Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a prevalent form of urinary tract diseases affecting individuals of all ages and genders. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), UTIs are a significant burden on the healthcare system, comprising 10% of all infections and ranking as the second leading cause of emergency department admissions. Despite this, limited research has been conducted in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jazan Province, located in the southwestern region. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study encompassed individuals with positive urine cultures who sought care at a tertiary hospital in Jazan between January 2022 and March 2023. A standardized data collection form was utilized to retrieve relevant information from microbiology lab test results and patients’ electronic medical records. Variables such as sex, urine sample collection date, bacterial isolates, antibiotic sensitivity, and resistance were collected using the data collection form. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: A total of 1082 urinary bacterial samples were isolated and identified. Females accounted for more bacterial infections (62.66%) than males (37.34%). Gram-negative bacteria represented 94% of all isolated strains. The most prevalent pathogens associated with UTIs were Escherichia coli (47.97%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.58%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.55%). Antimicrobial resistance patterns indicated the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) (30.13%), carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacter (CRE) (1.94%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (0.74%), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) (0.18%). UTI incidence demonstrated a higher prevalence in September (13%) compared to other months in 2022. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the predominant Gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), accounting for 34.42%, 13.95%, and 1.63% of the population. Conclusions: The prevalence of UTIs caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes is notable in Jazan. Consistent with findings from other regions, Escherichia coli remains the most common causative pathogen of UTIs, displaying a seasonal pattern that warrants attention. Approximately 35% of reported cases involve MDRO, with ESBLs accounting for 30%. These results should raise concerns among healthcare officials, highlighting the necessity for further investigations into factors contributing to the circulation of MDRO in Jazan.

Pediatric gastrointestinal basidiobolomycosis (GIB) is a rare fungal infection caused usually caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. It primarily affects individuals in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aims to present clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic insights from a comprehensive bicentric retrospective case series in Saudi Arabia. We retrospectively analyzed pediatric GIB cases from two tertiary hospitals in Jazan and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data included demographics, clinical presentations, diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Diagnosis was based on clinical presentation, epidemiological context, and histopathological findings, with or without microbiological workup and fungal isolation. In this series, 42 cases were included with about 64% of cases being male and 76% aged six years or younger. Most cases were from Jazan Province, a southwestern region with tropical climatic features and extensive agricultural activities. The bowel was the most affected organ (90.47%), followed by the liver (29%). The diagnosis was initiated by clinical suspicion and relied predominantly on histopathological findings, as fungal culture was rarely done or yielded positive. About 83% of cases responded to voriconazole monotherapy, while 33% required surgical intervention. Relapse occurred in two patients, and one had persistent infection, all with hepatic involvement. Notably, no mortality was observed in this cohort. This study highlights the importance of early recognition and antifungal therapy in achieving favorable outcomes in pediatric GIB. Voriconazole monotherapy is highly effective, and cases can become complicated when the liver is involved. Further studies are required to streamline diagnostic workflows and optimize treatment protocols, including identifying factors that influence relapse.

