Estimation of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Seroprevalence Among Non-Vaccinated and Vaccinated University Students: A Cross-Sectional Egyptian Study Ahmed E. Taha, Ibrahim Amer, Shimaa El Sharawy, Amany A. Ghazy Viruses, 2025 It is essential to comprehend the humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its vaccines to maximize the effectiveness of anti-SARSCoV-2 community immunization efforts. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG among newcomer students at Kafr Elsheikh University in Egypt, whether they had been vaccinated or not. Blood samples from 400 healthy newcomer students (200 non-vaccinated and 200 vaccinated) were evaluated for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG using colloidal gold immunochromatography lateral flow immunoassay cards, and then the results were confirmed by using specific ELISA tests. The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among the participants (n = 400) was 56.3% for IgG and 13.3% for IgM. Regarding the non-vaccinated participants, 55.0% were females, the mean age was 18.2 years, and the mean BMI was 25.35. Regarding the vaccinated participants, 58.5% were females, the mean age was 18.1 years, and the mean BMI was 25.3. There were statistically non-significant correlations (p ˃ 0.05) between gender, BMI, and each of IgM- or IgG-positivity in both vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups. In total, 41.5% and 48.5% of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM-positive and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive participants were non-vaccinated, respectively. Furthermore, 58.5% and 51.5% of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM-positive and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive participants were vaccinated, respectively. No statistically significant association (p ˃ 0.05) in immunoglobulins positivity between the anti-SARS-CoV-2 non-vaccinated, and vaccinated groups. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunological response of nonsmokers, people who exercise regularly, and those who take vitamin supplements, eat a balanced diet, and use certain herbs is noteworthy. Among the vaccinated subjects, 96.6%, 25.0%, 31.9%, 45.7%, and 7.8% of the IgG-positive group, versus 97.2%, 60.6%, 64.2%, 52.3%, and 6.4% of the IgG-positive non-vaccinated group, were nonsmokers, exercisers, and those taking vitamin supplements, eating a balanced diet, and using herbs, respectively. Furthermore, 93.5%, 32.3%, 35.5%, 48.4%, and 6.5% of the IgM-positive vaccinated group, versus 100.0%, 63.6%, 81.8%, 45.5%, and 4.5% of the IgM-positive non-vaccinated participants, were nonsmokers, physical exercisers, vitamin supplement users, balanced eaters, and herbalists, respectively. Persons who are free from comorbidities, young, non-obese, non-smokers, engage in physical exercise, take vitamins, eat a balanced diet, and use certain immunostimulant herbal supplements, all have a strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 humoral immune response, even if they were not vaccinated. During pandemics, vaccination of this group should not be a priority to preserve vaccine doses for high-risk vulnerable people. Even if there is a lockdown during an anticipated future epidemic or pandemic, we should prioritize healthy eating and lifestyle choices, along with increasing physical activity.
Egyptian evidence-based consensus on clinical practice recommendations for the management of systemic sclerosis Yasser El Miedany, Khaled El Hadidi, Manal Mohamed El Menyawi, Maha El Gaafary, Ahmed Abdel-Nasser, Atef Abdel Azim, Waleed Hassan, Mohamed Mortada, Samar Abd Alhamed Tabra, Sally Saber, Ibrahim Amer, Engi Seif E. Shaker, Dina Maria, Mohamed Hassan Abu-Zaid Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, 2024 Background This work aims to develop clinical practice recommendations for the management of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Results Fourteen expert panels had completed the two rounds of surveys. After the end of round 2, recommendations were released and distributed on 11 domains. The percentage of the agreement on the recommendations was 92.3% to 100%. All 11 key questions were answered at the end of the second round with agreement. Conclusion This guideline tried to tackle the gaps in research that limit treatment options. Stratifying the patients according to their disease domains has helped to set up sequential management pathways for each domain.
