Culturomics and Amplicon-based Metagenomic Approaches for the Study of Fungal Population in Human Gut Microbiota.

Herein, the mycobiota was characterized in fecal samples from sick patients and healthy subjects, collected from different geographical locations and using both culturomics and amplicon-based metagenomics approaches. Using the culturomics approach, a total of 17,800 fungal colonies were isolated from 14 fecal samples, and resulted in the isolation of 41 fungal species, of which 10 species had not been previously reported in the human gut. Deep sequencing of fungal-directed ITS1 and ITS2 amplicons led to the detection of a total of 142 OTUs and 173 OTUs from the ITS1 and ITS2 regions, respectively.

First complete genome sequence of circulating dengue virus serotype 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Here we report the first full-length genome sequence of dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) from a strain isolated from a patient in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2014. The genome consists of 10 635 bp and shows close similarity to circulating genotype III isolates from Singapore, suggesting possible importation, most probably during religious pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia.

Design and Delivery of Therapeutic siRNAs: Application to MERS-Coronavirus.

Background: The MERS-CoV is a novel human coronavirus causing respiratory syndrome since April 2012. The replication of MERS-CoV is mediated by ORF 1ab and viral gene activity can be modulated by RNAi approach. The inhibition of virus replication has been documented in cell culture against multiple viruses by RNAi approach.

Antimicrobial effect of different types of honey on .

Honey exhibits antimicrobial activities against a wide range of bacteria in different milieu. This study aims to compare the effects of five types of honey (both imported and local Saudi honey) against . The five types of honey (Manuka Honey UMF +20, Manuka Honey UMF +16, Active +10 Manuka Honey, Sidr honey and honey) were evaluated for their bactericidal/bacteriostatic activities against both methicillin resistant and sensitive .

Description of '' sp. nov. and '' sp. nov., isolated from healthy fresh stools of Saudi Arabia Bedouins by culturomics.

We report here the main characteristics of '' strain Marseille-P3441 sp. nov. and '' strain Marseille-P3397 sp.

Description of gen. nov., sp. nov., sp. nov., and gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a faecal specimen of a 50-year-old Saudi Bedouin woman.

We report here the main characteristics of strain Marseille-P3078 gen. nov., sp.

Description of '' gen. nov., sp. nov., '' gen. nov., sp. nov., '' gen. nov., sp. nov. and '' sp. nov., isolated from a faecal specimen of a 19-year-old healthy Saudi Arabian Bedouin by culturomics.

We report here the main characteristics of '' strain Marseille-P3337 gen. nov., sp.

Role of Nutrients and Phyto-compounds in the Modulation of Antimicrobial Resistance.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is quickly spreading and has become a major public health problem worldwide. If this issue is not resolved, it may cause a shift back to the pre-antibiotics era and infectious disease will again be a serious problem, especially in developing countries. Since the discovery of antibiotics, bacterial resistance has emerged, enabling certain bacteria to withstand antibiotic action.

Recent Development and Future Prospects of Plant-Based Vaccines.

Background: Growing world population and continuous disease emergence have invited the development of more efficient new vaccines against a range of diseases. Conventional vaccines are being wildly used in the world but their production requires higher cost, more time and better infrastructure. Thus, the idea of plant-based edible vaccine technology has emerged and showed promising results with strong and effective protection against many diseases.

Isolation, diversity, and biotechnological potential of rhizo- and endophytic bacteria associated with mangrove plants from Saudi Arabia.

Marine bacteria have been exceptional sources of halotolerant enzymes since decades. The aim of the present study was to isolate bacteria producing hydrolytic enzymes from seven different mangroves collected from the coastal area of Thuwal, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to further screen them for other enzymatic and antifungal activities. We have isolated 46 different rhizo- and endophytic bacteria from the soil, roots, and leaves of the mangroves using different enzymatic media.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of hepatitis D virus in Saudi Arabia: A single-center study.

Background/aims: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that is dependent on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for transmission and replication. HDV significance arises from the possibility of poor prognosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In Saudi Arabia, HDV prevalence varied from 8 to 32% before the HBV vaccination program and ranged from 0 to 14.

Detection and Genotyping of among Gastric ulcer and Cancer Patients from Saudi Arabia.

