Ziad A Memish

..These experts provided an update on epidemiology and current vaccination practices in the GCC States, and discussed new approaches to more effective disease prevention...

..Immunogenicity, antibody persistence, and safety of the EU-licensed meningococcal ACWY-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) were evaluated in healthy participants aged 11-55 years from the Philippines and Saudi Arabia...

..The article has the discussion of some recent patents related to antibiotic susceptibility and Brucellosis...

..With therapy during pregnancy, the overall success rate resulting in normal delivery is 90%. The article discussed few of the patents associated with brucellosis...

..We examined resistance rates among these bacteria from different regions of Saudi Arabia...

..The finding of high rates of rhinovirus infection corresponds to their frequent occurrence in adults. None of the participants had influenza A H1N1 2009, possibly because it was also infrequent among the 2009 pilgrims...

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..Both initiatives emphasise the importance of MG health policies guided by sound evidence and based on experience and the timeliness of calls for a new academic science-based specialty of MG medicine...

..This review presents the global epidemiology of meningococcal disease, and discusses prophylaxis options including meningococcal ACWY vaccines...

..To evaluate the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage among a cohort of pilgrims during 2004 Hajj season...

..Seroprevalence to all viruses was low; however, Alkhurma virus seroprevalence was higher (1.3%) and less geographically restricted than previously thought...

..We conducted a retrospective surveillance study to describe the epidemiology of IPD in the population of children aged <or=5 years served by the National Guard Health Affairs hospitals in central and western regions of Saudi Arabia...

..Preventive strategies for CAP include the administration of pneumococcal and influenza vaccine in selected populations at risk...

..The Saudi Ministry of Health is making concerted efforts to expand the evidence base in order to enhance the diagnostic and preventive protocols used to address the challenge of Alkhurma haemorrhagic fever...

..Review of the implementation of these recommendations and their effect will not only inform future mass gatherings in Saudi Arabia, but will also strengthen preparedness efforts in other settings...

..We used six years of premarital screening data to estimate the burden of sickle disease and β-thalassemia over the program period and to assess the frequency of at-risk marriage detection and prevention...

..The Hajj 2010 starts in the first week of November 2010 and this report is a timely reminder that many infectious diseases can be avoided or averted by adopting appropriate prophylactic measures...

..Injudicious prescribing and over-use of antibiotics drive much resistance. The GCC CAPWG calls for urgent governmental regulations to limit and monitor antibiotic prescription in the GCC region...

..Based on the strength of the evidence, we graded our recommendations to high-level (Level I), moderate-level (Level II), and low-level (Level III) evidence...

..Tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unresolving CAP in the GCC region. Diagnostic work up depends on severity of CAP, clinical course and underlying risk factors...

..Continued surveillance during the Hajj pilgrimage is necessary. The influenza vaccine should be a priority for those attending the Hajj pilgrimage, and should also be considered for antiviral prophylaxis...

..The possibility of new strains arising as a cause of future meningococcal outbreaks should be considered, and annual surveillance may give an early warning...

..Catheter-related UTIs were identified as an important source of infection, requiring ongoing surveillance...

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..To determine the relationship between immunity and a history of chickenpox based on a self-administered questionnaire...

..Immediate notification of the Ministry of Health and withdrawal of the medication and revisiting the respiratory therapy practices were necessary to halt this outbreak...

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..5% of isolates were nontypable. S. pneumoniae isolates from Saudi Arabia have become more resistant to penicillin and other antimicrobials over the past 20 years...

..Varicella zoster (chickenpox) infection is a common and benign disease of childhood. The predominance of uncomplicated cases in children tends to overshadow the morbidity associated with severe cases and the resultant hospitalization...

..To study trends in HIV case notification rates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia...

..Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention is an important patient safety initiative. We describe the impact of a multidisciplinary surveillance program on VAP rates in a tertiary medical-surgical-trauma intensive care unit (ICU)...

..The objective of this study was to determine the pattern of diseases among pilgrims seeking medical services in Mina primary health care centers (PHCCs) during the Hajj season in 1429 (2008)...

