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Background: Significant increase in rates of Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea (CDI) has been reported globally but there remains a paucity of data from Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Prospective hospital-based surveillance for CDI using the Center for Disease Control (CDC) criteria was conducted from June to November 2015 in a tertiary healthcare facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: During the surveillance period, 106 episodes of CDI were identified among 59 patients in 137,230 patient-days. The incidence of CDI was 3.5 per 10,000 patient days. Of the 106 episodes, 58% (n = 61) were new cases, 12% (n = 13) were recurrent cases and 30% (n = 32) were duplicate cases. Majority of the new cases (n/N = 43/61; 70%) were healthcare onset, followed by community onset (21%) and 8% were community-onset healthcare associated. No statistically significant change in trend was observed during the surveillance period. The most prevalent CDI risk factor was use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) (92%) followed by prolonged use of antibiotics (77%). Pareto-analysis indicated that controlling for PPI use, prolong and multiple antibiotic exposure and prolonged hospitalization results in 80% CDI reduction. Conclusion: The findings indicate a low incidence of CDI. Multicenter studies are needed to elucidate the burden to CDI in the country.

Abstract Background Treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances has been associated with significant biofilm accumulation, thus putting patients at a higher risk of oral health deterioration. The use of probiotics has been proposed to be useful in the prevention or treatment of oral pathologies such as caries and diseases of periodontal tissues. Our aim was to investigate the effects of probiotic use on inflammation of the gingival tissues and the decalcification of the enamel in patients being treated with fixed orthodontic appliances. Methods We searched without restrictions 8 databases and performed hand searching until September 2019. We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating whether individuals with fixed orthodontic appliances benefit from probiotic treatment in terms of the inflammation of the gingivae and decalcification of the enamel. Following the selection of studies and the extraction of pertinent data, we appraised the risk of bias and the confidence in the observed effects based on established methodologies. Results From the final qualifying studies, three did not show any statistically significant effect on gingival inflammation after probiotic administration of up to 1 month. Similarly, non-significant differences were noted in another study regarding white spot lesions development (mean administration for 17 months). No adverse effects were reported and the level of evidence was considered moderate. Conclusions Supplementation of orthodontic patients with probiotics did not affect the development of inflammation in the gingivae and decalcification in the enamel. Additional RCTs, with longer intervention and follow-up periods, and involving different combinations of probiotic strains are required. Trial registration PROSPERO ( CRD42018118008 )

Current guidelines for COVID-19 management recommend the utilization of various repurposed drugs. Despite ongoing research toward the development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, such a vaccine will not be available in time to contribute to the containment of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a framework for the rapid identification of novel targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. We analyzed publicly available transcriptomic datasets of SARS-CoV infected humans and mammals to identify consistent differentially expressed genes then validated in SARS-CoV-2 infected epithelial cells transcriptomic datasets. Comprehensive toxicogenomic analysis of the identified genes to identify possible interactions with clinically proven drugs was carried out. We identified IFITM3 as an early upregulated gene, and valproic acid was found to enhance its mRNA expression as well as induce its antiviral action. These findings indicate that analysis of publicly available transcriptomic and toxicogenomic data represents a rapid approach for the identification of novel targets and molecules that can modify the action of such targets during the early phases of emerging infections like COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic is due to infection caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus that impacts the lower respiratory tract. The spectrum of symptoms ranges from asymptomatic infections to mild respiratory symptoms to the lethal form of COVID-19 which is associated with severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and fatality. To address this global crisis, up-to-date information on viral genomics and transcriptomics is crucial for understanding the origins and global dispersion of the virus, providing insights into viral pathogenicity, transmission, and epidemiology, and enabling strategies for therapeutic interventions, drug discovery, and vaccine development. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 epidemiology, genomic etiology, findings from recent transcriptomic map analysis, viral-human protein interactions, molecular diagnostics, and the current status of vaccine and novel therapeutic intervention development. Moreover, we provide an extensive list of resources that will help the scientific community access numerous types of databases related to SARS-CoV-2 OMICs and approaches to therapeutics related to COVID-19 treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing pathogens remain a public health concern, with limited data on the molecular characterization of isolates. We aimed to determine the molecular characterization of ESBL-producers circulating in our setting and correlate the molecular types with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to third-generation cephalosporins. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective study conducted during the period from January to June 2013 at King Khalid University hospital, a tertiary-care hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae confirmed to be ESBL producers were included. The MICs of ceftriaxone and ceftazidime were determined by the E-test. Molecular characterization of ESBL-genes was performed using the Check-MDR-CT102 DNA microarray. RESULT: Of 77 isolates comprising 50 (65%) E coli and 27 (35%) K pneumoniae, the majority (n=63; 81%) were from urine. Most isolates were blaCTX-M gene positive (n=72/77; 93.5%) comprising blaCTX-M1 (n=62), blaCTX-M9 (n=9) and blaCTX-M25 (n=1). Two or more ESBL genes were present in 45% of isolates with blaSHV predominating in K pneumoniae and blaTEM in E coli. Two isolates were positive for blaOXA-48 carried in combination with blaCTX-M9 and blaTEM in E coli and blaCTX-M1/CTX-M9 in K pneumoniae. Ceftriaxone MIC50 and MIC90 of ≥256 μg/mL were seen in E coli and K pneumoniae harboring blaCTX-M alone or in combination with blaSHV or blaTEM. For ceftazidime the highest MIC50 and MIC90 was seen in K pneumoniae harboring blaCTX-M+blaSHV and E coli with blaCTX-M+blaTEM combinations. CONCLUSION: A preponderance of blaCTX-M suggests dissemination of the gene in our setting. The MIC for ceftriaxone and ceftazidime correlate well with molecular characterization of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Summary: Objectives: To determine the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Bahrain. Methods: Retrospective analysis of records (January 2005–December 2006) at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain which is the major national diagnostic laboratory. Results: Out of a total of 11,886 member of family of Enterobacteriaceae isolated, 2695 (22.6%) were ESBL producers. Majority of ESBL isolates were from inpatients (n = 2363; 87.7%). Escherichia coli (52.2%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.3%) were predominant and distributed comparatively in the hospital wards while Proteus spp. (17.6%) was predominant in medical wards. Urine was the major source (52.2%) with low occurrence in blood cultures. No carbapenem resistant isolates was identified but resistance to three classes of antibiotics was exhibited by >25% of the isolated ESBL strains. Nitrofurantoin resistance was identified in 38.2% of urinary isolates. Conclusion: This is the first report from Bahrain and it indicates that the prevalence of ESBL-producing isolates is high. Carbapenems were the most active drug against the ESBL-producing isolates. We recommend strict infection control to prevent trafficking into the community. Keywords: ESBL, Bahrain