Background Bloodstream infections (BSI) are a significant etiology of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, particularly among critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICU). ICU patients are at a higher risk of BSI due to invasive procedures, prolonged hospitalization, and the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Blood culture remains the gold standard for diagnosing BSI and its associated resistance pattern. However, contamination during sample collection often limits its utility, and diagnostic accuracy leading to unnecessary antibiotic use, prolonged stay in the ICU, and increased healthcare costs. Understanding trends in blood culture contamination rates and factors associated with BSI in ICU patients is vital for optimizing infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship programs. This study aims to analyze blood culture contamination rates and explore ICU-associated factors influencing BSI at a tertiary hospital. Methods This three-year retrospective study (2018,2022,2023) analyzed 27,544 blood culture samples from a tertiary hospital. Data were retrieved from the medical record system and included bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. The contaminated blood culture rates over years were calculated and factors associated with BSI among ICU patients in 2022 and 2023 were analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results The study revealed a decrease in the contamination rate between 2018, 2022, and 2023 with a result of 6.3%, 3.7%, and 4.2%, respectively. Patients’ age and hospital wards are the variables associated with the contaminated blood culture. Factors associated with positive blood culture for the ICU admissions in 2022 and 2023, included patient age, results of Gram stain, identified bacteria, resistance pattern, and length of stay. Gram-negative bacteria predominated in positive blood culture with Klebsiella spp. being the most frequently isolated organism across all the studied years. ESBL-producing bacteria remained the most common resistance pattern throughout the study period. Conclusions This study reports a reduction in blood culture contamination rates during the studied years, suggesting improvement in clinical practices related to sample collection and microbiological techniques. However, the persistent predominance of ESBL-producing bacteria and Klebsiella spp. indicates the urgent need for further enhanced antimicrobial stewardship programs to combat antimicrobial resistance. Further national studies should focus on hospital-wide interventions to reduce contamination and improve patient outcomes.

Background and Objectives: Hydroxyurea is a crucial treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), but some patients’ adherence to it remains suboptimal. Understanding patients’ perspectives on SCD and HU is essential for improving adherence. This study aimed to assess hydroxyurea adherence and patients’ perceptions of SCD and hydroxyurea among SCD patients in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data from 217 SCD patients using self-administered questionnaires from August 2022 to January 2023. The survey covered patient demographics, SCD consequences, and other clinical data. We used the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) to measure patients’ disease perception and the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) to evaluate patients’ adherence to HU. Data were analysed using descriptive, t-test, and chi-square tests, and the p-value was set at <0.05 for significance. Results: More than half of the patients were male, with a mean age of 28.09 ± 8.40 years. About 57.6% of the patients were currently using HU. About 81.6% of HU users reported low adherence. The adherence was lower among individuals with infections/recurrent infections and in patients who received repeated blood transfusions. ICU admission, blood transfusion, and certain SCD complications were associated with HU use. Male patients had a higher perception of SCD consequences, concern, and understanding. ICU-admitted and recurrent hospitalized patients had a higher perception of the SCD-related consequences, symptoms, concerns, and emotional responses. Conclusions: HU seems a well-established and efficacious disease-modifying agent, but its underutilization for SCD patients remains challenging. To overcome the adherence challenges, healthcare providers must educate SCD patients about the role of hydroxyurea in lowering disease severity and addressing side effects to obtain maximum benefits. Healthcare providers may consider tailored educational interventions to improve adherence, particularly for patients with infections, recurrent hospitalizations, or repeated blood transfusions. Further research is needed to identify strategies for improving hydroxyurea adherence and patient education among SCD patients.

