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Background and study aims Frontlines healthcare workers (HCWs) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are at increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2, but there are limited data on the prevalence of COVID-19 among HCWs in Egypt. This study aimed to assess SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs providing gastroenterological services. Subjects and methods Seventy-four HCWs at the gastroenterological service of Al-Manial University Hospital, the main hospital of the largest tertiary university hospitals complex in Egypt (Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University) were tested using real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal samples, and rapid serological IgM/IgG tests (RST). A questionnaire was used to collect demographic, occupational and clinical data. Results Of the 74 HCWs, 10 tested positive by RT-PCR (13.5%). In 9/74 (12.2%) HCWs, antibodies could be detected by RST: three with both IgM and IgG lines; six with IgM line only and none with IgG line only. Frequency of positive tests was more among subjects with minor symptoms compared to completely asymptomatic HCWs (50% vs 16.1%, respectively). Neither age, gender or occupation was a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions Point prevalence of COVID-19 in gastroenterology HCWs is 13.5% by RT-PCR. Continued measures are warranted to assure HCWs safety and reduce transmission from healthcare settings to the community during COVID-19 pandemic. Presence of positive test results among asymptomatic HCWs illustrates the importance of screening all HCWs irrespective of symptoms.

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Background and Aim Direct acting antiviral has offered treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence post liver transplantation (LT) with an all‐oral regimen for short duration, excellent safety profile, and high sustained virological response (SVR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir (SOF)‐based regimens in the real world among a cohort of Egyptian patients with recurrent HCV post living donor LT (LDLT). Methods Patients with HCV‐G4 recurrence post‐LDLT were recruited from National Committee of Control of Viral Hepatitis, Egypt, from November 2014 to May 2017. They received different SOF‐based regimens according to the treatment protocols available during this period. Patients’ outcome and Adverse effects (AE) were evaluated. Results One hundred ninety patients (170 males, mean age 56.8 ± 7.9 years) were included. Calcineurin inhibitors were the main immunosuppression used (173 patients). Out of 190, 119 (62.6%) received SOF/ribavirin (RBV), 38 (20%) SOF/simeprevir (SMV), 22 (11.6%) SOF/daclatasvir (DSV)/ ± RBV, and 11 (5.8%) received SOF/LDV/ ± RBV. Overall SVR12 was 89.5%, 84.9% in SOF/RBV group, 94.7% in SOF/SMV, 100% in SOF/DCV, and 100% in SOF/LDV with no statistically significant difference ( P = 0.104). The AE reported were as follows: anemia (n = 65, 34.4%) mainly in SOF/RBV group, transient hyperbilirubinemia during SOF/SMV in 13 patients (34%), mild Acute cellular rejection in eight patients (4.2%), and hepatocellular carcinoma in two patients (1%) mainly driven by underlying liver condition. Two deaths were unlikely related to HCV therapy. Conclusion Different SOF‐based regimens were effective with high SVR12 rates in a difficult‐to‐treat population, recurrent HCV post LDLT.

ARFI can be used as a reliable method in assessment of significant fibrosis post-LDLT.