Evaluation of pooling strategy of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in limited resources setting in Egypt at low prevalence.

Sample pooling testing for SARS-COV-2 can be an effective tool in COVID-19 screening when resources are limited, yet it is important to assess the performance before implementation as pooling has its limitations. Our objective was to assess the efficacy of pooling samples for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) compared to an individual analysis by using commercial platforms for nucleic acid testing. A total of 2200 nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-COV-2 were tested individually and in pools of 4, 8, and 10.

Potential Use of Antigen-Based Rapid Test for SARS-CoV-2 in Respiratory Specimens in Low-Resource Settings in Egypt for Symptomatic Patients and High-Risk Contacts.

Objective: Because of the rapidly emerging SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and its wide public health challenges, rapid diagnosis is essential to decrease the spread. Antigen-based rapid detection tests are available; however, insufficient data about their performance are available.

Methods: The lateral-flow immunochromatographic BIOCREDIT COVID-19 antigen test was evaluated using nasopharyngeal swabs in a viral transport medium from patients with confirmed infection, contacts, and exposed healthcare professionals at Fayoum University Hospital in Egypt.

Role of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) core antigen in improving blood transfusion safety in high prevalence, resource limited countries, a step forward.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of hepatitis C virus [HCV] core Ag as an alternative affordable test in resource limited countries blood banks.

Background: Implementing nucleic acid testing in developing countries with low resources is still unaffordable. Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C in the world and still in need to efficient affordable transfusion program that reduces the window period for the virus before implementing the complex high cost NAT.

Study of red blood cell alloimmunization risk factors in multiply transfused thalassemia patients: role in improving thalassemia transfusion practice in Fayoum, Egypt.

Background: β-Thalassemia is considered the most common chronic hemolytic anemia in Egypt. Alloimmunization can lead to serious clinical complications in transfusion-dependent patients. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and types of alloantibodies, and, in addition, to study the risk factors that might influence alloimmunization in multiply transfused thalassemia patients in Fayoum, Egypt, with the goal that this study could help minimize some of the transfusion-associated risks in those patients.

Priority needs and wisdom strategy for blood transfusion safety in developing low-resource countries.

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of alternative safety measures that reduce the risk of transfusion transmissible infections as an affordable measure in low resource countries.

Background: It is still difficult in developing countries with limited resources to mandate nucleic acid testing due to its high cost. Although NAT reduces the window period of infection, the developing countries are still in need of an efficient and effective transfusion programme before implementing the complex high cost NAT.

The impact of fetal and maternal physiologic factors on umbilical cord blood quality as a source of stem cells in Egyptian population.

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) has rapidly become a clinically useful alternative stem cell source. Many variables have been used to evaluate a UCB unit and predict transplant outcomes. The objective of this study was to measure the expression of hematopoietic stem cells in UCB and its relation to certain maternal and neonatal physiologic factors to establish optimum criteria for UCB donor selection.

Combining serology and molecular typing of weak D role in improving D typing strategy in Egypt.

Background: Rh discrepancies are a problem during routine testing because of partial and weak D phenotypes. Some blood units with weak and partial D expression may escape detection by serology. Limitations of serology can be overcome by molecular typing.