Clinical characteristics and outcome of mucormycosis: A multi-center retrospective analysis in Saudi Arabia over 11 years.

Background: Mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection with variable epidemiology between countries. Limited data are available locally; we aim to describe the clinical spectrum and outcome of mucormycosis in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective multi-center study including all patients with clinical and pathological evidence of mucormycosis in 3 tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia from January 2009 to December 2019.

Efficacy of favipiravir in adults with mild COVID-19: a randomized, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether favipiravir reduces the time to viral clearance as documented by negative RT-PCR results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in mild cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to placebo.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blinded, multicentre, and placebo-controlled trial, adults with PCR-confirmed mild COVID-19 were recruited in an outpatient setting at seven medical facilities across Saudi Arabia. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either favipiravir 1800 mg by mouth twice daily on day 1 followed by 800 mg twice daily (n = 112) or a matching placebo (n = 119) for a total of 5 to 7 days.

Case of Nocardia Cyriacigeorgica Infection of the Eye in a Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis Patient.

Nocardiosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of organisms that are often found in soil and has a very rare incidence of infecting immunocompromised patients. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients are often susceptible to being infected with many atypical organisms such as Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. We present a case of a 35-year-old male who is a known case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and has a repeated history of farm visits.

Hydroxychloroquine Safety Outcome within Approved Therapeutic Protocol for COVID-19 Outpatients in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Global healthcare is challenged following the COVID-19 pandemic, since late 2019. Multiple approaches have been performed to relieve the pressure and support existing healthcare. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) launched an initiative to support the National Healthcare System.

Clostridioides difficile infection: Incidence and risk factors in a tertiary care facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Significant increase in rates of Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea (CDI) has been reported globally but there remains a paucity of data from Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: Prospective hospital-based surveillance for CDI using the Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria was conducted from June to November 2015 in a tertiary healthcare facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results: During the surveillance period, 106 episodes of CDI were identified among 59 patients in 137,230 patient-days.

HIV-Care Outcome in Saudi Arabia; a Longitudinal Cohort.

Background: Clinical characteristics of HIV-1 infection in people inhabiting Western, Sub-Saharan African, and South-East Asian countries are well recognized. However, very little information is available with regard to HIV-1 infection and treatment outcome in MENA countries including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

Methods: Clinical, demographic and epidemiologic characteristics of 602 HIV-1 infected patients followed in the adult Infectious Diseases Clinic of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a tertiary referral center were longitudinally collected from 1989 to 2010.

Exploring the sociodemographic and clinical features of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Saudi Arabia annually reports a relatively higher proportion (28-32%) of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases in comparison to other global regions. However, there were few studies conducted so far to determine the sociodemographic factors and clinical manifestations associated with EPTB at a nationwide level.

Methodology: A retrospective analysis on culture positive EPTB isolates collected from all the provinces of the country were conducted for a period of 12 months to determine the spectrum of diversity in EPTB infection sites and the confounding factors.

Molecular confirmation of Bacillus Calmette Guerin vaccine related adverse events among Saudi Arabian children.

Background: Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) is the only available vaccine for tuberculosis (TB). Low grade complications in healthy recipients and disseminated vaccine associated complications among immuno-suppressed individuals were noticed globally after administration. Recently a series of clinically suspected BCG associated suppurative and non-suppurative lymphadenitis cases were reported from different regions of Saudi Arabia.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease in children.

Background: In the initial description of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, many affected patients were adults with underlying medical comorbidities. Data on the clinical presentation and outcome of pediatric cases are lacking. We report the clinical presentation and outcome of MERS-CoV infection in 11 pediatric patients.

Spread, circulation, and evolution of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus.

Unlabelled: The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was first documented in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in 2012 and, to date, has been identified in 180 cases with 43% mortality. In this study, we have determined the MERS-CoV evolutionary rate, documented genetic variants of the virus and their distribution throughout the Arabian peninsula, and identified the genome positions under positive selection, important features for monitoring adaptation of MERS-CoV to human transmission and for identifying the source of infections. Respiratory samples from confirmed KSA MERS cases from May to September 2013 were subjected to whole-genome deep sequencing, and 32 complete or partial sequences (20 were ≥ 99% complete, 7 were 50 to 94% complete, and 5 were 27 to 50% complete) were obtained, bringing the total available MERS-CoV genomic sequences to 65.

