Role of the "High Institute of Public Health" during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case from Egypt.

Background: The High Institute of Public Health (HIPH), as a post-graduate academic institute, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in several aspects. This paper describes the effect of COVID-19 on the three main domains of HIPH: research, education, and community services. Documenting the activities and practices of the HIPH during the pandemic reflects the degree of resilience and preparedness against possible future global emergencies.

Adherence of healthcare workers to COVID-19 infection prevention practices and its relationship with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices against COVID-19 should be adopted by healthcare workers (HCWs) at their workplaces to protect themselves, their patients, and their families from infection.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the relationship between the healthcare-related COVID-19 infection prevention measures adopted by HCWs and their SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Research Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted during the second and third COVID-19 waves in Egypt.

Delayed seropositivity is associated with lower levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Background: Patients with COVID-19 can develop a range of immune responses, including variations in the onset and magnitude of antibody formation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels vary in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 in relation to the onset (days) of their post-symptom seropositivity and to explore host factors that may affect antibody production METHODS: This was a prospective, multiple measurements study involving 92 PCR-confirmed patients with mild to moderate COVID-19. Antibody testing for anti-nucleocapsid (anti-NP) and spike proteins (anti-S) was performed using ELISA tests.

Asymptomatic versus symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cross-sectional seroprevalence study.

Background: Although symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection predisposes patients to develop complications, the asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection state is of public health importance being a hidden source of infection. Moreover, the asymptomatic state may camouflage the actual burden of the disease.

Methods: Data of 1434 seropositive participants for SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S) and/or nucleocapsid antibodies (anti-N) were retrieved from a larger cross-sectional survey on COVID-19.

"Day 25": a temporal indicator of stabilization of mortality risk among COVID-19 patients with high viral load.

Introduction: The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 viral load and hospitalization and mortality among COVID-19 patients has been established. However, the estimation of the duration of time after which the risk of mortality of these patients stops escalating was not extensively discussed earlier. Stratifying patients according to their risk of mortality would optimize healthcare services and costs and reduce mortality.

Determining the SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike Cutoff Level Denoting Neutralizing Activity Using Two Commercial Kits.

Background: The viral neutralization assay is the gold standard to estimate the level of immunity against SARS-CoV-2. This study analyzes the correlation between the quantitative Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA (IgG) and the NeutraLISA neutralization assay.

Methods: 650 serum samples were tested for both SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike (anti-S) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) using kits by EUROIMMUN, Germany.

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates and predictors among the Egyptian general population and Healthcare workers, the intersectionality of age and other factors.

The promise of COVID-19 vaccines in ending the pandemic can only be achieved by overcoming the challenge of vaccine refusal. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the trusted advisors of vaccination decisions. Recommendations for vaccinating children against COVID-19 are recently gaining more public health attention due to the role of children in disease transmission and associated morbidities.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A, B and C Among a Sample of Refugees in Egypt: An Exploratory Survey.

Background: Estimating the prevalence of infectious diseases, including viral hepatitis, among refugees is important for evaluating their health needs and predicting the burden on the health system of the host country. This study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis among refugees in Egypt.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a heterogeneous group of 501 refugees.

Anti-Spike and Neutralizing Antibodies after Two Doses of COVID-19 Sinopharm/BIBP Vaccine.

Host response to COVID-19 vaccines is partially evaluated through the estimation of antibody response, specifically the binding anti-spike (anti-S) and the neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccine-induced humoral response affects decisions on the choice of vaccine type, vaccine acceptance, and the need for boosting. Identification of risk factors for poor antibody response helps to stratify individuals who might potentially require booster doses.

A pre-vaccine exploratory survey of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity among Egyptian general population.

Background: Population-based studies on COVID-19 have important implications for modeling the pandemic and determining vaccination policies. Limited data are available from such surveys in Egypt.

Methods: This cross-sectional was conducted throughout the period between January and June 2021, which coincided with the second and third waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Egypt.

Prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike antibodies in some healthcare settings in Egypt.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at the front line in battling infection transmission, such as that in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Additionally, they may act as potential carriers passing the virus on to others. Anti-spike (anti-S) antibodies for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are formed either as a result of infection or vaccination with both indicating immunity against future COVID-19 infection.

Predictors of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: An Egyptian population-based study.

Background: Population-based studies on the determinants of COVID-19 seroprevalence constitute a cornerstone in guiding appropriate preventive measures. Such studies are scarce in Egypt, thus we conducted this study to explore risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity.

Methods: This survey included 2919 participants from 10 Egyptian governorates.

Determinants of the Development of SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike Immune-Response after Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in Egypt.

Background: Understanding the factors affecting humoral immune response to COVID-19 vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) is essential to predict their level of protection. Vaccination elicits antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-S).

Aim: To investigate the factors associated with the presence of SARS-CoV-2 anti-S antibodies among vaccinated HCWs.

Study of some risk factors for fungal contamination of dental unit waterlines in Alexandria, Egypt.

Introduction: Monitoring the microbial quality of water in dental unit waterlines is an important part of infection control measures carried out in dental clinics. Fungal contamination of such waterlines has not been extensively studied, compared with bacterial contamination. This study aimed at assessing the magnitude and risk factors for fungal contamination of dental unit waterlines.

Role of environmental surfaces and hands of healthcare workers in perpetuating multi-drug-resistant pathogens in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units are at a risk of developing healthcare-associated infections, leading to increased risk of mortality. This study aimed to identify organisms causing such late-onset infections in neonates and determine whether these isolates were genetically identical to those from the surrounding environmental surfaces and hands of healthcare workers (HCWs). A cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of 4 months in a university neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Copper IUD increases virulence of non- species isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of copper-bearing intrauterine device (IUD) use on the virulence of species causing vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The ability of species to produce proteinase and phospholipase enzymes was studied, together with their antifungal susceptibility. Vaginal swabs from women with VVC were cultured and species were identified.

Microbial Contamination of Neonatal Injectable Lipid Emulsions at 12 and 24 Hours' Infusion Time With Evaluation of Infection Control Measures.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination rate of injectable lipid emulsion (ILE) repackaged syringes at 12 and 24 hours of their infusion time. Probable risk factors associated with contamination of the ILEs were also assessed. In addition, the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates was also determined.

Effect of clomiphene citrate on uterine hemodynamics in women with unexplained infertility.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of clomiphene citrate on uterine artery blood flow using pulsed Doppler and endometrial and subendometrial micro vascularization using 3D power Doppler in unexplained infertility.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective observational study at a university teaching hospital, the mid-luteal (peri-implantation) endometrial thickness and volume, uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI), endometrial and subendometrial vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization flow index (VFI), and serum estradiol and progesterone levels were compared between natural and clomiphene citrate stimulated cycles in the same group of 50 patients with unexplained infertility. Statistical analysis was done using paired -test to compare different study variables.

The effect of rectus muscle re-approximation at cesarean delivery on pain perceived after operation: a randomized control trial.

Cesarean section rate has increased dramatically worldwide but there is still debate about the optimum operative technique of cesarean section. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of rectus muscle reapproximation at cesarean delivery on the postoperative pain. This study was a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

Effect of maternal obesity on labor induction in postdate pregnancy.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that there is a higher rate of unsuccessful induction of labor (IOL) in post-term obese pregnant women compared to non-obese ones.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 144 obese (BMI > 30) and 144 non-obese (BMI < 29.9) post-term (> 41 weeks) pregnant women were recruited.

Outcome of pregnancy after renal transplantation.

Aim: The aim of our study was to compare the outcome of pregnancy in patients who became pregnant within 24 months of renal transplantation and patients who became pregnant more than 24 months after renal transplantation.

Materials And Methods: The sample population of our prospective cohort study comprised of 44 patients who became pregnant following renal transplantation. In all cases, living donors were used for renal transplantation.