Prevalence of Red Blood Cell Major Blood Group Antigens and Phenotypes among Omani Blood Donors.

Objectives: Most literature on the frequencies of red blood cell (RBC) phenotypes are published in Europeans and Africans countries, with the frequencies in the Omani population unknown. We sought to determine the prevalence of RBC blood group phenotypes among Omani blood donors.

Methods: Blood group ABO, RhD type, and phenotyping were performed for 21 blood group antigens on enrolled blood donors.

Control of the 2018-2019 dengue fever outbreak in Oman: A country previously without local transmission.

Background: In December 2018, routine surveillance identified an autochthonous outbreak of dengue fever in Muscat Governorate, Oman, a region previously free of dengue fever.

Methods: Routine surveillance confirmed locally acquired cases in the second week of December, leading to a rapid public health response including case management guidance and epidemiological investigations. The main activity was the vector survey using systematic sampling to assess extent of previously unreported Aedes aegypti presence followed by a campaign aimed to eliminate breeding sites of A.

Epidemiology of Meningitis in Oman-Implications for Future Surveillance.

Objectives: This study aimed to understand the epidemiology of meningitis cases admitted to hospitals in Oman and to identify any changing microbial patterns from the introduction of the new vaccines.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cases of meningitis reported through a national surveillance system. Meningitis is a notifiable disease.

Intrauterine Fetal Blood Transfusion: Descriptive study of the first four years' experience in Oman.

Objectives: Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) causes hydrops . The successful treatment of HDFN has been reported with intrauterine blood transfusion (IUT). This study aimed to describe the initial experience with IUT procedures in Oman.

Risks of red blood cell alloimmunization in transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia in Oman: a 25-year experience of a university tertiary care reference center and a literature review.

Background: β-Thalassemia is a common hemoglobinopathy in the Arabian Peninsula. Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a cornerstone for its management, but can create significant challenges including RBC alloimmunization. Herein, we examine alloimmunization risk factors in Omani patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia.

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.

Transfusion therapy and alloimmunization in Thalassemia Intermedia: a 10 year experience at a tertiary care university hospital.

Background: Thalassemia Intermedia (TI) has a wide clinical profile with many patients requiring only occasional transfusions. To prevent alloimmunization, we adopted a policy of issuing phenotype matched red blood cells in 2009. We examined transfusion indications and alloimmunization rate in TI patients.

Successful management of severe hemolytic disease of the fetus due to anti-Jsb using intrauterine transfusions with serial maternal blood donations: a case report and a review of the literature.

Background: The management of pregnant women with anti-Jsb is challenging due to the paucity of antigen-negative blood for fetal and neonatal transfusion.

Case Report: A 29-year-old woman with anti-Jsb was referred for assessment of recurrent fetal losses. With the presence of the sister as a historically matched donor, she was planned for active surveillance for fetal anemia during pregnancy.

Absence of lymphatic filariasis infection among secondary-school children in Oman.

The endemicity status of lymphatic filariasis in Oman is uncertain, with only sporadic cases reported, mostly imported. Immunochromatographic card test surveys were carried out to assess the presence of circulating Wuchereria bancrofti antigenaemia as a marker for active infection in children from suspected high-risk areas of Oman (South Batinah and Dhofar). Lot quality assurance sampling surveys were carried out on a minimum of 250 secondary-school children aged 17-18 years in each of 8 districts from February 2004 to March 2004.

Measles epidemiology and its implications for a vaccination programme in Oman.

To describe the epidemiology of measles in Oman and the implications for a vaccination programme, we conducted a retrospective record-based study from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2003 using data from the national epidemiological surveillance system. All cases notified as suspected measles during the study period were included. Of the 185 notified cases, 19.

Clinical characteristics of childhood guillain-barré syndrome.

Objectives: To find the incidence, clinical pattern and outcome of Guillain-Barre syndrome in the Sultanate of Oman in children less than 15 years of age.

Methods: All children under fifteen years with acute flaccid paralysis were admitted to identify the underlying cause. The diagnosis of Gullain Barre syndrome was made by clinical criteria, cerebrospinal fluid findings and nerve conduction studies.