Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global disease with the highest estimated prevalence in Egypt. Between 75 to 85% of patients infected with HCV become chronic HCV carriers. Over 20-30 years time, 10-20% of chronic carriers develop liver cirrhosis; of those 1-5% will eventually develop hepatocellular carcinoma. The factors associated with the burden of chronic hepatitis C are incompletely understood The aim: Is to assess the risk factors for progression of chronic hepatitis C infection to liver cirrhosis among upper Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of a community-based study (2004-2007) that followed up a cohort of chronic HCV patients who were recruited in another community-based study conducted in the period from 1997 to 2003 in Upper Egyptian village (Sallam village, Assiut governorate) and one of its satellites (Ezbet Fateh El-Bab). The clinical, risk factors, laboratory and ultrasonographic data of 165 chronic HCV patients were analyzed by Logistic regression to predict independent risk factors for development of cirrhosis. Results: The clinical chart data of 165 chronic HCV patients who are followed up for 10 years showed that 12(18.5%) patients developed liver cirrhosis, 3(25%) of them had evidence of hepatic focal lesion(s). By logistic regression analysis of risk factors for development of cirrhosis were surgical intervention was the strongest predictor (Odds’ ratio = 8.011). This was followed by persistently elevated ALT (Odds’ ratio = 6.391) and blood transfusion (Odds’ ratio = 5.505). Conclusions: 18.5% (12/165) of patients with chronic HCV infection followed up for 10 years had evidence of cirrhosis; of those 25% (3/12) had evidence of hepatic focal lesion (s). History of surgical intervention was the strongest predictor of progression to cirrhosis followed by persistently elevated ALT and blood transfusion. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis C, Cirrhosis, Risk factors.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global disease with the highest estimated prevalence in Egypt. Between 75 to 85% of patients infected with HCV become chronic HCV carriers. Over 20-30 years time, 10-20% of chronic carriers develop liver cirrhosis; of those 1-5% will eventually develop hepatocellular carcinoma. The factors associated with the burden of chronic hepatitis C are incompletely understood The aim: Is to assess the risk factors for progression of chronic hepatitis C infection to liver cirrhosis among upper Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of a community-based study (2004-2007) that followed up a cohort of chronic HCV patients who were recruited in another community-based study conducted in the period from 1997 to 2003 in Upper Egyptian village (Sallam village, Assiut governorate) and one of its satellites (Ezbet Fateh El-Bab). The clinical, risk factors, laboratory and ultrasonographic data of 165 chronic HCV patients were analyzed by Logistic regression to predict independent risk factors for development of cirrhosis. Results: The clinical chart data of 165 chronic HCV patients who are followed up for 10 years showed that 12(18.5%) patients developed liver cirrhosis, 3(25%) of them had evidence of hepatic focal lesion(s). By logistic regression analysis of risk factors for development of cirrhosis were surgical intervention was the strongest predictor (Odds’ ratio = 8.011). This was followed by persistently elevated ALT (Odds’ ratio = 6.391) and blood transfusion (Odds’ ratio = 5.505). Conclusions: 18.5% (12/165) of patients with chronic HCV infection followed up for 10 years had evidence of cirrhosis; of those 25% (3/12) had evidence of hepatic focal lesion (s). History of surgical intervention was the strongest predictor of progression to cirrhosis followed by persistently elevated ALT and blood transfusion. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis C, Cirrhosis, Risk factors.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global disease with the highest estimated prevalence in Egypt. Between 75 to 85% of patients infected with HCV become chronic HCV carriers. Over 20-30 years time, 10-20% of chronic carriers develop liver cirrhosis; of those 1-5% will eventually develop hepatocellular carcinoma. The factors associated with the burden of chronic hepatitis C are incompletely understood The aim: Is to assess the risk factors for progression of chronic hepatitis C infection to liver cirrhosis among upper Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of a community-based study (2004-2007) that followed up a cohort of chronic HCV patients who were recruited in another community-based study conducted in the period from 1997 to 2003 in Upper Egyptian village (Sallam village, Assiut governorate) and one of its satellites (Ezbet Fateh El-Bab). The clinical, risk factors, laboratory and ultrasonographic data of 165 chronic HCV patients were analyzed by Logistic regression to predict independent risk factors for development of cirrhosis. Results: The clinical chart data of 165 chronic HCV patients who are followed up for 10 years showed that 12(18.5%) patients developed liver cirrhosis, 3(25%) of them had evidence of hepatic focal lesion(s). By logistic regression analysis of risk factors for development of cirrhosis were surgical intervention was the strongest predictor (Odds’ ratio = 8.011). This was followed by persistently elevated ALT (Odds’ ratio = 6.391) and blood transfusion (Odds’ ratio = 5.505). Conclusions: 18.5% (12/165) of patients with chronic HCV infection followed up for 10 years had evidence of cirrhosis; of those 25% (3/12) had evidence of hepatic focal lesion (s). History of surgical intervention was the strongest predictor of progression to cirrhosis followed by persistently elevated ALT and blood transfusion. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis C, Cirrhosis, Risk factors.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global disease with the highest estimated prevalence in Egypt. Between 75 to 85% of patients infected with HCV become chronic HCV carriers. Over 20-30 years time, 10-20% of chronic carriers develop liver cirrhosis; of those 1-5% will eventually develop hepatocellular carcinoma. The factors associated with the burden of chronic hepatitis C are incompletely understood The aim: Is to assess the risk factors for progression of chronic hepatitis C infection to liver cirrhosis among upper Egyptian patients. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study of a community-based study (2004-2007) that followed up a cohort of chronic HCV patients who were recruited in another community-based study conducted in the period from 1997 to 2003 in Upper Egyptian village (Sallam village, Assiut governorate) and one of its satellites (Ezbet Fateh El-Bab). The clinical, risk factors, laboratory and ultrasonographic data of 165 chronic HCV patients were analyzed by Logistic regression to predict independent risk factors for development of cirrhosis. Results: The clinical chart data of 165 chronic HCV patients who are followed up for 10 years showed that 12(18.5%) patients developed liver cirrhosis, 3(25%) of them had evidence of hepatic focal lesion(s). By logistic regression analysis of risk factors for development of cirrhosis were surgical intervention was the strongest predictor (Odds’ ratio = 8.011). This was followed by persistently elevated ALT (Odds’ ratio = 6.391) and blood transfusion (Odds’ ratio = 5.505). Conclusions: 18.5% (12/165) of patients with chronic HCV infection followed up for 10 years had evidence of cirrhosis; of those 25% (3/12) had evidence of hepatic focal lesion (s). History of surgical intervention was the strongest predictor of progression to cirrhosis followed by persistently elevated ALT and blood transfusion. Keywords: Chronic hepatitis C, Cirrhosis, Risk factors.

