The Effect of Short Treatment with Nigella Sativa on Symptoms, the Cluster of Differentiation (CD) Profile, and Inflammatory Markers in Mild COVID-19 Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial.

Unlabelled: The current study investigated the impact of different doses of seeds on the symptoms, the cluster of differentiation profile group, and inflammatory markers of mild COVID-19 cases.

Methods: The study was a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients with mild and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection patients were randomly subdivided into seven subgroups: Group (GP) 1: received charcoal capsules as a control group, and GP 2: received three capsules of whole seeds daily, two capsules in the morning and one in the evening; GP 3: received three capsules of whole seeds every 12 h, GP 4: received five capsules in the morning and four capsules of whole seeds in the evening, GP 5: received one capsule of powder every 12 h; GP 6: received two capsules of powder every 12 h; GP 7: received three capsules of powder every 12 h; all treatment course was for ten days.

Microbial surveillance of Hajj tents: Bioaerosol sampling coupled with real-time multiplex PCR.

Background: Respiratory tract infections are common among pilgrims attending annual Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims typically spend most of the Hajj period inside ventilated tents, where microorganisms may be transmitted through bioaerosols and droplets.

Objective: To perform microorganism surveillance inside Hajj tents and assess the similarities between microorganisms isolated from tent bioaerosol samples and nasopharyngeal swabs (NP) of tent occupants.

The diagnostic impact of implementing a molecular-based algorithm to standard mycobacterial screening at a reference laboratory with an intermediate prevalence for non-respiratory samples.

Rapid, reliable results can be given by molecular, direct detection and identification of the (MTB/Mtb) complex from clinical samples. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay is an assay that has been availablefor more than a decade for identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and resistance to rifampicin. However, there is minimal evidence on its clinical usefulness in paucibacillary, non-respiratory samples.

MERS-CoV infection is associated with downregulation of genes encoding Th1 and Th2 cytokines/chemokines and elevated inflammatory innate immune response in the lower respiratory tract.

MERS-CoV, a highly pathogenic virus in humans, is associated with high morbidity and case fatality. Inflammatory responses have a significant impact on MERS-CoV pathogenesis and disease outcome. However, CD4 T-cell induced immune responses during acute MERS-CoV infection are barely detectable, with potent inhibition of effector T cells and downregulation of antigen presentation.

Detection of antigen and toxin in stool specimens: Comparison of the quik chek complete enzyme immunoassay and GeneXpert polymerase chain reaction assay.

Background/aims: Accurate and rapid laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) remains a significant challenge. A two-step algorithm for detection of toxigenic C. difficile in stool based on initial screening for glutamate dehydrogenase assay followed by confirmation by toxin A+B detection using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or molecular assay has been proposed.

Clinical validation of 3 commercial real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus from upper respiratory tract specimens.

Since discovery of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a novel betacoronavirus first isolated and characterized in 2012, MERS-CoV real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays represent one of the most rapidly expanding commercial tests. However, in the absence of extensive evaluations of these assays on positive clinical material of different sources, evaluating their diagnostic effectiveness remains challenging. We describe the diagnostic performance evaluation of 3 common commercial MERS-CoV rRT-PCR assays on a large panel (n = 234) of upper respiratory tract specimens collected during an outbreak episode in Saudi Arabia.

Predictors of MERS-CoV infection: A large case control study of patients presenting with ILI at a MERS-CoV referral hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Background: A case control study to better characterize the clinical features, laboratory, and radiological abnormalities associated with MERS-CoV infection in order to help with early identification of this syndrome from other respiratory infections.

Methods: Eighty patients admitted to a hospital in Riyadh, diagnosed with MERS-CoV infection based on RT-PCR were matched on age, sex, and the presence of a co-morbid condition on a basis of 1:2 to other patients admitted with respiratory symptoms and tested negative for MERS-CoV on RT-PCR.

Results: None of the reported MERS-CoV presenting symptoms was significantly associated with being infected with MERS-CoV.