Background: Worldwide, prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in health care workers (HCWs) ranges from 0% to 9.7%. The current study was conducted to calculate prevalence of HCV infection, frequency and characteristics of blood and body fluid (BBF) exposure among HCW at the Alexandria University Hospitals. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional approach was adopted. At the Hospitals, 62.2% of available nurses and paramedical personnel voluntarily participated (n = 499), and were interviewed, screened for HCV antibodies. Quantitative estimation of HCV-RNA was done to seropositive cases. Results: Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV infection was 8.6%, and 4.4% respectively. The frequency of BBF exposures was 66.7%. Blood/blood products were mainly involved (92.1%). More than half of exposed HCWs reported not wearing personal protective devices. Anatomical site of exposure was mainly right hand palm (36.2%). Regarding needle-stick injuries, two thirds of injured HCWs were the original user of sharp item which was contaminated in 79.7% of injuries. In 70.2% of injuries, disposable syringes were involved and occurred during item disposal. About 61% of injuries were superficial. Conclusion: Prevalence of HCV infection among HCWs is similar to that among general population in the country. Nurses and housekeepers are frequently exposed to BBF. Adherence to infection control measures according to the National Guidelines is crucial to reduce HCV transmission.

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Background: Silicosis refers to a spectrum of pulmonary diseases attributed to inhalation of free crystalline silicon dioxide. It entails inflammatory response in which Interleukin-1 alpha is a key mediator. Objectives: to evaluate the role of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) as a biochemical marker for detection of pulmonary toxic effects of silica in relation to clinical and radiological manifestations among exposed workers. Methods: The study was conducted on 64 male workers exposed to silica dust assigned to El-Harareyat Factory of Alexandria. An interviewing questionnaire was used to collect data about personal, occupational and medical characteristics. Pulmonary function testing, plain chest radiographs and laboratory assessment of serum level of IL-1α were done for all workers. IL-1α was assessed also among a matched control group. Results: Prevalence of silicosis was 37.5%. Serum IL-1α level among silica-exposed workers was 2.8±1.8 pg/ml while it was undetected among a control group of healthy males. IL-1α was positively correlated with wheezes, negatively correlated with FVC, FEV1, MMEF, FEF50%, positively correlated with extent of nodular opacities in lung zones and presence of enlarged and calcified hilar lymph nodes. Conclusion: IL-1α can be a good monitoring marker for the earliest sign of silicosis; hilar lymphadenopathy.

Analysis was done to the clinical characteristics and outcome of children with infantile Fibrosarcoma (IFS) who were treated at Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt (CCHE). A Retrospective chart review of all pathologically confirmed IFS patients treated at CCHE from July 2011 till December 2016. Detailed demographic, pathological, and clinical data of 27 IFS patients were collected, analyzed and correlated with treatment outcome and survival. We enrolled 27 patients with a median age 0.23 years (range 0.03-3.8), 54% were females. Extremities were the commonest primary site (59.3%), followed by head and neck (22.2%). The tumor size was >5cm in 18 patients, <5cm in six and undetermined in three. It was resectable without preoperative chemotherapy in three patients. Twenty one received preoperative VAC (Vincristine, Actinomycin-D and Cyclophosphamide) of those nine cases received second line Ifosphamide and Adriamycin to improve respectability. Overall survival of the whole group of patients was 82.3%. We need to increase sample size and to get facility for proper diagnosis by genetic analysis in such difficult cases for better pathological diagnosis