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Summary Background Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important cause of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in all age groups. Children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are the most affected groups. HMPV infection accounts for 5% of hospitalized patients with respiratory tract infections in Kuwait. It is mostly detected among infants and elderly age groups, and both hMPV genotypes A and B circulate in Kuwait. Methods In this study, the genetic diversity of detected hMPV was evaluated, and a phylogenetic analysis based on partial nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the G gene was performed for hMPV detected among hospitalized patients with RTIs. Results Our results showed that 62% of hMPV sequences belonged to the A genotype and 38% to the B genotype. A2b and B2 subtypes were detected and circulated during the study period, whereas A1 and B1 subtypes were not detected. Based on nucleotide sequences of the G gene, most of hMPV strains (57%) were clustered with Indian strains, followed by Greek strains (24%) and Canadian strains (14%). One strain (5%) clustered within the B genotype but had different branches than B1 and B2 branches. Conclusion Our data showed the co-circulation of hMPV genotypes A2b and B2 in Kuwait with genetic diversity suggestive of evolution through negative selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a respiratory pathogen that was discovered in 2001 and is considered a major cause of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections. A sensitive, fast, and high-throughput diagnostic test is needed for the detection of hMPV that may assist in the clinical management as well as in the reduction of inappropriate therapy. Therefore, a comparison assessment was performed in this study between the PrimerDesign™ genesig real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Assay and the INFINITI® Respiratory Viral Panel Plus Assay (RVP-Plus) for the detection of hMPV infection in patients with respiratory tract infections. A total of 200 respiratory samples were collected from 185 hospitalized patients, during the winter season in Kuwait. Of 185 patients, 10 (5.4%) were positive for hMPV RNA by the in-house RT-PCR assay, while 7 (4%) were positive for hMPV RNA by the real-time RT-PCR assay and 9 (5%) were positive for hMPV RNA by the INFINITI® RVP-Plus assay. The high incidence rate (60%) of hMPV infection was in January 2011. The sensitivity of the real-time RT-PCR and INFINITI® RVP-Plus assays was 70% and 90%, respectively, with specificity of 100% for both assays. hMPV types A and B could be identified in this study; however, discordant genotyping results were found between the direct sequencing method and the INFINITI® RVP-Plus assay in 33% of hMPV-positive patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A growing number of reports suggest a connection between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the association of HCV infection with diabetes-related complications has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in T2D-patients in Kuwait which has a high incidence of type 2 diabetes, and to investigate the association between HCV viremia and diabetes-related complications. A total of 438 patients with T2D (325 Kuwaitis and 113 Egyptians), and 440 control subjects, were enrolled for this study. HCV infection was assessed by testing for serum HCV-specific antibodies, and by detection of HCV RNA. HCV viral load and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were assessed in patients with and without diabetes complications. Thirty one (7%) out of 438 T2D-patients had evidence of HCV infection compared to 4 (1%) out of 440 control adults (p <0.0001). The prevalence of HCV infection in Kuwaiti and Egyptian T2D-patients was 3% and 18%, respectively. Most of the HCV sequences detected in T2D patients and control subjects were of genotype 4. The HbA1c levels in T2D-patients with HCV viremia were significantly higher than those in HCV-negative patients. HCV viremia, female sex, age, family history of diabetes were found to be independent risk factors for diabetes complications. The results suggest that T2D-patients in Kuwait have higher prevalence of HCV infection than controls, and that HCV viremia is associated with diabetes-related complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Human enteric viruses are important causes of acute gastroenteritis in infants and children. The role of rotaviruses, adenoviruses, human caliciviruses and astroviruses in the development of severe acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalization of infants and young children in North Lebanon was investigated. Stool specimens collected between April and May 2010 from 79 Lebanese infants and children hospitalized for severe acute gastroenteritis, were screened for enteric viruses by immunoassays and internally controlled multiplex PCR assay. Out of 79 stool samples, 38 (48%) were positive for rotavirus, and 5 (6%) were positive for norovirus genogroup II. Enteric adenoviruses, sapoviruses and human astroviruses were not detected. Children with severe rotavirus gastroenteritis were younger than those with severe norovirus gastroenteritis. These results highlight the importance of rotavirus and norovirus as causes of severe gastroenteritis in Lebanese children, and the need to incorporate routine screening tests for norovirus infection in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]