacturers' cut-offs were used. This situation was reversed when applying national cut-offs. Anti-D1 was not increased in Sudanese patients. Previous studies on populations of African origin, which demonstrate a high prevalence of IgA aPL positivity, should be re-evaluated using a similar cut-off approach

Characteristics of nursing professionals and the practice of ecologically sustainable actions in the medication processes

Objectives: to verify the correlation between the characteristics of professionals and the practice of sustainable actions in the medication processes in an ICU, and to determine if interventions such as training and awareness can promote sustainable practices performed by nursing staff in the hospital. Methods: before-and-after design study using Lean Six Sigma methodology, applied in an intensive care unit. Nursing staff were observed regarding the practice of ecologically sustainable actions during medication processes (n = 324 cases for each group (pre and post-intervention)) through a data collection instrument. The processes analyzed involved 99 professionals in the pre-intervention phase and 97 in the post-intervention phase. Data were analyzed quantitatively and the association of variables was accomplished by means of statistical inference, according to the nature of the related variables. Results: the education level was the only characteristic that showed to be relevant to an increase in sustainable practices, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.002). When comparing before and after the intervention, there was an increase in environmentally friendly actions with statistically significant differences (p = 0.001). Conclusions: the results suggest that institutions should encourage and invest in formal education, as well as training of health professionals to promote sustainable practices in the hospital.Objetivos: verificar la correlación entre las características de los profesionales y la práctica de acciones sustentables en los procesos de medicación en una UTI y determinar si intervenciones como capacitación y concientización logran promover la práctica de acciones sustentables por el equipo de enfermería en el hospital. Métodos: estudio antes y después usando la metodología Lean Seis Sigma, aplicada en una unidad de terapia intensiva. El equipo de enfermería fue observado referente a la práctica de acciones ecológicamente sustentables durante los procesos de medicación (n = 324 casos de cada grupo (pre y post-intervenciones) mediante un instrumento de recolecta de datos. Los procesos analizados involucraron 99 profesionales en la fase de post-intervención. Los datos fueron analizados cuantitativamente y para asociar las variables fue aplicada la estadística inferencial, según la naturaleza de las variables relacionadas. Resultados: el nivel de escolaridad fue la única característica que se mostró relevante para el aumento de prácticas sustentables con diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,002). En la comparación antes y después de las intervenciones, aumentaron las acciones ecológicamente correctas con diferencia estadísticamente significante (p=0,001). Conclusiones: los resultados sugieren que las instituciones deben estimular e invertir en la educación formal, y también en la capacitación de los profesionales de salud para la promoción de prácticas sustentables en los hospitales.Objetivos: verificar a correlação entre as características dos profissionais e a prática de ações sustentáveis nos processos de medicação em uma UTI e determinar se intervenções como treinamento e conscientização podem promover a prática de ações sustentáveis realizadas pela equipe de enfermagem no hospital. Métodos: estudo antes e depois usando a metodologia Lean Seis Sigma aplicada em uma unidade de terapia intensiva. A equipe de enfermagem foi observada referente à prática de ações ecologicamente sustentáveis durante os processos de medicação (n = 324 casos de cada grupo (pré e pós-intervenções)) por meio de um instrumento de coleta de dados. Os processos analisados envolveram 99 professionais na fase de pré-intervenção e 97 na fase de pós-intervenção. Os dados foram analisados quantitativamente e a associação das variáveis foi realizada por meio de estatística inferencial, de acordo com a natureza das variáveis relacionadas. Resultados: o nível de escolaridade foi a única característica que se mostrou relevante para o aumento de práticas sustentáveis com diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,002). No comparativo antes e após as intervenções, houve um aumento das ações ecologicamente corretas com diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,001). Conclusões: os resultados sugerem que as instituições devem estimular e investir na educação formal, assim como no treinamento dos profissionais de saúde para a promoção de práticas sustentáveis nos hospitais