Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause a major public health problem that affect both men and women in developing and developed countries. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of 11 STIs among women who voluntarily participated in the study, while seeking gynecological checkup. The existence of an association between the presence of pathogens and symptoms and various sociodemographic risk factors was assessed. Methods A total of 505 vaginal and cervical specimens were collected from women above 18 years of age, with or without symptoms related to gynecological infections. Nucleic acid was extracted and samples were tested by real-time PCR for the following pathogens: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Urealplasma parvum, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma girerdii, Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida albicans and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Positive HPV samples underwent genotyping using a microarray system. Results Of the 505 samples, 312 (62%) were screened positive for at least one pathogen. Of these, 36% were positive for Gardnerella vaginalis, 35% for Ureaplasma parvum, 8% for Candida albicans, 6.7% for HPV, 4.6% for Ureaplasma urealyticum, 3.6% for Mycoplasma hominis, 2% for Trichomonas vaginalis, 0.8% for Chlamydia trachomatis, 0.4% for Mycoplasma girerdii, 0.2% for Mycoplasma genitalium and 0.2% for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Lack of symptoms was reported in 187 women (37%), among whom 61% were infected. Thirty-four samples were HPV positive, with 17 high risk HPV genotypes (HR-HPV); the highest rates being recorded for types 16 (38%), 18 (21%) and 51 (18%). Out of the 34 HPV positives, 29 participants had HR-HPV. Association with various risk factors were reported. Conclusions This is the first study that presents data about the presence of STIs among women in Lebanon and the MENA region by simultaneous detection of 11 pathogens. In the absence of systematic STI surveillance in Lebanon, concurrent screening for HPV and PAP smear is warranted.

Background and aimsInflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colorectal cancer have an increased impact on the Lebanese population’s morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the situation of IBD and colorectal cancer at a tertiary hospital centre in Lebanon.Methods1007 patients underwent colonoscopy over a period of 12 months by qualified physicians. 91 patients were excluded from the study. Biopsy results were divided into normal versus abnormal colonic tissue. The abnormal section was further subdivided into number of polyps, IBD, dysplasia and cancer.ResultsOut of 916 individuals included, 61 cases of Crohn’s colitis (CC) (6.7%) and 24 cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) (2.7%) were identified. A total of 92 cases of colorectal cancer (10.04%) were also identified. There was a slight male predominance in both groups of IBD without any statistical significance. One statistical significance was reported in favour to age<50 years in both IBD groups with a mean age of 37.9±9.7 years and 34.4±6.4 years for CC and UC, respectively. The incidence of granuloma in the CC group was 8.9% without any correlation compared with age or gender. No correlation was made between colorectal cancer and the existence of any IBD type. The data showed that age >50 years and male gender significantly correlate with an increased incidence of precancerous and cancerous polyps in the colon. They significantly correlate with adenocarcinoma. The estimated incidence of colorectal cancer, CC and UC was 54.1, 35.8 and 14.1 per 100 000, respectively, with a denominator of 169 959 patients per year.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, the incidence of colorectal cancer and IBD falls in the high range compared with similar European and American studies. Our data are biased because of the tertiary centre setting but they can be considered as base for further investigations.

Introduction: The lymphocytic population, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are prognostic tools predictive of adverse outcomes for several solid tumors and oncologic surgeries, one of which is esophageal adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, delayed resumption of oral feeding postoperatively is associated with significant morbidity. Given the controversies regarding post-op nutritional support in these patients, this study investigates the prognostic role of the lymphocytic percentage, the NLR and the PLR in predicting prolonged length of hospital stay (LOHS) and ICU stay (LOICUS) as well as delayed oral feeding following transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods: 40 consecutive patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy performed by a single surgeon for Siewert type II and type III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction at a tertiary referral center was selected. Retrospective data collection was performed from the patients’ medical records and statistical analysis was performed using Pearson correlation and Student’s T-test and Chi-square testing.Results: An increased LOHS was correlated with a lower preoperative lymphocyte percentage (p=0.043), higher NLR (p=0.010) and PLR (p=0.015), and an increased number of packed red blood cell (PRBCs) transfusions perioperatively (p=0.030). An increased LOICUS was correlated with a lower preoperative lymphocyte percentage (p=0.033), higher NLR (p=0.018) and PLR (p=0.044), an increased number of PRBCs transfusions (p=0.001) and patients’ comorbidities (p<0.05). A delay in feeding resumption was correlated with a lower preoperative lymphocyte percentage (p=0.022), higher NLR (p=0.004) and PLR (p=0.001), an increased PRBCs transfusions (p=0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p=0.033). Multivariate analysis with automatic linear modeling showed that only the preoperative PLR was a powerful predictor for the delay of feeding resumption (p<0.01).Conclusion: The lymphocyte percentage, PLR and NLR are found to be associated with prolonged hospitalization and ICU stay, delayed oral feeding following THE for Siewert type II and III AEG. We hope by this series, to have set, at least one preliminary cornerstone, in the creation of a prognostic model, capable of assessing the need for an intraoperative jejunostomy placement, in patients undergoing esophagectomy for distal esophageal carcinoma.

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Introduction: Pilonidal disease is a chronic inflammatory process resulting from impaction of natal cleft hair into the subcutaneous tissues creating an abscess or a draining sinus over the sacrococcygeal area. Malignant transformation occurs in around 0.1%, mainly into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) type. Wide excision with tumor-free margins remains the treatment of choice. Multiple closure techniques were settled and the best one ought to be chosen in a context malignancy and future radiological treatment. Case Presentation: We describe the management of a case of a 69-year-old male with chronic pilonidal disease, recurrent after 25 years found on final pathology to undergo malignant transformation into SCC. Wide and aggressive excision were performed with new margins and with periosteal excision of the sacrum and coccyx. rotational myocutaneous gluteal flap was done for closure of the wound in order to ensure better satisfactory esthetic results without a delay in future treatment. Conclusion: The progression of a chronic pilonidal disease into SCC is a rare but serious complication. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsies. Workup for metastasis should be made before aggressive surgical excision. Oncoplastic surgeries is recommended for satisfactory results. Routine follow-up postoperatively should be considered due to high rate of recurrence by physical examination and imaging.