Evaluation of Serum SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Antigen as a Diagnostic Tool in COVID-19 Patients

COVID-19 has caused millions of casualties and deaths around the world. Countries all over the world exert great efforts to control the fast spread of the disease. Rapid diagnosis is a key tool in controlling the infection; therefore, numerous diagnostic techniques were developed quickly and are available commercially. This study evaluated the use of nucleocapsid antigen (N-antigen) as a diagnostic tool in COVID-19 patients. A cross-sectional investigation was carried out on 164 people undergoing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR testing at various government laboratories in Alexandria. The research was carried out between March 2021 and January 2022. Data such as symptoms, lab investigations and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) values were collected by interviewing participants and from medical records. A serum sample was collected from each participant for detection of N-antigen by ELISA kit. Ninety-eight (59.8%) of the 164 examined participants had positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results. Thirteen individuals (18.9%) exhibited varying quantities of the SARS-CoV-2 N-antigen. Antigen concentrations were significantly inversely connected with RT-PCR Ct values and positively correlated with CRP levels in SARS-CoV-2 N-antigen positive subjects. Furthermore, a strong correlation was found between N-antigen concentrations and hospitalization, fever, body aches, and pneumonia. SARS-CoV-2 N-antigen detection has high specificity (98.5%) but very low sensitivity (30.6%). Despite the high specificity of the SARS-CoV-2 N-antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) evaluated in this study, its diagnostic utility is limited by its low sensitivity. The assay’s poor sensitivity undermines its standalone diagnostic value, especially when compared to RT-PCR

Preventive care measures against pressure ulcers : a literature review

Bakgrund Trycksår är ett vanligt problem inom hälso- och sjukvården. Oberoende av vårdkontexten, leder det till extra lidande och ökade vårdkostnader. Det är ofta möjligt att förebygga trycksår, därför behöver sjuksköterskor en omfattande beskrivning av de senaste evidensbaserade effektiva omvårdnadsåtgärder. Syfte Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att beskriva omvårdnadsåtgärder som förebygger trycksår hos vuxna inom olika vård kontexter. Metod En strukturerad litteraturstudie med inslag av den metodologi som används vid systematiska översikter, genom en sammanfattning av vetenskapliga artiklar. CINAHL och PubMed databaser har använts för sökningen. Syftet besvarades med 17 kvantitativa artiklar. Resultat Denna litteraturstudie kom fram tre väsentliga aspekter i trycksårsprevention som besvarade syftet: Riskbedömning, tidig upptäckt och näringsstöd, Hudvård och förebyggande hudskydd, samt Tryckavlastande åtgärder. Slutsats Det optimala trycksårs förebyggandet kräver ett strukturerad helhetsinriktad arbetssätt. Vetenskaplig baserade förebyggande åtgärder bör integreras med kliniska erfarenheter och anpassas efter patientens behov och vårdkontext.  Background Pressure ulcers are a common problem in healthcare settings. This problem,regardless of the care setting, leads to additional suffering and increases healthcare costs. Pressure ulcers are often preventable, so nurses need a comprehensive description of the latest evidence-based effective nursing interventions. Aim The aim of this literature review is to describe nursing interventions that prevent pressure ulcers in adults within different healthcare contexts. Method A structured literature study with elements of the methodology used in systematic reviews, through a summary of scientific articles. CINAHL and PubMed databases have been used for the search. The aim was answered with 17 quantitative articles. Results This literature review identified three essential aspects of pressure ulcer prevention that answer the aim: risk assessment, early detection and nutritional support, skin care and preventive skin protection, and pressure relieving measures. Conclusions Optimal pressure ulcer prevention requires a structured, holistic approach, where science-based preventive measures are integrated with clinical experience and based on the patient's individual needs and care context.

