FURIN, IFNL4, and TLR2 gene polymorphisms in relation to COVID-19 severity: a case-control study in Egyptian patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: A wide range of clinical manifestations and outcomes, including liver injury, have been reported in COVID-19 patients. We investigated the association of three substantial gene polymorphisms (FURIN, IFNL4, and TLR2) with COVID-19 disease susceptibility and severity to help predict prognosis. METHODS: 150 adult COVID-19-assured cases were categorized as follows: 78 patients with a non-severe presentation, 39 patients with severe disease, and 33 critically ill patients. In addition, 74 healthy controls were included. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were carried out, including complete and differential blood counts, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, ferritin, interleukin-6 (Il-6), and liver and kidney functions. FURIN (rs6226), IFNL4 (rs12979860), and TLR2 (rs3804099) genotyping allelic discrimination assays were conducted using real-time PCR. RESULTS: The FURIN, IFNL4, and TLR2 genotypes and their alleles differed significantly between COVID-19 patients and controls, as well as between patients with severe or critical illness and those with a non-severe presentation. According to a multivariable regression analysis, FURIN (C/T + T/T) and TLR2 (T/C + C/C) mutants were associated with COVID-19 susceptibility, with odds ratios of 3.293 and 2.839, respectively. FURIN C/C and IFNL4 T/T mutants were significantly linked to severe and critical illnesses. Multivariate regression analysis showed that FURIN (G/C + C/C) genotypes and IFNL4 T/T homozygosity were independent risk factors associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION: FURIN, IFNL4, and TLR2 gene variants are associated with the risk of COVID-19 occurrence as well as increased severity and poor outcomes in Egyptian patients.

Unraveling the controversy between fasting and nonfasting lipid testing in a normal population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 244,665 participants.

BACKGROUND: The final decision to fast or not fast for routine lipid profile examination in a standard, healthy population is unclear. Whereas the United States and European protocols state that fasting for regular lipid analysis is unnecessary, the North American and Chinese guidelines still recommend fasting before routine lipid testing. AIM: This study aimed to unravel the contradiction between the different protocols of lipid profile testing worldwide and clarify the effect of diet on lipid profile testing only in a regular, healthy population. METHODS: A literature search was conducted through May 2024. The analyses included studies performed from the date 2000 until now because the contradiction of guidelines for lipid profile testing appeared for the first time in this period. A planned internal validity evaluation was performed using the National Institute of Health (NIH) quality measurement tools for observational cohort, case‒control, controlled interventional, and cross-sectional studies. The data were synthesized according to RevMan 5.3. RESULTS: Eight studies with a total of 244,665 participants were included. The standardized mean difference in cholesterol in six studies showed significant differences in overall effect among fasting and nonfasting states (P < 0.00001), as did high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.00001). At the same time, with respect to triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, there were notable variations in the overall effect between the fasted and nonfasted states (P < 0.00001 and P ≤ 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis concluded that fasting for lipid profile testing is preferred as a conservative model to reduce variability and increase consistency in patients' metabolic status when sampling for lipid testing.

Identification of potential biomarkers for SLE through mRNA expression profiling.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that influences numerous body systems. Furin, tristetraprolin (TTP), and NOD, LRR, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) contribute in developing autoimmune illnesses. AIM: Understandthe role of furin, TTP, and NLRP3 mRNA gene expression in SLE pathogenesis and prognosis. Methods: Total 210 individuals were enrolled, divided in two group: cases and control; 105 participants in each group.  Real-time quantitative PCR for furin, TTP,and NLRP3 mRNA gene expression were determined for each subject. RESULTS: SLE patients showed significantly higher serum furin [median 20.10 (0.0-162.88) in comparison with control group [median 1.10 (0.33-8.64)] with significant pvalue (p < 0.001), for NLRP3 expression [median 7.03 (0.0-282.97) compared to control group [median 1.0 (0.44-9.48)] with significant p value (p = 0.006)but lower TTP [median 2.37 (0.0-30.13)] in comparison with control group [median 7.90 (1.0-29.29)] with significant p value (p < 0.001) . Elevated levels of Furin and NLRP3 and low levels of TTP were linked to increased illness activity. CONCLUSION: Furin and NLRP increase in SLE and higher with illness activity. TTP is lowerin SLE and negatively correlates with disease activity.

