Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Infection in a Patient With an SLC11A1 Mutation: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature.

Mycobacterial avium complex (MAC) is one of the non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) that is known to cause pulmonary disease (PD). MAC PD is diagnosed by fulfilling all of the following: presence of respiratory symptoms, imaging studies compatible with pulmonary disease, and isolation of the mycobacterium from either sputum or bronchial wash in symptomatic patients (isolation of at least two sputum specimens or at least one bronchial wash specimen). A mutation in the solute carrier family 11, member 1 (SLC11A1) gene has been associated with Mycobacteria infections, including MAC.

Risk factors, antifungal susceptibility, complications, and outcome of Candida auris bloodstream infection in a tertiary care center in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Candida auris, an emerging multidrug-resistant fungus species that grows as yeast, causes bloodstream infection, and is associated with high mortality rates. In this study, we identified risk factors associated with C. auris bloodstream infection, antifungal susceptibility pattern, complications, and outcome of the infection.

Evidence-Based Interventions to Reduce the Incidence of Common Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in an Adult Intensive Care Unit.

Background Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) present a significant and escalating hazard to healthcare globally. Context-specific interventions have been implemented for the prevention and control of MDR-GNB in several healthcare facilities. The objective of this study was to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions in the incidence and dissemination of MDR-GNB.

Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Western Saudi Arabia and Increasing Trends in the Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterobacteriaceae.

Purpose:  The aim of the study is to estimate the prevalence rate of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and to determine the types of carbapenemase genes present in patients admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC-J) and King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), both in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:  A total of 180 isolates were analyzed which were included on the basis of retrospective chart review of patients from KAMC-J and KAUH between 1 April 2017 to 30 March 2019. The prevalence of carbapenemase genes was evaluated by Xpert® Carba-R (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA).

Factors Affecting Confirmed COVID-19 Patient's Recovery Time at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has become a threat to the public's health, especially to the elderly and those with chronic conditions. It is capable of spreading from carriers who are both asymptomatic and symptomatic. Associated factors such as age, sex, severe symptoms of COVID-19 disease, and chronic disease have a significant impact on the recovery time of patients.

Epidemiological and molecular description of nosocomial outbreak of COVID-19 Alpha (B.1.1.7) variant in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Nosocomial outbreaks frequently occurred during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, sharing experiences on outbreak containment is vital to reduce the related burden in different locations.

Objectives: This article aims at sharing a practical experience on COVID-19 outbreak containment, including contact tracing, screening of target population, testing including molecular analysis, and preventive modalities. It also provides an epidemiological and molecular analysis of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection outbreak in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.

bacteremia: A case report and literature review.

species are to be opportunistic pathogens. Although rare, several case reports have mentioned infections ranging from cutaneous infections to bacteremia. Here, we present a case report describing a 64-year-old male pancreatic cancer patient diagnosed with bacteremia.

The prevalence, risk factors, and complications of Clostridium difficile infection in a tertiary care center, western region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic gram-positive spore-forming bacillus that is most commonly associated with nosocomial diarrhea. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) at a tertiary health care center, Western region, Saudi Arabia. We also aimed to examine the duration of exposure to each risk factor prior CDI development, and to categorize CDI as severe and non-severe depending on the white blood cell (WBC) count.

: Predicting metastasis to different sites using deep learning with gene expression data.

Deep learning has massive potential in predicting phenotype from different omics profiles. However, deep neural networks are viewed as black boxes, providing predictions without explanation. Therefore, the requirements for these models to become interpretable are increasing, especially in the medical field.

Antimicrobial therapy, resistance, and appropriateness in healthcare-associated and community-associated infections; a point prevalence survey.

Background: Data examining differences in antimicrobial therapy and its appropriateness between healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and community-associated infections (CAIs) are limited. The objective was to compare antimicrobial therapy, resistance, and appropriateness between CAIs and HAIs.

Methods: One-day point prevalence survey targeting admitted patients with active infections was conducted in six tertiary care hospitals.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Antibiotic Therapy Against Common Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Saudi Arabian Hospital Using the Drug Resistance Index.

Introduction: Assessing the effectiveness of antibiotics and communicating the problem of resistance are essential when devising antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in hospital settings. The Drug Resistance Index (DRI) is a useful tool that combines antibiotic consumption and bacterial resistance into a single measure. In this study, we used the DRI to assess the impact of introducing a new antibiotic restriction form on antibiotic effectiveness for the treatment of Gram-negative infections in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers in tertiary care hospitals in Saudi Arabia: A case series.