Nasogastric versus Orogastric Bolus Tube Feeding in Preterm Infants: Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective According to the most recent metanalysis, the best way to establish safe enteral feeding in preterm babies using nasogastric or orogastric tubes is still not well understood. This study aimed to determine the effects of bolus nasal tubes versus bolus orogastric tubes on the time required to reach full enteral feeding in preterm infants, as well as to compare the incidence rates of adverse events including nonintentional removal or displacement of the feeding tube, aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitis, apnea, necrotizing enterocolitis, gastric residual, and growth parameters between the studied cohort of preterm infants.Study Design We conducted an unblinded pilot randomized clinical trial on hemodynamically stable preterm infants (&gt;28 weeks) recruited from level 2 neonatal intensive care unit at Mansoura University Children's Hospital from June 2015 to May 2017.Results Our study included 98 stable preterm infants with mean gestational age (orogastric group: 33.27 ± 1.08, nasogastric group: 33.32 ± 1.57) and mean birthweight (orogastric group: 1,753.3 ± 414.51, nasogastric group: 1,859.6 ± 307.05). Preterm infants who were fed via bolus nasogastric tube achieved full enteral feeding in a significantly shorter duration compared with the infants fed via bolus orogastric tube. The incidence rates of aspiration and feeding tube displacement were significantly higher in the bolus orogastric tube group compared with the bolus nasogastric tube group. There was no difference in the incidence rates of apnea, necrotizing enterocolitis, bradycardia, oxygen desaturation, and gastric residual in both groups.Conclusion Preterm infants without any respiratory support receiving bolus nasogastric tube feeding achieved full enteral feeding significantly sooner than those receiving bolus orogastric tube feeding. Additionally, bolus nasogastric tube feeding had a lower incidence of aspiration, tube displacement, and the infants regained birthweight more quickly than those receiving orogastric tube feeding.Key Points</jats:p

Perceived stigma and healthcare services in healthcare settings among people living with HIV in Egypt: a qualitative study

Abstract Background The researchers conducted the current study to explore the perspectives of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on HIV-related discrimination and the delivery of healthcare services in healthcare settings. Methods An exploratory study using a qualitative approach was conducted among 46 PLHIV who were seeking HIV counselling and treatment from two HIV centres in the Cairo governorate using a purposive sampling technique. Results A thematic content analysis was used to examine the responses. Participants had a combination of positive and negative experiences. Some participants reported staff acceptance and friendliness towards HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral treatment. Most interviewees observed that staff took extra precautions when treating or caring for them. The majority stated that counselling about the effects of the treatment was inadequate and that testing was either too far from their homes or at overcrowded centres with long waiting times. All the interviewees recommended ongoing communication and HIV counselling skills for healthcare providers who are in contact with HIV patients. Conclusion Most of the study participants were not satisfied with HIV services in the participating centres, as well as experiencing stigma. More investment in enhancing the quality of HIV service delivery and reinforcement of health worker competencies, mainly in HIV counselling, may improve satisfaction, bearing in mind HIV-related stigma in the centres involved. </jats:sec

Exploring the prevalence of chlamydial and gonorrheal infections in pregnant women: a multicenter study in Egypt

Abstract Background Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are widespread, treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of global significance, affecting millions annually. Left untreated, they pose significant risks, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), infertility, and complications during pregnancy. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends annual chlamydial screening for sexually active women to address these risks. Responding to this global challenge, the World Health Organization (WHO) has formulated a global health sector strategy on sexually transmitted infections, outlining priority actions to strengthen STI responses in countries. However, STI epidemiological studies encounter challenges in developing nations like Egypt due to socio-cultural factors, poverty, and limited diagnostic facilities. In Egypt, STI diagnosis primarily relies on clinical presentations, lacking structured screening programs for CT and NG. This study’s main objective is to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydial and gonorrheal infections, advocating for supportive STI strategies in Egypt. Additionally, the study aims to provide a foundation for national prevalence estimates of CT and NG infections. Methods A cross-sectional study encompassed five antenatal clinics in different regions of Egypt. A total of 1040 pregnant women attending these clinics were consecutively sampled. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, and urine samples were subjected to the GeneXpert CT/NG qualitative real-time PCR test. Results The prevalence of CT infections was 0.29% (95% CI, 0.10–0.86%), with no detected NG infections. The three CT-positive cases were distributed across different recruitment centers, with no statistically significant differences observed between infected and non-infected participants. Notably, 40.3% of recruited women reported gynecological symptoms, primarily discharge. Additionally, 9.6% had undergone previous testing for sexually transmitted infections, with 8.2% receiving positive results. Conclusions This study provides valuable data on the prevalence of CT and NG infections among pregnant women attending ANC clinics in Egypt. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance, routine screening, and targeted interventions to ensure the reproductive health and well-being of pregnant women and their infants. Further research is warranted to explore the broader implications of STIs in different populations and to inform evidence-based guidelines for screening and management in diverse settings. Trial registration: IRB no.: 17,400,017; WHO ERC Protocol Id. A66005