Leptin gene Polymorphism and Leptin protein levels in Pediatric Autoimmune Hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Leptin plays a role in regulating energy balance, immunity, and inflammation. Studies suggest higher leptin levels might be associated with various autoimmune diseases. Most of them were in adult. To our knowledge, our study is one of the few that describe serum leptin level and leptin gene polymorphism in children with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). OBJECTIVE: Our study aims to explore the association between serum leptin level and genetic variations in leptin gene with the likelihood of AIH in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one children with AIH and 29 healthy children serving as a control group were included. Serum leptin levels were measured by ELISA assays. Leptin rs2167270 genotyping was done using the real time-PCR. The relationship of serum leptin level and leptin gene polymorphism with patients' data was studied. Patients follow up to assess treatment response. RESULTS: Children with AIH had significantly higher levels of leptin compared to healthy controls. GG genotype was significantly more prevalent in the AIH group compared to controls. CONCLUSION: High serum leptin levels and leptin gene polymorphism may play a role in AIH development. It is worthy to recognize if leptin can serve as diagnostic and/or therapeutic target in AIH in children.

Large Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease among Wedding Attendees, Jordan.

In March 2020, a wedding in Jordan led to a large outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We collected data on 350 wedding attendees, 76 who of whom developed COVID-19. Our study shows high communicability of COVID-19 and the enormous risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 virus transmission during mass gatherings.

Delayed Appearance of Cutaneous Lesions of Cutaneovisceral Angiomatosis (CAT) Leading to Misdiagnosis of Immune Thrombocytopenia.

Cutaneovisceral angiomatosis with thrombocytopenia (CAT), also called multifocal lymphangioendotheliomatosis with thrombocytopenia (MLT), is a rare and newly described vascular malformation. Skin manifestations and thrombocytopenia are the hallmark of CAT/MLT, and visceral lesions are described. We report an infant with pulmonary hemorrhage, thrombocytopenia, and antiplatelet antibodies. There was no cutaneous involvement and the child was initially diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia. Poor response to immune thrombocytopenia-directed therapy raised suspicion for an alternative diagnosis, and the ultimate diagnosis of CAT/MLT was made by lung tissue sampling. Unexpectedly, 2 years after resolution of pulmonary lesions and thrombocytopenia, the child developed typical cutaneous lesions.

Prognosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors, differences in clinical characteristics and prognosis of SBP in patients with HCC in comparison with non-HCC patients. METHODS: This study was conducted on patients with cirrhosis who were admitted to hospital with SBP. The patients were divided into two groups: SBP group with HCC (n = 150) and SBP group without HCC (n = 250). RESULTS: Men and women accounted for 72% and 28% (n = 108 and 42, respectively) of the population in SBP group with HCC with mean age 55.8 ± 13.1 years. They accounted for 68.4% and 31.6% (n = 171 and 79, respectively) in the SBP group without HCC with mean age 56.8 ± 10.5 years. In-hospital mortality was 25.3% in the SBP group with HCC and 18.8% in SBP group without HCC. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common cause of death in both groups. No significant difference was observed in patient outcomes between the two studied groups. The deceased patients had significantly higher levels of leukocytes and neutrophils in ascitic fluid as well as a higher frequency of positive culture results than in patients who survived (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in protein level in ascitic fluid or causative organism between patients who survived and those who died (p = 0.63 and 0.19, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prognosis of SBP in patients with HCC seemed similar to that in patients without HCC.

