To determine the antibody levels at 6 months in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated individuals in COVID-recovered versus non-infected groups to determine the need to administer booster COVID vaccine in each group. Prospective longitudinal study. Pathology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore for a period of eight months from July 2021 to February 2022. Two hundred and thirty three study participants in both COVID recovered and non-infected groups (105 participants in infected group, 128 participants in non-infected group) were subjected to blood sampling at 6 months post-vaccination. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test was done using Chemiluminescence method. Comparison of antibody levels between COVID-recovered and non-infected groups was made. Results were compiled and statistically analyzed using SPSS version 21. Out of 233 study participants, males were 183 (78%) while females were 50 (22%), mean age being 35.93 years ± 8.298. Mean Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S IgG levels among COVID-recovered group was 1342 U/ml and among non-infected group was 828 U/ml at 6 months post-vaccination. Mean antibody titers in COVID-19 recovered group are higher than in non-infected group at 6 months post-vaccination in both groups.

Objective: To study the association between hepatitis C virus viral load by real-time PCR and core antigen value of HCV and define an antiviral treatment monitoring cut-off value for HCV core antigen. Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Infectious Diseases, Chughtai Lab Lahore Pakistan, from Jun 2017 to Mar 2018. Methodology: To establish the association between these two parameters, we took a hundred positive plasma samples for HCV RNA and subjected them to an HCV Core antigen test. Furthermore, the samples were divided into three categories based on their viral load; <2000 IU/ml, 2000-10,000 IU/ml and >10000 IU/ml. Results: Our results showed that the hepatitis C virus core antigen was concordant with hepatitis C virus RNA by PCR when the viral load was above 2000 IU/ml. Below the HCV RNA load of 2000 IU/ml, the HCV core antigen had a sensitivity of 94.95% and specificity of 88.89%. Conclusion: In patients having a viral load above 2,000 IU/ml, the hepatitis C virus core antigen value can be used as a marker for diagnosis and monitoring antiviral therapy. After the antiviral treatment, HCV RNA real-time PCR should be performed to validate viral clearance.

Objective: To assess the quality of the whole blood-derived red cell concentrates by measuring hematocrit. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Regional Transfusion Center in Rawalpindi. Period: February to December 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 390 whole blood-derived red cell concentrates were included using a random sampling technique. These units were evaluated for hematocrit which is a hematological parameter using Sysmex Hematology Analyzer XP 100. The measurement of hematocrit was expressed as the mean range and standard deviation (mean ± SD) using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 390 whole blood-derived red cell concentrates were subjected to quality analysis by measuring the hematocrit. The mean range of hematocrit was found to be 68.4 ± 4.8 g/dL. The hematocrit of 98.7% units was in compliance with standard criteria according to the American Association of blood banks which suggested it to be less than 80%. Conclusion: The results of this study showed an optimum level of conformity of the quality of whole blood-derived Red Cell Concentrates with International Standards.

Objective: To determine the persistence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and the association of timelines of COVID-19 seropositivity with antibody ratio levels. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, from Apr to Sep 2020. Methodology: The serum of 250 patients recovered from COVID-19 was collected to detect anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG antibodies. Anti-SARS Cov-2 IgG was measured by Semi-Quantitative Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISAs), and the association of timelines of COVID-19 seropositivity with antibody ratio levels was determined. Results: Out of 250 study participants, males were 220 (88%) while females were 30 (12%), mean age being 35.25 years ± 9.096 years. In the timeline of 31-60 days after the first positive COVID-19 PCR, 27 out of 44 (61%) were seropositive. In the 61-90 days’ timeline, 79 out of 155 (51%) were seropositive, in the timeline of 91-120 days after the first positive PCR, 52 out of 76 (68%) were seropositive, and in the timeline of 121-150 days, 12 out of 15 (80%) of the study participants were seropositive for COVID-19. Conclusion: Serological IgG immune response against SARS-CoV-2 persists up to five months after active COVID-19 infection in most individuals in the Pakistani population.