Child labor is alarmingly prevalent in Egypt, a country with a population of nearly 75 millions; there are some 1.5 million (12%) child workers between 6 and 15 years. Agricultural work posses several characteristics that are risky for health: exposure to extremes of weather, close contact with animals and plants, extensive use of chemical and biological products, difficult working postures and lengthy hours and use of hazardous agricultural tools and machinery. Aim of the study: Determine the causes of agricultural child labor in Koom Abousheel village, Assiut, Egypt and highlight some of its related health problems. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study included 630 randomly selected students enrolled in primary and preparatory schools aged from 6 to 17 years old in Koom Abousheel village 2008-2009. Data collection from the target population using structured personal interview. Anthropometric measures: weight, height and body mass index were measured. Laboratory investigations including urine and stool examination were done to detect parasitic infections in these children. Urine samples were collected, centrifuged and examined microscopically. Stool examination was done macroscopically and stored in two different fixative (10% formalin and sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin), concentrated and examined microscopically by: direct wet mount using saline, iodine and lacto-phenol cotton blue and stained by modified Kinyoun acid-fast stain. Data analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: 52.7% of the studied students worked in agricultural duties and 73.2% of them began work at early age (less than 10 years). Boys were more often involved in labor activities than girls. About half of the worked students helped their fathers in their work. Worked students reported negative impact on their education and social life. Health hazards at the farm such as exposure to high temperature, animal bite, and injuries were prevalent among them. Parasitic infections were more prevalent in worked students (69.3 %). The detected parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma doudenale, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba coli. Conclusion: The problem of child labor is serious. In rural areas especially, children work as cheap labor because their parents are poor and do not earn enough to support the family, thus the problem of child labor will persist and it exposes the children to many health hazards and risks. Improving legislation and enforcement measures to establish a legal minimum age for work, community education and mobilization are essential and have been the traditional response to the problem of child labor.

Child labor is alarmingly prevalent in Egypt, a country with a population of nearly 75 millions; there are some 1.5 million (12%) child workers between 6 and 15 years. Agricultural work posses several characteristics that are risky for health: exposure to extremes of weather, close contact with animals and plants, extensive use of chemical and biological products, difficult working postures and lengthy hours and use of hazardous agricultural tools and machinery. Aim of the study: Determine the causes of agricultural child labor in Koom Abousheel village, Assiut, Egypt and highlight some of its related health problems. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study included 630 randomly selected students enrolled in primary and preparatory schools aged from 6 to 17 years old in Koom Abousheel village 2008-2009. Data collection from the target population using structured personal interview. Anthropometric measures: weight, height and body mass index were measured. Laboratory investigations including urine and stool examination were done to detect parasitic infections in these children. Urine samples were collected, centrifuged and examined microscopically. Stool examination was done macroscopically and stored in two different fixative (10% formalin and sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin), concentrated and examined microscopically by: direct wet mount using saline, iodine and lacto-phenol cotton blue and stained by modified Kinyoun acid-fast stain. Data analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: 52.7% of the studied students worked in agricultural duties and 73.2% of them began work at early age (less than 10 years). Boys were more often involved in labor activities than girls. About half of the worked students helped their fathers in their work. Worked students reported negative impact on their education and social life. Health hazards at the farm such as exposure to high temperature, animal bite, and injuries were prevalent among them. Parasitic infections were more prevalent in worked students (69.3 %). The detected parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma doudenale, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba coli. Conclusion: The problem of child labor is serious. In rural areas especially, children work as cheap labor because their parents are poor and do not earn enough to support the family, thus the problem of child labor will persist and it exposes the children to many health hazards and risks. Improving legislation and enforcement measures to establish a legal minimum age for work, community education and mobilization are essential and have been the traditional response to the problem of child labor.

