The impact of non-pharmacologic interventions on respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective study from Saudi Arabia.

Background: Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are frequently observed in infants and young children. The dynamics and transmission of ARTIs have been significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigates the change in admission rates of Respiratory Syncytial virus (RSV) in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge and attitudes about obstructive sleep apnea among otorhinolaryngology trainee residents in Saudi Arabia: A survey-based cross-sectional study.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder frequently encountered in otorhinolaryngology practice. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward obstructive sleep apnea among otorhinolaryngology trainees in Saudi Arabia.  Methods: This was a survey-based cross-sectional study.

Perspectives, practices, and challenges of online teaching during COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational survey.

The result of the movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was an impromptu and abrupt switch from in-person to online teaching. Most focus has been on the perception and experience of students during the process. The aim of this international survey is to assess staffs' perspectives and challenges of online teaching during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Routine Application of Lung Ultrasonography in Respiratory Care: Knowledge, Perceptions, and Barriers to Instigate.

Background: Lung Ultrasound (LUS) had proved to be beneficial in detecting respiratory disorders at the bedside. Understanding the important role of Respiratory Therapists (RTs) in the critical care, we aimed to assess their knowledge, perceived relevance of LUS to clinical practice, current skill gaps, and barriers to practice.

Methods: A cross-sectional, nationwide survey conducted among the RTs working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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.

Health Sciences Students' Attitude, Perception, and Experience of Using Educational Simulation in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

: Simulation-based education (SBE) provides a safe, effective, and stimulating environment for training medical and healthcare students. This is especially valuable for skills that cannot be practiced on real patients due to ethical and practical reasons. We aimed to assess medical students' attitude, perception, and experience of simulation-based medical education in Saudi Arabia.

A Cohort Study of Seroprevalence of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Background: The nature of the healthcare workers' jobs standing at the frontline against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) puts them at a higher risk of unknowingly contracting the disease and potentially contributing to the spread. This study aims to assess the overall positive seroconversion prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods: This is a longitudinal cohort study of healthcare workers at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH).

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Toward Organ Donation and Transplantation Among Medical Students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Organ donation is an integral part of medical ethics worldwide, including Saudi Arabia. Although the Saudi community has a positive attitude toward the concept of organ donation and transplantation, several factors prevent people from agreeing to donate organs and tissues. This study aimed to explore and evaluate the knowledge and attitudes medical students in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia have toward organ donation and transplantation.

Initial viral cycle threshold values in patients with COVID-19 and their clinical significance.

Background: The connection between initial viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of the SARS-CoV-2 with symptoms and hospital course is not clearly studied.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from Jun 1st 2020 to March 30th, 2021 examining the relationship between initial viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of SARS-CoV-2 as obtained from nasopharyngeal samples. The clinical presentations and outcomes were analyzed in relation to the initial Ct values.

Carbapenem use correlates with percentage of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units.

Background: The first wave of COVID-19 pandemic may have significantly impacted antimicrobial consumption in hospitals. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of carbapenem consumption and describe the implemented measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We calculated carbapenem consumption for all the hospital and for intensive care units (ICU) for three periods: baseline (before COVID-19 cases, January 2019-February 2020), and the period of COVID-19 cases as a pre-intervention (March-August 2020) and a post-intervention phase (September 2020-December 2021).

Clinical Presentation and Outcome of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 in the First and Second Waves in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: The world had witnessed the occurrence of multiple waves of the SARS-CoV-2. Data comparing the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients in Saudi Arabia during the first and second waves are lacking. This study compares the characteristics and the outcomes of patients in these 2 waves.

Safety and Reactogenicity of the ChAdOx1 (AZD1222) COVID-19 Vaccine in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to implement a COVID-19 vaccination program. This study estimated the safety and reactogenicity of the ChAdOx1-S vaccine after the first dose administered to adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1592 randomly selected vaccinees from April to May 2021.

A pilot study on screening for gestational/congenital toxoplasmosis of pregnant women at delivery in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Globally, congenital toxoplasmosis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and outbreaks of T. gondii infection represent a major public health threat, especially in developing countries. Evidence in the literature indicates that only a few studies have been conducted on the incidence of maternal and congenital toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia.

Distribution of erythrocyte binding antigen 175 (EBA-175) gene dimorphic alleles in Plasmodium falciparum field isolates from Sudan.

Background: The Erythrocyte Binding Antigen (EBA) 175 has been considered as one of the most important Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) merozoite ligands that mediate invasion of the erythrocytes through their sialated receptor: Glycophorin A (GPA). The effect of the EBA 175 dimorphic alleles (F and C) on the severity of the disease is not yet fully understood.