Interleukin 6 and interleukin 17A serum levels and gene- polymorphisms in the development of early allograft rejection in living donor liver transplant recipients.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of serum level of Interleukin 6(IL-6) and Interleukin 17 (IL-17) in liver transplantation outcome for living recipients, Analyze the relation between the gene polymorphism and the occurrence of rejection after liver transplantation and Study the relation between the gene polymorphism and the occurrence of different infectious complications. The study was conducted in March 2023 and included 60 healthy volunteers from the National Liver Institute (NLI) blood bank at Menoufia University and 120 live donation liver recipient patients at NLI. During one month of liver transplantation, the cytokine levels (IL-17, IL-6 proteins, IL-6 G-174C, and IL-17 A rs2275913 gene polymorphism) and CD4 levels for 60 patients of 120 live donation liver recipient patients whom early reject transplanted tissue and the same parameters were measured after 6 months follow up for non-reject group. The main finding of this study was that the post-transplant rejection group and the post-transplant non-rejection and control groups differed significantly in the genotype frequency (CC, CG, and GG) or alleles of IL-6 G-174C (p = 0.011). On the other hand IL-17A rs2275913 gene polymorphism and its alleles (p = 0.71) showed no statistically significant difference. We also observed that serum IL-17 levels, with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity threshold, will be more sensitive and specific than serum IL-6 and CD4 count in differentiating post-transplant rejection from non-rejection patients. The results showed that there was no significant relationship between the genotypes and serum levels of interleukins and the type and degree of rejection. Proinflammatory cytokines might be useful indicators for distinguishing and early identifying unfavorable outcomes after transplantation, allowing for prompt and effective treatment intervention. To evaluate these findings, prospective clinical trials are required.

Sofosbuvir (+) daclatasvir (+) ribavirin in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus: Therapeutic outcomes and the prognostic role of natural killer cells.

BACKGROUND: One of the prominent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV believed that innate immunity contributes to a sustained virological response (SVR) to the treatment of Sofosbuvir (SOF) (+) Daclatasvir (DCV) (+) Ribavirin (RBV). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy and persistent HCV infection on the subset of natural killer cells (NK) in HCV genotype four patients from Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with persistent HCV infections requiring SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy were grouped, and a flow cytometry (FCM) study of the NK cell subset in peripheral blood was performed. The assessment was performed before and after three and/or six months of the cessation of viral suppression therapy when a patient had a long-term viral response (SVR). One hundred and ten volunteers from the National Liver Institute's (NLI) blood bank were selected as controls. RESULTS: Patients with chronic HCV infection before therapy had considerably lower CD16+ and CD3- CD56+ cells than controls. Their levels increase during SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy. In patients with SVR during treatment, CD16+ and CD3- CD56+ cells increased significantly compared to those who did not get SVR. Furthermore, CD56+ cells were significantly higher in patients with persistent infection before treatment than controls but diminished with the response to treatment. CONCLUSION: NK cell activation following SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy and polarization to cytotoxicity occurred early in HCV antiviral therapy and was elevated in the respondents. Our data illustrated that establishing an inhibitory cytotoxic NK profile is related to therapeutic outcomes.