Child labor is alarmingly prevalent in Egypt, a country with a population of nearly 75 millions; there are some 1.5 million (12%) child workers between 6 and 15 years. Agricultural work posses several characteristics that are risky for health: exposure to extremes of weather, close contact with animals and plants, extensive use of chemical and biological products, difficult working postures and lengthy hours and use of hazardous agricultural tools and machinery. Aim of the study: Determine the causes of agricultural child labor in Koom Abousheel village, Assiut, Egypt and highlight some of its related health problems. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study included 630 randomly selected students enrolled in primary and preparatory schools aged from 6 to 17 years old in Koom Abousheel village 2008-2009. Data collection from the target population using structured personal interview. Anthropometric measures: weight, height and body mass index were measured. Laboratory investigations including urine and stool examination were done to detect parasitic infections in these children. Urine samples were collected, centrifuged and examined microscopically. Stool examination was done macroscopically and stored in two different fixative (10% formalin and sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin), concentrated and examined microscopically by: direct wet mount using saline, iodine and lacto-phenol cotton blue and stained by modified Kinyoun acid-fast stain. Data analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: 52.7% of the studied students worked in agricultural duties and 73.2% of them began work at early age (less than 10 years). Boys were more often involved in labor activities than girls. About half of the worked students helped their fathers in their work. Worked students reported negative impact on their education and social life. Health hazards at the farm such as exposure to high temperature, animal bite, and injuries were prevalent among them. Parasitic infections were more prevalent in worked students (69.3 %). The detected parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma doudenale, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba coli. Conclusion: The problem of child labor is serious. In rural areas especially, children work as cheap labor because their parents are poor and do not earn enough to support the family, thus the problem of child labor will persist and it exposes the children to many health hazards and risks. Improving legislation and enforcement measures to establish a legal minimum age for work, community education and mobilization are essential and have been the traditional response to the problem of child labor.

Child labor is alarmingly prevalent in Egypt, a country with a population of nearly 75 millions; there are some 1.5 million (12%) child workers between 6 and 15 years. Agricultural work posses several characteristics that are risky for health: exposure to extremes of weather, close contact with animals and plants, extensive use of chemical and biological products, difficult working postures and lengthy hours and use of hazardous agricultural tools and machinery. Aim of the study: Determine the causes of agricultural child labor in Koom Abousheel village, Assiut, Egypt and highlight some of its related health problems. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional study included 630 randomly selected students enrolled in primary and preparatory schools aged from 6 to 17 years old in Koom Abousheel village 2008-2009. Data collection from the target population using structured personal interview. Anthropometric measures: weight, height and body mass index were measured. Laboratory investigations including urine and stool examination were done to detect parasitic infections in these children. Urine samples were collected, centrifuged and examined microscopically. Stool examination was done macroscopically and stored in two different fixative (10% formalin and sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin), concentrated and examined microscopically by: direct wet mount using saline, iodine and lacto-phenol cotton blue and stained by modified Kinyoun acid-fast stain. Data analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: 52.7% of the studied students worked in agricultural duties and 73.2% of them began work at early age (less than 10 years). Boys were more often involved in labor activities than girls. About half of the worked students helped their fathers in their work. Worked students reported negative impact on their education and social life. Health hazards at the farm such as exposure to high temperature, animal bite, and injuries were prevalent among them. Parasitic infections were more prevalent in worked students (69.3 %). The detected parasites were Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma doudenale, Hymenolepis nana, Enterobius vermicularis, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba coli. Conclusion: The problem of child labor is serious. In rural areas especially, children work as cheap labor because their parents are poor and do not earn enough to support the family, thus the problem of child labor will persist and it exposes the children to many health hazards and risks. Improving legislation and enforcement measures to establish a legal minimum age for work, community education and mobilization are essential and have been the traditional response to the problem of child labor.

Helminth parasites are of considerable medical and economic importance. Studies of the immune response against helminths are of great interest in understanding interactions between the host immune system and parasites. The lack of exposure to helminth infections, as a result of improved living standards and medical conditions, may have contributed to the increased incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) in the developed world. Epidemiological, experimental, and clinical data sustain the idea that helminths could provide protection against IBD. Studies investigating the underlying mechanisms by which helminths might induce such protection have revealed the importance of regulatory pathways, for example, regulatory T-cells. Further investigation on how helminths influence both innate and adaptive immune reactions will shed more light on the complex pathways used by helminths to regulate the hosts immune system. Although therapy with living helminths appears to be effective in several immunological diseases, the disadvantages of a treatment based on living parasites are explicit. Therefore, the identification and characterization of helminth-derived immunomodulatory molecules that contribute to the protective effect could lead to new therapeutic approaches in IBD and other immune diseases.