Evaluation of anakinra in the management of patients with COVID-19 infection: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial clinical and economic outcomes with catastrophic consequences. While the majority of cases has mild to moderate disease, minority of patients progress into severe disease secondary to the stimulation of the immune response. The hyperinflammatory state contributes towards progression into multi-organ failure which necessitates suppressive therapy with variable outcomes.

Darunavir-cobicistat versus lopinavir-ritonavir in the treatment of COVID-19 infection (DOLCI): A multicenter observational study.

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an evolving pandemic that urged the need to investigate various antiviral therapies. This study was conducted to compare efficacy and safety outcomes of darunavir-cobicistat versus lopinavir-ritonavir in treating patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods And Findings: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted on adult patients hospitalized in one of the COVID-19 facilities in Qatar.

Prevalence of elevated anxiety symptoms among children in quarantine with COVID-19 infection in the State of Qatar: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Children are particularly vulnerable to the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruption in daily life has impacted children significantly. Moreover, the increased worrying associated with the probability of getting infected or becoming seriously unwell due to infection can potentially precipitate anxiety disorders among children.

In vitro Interleukin-7 treatment partially rescues MAIT cell dysfunction caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

MAIT cells have been shown to be activated upon several viral infections in a TCR-independent manner by responding to inflammatory cytokines secreted by antigen-presenting cells. Recently, a few studies have shown a similar activation of MAIT cells in response to severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In this study, we investigate the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the frequency and phenotype of MAIT cells by flow cytometry, and we test in vitro stimulation conditions on the capacity to enhance or rescue the antiviral function of MAIT cells from patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mental Health, resilience, and religiosity in the elderly under COVID-19 quarantine in Qatar.

Introduction: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine has been associated with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. We hypothesize these symptoms might even be more pronounced in the elderly, who may be particularly sensitive to social isolation. However, certain individuals might be more resilient than others due to their coping mechanisms, including religious coping.

Randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial of hydroxychloroquine with or without azithromycin for virologic cure of non-severe Covid-19.

Background: Hydroxychloroquine (HC) ± azithromycin (AZ) is widely used for Covid-19. The Qatar Prospective RCT of Expediting Coronavirus Tapering (Q-PROTECT) aimed to assess virologic cure rates of HC±AZ in cases of low-acuity Covid-19.

Methods: Q-PROTECT employed a prospective, placebo-controlled design with blinded randomization to three parallel arms: placebo, oral HC (600 mg daily for one week), or oral HC plus oral AZ (500 mg day one, 250 mg daily on days two through five).

Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Typhi Infection Among Adult Patients in Qatar: A Hospital-based Study.

Objectives: We sought to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of typhoid fever in Qatar.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients treated for typhoid fever at Hamad General Hospital and Alkhor Hospital between 2005 and 2012.

Results: The mean age of the 354 patients enrolled in the study was 28.

Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Qatar: A Hospital-Based Study from 2009 to 2013.

Background And Objectives: Bacterial meningitis is a common medical condition in Qatar. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of bacterial meningitis, the frequency of each pathogen, and its sensitivity to antibiotics and risk factors for death.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Hamad General Hospital between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013.

Characteristics of patients with definite septic arthritis at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar: a hospital-based study from 2006 to 2011.

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics, coexisting conditions, causative organisms, and outcomes of all adult patients 15 years of age or older who had definite septic arthritis at Hamad General Hospital, Qatar, from 2006 to 2011. During this period, 56 patients were diagnosed with septic arthritis (mean age ± SD, 49.0 ± 16.

Epidemiological features of Clostridium difficile infection among inpatients at Hamad General Hospital in the state of Qatar, 2006-2009.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the epidemiology, clinical course and outcome of Clostridium difficile infection among inpatients at Hamad General Hospital in Qatar, from 2006 to 2009. During this period, 123 patients were diagnosed with C. difficile infection and the overall incidence was 1.

Fungal peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Qatar.

Introduction: This study was conducted at Hamad General Hospital to determine the incidence of fungal peritonitis and to describe its clinical and microbiological findings in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Qatar.

Methodology: The medical records of these patients between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed and the collected data were analysed.

Results: During the study period, 141 episodes of peritonitis were observed among 294 patients.

Epidemiology of bacteraemia in Hamad general hospital, Qatar: a one year hospital-based study.

We conducted a one-year observational study from July 2007 to June 2008 to describe the epidemiology of bacteraemia at Hamad general hospital. During this period, a total of 452 episodes of bacteraemia occurred, which corresponds to a rate of 19/1000 hospital admissions. Most patients 58.

Myocardial abscess and bacteremia complicating Mycobacterium fortuitum pacemaker infection: case report and review of the literature.

A case of pacemaker infection complicated by bacteremia and myocardial abscess caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum is reported and 9 other cases of pacemaker infection associated with rapidly growing mycobacteria are reviewed. Most cases developed within 6 months from implantation suggesting nosocomial acquisition. Wound discharge, fever, and pain at generator site were the most common presenting features.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection after corticosteroid therapy: a report of two cases.

Two cases of Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection are described. Both patients were expatriates from the Indian subcontinent, and reported the use of corticosteroids. The first patient presented with severe pulmonary disease that necessitated respiratory support, followed by acute abdomen and intestinal obstruction and he succumbed to these diseases.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (Mollaret's) meningitis: a case report.

Introduction: Mollaret's meningitis is an unusual and under-appreciated syndrome of benign, recurrent aseptic meningitis. The available literature indicates that the causative agent is herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in the majority of cases and much less frequently herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Case Report: We report the case of a 49-year-old Indian female who had four attacks of recurrent lymphocytic meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis) occurring over a 7-year period.

Imported malaria in Qatar: a one year hospital-based study in 2005.

A study was conducted to describe the clinical presentation, epidemiology and outcome of imported malaria in patients admitted to Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar, between 1st January and 31st December 2005. During a one-year study, 81 patients [64 (79%) males and 17 (21%) females] were studied. The median age was 26 years.

Stroke in Qatar: a first prospective hospital-based study of acute stroke.

Background: Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Qatar.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to determine types of strokes, the associated risk factors, clinical presentation, outcome, and time to hospital admission among Qatari and non-Qatari patients as well as young and nonyoung patients.

Methods: We conducted a hospital-based prospective observational study including all patients admitted to Hamad Medical Corporation with first-ever stroke from September 15, 2004, to September 14, 2005.