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Understanding the immune response to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is crucial for disease prevention and vaccine development. We studied the antibody responses in 48 human MERS-CoV infection survivors who had variable disease severity in Saudi Arabia. MERS-CoV-specific neutralizing antibodies were detected for 6 years postinfection.

Objective: To investigate the drug-related information needs of healthcare providers (HCPs), their utilization of drug information resources as well as the main factors influencing the selection of resources.Methods: A total of 393 HCPs were conveniently selected and invited to complete a questionnaire. Stratified sampling was used for the three subpopulations of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. The questionnaire was coded, validated, and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SAS version 9.2).Results: Of 450 HCPs approached, 393 completed the questionnaire (response rate 87%). Information related to drug dosage/administration, indications, and interactions is the most frequently required, 47%, 44%, and 34%, respectively. The majority of the sample perceived the Internet (69.47%) and electronic databases (67.43%) as “very useful.” Printed materials (46.56%) and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) (44.78%) or calling the pharmacy (43.26%) were also useful resources of information followed by using electronic books and journals (38.42%) and asking colleagues (32.32%). The majority (53.18%) described consulting a clinical pharmacist as “very useful.” However, 16% of the nurse group and 35% of the physician group were not aware of the existence of the Drug Information Center (DIC) and more than 8% of the participants consider calling the DIC about drug-related information “not useful”.Conclusion: Digital resources are used by HCPs more frequently than traditional resources, consulting a clinical pharmacist or calling the DIC. Providing reliable electronic resources and raising the awareness of HCPs regarding the role of a clinical pharmacist and DIC for patient-specific therapies should be instituted.

Background Somatoform disorder (SD), known as the presence of physical symptoms suggesting a physical condition, for which there are no demonstrable organic findings or established physiological mechanisms with positive evidence that the symptoms are related to psychological causes. The aim of this study was to highlight the epidemiological characteristics, demographic features, comorbidities, and clinical presentations of patients with SD. Materials and methods This was a retrospective study of SD patients at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We reviewed the patients' electronic health records from January 2015 to December 2020 for collecting the patients' demographic information, including gender, age, marital status, and occupation. The types of SD, presenting symptoms of each disorder, department to which patients initially presented, comorbidities, and management were also documented. The diagnosis of SD was based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Results In total, 89 patients were included in the study. The majority (n=50, 56.2%) were female, with a mean age of 42.7±17.1 years. More than half of the sample was married (n=54, 60.7%). The most common subtype of SD was somatization disorder followed by conversion disorder, pain disorder, and hypochondriasis, diagnosed in 69 (77.5%), 12 (13.5%), 5 (5.6%), and three (3.4%) patients, respectively. Neurological symptoms and pain were the most frequent presenting symptoms for all the somatoform patients. More than half of the sample (n=48, 53.9%) initially presented at an outpatient clinic. Conclusions The number of SD patients was less than expected, and a third did not receive any treatment. This emphasizes the need for more SD awareness among clinicians in various medical specialties. Appropriate SD and other mental disorders education for physicians may support achieving a better identification of SD and subsequently an improved quality of life for the patients.

Background Factitious disorder (FD) is a psychiatric disease where signs and symptoms are produced, falsified, or exaggerated consciously in the absence of clear external motivations. Through needless medical visits, costly investigatory testing, and potentially long hospital stays, patients with FD waste valuable time and resources, which affects both the patient and the healthcare system. It can be very challenging for physicians who have never encountered patients with FD to recognize them promptly as symptoms of FD vary greatly. Methodology This was a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with FD attending King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a tertiary care military hospital and one of the most prominent academic and referral medical institutions in the country. Using the BESTCare health information system, we reviewed patients’ electronic health records from January 2015 to December 2020. The diagnosis of FD was based on the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th edition. Results A total of seven patients were included in the study, of whom five (71%) were males and two (29%) were females. Of the total seven patients, three were 21 years old and younger, one was 38 years old, and three were 56 years old and older. Three (43%) patients were married and four (57%) were single. In terms of occupation, three (43%) patients were retired, one (14%) worked in a private company, one (14%) was unemployed, and two (29%) were students. A total of four (57%) patients initially presented to the Emergency Department (ED), and only three (43%) presented to the outpatient clinics. Induced disease or injury was found in five (71%) patients. Induced skin injury was found in four (57%) patients. Counseling and psychotherapy were only offered to one (14%) patient. Conclusions FD remains a rare psychiatric condition that is difficult to recognize. Despite a small sample size, FD in the present study showed a male predominance, affecting patients of all age groups. About half of the patients presented initially to the ED. Induced disease or injury was the most commonly reported pattern of clinical presentation. Induced skin injury was the most common clinical presentation found in around half of the patients. We believe that the number of FD patients in the present study is likely underreported and is expected to be higher. This highlights the need for better awareness of FD among physicians in different medical fields. We emphasize that there is a need for better professional training in the identification of FD.