Background And Objectives: () infection is cause of several gastrointestinal diseases in humans. Virulence genes of are associated with severity of disease and vary geographically. The aim of present study was to detect in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues and further investigate prevalence of A, and genotypes in from gastric cancer (GC) and gastric ulcer (GU) patients' biopsy samples.

Seroprevalence of Asymptomatic Dengue Virus Infection and Its Antibodies Among Healthy/Eligible Saudi Blood Donors: Findings From Holy Makkah City.

Background: Threat to blood transfusion-transmitted dengue virus (DENV) and its antibodies has recently emerged worldwide. Dengue fever is an endemic disease in Saudi Arabia, particularly in its Western region. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of asymptomatic DENV infection and its antibodies among eligible Saudi blood donors.

Comparative bacterial community analysis in relatively pristine and anthropogenically influenced mangrove ecosystems on the Red Sea.

Mangrove habitats are ecologically important ecosystems that are under severe pressure worldwide because of environmental changes and human activities. In this study, 16S rRNA gene amplicon deep-sequencing was used to compare bacterial communities in Red Sea mangrove ecosystems at anthropogenically influenced coastal sites with those at a relatively pristine island site. In total, 32 phyla were identified from the mangrove rhizospheres, with Proteobacteria predominating at each of the studied sites; however, the relative abundance was significantly decreased at the coastal sites (Mastorah, MG-MS; Ar-Rayis, MG-AR) compared with the pristine island site near Dhahban (MG-DBI).

Patterns of Human Respiratory Viruses and Lack of MERS-Coronavirus in Patients with Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Southwestern Province of Saudi Arabia.

We undertook enhanced surveillance of those presenting with respiratory symptoms at five healthcare centers by testing all symptomatic outpatients between November 2013 and January 2014 (winter time). Nasal swabs were collected from 182 patients and screened for MERS-CoV as well as other respiratory viruses using RT-PCR and multiplex microarray. A total of 75 (41.

Neisseria meningitidis nasopharyngeal carriage during the Hajj: A cohort study evaluating the need for ciprofloxacin prophylaxis.

Background: The annual Muslim pilgrimage has the potential of increase risk for acquisition of Neisseria meningitidis. Here, we evaluate the Hajj impact on the prevalence of N. meningitidis carriage in a paired and non-paired cohort of pilgrims.

Immunogenicity of Candidate MERS-CoV DNA Vaccines Based on the Spike Protein.

MERS-coronavirus is a novel zoonotic pathogen which spread rapidly to >25 countries since 2012. Its apparent endemicity and the wide spread of its reservoir host (dromedary camels) in the Arabian Peninsula highlight the ongoing public health threat of this virus. Therefore, development of effective prophylactic vaccine needs to be urgently explored given that there are no approved prophylactics or therapeutics for humans or animals to date.

'' sp. nov. a new bacterial species isolated from air samples in the urban environment of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

We report here the main characteristics of '' strain 12M76_air (CSUR P1220), a new species of the genus that was isolated from air samples in the city environment of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the pilgrim period of Hajj 2012.

'' sp. nov. a new bacterial species isolated from air samples in the urban environment of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

We report here the main characteristics of '' strain 11W110_air (CSUR P1223), a new species of the genus that was isolated from air samples in the city environment of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the pilgrim period of Hajj 2012.

'' sp. nov., a new bacterial species isolated from air samples in the urban environment of Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

We report here the main characteristics of '' strain 13S34_air (CSUR = P1222), a new species of the genus that was isolated from air samples in the city environment of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the pilgrim period of Hajj 2012.

Viral Infection and Obesity: Current Status and Future Prospective.

Background: The association of pathogenic viruses with obesity has now been well-known in both human and animals. Globally, human obesity has become a serious problem leading to the emergence of multiple lifethreatening diseases. Adenoviruses contribute a significant role in the induction of obesity by affecting various pathways.

sp. nov., a new bacterial species isolated from currency notes collected during the Hajj pilgrimage in 2012 at Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

We report here the main characteristics of strain 20_BN (CSUR P1224), a new species of the genus that was isolated from currency notes collected during the Hajj pilgrimage in 2012 at Makkah, Saudi Arabia.