ADAM10 Gene Polymorphism and Its Relationship to Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Egyptian HCV Patients Receiving Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapies (DAAs).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ADAM 10 rs.653765 SNP genetic polymorphism in the hepatocellular carcinoma occurrence (de novo and post DAAs). METHODS: This study was conducted on 360 participants divided to 4 groups. Group 1: 90 chronic adult patients infected with HCV received DAAs regimens and evolved HCC during the period of follow up. Group 2: Another 90 HCV patients received the same DAAs regimens and did not show HCC manifestations during the same follow up period. Group 3 included 90 de novo HCC patients (did not receive any DAAs). Finally, 90 apparently healthy participants as group 4. Clinical and laboratory data were evaluated, and ADAM 10 genotyping were performed using qPCR. RESULTS: The study showed statistically significant between HCC de novo and HCC deterioration on top of DAAs according to three scoring systems (Child Pugh, BCLC and HKLC) with p- value <0.05. Regarding ADAM10 gene polymorphism, the study showed a significant difference between CC versus CT+TT genotypes of HCC groups according to Child Bugh, BCLC and HKLC staging systems. Yet, no significant difference was found when ADAM10 genotypes and allele frequencies were compared between the four different studied groups. No difference in the survival rate between HCC de novo and on the top of DAAs but more aggressive stages with HCC on top of DAAs. CONCLUSION: ADAM10 genotypes did not show any significant association with HCC. Also, no differences in the death rate recorded between the de novo HCC and HCC post DAAs treatment with statistical significant worse staging of HCC post DAAs and were noted. the study showed a significant difference between CC versus CT+TT genotypes of HCC groups according to Child Bugh, BCLC and HKLC staging systems.
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Evaluation of serum VIP and aCGRP during pulmonary exacerbation in cystic fibrosis: A longitudinal pilot study of patients undergoing antibiotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Objective monitoring of improvement during treatment of pulmonary exacerbation can be difficulty in children when pulmonary function testing cannot be obtained. Thus, the identification of predictive biomarkers to determine the efficacy of drug treatments is of high priority. The major aim of the current study was to investigate the serum levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and alpha calcitonin gene related peptide (aCGRP) of cystic fibrosis pediatric patients during pulmonary exacerbation and post-antibiotic therapy, and possible associations of their levels with different clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: 21 patients with cystic fibrosis were recruited at onset of pulmonary exacerbation. Serum was collected at time of admission, three days post-antibiotic therapy, and two weeks post-antibiotic therapy (end of antibiotic therapy). Serum VIP and aCGRP levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: Overall least square means of serum aCGRP level but not VIP changed from time of exacerbation to completion of antibiotic therapy (p = 0.005). Serum VIP was significantly associated with the presence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.026) and other comorbidities (p = 0.013), and with type of antibiotic therapy (p = 0.019). Serum aCGRP level was significantly associated with type of antibiotic therapy (p = 0.012) and positive Staphylococcus aureus microbiology test (p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: This study could only show significant changes in serum aCGRP levels following treatment of pulmonary exacerbations. Future studies with larger sample size are required to investigate the clinical importance of VIP and aCGRP in cystic fibrosis patients.

Susceptibility patterns and virulence genotypes of Helicobacter pylori affecting eradication therapy outcomes among Egyptian patients with gastroduodenal diseases.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a significant human pathogen that is responsible for a variety of illnesses, including mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, gastric cancer, peptic ulcers, and gastritis. AIM: To investigate the frequency of H. pylori infection and its resistance patterns among Egyptian patients and to determine the influence of H. pylori virulence genetic determinants on the eradication success of 14-d triple therapy regimen. METHODS: H. pylori infections were investigated in 72 patients with gastroduodenal complications suggestive of H. pylori infection. The cagA and vacA genotypes of cultured strains were studied using polymerase chain reaction. The patients underwent 14 d of triple-therapy treatment. The treatment response was examined using histology and a rapid urease test 6 wk after therapy discontinuation. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat eradication rate was 59.2% (95%CI: 48.2%-70.3%). Rates of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole were 52.8%, 81.9%, and 100%, respectively. Successful eradication of H. pylori was more significantly associated with vacA s1-positive strains [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.507, 95%CI: 0.175-0.822]. A significant association was found between failed eradication rate and H. pylori strains resistant to clarithromycin (aOR = 0.204, 95%CI: -0.005 to 0.412) and amoxicillin (aOR = 0.223, 95%CI: 0.026-0.537). CONCLUSION: This study's low H. pylori eradication rate following 14-d triple therapy is concerning and worrying. H. pylori pan-resistance to metronidazole followed by the high resistance to ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin in this research is challenging and of great concern.

Helicobacter pylori versus platelet-to-spleen ratio as a risk factor for variceal bleeding in patients with liver-cirrhosis-related portal hypertension.

