Addressing Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Awareness and Knowledge Gaps Among Lebanese Medical Professionals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: In Lebanon, HIV prevalence among key populations such as men who have sex with men is high at 12%, warranting a need for targeted healthcare efforts. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention measure, yet global challenges persist, including limited awareness of PrEP among healthcare professionals. This study investigates PrEP awareness within the Lebanese medical community.

Breaking barriers: Assessing pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness and willingness to use in the Lebanese community.

Background: In the evolving HIV landscape, the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) grapples with data gaps, hindering the 95-95-95 targets. Lebanon, despite progress, falls short. Our study addresses Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) gaps for effective HIV prevention.

Susceptibility of urinary Enterobacteriaceae to selected antimicrobials in an out-patient setting in Wallonia-Belgium: retrospective analysis over 5 years period (2018-2022).

Objective: Increasing antimicrobial resistance in urinary tract infection is a major healthcare concern. In this study, we evaluate the patterns of resistance exhibited by the most implicated microorganisms in urine infections. This approach is a prerequisite for an appropriate and successful empiric therapy in ambulatory patients.

First reported case of para-aortic abscess.

species are ubiquitous dematiaceous fungi, widely found in the indoor and outdoor environments. They are considered a frequent source of contamination in laboratory settings. In human pathology, is a main agent of phaeohyphomycosis, known to cause subcutaneous and brain abscess, especially in immunocompromised hosts.

Lack of regulation over antibiotic prescription and dispensation: A prospective cohort in a community setting.

Background: The emergence of bacterial resistance caused health authorities to attempt to implement strict regulations for rational antibiotic prescription. However, supervision is often neglected in low- and middle-income countries, leading to inappropriate administration of antibiotics. The objective of our study is to highlight the lack of monitoring in the community setting of a middle-income country.

Anxiety and sleep quality in a sample of Lebanese healthcare workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A cross-sectional, survey based study was conducted in order to assess mental health outcomes among healthcare workers in a private university hospital involved in the COVID-19 response in Lebanon. The main objective was to quantify symptoms of anxiety and sleep quality using self-rating scales (the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) respectively), while identifying factors that might affect those symptoms. A total of 628 healthcare workers completed the survey; 409 (66.

A case series of brain abscesses: an eleven-year retrospective single center study.

Introduction: We lack data on the epidemiology and management of brain abscesses in the Middle East. The aim of this study is to report a case series of brain abscesses admitted at a tertiary care center in Lebanon, between January 2008 and December 2018.

Methodology: This retrospective study aimed at determining the demographic data, treatment, and correlations between different studied variables with prognosis of patients that received treatment.

Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: need of a reasoned and effective vaccine campaign.

Objectives: A strong COVID-19 vaccine campaign is needed to reach the herd immunity and reduce this pandemic infection.

Study Design: In the Foch Hospital, France, in February 2021, 451 healthcare workers were vaccinated by a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.

Methods: Adverse effects were reported to our pharmaco-vigilance circuit, by an online and anonymous questionnaire following the first weeks of the vaccinal campaign to healthcare workers.

Antibiotics in treatment of COVID-19 complications: a review of frequency, indications, and efficacy.

Objectives: To report available information in the literature regarding frequency, indications, types of antibiotic usage, duration, and their efficacy in Covid-19 infected patients.

Methods: The search was conducted on April 30 and May 7, 2020, using Ovid database and Google search. Patients' characteristics, clinical outcomes, as well as selected characteristics regarding antibiotic use (indication, class used, rates and types of bacterial secondary and co-infection, and duration of treatment) were analyzed.

Clostridioides difficile infections: Epidemiology, correlations and treatment in a Lebanese cohort with use of ATLAS scoring.

Introduction: The objectives of the present study were to investigate epidemiology, correlations, severity, and therapeutic response of Clostridioides difficile infections in a Lebanese tertiary care hospital.

Methodology: In this retrospective cohort study, patients having at least one positive Clostridioides difficile test (antigen glutamate dehydrogenase/GDH with toxins, or PCR) were studied.

