Genetic literacy among primary care physicians in a resource-constrained setting.

Background: Genetic literacy among primary healthcare providers is crucial for appropriate patient care with the advances in genetic and genomic medicine. Studies from high-income countries highlight the lack of knowledge in genetics and the need to develop curricula for continuing professional development of non-geneticists. Scarce data is available from resource-constrained countries in Middle East and North Africa.

Occupational Exposure to Blood-Borne Pathogens among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon.

Objectives: Despite numerous initiatives, occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBP) caused by percutaneous injuries or mucosal contamination remain common among healthcare workers (HCWs). These exposures were decreasing at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) in the previous decades. Recently, the medical center activity has been increasing with higher number of interventions performed and shorter hospital stay.

Recommended measures for the efficient care of patients with genetic disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in low and middle income countries.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in early 2020 and since, has brought about tremendous cost to economies and healthcare systems universally. Reports of pediatric patients with inherited conditions and COVID-19 infections are emerging. Specific risks for morbidity and mortality that this pandemic carries for different categories of genetic disorders are still mostly unknown.

Mapping the Diverse Genetic Disorders and Rare Diseases Among the Syrian Population: Implications on Refugee Health and Health Services in Host Countries.

The aim of this systematic review is to provide physicians and researchers with a comprehensive list of reported genetic disorders in patients of Syrian origin-those who have become part of the largest displaced population globally-and to highlight the need to consider migrant population-based risk for the development of genetic disease control and prevention programs. This review was performed based on the 2015 PRISMA and the international prospective register of systematic reviews. The present review reports on a total of 166 genetic disorders (only 128 reported on OMIM) identified in the Syrian population.

The epidemiology of Norovirus in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: a systematic review.

Norovirus (NoV) is considered the second leading cause of viral acute gastroenteritis (AGE). To our knowledge, there are no systematic reviews assessing the role of NoV in AGE in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Consequently, we conducted an extensive systematic literature review on articles studying NoV in the 24 countries of the MENA region during the past 15 years (2000-2015).

Update on the epidemiology of rotavirus in the Middle East and North Africa.

Rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of severe acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide. Consequently, we conducted a systematic literature review on articles studying RV in the 25 countries of the MENA region during the past 15years (2000-2015). The methods and reporting were set according to the 2015 preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) and based on the elements from the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO).

Characterization of astrovirus-associated gastroenteritis in hospitalized children under five years of age.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and genetic diversity of astrovirus (AstV) detected in children hospitalized for gastroenteritis (GE).

Methods: A multi-center, hospital-based surveillance study was conducted across Lebanon to investigate the incidence of AstV among diarrheal hospitalizations. Viral RNA was extracted from stool samples collected between 2011 and 2013 from children, below the age of 5years, hospitalized for GE at six medical centers across Lebanon.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis among hospitalized children in Lebanon.

Aim: To assess the burden of norovirus (NoV) and to determine the diversity of circulating strains among hospitalized children in Lebanon.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from children presenting with acute gastroenteritis to six major hospitals in Lebanon. A total of 739 eligible stool samples, testing negative for diarrhea caused by rotavirus as a possible viral pathogen, were collected between January 2011 and June 2013.

Potential role of killer immunoglobulin receptor genes among individuals vaccinated against hepatitis B virus in Lebanon.

Aim: To explore the role of killer immunoglobulin receptor () genes in responsiveness or non-responsiveness to vaccination against hepatitis B virus.

Methods: We recruited 101 voluntary participants between March 2010 and December 2011. Sera samples from vaccinated and non-vaccinated participants were tested for the presence of anti-HBs antibodies as a measure of protection against hepatitis B, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B core antibody as indicators of infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Human immunodeficiency virus and viral hepatitis among high-risk groups: Understanding the knowledge gap in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Aim: To identify gaps in the existing knowledge on single, dual and triple infections of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region among men who have sex with men (MSMs), female sex workers (FSWs), injecting drug users (IDUs) and prisoners.

Methods: We performed an extensive literature search on articles published on the topic in the 25 countries of the MENA region. PubMed database was used as the main search engine.

Hepatitis E virus in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa region: an awareness of an infectious threat to blood safety.

Purpose: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is mainly transmitted through contaminated water supplies which make the virus endemic in developing countries including countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Recent reports suggest potential risk of HEV transmission via blood transfusion.

Methods: Related articles on HEV were collected by searching through the 25 countries of the MENA region using Pubmed and Medline within the past 14 years: January 2000-August 2014.

A review of the diverse genetic disorders in the Lebanese population: highlighting the urgency for community genetic services.

The review lists the genetic diseases reported in Lebanese individuals, surveys genetic programs and services, and highlights the absence of basic genetic health services at the individual and community level. The incidence of individual diseases is not determined, yet the variety of genetic diseases reported is tremendous, most of which follow autosomal recessive inheritance reflecting the social norms in the population, including high rates of consanguinity, which favor the increase in incidence of these diseases. Genetic services including all activities for the diagnosis, care, and prevention of genetic diseases at community level are extremely inadequate.

Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among married non-pregnant women living in a low-income suburb of Beirut, Lebanon.

Introduction: This study aimed to identify reproductive tract infections (RTIs) in married, non-pregnant women, aged 18 to 49 years, living in a low-income suburb of Beirut, and to investigate the relationship between demographic and socioeconomic factors and these infections.

Methodology: Among 1,015 women recruited for the study, 502 were found eligible and 441 were medically examined. Appropriate specimens were collected for Nisseria gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, candidiasis, and bacterial vaginosis.

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections among female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Lebanon: prevalence, risk behaviour and immune status.

Background: The aim of our study was to study the prevalence of and the risk behaviours associated with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among two high-risk groups: female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Furthermore, since vaccination is a key component of HBV prevention programs, the immune status of HBV infection in these two high-risk groups was evaluated.

Methods: Participants included in this study were part of a bio-behavioural surveillance study done to assess HIV prevalence among four vulnerable groups in Lebanon.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among injecting drug users in Lebanon.

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Lebanon, to establish the current prevalence of HCV genotypes in this population and to determine whether demographic characteristics and behavioral variables differ between participants who were HCV-RNA positive and those who were HCV-RNA negative or between the different genotypes. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling method. The blood samples were collected as dried blood spots and then eluted to be tested for HCV, HBV and HIV by ELISA.

Prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and hepatitis C and risk factors in prisoners in Lebanon.

Background: People admitted to correctional facilities often have a history of risky behaviours which frequently lead to transmission of blood-borne viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Our aim was to determine the prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among prisoners in Lebanon.

Methodology: Conducted between August 2007 and February 2008 in Roumieh Prison, Lebanon, the study included a total of 580 male prisoners aged 16 and above who were randomly selected from four prison blocks.