Image-free handheld robotic-assisted technology improved the accuracy of implant positioning compared to conventional instrumentation in patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty, without additional benefits in improvement of clinical outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes in patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SB-TKA) using either robotic-assisted TKA (RA-TKA) or conventional TKA (C-TKA).

Methods: Included were the patients who underwent SB-TKA between January 2018 and January 2020 and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Of 151 patients included, 117 patients were operated using an image-free handheld robotic sculpting system (RA-TKA group) and 34 patients operated using conventional instrumentation (C-TKA group).

Hajj abattoirs in Makkah: risk of zoonotic infections among occupational workers.

At completion of Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Makkah, pilgrims give thanks for the blessing, and acceptance, of Hajj, marking the end of the pilgrimage by sacrificing an animal and distributing the sacrificial meat to the poor. With over two million Muslims making Hajj, each Hajj, more than 1.2 million heads of cattle: sheep, goats and camels are slaughtered.

Enteric Infections Circulating during Hajj Seasons, 2011-2013.

Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is a unique mass gathering event that raises public health concerns in the host country and globally. Although gastroenteritis and diarrhea are common among Hajj pilgrims, the microbial etiologies of these infections are unknown. We collected 544 fecal samples from pilgrims with medically attended diarrheal illness from 40 countries during the 2011-2013 Hajj seasons and screened the samples for 16 pathogens commonly associated with diarrheal infections.

Neisseria meningitidis nasopharyngeal carriage during the Hajj: A cohort study evaluating the need for ciprofloxacin prophylaxis.

Background: The annual Muslim pilgrimage has the potential of increase risk for acquisition of Neisseria meningitidis. Here, we evaluate the Hajj impact on the prevalence of N. meningitidis carriage in a paired and non-paired cohort of pilgrims.

Increase in Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Cases in Saudi Arabia Linked to Hospital Outbreak With Continued Circulation of Recombinant Virus, July 1-August 31, 2015.

During July-August 2015, the number of cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) reported from Saudi Arabia increased dramatically. We reviewed the 143 confirmed cases from this period and classified each based upon likely transmission source. We found that the surge in cases resulted predominantly (90%) from secondary transmission largely attributable to an outbreak at a single healthcare facility in Riyadh.

Spike gene deletion quasispecies in serum of patient with acute MERS-CoV infection.

The spike glycoprotein of the Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) facilitates receptor binding and cell entry. During investigation of a multi-facility outbreak of MERS-CoV in Taif, Saudi Arabia, we identified a mixed population of wild-type and variant sequences with a large 530 nucleotide deletion in the spike gene from the serum of one patient. The out of frame deletion predicted loss of most of the S2 subunit of the spike protein leaving the S1 subunit with an intact receptor binding domain.

Epidemiology of a Novel Recombinant Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus in Humans in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory illness in humans. Fundamental questions about circulating viruses and transmission routes remain.

Methods: We assessed routinely collected epidemiologic data for MERS-CoV cases reported in Saudi Arabia during 1 January-30 June 2015 and conducted a more detailed investigation of cases reported during February 2015.

A cohort study of the impact and acquisition of naspharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae during the Hajj.

Background: The annual Muslim pilgrimage attracts over two million pilgrims who gather in a limited time and space. The pilgrimage carries the potential risk of increase risk of the acquisition of Streptococcus pneumonia. In this cohort study, we evaluate the effect of the Hajj on the prevalence of pneumococcal serotype nasopharyngeal carriage in the Hajj pilgrim population.

Viral Shedding and Antibody Response in 37 Patients With Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection.

Background: The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus causes isolated cases and outbreaks of severe respiratory disease. Essential features of the natural history of disease are poorly understood.

Methods: We studied 37 adult patients infected with MERS coronavirus for viral load in the lower and upper respiratory tracts (LRT and URT, respectively), blood, stool, and urine.

Seroprevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 and Coinfection With HIV and Syphilis: The First National Seroprevalence Survey in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most common viral infections worldwide. Genital herpes is associated with other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. Data on prevalence of HSV infections and other STIs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are limited.

Infectious Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Excretion and Serotype Variability Based on Live Virus Isolates from Patients in Saudi Arabia.

The newly emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has infected at least 1,082 people, including 439 fatalities. So far, no empirical virus isolation study has been done to elucidate infectious virus secretion or serotype variability. Here, we used 51 respiratory samples from 32 patients with confirmed MERS-CoV infection for virus isolation in Vero B4 and Caco-2 cells.

Presence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus antibodies in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide, cross-sectional, serological study.

Background: Scientific evidence suggests that dromedary camels are the intermediary host for the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). However, the actual number of infections in people who have had contact with camels is unknown and most index patients cannot recall any such contact. We aimed to do a nationwide serosurvey in Saudi Arabia to establish the prevalence of MERS-CoV antibodies, both in the general population and in populations of individuals who have maximum exposure to camels.

Molecular characterization of carbapenemase production among gram-negative bacteria in saudi arabia.

We characterized the molecular basis of carbapenemase production in carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospitalized patients from Saudi Arabia in the year 2012. Isolates were collected from across the Kingdom and phenotypically tested for carbapenemase production. Polymerase chain reaction detection of carbapenemase genes was also performed.

Environmental sampling for respiratory pathogens in Jeddah airport during the 2013 Hajj season.

Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common during the Hajj season and are caused by a variety of organisms, which can be transmitted via the air or contaminated surfaces. We conducted a study aimed at sampling the environment in the King Abdul Aziz International (KAAI) Airport, Pilgrims City, Jeddah, during Hajj season to detect respiratory pathogens.

Methods: Active air sampling was conducted using air biosamplers, and swabs were used to sample frequently touched surfaces.

Eradicating leprosy in Saudi Arabia: outcome of a ten-year surveillance (2003–2012).

Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has a sentinel surveillance system on leprosy for effective monitoring of the disease.

Methods: A retrospective epidemiological analysis of all cases of leprosy captured by the surveillance system between 2003 and 2012 was conducted.

Results: Over the 10-year period, there were 242 reported cases of leprosy in KSA, 67% of which were in those aged between 15 and 44 years of age.

Meningococcal serogroup A, C, W, and Y serum bactericidal antibody profiles in Hajj pilgrims.

Background: The religious seasons of Hajj and Umra in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) have historically been associated with epidemics of meningococcal disease. Due to the effective preventive measures taken in recent years, including vaccination, no meningococcal outbreaks have been reported during Hajj or were Hajj-associated. However, little is known about the immunological profile of pilgrims.

Transmission of MERS-coronavirus in household contacts.

Background: Strategies to contain the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) depend on knowledge of the rate of human-to-human transmission, including subclinical infections. A lack of serologic tools has hindered targeted studies of transmission.

Methods: We studied 26 index patients with MERS-CoV infection and their 280 household contacts.

Etiology of severe community-acquired pneumonia during the 2013 Hajj-part of the MERS-CoV surveillance program.

Background: Pneumonia is the leading cause of hospital admission during the annual Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj). The etiology of severe pneumonia is complex and includes the newly emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Since 2012, the Saudi Ministry of Health (MoH) has required screening for MERS-CoV for all cases of severe pneumonia requiring hospitalization.

Prevalence of MERS-CoV nasal carriage and compliance with the Saudi health recommendations among pilgrims attending the 2013 Hajj.

Background: Annually, Saudi Arabia is the host of the Hajj mass gathering. We aimed to determine the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) nasal carriage rate among pilgrims performing the 2013 Hajj and to describe the compliance with the Saudi Ministry of Health vaccine recommendations.

Method: Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 5235 adult pilgrims from 22 countries and screened for MERS-CoV using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.