Over-expression of SOCS-3 mRNA from peripheral blood of NHL patients correlates with advanced disease and poor response to treatment. SOCS-3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood from NHL patients might be used to monitor response during treatment.

IntroductionT regulatory cells (Treg) play an important role in the maintenance of immune cell homeostasis, as it has been reported that CD4+CD25+ T cells suppress the auto-reactive responses in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The clinical significance of the recently identified population of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells and whether they are associated with particular organ involvement is still not clear. So, the aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ cells in SLE patients in comparison to healthy controls and to determine whether their frequency is associated with disease activity and particular clinical manifestations in these SLE patients.Material and methodsThe frequency of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells was analyzed in 56 female SLE patients and 30 healthy female control subjects, using flow cytometry (FACS). CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells were correlated with clinical and laboratory data and the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).ResultsThe level of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells was significantly increased in SLE patients (15.57 ±4.32%) as compared with the control group (2.46 ±0.65%). A significant correlation was observed for the percentage of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ T cells with clinical disease activity scores and disease duration (r = 0.6, p < 0.001; r = 0.3, p = 0.02 respectively). It was also positively correlated with renal impairment and hematological involvement.ConclusionsSystemic lupus erythematosus patients exhibited an altered level of their CD4+Foxp3+ T cells with increased levels of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ cells.

Background: Hospital acquired pneumonia occurs more than 48 h after hospital admission and was not present at the time of admission, while ventilator associated pneumonia occurs after 48-72 h of endotracheal intubation or within 48 h of extubation. HAP is the second most common nosocomial infection and accounts for approximately 25% of all infections in the Intensive Care Unit worldwide.Purposes: To identify the etiology, initial evaluation, prevention, and treatment of adult patients with ICU HAP, and VAP in Suez Canal University hospital and their management strategies.Methods: This study was conducted in the department of ICU, Suez Canal University Hospital; Ismailia, Egypt in the period from May to August 2013. All the patients were subjected to clinical and radiological assessment, Endotracheal aspirate samples for culture, and sensitivity to determine the causative organisms, Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score was done in order to determine the severity of HAP.Results: 89% of patients were suffering from VAP, while 11% were suffering from HAP, with mean age of 63.8 ± 10.47 years. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae represented the most common isolated organisms that accounted about 65% of the studied population. The isolated microorganisms were resistant to Amoxicillin, MRSA showed highest sensitivity (44.4%) to Vancomycin and (27.8%) to Imipenem. K. pneumoniae were sensitive mainly to Imipenem (75.9%) and to Levofloxacin (44.8%).Conclusion: Gram-negative organisms were isolated in 46% of cases, gram-positive organisms in 41% and the isolated organisms showed high resistance to most of the tested antibiotics.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine acceptance among healthcare workers (HCWs) plays a fundamental role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination acceptance depends on perceptions of competence and motives of the providers, producers, health professionals, and policymakers. This study aimed to identify the frequency and determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake acceptance, hesitancy, and barriers among HCWs. Methods A total of 500 HCWs from 3 different hospital affiliations in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, were included in this mixed methods study. The study was conducted between March and April 2021 through two phases. Phase 1 included a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire with inquiries about different determinants of vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and barriers, which was completed either electronically in a Google form or a hard printed copy. Phase 2 included four focus group discussions to explore the determinants in depth. Results The mean age of participants was 33.9 ± 7.9 years, 70% were females, 51.2% were nurses, and 28.6% were physicians. Of the 500 HCWs, only 27.8% accepted taking the vaccine immediately, 49.2% refused, and 23% were hesitant. Vaccine safety was the highest associated factor with vaccine acceptance (odds ratio (OR) = 6.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.132–12.619), followed by previous uptake of influenza vaccine (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 2.048–5.217) and vaccine effectiveness (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.282–5.262). The main barriers to vaccine acceptance were mistrust in governmental policies during the pandemic or in the healthcare facility they work in. Hesitancy was common among females and nurses and was attributed to three prominent factors, including safety concerns, negative stories, and personal knowledge. Conclusions The vaccine acceptance frequency among HCWs was considered low, as the majority either refused or was hesitant about taking the vaccine. Concerns about vaccine safety and effectiveness were significant determinants of vaccine acceptance. Factors related to trust were the main barriers to vaccine uptake. The health authority should establish a surveillance system for side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine and communicate this information between HCWs to decrease their worries about safety and increase vaccine uptake.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the top fi ve pathogens causing healthcareassociated infections. Biofi lm formation is nowadays a major problem. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of virulence genes in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at Suez Canal University Hospitals with respect to the site of infection and microbial resistance of the strains. Materials and methods:A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 47 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains collected from hospitalized patients from December 2015 to August 2017. To detect biofi lm formation, we used Tissue Culture Plate Method. The virulence genes (toxA, algD, nan1, pslA and pelA) were amplifi ed using PCR technique. Results:The highest sensitivity was to Imipenem and Ciprofl oxacin (85.1% and 68.1% respectively).With respect to the virulence genes, toxA gene was detected in 45 isolates (95.7%), algD gene in 42 isolates (89.4%), pslA in 42 isolates (89.4%) %), pelA cted in 41 isolates (87.2%) and nan1gene was detected in 19 isolates (40.45%). Conclusions and Recommendations:We conclude that there is relationship between virulence genes and biofi lm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We recommend the expansion of work on a larger sample size in a longer period of time.