Neurobrucellosis is an uncommon and dangerous complication of brucellosis. Meningitis is the most common presentation of neurobrucellosis, but it may present in a wide range of clinical manifestations such as myelitis, brain abscess, radiculopathy, and cranial nerve involvement. It tends to present insidiously with symptoms appearing gradually. Acute presentation of neurobrucellosis is very uncommon. Here, we report a case of a female child who presented with an acute onset of ataxia and slurred speech with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging findings for neurobrucellosis. In endemic countries such as Saudi Arabia, neurobrucellosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for patients presenting with unexplained neurological symptoms.

Background Brucellosis, an endemic disease in Saudi Arabia, has an infection rate of 70 per 100,000 people, with a varying morbidity rate in different parts of the country. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment modalities, complications, and outcomes in children with brucellosis. Materials and methods The medical records of 153 patients attending King Abdullah Specialist Children’s Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2015 to January 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic data, laboratory test results, serum agglutination test titer, and the results of the blood cultures were obtained. The diagnosis of brucellosis was based on compatible signs and symptoms with a positive serology titer of ≥1:160 or a blood culture positive for Brucella species. Results The majority of the sample (69.6%, n=107) were males, with a mean age of 7.75 ± 3.28 years. Ingestion of unpasteurized camel dairy products was the most frequent transmission risk factor. The most prevalent presenting symptoms were constitutional and musculoskeletal symptoms. Six patients (3.9%) had complicated brucellosis, with neurobrucellosis diagnosed in three cases. Hospitalization for brucellosis was required in 15% of the patients. The majority (99.35%, n=152) of the patients had a serum agglutination test (SAT) titer of ≥1:160. A blood culture was positive in 52 (34%) of the 111 patients tested. The most frequently prescribed regimen was rifampicin + co-trimoxazole in 81 (52.9%) patients. Relapse occurred in a small proportion (4.6%, n=7), and the majority (95.4%, n=146) had a complete remission. Conclusions The main route of transmission was the ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products. Brucellosis had a wide range of clinical presentation, involving multiple organ systems. Neurobrucellosis was the most frequent complication. The SAT was the most useful and reliable test for the diagnosis of brucellosis. Most patients were successfully treated with rifampicin and co-trimoxazole for six weeks.

Introduction. Skin manifestations are common in hematology ward patients and can result from infection, malignancy, or chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to identify the most common dermatological problems encountered in the adult hematology ward at King Abdullah Specialist Children Hospital (KASCH). Methods. This was retrospective chart review of 78 dermatology consultations based on electronic health records for all inpatients in hematology wards at KASCH between January 2016 and December 2017. Data were presented as mean ± SD for continuous variables. Results. During the study period, a total of 1391 inpatients were referred to the dermatology department. A total of 403 (29.0%) referrals were from the internal medicine department and 78 (5.6%) were from the hematology department, six of which were rejected by the dermatology department. Almost all requests for referral were managed on the same or the next day with only two requests after 3 days. There were more female (n = 40; 51.3%) than male patients (n = 38; 48.7%) and the average age ± SD was 40.7 ± 19.8 years. Patients were diagnosed with a diverse range of hematological diseases. A total of 27 (35.1%) patients were diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Overall, 98 differential diagnoses were made by dermatologists with only 26 being confirmed by skin biopsy. Eight (30.8%) patients were diagnosed with graft versus host disease confirmed by skin biopsy. The diagnoses were changed in 12 cases after skin biopsy. Several types of dermatitis were diagnosed in hematology ward patients including stasis dermatitis and contact dermatitis. The source of infection was not specified in most cases and the infection was treated empirically. Conclusion. Various dermatological disorders and cutaneous manifestations are observed in hematology inpatients with morbilliform drug eruption and graft versus host disease being the most common.