Background There is limited data on the beneficial effects of probiotics on the gingival health of patients undergoing treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. This study aims to compare the effect of probiotic tablets combined with regular oral hygiene versus regular oral hygiene alone on gingival status in these patients. The effect of probiotic intake on plaque formation and salivary microbiome composition will be also assessed.Methods and analysis This is a 3 month single-centre, single blind (clinical and laboratory examiners), parallel group randomised controlled two arm superiority trial. Fifty paediatric patients attending the Postgraduate Orthodontic Clinic at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed College of Dental Medicine (HBMCDM), Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who meet the eligibility criteria will be recruited. Block randomisation with 1:1 allocation and concealment of allocation will be carried out. The treatment group will receive probiotic tablets containing Streptococcus salivarius M18 and Lactobacillus acidophilus together with regular oral hygiene versus the control group on regular oral hygiene alone. Clinical examination and collection of saliva for microbiome assay will be carried out at baseline and end of study. Self-reporting by patients will be used to document acceptability and adverse effects. Statistically significant decrease in gingival bleeding on probing in the treatment group will be classified as primary outcome of treatment success. Statistically significant reduction in Plaque Index, Gingival Index and shift in the composition of the oral microbiome in favour of beneficial bacteria are secondary outcomes indicative of efficacy of probiotic intake.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for the study has been granted by the HBMCDM, MBRU, Institutional Review Board (Reference #: MBRU-IRB-2018–015). Study findings will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number ISRCTN95085398

Background/Aims: Accurate and rapid laboratory diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) remains a significant challenge. A two-step algorithm for detection of toxigenic C. difficile in stool based on initial screening for glutamate dehydrogenase assay followed by confirmation by toxin A+B detection using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) or molecular assay has been proposed. We aimed to evaluate the C. difficile Quik Chek Complete® (QCC-EIA) versus the GeneXpert® C. difficile polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in this two-step algorithm. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and ten liquid stool samples obtained between June 2014 and June 2015 from patients suspected of CDI were tested by the QCC-EIA and GeneXpert PCR assay. The GeneXpert assay was used as the reference standard to calculate the QCC-EIA sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: Of the 210 stool samples tested, 43 (20.5%) were positive by QCC-EIA, while 31 (14.8%) were positive by GeneXpert assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the QCC-EIA were found to be 100 and 93%, respectively; the PPV and NPV were 72 and 100%, respectively. The binary toxin was detected in 12 (38.7%) and tcdC gene deletion in 3 (9.6%). Conclusions: The low specificity of QCC-EIA makes it less reliable as a confirmatory test for CDI diagnosis. This test may be used as a screening test in a two-step algorithm when combined with a molecular assay or another confirmatory test.