..The objective of this study was to examine the effect of intensive insulin therapy on mortality in medical surgical intensive care unit patients...

..meningitidis in the Mecca-Jeddah area. These vital data are needed to curb further epidemic outbreaks during future Hajj pilgrimages...

..Propofol is widely used to provide sedation to patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study examined whether preservative-free propofol infusion independently influences outcome in critically ill patients...

..Concurrent with implementation of more strict infection control practices, BSI rates declined over the course of the study. Prolonged device duration was an independent risk factor for device-associated BSI...

..Ultimately, Kingdomwide uniformity of treatment algorithms provides a foundation for both database generation and valuable outcomes of research in the future...

..Routine surveillance cultures of CSF were no more likely to detect infection than cultures obtained when clinically indicated. These findings need to be considered in infection control policies addressing this important issue...

..There is also need for better regulation of the use of antibiotics and education of the medical fraternity, veterinarians and the public in the appropriate use of antimicrobials...

..This Guideline is intended to provide physicians and allied health workers in Saudi Arabia with the standard of care for testing and treatment of LTBI...

..International dialogue in the infection control arena is of mutual value. Important public health progress is afoot in this young kingdom, and these advances translate both regionally and on the international platform...

..Special education regarding both modes of transmission and the geographical distribution of this disease needs to be given to travellers at risk...

..As well, we reviewed the Saudi literature to identify the national seroprevalence of the disease and propose a cost-effective approach for screening donated blood in Saudi Arabia for HTLV-I/II...

..This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers among blood donors in a tertiary hospital in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia...

..This study has established a benchmark for future studies of VAP in the pediatric intensive care population in Saudi Arabia. Additional studies from the region are necessary for comparison and development of preventive measures...

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..CONCLUSION: Brucellosis presents in various ways and should be included in the differential diagnosis of arthritis in endemic countries. Prevention should rely on education including on boiling raw milk...

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..Expanding and/or developing programmes of any nature is not without its challenges. In this light, the cooperation and commitment of the appropriate government sectors and significant others must be established to ensure success...

..Since travelers may be affected, travel health physicians need to know the clinical presentation of patients with brucellosis and preventive strategies...

..All family members with acute infection recovered without sequelae; one patient relapsed (5%). CONCLUSION: Symptomatic family members are more likely to be seropositive with a high titer in comparison to the asymptomatic members...

..After multivariate modeling, the following associations remained significant: animal contact, neighboring farms, and tick bites...

..Retrospective chart and radiographic review of all cases admitted to the authors' hospital and diagnosed to have tuberculous spondylitis...

..It also demonstrates that effective waste management can reduce health risk, save money, and protect the environment...

..By December 2009, more than 208 countries and territories had reported swine flu cases. The descriptive epidemiology of the first reported 100 cases of this virus in Saudi Arabia are summarized in this report...

..Meanwhile targeted vaccination with the available vaccines according to the epidemiology of the disease and rapid chemoprophylaxis for the close contacts of active cases are the most effective preventive strategies...

..Emphasis should be placed on public awareness and education campaigns to facilitate passive diagnosis of symptomatic cases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) continues to be a common concern for the global traveller...

..These findings suggest that many aspects of the standards of care do not differ between the 2 groups...

..The duration of ICU and hospital LOS were not significantly different. All patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroids in severe VP accelerate the physiological recovery and may shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation...

..The spread of cutaneous infections (fungal, viral, and bacterial) may be reduced with proper pretravel counseling and use of proper therapy...

..This review examines perspectives of human infection with avian influenza A H5N1 (AI H5N1), specifically focusing on the presentation, diagnosis, and management of those critically ill with AI H5N1...

..H. influenzae isolates were susceptible to all agents, except for trovafloxacin (99.1%). M. catarrhalis strains were fully sensitive to all agents except ofloxacin (97.5%). No isolates were resistant to gemifloxacin or grepafloxacin...

..To identify the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), diarrheal diseases and trauma during the Hajj season, and the practice of some preventive measures by pilgrims...