The Predictors of Hepatorenal Syndrome Development in HCV Cirrhotic Ascitic Egyptian Patients with Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis Shimaa Mahmoud El Sharawy, Mahmoud Zaki Elkadeem, Ibrahim Fathi Amer Anti Inflammatory and Anti Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2023 Background & Aims: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is considered a precipitating factor for renal impairment in patients with liver cirrhosis. No specific study addressing this problem has been reported. This study aimed to detect the incidence and predictive factors of hepatorenal syndrome in these patients. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 121 hepatic cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. History taking, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations includ-ing ascitic fluid analysis were carried out. Kidney function tests were repeated 3 days after the initiation of treatment. Patients were divided into 2 groups after one week of treatment during the follow-up period: Group I: patients without hepatorenal syndrome, and Group II: patients with hepatorenal syndrome. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of hepatorenal syndrome development. Results: A total of 30 patients (24.8%) developed hepatorenal syndrome. Patients with hepato-renal syndrome had significantly lower sodium and albumin levels as well as higher creatinine, bilirubin, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, portal vein diameter, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score. Higher percentage of them had a history of recurrent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and multiple therapeutic paracentesis of ascites. Multivariate analysis detected that serum bili-rubin, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium, and portal vein diameter were significant predictors of hepatorenal syndrome. Cutoff values were determined as 3.3 mg/dl for bilirubin, 15.9 mm for portal vein diameter, and 26 for Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium. Conclusion: Hepatorenal syndrome is a common complication of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. In our study, high serum bilirubin, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium, and portal vein diameter are predictors of the development of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
Detection of hefA gene in multidrug resistant Helicobacter pylori at Tanta University Hospital kareman Eshra, Ibrahim amer, Radwa El Sharaby, shimaa El Sharawy, Radwa Eissa Microbes and Infectious Diseases, 2023 Background: The evident multidrug resistance (MDR) associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a serious public health problem. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent in three or even more antimicrobial classes. The hefA gene encodes an active efflux process against antimicrobials, and its expression in H. pylori may contribute to the upsurge of resistant strains. Aim of the study: Detection of MDR H. pylori among endoscopic isolates and examining the role of hefA gene expression in the occurrence of MDR H. pylori. Methods: Our research involved 40 H. pylori endoscopic isolates using conventional microbiological methods. We identified MDR in H. pylori isolates using E testing procedures for metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin as well as clarithromycin. We detected the hefA gene expression among the isolated H. pylori by real-time PCR. Results: out of 40 isolates of H. pylori, 13 (32.5%) were MDR and 27 (67.5%) were not MDR. We found hefA gene in MDR H. pylori isolates with total (mean ± SD) equal to 7.055385±2.591111, but in non-MDR H. pylori isolates were with total (mean ± SD) equal to 2.591111±0.720189. There was a statistically significant difference in hefA expression levels among both MDR H. pylori isolated strains and non-MDR ones; the p value was 0.001. Conclusion: The hefA gene expression in H. pylori plays an important role in the emergence of MDR H. pylori strains as one of the genes encoding for efflux pump mechanisms.
Do you have to evaluate the heart of the cirrhotic patients? Mohammed Hussien Ahmed, Mohammed Said Radwan, Ibrahim Fathi Amer, Hassan Elsayed Elbatea, Shimaa Mahmoud ElSharawy, Salwa Twafic Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2023 Objective: To identify patients with occult cardiac dysfunction and its relationship with the severity of liver impairment.Method: This is a Judgment (Purposive) Sampling, cross-sectional study that was conducted at Kafrelsheikh University Hospital, Egypt, from November 2019 to December 2020, and comprised adult patients of either gender with liver cirrhosis. After detailed history, a clinical examination, pathological assessment and cardiac evaluation based on electrocardiogram and echocardiography, the patients were divided into three groups. Patients who had dyspnoea or cyanosis were in group A, those who did not have dyspnoea or cyanosis but had electrocardiogram and echocardiography abnormalities were in group B, and patients who did not have dyspnoea, cyanosis or electrocardiogram and echocardiography abnormalities were in group C. The severity of the liver disease wasevaluated using Child-Pugh and Model of End Liver Disease scores. Data was analysed using SPSS 20.Results: Of the 300 patients, 153(51%) were males and 147(49%) were females. The overall mean age was 55.1±5.1 years (range: 20-60 years). There were 58(19.33%) patients in group A, 108(36%) in group B and 134(44.66%) in group C. Group A patients showed higher Child-Pugh and Model of End Liver Disease scores than the other groups (p<0.05). Child-Pugh score >6 and Model of End Liver Disease score >37 yielded the best accuracy for detecting cardiac abnormalities in group B (p<0.05).Conclusion: There were significant cardiac changes in cirrhotic patients.Keywords: Liver cirrhosis, Electrocardiography, Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy, Hyperdynamic circulation
Relevance of HLA-DP/DQ and INF-λ4 Polymorphisms to COVID-19 Outcomes Amany A. Ghazy, Abdullah N. Alrasheedi, Mohammed Elashri, Hany Hussein Moussa, Eman K. Rashwan, Ibrahim Amer, Shimaa El Sharawy, Shimaa Elgamal, Salwa Tawfik, Mohamed Abdelnasser, Amel Elsheredy British Journal of Biomedical Science, 2023 Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms provide information on individuals’ potential reactions to environmental factors, infections, diseases, as well as various therapies. A study on SNPs that influence SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and severity may provide a predictive tool for COVID-19 outcomes and improve the customized coronavirus treatment.Aim: To evaluate the role of human leukocyte antigens DP/DQ and IFNλ4 polymorphisms on COVID-19 outcomes among Egyptian patients.Participants and Methods: The study involved 80 patients with severe COVID-19, 80 patients with mild COVID-19, and 80 non-infected healthy volunteers. Genotyping and allelic discrimination of HLA-DPrs3077 (G/A), HLA-DQrs7453920 (A/G), and IFNλ4 rs73555604 (C/T) SNPs were performed using real-time PCR.Results: Ages were 47.9 ± 8, 44.1 ± 12.1, and 45.8 ± 10 years in severe, mild and non-infected persons. There was a statistically significant association between severe COVID-19 and male gender (p = 0.002). A statistically significant increase in the frequency of HLA-DPrs3077G, HLA-DQrs7453920A, and IFNλ4rs73555604C alleles among severe COVID-19 patients when compared with other groups (p &lt; 0.001). Coexistence of these alleles in the same individual increases the susceptibility to severe COVID-19 by many folds (p &lt; 0.001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis for the studied parameters showed that old age, male gender, non-vaccination, HLA-DQ rs7453920AG+AA, HLA-DPrs3077GA+GG, and IFNλ4rs73555604CT+CC genotypes are independent risk factors for severe COVID-19 among Egyptian patients.Conclusion: HLA-DQ rs7453920A, HLA-DPrs3077G, and IFNλ4rs73555604C alleles could be used as markers of COVID-19 severity.
