Epidemiology and Survival of Colorectal Cancer in Lebanon: A Sub-National Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Scarce data exist about colorectal cancer (CRC) presentation and outcomes in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics of Lebanese patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, particularly the method of detection, age of onset, stage at presentation, treatment modalities, and survival.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of a cohort of patients with CRC, diagnosed between 2005 and 2010, admitted to 6 major university-affiliated medical centers in Lebanon.

Epidemiology of invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal infections in hospitalised adult patients in a Lebanese medical centre, 2006-2015.

This is a retrospective medical file review of adult inpatients with Streptococcus pneumoniae infections admitted to a Lebanese hospital between 2006 and 2015. We revisited the clinical scenarios of these infections in view of increasing antibiotic resistance in Lebanon. One hundred and three patients were included; 92% were eligible for pneumococcal vaccination, yet none were vaccinated.

Correlation between antifungal consumption and the distribution of Candida species in different hospital departments of a Lebanese medical Centre.

Background: In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of fungal infections attributed to Candida species worldwide, with a major shift toward non-albicans Candida (NAC). In this study, we have described the distribution of Candida species among different hospital departments and calculated the antifungal consumption in our facility. We also correlated the consumption of certain antifungals and the prevalence of specific Candida species.

Bacteraemia post-autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the absence of antibacterial prophylaxis: a decade's experience from Lebanon.

Purpose: In this study, we assessed the incidence, contributing factors and outcome of prolonged neutropenia above 7 days and of bacteraemia in patients with lymphoma and multiple myeloma who underwent autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) without antibacterial prophylaxis.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 190 adult patients who underwent AHSCT between 2005 and 2015 at a Lebanese hospital.

Results: Neutropenia of 7 days duration and longer was documented in 66% of the patient population.

Repetitive nerve block for neuropathic pain management: a case report.

Schwannoma is a common neoplasm in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Sciatic nerve schwanommas are rare. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who was referred for treatment of persistent neuropathic pain in the left lower limb after resection of a schwannoma on the left S1 nerve root.

Low rate of human papillomavirus vaccination among schoolgirls in Lebanon: barriers to vaccination with a focus on mothers' knowledge about available vaccines.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an established predisposing factor of cervical cancer. In this study, we assessed the awareness about genital warts, cervical cancer, and HPV vaccine among mothers having girls who are at the age of primary HPV vaccination attending a group of schools in Lebanon. We also assessed the rate of HPV vaccination among these girls and the barriers to vaccination in this community.

Correlation between antifungal consumption and distribution of Candida spp. in different departments of a Lebanese hospital.

Introduction: Recently there has been a significant increase in the incidence of fungal infections attributed to Candida species worldwide, with a major shift toward non-albicans Candida (NAC). Herein, we described the distribution of Candida species among different departments in a Lebanese hospital and calculated the antifungal consumption in this facility. We, then, correlated the consumption of antifungals and the prevalence of Candida species.

Epidemiology of pneumococcal infections in hospitalised adult patients in Lebanon with a highlight on non-invasive disease.

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a wide range of infections classified as invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal disease (non-IPD).

Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed over a decade the clinical course and outcome of 103 adult subjects infected with S. pneumoniae.

Epidemiology of bacteremia after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Introduction: Bacterial infections are frequent complications occurring after autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (AHSCT). Herein, we identified the bacterial ecology and its antibiogram in AHSCT patients. We assessed the incidence, contributing factors and outcome of prolonged neutropenia and bacteremia post-AHSCT in the absence of antibacterial prophylaxis.

An antibiotic stewardship exercise in the ICU: building a treatment algorithm for the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia based on local epidemiology and the 2016 Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society guidelines.

Introduction: Management of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), the most common infection in patients on mechanical ventilation, should be tailored to local microbiological data. The aim of this study was to determine susceptibility patterns of organisms causing VAP to develop a treatment algorithm based on these findings and evidence from the literature.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the microbiological etiology of VAP in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a Lebanese tertiary care hospital from July 2015 to July 2016.

First reported case of paratesticular seminoma in a postpubertal cryptorchid testis.

Cryptorchidism is a very common anomaly, affecting 2-4% of male infants and is more common in premature infants. The long-term outcome despite orchidopexy still remains problematic and controversial with a risk of developing cancer 5-10 times greater than normal. Paratesticular tumors are mostly benign and very rare in children however malignant paratesticular tumors do arise, the most common being rhabdomyosarcoma.

Prescription Patterns for Tigecycline in Severely Ill Patients for Non-FDA Approved Indications in a Developing Country: A Compromised Outcome.

With the rise in antibiotic resistance, tigecycline has been used frequently in off-label indications, based on its activity against multidrug-resistant organisms. In this study, our aim was to assess its use in approved and unapproved indications. This is a retrospective chart review evaluating a 2-year experience of tigecycline use for > 72 h in 153 adult patients inside and outside critical care unit from January 2012 to December 2013 in a Lebanese tertiary-care hospital.

Health care workers' compliance to the My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene: Comparison of 2 interventional methods.

This a prospective study comparing 2 interventions, incentive-based and audit-feedback, for measuring compliance to the World Health Organization's My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene among nursing staff in a Lebanese tertiary care center over 21 weeks. Compliance was not achieved by default. The incentive-driven intervention helped boost compliance, and the audit-feedback intervention helped achieve high sustainability.

Retrospective Analysis on the Use of Amphotericin B Lipid Complex in Neutropenic Cancer Patients with Suspected Fungal Infections in Lebanon, a Single Center Experience and Review of International Guidelines.

Introduction: Immunocompromised patients carry a high risk for invasive fungal disease (IFD), which is associated with high mortality.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of a 4-year experience of amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) utilization for the management of suspected IFD at the Hematology/Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation unit at Makassed General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon between January 2011 and December 2014. We focused on treatment strategy, response rate, and adverse drug events associated with ABLC therapy.

Third generation cephalosporin resistant Enterobacteriaceae and multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria causing bacteremia in febrile neutropenia adult cancer patients in Lebanon, broad spectrum antibiotics use as a major risk factor, and correlation with poor prognosis.

Introduction: Bacteremia remains a major cause of life-threatening complications in patients receiving anticancer chemotherapy. The spectrum and susceptibility profiles of causative microorganisms differ with time and place. Data from Lebanon are scarce.

CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to colorectal and gastric cancer among Lebanese.

Mutations in the genes encoding enzymes involved in the metabolism of chemical carcinogens can significantly affect the risk of cell transformation and cancer development. The resident Lebanese population has experienced a sharp increase in cancer incidence within the last few years. The relationship between gene polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes and gastrointestinal (GI) cancer incidence was not previously investigated.