Background.Candidahas emerged as one of the most important pathogens that cause bloodstream infection (BSI).Understanding the currentCandidaBSI trends, the dominant species causing disease and the mortality associated with this infection are crucial to optimize therapeutic and prophylaxis measures.Objectives. To study the epidemiology and to evaluate the risk factors, prognostic factors, and mortality associated with candidemia and to compare these findings with previously published studies from Saudi Arabia.Design. A retrospective medical record review.Setting. Tertiary hospital in Riyadh.Patients and Methods. The analysis included all cases ofCandidablood stream infection who are >18 years old over the period from 2013 to 2018. Continuous variables were compared using the parametricT-test while categorical variables were compared using the Chi-squared test.Main Outcome Measure. Incidence, resistance, and hospital outcomes inCandidablood stream infection.Sample Size. 324 patients.Results. Three hundred and twenty-four episodes ofCandidablood stream infections were identified. Median age of patients was 49.7 SD ± 28.1 years, and 53% of patients were males. More than half of the patients had an underlying disease involving the abdomen or laparotomy, 78% had an indwelling intravenous catheter, and 62% had suffered a bacterial infection within 2 weeks prior to candidemia.Candida albicansrepresents 33% of all isolates with decreasing trend overtime. There was an increase in the number of nonalbicans Candidaovertime withCandida tropicalisin the lead (20%). Use of broad spectrum antibiotics (82%), prior ICU admission (60%) and use of central venous catheters (58%) were the most prevalent predisposing factors of candidemia. Azole resistance was variable overtime. Resistance to caspofungin remained very low (1.9%). Fourteen days crude mortality was 37% for ICU patients and 26.7% in non-ICU patients, while hospital crude mortality was 64.4% and 46.7%, respectively.Conclusion. There is an increasing trend of nonalbicans Candidablood stream infection. Fluconazole resistance remained low toC. albicans. Most isolates remain susceptible to caspofungin, voriconazole, and amphotericin B.Candidabloodstream infection is associated with high 14-day hospital mortality.

The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a coronavirus (CoV)-mediated respiratory disease. Virus transmission occurs within health care settings, but cases also appear sporadically in the community. Camels are believed to be the source for community-acquired cases, but most patients do not have camel exposure. Here, we assessed whether camel workers (CWs) with high rates of exposure to camel nasal and oral secretions had evidence of MERS-CoV infection. The results indicate that a high percentage of CWs were positive for virus-specific immune responses but had no history of significant respiratory disease. Thus, a possible explanation for repeated MERS outbreaks is that CWs develop mild or subclinical disease. These CWs then transmit the virus to uninfected individuals, some of whom are highly susceptible, develop severe disease, and are detected as primary MERS cases in the community., Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a highly lethal respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is an emerging disease with high potential for epidemic spread. It has been listed by the WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) as an important target for vaccine development. While initially the majority of MERS cases were hospital acquired, continued emergence of MERS is attributed to community acquisition, with camels likely being the direct or indirect source. However, the majority of patients do not describe camel exposure, making the route of transmission unclear. Here, using sensitive immunological assays and a cohort of camel workers (CWs) with well-documented camel exposure, we show that approximately 50% of camel workers (CWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and 0% of controls were previously infected. We obtained blood samples from 30 camel herders, truck drivers, and handlers with well-documented camel exposure and from healthy donors, and measured MERS-CoV-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence assay (IFA), and neutralizing antibody titers, as well as T cell responses. Totals of 16/30 CWs and 0/30 healthy control donors were seropositive by MERS-CoV-specific ELISA and/or neutralizing antibody titer, and an additional four CWs were seronegative but contained virus-specific T cells in their blood. Although virus transmission from CWs has not been formally demonstrated, a possible explanation for repeated MERS outbreaks is that CWs develop mild disease and then transmit the virus to uninfected individuals. Infection of some of these individuals, such as those with comorbidities, results in severe disease and in the episodic appearance of patients with MERS.