Background Acute upper gastrointestinal (GIT) bleeding is a common medical emergency clinically manifested by hematemesis and/or melena. This study aimed to elucidate the roles of Helicobacter pylori and the platelet-spleen ratio as risk factors for variceal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis. Methods The study was conducted on 200 patients with liver cirrhosis of various etiologies who were divided into two groups: group 1 included 100 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with or without a history of upper GIT bleeding, and group 2 included 100 patients with liver cirrhosis without portal hypertension. Upper GIT endoscopy was performed, and biopsy samples were taken from the gastric antral mucosa for rapid urease testing. The platelet-spleen diameter ratio was calculated for all patients. Results In group 1, most patients who had a history of variceal bleeding were H. pylori-negative whereas most patients without a history of variceal bleeding were H. pylori-positive, implying that H. pylori may play a significant role as a protective factor against variceal bleeding. The calculated odds ratio for the rapid urease test was low (0.851), whereas the calculated odds ratio for the platelet-spleen diameter ratio was higher (9.766) than that for the rapid urease test. Thus, the rapid urease test plays a significantly higher role than the platelet-spleen ratio as a risk factor for bleeding (p-value = 0.001). Conclusions H. pylori has a more significant relationship with upper GIT bleeding than the platelet-spleen diameter ratio.

Epidemiology of Biofilm Producing Acinetobacter baumannii Nosocomial Isolates from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of biofilm-producing A. baumannii nosocomial isolates from a tertiary care hospital, as well as to investigate any possible association of biofilm formation with the distribution of biofilm-related genotypes and antibiotic resistance phenotypes. METHODS: A total of 94 non-duplicate A. baumannii nosocomial isolates were identified, their biofilm formation was quantitatively detected using the modified microtiter plate assay, and their susceptibilities to different antibiotics were determined using the breakpoint method. Isolates were then subjected to PCR assays targeting bap, ompA and bla PER-1 genes. RESULTS: The majority (70.1%) of isolates were biofilm producers. The most prevalent biofilm gene was ompA (63.8%), followed by bap (13.8%) and bla PER-1 (10.6%). The presence of multi- and extensive-drug resistance (MDR and XDR) was significantly associated with biofilm producers (p = 0.017 and 0.002, respectively). The length of hospital stay (aOR= 0.023), the presence of ompA gene (aOR = 0.286) or bap gene (aOR = 0.346), ampicillin/sulbactam resistance (aOR = 1), and the presence of MDR (aOR = -0.329) or XDR (aOR = -0.252) were considered significant risk factors associated with biofilm-producing isolates. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of biofilm-producing MDR and XDR nosocomial isolates in this study is worrisome and alarming. Characterization of risk factors could help control the continuous selection and transfer of this serious A. baumannii phenotype inside hospitals and improve the quality of patients' care.

The radiological characteristics of childhood intussusception including unusual features and rare pathological lead points.

PURPOSE: To describe the radiological characteristics for childhood intussusceptions including unusual radiological features and rare pathological lead points (PLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of all childhood intussusceptions between 1/1/2010 -1/10/2020 were retrospectively reviewed. 95 cases were identified in 82 patients. The demographic data, presenting symptoms, diagnostic and treatment methods, radiological features, and PLPs among the different types of intussusception were analyzed. RESULTS: Ileocolic intussusception (ICI) represented 53.7% (51/95). The average age for ICI was 1.87 years. Males constituted 72.1% (31/43). 29.4% (15/51) were treated primarily surgically due to peritonitis. Small bowel intussusception (SBI) represented 40% (38/95) in which females constituted 51.5% (17/33). Ileo-ileal represented 63.2% (24/38). 81.8% (27/33) were transient. On ultrasound; There was a statistically significant difference in the size of the outer diameter of ICI compared to SBI (P-value 0.00012). Ileo-ileocolic and colo-colic intussusceptions constituted 3.2% (3/95); each and were more common in females. Vomiting was the most common symptom for intussusception and ultrasound was diagnostic in the majority of cases. PLPs were seen in 36.6% (30/82) of the patients of which the average age was 7 years. PLPs/risk factors were benign in 80% (24/30). A case of colo-colic intussusception was seen in a 16-year-old female due to clear cell sarcoma which was not reported before. 12.2% patients (10/82) had recurrent intussusception. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that ICI is the most commonly encountered type. SBIs are mostly transient. It is important to radiologically determine the type of intussusception and to identify PLPs or unusual radiological features to avoid unnecessary intervention and significant patient morbidity.

