A(H5N1) and A(H9N2) avian influenza viruses are enzootic in Egyptian poultry, and most A (H5N1) human cases since 2009 have occurred in Egypt. Our understanding of the epidemiology of avian viruses ...in humans remains limited. Questions about the frequency of infection, the proportion of infections that are mild or subdinical, and the case-fatality rate remain largely unanswered. Methods. We conducted a 3-year, prospective, controlled, seroepidemiological study that enrolled 750 poultryexposed and 250 unexposed individuals in Egypt. Results. At baseline, the seroprevalence of anti-A(H5N1) antibodies (titer, ≥80) among exposed individuals was 2% significantly higher than that among the controls (0%). Having chronic lung disease was a significant risk factor for infection. Antibodies against A(H9N2) were not detected at baseline when A(H9N2) was not circulating in poultry. At follow-up, A(H9N2) was detected in poultry, and consequently, the seroprevalence among exposed humans was between 5.6% and 7.5%. Vaccination of poultry, older age, and exposure to ducks were risk factors for A(H9N2) infection. Conclusions. Results of this study indicate that the number of humans infected with avian influenza viruses is much larger than the number of reported confirmed cases. In an area where these viruses are enzootic in the poultry, human exposure to and infection with avian influenza becomes more common.
Background
Coronavirus Disease Pandemic 2019 has a pervasive effect on all health aspects include psychological and mental health. This study aimed to assess the hidden stressful impact of COVID-19 ...pandemic on Egyptian children and adolescents’ lifestyles 2 months after lockdown in Egypt by detecting symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders. Online questionnaire was used by snowball sampling approach 2 months after lockdown targeting children and adolescents.
Results
The overall mean Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children score (SDSC) in participated groups was 44.6 ± 11.72. Of 765 participants 502 (65.6%) showed the symptoms suggestive of sleep disorder. Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep were the most common among participants as 168 (33.4%) of them were suffering from it while 79 (15.7%) children were suffering from excessive somnolence. Linear stepwise regression revealed that anxiety score, understanding safety measures, and following strict quarantine measures significantly predicted SDSC (
p
= 0.001, 0.009, 0.046). Significant positive correlations were found between SDSC and extra screen usage, understanding safety and quarantine measures, anxiety signs, and change in child lifestyle with (
p
= 0.029, 0.010, 0.001 and 0.001) sequentially. Significant positive correlation was found between family income affection, SDSC, and anxiety with
p
value (00.001, 00.4).
Conclusion
Child deprived of his or her normal lifestyle is vulnerable to develop anxiety symptoms and sleep disturbances. Low income, extra screen time, and restricted quarantine measures are all contributing factors that influence children and adolescent’s mental health.
Introduction: Heavy metals are environmental pollutants and can cross the placental barriers and affect fetal health and growth. Aim: To estimate serum Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb) and ...Arsenic (As) in pregnant mothers and their newborns and to assess the association between the levels and newborns anthropometric indices. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 113 mothers, aged 18 to 40 years and their healthy newborns. Inductively Couples Plasma Mass Spectrometry was used to assess levels of Cd, Hg, Pb and As, in maternal and cord blood serum samples. Correlation analysis was used to elucidate the association of these heavy metals with infant anthropometric parameters. Results: There was a significant, negative association between neonatal serum levels of As and Cd, and the neonatal birth weight (r=-0.336, -0.386; p=0.043, 0.024, respectively). Maternal serum levels of As and Cd also had a significant, negative correlation with the neonatal birth weight (r=-0.382, -0. 372; p=0.041, 0.019, respectively). Significant negative association was found between the gestational age and maternal serum As and Pb (r=-0.368, -0. 316; p=0.042, 0.035, respectively). Conclusion: The current study provides a clinical evidence that the increased maternal exposure to Cd and As has a great burden on fetal growth, as the finding of the present research indicate an inverse correlation between Cd and As exposure and birth weight of newborns. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring populations at risk, and to enhance awareness about the hazards of heavy metals and potential sources of exposure.
Background
Viral pneumonias are a major cause of childhood mortality. Proper management needs early and accurate diagnosis. This study objective is to investigate the viral etiologies of pneumonia in ...children.
