Defining a murine ovarian cancer model for the evaluation of conditionally-replicative adenovirus (CRAd) virotherapy agents.

Background: Virotherapy represents a promising approach for ovarian cancer. In this regard, conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAd) has been translated to the context of human clinical trials. Advanced design of CRAds has sought to exploit their capacity to induce anti-tumor immunization by configuring immunoregulatory molecule within the CRAd genome.

Combinatorial strategies based on CRAd-IL24 and CRAd-ING4 virotherapy with anti-angiogenesis treatment for ovarian cancer.

Background: A major hurdle incurrent to the human clinical application of conditionally replicative adenovirus (CRAd)-based virotherapy agents is their limited therapeutic efficacy. In this study we evaluated whether arming our previously reported Ad5/3Δ24 CRAd vector containing a 24-base pair deletion in the E1A conserved region 2, which allows selective replication within Rb-p16-deficient tumor cells, to express therapeutic genes could improve oncolytic virus potency in ovarian cancer cells. We choose to assess the therapeutic benefits achieved by virus-mediated expression of interleukin 24 (IL-24), a cytokine-like protein of the IL-10 family, and the inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) tumor suppressor protein.

Combined therapy with oncolytic adenoviruses encoding TRAIL and IL-12 genes markedly suppressed human hepatocellular carcinoma both in vitro and in an orthotopic transplanted mouse model.

Background: Gene-based virotherapy mediated by oncolytic viruses is currently experiencing a renaissance in cancer therapy. However, relatively little attention has been given to the potentiality of dual gene virotherapy strategy as a novel therapeutic approach to mediate triplex anticancer combination effects, particularly if the two suitable genes are well chosen. Both tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) have been emerged as promising pharmacological candidates in cancer therapy; however, the combined efficacy of TRAIL and IL-12 genes for treatment of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains to be determined.

Maternal colonization of group B streptococcus: prevalence, associated factors and antimicrobial resistance.

Background And Objectives: Group B streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) can be transferred during delivery to neonates from mothers who are colonized with GBS in the genital tract. GBS can cause sepsis and meningitis in newborns. This study was conducted to determine GBS colonization rates among pregnant women and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns.

Clinically significant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci and their antibiotic resistance pattern in a tertiary care hospital.

Objectives: To identify various species of coagulase negative staphylococci involved in neonatal septicaemia and determine their antimicrobial resistance pattern.

Methods: The prospective descriptive study was carried out from January 2012 to October 2013, at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, and comprised clinical isolates of coagulase negative staphylococci recovered from the blood of neonates at Maternity and Children Hospital, Makkah..

Genetic diversity of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged and spread globally in the spring of 2009. Saudi Arabia also witnessed a severe H1N1 pandemic virus epidemic with considerable morbidity and mortality in different parts of the kingdom beginning in June 2009. The influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus was detected in samples collected between May 2009 and November 2010 from Makkah region.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and identification of new bacteria species in air samples from Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: During the Hajj season, respiratory symptoms are very common among pilgrims. Here, we investigated the viable bacterial population in air samples collected around the slaughterhouses used during the Hajj.

Methods And Results: We collected air samples on three days from four different sites: slaughterhouses at Al-Kakia, Al-Meaisim and Al-Sharaia, and from a waste disposal area designated for the remnants of slaughter.

Paper money and coins as potential vectors of transmissible disease.

Paper currency and coins may be a public health risk when associated with the simultaneous handling of food and could lead to the spread of nosocomial infections. Banknotes recovered from hospitals may be highly contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella species, Escherichia coli and S.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) disease progression and viral activity: a seroepidemiological and molecular study.

Objective: To determine the frequency and epidemiological characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, HIV disease progression, immune status and viral activity.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Microbiology, University of the Punjab and Institute of Public Health, Lahore, from September 2005 to August 2008.

Profile of bacterial pneumonia during Hajj.

Background & Objectives: The congregation of a large number of people during Hajj seasons from different parts of the world in overcrowded conditions within a confined area for a long period of time presents many public health challenges and health risks. One of the main health problems of the crowding is ease transmission of pneumonia by air droplets. This study was aimed to determine the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia during the 2005 Hajj season and to relate the findings with clinical conditions.

Multi-drug resistant Ewingella americana.

We report a case of pneumonia due to multi-drug resistant Ewingella americana in a young patient admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of Hera General Hospital, Makkah, Saudi Arabia with severe head injury in a road traffic accident. He was an Indonesian pilgrim who had traveled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj in December 2007. Ewingella americana was identified to be the pathogen of pneumonia with clinical signs and symptoms along with positive radiological findings.

Clinical profile and outcome of hospitalized patients during first outbreak of dengue in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To describe clinical profile of patients with dengue virus infection hospitalized at a single center during the first outbreak of dengue in Makkah, Saudi Arabia from April to July 2004.

Methods: Clinical information and laboratory abnormalities of patients with suspected dengue infection were collected by a standardized data collection sheet and review of medical records. Dengue virus infection was confirmed by a positive IgM capture ELISA or RT-PCR.