Predictors of proper inhaler technique and asthma control in pediatric patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Improper use of asthma inhalers is one of the potential factors of poor asthma control among children. This study aimed to assess the proper handling of asthma inhalers and asthma control in addition to factors influencing them among pediatric patients who self-administer their inhalers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan from February 2019 to February 2020. All eligible pediatric patients with asthma attending outpatient settings were approached. The inhalation technique was assessed according to a standard checklist, and asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Test. RESULTS: A total of 150 patients were included in this study. A metered dose inhaler (MDI) was the most commonly used inhaler device (89.4%) which was used appropriately by only 13.4% of participants. Whereas, appropriate use of Turbohaler and Diskus was reported by 38.5% and 28.9%, respectively. The higher level of parental knowledge was associated with higher number of correct MDI steps (OR = 1.066; 95% CI = 1.010-1.125; p = .020) and less reported errors in critical steps (OR = 0.949; 95% CI = 0.900-0.999; p = .047). Higher level of both parental education and pediatric average stigma score (less stigmatized) were associated with better asthma control ([OR = 5.181; 95% CI = 1.238-21.677; p = .024], [OR = 2.825; 95% CI = 1.420-5.619; p = .003], respectively). CONCLUSION: Continuous education on appropriate inhaler self-administration for asthmatic children is highly recommended. Clinical pharmacists play a major role toward improving the administration of inhalers through patient training and counseling.

The implication of genetic variation in the complement C3 allotypes on the first-year allograft outcome after live donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The component (C3) of the complement system constitutes a central element in liver transplantation. C3 is produced mainly by the liver and comprises both slow (C3-S), and fast (C3-F) components. METHODS: The effect of a single nucleotide variation in the C3 gene on the first-year outcome examined by ARMS PCR in 30 recipients of living donor allograft. RESULTS: Frequencies of C3-S and C3-F in the Egyptian recipients' population were 67% and 33%. C3-F allele frequency was prevalent than the C3-S allele in recipients who developed acute rejection. The C3-SF and C3-FF genotypes significantly associated with acute rejection with 6.25 times increase in the risk of rejection than C3-SS (OR: 6.25; CI:1.05-37.07, p < .05). C3-SS increases the survival 2.5 times more than C3-SF or C3-FF but without significant association (OR: 0.40, CI: 0.07-2.44, p = .3). C3 genotypes or allotypes had no significant association with the recipient's survival, death, graft loss, infection, or serum levels of tacrolimus (all p > .05). C3-FF and C3-SF genotypes had the highest HCV recurrence rate but without significant association (p > .05). CONCLUSION: In liver allograft recipients, C3-SF and C3-FF genotypes significantly associated with acute rejection with the C3-F allele more prevalent than the C3-S. C3-SS genotype increases survival without significant association.

Viral Surveillance of Children with Acute Respiratory Infection in Two Main Hospitals in Northern Jordan, Irbid, during Winter of 2016.

Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Data regarding the etiology of acute respiratory infection (ARI) is scarce in developing countries. The aim of this study was to identify the viral etiology of ARI/ALRI in hospitalized children and factors associated with increased length of stay (LoS) and severe disease presentation in Northern Jordan. This was a prospective viral surveillance study using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in children younger than 5 years admitted with ARI to two main hospitals in Northern Jordan during the winter of 2016. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained and tested for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other viruses. Demographic and clinical characteristics of RSV-positive patients were compared with those of RSV-negative patients. There were 479 patients hospitalized with ARI. Their mean age (standard deviation) was 10.4 (11.6) months. 53.9% tested positive for at least one virus, with RSV being the most commonly detected virus (34%). Compared with RSV-negative patients, RSV-positive patients were younger, more likely to have chronic lung disease, and more likely to present with cough, rhinorrhea, difficulty in breathing, retraction, flaring, grunting, wheezing, and a higher respiratory rate. Prematurity, presence of a chronic illness, oxygen saturation < 90%, and atelectasis and consolidation on chest X-rays were significantly associated with an increased mean LoS. Patients with a history of prematurity had higher risk of severe disease (odds ratio = 2.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.5, 4.7; p = 0.001). Compared with patients 6 months old and younger, patients aged 6.1 to 12 months were less likely to have severe disease. Human metapneumovirus (HMPV)-positive ALRI was associated with increased odds of severe disease. Viruses are recognized as etiological agent of ARI/ALRI-associated morbidity in developing countries that need more attention and implementation of targeted strategies for prevention and detection. HMPV can be a cause of severe ALRI.

