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Background: The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a newly recognized zoonotic coronavirus. Current evidence confirms the role of dromedaries in primary human infections but does not explain the sporadic community cases. However, asymptomatic or subclinical cases could represent a possible source of infection in the community. Methods: Archived human sera (7461) collected between 2011 and 2016 from healthy adult blood donors from 50 different nationalities in the western part of Saudi Arabia were obtained for MERS-CoV seroprevalence investigation. Samples were tested for MERS-CoV S1-specific antibodies (Abs) by ELISA and confirmed by testing for neutralizing Abs (nAbs) using both pseudotyped and live virus neutralization assays. Results: Out of 7461 samples, 174 sera from individuals with 18 different nationalities were ELISA positive (2.3%, 95% CI 2.0–2.7). Presence of nAbs was confirmed in 17 samples (0.23%, 95% CI 0.1–0.4) of which one sample exhibited positivity in both neutralization assays. Confirmed seropositivity was identified in young (15–44 years) men and women from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, and India without significant preference. Conclusions: An increasing trend of MERS-CoV seroprevalence was observed in the general population in western Saudi Arabia, suggesting that asymptomatic or mild infections might exist and act as an unrecognized source of infection. Seropositivity of individuals from different nationalities underscores the potential MERS exportation outside of the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, enhanced and continuous surveillance is highly warranted. Keywords: MERS-CoV, Blood donors, Seroprevalence, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small, non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that consist of more than 200 genotypes. Low-risk genotypes are associated with warts or benign lesions, whereas high-risk genotypes are usually associated with malignancies and cancers including cervical cancer. However, the real prevalence and incidence of HPV in Saudi Arabia may be understated due to a lack of comprehensive data reporting. OBJECTIVES: Determine the positivity rate of HPV in men and women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary care center in Jeddah. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Self-collected vaginal swab samples were obtained from females attending the gynecological clinic in the period between October 2017 and April 2018 at a tertiary care center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PCR-positive HPV samples were sequenced to determine genotype. Additionally, serum samples were collected from healthy male and female blood donors and screened for HPV IgG antibodies by ELISA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Molecular and serological positivity for HPV. SAMPLE SIZE: 119 self-collected vaginal swabs from females at a gynecology clinic and 966 serum samples from healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Of the 119 tested vaginal swabs, 7 samples (5.9%) were positive for HPV DNA. Several genotypes were identified. Most of the positive samples were from Saudi females in the age range of 31-50 years seeking care for infertility. Of the 966 serum samples, only 16 samples (1.7%) were positive for HPV IgG antibodies. CONCLUSION: While the prevalence of HPV in men and women in our sample from the western region of Saudi Arabia was low, our data clearly show that it is not uncommon among high-risk groups and people are still exposed to the risk of HPV infection. Most importantly, these data provide valuable information that could aid in enhancing national awareness about HPV and in introducing an HPV vaccination program. LIMITATIONS: Single hospital and a convenience sample CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

The effect of a change in iron and boron contents on the Spark Plasma Sintering behaviour in the Ti-B-Fe alloys has been investigated through dilatometric sintering study using various samples having Ti-rich compositions. These samples are adequately chosen to study the sintering behaviour on the addition of boron and iron on the Ti-rich corner. The rate of sintering of Ti-B-Fe alloys was found to increase with an increase in iron content. The sintering enhancement can be attributed to the high diffusivity of iron in α-Ti and β-Ti phases and due to the formation of the intermetallic phase which results in greater overall shrinkage. The shrinkage was found to decrease with increase in boron content due to a greater amount of TiB2 which doesn’t participate in sintering in the observed range.

Saudi Arabia has recentlystarted a surveillance process for seasonal influenza outbreaks. Special interest should be given to the influenza-associated severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and current practice of influenza-associated SARI in 2017. A retrospective observational study was conducted at IbnSina National College Hospital in Jeddah in 2018. Review of medical records was done using checklists for in-patients who did rapid influenza diagnostic tests during 2017 using nasopharyngeal swabs and for whom coronavirus RT-PCR test was also performed by the “Saudi National Health Laboratory”. Data collection included time of admission, demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, treatment, and outcome. Among 300 in-patients with fever, 31.3% had SARI due to influenza A rather than B but not H1N1 or MERS-CoV infection. SARI cases clustered during July and September (‘Ramadan’ and ‘Hajj’ periods). The risk of flu-related complications was high (45.7%) and included mostly children < 5 and presented mainly with pneumonia (21.3%). The main presentations were fever (83%), flu-like symptoms (41.9%), nonproductive cough (33%), dyspnea (25%), vomiting (14.9%), and abdominal pain (8.5%). Patients had lymphocytosis (27.7%) and neutropenia (20.2%).All received antiviral oseltamivir (16% received it late, 3.4% did not continue after discharge) and 90.4% received empirical antibiotics. All recovered completely with no ICU admission. Seasonal influenza A-associated SARI in 2017 in our hospital coincided with ‘Ramadan’ and ‘Hajj’ periods, presented with typical symptoms, and had a high risk of complications, especially pneumonia. It was amenable to antiviral therapy with a favorable outcome. Most patients received empirical antibiotics and a few did not receive proper antiviral therapy. Physicians should consider early antiviral treatment in patients with suspected SARI during influenza seasons. There is a need for national recommendations to guide antibiotic strategies and regimens in influenza-associated SARI.