..STIs can lead to acute symptoms, chronic infection and serious delayed consequences such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, cervical cancer and the untimely death of infants and adults...

..Prevention of STDs during travel can be achieved by complete abstinence from sexual exposure or adopting safe sexual practices such as consistently and correctly using a latex condom during sexual contact...

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..CONCLUSION: This surveillance highlighted risky practices and demonstrated employees and locations frequently involved in NSSIs. An education program was designed for all staff at risk of exposure, targeting higher-risk employees...

..Ongoing efforts are aimed at developing case investigation, case management and surveillance protocols for SARS...

..We have reviewed the literature concerning NIE in critically ill patients and describe the epidemiology, microbiology and clinical features of this uncommon infection and comment on its diagnosis and management...

..No environmental reservoir was found. Institution of contact precautions, enhanced handwashing, and staff education was associated with resolution of the outbreak...

..05). In conclusion, brucella antibodies of 1:320 or higher can persist for more than 2 years after successful treatment and clinical cure. Re-evaluation of diagnostic titer of brucellosis is required in brucella-endemic countries...

..It discusses the trends, mechanisms of resistance and factors associated with the emergence, dissemination, and colonization of resistant organisms and suggests options available to clinicians for management of infections due to PRSP...

..05). Screening family members of an index case of acute brucellosis will detect additional cases...

..Although his blood culture was negative, he developed high brucella antibody titres. Treatment with anticoagulants combined with a course of doxycycline and rifampin produced a full recovery...

..in 20 patients (12 Sta. aureus and 8 coagulase-negative staphylococci) and Enterococcus spp. (6 patients). The complication rate was 78.7% and hospital mortality rate was 8.5%...

..This was attributed to prescribing antibiotic prophylaxis for patients at low risk as well as high risk of infection...

..To describe the diagnosis and outcomes of tuberculous lymphadenitis in a low HIV-seroprevalence population at a hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia...

..Ultimately, risk reduction depends on efforts to reduce disease endemicity in the country. In the meantime, conversion of the laboratory to biosafety level 3 is under way...

..Their clinical features, however, did not differ from brucellosis patients who did not have bacteremia. Despite the high rate of in-vitro resistance to co-trimoxazole, this did not correlate with a significant relapse rate...

..aureus, is increasing. Authorities must be aware of the prevalence of MRSA infection and colonization in their country in order to implement and monitor infection control policies that help curtail further emergence of this pathogen...

..A seroprevalence study could be a useful cost-saving approach to a mass immunization program against endemic, natural immunity-conferring diseases...

..To review the clinical and laboratory features and response to treatment of patients with acute brucellar epididymo-orchitis reporting to a tertiary care hospital in Riyadh, and to compare these with other cases reported previously...

..This study has established a benchmark for future comparisons. Additional studies from Saudi Arabia are necessary for national comparison and development of preventive measures...

..Maximum readiness can be achieved by periodic readiness drills...

..This study demonstrated that the incidence of spontaneous abortion among pregnant women with brucellosis is high and that these women should receive prompt therapy with antimicrobial agents when they present for medical care...

..The positive predictive value of SAT and IgM is satisfactory...

..baumannii associated with an external ventricular drain. The patient was cured using a 4-week course of intrathecal colistin 3.2 mg via external ventricular drain (EVD) daily without any serious side effects...

..001). CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence surveys of vaccine-preventable diseases among HCWs, although labor intensive, are invaluable in caring for a multinational workforce...

..Since a substantial proportion of this pediatric population confirms a continuing decrease in anti-HAV seroconversion rates, we recommend including Hepatitis A in the schedule of routine childhood vaccinations...

..Cultures of the abscess and blood yielded brucella. A second course of antibiotics together with surgical drainage and subsequent reconstruction resulted in a cure...

..We examine the response of clinicians, the Saudi Ministry of Health, and Hajj authorities to these unique problems, and list health recommendations for prospective pilgrims...

..The suitability of this test among pilgrims has not been studied in the past and this study assesses the usefulness of the test for diagnosing influenza among those attending the Hajj...