Bronchiolitis clinical practice guidelines implementation: surveillance study of hospitalized children in Jordan.

INTRODUCTION: Bronchiolitis is a leading cause of hospital admissions and death in young children. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) to diagnose and manage bronchiolitis have helped healthcare providers to avoid unnecessary investigations and interventions and to provide evidence-based treatment. Aim of this study is to determine the effect of implementing CPG for the diagnosis and management of bronchiolitis in a tertiary hospital in Jordan. METHODS: The study compared children (age <24 months) diagnosed with bronchiolitis and who required admission to King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid during the winter of 2017 (after CPG implementation) and age-matched children admitted in the winter of 2016. The proportion of patients receiving diagnostic tests and treatments in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Eighty-eight and 91 patients were diagnosed with bronchiolitis before and after CPG implementation, respectively. Respiratory syncytial virus rapid antigen detection testing decreased after CPG implementation [n=64 (72.7%) vs n=46 (50.5%), p=0.002]. However, there was no significant change in terms of other diagnostic tests. The use of nebulized salbutamol [n=44 (50%) vs n=29 (31.9%), p=0.01], hypertonic saline [n=39 (44.3%) vs n=8 (8.8%), p<0.001], and inappropriate antibiotics [n=31 (35.2%) vs n=15 (16.5%), p=0.004] decreased after CPG implementation. There was no difference in mean LOS (standard deviation; SD) between the pre- and post-CPG groups [3.5(2) vs 4 (3.4) days, p=0.19]. The mean cost of stay (SD) was 449.4 (329.1) US dollars for pre-CPG compared to 507.3 (286.1) US dollars for the post-CPG group (p=0.24). CONCLUSION: We observed that the implementation of CPG for bronchiolitis diagnosis and management helped change physicians' behavior toward evidence-based practices. However, adherence to guidelines must be emphasized to improve practices in developing countries, focusing on the rational use of diagnostic testing, and avoiding use of unnecessary medications when managing children with a diagnosis of bronchiolitis.

A pilot study on the relation between irisin single-nucleotide polymorphism and risk of myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) is the major cause of death and disability worldwide. Many recent studies revealed the relationship between circulating irisin levels, endothelial dysfunctions and subclinical atherosclerosis in adult patients. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of Irisin gene single nucleotide polymorphism in patients with MI and its association with other clinical and laboratory variables in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in 100 patients with MI, and 100 healthy subjects served as controls. All studied subjects underwent laboratory investigations, including measurement of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), troponin I (TnI) and genotyping of rs 3480 and rs726344 of Irisin genes using the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination assay technique. RESULTS: There was a significant difference of Irisin genotypes in patients when compared to controls. By estimating odd ratio (OR) an association was found between G allele of rs 3480 and A allele of rs726344with increase the risk of developing myocardial infarction by 4.03 and 3.47 fold respectively. GG of rs 3480 carriers had significantly increased Troponin I and triglyceride levels, while GA carriers of rs726344 had significantly increased CKMB, Total cholesterol, LDLc, HDLc, troponin I and triglyceride levels compared with other genotypes. CONCLUSION: G allele of rs 3480 and A allele of rs726344can considered as genetic risk factors for MI; these findings could have an impact on preventive strategy for myocardial infarction.