Background Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is the major co-morbidity of patients on chronic hemodialysis. There are many scattered and heterogeneous data about this infection in hemodialysis patients living in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region Office of WHO (EMRO) and its distribution is unknown in this region. Aims To provide a more comprehensive tabulation of available data on the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors for HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Iran and other EMRO countries. Methods A systematic review was carried out based on the computerized literature databases. In all, 95% confidence intervals of infection rates were calculated using the approximate normal distribution model. Pooled odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated by random effects models. The heterogeneity was assessed by either Q or χ 2 statistics and quantified by I 2 .Results We identified 62 studies that fulfilled our inclusion criteria involving 17,846 hemodialysis subjects. A total of 5,704 (32%) patients had positive serology for HCV infection. The prevalence ranged from 6-72% across countries. Pooled HCV seroprevalence was 17% (95% CI 13-20), 63% (95% CI 61-64), 48% (95% CI 45-51), 72% (95% CI 68-76), 23% (95% CI 21-24) in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia respectively. Hemodialysis duration OR=7.63 (95% CI 4.64-12.53), transfusion OR=2.06 (95% CI 1.47-2.89) and previous transplantation failure OR=2.66 (95% CI 1.46-4.86) were major risk factors of HCV infection. Age, sex and dialysis session/ week were not associated with infection rate. Conclusion Nearly 32% (95% CI 31-33) of hemodialysis patients in the EMRO countries are infected with HCV. Despite evolution of new strategies to confine HCV transmission among hemodialysis patients, nosocomial transmission is still the major route of HCV infection in these patients in this region.

With more than two billion infected people, from whom 350 to 400 million suffer from chronic infection, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still a major health problem worldwide. As dental treatment puts both dentists and patients at a higher risk of HBV infection, dentists can play an important role in preventing HBV transmission in dental settings. This study was performed to evaluate dental students' awareness and practice regarding HBV-related issues and to compare the results obtained from different academic years. One hundred and forty-two questionnaires consisting of questions on students' knowledge of HBV and preventive measures against this virus were completed by third-to sixth-year dental students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran. Overall, a relatively good level of knowledge was observed amongst this population. However, students' answers to practice questions were less satisfying. It is noteworthy that in some cases students of higher academic years showed less awareness. This finding highlights the necessity of continued infection control education. TUMS students must complete an infection control workshop before they start their clinical education. The authors propose that such training at the beginning of each academic year would be worthwhile.

Our review indicates that the risk of HBV transmission from HBcAb-positive kidney donors is extremely low. Therefore, kidneys from these donors can be transplanted safely into ESRD patients.

EOF is safe following esophageal and gastric cancer surgery and results in faster recovery and hospital discharge.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in more than 170 million chronically infected patients with no developed preventive vaccine is a globally important issue. In addition to expected hepatic manifestations, a number of extrahepatic manifestations, such as mixed cryoglobulinemia, glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, rashes, renal disease, neuropathy, and lymphoma, have been reported following HCV infection, which are believed to be influenced by the virus or the host immune response. HCV combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin might be associated with side effects as well. The association of HCV with special oral conditions has also been reported recurrently; the mechanism of most of which remains unclear. This article reviews the association of HCV infection with some of the oral conditions such as oral health, Sjogren's syndrome, lichen planus and oral cancer.