Publications by authors named "Ahmed Alsuwaidi"
Article Synopsis
- Despite universal vaccination, Group A rotaviruses (RVA) continue to cause significant childhood diarrhea in the UAE, highlighting the need for genetic monitoring to track prevalent strains and potential vaccine escape mutants.
- The study compared real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nanopore sequencing for genotyping 33 RVA strains from children, finding that RT-PCR could miss some new strains, whereas nanopore sequencing identified more diverse genotypes.
- The results showed that nanopore sequencing was more effective in revealing emerging strains, with G3P[8] being the most common, thus suggesting its potential role in improving RVA surveillance and guiding preventive strategies.
Background: The current situation of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) as an innovative tool for addressing the evolving clinical challenges. An example is utilizing Machine Learning (ML) models-a subfield of AI that take advantage of observational data/Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to support clinical decision-making for COVID-19 cases. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors for COVID-19 patients in the United Arab Emirates utilizing EHRs and ML for survival analysis models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focused on the presence of three genital pathogens (Treponema pallidum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis) in patients seeking fertility treatment in Abu Dhabi, highlighting their potential impact on fertility.
- A total of 308 patients were surveyed, revealing that 53% tested positive for at least one pathogen, with Mycoplasma hominis being the most commonly found.
- The findings indicated that lower education levels and unemployment were associated with higher seroprevalence rates, suggesting a need for better awareness and screening of genital pathogens among these populations.
Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the seroepidemiology of and identify factors associated with exposure to Chlamydia trachomatis ( C. trachomatis ) in fertility treatment-seeking patients in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates.
Methods: A total of 308 fertility treatment-seeking patients were surveyed.
Vaccine hesitancy is a growing public health concern that has fueled the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases in several Muslim-majority countries. Although multiple factors are associated with vaccine hesitancy, certain religious deliberations are significant in determining individuals' vaccine-related decisions and attitudes. In this review article, we summarize the literature on religious factors linked to vaccine hesitancy among Muslims, thoroughly discuss the Islamic law (sharia) viewpoint on vaccination and offer recommendations to address vaccine hesitancy in Muslim communities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Monkeypox (MPXV) is a less severe, emerging zoonotic viral disease that poses a global health threat, primarily transmitted through close contact and affecting high-risk groups like healthcare workers and men who have sex with men.* -
- The disease is characterized by skin lesions, primarily on the face and extremities, and while most cases are mild, it can have long-term health effects.* -
- Vaccination against MPXV is available but should target high-risk individuals, and a coordinated "one globe, one health" approach is crucial to manage the outbreak and leverage lessons from past pandemics like COVID-19.*
Introduction: The induction and speed of production of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) immune biomarkers may vary by type and number of inoculated vaccine doses. This study aimed to explore variations in SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike (anti-S), anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N), and neutralizing immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, and T-cell response by type and number of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine doses received.
Methods: In a naturally exposed and SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated population, we quantified the anti-S, anti-N, and neutralizing IgG antibody concentration and assessed T-cell response.
Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common genitally-transmitted viral infection affecting more than 400 million individuals globally. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in specific at-risk population groups, the burden of HSV-2 has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence of HSV-2 IgG antibodies in patients seeking fertility treatment and characterized patients with seropositivity to HSV-2 IgG antibodies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMigrants and refugees are among the vulnerable populations that suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 crisis. However, their experiences with COVID-19 positivity status have not been investigated. This study explored the physical, mental, and psychosocial impacts of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis on Syrian refugees living in Jordan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSeveral and studies have shown that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor sirolimus (rapamycin) suppresses thymus cellular respiration. The objective of this study is to investigate the chronic dose-dependent effects of sirolimus in the thymus. This was monitored using body weight, histomorphology, caspase-3 expression, cytochrome C immunohistochemistry, and cellular bioenergetics as surrogate biomarkers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effectiveness of the inactivated BBIBP-CorV vaccine against severe COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization, critical care admission and death due to COVID-19) and its long-term effectiveness have not been well characterized among the general population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records of 3,147,869 adults, of which 1,099,886 vaccinated individuals were matched, in a 1:1 ratio to 1,099,886 unvaccinated persons. A Cox-proportional hazard model with time varying coefficients was used to assess the vaccine effectiveness adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, ethnicity, and the calendar month of entry into the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- OSCEs are critical for assessing medical students but have faced challenges transitioning to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with coordinating student movements between stations.
