SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity and variants of concern in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: In December 2019, a new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in China, causing coronavirus disease 2019. The present study investigated genetic profiles and variations of SARS-CoV-2 distributed in different regions of Saudi Arabia to begin to understand the pathogenesis and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in this country and analyzed associations of these variations with host factors.

Methodology: In total, 774 SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences obtained and annotated by the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) were captured and analyzed.

Demand management and optimization of clinical laboratory services in a tertiary referral center in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Demand for clinical laboratory services in our insti.tution has increased by 7% each year in the past 5 years, while the amount budgeted for services has remained fixed. To address the issue, we conducted a pilot study to curb inappropriate demand by implementing a minimum retest interval (time-based restrictions on the ordering certain tests) and thus reduce costs.

Mycobacterium chelonae complex bacteremia from a post-renal transplant patient: case report and literature review.

In this report we present a case of a young lady with abdominal abscesses and septicemia caused by Mycobacterium chelonae complex. Identification of the organism and initiation of the appropriate antimicrobial therapy was delayed, resulting in significant morbidity and multiple hospital admissions. Gram staining of these organisms from blood culture can be easily overlooked or confused with either debris or diptheroids.