Accurate and reliable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy assay for early detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA with exceptional sensitivity.

This research proposes a highly sensitive and simple surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using suitably designed probes specific for RdRp and N viral genes attached to a Raman marker. The sensitivity of the assay was optimized through precise adjustments to the conditions of immobilization and hybridization processes of the target RNA, including modifications to factors such as time and temperature. The assay achieved a remarkable sensitivity down to 58.

Investigation of a COVID-19 outbreak in a University Cardio-Thoracic Hospital in Cairo: exploration of the risk to healthcare workers and patients.

Background: Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a challenge to health sectors all over the world. The pandemic arrived in Egypt a few weeks after Europe and Asia, with rapidly rising numbers. Health care workers (HCWs) are front liners sustaining a major risk of acquiring the infection.

Consensus Meeting Report "Technology Enhanced Assessment" in Covid-19 Time, MENA Regional Experiences and Reflections.

Purpose: Majority of the assessments, appraisals and placements have been disturbed, with some being cancelled, postponed, or modified in design. New approaches for assessment should be well-thought-out. This work attempts at capturing the collective wisdom of educators in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), providing an understanding of the online assessment conceptual framework in the era of COVID-19 that tells the story rather than determining cause and effect, and identifying the biggest gaps that derail the digital transformation.

SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rate and seroprevalence of related antibodies among a sample of patients in Cairo: Pre-wave 2 results of a screening program in a university hospital.

Background: Research has revealed that asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections are important contributors to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in populations. In Egypt, the true prevalence of infections is veiled due to the low number of screening tests. The aim of this study was to determine the SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity rate as well the seroprevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies before the ultimate development of a second wave of the epidemic in Cairo, Egypt.

Association between rs12979860, rs17047200 and rs4618569 Variant Polymorphisms with the Course and Outcome of SARS-CoV-2 Patients.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection provides a critical host-immunological challenge.

Aim: We explore the effect of host-genetic variation in interferon-lambda-3 rs12979860, Tolloid Like-1 () rs17047200 and Discoidin domain receptor 1() rs4618569 on host response to respiratory viral infections and disease severity that may probe the mechanistic approach of allelic variation in virus-induced inflammatory responses.

Methods: 141 COVID-19 positive patients and 100 healthy controls were tested for interferon-lambda-3 rs12979860, rs17047200 and DDR1 rs4618569 polymorphism by TaqMan probe-based genotyping.

Hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors among patients and health-care workers of Ain Shams University hospitals, Cairo, Egypt.

Background: Hospitals are suspected of playing a key role in HCV epidemic dynamics in Egypt. This work aimed at assessing HCV prevalence and associated risk factors in patients and health-care workers (HCWs) of Ain Shams University (ASU) hospitals in Cairo.

Methods: We included 500 patients admitted to the internal medicine or surgery hospital from February to July, 2017, as well as 50 HCWs working in these same hospitals.

Molecular characterization of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens in three tertiary hospitals in Cairo, Egypt.

High rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among Gram-negative pathogens (GNP) have been reported in Egypt. Antimicrobial surveillance and identifying the genetic basis of AMR provide important information to optimize patient care. In this study, we aimed to identify the beta-lactam resistance phenotypes and genotypes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) non-repetitive GNP from 3 tertiary hospitals in Egypt.

Epidemiology of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Egyptian intensive care units using National Healthcare-associated Infections Surveillance Data, 2011-2017.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in Egyptian hospitals reporting to the national HAI surveillance system.

Methods: Design Descriptive analysis of CRE HAIs and retrospective observational cohort study using national HAI surveillance data Setting: Egyptian hospitals participating in the HAI surveillance system. The patient population included patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in participating hospitals Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases were and isolates from blood, urine, wound or respiratory specimen collected on or after day 3 of ICU admission.

Antimicrobial stewardship to optimize the use of antimicrobials for surgical prophylaxis in Egypt: A multicenter pilot intervention study.

Objective: To measure the impact of an antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) program on the use of antibiotics for surgical prophylaxis at acute care hospitals in Egypt.

Methods: This was a before-and-after intervention study conducted in 5 tertiary, acute-care surgical hospitals. The baseline, intervention, and follow-up periods were 3, 6, and 3 months, respectively.