Background: The epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) infection in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remains poorly understood, despite the global recognition of its disease burden and the growing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence on NG prevalence in MENA, estimate the pooled mean prevalence across different populations, and explore population-level associations with prevalence as well as sources of between-study heterogeneity.
Methods: The study conducted a systematic review, risk of bias assessment, meta-analyses, and meta-regressions, utilizing both published and unpublished evidence sourced from international, regional, and national databases, in adherence to PRISMA guidelines.
Objectives: Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2 infections are lifelong and can cause symptomatic genital ulcer disease (GUD). HSV-2 almost always causes sexually transmitted genital infection, while HSV-1 mainly causes oral infection but can be sexually transmitted to cause genital infection. This study estimated genital infection with both HSV types and associated GUD globally in 2020, breaking down the data by WHO region and sex for females and males.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Social distancing restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions to sexual health services (SHS) worldwide. During the first year of the pandemic, Lebanon implemented multiple lockdowns during which SHS endured repetitive closures. We explore the impact of the pandemic on SHS delivery and the diagnosis rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among attendees of a large sexual health clinic in Beirut, Lebanon.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a critical causative agent behind Kaposi sarcoma (KS), an oncogenic disease with profound consequences in immunocompromised individuals. Studies suggested HHV-8 seroprevalence in healthy populations is uncommon, but comprehensive investigations within the Middle East region remain scarce. This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by meticulously assessing HHV-8 seroprevalence among healthy blood donors in Qatar, leveraging serological methodologies and PCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArchitect-HIV Ag/Ab combo chemiluminescence assay is globally recognized for its sensitivity but has a notable false-positive rate. In this study, we aim to evaluate the performance of a new cost-effective screening alternative, the chemiluminescence Ag/Ab combo assay (CL-900i-HIV) from Mindray, China. We selected 195 archived samples categorized according to the INNO-LIA™ HIV I/II, the gold standard confirmatory assay.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: This study provides a head-to-head comparison of the protection provided by the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection and against severe COVID-19, covering primary series and third dose/booster vaccinations over up to 3 years of follow-up, both before and after the emergence of the omicron variant.
Methods: Two national, matched, retrospective cohort studies were conducted on Qatar's vaccinated population from December 16, 2020, to February 18, 2024. Subgroup analyses by pre-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection history, as well as sensitivity analyses, were also conducted.
Background: This study aimed to examine the transmission dynamics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) in heterosexual sex work networks (HSWNs) and the impact of variation in sexual behavior and interventions on NG epidemiology.
Methods: The study employed an individual-based mathematical model to simulate NG transmission dynamics in sexual networks involving female sex workers (FSWs) and their clients, primarily focusing on the Middle East and North Africa region. A deterministic model was also used to describe NG transmission from clients to their spouses.
Introduction: To estimate the impact of reducing obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity (PIA) prevalence, and of introducing physical activity (PA) as an explicit intervention, on the prevalence, incidence, and mortality of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Oman.
Research Design And Methods: A deterministic population-level mathematical model was employed to investigate the impact of different scenarios for reducing T2DM risk factors on T2DM epidemiology. The model was stratified by sex, age group, risk factor status, T2DM status, and intervention status and parameterized with nationally representative data.
Background: There is a need for statistical methodologies that scrutinize civilian casualties in conflicts, evaluating the degree to which the conduct of war affects civilians and breaches the laws of war. Employing an epidemiological method, this study introduced, developed, and applied a novel approach for investigating mortality of civilians versus combatants in conflicts.
Methods: A deterministic mathematical model, structured by age and sex, was developed to describe the process of conflict-related deaths among both combatants and civilians.
Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a global health challenge. By the end of 2021, the WHO estimated that less than a quarter of global HCV infections had been diagnosed. There is a need for a public health tool that can facilitate the identification of people with HCV infection and link them to testing and treatment, and that can be customised for each country.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Priming with two doses of AZD1222 (Oxford-AstraZeneca; ChAd) followed by a third mRNA vaccine boosting is considered in several countries, yet comparisons between heterologous and homologous booster efficacy remain unexplored.
Aim: To evaluate and contrast the immunogenicity of homologous and heterologous boosting regimens.
Method: The study examined antibody responses in 1113 subjects, comprising 895 vaccine-naïve individuals across different vaccination strategies (partial, primary series, heterologous booster, homologous booster) and 218 unvaccinated, naturally infected individuals.
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been proven effective for the monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks during mass gathering events and for timely public health interventions. As part of Qatar's efforts to monitor and combat the spread of infectious diseases during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ (FWC'22), wastewater surveillance was used to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2, human enterovirus, and poliovirus. The screening covered five major wastewater treatment plants servicing the event locations between October 2022 and January 2023.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Priming with ChAdOx1 followed by heterologous boosting is considered in several countries. Nevertheless, analyses comparing the immunogenicity of heterologous booster to homologous primary vaccination regimens and natural infection are lacking. In this study, we aimed to conduct a comparative assessment of the immunogenicity between homologous primary vaccination regimens and heterologous prime-boost vaccination using BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study evaluated the potential for antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) in serum samples from patients exposed to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination on ADE in individuals with a MERS infection history. We performed ADE assay in sera from MERS recovered and SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated individuals using BHK cells expressing FcgRIIa, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV pseudoviruses (PVs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: We aimed to investigate the overlapping epidemiologies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in sexual networks of men who have sex with men (MSM), and to explore to what extent the epidemiology of one sexually transmitted infection (STI) relates to or differs from that of another STI.
Methods: An individual-based Monte Carlo simulation model was employed to simulate the concurrent transmission of STIs within diverse sexual networks of MSM. The model simulated sexual partnering, birth, death, and STI transmission within each specific sexual network.
Background: Vaccines were developed and deployed to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. This study aimed to characterize patterns in the protection provided by the BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 mRNA vaccines against a spectrum of SARS-CoV-2 infection symptoms and severities.
Methods: A national, matched, test-negative, case-control study was conducted in Qatar between January 1 and December 18, 2021, utilizing a sample of 238,896 PCR-positive tests and 6,533,739 PCR-negative tests.