Assessing post-COVID-19 functional recovery in healthcare workers: Insights from the 6-minute walking test and DLCO analysis.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide, necessitating an understanding of its effects on their health and functional capacity. This study utilized the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) to evaluate post-infection recovery of HCWs, and analyzed the results in relation to comorbidities, symptoms, and healthcare admission.

Methods: HCWs who previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited, and the 6MWT and PFT were conducted.

COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection among health care workers at MODHS hospitals in Saudi Arabia: A multicenter study.

Background: We investigated the clinical manifestation and severity of COVID-19 infection represented as a composite outcome (hospital or ICU admission, or in-hospital death) among infected fully vaccinated HCWs, the RT-PCR test Ct value (Cycle Threshold) of positive fully vaccinated HCWs, and we measure the interval from the second vaccine to acquiring the infection.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted in different regions at (16) Ministry of Defense Health Services (MODHS) hospitals. Data were restricted to fully vaccinated (minimum of 2 doses) HCWs who had a confirmed positive PCR test and employed in MODHS hospitals from August 2021 to March 2022.

Self-reported long COVID-19 symptoms are rare among vaccinated healthcare workers.

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected healthcare workers (HCWs). Here, we evaluate the occurence of long-COVID-19 symtoms among HCWs.

Methods: This is a questionnaire-based study of HCWs who had COVID-19 in two medical centers in Saudi Arabia and were mostly vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine had a significant positive impact on patients with SARS-COV-2 during the third (Omicron) wave in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: The third (Omicron) wave had caused significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe. The severity of the disease dependeds on the extent of the vaccination status.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of infected COVID-19 patients during the third (Omicron) wave in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Antimicrobial resistance trends of non-fermenter Gram negative bacteria in Saudi Arabia: A six-year national study.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria (NFGNB) is increasingly recognized as urgent healthcare threat. Trend data on AMR of NFGNB in Saudi Arabia are either old or limited. The objective was to estimate the prevalence and resistance trends of isolated NFGNB in Saudi Arabia.

Proportion of adult community-acquired pneumonia cases attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae among Hajj pilgrims in 2016.

Background: The Hajj mass gathering is a risk for pneumococcal disease. This study was performed to evaluate the proportion of adult community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases attributable to Streptococcus pneumoniae among Hajj pilgrims in 2016. To add sensitivity to etiological attribution, a urine antigen test was used in addition to culture-based methods.

Unraveling the drivers of MERS-CoV transmission.

With more than 1,700 laboratory-confirmed infections, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a significant threat for public health. However, the lack of detailed data on modes of transmission from the animal reservoir and between humans means that the drivers of MERS-CoV epidemics remain poorly characterized. Here, we develop a statistical framework to provide a comprehensive analysis of the transmission patterns underlying the 681 MERS-CoV cases detected in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) between January 2013 and July 2014.

Estimating the Severity and Subclinical Burden of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Not all persons infected with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) develop severe symptoms, which likely leads to an underestimation of the number of people infected and an overestimation of the severity. To estimate the number of MERS-CoV infections that have occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we applied a statistical model to a line list describing 721 MERS-CoV infections detected between June 7, 2012, and July 25, 2014. We estimated that 1,528 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1,327, 1,883) MERS-CoV infections occurred in this interval, which is 2.

The Saudi Thoracic Society guidelines for influenza vaccinations.

Influenza viruses are responsible for the influenza outbreaks that lead to significant burden and cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Based on the core proteins, influenza viruses are classified into three types, A, B, and C, of which only A and B cause significant human disease and so the vaccine is directed against these two subtypes only. The effectiveness of the vaccine depends on boosting the immune system against the serotypes included within it.

Epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of 47 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease from Saudi Arabia: a descriptive study.

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a new human disease caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV). Clinical data on MERS-CoV infections are scarce. We report epidemiological, demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of 47 cases of MERS-CoV infections, identify knowledge gaps, and define research priorities.

Saudi guidelines for testing and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection.

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a common disease in Saudi Arabia. As most cases of tuberculosis are due to reactivation of latent infection, identification of individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) who are at increased risk of progression to active disease, is a key element of tuberculosis control programs. Whereas general screening of individuals for LTBI is not cost-effective, targeted testing of individuals at high risk of disease progression is the right approach.

Effects of a simple protocol on infective complications in intensive care unit patients undergoing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

In our intensive care unit we monitored infection in 228 patients who underwent percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT). In the first phase of the study 128 PDTs were performed during a 33-month period and there were 41 infection complications (nosocomial pneumonia, bacteremia with sepsis, and septic shock) in the perioperative period (immediately prior to and for 5 days after PDT). A significant risk factor among patients with nosocomial pneumonia was empirical administration of inappropriate antibiotics, compared to appropriate antibiotics (34% versus 4%, p < 0.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To present the available susceptibility data of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) isolates from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) published in peer-reviewed journals.

Methods: In a meta-analysis, studies published between 1966 and 2001 were included.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, epidemiology and patterns in Saudi Arabia.

Annual incidence rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis have been increasing over the last few years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. True rates may even be higher due to incomplete reporting. Diagnosis of this condition requires high clinical suspicion, special diagnostic procedures, special staining, and culture media for acid fast bacilli.

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, epidemiology and patterns in Saudi Arabia.

Annual incidence rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis have been increasing over the last few years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. True rates may even be higher due to incomplete reporting. Diagnosis of this condition requires high clinical suspicion, special diagnostic procedures, special staining, and culture media for acid fast bacilli.