Analysis of clinical and virologic features in Hepatitis B e Antigen (HbeAg)-negative and HbeAg-positive Egyptian chronic hepatitis B patients

Background: HBeAg\u2013negative chronic hepatitis B infection has a divergent clinical course from that of HBeAg-positive infection. Objectives: To analyze the frequency and to compare the different features of HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. Methods: One hundred and twenty one Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), underwent laboratory investigations and transient elastography (TE). Comparisons according to HBeAg status were conducted regarding their demographic, liver biochemical and virologic characters. Results: 97 patients (80.2%) were HBeAg-negative while 24 patients (19.8%) were HBeAg-positive. HBeAg-negative patients were significantly older in age than CHBeAg-positive patients (p=0.001). ALT levels in HBeAg-negative patients were significantly lower than those in HBeAg-positive patients (p=0.02), whereas serum albumin was lower in the HBeAg-positive group (p=0.03). The percentage of HBV DNA higher than 20000 IU/mL in HBeAg-negative patients was lower than those in HBeAg-positive patients (p=0.24). Stages of fibrosis by TE showed that 30.9% of HBeAg-negative and 41.7% of HBeAg-positive had a fibrosis score >F2. Four patients (3.3%) were diagnosed with HCC; all of whom were HBeAg-negative. Conclusion: HBeAg-negative patients compared with HBeAg-positive patients had older age, lower ALT and serum HBVDNA levels, but more incidence of HCC

Multi-tier method using infrared photography and GPR to detect and locate water leaks

This paper presents newly developed method for detecting and locating leaks in water distribution networks utilizing two detection techniques; ground penetrating radar (GPR) and infrared photography (IR). The experimental work and field investigation were carried out over 2 years in three locations in City of Doha, Qatar to capture 115 IR image frames and 23 GPR image frames. Firstly, GPR technology is utilized to accurately define location of buried pipes. After locating these pipes, IR images are collected for simulated and actual leaks. The developed algorithm segments each image into leakage and non-leakage areas and the centroid of each leakage is calculated using Green's theorem. Subsequently, GPR images are introduced as a second layer and overlaid with IR images to compare pipes location with leak location. The method was successfully applied to detect simulated and actual leaks in summer and winter seasons with small margin of error (2.9-5.6%) in estimating leakage areas. When examining the investigated four operating conditions, it was found that the developed method can predict leaks in a more reliable way if the camera height is 2 m and the speed is 1.65 m/s in both simulated and actual leaks. The newly developed method is robust and can aid operators and city engineers in detecting and locating water leaks with high accuracy. All rights reserved.This publication was made possible by NPRP grant # ( NPRP-5-165-2-055 ) from the Qatar National Re-search Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors would also like to acknowledge the Qatar General Electricity and Water (KAHRAMAA) for their cooperation and help.Scopu

Virus isolations and high population density implicate \u3ci\u3eCulex antennatus\u3c/i\u3e (Becker) (Diptera: Culicidae) as a vector of Rift Valley Fever virus during an outbreak in the Nile Delta of Egypt

In June, 2003, Egypt’s hospital-based electronic disease surveillance system began to record increased cases of acute febrile illness from governorates in the Nile Delta. In response to a request for assistance from the Egyptian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3) provided assistance in identifying the cause and extent of this outbreak. Testing of human clinical samples (n = 375) from nine governorates in Egypt identified 29 cases of RVF viremia that spanned the period of June to October, and a particular focus of disease in Kafr el Sheikh governorate (7.7% RVF infection rate). Veterinary samples (n = 101) collected during this time in Kafr el Sheikh and screened by immunoassay for RVFV-specific IgM identified probable recent infections in cattle (10.4%) and sheep (5%). Entomologic investigations that focused in rural, rice growing villages in the Sidi Salim District of Kafr el Sheikh during August–September, 2003, collected, identified, and tested hostseeking female mosquitoes for the presence of pathogenic viruses. Three isolates of RVF virus (RVFV) were obtained from 297 tested pools of female mosquitoes and all three RVFV isolates came from Cx. antennatus (Becker). While Cx. pipiens has been considered the primary vector of RVF virus in Egypt and is often the most common man-biting species found, Cx. antennatus was the dominant species captured at the 2003 outbreak location in Kafr el Sheikh governorate. This is the first time that Cx. antennatus has been found naturally infected with RVFV in Egypt

Characteristics of hearing impairment in Yemeni children with chronic suppurative otitis media: A case–control study

Background Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a serious disorder particularly in low resource settings. It can lead to disabling hearing impairment and sometimes life-threatening infective complications. Objective The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of hearing impairment associated with CSOM in Yemeni children. Methods A case–control study of 75 children with CSOM and 74 healthy controls. Hearing was assessed by behavioural testing and audiometry. Results Cases had lower academic performance than controls (OR 15.31, 95% CI 1.99–322.14, p 30 dB was present in 51.5% (right ear) and 66.7% (left ear) of children with CSOM. Conclusion Disabling hearing impairment was identified as a major health problem in these Yemeni children with CSOM. There is a need for investment to reduce the burden of CSOM and its complications in these communities. Greater attention to the chronic disabling effects of CSOM in children is required in poor communities and low resource settings

Proportion of smears positive and additional yield of specimens collected by expectorated or induced sputum and gastric and nasopharyngeal aspirates.

*<p>Number of additional children identified, N = number, pos = positive.</p