Background: MERS-CoV is a newly recognized zoonotic coronavirus. Current evidence confirms the role of dromedaries in primary human cases but does not explain sporadic community cases. However, asymptomatic or subclinical cases could represent a possible source of infection in the community. Therefore, we investigated the seroprevalence of MERS-CoV in the general population of the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: Archived human sera (7,461) collected between 2011 and 2016 from healthy adult blood donors from 50 different nationalities in the western part of Saudi Arabia were obtained. Samples were tested for MERS-CoV S1-specific antibodies (Abs) by ELISA and confirmed by testing for neutralizing Abs (nAbs) using both pseudotyped and live virus neutralization assays. Findings: Out of 7,461 samples, 174 sera from individuals with 18 different nationalities were ELISA positive (2·3%, 95% CI 2·0-2·7). Presence of nAbs was confirmed in 17 samples (0·23%, 95% CI 0·1-0·4) of which one sample exhibited positivity in both neutralization assays. Confirmed seropositivity was identified in young (15-44 years) Middle Eastern men and women from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Yemen, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, and India without significant preference. Interpretation: An increasing trend of unreported MERS-CoV seroprevalence was observed in the general population in western Saudi Arabia, suggesting that asymptomatic or mild infections might exist and act as an unrecognized source of infection. Seropositivity of individuals from different nationalities underscores the potential MERS exportation outside of the Arabian Peninsula. Thus, enhanced and continuous surveillance is highly warranted. Funding Statement: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (grant number 09-1). Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the Unit of Biomedical Ethics in King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Before starting the study, all samples were anonymized using serial numbers.

Methyl-substituted melting gels were used to coat AISI 304 stainless steel substrates. Crack-free coatings up to 1 mm in thickness were obtained. SEM micrographs of cross-sections confirm good adhesion to the surface. Samples were subjected to structural characterization using FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were investigated by micro-scratch tests. Electrochemical analyses (anodic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) were performed in 3.5% NaCl solutions. Electrochemical tests show excellent performance of the coatings against corrosion with no sign of degradation after several months of immersion.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in pregnant women in Saudi Arabia and detect the risk factors associated with infection. Methods: Data were collected using questionnaires after the participants signed the consent form. ELISA techniques were used to detect both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against T. gondii for all samples from the participants. Results: About 326 samples were examined by ELISA to detect IgG and IgM. Seroprevalence of IgG was 21.2% (69) while seroprevalence of IgM was 1.2% (4). The majority of pregnant women [168 (52.0%)] were in the third trimester. The history of abortion occurred in 95 (29.1%) for the first or second time while 31 (9.5%) had abortion three times and more. The study found relationship between previous infection with T. gondii and the height of pregnant women. The women with height less than 150 cm were more affected than others (P < 0.02). Association was observed between eating undercooked meat and infection with T. gondii (P = 0.008). Conclusions: Infection with T. gondii was found among Saudi women. High proportions of women (78.8%) are exposed to primary infection which can lead to abortion. Therefore, it is recommended that educational program to raise awareness to prevent the infection should be commenced without delay.

The high temperature phase fields of a multicomponent titanium alloy system have been determined by the CALPHAD approach to assist in rapid processing of a titanium metal matrix composite by electric-field-assisted reaction sintering. The phase field calculations revealed the existence of a wide composition range (in terms of B, Fe, Mo and Al content) for the flexible synthesis of various β-Ti-TiB composites. After processing, the uniform dispersion of in-situ formed titanium boride (TiB) whiskers, in the ductile beta titanium (β-Ti) matrix, has resulted in a composite with a flexural strength of 1622 MPa and a fracture toughness of 23 MPa m , which are much greater than the levels achieved before in this class of materials.

Melting gel and hybrid glass are organic-inorganic materials derived from sol gel processing. The behavior of the melting gel is that it is a solid at room temperature, but when the melting gel is reheated to 110°C (T1) it becomes fluid. The melting gel has reversible behavior due to incomplete crosslinking between polysiloxane chains. When the melting gel is heated to its consolidation temperature of 150°C (T2) the gel no longer softens (T2>T1), because crosslinking is completed. The melting gel at the consolidation temperature becomes hybrid glass. Melting gel coatings were applied to titanium alloy substrates. Melting gels were prepared containing phenyl substitutions with 1.0 mole Phenyltrimethoxysilane (PhTMS) in ratio to 0.25 moles of Diphenyldimethoxysilane (DPhDMS). The methanol to DPhDMS ratio was varied to change the thickness of the coatings. The coatings were inspected visually to see that there is good adhesion between the coating and the substrate. Nanoindenter tests were performed to determine hardness. The coated samples were placed in an oven and heated to 150ºC for 24, 48 or 96 hours before cooling back to room temperature, which took about 4 hours. The measurements of the hardness on samples containing 3 levels of solvent and heat treatment were collected by indentation technique. The best combination of solvent and temperature was 1:8 PhTMS:MeOH for all temperatures.