Yemeni Journal for Medical Sciences

Comparative Evaluation of Rapid Card Test And Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay For The Detection Of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen In A Tertiary Care Hospital

2023-08-05T20:16:49+00:00

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the leading causes of death in developing countries. The most important
marker for HBV diagnosis is detection of Hepatitis B surface antigen in blood.
Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the analytical sensitivity of a rapid card test in comparison to Enzyme-Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) which is considered a Gold Standard technique for the detection of HBsAg in blood samples
received for HBsAg test in serology section of Microbiology Department, Central Laboratory, Sharda Hospital.
Methods: Cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences &
Research for a period of 12 months from 1st November 2020 to 31st October 2021. The two different brands by which multiple
parameters were analyzed were HEPACARD and Erba Lisa SEN HBsAg.
Results: A total of 13939 blood samples were received for HBsAg diagnosis. For the study purpose, from the total of 13939
samples, 386 were randomly selected to be included in the study with 193 positive samples and 193 negative samples. The
sensitivity and specificity of Rapid card were 95.83% and 100% respectively. The Positive predictive value and Negative
predictive value of Rapid card were 100% and 95.65% respectively for HBsAg detection.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that, an ideal rapid test is a boon in time-saving situations. Since HBsAg screening by a rapid
test is easier, cost effective, time saving can be easily performed by any trained health care worker at any time of need. Hence,
HBsAg screening can be preferable done by a Rapid card test followed by a supplemental ELISA and Polymerase chain reaction
for further confirmation. Good sensitivity and specificity of Immuno-chromatography test (ICT) for early detection of HBsAg
was observed.

Evaluation of Phenotypic Methods in the Clinical Isolates for Biofilm Detection of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in Mukalla city, Hadhramout, Yemen

2023-08-05T20:29:56+00:00

Introduction: Biofilms represent a complex structure comprising prokaryotic cells, proteins, sugars, and DNA as major
constituents. Bacteria can grow in biofilms and associated with human infections and considered to be highly resistant to
antibiotics. There are various methods to detect biofilm production like tissue culture plate (TCP), tube method (TM), and
Congo red agar method (CRA).
Objectives: This study aimed to compare three methods for the detection of biofilm formation in the clinical isolates
Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.
Methods: A total of 60 clinical isolates of S. aureus and E. coli were subjected to biofilm detection methods by TM, CRA
and TCP.
Results: Out of the total 60 clinical isolates of S. aureus and E. coli, TCP method detected 33 (55%) as strong, 15 (25%)
as moderate and 12 (20%) as weak/non-biofilm producers. The sensitivity of TM and CRA was 56.3% and 60.4%, and the
specificity was 58.3% and 66.7% respectively. In our validation of the diagnostic biofilm production tests, the TCP method
was superior to TM and CRA methods for biofilm detection.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the TCP method is accurate and reliable method for the detection of biofilm
formation in the clinical isolates S. aureus and E. coli compared to TM and CRA methods, and can be recommended as a
general screening method for the detection of biofilm producing bacteria in clinical laboratories.

ANTI-SARS-COV-2 VACCINATION: ABOUT THE ALGERIAN EXPERIENCE

2023-08-05T20:34:17+00:00

Introduction: The recent pandemic of the novel coronavirus-2 of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-Cov-2 or
COVID-19), is one of the deadly diseases of the last twenty years.
Objectives: Many efforts have been devoted to find solutions to fight COVID-19 pandemic as quickly and effectively as
possible. After the development of COVID-19 vaccines, several rumors about their effectiveness and safety spread all over
the world. The objective of the present study is to report data about the vaccination in Algeria and to document the various
side-effects notified by the Algerian population during the 24 hours following the administration of anti-COVID-19
vaccines.
Methods: An online observational retrospective survey targeting Algerian adults residing in the different Wilayas of the
country has been conducted.
Results: Nine hundred and ninety-four (994) Algerians participated in this survey. The age of the participants ranged
between 18 and 78 years with an average of 34.75 ± 14.31 years. The sex ratio was 2.1 with female predominance. The
participants were from different Wilayas (provinces) especially: Bejaia (21.6%), Setif (17.8%), Algiers (8.5%), Batna
(4.9%), etc. Almost half of the participants (46.9%) have a university degree. A total of 24% of participants were
vaccinated between February 2021 and March 2022. Of these, 81.1% were fully vaccinated and 18.9% were partially
vaccinated. Numerous vaccines were administered; Sinovac (50.4%), Janssen (16%), Sputnik (12.2%), AstraZeneca
(10.1%), Sinopharm (5.9%), Pfizer (4.6%). More than half (62.3%) did not feel any signs after vaccination. Others (37.7%)
claimed the appearance of certain effects including fever (21.6%), pain (16.5%), asthenia (8.1%), headache (7.2%) and
others (40.1%).
Conclusion: According to the Algerian experience, in the majority of cases, anti-COVID-19 vaccines are devoid from
annoying effects. In some cases, it may be accompanied by some mild effects. However, vaccination is an important way
to prevent COVID-19 infection and the vaccine can be used safely.

Seroprevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus among Aborted Women in Aden, Yemen

2024-03-13T01:22:27+00:00

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one member of Herpesviridae. It can cause serious complications in pregnant women and their fetuses. So, this study aims to determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM against HCMV among aborted women and other related factors in Aden–Yemen. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 88 aborted women. Blood samples were collected and serum HCMV IgG and IgM were analyzed using ELISA. The overall prevalence of IgG and IgM of HCMV infections were 77.6% and 83.3%, respectively. Neither HCMV IgG nor IgM seroprevalence had significantly influenced by age, number of abortions, education level, trimesters, and other factors. It can be concluded that the seroprevalence IgG antibodies of HCMV infections among aborted women were slightly lower than those reported globally whereas the seroprevalence IgM antibodies were higher than most of the previous studies that performed globally. Other causative factors may also contribute to abortion among aborted women. Further research is required to detect the HCMV and other causative agents of abortion in Aden and other southern governments of Yemen using adequate sample size and new advanced techniques.

Prevalence and Antibiogram Patterns of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Two Wastewater Treatment Plants in Aden Governorate-Yemen

2024-03-13T02:02:53+00:00

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative rod-shaped obligatorily aerobic bacterium. This bacterium is most frequently associated with human infections and is regarded as an opportunistic pathogen, primarily causing nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. P. aeruginosa as a waterborne pathogen is a growing concern to public health sectors. Many sources of environmental water as well as in other sources such as sewage treatment plants could potentially be acting as a reservoir for potentially pathogenic strains of P. aeruginosa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, antibiogram pattern and the multiple antibiotics resistant (MAR) of P. aeruginosa.

Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study, conducted between September 2022 and February 2023. A total of 193 wastewater samples, (97/193) & (96/193) were obtained from two region AL-Magari and Kaputa wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), respectively. The wastewater samples were serially diluted and cultured on enrichment medium, then cultured on cetrimide agar as a selective medium for P. aeruginosa. The isolates were identified primarily based on cultural characteristics and then by biochemical tests. A panel of 32 antibiotics were used to determine the susceptibility patterns and the MAR.

Results: The prevalence of P. aeruginosa was 33.7 % (65/193), while the statistical data revealed no a statistically significant difference between the prevalence of P. aeruginosa isolates from AL-Magari and Kaputa (P˃0.05). The study revealed the presence of antipseudomonal agents among the wastewater isolates of P. aeruginosa. Ciprofloxacin antibiotic has the highest activity against P. aeruginosa strains with the lowest resistant rate (7.7%), followed by Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin and Piperacillin/Tazobactam, (12.3%), (18.5%), and (20%), respectively. The MAR index ranged between 0.562 to 1.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that MAR P. aeruginosa were quite prevalent in the wastewater effluents of WWTPs in Aden governorate-Yemen with no statistically significant difference in resistant pattern between wastewater isolates from AL-Magari and Kaputa region to the antibiotics used in this study (P˃0.05); and this can lead to serious health risk for community, and natural vegetation where plants grow.