Background Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a globally prevalent human herpesvirus, is a known cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and various cancers. Despite its significant public health impact, molecular epidemiological data on EBV in Saudi Arabia, especially its southwestern region, are scarce. This study aims to characterize EBV epidemiology and clinical correlations using reference laboratory data from Southwestern Saudi Arabia collected between 2020 and 2023, while identifying associated demographic and clinical factors. Materials and methods This retrospective study was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed EBV cases, and Ethical Approval was obtained. Descriptive statistics, χ [2] tests, and multivariate regression were employed to analyze demographic and clinical data from 133 EBV-positive patients. These analyses aimed to identify associations with age, gender, nationality, year of diagnosis, and clinical presentation, considering results statistically significant at p  < 0.05. Results The overall EBV prevalence was 17.5% (133/760). Temporal analysis indicated an increase in cases from 2020 to 2022, followed by a remarkable decrease in 2023 (13.5%, p  = 0.01), likely attributable to post-COVID-19 shifts in healthcare practices. Furthermore, seasonal patterns displayed a bimodal distribution, peaking in the first (Q1) and third (Q3) quarters. Saudi nationals comprised n  = 103 (77.4%) of positive cases with the highest burden among children, with n  = 101 (76%) of cases occurring in children under 12 years (toddlers 1–5 years: n  = 57, 42.9%; children 6–12 years: n  = 44, 33.1%). Infectious diseases ( n  = 38, 28.6%) and hematological disorders ( n  = 27, 20.3%) were the most common clinical associations. A correlation was found between clinical diagnosis and both gender ( p  = 0.04) and age group ( p  = 0.001). Finally, age ( β = −0.411, p  = 0.029) and test date ( β = −0.187, p  = 0.03) were significant negative predictors of EBV infection. Conclusion This study establishes the first molecular-based epidemiological analysis of EBV infection in Southwestern Saudi Arabia, revealing distinct demographic and clinical patterns, with predominant pediatric involvement and strong age-related associations. The observed temporal fluctuations, including pandemic-related changes, emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance. These findings indicate the importance of pediatric-focused monitoring, region-specific diagnostic protocols, and further research into ethnic disparities, coinfections, and long-term clinical outcomes. The key limitations of this study include its retrospective design, the absence of systematic evaluation of coinfections (including COVID-19), and the use of data from a single region. To understand the burden of this virus at the national level, further national studies are required.

Background: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection that affects teens and adults in their early 20 s. Screening and HPV vaccination are important preventive measures to reduce cases of HPV and associated complications. Studies about HPV knowledge and vaccine acceptability are scarce in Saudi Arabia. This study evaluated participants’ knowledge, attitude, and acceptability concerning HPV and the HPV vaccine in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pretested survey that assessed knowledge and attitude toward HPV and the HPV vaccine among the population of Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. Responses were collected from adults between January and March 2022. Data were analyzed using a t-test and chi-square test. Results: We included 569 in the study. Most participants were single (65%), females (83%), with a university-level of education (78%). The recorded knowledge score for all participants was 1.99 (out of 10). About half of the participants denied that HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. Further, 53% were interested in the HPV vaccine, and 63% of participants acknowledged that the HPV vaccine could prevent warts and cervical cancer. About 30% of the participants opposed the vaccine due to religious reasons. Conclusion: The results of our study highlight the inadequate level of knowledge concerning HPV infection, even among highly educated people. Thus, by promoting the HPV vaccine acceptance and use, awareness can be raised in our community to assure better knowledge and achieve higher protection from this virus and its complications.

COVID-19 and malaria cause significant morbidity and mortality globally. Co-infection of these diseases can worsen their impact on public health. This review aims to synthesize literature on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 and malaria co-infection to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MeSH terms and keywords from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to January 2023. The review included original articles on COVID-19 and malaria co-infection, evaluating their methodological quality and certainty of evidence. It was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023393562). Out of 1,596 screened articles, 19 met the inclusion criteria. These studies involved 2,810 patients, 618 of whom had COVID-19 and malaria co-infection. Plasmodium falciparum and vivax were identified as causative organisms in six studies. Hospital admission ranged from three to 18 days. Nine studies associated co-infection with severe disease, ICU admission, assisted ventilation, and related complications. One study reported 6% ICU admission, and mortality rates of 3%, 9.4%, and 40.4% were observed in four studies. Estimated crude mortality rates were 10.71 and 5.87 per 1,000 person-days for patients with and without concurrent malaria, respectively. Common co-morbidities included Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory disorders. Most patients with COVID-19 and malaria co-infection experienced short-term hospitalization and mild to moderate disease severity. However, at presentation, co-morbidities and severe malaria were significantly associated with higher mortality or worse clinical outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of early detection, prompt treatment, and close monitoring of patients with COVID-19 and malaria co-infection.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affects various populations worldwide. The discovery of vaccinations was necessary for the prevention and elimination of the disease. Despite the high importance of these vaccinations, they may cause some complications, such as ocular complications. This study aims to draw attention to the possible complications of the vaccination and highlight its importance. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of the literature from January 2021 to January 2023. A total of 20 published articles were included and reported cases of ocular complications in patients who received COVID-19 vaccines. Results: A total of 243 patients with verified ocular complications following the COVID-19 vaccination were included, ranging in age from 18 to 84 years. The most common ocular complications reported in the current study were ocular inflammatory complications, which represented 47.3%, followed by optic neuritis (24.3%). Retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, acute macular neuroretinopathy, and paracentral acute middle maculopathy represented 10.7%. Herpetic ocular infections and herpetic eye disease (14%). Nearly half (42%) of the patients with ocular problems received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. Conclusions: Despite the high importance of the COVID-19 vaccination, it was found that it is associated with the occurrence of some ocular complications. Future projects should come with more extensive prospective studies to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms and risk factors associated with ocular complications following COVID-19 vaccination, thereby enhancing our understanding and guiding appropriate management strategies.