Genetic polymorphisms of Endoplasmic reticulum amino peptidase 1 (ERAP1) and Interferon lambda 4 (IFN-λ4) in Egyptian patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus Egyptian Journal of Immunology, 2023
Predictive value of P300 event-related potential component in early cognitive impairment in patients with uncomplicated newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus Ahmed Esmael, Tamer Belal, Ibrahim F. Amer, Eslam Samra, Azza Elmongui, Saad Shawki Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 2022 Background Cognitive impairment in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is reported in the early onset of HCV infection without hepatic cirrhosis or marked liver impairment. Methods currently available to identify the risk for early cognitive impairment in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection do not combine enough sensitivity and specificity. The present study aimed to evaluate the P 300 components of event-related potential (ERP) abnormalities as valid biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis of the cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus infection. This study is a case–control involved fifty patients newly diagnosed HCV and fifty age and sex-matched healthy controls. Assessments of cognitive functions were carried out by the Mini-mental State Examination, Wechsler Memory Scale Revised short form, and The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, in addition to estimation of the amplitude and the latency of the P300 by the event-related potentials. Results Neuropsychological scales suggested the early incidence of cognitive impairment among hepatitis C virus patients. The electrophysiological study showed significant prolongation of P300 latency and decreased amplitude in HCV patients group compared with the control group. A binary logistic regression detected that P 300 latency ≥ 369 ms was significantly accompanied by a threefold increased risk of impaired cognition (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.59–5.72, P < 0.01), while P 300 amplitude ≤ 8.2 μv was significantly accompanied by a twofold increased risk of impaired cognition (OR 2.18, 95% 1.43–4.05, P < 0.01). Conclusion This study concluded that the P300 event-related potentials components are valid biomarker as easy, noninvasive assessment and cost-effective method of early cognitive impairment in patients with uncomplicated newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus. Registration of Clinical Trial Research ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04389268. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04389268
Irritable bowel syndrome in Egyptian medical students, prevalence and associated factors: a cross-sectional study Shimaa Mahmoud El Sharawy, Ibrahim Fathi Amer, Mahmoud Zaki Elkadeem Pan African Medical Journal, 2022 Introduction irritable bowel syndrome is a recurrent chronic gastrointestinal functional disorder. Despite it is not dangerous; it carries a significant feedback on self-confidence and quality of life. Medical students are expected to develop irritable bowel syndrome because they are subjected to stress due to over academic pressure. The objectives were to investigate irritable bowel syndrome prevalence, and to detect the related risk factors in this specific group of Egyptian people. Methods this cross-sectional study performed in two faculties of medicine in Nile Delta, Egypt. It had been built on self-administered questionnaires including Rome III criteria for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, as well as several questions for gathering socio-demographic information and manifestations suggesting irritable bowel syndrome. Results fifty (27.5%) of 182 evaluated medical students achieved criteria of irritable bowel syndrome, 64% of them were mixed type. Irritable bowel syndrome had a significant relationship with coffee, milk products, fewer vegetables, and fruits intake (P=0.034, P=0.044, P<0.001 respectively). Depression, anxiety, and food intolerance were detected to be significantly related to irritable bowel syndrome (p<0.001, p=0.005, p=0.04) respectively. Conclusion it was demonstrated that many Egyptian medical students were suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. Some dietary habits, anxiety, and depression of the students could be risk factors related to development of irritable bowel syndrome.
Relation between HLA-DP/DQ Polymorphisms, Serum IP-10 and Response to Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy among HCV Infected Patients Egyptian Journal of Immunology, 2020
