Preterm neonates are highly vulnerable and most susceptible to Infections. Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) infection is an increasing problem among hospitalized neonates. It is showing periodic and geographic variations in the distribution and antibiotics resistance which necessitate continuous surveillance. In present study surveillance of Gram-negative bacterial colonization and infection among preterm neonates was carried out between July, 2008 and January, 2009 at AL Jala Hospital of Obstetric and Gynecology, Tripoli. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Gram negative infections among preterm neonates, correlate colonization with the onset of subsequent infection, and to determine the antibiotics susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates. Surveillance swabs from mouth, nose, rectum, axilla and umbilicus were collected from 112 preterm neonates twice at first week, the first swab was taken before the preterm receive any antibiotics, then once per week. Clinical samples from preterm neonates who developed infection were collected according to the site of suspected infection. Samples transport, isolation and identification of GNB were conducted according to standard microbiological methods. Infection is the cause of death in 25% of cases. 19.6% of neonates colonized at the first day, 63.2% at third day and 66.7% at the second week. 25 of 74 colonized neonates and one of 38 noncolonized neonates developed infection. Rectum was the commonest site of colonization. A. baumannii is a permanent colonizer, K. pneumoniae and E. coli are early colonizers and E. cloacae and Pseudomonas spp. are late colonizers. Isolates specially K. pneumoniae and E. coli showed high resistance to most used antibiotics mainly ampicillin and gentamicin. 26 (23%) neonates developed infection mainly caused by E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Only eight cases using microbiological culture proved infections. In conclusion Gram-negative infection could be a major cause of death among preterm neonates. Acquisition of GNB increased with hospitalization and it is an important step in developing infection. Preterm neonates were heavily colonized at 3rd day of hospitalization by most GNB. K. pneumoniae and E. coli were found to be the most resistant strain to antibiotics and were associated with high rate of infection. Rectum could be used as a surveillance site instead of the other sites.
زينب عبد الله كريمه (2013)

OBJECTIVE: The increasing prevalence of suspected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting to emergency departments (EDs) requires a rapid and reliable triaging tool. The diagnostic performance of chest computed tomography (CT) has yet to be validated for triaging cases in the ED. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of chest CT compared to GeneXpert Xpress Xpert severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test in rapidly diagnosing COVID-19 among patients with respiratory symptoms presenting to the ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study at Tripoli University Hospital including cases with respiratory symptoms who underwent chest CT as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for suspected COVID-19 between May 18 and August 18, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 1240 cases were included, among whom 570 had radiologically evident COVID-19 on chest CT (46%). Five hundred and sixty-five cases had positive PCR results (45.6%), of whom 557 had radiologically evident COVID-19 on chest CT (97.7%). The calculated accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 98%, 98.5%, 98%, 97.7%, and 98.8%, respectively, in relation to the PCR results. CONCLUSION: During the current pandemic, chest CT is a quick and reliable diagnostic tool for COVID-19 in the ED.
Nader Shalaka(11-2021)

Efficient extraction of genomic DNA (gDNA) from biological materials found in harsh environments is the first step for successful forensic DNA profiling. This study aimed to evaluate two methods for DNA recovery from animal tissues (livers, muscles), focusing on the best storage temperature for DNA yield in term of quality, quantity, and integrity for use in several downstream molecular techniques. Six male Swiss albino mice were sacrificed, liver and muscle tissues (n=32) were then harvested and stored for one week in different temperatures, -20C, 4C, 25C and 40C. The conditioned animal tissues were used for DNA extraction by Chelex-100 method or NucleoSpin Blood and Tissue kit. The extracted gDNA was visualized on 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the quality of gDNA and analysed spectrophotometrically to determine the DNA concentration and the purity. Both methods, Chelex-100 and NucleoSpin Blood and Tissue kit found to be appropriate for yielding high quantity of gDNA, with the Chelex100 method yielding a greater quantity (P < 0.045) than the kit. At -20C, 4C, and 25C temperatures, the concentration of DNA yield was numerically lower than at 40C. The NucleoSpin Blood and Tissue kit produced a higher (P=0.031) purity product than the Chelex-100 method, particularly for muscle tissues. The Chelex-100 method is cheap, fast, effective, and is a crucial tool for yielding DNA from animal tissues (livers, muscles) exposed to harsh environment with little limitations.
Huda H. Al-Griw, Zena A. Zraba, Salsabiel K. Al-Muntaser, Marwan M. Draid, Aisha M. Zaidi, Refaat M. Tabagh , Mohamed A. Al-Griw(8-2017)