The prevalence of Tuberculosis (TB) serves as a pivotal metric, reflecting the TB burden within a specific demographic. It quantifies the number of individuals affected by either active TB disease or latent TB (LTBI). Such data is crucial for assessing the efficacy of TB control interventions and determining the demand for diagnostic and treatment services. This study aims to consolidate data on TB infection prevalence in Saudi Arabia from existing literature. Additionally, we stratify this prevalence based on age, professional involvement in healthcare, gender, and region. Our search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to determine relevant studies. The pooled prevalence of TB infection among the total population residing in Saudi Arabia was estimated using a random-effect meta-analysis approach and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, No: CRD42023400984. We included 21 studies, 11 of which were pooled in the analysis. The overall prevalence was 17%.Regarding the specific population, we found that the prevalence of TB in Saudi Arabia was 9.8% and 26.7% in the general population and the healthcare workers, respectively. Stratifying by age, the highest prevalence was observed in individuals over 50 years (33.0%), while the lowest was in the 10–19 age group (6.4%). In terms of gender, men had a higher prevalence (12.0%) compared to women (9.4%). The prevalence of TB in Riyadh was 6.4%, and 3.6% in Mecca and Medina. Among healthcare workers, nurses and physicians had a prevalence of 14.7% and 15.0%, respectively. Our study found a TB prevalence of 17.0% in Saudi Arabia, higher than the worldwide average of 12.0%. Men had a higher prevalence than women, and healthcare workers had a relatively low prevalence compared to other countries. Age was a significant risk factor, with the highest prevalence in individuals above 50 years. Standardized protocols for screening and diagnosis and targeted interventions are needed to combat TB effectively in the country.

Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection is one of the leading causes of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. GBS screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis can effectively prevent early-onset GBS disease. This study aimed to assess the awareness of the risks of GBS infection and screening in Jazan Province, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a survey of 995 women aged 18-45 in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected between January to April 2023 and included information on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness of GBS infection, and perspectives on GBS screening. The response rate was 97.45%, and the mean age of the participants was 31.50 ± 9.80 years. Most were married (60.2%), had a university education (81.11%), and 59% were pregnant or had a pregnancy history. Only 23% had heard of GBS, associated with age, marital status, job, pregnancy status, awareness of GBS risk factors, and pregnancy follow-up (p < 0.05). Women most aware were students (55.9%), married (55.46%), pregnant or had a pregnancy history (51.09%), knew risk factors of GBS (38.86%), and were followed by a specialist (88.14%). Regarding GBS screening preferences, 40% preferred universal screening without consent, 31% with consent, 16% for high-risk pregnancies with consent, and 13% for high-risk pregnancies without consent. The study found low awareness of GBS among women residing in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Factors related to demographic details and obstetric follow-up were associated with better understanding. Most women preferred universal screening for GBS, with or without consent. Effective health education is needed to raise women's awareness of screening benefits and risks. This education can help women make informed decisions and improve prevention and care. Future studies may evaluate healthcare providers' awareness of GBS.