Results: Among 58 patients, 20 (34.

COVID-19 in a Patient Treated for Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Persistent Viral Shedding with No Cytokine Storm.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease COVID-19 is considered a pandemic disease that has developed rapidly all over the world. As of today, it is unclear whether immunosuppression confers an increased risk for pulmonary complications, or conversely, whether it can be a protective factor with respect to a cytokine storm.

Case Description: We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis treated with rituximab who was infected with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Are two consecutive negative RT-PCR results enough to rule out COVID-19?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is redefining the world we live in, and scientists are struggling to find the best severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostic tool. Routine testing is currently performed using real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) of upper or lower respiratory tract secretions. We sought to demonstrate the importance of conducting RT-PCR using deep sampling when initial upper respiratory testing is negative in cases of high index of suspicion for COVID-19.

Extended spectrum beta lactamase producing tricuspid valve endocarditis.

is a rare cause of endocarditis. This article reports an 82-year-old male with a mechanical aortic valve replacement who was admitted for fever and fatigue. He was diagnosed with a tricuspid valve endocarditis caused by an extended spectrum beta lactamase producing following positive blood cultures and echocardiography.

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment's severe complications: A single institution review of incidence, presentation and treatment outcome.

Objectives: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment for superficial bladder cancer is interrupted in approximatively 8% of cases as a result of complications. The objective is to report the severe related complications of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) following an intravesical instillation for bladder tumor encountered at our institution for the past 5 years.

Methods: Medical records of a tertiary teaching hospital, located in Beirut, Lebanon, were retrospectively analyzed from June 2014 to June 2019 searching for severe related complications of BCG.

Chronic Mercury Intoxication Masquerading as Systemic Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: Mercury is a highly toxic environmental metal that exists in three different forms: elemental, inorganic and organic. Intoxication occurs in either occupational or non-occupational settings, mainly after the inhalation of vapour and fumes in work places, laboratories or homes. Chronic mercury toxicity ranges from mild and insignificant to severe and life-threatening.

Streptococcus G leading to septic abortion and multiple organ failure.

The authors report a patient admitted at 12 weeks of pregnancy with an acute infectious syndrome, leading to abortion, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. Admission to intensive care unit (ICU) was needed after curettage for incomplete abortion complicated by uterine atony, hemorrhage, and septic shock. The patient had multiple organ failure and required non-invasive ventilation.

Factors predicting CPAP adherence in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Purpose: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a range of neurocognitive and cardiovascular complications, leading to a compromised quality of life. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapeutic intervention for this disorder, yet patient compliance remains essential to its success. This study aimed at identifying the determinants of short-term and long-term CPAP adherence in a group of Lebanese patients.

Ciprofloxacin and imipenem resistance and cross-resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: A single institution experience.

We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the resistance and cross-resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to imipenem and ciprofloxacin. Our results highlight the importance of the judicious use of antibiotics, particularly fluoroquinolones, amidst the limited arsenal of effective antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the risk of cross-resistance induction.

Extensive infectious myelitis post bariatric surgery.

Background: Inflammatory myelopathy is an inflammatory neurological disorder of the spinal cord (myelopathy). It occurs in 1 (severe) to 8 (mild) cases/million per year. It is often referred to in the literature as "transverse myelitis" or "acute transverse myelitis".

Recurrent Lower Urinary Tract Infections Have a Detrimental Effect on Patient Quality of Life: a Prospective, Observational Study.

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI) and the impact of prophylaxis on rUTI and patients' quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Altogether, 575 patients affected by rUTI were included in a 6-month observational study. QoL was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) and the Leicester scales.

Recurrent lower limb abscesses as the primary manifestation of aorto-femoral graft paraprosthetic fistula.

A 62-year-old man was presented to our facility with recurrent right lower limb abscesses. He had an aortobifemoral graft for an aortoiliac occlusive disease. The diagnosis of paraprosthetic fistula was confirmed by performing a high-resolution contrast-enhanced computed tomography, whereas labeled leukocyte imaging provided a negative result.