The Rising Threat of Mucormycosis: Oman's Experience Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Mucormycosis is a rare, severe fungal infection mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Because of limited data on its epidemiology in Oman, we present this national, multicentric, retrospective review that includes all cases of proven mucormycosis between 2006 and 2022 in Oman. There were 51 cases of mucormycosis reported in Oman.

Predictors of late presentation and advanced HIV disease among people living with HIV in Oman (2000-2019).

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the proportions and predictors of late presentation (LP) and advanced HIV disease (AD) in Oman. LP and AD were defined as presenting with a baseline CD4 count of < 350 and < 200 cells/mm3, respectively.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective database analysis of the National HIV Surveillance System to identify Omani people (≥ 13 years old) who were diagnosed with HIV in the period between January 2000 and December 2019 and had a documented baseline CD4 cell count.

Validation of GeneXpert testing for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in eight hospital laboratories in Oman.

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, numerous commercial assays have been developed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 for use in the clinical diagnostic laboratories. To date, there is limited comparison of testing methods performed in different hospital laboratory sites. The aims of the study were to evaluate the analytical performance of Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 when compared to RT-PCR.

Evaluation of Four Rapid Antigen Tests for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Objectives: Considering the increasing, significant burden that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) imposes on the healthcare system, the need for simple, rapid, and affordable diagnostic tests to support the existing costly and demanding polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay becomes required. This prospective diagnostic test accuracy study aims to evaluate the performance of four different COVID-19 rapid antigen tests compared to real-time reverse transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) between June and July 2020 to determine the feasibility of integrating these tests into the diagnostic algorithm in clinical settings.

Methods: Swabs were collected from 306 patients and analyzed using rRT-PCR and antigen tests from four different providers.

The role of children and adolescents in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus within family clusters: A large population study from Oman.

Background: In Oman, many extended families tend to live in one household. Some families can include 20-30 individuals with the majority of them being children. This study investigates the role of children in spreading SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 within family clusters in Oman.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general population of Oman: results from four successive nationwide sero-epidemiological surveys.

Objective: To assess the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Oman and longitudinal changes in antibody levels over time within the first 11 months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted as a four-cycle serosurvey using a multi-stage stratified sampling method from July to November 2020. A questionnaire was used and included demographics, history of acute respiratory infection and list of symptoms, COVID-19 contact, previous diagnosis or admission, travel history and risk factors.

Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Oman: a success story from the Middle East.

Background: In January 2016, the National AIDS Programme (NAP) in Oman introduced a package of interventions, including capacity building for service providers, to improve the quality of HIV services.

Aims: To report the impact of these interventions on the rate of vertical HIV transmission in the period from January 2016 to December 2019. We also describe the virological and obstetric outcomes for HIV-infected pregnant women.

The role of supporting services in driving SARS-CoV-2 transmission within healthcare settings: A multicenter seroprevalence study.

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare workers (HCWs) based on risk of exposure to COVID-19 patients.

Method: This was a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence cross-sectional study in risk-stratified HCWs randomly selected from three main district hospitals in Oman.

Results: 1078 HCWs were included, with an overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 21%.

Retention in HIV care and factors associated with loss to follow-up in Oman: a countrywide study from the Middle East.

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to determine the rate of retention in HIV care and the factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) among Omani adults living with HIV who were linked to care as of 31 December 2019. Patients ( = 1610) were identified from a central national HIV surveillance dataset. The majority (68.

Predictors of virologic failure among people living with HIV in Oman: a national study from the Middle East.

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis to determine HIV virologic failure and its associated factors among Omani people living with HIV who are on ART for > 6 months. Patients (n = 1427) were identified from a central national HIV surveillance dataset. Two-thirds (67%) of patients were male, and the median age was 39 years (IQR, 32-48 years).

The Epidemiology of HIV in Oman, 1984-2018: A Nationwide Study from the Middle East.

We used population-based data on all diagnosed people living with Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) reported to the National AIDS Programme in 1984-2018 to describe the HIV epidemiology in Oman. A total of 3060 Omanis were diagnosed with HIV from 1984 to 2018. The proportions of new infections attributed to sexual contact accounted for 56.

HIV serology false positivity among expatriates from Africa: a screening dilemma.

HIV prevalence in Oman is low (<5 %); however, 45 % of the population are expatriates, including a portion originating from countries with high HIV prevalence (>5 %). HIV screening is performed at regional public health laboratories as part of a medical fitness programme for residency applicants. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of indeterminate serology results from 11 females of African origin, aged 21-43 years.

The cascade of HIV care in Oman, 2015-2018: A population-based study from the Middle East.

Objective: To evaluate the cascade of HIV care in Oman in 2018 and the longitudinal change in each step from 2015 to 2018.

Methods: Population-based data on all diagnosed people living with HIV reported to the National AIDS Programme in 1984-2018 were used.

Results: As of December 31, 2018, the estimated number of people living with HIV in Oman was 3030; 1532 (50.

Clinical and molecular epidemiology of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Oman.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a serious disease with a high fatality rate reported in many countries. The first case of CCHF in Oman was detected in 1995 and serosurveys have suggested widespread infection of humans and livestock throughout the country.

Methodology: Cases of CCHF reported to the Ministry of Health (MoH) of Oman between 1995 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

HIV viral suppression in Oman: Encouraging progress toward achieving the United Nations 'third 90'.

Objective: To assess the impact of capacity-building interventions introduced by the Oman National AIDS Programme on the quality of HIV care in the country.

Methods: HIV viral load (VL) suppression and loss to follow-up (LTFU) rates were calculated for the period before (in December 2015; n=1098) and after (in June 2017; n=1185) the introduction of the interventions: training, support, and care pathway development. Three HIV VL cuts-offs at last measurement in the year of interest were used to define VL suppression.

Acute Measles Encephalitis in an Immigrant Syrian Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

The introduction of measles vaccination programs and broad coverage worldwide has meant this infection a rare encounter for pediatricians. In Oman, with almost 100% measles vaccination coverage for children, this infection disappeared from the list of fever and rash differential diagnoses. Encephalitis is a well-known complication of measles infection and sometimes can be the only manifestation especially in adults.

Epidemiology of travel-associated infections in Oman 1999-2013: A retrospective analysis.

Background: The number of travelers in Oman has increased significantly in the last 2 decades with an increase in the expatriate population workforce leading to the emergence of infections related to travel. This paper aims to highlight the burden of travel-related infections in Oman.

Method: Our study is a descriptive record-based review and analysis of travel-associated diseases over a 14 year time period from 1999 to 2013.