The Efficacy of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis in Infants Born to HBsAg-Positive Mothers: A Single Center Experience in Saudi Arabia.

Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with the hepatitis B vaccine (HBVac) in combination with HBV immunoglobulins (HBIG) significantly minimizes the odds of vertical transmission of HBV to newborn infants. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the compliance and efficacy of PEP in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia. Infants were tested with HBV serological markers at 7 months of age to assess their PEP protection rate.

Effect of a circumferential ferrule on the survival and success of endodontically treated teeth restored with fiber posts: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Statement Of Problem: The success of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is influenced by factors that include the use of prefabricated glass fiber posts. A consideration for success is the presence of a circumferential ferrule, but systematic reviews and meta-analyses are lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of the presence or absence of a circumferential ferrule on the survival and success rates of ETT restored with prefabricated fiber posts.

The Effect of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia on the Time-to-Extubation in Adult and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patients Requiring Mechanical Ventilation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) ranks as a prominent hospital-acquired infection. VAP has been shown to have a detrimental impact on patients and healthcare facilities, leading to extended hospital stays, increased demands on medical resources, and higher financial expenses. This study aims to assess the influence of VAP on time-to-extubation and length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients requiring mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours in pediatric and adult intensive care units (ICU).

Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) as a predictor of intensive care unit admission in cancer patient on chemotherapy with positive blood culture: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Although the usefulness of the Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS) in predicting clinical deterioration or the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission has been evaluated in several studies, only few reports have considered the immune status of the patient. Patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer are at risk of sepsis. This study aimed to assess the validity of MEWS in predicting clinical deterioration, ICU admission, and mortality among immunocompromised cancer patients on chemotherapy (CPOC).

The Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection Among Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy in a Tertiary Care Center.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) infection among patients receiving cancer chemotherapy and to identify risk factors for latent TB reactivation.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients were surveyed for TB risk factors, their records were reviewed for previous TB infection or disease, and blood samples were collected for interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs).

Trends in emergency department visits for mental health disorder diagnoses before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort study 2018-2021.

Background: As the pandemic started, Saudi Arabia applied extreme measures in responses to the pandemic crises, which have adversely affected individuals' mental health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to describe trends in mental health disorder ED visit before and after the pandemic in two medical centers in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using data from electronic health records in the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs' (MNG-HA) in Saudi Arabia.

Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and risk factors of COVID-19 among children in Saudi Arabia: a multicenter chart review study.

Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected over 100 million cases worldwide. Children accounted for 1-5% of all cases with less reported symptoms and better prognosis compared to adults. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of pediatric COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia in addition to identifying risk factors associated with disease severity.

Epidemiology of pediatric sepsis in the pediatric intensive care unit of king Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Pediatric sepsis remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to identify the incidence of sepsis and septic shock among patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia.  Patients' demographics and risk factors associated with sepsis-related mortality were also investigated.

Shunt Infection Complicated by Peritonitis: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease in the Mediterranean basin and Middle East. The disease remains a diagnostic challenge due to an increasing trend of ambiguous and non-specific manifestations. We report a rare case of a 9-year-old boy who had a left frontotemporal arachnoid cyst with cystoperitoneal shunt who presented with fever for 2 weeks with gastrointestinal symptoms.

A clinical approach to non-neutropenic fever in children with cancer.

Background: There are a limited number of studies that address non-neutropenic fever episodes in children with cancer, and no standard approach exists.

Method: We opt to retrospectively analyze the efficacy of the current clinical approach for management of non-neutropenic fever episodes and the associated risk factors among children with cancer at the Princess Noorah Oncology Center from May 2016 through December 2017.

Results: A total of 480 non-neutropenic fever episodes were identified in 131 children, of which 62 episodes were triaged as high-risk non-neutropenic fever and 418 as low-risk non-neutropenic fever.

Cytomegalovirus viremia among pediatric oncology non-stem cell transplant patients with prolonged fever neutropenia.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a rare cause of prolonged febrile neutropenia (PFN) among pediatric oncology patients, especially in non-stem cell transplant setting (Non-SCTS). Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines stated briefly that neutropenia is not considered as an indication of CMV re-activation, and thus preventive strategies are not needed; however, multiple studies pressed on the need to treat CMV viremia among patients with PFN even when there is no evidence of end-organ involvement. Therefore, this study aimed to prospectively investigate the significance of CMV as a cause of PFN among pediatric oncology patients in a Non-SCTS.

The incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a tertiary-care center: Comparison between pre- and post-VAP prevention bundle.

Introduction: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a nosocomial infection that develops 48h after the initiation of mechanical ventilatory support. Current evidence-based guidelines demonstrate that VAP prevention is feasible through the implementation of certain VAP prevention bundle of interventions simultaneously. We aimed in this study to investigate the effect of VAP prevention pre- and post- implementation.

Utility of voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring: a meta-analysis.

Background: Voriconazole therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is increasingly used in clinical practice. However, the utility of voriconazole TDM to guide therapy remains uncertain and controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of studies assessing the relationship between voriconazole serum concentration and clinical outcomes of success and toxicity.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Adjuvanted Versus Nonadjuvanted Influenza Vaccine in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: Influenza vaccine containing an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant (MF-59) may lead to greater immunogenicity in organ transplant recipients. However, alloimmunization may be a concern with adjuvanted vaccines.

Methods: We conducted a randomized trial comparing the safety and immunogenicity of adjuvanted versus nonadjuvanted influenza vaccine in adult kidney transplant patients.

Elevated inflammatory mediators in adults with oculorespiratory syndrome following influenza immunization: a public health agency of Canada/Canadian Institutes of Health Research Influenza Research Network Study.

Oculorespiratory syndrome (ORS) is an infrequent adverse event following influenza vaccination. Its clinical presentation suggests that ORS is an immune-mediated phenomenon, but studies of symptomatic individuals have been few. This study measured cytokine levels in peripheral blood samples following influenza vaccination in those with and without current ORS symptoms.

The evidence behind prophylaxis and treatment of wound infection after surgery.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a serious post surgical complication. They are the leading cause of healthcare-related infections in developing countries and the second most common healthcare-related infection in developed countries. Here we discuss the epidemiology of and risk factors for SSIs together with the current evidence supporting the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of wound infection after surgery.

Drug-resistant tuberculosis: pediatric guidelines.

Drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) infection represents a serious and growing problem. For patients infected or suspected of being infected with multidrug or extensively drug-resistant TB, several medications have to be given simultaneously for prolonged periods. Here, we review the literature on treatment and monitoring of adverse effects of pediatric drug-resistant TB therapy in a high resource, low TB burden setting.