Profile of Perinatal Infections Among Abandoned Neonates Admitted in a Tertiary Hospital in Oman.

Objectives: Little is known about the profile of perinatal infections among abandoned neonates, and there are no specific evidence-based guidelines on how to screen and manage these neonates. This study aimed to report the rate of perinatal infections among abandoned babies managed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, over 15 years (2006-2021).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all abandoned babies admitted at SQUH from January 2006 to December 2021.

Seroprevalence of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Types I/II Among Blood Donors in a Tertiary Hospital in Oman.

Objectives: Routine blood donor screening of human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) has been practiced in Oman since 2017. Limited data exists on HTLV seroprevalence among Omanis. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II among blood donors attending a hospital-based blood bank to assess the need for a universal versus targeted screening.

Cytomegalovirus Infection Post-hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcome in an Omani Cohort.

Objectives: To estimate the incidence, risk factors, and outcome of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during the first year following hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) among Omani patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included allogenic HSCT recipients between January 2006 and December 2018. We investigated the possible factors associated with CMV infection and CMV impact on one-year mortality.

The Burden of Human Parechoviruses Among Children in Oman: A retrospective study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the burden, clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of human parechoviruses (HPeVs) infection among children in Oman.

Methods: This retrospective study included children (aged <18 years) with molecularly proven HPeV infection who were managed at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between January 2017 and December 2019. Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and analysed to describe their demographics, clinical and laboratory features, management and outcomes.

Identification of Asymptomatic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infections Among Healthcare Workers at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the incidence and features of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers (HCWs) at a tertiary hospital in Oman.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2020 and February 2021 among HCWs with no history of COVID-19 infection. An online questionnaire collected sociodemographic and clinical data.

A comparative study of SARS-CoV-2 and common human coronavirus infections among children presenting to tertiary care in Oman.

Objectives: To compare clinical manifestations, laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of children presenting to tertiary care with SARS-CoV-2 or common human coronavirus (HCoV) infection.

Methods: Children 13 years of age or younger presenting in 2020 with SARS-CoV-2 and those presenting with HCoV between 2017 and 2019 were included. Clinical and laboratory features were compared using appropriate statistical tests.

Short and long-term immune changes in different severity groups of COVID-19 disease.

Background: There are limited data on short- versus long-term changes in adaptive immune response across different COVID-19 disease severity groups.

Methods: A multicenter prospective study of 140 adult patients with COVID-19 (a total of 325 samples) were analyzed for inflammatory markers and lymphocyte subsets at presentation, week 2, and week 24.

Results: Inflammatory markers at presentation were higher in the critical/severe than in moderate and mild groups.

Circulating activated neutrophils in COVID-19: An independent predictor for mechanical ventilation and death.

Objectives: Critical illness in COVID-19 is attributed to an exaggerated host immune response. Since neutrophils are the major component of innate immunity, we hypothesize that the quantum of activated neutrophils in the blood may predict an adverse outcome.

Design: In a retrospective study of 300 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19, we analyzed the impact of neutrophil activation (NEUT-RI), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the established clinical risk factors of age, diabetes, obesity and hypertension on the clinical outcome.

"Virtual Interdisciplinary COVID-19 Team": A Hospital Pandemic Preparedness Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to move at record speed. Health systems and hospitals worldwide face unprecedented challenges to effectively prepare and respond to this extraordinary health crisis and anticipated surge. Hospitals should confront these unparalleled challenges with a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, coordinated, and organized strategy.

Fatal hepatitis A virus infection in an adolescent.

Acute hepatitis A infection is largely self-limiting illness, rarely resulting in fulminant course with consequent hepatic failure and death. We present a 13-year old previously healthy Omani with fatal hepatitis A virus infection. This case highlights the critical role of hepatitis A vaccination and argues for consideration of its inclusion in national vaccination programs in order to avert similar devastating consequences of yet another vaccine preventable disease.

Pandemic Influenza A H1N1 in Oman: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Outcome of Patients Admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital in 2009.

Objectives: Oman experienced the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 that initially started in Mexico and the United States. We present the epidemiology, clinical features, and outcome of cases admitted to Sultan Qaboos University Hospital.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients admitted with confirmed influenza A H1N1 infection from August to December 2009.