Publications by authors named "Ghaleb A Al-Mekhlafi"
BACKGROUND Pediatric burn injuries are a global health concern, particularly in infants and toddlers, who face increased risks owing to their higher water content. Despite substantial medical treatment, the mortality rates remain challenging, especially in severe cases. This study explored non-surgical interventions for pediatric burn injuries, aiming to enhance care and alleviate the burden on affected children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground The facial nerve plays a crucial role in innervating the motor supply of facial muscles, enabling essential facial expressions that facilitate human communication. Defects or damages to this nerve can have significant consequences, leading to functional, emotional, and social difficulties caused by the immobility of facial muscles. Patients suffering from irreversible facial nerve palsy often experience functional symptoms such as eyelid closure defects, mouth deviation, and limited movement.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - The study investigates the role of type I interferons (IFNs) and their neutralizing autoantibodies (auto-Abs) in patients with severe Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), particularly focusing on those hospitalized during a clinical trial.
- - Out of 62 patients, 24.2% tested positive for auto-Abs against type I IFNs, with a majority of these critically ill patients requiring ICU admission.
- - Despite the presence of auto-Abs, treatment outcomes with IFN-β1b and lopinavir-ritonavir were similar between patients with and without these auto-Abs.
Animal and human data indicate variable effects of interferons in treating coronavirus infections according to inflammatory status and timing of therapy. In this sub-study of the MIRACLE trial (MERS-CoV Infection Treated with a Combination of Lopinavir-Ritonavir and Interferon β-1b), we evaluated the heterogeneity of treatment effect of interferon-β1b and lopinavir-ritonavir versus placebo among hospitalized patients with MERS on 90-day mortality, according to cytokine levels and timing of therapy. We measured plasma levels of 17 cytokines at enrollment and tested the treatment effect on 90-day mortality according to cytokine levels (higher versus lower levels using the upper tertile (67%) as a cutoff point) and time to treatment (≤ 7 days versus > 7 days of symptom onset) using interaction tests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Aims: The optimal amount of protein intake in critically ill patients is unclear. The objective of this pilot trial is to assess the feasibility of a large randomized controlled trial testing higher versus lower protein intake in critically ill patients.
Methods: In this pilot randomized controlled trial (REPLacing Protein via Enteral Nutrition in a Stepwise ApproacH in critically ill patients: A pilot randomized controlled trial (REPLENISH pilot trial), critically ill patients underwent 2-step screening for eligibility on ICU day 1 and 5.
Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for infection with coronaviruses. This study describes the demographic, clinical data, and outcomes of critically ill patients with diabetes and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 14 hospitals in Saudi Arabia (September 2012-January 2018).
Background: Whether combined treatment with recombinant interferon beta-1b and lopinavir-ritonavir reduces mortality among patients hospitalized with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is unclear.
Methods: We conducted a randomized, adaptive, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled patients at nine sites in Saudi Arabia. Hospitalized adults with laboratory-confirmed MERS were randomly assigned to receive recombinant interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir (intervention) or placebo for 14 days.
Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of ribavirin and recombinant interferon (RBV/rIFN) therapy on the outcomes of critically ill patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), accounting for time-varying confounders.
Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed MERS from 14 hospitals in Saudi Arabia diagnosed between September 2012 and January 2018. We evaluated the association of RBV/rIFN with 90-day mortality and MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA clearance using marginal structural modeling to account for baseline and time-varying confounders.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study focused on critically ill healthcare workers (HCWs) affected by Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to understand their clinical outcomes.
- Among 32 HCWs analyzed, there was a high death rate (25%), particularly among those with chronic renal issues, and survivors exhibited lower oxygen levels and required more advanced treatments like ECMO.
- Long-term effects on survivor's functionality were assessed, revealing that while a small number reported limitations, the overall impact and recovery outcomes need further research in larger studies.
Objectives: To describe patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, disease course including viral replication patterns, and outcomes of critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory infection from the Middle East respiratory syndrome and to compare these features with patients with severe acute respiratory infection due to other etiologies.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Setting: Patients admitted to ICUs in 14 Saudi Arabian hospitals.