Comparison between the accuracy of chest computerized tomography vs. reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in a tertiary care center in Lebanon; along with their correlation to mortality, morbidity and symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Objectives: Chest Computerized Tomography has been widely used in COVID patients' assessment. Hence the question arises as to whether there is any correlation between the Ct value and findings on Chest CT scan or clinical presentation of the patient. We wanted to test the hypothesis of whether low Ct values (≤30) in RT-PCR were associated with a high mortality rate, CT scan findings, or with comorbidities such as immunosuppression and lung disease.

Microsatellite Instability in Near East Sebaceous Neoplasms: Toward Improved Prediction.

Sebaceous neoplasms (SN) comprise a heterogeneous spectrum of tumors with different biological behaviors. In the Near-East Region (NER), microsatellite instability (MSI) in SN's development, and its correlation with the clinicopathologic features of tumors is not well elucidated. A cohort of 225 SN patients (40 benign SNs and 185 sebaceous carcinomas) from the NER was retrospectively reviewed.

Sebaceous neoplasms: prevalence of HPV infection and relation to immunohistochemical surrogate markers.

Background: Sebaceous neoplasms (SNs) and carcinomas (SCs) represent rare skin adnexal tumours.

Objectives: To establish the prevalence of HPV in SNs, assess the relationship between HPV, p16 and p53 expression, and further elucidate the carcinogenetic course of SCs.

Materials & Methods: A total of 113 resected SNs (five sebaceous adenomas, 10 sebaceomas and 98 SCs) from the Near-East were reviewed.

PD-L1 expression in sebaceous carcinomas.

Background: Traditional systemic treatments for unresectable, recurrent, and/or advanced sebaceous carcinoma (SC) are ineffective. Tumoral immune microenvironment characterization is essential for considering immune checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment option.

Methods: A total of 173 resected SCs were reviewed.

HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer prevalence in a middle eastern population using E6/E7 PCR.

Background: Given the paucity of data and widely variable rates that have been reported, the main objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of HPV-positivity in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in Middle Eastern patients presenting to one of the region's largest tertiary care centers using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the HPV E6/E7 oncogenes, a highly sensitive and specific method of detection.

Methods: Medical charts and archived pathological specimens were obtained for patients diagnosed with biopsy proven oropharyngeal cancer who presented to the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 1972 and 2017. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded specimens and tested for 30 high-risk and low-risk papilloma viruses using the PCR-based EUROarray HPV kit (EuroImmun).

Vitamin D receptor biochemical and genetic profiling and HLA-class II genotyping among Lebanese with multiple sclerosis - A pilot study.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease affecting mostly young adult females with multifactorial etiology. Recent studies suggested that adequate vitamin D levels may lower the risk of developing MS.

Objectives: Our aim was to explore the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism, HLA-DR locus genotype, and serum vitamins D and A levels in the Lebanese population.

First report on HLA-DPA1 gene allelic distribution in the general Lebanese population.

Aims: HLA-DPA1 is an important marker in bone marrow and organ transplantation and a highly emerging screening parameter in histocompatibility laboratories. Being highly polymorphic, it has another significant value in detecting population origins and migrations. This is the first study to assess DPA1 allele frequencies in an Arab population.

Comparison of the Artus RotorGene and COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan Platforms for the Detection of Cytomegalovirus: Experience of a Tertiary Care Center.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the Herpesviruses family. CMV infection rarely causes serious disease in otherwise healthy individuals, however, infection/reactivation among immunocompromised patients, including those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), can be critical and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The detection of CMV in blood using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) methods is the most sensitive and specific technique providing for a well-determined preemptive treatment cutoff.

Significance of the use of the ViennaLab "Cardiovascular Disease panel" (CVD) Assay as a reflex test for the "Factor V/II/MTHFR Assay".

Introduction: Trends toward identifying risk factors of thrombotic complications had become essential as an attempt to prevent and decrease the incidence of the complications. Thrombosis has been associated with predisposing factors like mutations in FV, PTH, MTHFR and other genes.

Aim: Evaluate whether the CVD StripAssay has an added value in the screening for more thrombophilia risk factors, which may predispose for the development of cardiovascular diseases and other thrombotic clinical conditions.

Invivoscribe BIOMED-2 primer mixes in B-cell immunoglobulin gene rearrangement studies: experience of a molecular diagnostics laboratory in a major tertiary care center.

Aims: To determine the frequency of positive reactions obtained using the Invivoscribe BIOMED-2 kit for B-cell gene rearrangement studies in leukemias and lymphomas.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed the gel patterns for 192 samples tested, using the above-mentioned kit and matched the positive signal with the corresponding mix available in the assay kit.

Results: 92.

Implementation of the Cepheid Xpert EV assay for rapid detection of enteroviral meningitis: experience of a tertiary care center and a technical review.

Aims: Rapid molecular detection of enterovirus in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment modalities of patients with meningitis and largely affected cost of unnecessary antibiotic use and length of stay in hospitals.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2010 and July 2012, we tested 220 CSF samples on the GeneXpert DX real-time polymerase chain reaction system (by Cepheid) using the Xpert EV kit assays. In addition, we reported 14 sample results cross-validated with an external referral laboratory as well as the results of external proficiency testing.

HLA class I allele frequencies in the Lebanese population.

The highly polymorphic Human Leukocyte Antigen system encompasses different loci that have been studied in transplantation as well as diseases and population associated research. This study is the first and largest of its kind to describe the distribution of HLA-A, -B and -C alleles in Lebanon. Respectively, 1994, 1309 and 1163 Lebanese individuals referred for HLA typing and possible bone marrow/kidney donation were tested for HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C alleles using the polymerase chain reaction/Sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) method.

HLA class II allele frequencies in the Lebanese population.

Aims: Being one of the most polymorphic genetic systems , the Human Leukocyte Antigen system is divided into class I (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C) and class II (HLA-DP, -DQ and -DR). This study is the first and largest of its kind to describe the distribution of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles in Lebanon and the region.

Methods: Respectively, 560 and 563 Lebanese individuals referred for HLA typing and possible bone marrow/kidney donation were tested for HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles using the polymerase chain reaction/sequence specific priming (PCR-SSP) method.