Ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate: a review of their roles in forensic toxicology analysis of alcohol postmortem.

Purpose: This review presents the current methods used for determining ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) concentrations in postmortem specimens, including sample preparation, analysis and the role of EtG and EtS in the postmortem assessment of the extent of alcohol abuse.

Methods: Papers pertaining to postmortem investigation were collected from scientific databases and reviewed. The papers were published between January 2006 and October 2020.

Seroprevalence of community-acquired atypical bacterial pneumonia among adult COVID-19 patients from a single center in Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Saudi Arabia: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To investigate the seroprevalence of the community-acquired bacterial that causes atypical pneumonia among confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) patients.

Methods: In this cohort study, we retrospectively investigated the seroprevalence of , , and among randomly selected 189 confirmed COVID-19 patients at their time of hospital presentation via commercial immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against these bacteria. We also carried out quantitative measurements of procalcitonin in patients' serum.

COVID-19 with underdiagnosed influenza B and parainfluenza-2 co-infections in Saudi Arabia: Two case reports.

The emerging of the COVID-19 pandemic is currently challenging for the public health system globally. Beyond SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity, co-infections with recycling respiratory pathogens, whether bacterial, viral, or fungal, might increase disease symptoms, morbidity, and mortality. In this study, we reported two COVID-19 cases in the early phase of the virus spread in Saudi Arabia with underdiagnosed respiratory viruses' co-infections, influenza B and Parainfluenza-2, detected retrospectively.

Updates in diagnosis and management of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a lethal viral disease transmitted by contact with infected people and animals. Ebola infection represents a worldwide health threat causing enormous mortality rates and fatal epidemics. Major concern is pilgrimage seasons with possible transmission to Middle East populations.

Respiratory tract samples, viral load, and genome fraction yield in patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome.

Background: Analysis of clinical samples from patients with new viral infections is critical to confirm the diagnosis, to specify the viral load, and to sequence data necessary for characterizing the viral kinetics, transmission, and evolution. We analyzed samples from 112 patients infected with the recently discovered Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

Methods: Respiratory tract samples from cases of MERS-CoV infection confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were investigated to determine the MERS-CoV load and fraction of the MERS-CoV genome.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis and strain diversity in Saudi Arabia. Current status and future prospects.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile and strain diversity in the light of recent published studies to provide an updated comprehensive picture of the significance of the effect of this virus in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The epidemiology, disease burden, and strain diversity of rotavirus in Saudi Arabia were reviewed using 22 studies of rotavirus and the etiology of diarrhea. We reviewed the studies conducted between 1982 and 2005 as well as the 2 recently published studies in 2008.

Molecular epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea among children in Saudi Arabia: first detection of G9 and G12 strains.

In anticipation of rotavirus vaccine introduction in Saudi Arabia, this study was undertaken to determine the distribution of the G and P genotypes of rotaviruses in order to examine whether there was any emerging serotype or unusual strain circulating in children in Saudi Arabia. Of 984 stool specimens collected between 17 April 2004 and 16 April 2005, rotavirus was detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 187 (19%) diarrheal children less than 5 years of age. Of these, 160 (86%) were classified into G and P genotypes as follows: G1P[8] (44%), G2P[4] (20%), G9P[8] (11%), G12P[8] (4%), and G3P[8] (4%).

Characterization of rotavirus strains detected among children and adults with acute gastroenteritis in Gizan, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To assess the circulating rotavirus strains among hospitalized children and adults in Gizan City.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was based in 5 hospitals in the Gizan area. Stool samples were collected between November 2004 and March 2005, from sequential patients with acute, dehydrating diarrhea.

Rotavirus infection in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Human rotavirus, an important causative agent of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide, leads to high morbidity in both developing and developed countries, including Saudi Arabia, and high mortality in developing countries. Effective control depends upon an accurate understanding of disease burden and the relative importance of circulating serotypes.

Methods: We examined the epidemiology and disease burden of rotavirus in Saudi Arabia through a review of 22 published studies of rotavirus and the aetiology of diarrhoea carried out from 1982 to 2003.