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a highly lethal pneumonia. MERS was recently identified as a candidate for vaccine development, but most efforts focus on antibody responses, which are often transient after CoV infections. CoV-specific T cells are generally long-lived, but the virus-specific T cell response has not been addressed in MERS patients. We obtained peripheral blood mononuclear cells and/or sera from 21 MERS survivors. We detected MERS-CoV–specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in all MERS survivors and demonstrated functionality by measuring cytokine expression after peptide stimulation. Neutralizing (PRNT50) antibody titers measured in vitro predicted serum protective ability in infected mice and correlated with CD4+ but not CD8+ T cell responses; patients with higher PRNT50 and CD4+ T cell responses had longer intensive care unit stays and prolonged virus shedding and required ventilation. Survivors with undetectable MERS-CoV–specific antibody responses mounted CD8+ T cell responses comparable with those of the whole cohort. There were no correlations between age, disease severity, comorbidities, and virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses. In conclusion, measurements of MERS-CoV–specific T cell responses may be useful for predicting prognosis, monitoring vaccine efficacy, and identifying MERS patients with mild disease in epidemiological studies and will complement virus-specific antibody measurements.

Advance directives towards end of life decisions are seldom used among Arabs.This study aimed at investigating advance care preferences among a sample of Arab patients.This cross-sectional study was undertaken over the period March 2012-March 2013 on a sample of 300 patients with chronic illness in King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, a major tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia.Mean age of patients in the study was 48.7 years (standard deviation 16.4). There were 104 patients on haemodialysis, 73 with advanced malignancy, 81 with chronic liver disease and 35 with chronic respiratory disease. More than 80% of the respondents felt that the physician should make the decision about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Over 60% wished to remain at home when their condition deteriorated to impending death. There were no significant correlations between the patients' end of life decision preferences and religiosity, quality of life, disease duration, or other demographic characteristics.Despite a significant lack of knowledge among our participants regarding resuscitation, a majority of patients with chronic illness were willing to discuss the options and were capable of making advance directive plans regarding their health status.رغبات التوجيهات المسبقة للمصابين باعتلال مزمن لا يُرجى شفاؤه بخُصوص قرارات مرحلة الاحتضار: عينة من الشرق الأوسط.سالم باهارون، محسن الزهراني، إيمان الصافي، ليلى لائقة، حمدان الجحدلي، أنور أحمد.نادراً ما يكتب العرب وصية مآل.هدفت هذه الدراسة إلى بحث الرغبات المسبقة الخاصة بالرعاية لدى عينة من المرضى العرب.أُجريت هذه الدراسة المقطعية خلال الفترة من مارس/آذار 2012 إلى مارس/آذار 2013 على عينة مُكوَّنة من 300 مريض يعاني اعتلالاً مزمناً في مستشفى الملك فهد للحرس الوطني بالرياض، وهو أحد مستشفيات الرعاية التخصصية الكبرى في المملكة العربية السعودية.كان متوسط عمر المرضى المشمولين بالدراسة 48.7 سنة (الانحراف المعياري 16.4). وكان هناك 104 مرضى يخضعون لغسيل الكلى، و73 مصاباً بورم خبيث في مرحلة متأخرة، و81 مريضاً بمرض مزمن في الكبد، و35 مريضاً بمرض تنفسي مزمن. ورأى أكثر من 80٪ من المستجيبين أن الطبيب هو الذي ينبغي أن يتخذ القرار الخاص بالإنعاش القلبي الرئوي. وأبدى أكثر من 60٪ رغبتهم في البقاء في المنزل حينما تتدهور حالتهم الصحية ويُشرفون على الموت. ولم تكن هناك ارتباطات يُعتد بها بين رغبات المرضى بشأن قرارات مرحلة الاحتضار والتَّديُّن أو جودة الحياة أو مدة المرض أو خصائص سكانية أخرى.على الرغم من النقص الشديد في معرفة المشاركين بإنعاش القلب والرئتين، فإن غالبية المصابين باعتلال مزمن كانوا يرغبون في مناقشة الخيارات، وكانوا قادرين على وضع خطط توجيهية مسبقة بشأن وضعهم الصحي.Préférences en matière de directives anticipées de patients atteints de maladie chronique en phase terminale quant aux décisions de fin de vie : exemple de l’Arabie saoudite.Les directives anticipées quant aux décisions de fin de vie sont peu utilisées dans les pays arabes.La présente étude porte sur les directives anticipées en matière de soins au sein d’un échantillon de patients arabes.Il s’agissait d’une étude transversale qui a été menée entre mars 2012 et mars 2013 sur un échantillon de 300 patients atteints de maladie chronique hospitalisés au Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyad, grand centre hospitalier de soins tertiaires d’Arabie saoudite.L’âge moyen des patients de l’étude était de 48,7 ans (écart type 16,4) ; 104 patients étaient sous hémodialyse, 73 étaient atteints d’un cancer à un stade avancé, 81 souffraient d’une maladie hépatique chronique et 35 d’une maladie respiratoire chronique. Plus de 80 % des personnes interrogées estimaient qu’il revenait au médecin de prendre une décision quant à la réanimation cardio-respiratoire. Plus de 60 % souhaitaient rester à leur domicile lorsque leur état de santé se dégraderait, annonçant un décès imminent. Aucune corrélation significative n’a été constatée entre les préférences des patients quant à la décision de fin de vie et la religiosité, la qualité de vie, la durée de la maladie ou d’autres caractéristiques démographiques.Malgré un manque de connaissances notable parmi les répondants en ce qui concerne la réanimation, une majorité de patients atteints de maladie chronique étaient enclins à explorer des différentes options et ont été en mesure d’établir des plans de directives anticipées concernant leur état de santé.