Results
This prospective study enrolled 158 and 101 patients in the first and second year, respectively, and their mean age was 4.72 ± 2.89. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected and subjected to virus diagnosis by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Viral etiologies of pneumonia were evidenced in 59.5% of the samples in the first year, all of them were affirmative for influenza A, 2 samples were affirmative for Human coronavirus NL63, and one for Human coronavirus HKU1. In the second year, 87% of patients had a viral illness. The most prevalent agents are human metapneumovirus which was detected in 44 patients (43.6%) followed by human rhinovirus in 35 patients (34.7%) and then parainfluenza–3 viruses in 33 patients (32.7%), while 14 patients had a confirmed diagnosis for both Pan coronavirus and Flu-B virus.
Conclusions
Viral infection is prevalent in the childhood period; however, the real magnitude of viral pneumonia in children is underestimated. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction has to be a vital tool for epidemiological research and is able to clear the gaps in-between clinical pictures and final diagnoses.
Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) caused by decreased surfactant and structural lung immaturity. The imbalance between oxidative status and antioxidant defence system was suggested to be ...an important trigger for lung affection with RDS.
The goal of the current research was to elucidate the significance of the oxidant/ antioxidant status in the pathogenesis of RDS in preterm infants.
This controlled study included 31 preterm neonates with RDS and 36 healthy preterm neonates. Quantification level of oxidative stress biomarkers; malondialdehyde (MDA) & hydrogen peroxide (H
O
) along with antioxidant enzymes activity; catalase (CAT) & superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma of healthy premature neonates compared with those with RDS.
status of oxidative stress markers (MDA & H
O
) showed a significant increase with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT & SOD) in neonates with RDS when compared to healthy prematures.
The results obtained in this study indicate that the increased oxidative stress accompanied by reduced antioxidant defences may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress in preterm newborns.
Asthma as a serious public health problem worldwide exerts a serious load on children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and their families.
We assess the HRQOL of the primary caregivers of ...Egyptian asthmatic children and adolescents and its relation to HRQOL of their children and asthma severity.
A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 pairs of asthmatic children (7-16 years) and their primary caregivers. Pediatric asthma quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, pediatric asthma caregiver's QOL questionnaire, and asthma control questionnaire were used.
Uncontrolled asthmatic patients had statistically significantly lower mean caregiver score compared to controlled asthmatic (
< 0.005). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between caregiver's individual and overall QOL scores and their children (individual and overall QOL scores) (
< 0.05). A statistically significant negative correlation between asthma severity and QOL scores of the caregivers of asthmatic children and adolescents was found (
< 0.05).
The QOL of the primary caregivers of asthmatic children is significantly adversely affected by their children's illness severity.
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is an important public health problem all over the world, causing a notable economic burden in both developing and developed countries.
To explore the relationship between ...blood group typing, rotavirus gastroenteritis, and its severity in Egyptian children.
A cross sectional case control study was conducted on 231 cases of acute gastroenteritis attending the outpatient clinic of Al-Zahraa University Hospital. Full history taking, clinical examination, and clinical data collection were done. Blood samples were collected for an ABO grouping. Stool samples were tested for viral gastroenteritis agents.
Rota positive cases of GE were significantly more prevalent among cases with blood group A (
< 0.05) and significantly less among cases with blood group B (
< 0.05). The rate of hospitalisation was highly significantly greater among cases with group A (
< 0.005), and significantly lower among cases with group AB and O (
< 0.05). As regards the degree of dehydration, moderate and severe cases were highly significant in groups A and O (
< 0.005). Rota-positive gastroenteritis showed significant positive correlations with indicators of severity such as hospitalisation, degree of dehydration, and duration of fever (
< 0.005).
Blood group A is highly associated with paediatric rotavirus gastroenteritis. This could highlight an important risk factor, which could play a significant role for the pathogenesis of rotavirus gastroenteritis and severity as well. Furthermore, more intervention care could be needed for blood group A paediatric patients, if gastroenteritis especially rotavirus affect this group to avoid comorbidities.
PDF
