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Objectives The aim of this work was to explore the expression of miR-320a level in fibromyalgia patients in comparison to healthy controls, and to clarify its impact on the severity of symptoms and the cerebral processing of pain assessed by middle latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs). Design Case-control study Setting Rheumatology and Neurology outpatient clinics Subjects Seventy-four fibromyalgia patients and seventy-four normal healthy controls. Methods The included patients were subjected to detailed history taking, assessment of severity of fibromyalgia symptoms using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR), assessment of pain intensity using the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), measurement of the serum level of miR-320a in addition to of measurement peak latencies and amplitudes of middle latency SSEPs. Results Fibromyalgia patients had significantly higher micro-RNA-320a levels (0.907 ± 0.022) in comparison to controls (0.874 ± 0.015) (P-value < 0.001). The mean values of micro-RNA-320a levels were significantly higher in fibromyalgia patients with insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome, persistent depressive disorder, and primary headache disorder than those without (P-value = 0.024, <0.001, 0.006, 0.036 respectively). There were statistically significant positive correlations between micro-RNA-320a levels, and disease duration, FIQR and NPSI total scores (P-value <0.001, 0.003, 0.002 respectively). There were no statistically significant correlations between micro-RNA-320a levels and middle latency SSEPs. Discussion Micro-RNA-320a level is significantly upregulated in fibromyalgia patient. It has a crucial impact on the severity of symptoms but not related to the cerebral processing of pain.

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Background In Egypt, an endemic country for both viral hepatitis C and B infections, infection could be more prevalent in pregnant females. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic HCV and HBV in a cohort of pregnant Egyptian females, highlighting the disease burden for better preventive measures and better disease outcome. In this cross-sectional prospective study, 399 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary care center in Egypt were screened for HCV and HBV infection using ELISA testing. Clinical and biochemical characteristics were compared between positive and negative cases. Results Mean age was 26.78 years. Prevalence rates of HCV-Ab and HBsAg positivity were 7.02% and 7.52%. Isolated HBcAb positivity was found in only 2 patients (0.5%). All cases were negative for HBsAb. No combined HBV/HCV infection was detected. All positive cases for either HBV or HCV infections did not show any signs of hepatic decompensation. ALT was significantly higher among HBV positive versus negative patients (mean ± SD of 14.2 ± 5.77 IU/L versus 11.95 ± 5.21 IU/L, p = 0.02, reference range: 7-56 IU/L), while no significant difference was found between HCV positive and negative cases as regards liver enzymes. Conclusion In Egypt, HBV prevalence in pregnant females seems to be higher than general population. This was not evident for HCV infection; however, it is still higher than pooled prevalence rates worldwide. This higher prevalence for both viral infections warrants strict screening programs to prevent vertical transmission and to provide better maternal and fetal outcome.