Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Medicine - Public Health, language: English, abstract: Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the world. Screening of HCV during pregnancy is not routinely done in Egypt as many other countries, although pregnancy is an important period where screening of HCV infection is important owing to low immunity, the possibility of vertical transmission and later on horizontal transmission to the baby or other household contacts. Aim: to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies (HCV-Ab) and risk factors associated with infection among pregnant women in Egypt. Patients and Method: 360 pregnant women visiting the health care units for routine antenatal care were tested using 3rd generation ELISA test for detection of HCV-Ab. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for seropositive cases. Results: 6.1% (22/360) of pregnant women were HCV seropositive; of them only (9/20; 45%) had viraemia. Risk factors were their age, the age of their and the presence of chronic liver disease in the husband. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV infection in pregnant women in Egypt appears to be lower than previously reported. The detected risk factors are old age of the pregnant women and their husbands and chronic liver disease in the husbands. None of the other known risk factors was found to be significantly associated with HCV infection in pregnant women.

Master's Thesis from the year 2015 in the subject Health - Public Health, , language: English, abstract: Background: Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the world. Screening of HCV during pregnancy is not routinely done in Egypt as many other countries, although pregnancy is an important period where screening of HCV infection is important owing to low immunity, the possibility of vertical transmission and later on horizontal transmission to the baby or other household contacts. Aim: to determine the seroprevalence of HCV antibodies (HCV-Ab) and risk factors associated with infection among pregnant women in Egypt. Patients and Method: 360 pregnant women visiting the health care units for routine antenatal care were tested using 3rd generation ELISA test for detection of HCV-Ab. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for seropositive cases. Results: 6.1% (22/360) of pregnant women were HCV seropositive; of them only (9/20; 45%) had viraemia. Risk factors were their age, the age of their and the presence of chronic liver disease in the husband. Conclusion: The prevalence of HCV infection in pregnant women in Egypt appears to be lower than previously reported. The detected risk factors are old age of the pregnant women and their husbands and chronic liver disease in the husbands. None of the other known risk factors was found to be significantly associated with HCV infection in pregnant women.

"Despite global progress in understanding the epidemiology of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), knowledge about the epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) remains limited and subject to much controversy. In the more than 25 years since the discovery of HIV, no scientific study has provided a comprehensive, data-driven synthesis of the spread of HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in the region. Consequently, the effectiveness of policies, programs, and resources intended to address the spread of HIV/AIDS has been compromised. This report aims to fill the knowledge gap by providing the first-ever comprehensive scientific assessment and data-driven epidemiological synthesis of HIV's spread in MENA. It is based on a literature review and analysis of thousands of largely unrecognized publications, reports, and data sources extracted from scientific literature or collected from sources at the local, national, and regional levels. The resulting collection of data provides a solid foundation on which efforts to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS can be based. 'Characterizing the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa' will be of particular interest to policy makers, researchers, development practitioners, and specialists in public health and epidemiology."

Hepatitis B and C cause most cases of hepatitis in the United States and the world. The two diseases account for about a million deaths a year and 78 percent of world's hepatocellular carcinoma and more than half of all fatal cirrhosis. In 2013 viral hepatitis, of which hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the most common types, surpassed HIV and AIDS to become the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. The world now has the tools to prevent hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C. Perfect vaccination could eradicate HBV, but it would take two generations at least. In the meantime, there is no cure for the millions of people already infected. Conversely, there is no vaccine for HCV, but new direct-acting antivirals can cure 95 percent of chronic infections, though these drugs are unlikely to reach all chronically-infected people anytime soon. This report, the second of two, builds off the conclusions of the first report and outlines a strategy for hepatitis reduction over time and specific actions to achieve them.

Provides effective diagnosis and management of infectious diseases in pregnant women in a single comprehensive available resource for busy clinicians.

The Atlas of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS, 4th Edition, by Drs. Stephen A. Morse, King K. Holmes, Adele A. Moreland, MD, and Ronald C. Ballard, provides you with an exclusive gallery of STD and AIDS images so you can better diagnose and treat these diseases. Approximately 1,100 unique images – most in full color and 30% new to this edition – depict the clinical signs associated with each type of infection. You’ll also find expert guidance on new vaccines, screening techniques, treatment guidelines, and best practices in the field. Get expert advice on the tests available to reach a definitive diagnosis and review therapeutic options, treatment guidelines, prevention strategies, and management of complications. Access appendices on the selection and evaluation of diagnostic tests, quality control, and test technologies. Effectively diagnose all types of STDs and HIV/AIDS with approximately 1,100 images—most in full color and more than 30% new to this edition―that depict the epidemiology as well as the clinical manifestations of these diseases. Effectively utilize new vaccines for HPV and Hepatitis B, new screening tests for Chlamydia, new drugs under development, new treatment guidelines and best practices in HIV screening, and much more.

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death globally, particularly among children and young adults. The spread of new pathogens and the threat of antimicrobial resistance pose particular challenges in combating these diseases. Major Infectious Diseases identifies feasible, cost-effective packages of interventions and strategies across delivery platforms to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, malaria, adult febrile illness, viral hepatitis, and neglected tropical diseases. The volume emphasizes the need to effectively address emerging antimicrobial resistance, strengthen health systems, and increase access to care. The attainable goals are to reduce incidence, develop innovative approaches, and optimize existing tools in resource-constrained settings.

Testing and diagnosis of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) infection is the gateway for access to both prevention and treatment services, and is a crucial component of an effective response to the hepatitis epidemic. Early identification of persons with chronic HBV or HCV infection enables them to receive the necessary care and treatment to prevent or delay progression of liver disease. Testing also provides an opportunity to link people to interventions to reduce transmission, through counselling on risk behaviors and provision of prevention commodities (such as sterile needles and syringes) and hepatitis B vaccination. These are the first WHO guidelines on testing for chronic HBV and HCV infection and complement published guidance by WHO on the prevention, care and treatment of chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B infection. These guidelines outline the public health approach to strengthening and expanding current testing practices for HBV and HCV, and are intended for use across age groups and populations.

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WHO has set a global goal to eliminate HCV as a public health problem by 2030. WHO estimates that 58 million people had chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection globally in 2019, and less than a quarter of them were diagnosed. New and innovative approaches are needed to accelerate progress toward the HCV elimination targets. Self-testing is one such approach. These guidelines provide a new recommendation and guidance on HCV self-testing to complement existing HCV testing services in countries. These guidelines also highlight operational considerations to support strategic implementation and scale up of HCV self-testing.