Healthcare workers have been categorized among the priority groups for COVID-19 vaccination. However, post-vaccination infections have been identified. This study was conducted to investigate SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers (HCWs) who received the COVID-19 vaccine.

Machine learning and deep learning methods that use omics data for metastasis prediction.

Knowing metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, incentivized research directed towards unraveling the complex cellular processes that drive the metastasis. Advancement in technology and specifically the advent of high-throughput sequencing provides knowledge of such processes. This knowledge led to the development of therapeutic and clinical applications, and is now being used to predict the onset of metastasis to improve diagnostics and disease therapies.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of community-acquired pneumonia in western Saudi Arabia: A four-year retrospective analysis of medical records.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially for the elderly and people who suffer from chronic conditions. This study was conducted to assess the clinical and microbiological characteristics and disease outcomes associated with the occurrence of CAP.

Methods: This retrospective chart review was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Molecular Detection of Influenza A and B Viruses in Four Consecutive Influenza Seasons 2015-16 to 2018-19 in a Tertiary Center in Western Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Influenza infection poses a significant public health threat. The core for disease prevention and control relies on strengthened surveillance activities, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the country that hosts the largest annual mass gathering event worldwide. This study aimed to assess the molecular and seasonal pattern of influenza virus subtypes in western Saudi Arabia to inform policy decisions on influenza vaccine.

The prevalence of comorbidities among adult people diagnosed with HIV infection in a tertiary care hospital in western Saudi Arabia.

Background: The life expectancy of people living with HIV is markedly increasing with the introduction of effective antiretroviral medications. However, these patients face an increased risk of developing multi-morbidities-especially with advanced age. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with the occurrence of chronic comorbidities among patients diagnosed with HIV infection.

High Burden of Resistant Gram Negative Pathogens Causing Device-associated Healthcare Infections in a Tertiary Care Setting in Saudi Arabia, 2008-2016.

Objectives: There is local and regional deficiency in the data examining the contribution of resistant pathogens to device-associated healthcare-associated infections (DA-HAIs). The objective was to examine such data in a multi-hospital system in Saudi Arabia in comparison with the US National Health Surveillance Network (NHSN).

Methods: Surveillance of DA-HAIs was prospectively conducted between 2008 and 2016 in four hospitals of Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs.

High contribution and impact of resistant gram negative pathogens causing surgical site infections at a multi-hospital healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, 2007-2016.

Background: Despite being largely preventable, surgical site infections (SSIs) are still one of the most frequent healthcare-associated infections. The presence of resistant pathogens can further augment their clinical and economic impacts. The objective was to estimate the distribution and resistance in SSI pathogens in Saudi Arabia and to compare them to the US National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) hospitals.

Ten-year resistance trends in pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections; reflection of infection control interventions at a multi-hospital healthcare system in Saudi Arabia, 2007-2016.

Background: Studying temporal changes in resistant pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is crucial in improving local antimicrobial and infection control practices. The objective was to describe ten-year trends of resistance in pathogens causing HAIs in a tertiary care setting in Saudi Arabia and to compare such trends with those of US National Health Surveillance Network (NHSN).

Methods: Pooled analysis of surveillance data that were prospectively collected between 2007 and 2016 in four hospitals of Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs.

Treatment of Middle East respiratory syndrome with a combination of lopinavir/ritonavir and interferon-β1b (MIRACLE trial): statistical analysis plan for a recursive two-stage group sequential randomized controlled trial.

The MIRACLE trial (MERS-CoV Infection tReated with A Combination of Lopinavir/ritonavir and intErferon-β1b) investigates the efficacy of a combination therapy of lopinavir/ritonavir and recombinant interferon-β1b provided with standard supportive care, compared to placebo provided with standard supportive care, in hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed MERS. The MIRACLE trial is designed as a recursive, two-stage, group sequential, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized controlled trial. The aim of this article is to describe the statistical analysis plan for the MIRACLE trial.

First report of harboring in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Nosocomial infections caused by multi-drug resistant are a global public health threat that ought to be promptly identified, reported, and addressed accurately. Many carbapenem-resistant -associated genes have been identified in Saudi Arabia but not the endemic carbapenemases (KPCs), which are encoded by genes. KPCs are known for their exceptional spreading potential.