Assessing the Detection of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus IgG in Suspected and Proven Cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe respiratory disease with significant mortality. Two testing methods are currently used for MERS-CoV diagnostics: nucleic acid detection (the gold standard) and serological analysis. In this study, we evaluated the detection of MERS-CoV-IgG in suspected and proven cases of MERS-CoV infection.

Prevalence and characterization of occult hepatitis B infection among blood donors in central Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of occult hepatitis B viral infections (OBIs)  among blood donors considering the clinical and epidemiological importance of identifying OBIs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between January 2011 and January 2012. Blood donors (n=8501) were screened for Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibodies (HBcAb).

Late-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

In developed countries, Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection is rare due to efficient immunization programs. However, cases of nontoxigenic strains of C. diphtheriae infections, including endocarditis, have been reported recently.

Hepatitis G virus in Saudi blood donors and chronic hepatitis B and C patients.

Introduction: Screening blood donors for blood-borne pathogens is very critical for the recipient's safety. Similar to hepatitis B and C infections, hepatitis G infection is transmitted through contaminated blood and causes acute and chronic hepatitis. Previous reports have shown that the prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA among healthy Saudi donors was 1%-2%.

Correlation between hepatitis B surface antigen titers and HBV DNA levels.

Background/aim: To assess the correlation between serum HBsAg titers and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in patients with hepatitis B envelop antigen-negative (HBeAg -ve) HBV genotype-D (HBV/D) infection.

Patients And Methods: A total of 106 treatment- naïve, HBeAg -ve HBV/D patients were included; 78 in the inactive carrier (IC) state and 28 in the active hepatitis (AH) stage. HBV DNA load and HBsAg titers were tested using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and automated chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, respectively.

Predictors of pulmonary involvement in patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the value of chest radiographs (CXRs) and sputum examinations in detecting pulmonary involvement of tuberculosis (TB) in patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed among 248 EPTB patients with culture-proven diagnosis of tuberculosis seen between January 2001 and December 2007 at a tertiary teaching hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Demographics, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings were reviewed and assessed.

Panton-Valentine leukocidin Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis of the femur in a Saudi child.

Staphylococcus aureus producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is well recognized to cause severe skin and soft tissue infections. Recently, it has been increasingly recognized as causing life-threatening musculoskeletal infection. We reported previously 3 children who had osteomyelitis caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Sickle cell disease in Middle East Arab countries.

The sickle cell (HbS) gene occurs at a variable frequency in the Middle Eastern Arab countries, with characteristic distribution patterns and representing an overall picture of blood genetic disorders in the region. The origin of the gene has been debated, but studies using β-globin gene haplotypes have ascertained that there were multiple origins for HbS. In some regions the HbS gene is common and exhibits polymorphism, while the reverse is true in others.

Extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia.

Studies from developed countries have reported that extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is on the rise due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. However, similar studies from high-burden countries with low prevalence of HIV like Saudi Arabia are lacking. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis.

Ethical issues on preventions and management of blood genetics disorders--Islamic views.

Ethical issues are of concern to all members of the health team and the community at large, particularly in relation to chronic and genetic diseases. The fear from the negative social impact, including stigmatization of the carriers of a genetic disease and the affected individual is of a particular concern to the individual and his family. Members of the health team should protect the individual autonomy, observe the ethical principles including beneficence, nonmaleficent, justice, and confidentiality, and maintain high level of professional competence.

Hypertension in saudi arabia.

Hypertension is considered a major health problem in several populations of the world. We compared a few isolated and three comprehensive studies covering the whole Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results show that different investigators found different prevalence of hypertension in different areas of the kingdom.

Lipids and related parameters in Saudi type II diabetes mellitus patients.

Background: Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type II DM) is frequently associated with abnormal levels of lipids, particularly in patients with poor diabetic control. This study was designed to investigate the influence of type II DM on levels of plasma lipids and other related parameters in Saudi patients. Saudi Arabia has a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the adult population.

Prevalence of plasma lipid abnormalities in Saudi children.

Background: Lipid levels in children vary in different populations. Due to a close association between high lipid levels and development of atherosclerosis, considerable interest has been directed to investigating lipid levels in children.

Materials And Methods: We conducted this study on 2914 children with ages ranging from 1 year to <15 years, randomly selected during a national household screening program.

Association of hypertension and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the Saudi population.

Background: Saudi Arabia has a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Several studies have shown that hypertension (HT) occurs frequently in obese individuals. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HT in Saudi diabetic patients.

G6PD deficiency, distribution and variants in Saudi Arabia: an overview.

Background: The first report of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in the Saudi population of the Eastern Province paved the way for extensive investigations to determine the distribution and molecular pathogenesis of G6PD deficiency in Saudis in different parts of the country.

Materials And Methods: During a national study lasting from 1982 to 1993, 24,407 Saudis in 31 different areas of Saudi Arabia were screened for G6PD deficiency using spectrophoretic estimation of the enzyme activity and electrophoretic separation of the phenotypes.

Results: The results in the males and females were separately analyzed, and showed a statistically significant difference in the frequency in the male (0.

Normal reference values for hematological parameters, red cell indices, HB A2 and HB F from early childhood through adolescence in Saudis.

Background: Values of hematological parameters are affected by factors such as age, sex, ethnic background and social, nutritional and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to determine the values of hematological parameters, red cell indices and Hb A2 and Hb F levels in normal Saudi children, living in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out on 1526 apparently healthy children, with ages ranging from 1-15 years, and selected during a household screening program.

The prevalence of obesity and overweight in 1-18-year-old Saudi children.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Saudi children with ages ranging up to 18 years.

Subjects And Methods: The study was a cross-sectional national epidemiological household survey, and the study group included 12071 children (boys 6281; girls 6420), with ages ranging from 1-18 years. Their height and weight were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.

Increased frequency of angiotensin-converting enzyme DD genotype in Saudi overweight and obese patients.

Background: Several studies have been carried out to investigate the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in obese and normal weight individuals, often with contradictory results in different populatios. In some studies, the DD genotype occurs at a high frequency in obesity, while in others no association has been demonstrated. Since obesity and overweight are of frequent occurrence in the Saudi population, we initiated this study to investigate the I/D polymorphism of ACE in obese, overweight and normal weight Saudis.

Pre-marital examination as a method of prevention from blood genetic disorders. Community views.

The Saudi Royal Cabinet issued the Saudi Royal Decree No. 3 dated 11-7-1424, establishing the pre-marital examination as a health preventive measure for all Saudis, and requesting the 2 prospective partners (male and female) to carry out a pre-marital examination and present a certificate of pre-marital examination before the wedding. However, the prospective husband and wife are not obliged to abide by the laboratory results if they so wish.

Hematologic risk factors for stroke in Saudi children.

Objective: To explore the hematologic risk factors for stroke in a cohort of Saudi children.

Methods: We evaluated children at the Division of Pediatric Neurology at King Khalid University Hospital, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, during the periods July 1992 to February 2001 (retrospective study) and February 2001 to March 2003 (prospective study). Investigations for suspected cases included neuroimaging, transcranial Doppler (TCD) for cases of sickle cell disease (SCD), and Duplex scan.

The natural history and the national pre-marital screening program in Saudi Arabia.

The genetic disorders are chronic in nature and, therefore, require continuous support and health care. Consequently, the genetic diseases cause formidable economic and psychosocial burdens on the family with negative reflection on the community at large. The genetic diseases are a heterogeneous group that result in varieties of chronic health ailment as a result of defects in the genetic material.