- The authors created a secure website to manage OSCE timing and station access, allowing remote monitoring and progress tracking for both students and examiners.
- The new online method has proven feasible and cost-effective, with student performance comparable to traditional OSCEs, although a limitation remains in assessing physical exams since they can't be conducted online.
Influenza A virus (IAV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are leading causes of childhood infections. RSV and influenza are competitive in vitro. In this study, the in vivo effects of RSV and IAV co-infection were investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the first country in the Middle East to report severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Serosurveys are essential to understanding the extent of virus transmission. This cross-sectional study aims to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To examine the association between plasma levels of the soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and the incidence of severe complications of COVID-19.
Methods: 403 RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients were recruited and prospectively followed-up at a major hospital in the United Arab Emirates. The primary endpoint was time from admission until the development of a composite outcome, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, or death from any cause.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined 3,827 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Abu Dhabi, UAE, between March 12 and April 22, 2020, revealing a majority (82%) were men, and most cases (86%) were non-UAE citizens.
- A large proportion of cases (43%) were asymptomatic, while 57% showed mild symptoms; only 12% had comorbidities, primarily hypertension and diabetes, with men being more affected.
- The findings indicated a low percentage of severe cases (4% required ICU admission) and a very low mortality rate (0.1%), attributed to effective public health measures like early detection and contact tracing.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examined the prevalence of thinness among schoolchildren in the UAE and its effects on height growth, focusing on a sample of 29,410 kids during the 2014-2015 academic year.
- - Results showed that thinness affected about 25-33% of children aged 4-9 years, while only 8-10% of adolescents were classified as thin.
- - Additionally, thin children experienced a delay in peak height velocity by 1-3 years compared to their peers with normal or excess body fat.
Article Synopsis
- This study investigates the causes of childhood diarrhea in the UAE, particularly after rotavirus vaccination, by comparing infected (cases) and healthy (controls) children's stool samples for pathogens.
- A total of 203 cases and 73 controls were tested, revealing higher rates of rotavirus, norovirus GII, and adenovirus in infected children, while no significant difference was found for tested bacteria.
- The findings highlight the persistence of rotavirus as a leading cause of diarrhea in children, indicating the need for better control measures for this and other pathogens.
Article Synopsis
- Healthcare providers (HCPs) in the UAE face challenges with vaccine hesitancy, both personally and in their recommendations to patients, necessitating an exploration of their concerns.
- The study involved interviews with 33 HCPs, employing an inductive thematic analysis to identify factors that influence their hesitancy towards vaccines, including trust in institutions and the impact of misinformation from social media.
- Findings show that while some HCPs exhibit trust in the healthcare system and identify positives like accessible vaccination services, many are hesitant about mandatory vaccinations and require training to effectively communicate vaccine importance to patients.
Objectives: Few studies have investigated pharyngeal colonisation in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to identify the pharyngeal organisms present in a cohort of medical students with and without symptomatic pharyngitis.
Methods: This study was conducted between September 2016 and June 2018 at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain.
Population Risk Factors for COVID-19 Mortality in 93 Countries.
J Epidemiol Glob Health
September 2020
Article Synopsis
- COVID-19 death rates differ widely between regions, with Case Mortality Rates (CMR) being more reliable than case-fatality rates due to testing variations.
- The study analyzed CMR in 93 countries and examined its relationship with population risk factors like chronic diseases and socioeconomic factors such as poverty and aging.
- Findings indicated that higher CMR were linked to conditions like Alzheimer's, COPD, and depression, while multivariate analysis highlighted the significant impact of comorbidities alongside GDP on death rates.
Immunization during pregnancy has been recommended in an increasing number of countries. The aim of this strategy is to protect pregnant women and infants from severe infectious disease, morbidity and mortality and is currently limited to tetanus, inactivated influenza, and pertussis-containing vaccines. There have been recent advancements in the development of vaccines designed primarily for use in pregnant women (respiratory syncytial virus and group B vaccines).
View Article and Find Full Text PDF: Vaccine hesitancy is a leading threat to public health. It has been studied extensively in North America and Europe but much less in Arab countries. The Parent Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) survey is a validated tool for identifying vaccine-hesitant parents; however, Arabic version is not available.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF