The epidemiology and microbiological characteristics of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria in Qatar: national surveillance from the Study for Monitoring of Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART): 2017 to 2019.

Background: The global Study of Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) is a surveillance program for evaluation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) from different regions including Gulf countries.

Objectives: To evaluate AMR in GNB from various clinical specimens including microbiological and genetic characteristics for existing and novel antimicrobials.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on clinical specimens from Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, between 2017 and 2019 according to the SMART protocol.

Prevalence and microbiological and genetic characteristics of multidrug-resistant over three years in Qatar.

Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global priority with significant clinical and economic consequences. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) is one of the major pathogens associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In healthcare settings, the evaluation of prevalence, microbiological characteristics, as well as mechanisms of resistance is of paramount importance to overcome associated challenges.

Evaluation of Activity of Ceftazidime/Avibactam and Ceftolozane/Tazobactam against ESBL-producing Enterobacterales Isolated from Intensive Care Units from Qatar.

Objectives: Extended-spectrum -lactamases (ESBLs) mechanism of resistance in Enterobacterales leads to poor clinical outcomes. Ceftazidime/avibactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam are two broad-spectrum antimicrobial combinations that are effective against multidrug-resistant organisms with regional variations. This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) for both combinations against ESBL-producing Enterobacterales isolated from intensive care units (ICUs) in tertiary hospitals from November 2012 to October 2013 in Qatar.

Association of , , and β-Lactamase Genes with Resistance to Ceftazidime-Avibactam and Ceftolozane-Tazobactam in Multidrug-Resistant .

Ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam are approved for the treatment of complicated Gram-negative bacterial infections including multidrug-resistant (MDR) . Resistance to both agents has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored. This study aimed to correlate β-lactamases with phenotypic resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam and/or ceftolozane-tazobactam in MDR- from Qatar.

Clinical outcomes, molecular epidemiology and resistance mechanisms of multidrug-resistant isolated from bloodstream infections from Qatar.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR)- are associated with poor clinical outcomes, at least partly due to delayed appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The characteristics of MDR- bloodstream isolates have not been evaluated in Qatar. Our study aimed to examine susceptibility, clinical and molecular characteristics, and mechanisms of resistance of MDR- bloodstream isolates from Qatar.

SnoRNAs and miRNAs Networks Underlying COVID-19 Disease Severity.

There is a lack of predictive markers for early and rapid identification of disease progression in COVID-19 patients. Our study aims at identifying microRNAs (miRNAs)/small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) as potential biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. Using differential expression analysis of microarray data (n = 29), we identified hsa-miR-1246, ACA40, hsa-miR-4532, hsa-miR-145-5p, and ACA18 as the top five differentially expressed transcripts in severe versus asymptomatic, and ACA40, hsa-miR-3609, ENSG00000212378 (SNORD78), hsa-miR-1231, hsa-miR-885-3p as the most significant five in severe versus mild cases.

Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship programme on antimicrobial utilization and the prevalence of MDR in an acute care hospital in Qatar.

Background: The excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics is universal across all healthcare facilities. In Qatar there has been a substantial increase in antimicrobial consumption coupled with a significant rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) have become a standard intervention for effective optimization of antimicrobial prescribing.

Patient Perspectives on Language Discordance During Healthcare Visits: Findings From the Extremely High-Density Multicultural State of Qatar.

Reducing language and cultural barriers in healthcare are significant factors in resolving health disparities. Qatar's rapidly growing multicultural population presents new challenges to the healthcare system. The purpose of this research was to explore patients' perspectives about language discordance, and the strategies used to overcome language barriers during patients' visits.

Newborn Screening for Vitamin B Non-responsive Classical Homocystinuria: Systematical Evaluation of a Two-Tier Strategy.

Background: In classical homocystinuria (HCU, MIM# 236200) due to the deficiency of cystathionine β-synthase (EC 4.2.1.

Patient responses to research recruitment and follow-up surveys: findings from a diverse multicultural health care setting in Qatar.

Background: Health care researchers working in the Arabian Gulf need information on how to optimize recruitment and retention of study participants in extremely culturally diverse settings. Implemented in Doha, Qatar in 2012 with 4 language groups, namely Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu, this research documents persons' responses to recruitment, consent, follow-up, and reminder procedures during psychometric testing of the Multicultural Assessment Instrument (MAI), a novel self- or interviewer-administered survey.

Methods: Bilingual research assistants recruited adults in outpatient clinics by approaching persons in particular who appeared to be from a target language group.

Procedures of recruiting, obtaining informed consent, and compensating research participants in Qatar: findings from a qualitative investigation.

Background: Very few researchers have reported on procedures of recruiting, obtaining informed consent, and compensating participants in health research in the Arabian Gulf Region. Empirical research can inform the debate about whether to adjust these procedures for culturally diverse settings. Our objective was to delineate procedures related to recruiting, obtaining informed consent, and compensating health research participants in the extremely high-density multicultural setting of Qatar.

Challenges and opportunities of US and Arab collaborations in health services research: a case study from Qatar.

Economic globalization and advances in technology have made it more feasible and even necessary to develop international research collaborations in global public health. Historically, collaborations in global research described in the literature have been mostly "North-South" collaborations in which the more developed "North" country works together with a developing "South" country to conduct research in the latter. This type of collaboration has for the most part, represented unequal partnership and rarely left behind a lasting impact.

Newborn population screening for classic homocystinuria by determination of total homocysteine from Guthrie cards.

Objective: To allow early recognition of cystathionine beta-synthase by newborn screening.

Study Design: Total homocysteine was determined in dried blood spots with a novel, robust high-performance liquid chromatography method with tandem mass spectrometry. Quantification of homocysteine was linear over a working range up to 50 micromol/L.

Molecular neonatal screening for homocystinuria in the Qatari population.

We report the results of molecular neonatal screening for homocystinuria (cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency) in neonates of Qatari origin, developed in conjunction with a novel biochemical screening approach. DNA was extracted from dried blood spots (DBS); the prevalent Qatari CBS gene mutation p.R336C (c.

Tuberculosis among garment workers in an Arabian developing country: State of Qatar.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a leading infectious cause of death worldwide, and it remains a serious public health problem in developing countries. To determine the prevalence of tuberculosis infection among garment workers, the authors conducted a retrospective prevalence survey of employees working in garment factories in Qatar from January 2000 to June 2003. A mass screening of garment factory workers was carried out by chest X-ray and Mantoux skin test at the Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation.

Does pleural tuberculosis disease pattern differ among developed and developing countries.

Background: A number of reports from developed countries have documented a rising age at which pleural tuberculosis occurs and increase in the frequency of reactivation disease being as the main cause of pleural involvement.

Objective: To determine the age at which pleural tuberculosis occurs, study its clinical pattern, and to determine whether pleural tuberculosis is a result of reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis or it is a primary one comparing our findings with results from developed countries.

Method: Retrospective study of 100 cases discharged from Hamad General Hospital with the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis from January 1996 to December 2002.