Diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus serosurvey in Saudi children.

Objective: To evaluate immune protection against vaccine-preventable diseases targeted by the Expanded Program of Immunization in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: The study was carried out from September 2001 to February 2002. Using multistage sampling techniques, samples were collected from 5 regions of Saudi Arabia and sent for laboratory assay from the following age groups; 50 samples at 12 months, 50 at 6 years, and 100 at 17 years.

Serosurvey of measles, mumps and rubella antibodies in Saudi children.

Objective: A serosurvey study to evaluate the proportion of children with antibodies against diseases targeted by the Expanded Program of Immunization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Using multistage sampling techniques, we collected samples and sent them for laboratory assay from the following age groups; 100 samples at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 6 years, 13 years, and 17 years. We conducted the study from September 2001 to February 2002.

Measles in Saudi Arabia: from control to elimination.

This article describesthe tremendous efforts made in the field of measles immunization in Saudi Arabia in the past 20 years, from the control phase to the elimination phase. Mandatory measles vaccination with one-dose Schwartz vaccine was introduced in 1982 by a royal decree, a step aimed at increasing vaccine coverage. In 1991, a two-dose schedule was implemented using Edmonston-Zagreb measles vaccine, with a first dose at 6 months to protect children younger than 9 months and a second dose of MMR at 12 months of age to protect those who did not respond to the first dose.

HIV/AIDS epidemic features and trends in Saudi Arabia.

Background: More than 60 million persons have been infected since AIDS was described in 1981. By the end of 2003, an estimated 40 million individuals were living with HIV globally. The surveillance of HIV/AIDS still faces challenges in Saudi Arabia.

Changes in epidemiological pattern of Meningococcal disease in Saudi Arabia. Does it constitute a new challenge for prevention and control?

Objective: Meningococcal meningitis epidemics, which occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) coincided with Hajj and Umra seasons; the 2 major pilgrims to Muslims. In many countries, the disease showed major changes of its epidemiological determinants, in particular to age and prevailing serogroup. This study was conducted to determine the epidemiological trend of meningococcal meningitis disease in KSA.

Screening of pregnant Saudi women for hepatitis B surface antigen.

Background: The high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in pregnant women is considered the most important factor contributing to the higher carrier rate of HBsAg in some populations, including Saudi Arabia. Universal hepatitis B vaccination in infancy was implemented in Saudi Arabia in 1990 to avoid early acquisition of infection. At the same time, another program was launched to vaccinate all school children at school entry as a second target group.

Haemophilus type B meningitis in Saudi children under 5 years old.

This study was designed to determine the magnitude of bacterial meningitis in general and Hib meningitis in particular among children below the age of 5 years. A population-based, prospective descriptive and analytical study was conducted in five regions, one each in northern, southern, eastern, western, and central parts of Saudi Arabia. Active surveillance for cases of bacterial meningitis among the study population, which comprised 171,818 children under 5 years of age, was implemented.

Disease burden and case management of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years of age in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This study was designed to explore the case management and disease burden of bacterial meningitis among children below the age of 5 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted during June 1999 through to May 2001 in 8 hospitals from 5 cities in different areas of the country. Those were, King Fahad Specialist Hospital and Maternity & Children Hospital, Buraidah, Belgorashi General Hospital and King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Al-Baha, Maternity & Children Hospital and Ohud Hospital, Al-Madina, Al-Qatif General Hospital in the Eastern Region and Prince Abdulrahman Bin Ahmed Alsudairy Central Hospital, Sakaka.

Disease burden and case management of bacterial meningitis among children under 5 years of age in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: This study was designed to explore the case management and disease burden of bacterial meningitis among children below the age of 5 years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted during June 1999 through to May 2001 in 8 hospitals from 5 cities in different areas of the country. Those were, King Fahad Specialist Hospital and Maternity & Children Hospital, Buraidah, Belgorashi General Hospital and King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Al-Baha, Maternity & Children Hospital and Ohud Hospital, Al-Madina, Al-Qatif General Hospital in the Eastern Region and Prince Abdulrahman Bin Ahmed Alsudairy Central Hospital, Sakaka.

Serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease during the Hajj, 2000.

An outbreak of serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease occurred during the 2000 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Disease was reported worldwide in Hajj pilgrims and their close contacts; however, most cases were identified in Saudi Arabia. Trends in Saudi meningococcal disease were evaluated and the epidemiology of Saudi cases from this outbreak described.

Sero-response to measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To evaluate the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine campaign targeting primary school children in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the months of January and February 2000.

Methods: Pre and post measles-mumps-rubella vaccine blood samples were collected from 54 children from the first grade and 96 children from the 6th grade. Antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella were assayed using enzyme immunoassay and a backup test of plaque neutralization test.