Tuberculosis transmission among immigrants and autochthonous populations of the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

Background: Eastern province of Saudi Arabia is an industrial zone with large immigrant population and high level of tuberculosis case notification among immigrants. The impact of immigration and current trends of tuberculosis transmission among immigrants and autochthonous population in the region had not been investigated so far using molecular tools.

Methodology: During 2009- 2011, a total of 524 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates were collected from the central tuberculosis reference laboratory, representing an estimated 79.

Transmission and evolution of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in Saudi Arabia: a descriptive genomic study.

Background: Since June, 2012, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has, worldwide, caused 104 infections in people including 49 deaths, with 82 cases and 41 deaths reported from Saudi Arabia. In addition to confirming diagnosis, we generated the MERS-CoV genomic sequences obtained directly from patient samples to provide important information on MERS-CoV transmission, evolution, and origin.

Methods: Full genome deep sequencing was done on nucleic acid extracted directly from PCR-confirmed clinical samples.

Epidemiological, demographic, and clinical characteristics of 47 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus disease from Saudi Arabia: a descriptive study.

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a new human disease caused by a novel coronavirus (CoV). Clinical data on MERS-CoV infections are scarce. We report epidemiological, demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of 47 cases of MERS-CoV infections, identify knowledge gaps, and define research priorities.

New insight into the molecular characterization of isoniazid and rifampicin resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from Saudi Arabia.

Data on the genetic variation of isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spectrum of mutations determining resistance to principal anti-tuberculosis drugs isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) have not yet been studied in Saudi Arabia. One hundred and fifty-one clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis from different regions in the country showing resistance to RIF and INH were subjected to drug susceptibility testing, characterization of mutations conferring drug resistance and genotyping.

Natural course of epilepsy concomitant with CNS tuberculomas.

Background: Epilepsy is relatively common in CNS tuberculomas, but its natural course is unclear.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and prognosis of epilepsy in patients with seizures related to CNS tuberculomas.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with CNS tuberculomas who presented at our institution between 1983 and 2001.

Mycobacterium riyadhense sp. nov., a non-tuberculous species identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by a commercial line-probe assay.

A non-chromogenic, slowly growing Mycobacterium strain was isolated from a maxillary sinus lavage from a symptomatic patient in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was initially identified as a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex by a commercial line-probe assay. Its 16S rRNA, hsp65 and rpoB gene and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer sequences were unique; phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence groups this organism close to Mycobacterium szulgai and Mycobacterium malmoense.

Multifocal scalp abscess with subcutaneous fat necrosis and scarring alopecia as a complication of scalp mesotherapy.

Over the past several years, there has been a growing interest in the treatment method termed mesotherapy. Marketed for nonsurgical fat melting, skin rejuvenation, and hair regrowth, this technique has become increasingly popular and, in the public's view, it is considered to be a relatively benign intervention method. Mesotherapy was introduced over 50 years ago by M.

First insight into the population structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia.

This study constitutes a first attempt to describe the genetic population structure and drug resistance of the tubercle bacilli circulating in Saudi Arabia. A total of 1,505 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis, isolated between 2002 and 2005 from seven regions of Saudi Arabia, were studied.

Evaluation of culture, tube agglutination, and PCR methods for the diagnosis of brucellosis in humans.

Background: Brucellosis is prevalent in Saudi Arabia and Brucela melitensis is a leading cause of zoonosis worldwide. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of brucellosis is a key to its treatment and control.

Material/methods: Twenty patients presented with symptoms of brucellosis were examined before and after antibiotic treatment for the diagnosis of brucellosis.

Role of tuberculosis laboratories in Saudi Arabia. A call to implement standardized procedures.

There is no doubt that the laboratory is the backbone for the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). Only through testing in the laboratory can the physician confirm suspicion of TB despite any previous clinical and x-ray findings. Recent visits to several laboratories in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showed that some need considerable improvement.