Aim: The objective of the study was to assess pharmacists’ counseling practices from the patient perspective using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Medication Counseling Behavior Guidelines (MCBG) questionnaire. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted over 4 months in the outpatients section of the pharmacy department in two tertiary care hospitals: King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, and King Fahad Medical City. Participants were randomly selected to complete the USP-MCBG questionnaire, and gave their full consent to the data collector. USP-MCBG questionnaire is an interactive approach between the patient and the pharmacist, which takes into account the patient’s special needs, beliefs and perceptions about medication use .The questionnaire included 33 items with a two-point response scale. The questionnaire was divided into four sections corresponding to the four stages of the medication counseling process. Results: During the study period, 520 subjects were enrolled and of these, 486 responded to our questionnaire (response rate: 93%). The study population was gender balanced; most respondents (88%) were Saudi nationals, and 49% reported having at least high school education. There were no differences between the socio-demographic profiles of participants at the two study sites. The overall mean USP-MCBG score of satisfaction was 3.18 ± 0.11 (highest score is 5). Within subsections of the questionnaire, ‘Management of treatment’ scored the highest (1.14 ± 0.05) and ‘Communication’ scored the lowest (0.35 ± 0.03). In terms of medication counseling, more than >80% of patients had a positive perception and were satisfied with the performance of outpatient pharmacists. At almost all stages of the counseling process, there was a slightly inversely proportional relationship between patient age and satisfaction with pharmacist performance.Conclusion: Using the USP-MCB guidelines, patients’ perception of and satisfaction with pharmacists counseling in the outpatient setting was positive. Greater effort is needed to ensure effective counseling services in particular subpopulations, such as in the elderly. In general, patients were more satisfied with pharmacist counseling pertinent to “management of treatment”, however, they were less satisfied regarding the pharmacists’ way of communication.