Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys.

Objective: To assess the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Oman and longitudinal changes in antibody levels over time within the first 11 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted as a four-cycle serosurvey using a multi-stage stratified sampling method from July to November 2020. A questionnaire was used and included demographics, history of acute respiratory infection and list of symptoms, COVID-19 contact, previous diagnosis or admission, travel history and risk factors.

A Unique Genotype of Pseudohypoaldosteronism Type 1b in a Highly Consanguineous Population.

Context: Pseudohypoaldosteronism (PHA) is a condition in which serum aldosterone level is normal or elevated but its action is deficient.

Objective: This study describes the molecular genetics of PHA 1b in the highly consanguineous population of 2 Arabian Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Methods: This study enrolled 22 patients from 13 unrelated families (2 families with 5 patients from Oman and 11 families with 17 patients from Saudi Arabia).

Community Foodborne of Outbreak at Northern Governorate, Sultanate of Oman.

Objectives: To investigate the course of a community gastroenteritis outbreak by and implement interventional activities and roles to prevent occurring such an outbreak in the future.

Methods: From August 27 to 2 September 2015, 101 individuals were reported among a local community. All affected individuals had a history of food consumption at a local restaurant.

Screening migrants from tuberculosis high-endemic countries for latent tuberculosis in Oman: A cross sectional cohort analysis.

To fulfil the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB strategy, screening for tuberculosis (TB) in immigrants is an important component of the strategy to reduce the TB burden in low-incidence countries. Oman has an annual TB incidence rate of 5.7 per 100000 and transmission from migrants with activated latent TB infection (LTBI) to nationals is a concern.

The first clusters of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Oman: Time to act.

Introduction: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is an emerging infectious disease of growing global importance. This review describes the latest MERS-CoV clusters and the first cases of nosocomial transmission within health care facilities in Oman. We have highlighted lessons learned and proposed steps to prevent healthcare-associated infections.

Tools to implement the World Health Organization End TB Strategy: Addressing common challenges in high and low endemic countries.

Aim: The purpose of this viewpoint is to summarize the advantages and constraints of the tools and strategies available for reducing the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) by implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy and the linked WHO TB Elimination Framework, with special reference to Oman.

Methods: The case-study was built based on the presentations and discussions at an international workshop on TB elimination in low incidence countries organized by the Ministry of Health, Oman, which took place from September 5 to September 7, 2019, and supported by the WHO and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).

Results: Existing tools were reviewed, including the screening of migrants for latent TB infection (LTBI) with interferon-gamma release assays, clinical examination for active pulmonary TB (APTB) including chest X-rays, organization of laboratory services, and the existing centres for mandatory health examination of pre-arrival or arriving migrants, including examination for APTB.

Ongoing Challenges with Healthcare-Associated Candida auris Outbreaks in Oman.

Candida auris has emerged in the past decade as a multi-drug resistant public health threat causing health care outbreaks. Here we report epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological investigations of a C. auris outbreak in a regional Omani hospital between April 2018 and April 2019.

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency Due to the Co-Administration of Ritonavir and Inhaled Fluticasone Propionate: Case report.

Ritonavir is a powerful inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) isoenzyme. It is used as a pharmaceutical enhancer in the management of HIV-positive patients. However, when co-administered with other drugs that are metabolised via the CYP3A4 pathway, ritonavir can potentially cause serious drug-drug interactions.

The Adverse Events, Signs, and Management of Neonatal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine Overdose.

A two-day-old male neonate was inadvertently immunized with 20-times the recommended dose of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine (1.0 ml instead of 0.05 ml).

Prevalence and Determinants of Pre-Hypertension among Omani Adults Attending Non-Communicable Disease Screening Program in Primary Care Setting in Sohar City.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of pre-hypertension and its association with some selected cardiovascular risk factors among the Omani adult population in the primary healthcare setting.

Method: A cross-sectional study involving a sample taken from a National Screening Program of chronic non-communicable diseases in primary healthcare institutions, Sohar city, Sultanate of Oman (July 2006 - December 2007). Inclusion criteria included Omanis aged 40 years or above residents of Sohar city attending primary healthcare institutions not previously diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or chronic kidney diseases.

Characteristics of hepatitis B infection in a sample of omani patients.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the demographic and virological characteristics of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a sample of Omani patients, and indirectly assess the efficacy of hepatitis B vaccination programmes and catch-up strategies.

Methods: A retrospective study was undertaken of all patients with chronic HBV infections evaluated and followed-up at the Hepatology Clinic of the Armed Forces Hospital (AFH), Muscat, Oman, between January 2009 and April 2011.

Results: A total of 154 patients met the inclusion criteria.