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. Methods Our study was carried out between May 5 and the end of October 2020. It included all patients requiring admission to Ain Shams University hospitals. An interview questionnaire was used to collect demographic and clinical data. Laboratory tests for all participants included RT-PCR and total antibody assay for SARS-CoV-2. Results A total of 4,313 subjects were enrolled in our study, with females representing 56% of the sample. Adults and middle-aged individuals represented around 60% of the study sample. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 PCR was 3.84% (95% CI 3.29–4.48), and the SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence was 29.82% (95% CI: 28.16–31.51). Males showed a higher risk for getting the COVID-19 infection, while middle-age group had significantly higher antibody seroprevalence rates. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 infection imposes a high burden on the community as detected by high seroprevalence rates.

Granulicatella species were previously known as nutritionally variant streptococci, which are now classified in two new genera, the Abiotrophia and Granulicatella. Granulicatella adiacens (G. adiacens) is a part the normal commensals of human mucosal surfaces, including oral cavity, urogenital and gastrointestinal tract and rarely causing disease. They grow in Gram-positive cocci in pairs and chains, difficult to be identified by conventional methods, since this species require pyridoxalsupplemented culture media for optimal growth. We report a case of bacteremia caused by G. adiacens in an elderly male suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma. The infection was diagnosed, the patient was treated successfully and eventually discharged.G. adiacens is an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients especially neutropenic or patients with comorbid conditions as diabetes or other systemic illnesses, particularly if they required long hospitalization and intensive care unit admission. Infection rate may be underestimated either unidentified or misidentified, since the organism necessitates automated identification.

Background: Laryngeal cancer constitutes 26-30% of all head and neck malignant tumors. Chronic stimulation by acid reflux may lead to a malignant change in the laryngopharyngeal mucosa. Pepsin assay could be a rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic marker of extra-esophageal reflux (EES). Helicobacter pylori is involved in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer, and gastric carcinoma with growing interest in the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the upper aerodigestive tract. Aim: The aim of the study is to confirm the role of H.pylori and pepsin as risk factors in laryngeal cancer patients. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five patients were enrolled in this study, and divided into 3 groups; Group (A) 32 patients with suspected laryngeal malignancy. Group (B) 20 patients with benign laryngeal lesions. Group (C) 22 patients free from laryngeal disease, scheduled for non-laryngeal surgery. All patients were subjected to laryngo-pharyngeal lavage (LPL) using sterile water, before starting the surgical procedure and was analyzed for detection of Pepsin an H. Pylori, also culture for H. Pylori was done. Results: Strong positive association exist between H. pylori and Pepsin and occurrence of laryngeal carcinoma, while there was no statistically significant relationship with occurrence of a benign laryngeal lesions. Conclusion: GER is a risk factor or co-carcinogen in the pathogenesis of laryngeal carcinoma and not considered as a risk factor for benign laryngeal lesions. H. pylori culture and Pepsin assay in LPL can be used as non-invasive tool for detection of GER.

T HE RATE of Candida-induced infections has been increasing significantly. The magnitude of the problem is aggravated by the emerging antifungal resistance among various Candida species. Our study aimed to assess the antifungal susceptibility profiles of Candida isolates causing infections at Ain Shams University Hospitals from 2018 to 2022. A cross-sectional observational study of all cases of positive growth of Candida and antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using VITEK 2 compact automated system. Out of 342 specimens, Candida albicans (C. albicans) was the most common species (40.4%). Candida non albicans (CNA) was predominating (59.6%) and was mainly composed of C. tropicalis (36.3%) and C. parapsilosis (8.8%). Among total Candida isolates, 24 (7%) were resistant to Flucytosine, 20 (5.8%) were resistant to Amphotericin B as well as Caspofungin, 12 (3.5%) were resistant to Fluconazole, 5 (1.5%) were resistant to both Micafungin and Voriconazole. Candida non albicans which express decreased susceptibility to antifungals have been emerging as a serious cause of infection among hospitalized patients. Resistance was common to Flucytosine, Amphotericin B and Caspofungin, with low resistance rate to Fluconazole, Micafungin and Voriconazole.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic autosomal recessive disease caused by CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutations, which encodes the CFTR protein. Impaired function of this protein leads to increased mucus thickness with subsequent chronic infections. The fungal biota in CF is dominated by Aspergillus and Candida species (spp).