First record of the Indo-Pacific Cymothoa indica (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae), a Lessepsian species in the Mediterranean Sea

Cymothoa indica, a typical Indo-Pacific genus and species, is reported for the first time in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Specimens were found parasitizing mainly barracudas (Sphyraenidae) from Lebanon. Female and male specimens are described on collected materials. To date, the genus Cymothoa has not been reported in the Mediterranean Sea although it is widely represented in other areas of the world. It is suggested that C. indica should be added to the list of exotic species introduced from the Red Sea and known as Lessepsian migrants.     

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of BNT162b2 booster in BBIBP-CorV-vaccinated individuals compared with homologous BNT162b2 vaccination: Results of a pilot prospective cohort study from Lebanon

Facing new COVID-19 waves, the effectiveness of BBIBP-CorV has been noted to be low in countries whose populations were already administered two doses of the vaccine. Heterologous vaccination using ChAdOx1-S/BNT162b2 elicited higher immunogenicity compared with homologous immunization. BBIBP-CorV/BNT162b2 combination is worth testing. In this pilot prospective cohort study conducted at Makassed General Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon, from February 17, 2021, to June 30, 2021, we tested the safety and immunogenicity of a BNT162b2 booster dose in COVID-19-naïve individuals who had received two doses of the BBIBP-CorV vaccine. Heterologous booster vaccination was found to be safe and well tolerated. It was significantly associated with higher anti-spike IgG geometric mean titers compared to that after homologous BNT162b2 immunization in COVID-19-naïve individuals [(8040 BAU/mL, 95% confidence interval (CI), 4612–14 016) vs (1384 BAU/mL, 95% CI, 1063–1801), respectively, (P < 0.0001)]. In countries with limited access to mRNA vaccines and where populations have already received BBIBP-CorV, mixing BBIBP-CorV/BNT162b2 is seen to overcome the low immunogenicity induced by BBIBP-CorV alone, thus potentially providing protection against emerging variants.     

Quality of diabetes care in a university health center in Lebanon.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of care provided to diabetic patients by family physicians in a university health clinic, using measures of glycemic and cardiovascular risk control as well as documentation of and adherence to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for diabetes primary care. DESIGN: Chart review of the previous year's medical notes for all identified diabetics in the practice over 2.5 years. RESULTS: Two-hundred and four diabetic patients were identified, with an estimated prevalence of 4.1%. The majority was type II diabetics, on oral hypoglycemic agents. Glycosylated hemoglobin was documented in 39.7% of patients, fasting plasma glucose in 99%, cholesterol in 93.1%, triglycerides in 91.2% and blood pressure in 85.8%; optimal control of these indicators was noted in 28.4%, 17.8%, 34%, 29.6% and 55.4% respectively. Fifty percent of the diabetics were referred for retinal checks. Physicians documented the presence of nephropathy in 46.8% and neuropathy in 59.6%; however, they documented patient instruction on foot care, diet, exercise and diabetes self-care poorly. CONCLUSION: There is a need for interventions to improve management and documentation in diabetes care in order to achieve early detection and prevention of complications. Developing a protocol for the clinic based on standard guidelines, and the use of flow sheets may be helpful in improving these intermediate indicators of quality of care.     

War-Related Trauma and Stress Characteristics of American University of Beirut Students

An investigation of war-trauma was made utilizing an initial pool of 1,268 undergraduates at the American University of Beirut. Based on the number of war events the students had experienced, 400 students were invited to return for further questioning about their present stress characteristics. Inventories measuring anxiety, depression, and PTSD were administered to 273 students responding to the request. Those who experienced many war events scored significantly higher on all three stress scales. Women scored higher than men on anxiety regardless of war exposure category, but there was no difference between women and men on PTSD or depression.