scholarly journals Nationwide Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Saudi Arabia

Author(s):  
Naif Khalaf Alharbi ◽  
Suliman Alghnam ◽  
Abdullah Algaissi ◽  
Hind Albalawi ◽  
Mohammed W. Alenazi ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundEstimated seroprevalence of Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a critical evidence for a better evaluation of the virus spread and monitoring the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic in a population. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence has been reported in specific regions, but an extensive nationwide study has not been reported. Here, we report a nationwide study to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the population of KSA during the pandemic, using serum samples from healthy blood donors, non-COVID patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) in six different regions of the kingdom, with addition samples from COVID-19 patients.MethodsA total of 11703 serum samples were collected from different regions of the KSA including; 5395 samples from residual healthy blood donors (D); 5877 samples from non-COVID patients collected through residual sera at clinical biochemistry labs from non-COVID patients (P); and 400 samples from consented HCWs. To determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2, all serum samples, in addition to positive control sera from RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, were subjected to in-house ELISA with a sample pooling strategy, which was further validated by testing individual samples that make up some of the pools, with a statistical estimation method to report seroprevalence estimatesResultsOverall (combining D and P groups) seroprevalence estimate was around 11% in Saudi Arabia; and was 5.1% (Riyadh), 1.5% (Jazan), 18.4% (Qassim), 20.8% (Hail), 14.7% (ER; Alahsa), and 18.8% in Makkah. Makkah samples were only D group and had a rate of 24.4% and 12.8% in the cities of Makkah and Jeddah, respectively. The seroprevalence in Saudi Arabia across the sampled areas would be 12 times the COVID-19 infection rate. Among HCWs, 7.5% (4.95-10.16 CI 95%) had reactive antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 without reporting any previously confirmed infection. This was higher in HCWs with hypertension. The study also presents the demographics and prevalence of co-morbidities in HCWs and subset of non-COVID-19 population.ConclusionOur study estimates the overall national serological prevalence of COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia to be 11%, with an apparent disparity between regions.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bader Y Alhatlani ◽  
Waleed A Aljabr ◽  
Mohammed S Almarzouqi ◽  
Sami M Alhatlani ◽  
Rayan N Alzunaydi ◽  
...  

Aim: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission through blood transfusion is a major public health issue worldwide. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HEV in blood donors in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Materials & methods: Serum samples (n = 1078) were collected from volunteer blood donors and tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM by indirect ELISA. Results: The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among the blood donors was 5.7% overall. Anti-HEV IgG and IgM seropositivity were significantly higher in non-Saudi donors than in Saudi donors (22.1 vs 3 and 7.8 vs 0.2% for anti-HEV IgG and IgM, respectively). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HEV among blood donors in the Qassim region was lower than previous estimates for other regions of the country and neighboring countries.


10.19082/2001 ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 2001-2005
Author(s):  
Ghaleb Elyamany ◽  
Ali Al Gharawi ◽  
Mohammed Alrasheed ◽  
Omar Alsuhaibani

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bader Alhatlani ◽  
Waleed Aljabr ◽  
Mohammed Almarzouqi ◽  
Sami Alhatlani ◽  
Rayan Alzunaydi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major public health issue worldwide with the potential for transmission via blood transfusion, in blood donors in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Serum samples (n = 1,078) were collected from volunteer blood donors from January to April 2019 and tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results Overall, the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM among blood donors was 5.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Additionally, the seropositive rates of anti-HEV IgG and IgM were significantly higher in non-Saudi donors (22.1% and 7.8%) than in Saudi donors (3% and 0.2%). The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG increased with age; however, there was no correlation between gender and anti-HEV IgG and/or IgM. The seroprevalence of HEV among blood donors in the Qassim Region was lower than previous estimates for other regions of the country. Further studies covering a wider geographical area are needed to validate and expand the findings and to determine the importance of HEV screening in the region.


Author(s):  
Osama Badri Mohammed ◽  
Nabil Amor ◽  
Sawsan Ali Omer ◽  
Abdulaziz Nasser Alagaili

Abstract Serological screening of 199 serum samples from Dromedary camels—from different cities in Saudi Arabia—was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting antibodies against two cyst-forming coccidian parasites, namely Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 68 (34.2%) samples, while those against N. caninum were present in 33 (16.6%) samples. The highest seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was reported in samples from Taif (51.2%), while the lowest seroprevalence was reported in samples from Riyadh and Hofuf (15.1%). The highest seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies was reported in samples from Jizan (35.9%) while the lowest was reported in samples from Taif (2.4%). A total of 47 male and 21 female camels exhibited antibodies against T. gondii , while 19 male and 14 female camels showed antibodies against N. caninum . Concurrent detection of both T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies was observed in 18 camels. It has been demonstrated that T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies are prevalent in camels from different cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bader Alhatlani ◽  
Waleed Aljabr ◽  
Mohammed Almarzouqi ◽  
Sami Alhatlani ◽  
Rayan Alzunaydi ◽  
...  

Abstract ObjectivesTo evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major public health issue worldwide with the potential for transmission via blood transfusion, in blood donors in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Serum samples (n = 1,078) were collected from volunteer blood donors from January to April 2019 and tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsOverall, the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among blood donors was 5.7%. Additionally, the seropositive rates of anti-HEV IgG and IgM were significantly higher in non-Saudi donors (22.1% and 35.3%) than in Saudi donors (3% and 7.4%). The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG increased with age; however, there was no correlation between gender and anti-HEV IgG and/or IgM. The seroprevalence of HEV among blood donors in the Qassim Region was lower than previous estimates for other regions of the country. Further studies covering a wider geographical area are needed to validate and expand the findings and to determine the importance of HEV screening in the region.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bader Y. Alhatlani ◽  
Waleed A. Aljabr ◽  
Mohammed S. Almarzouqi ◽  
Sami M. Alhatlani ◽  
Rayan N. Alzunaydi ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major public health issue worldwide with the potential for transmission via blood transfusion, in blood donors in the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Serum samples (n = 1,078) were collected from volunteer blood donors from January to April 2019 and tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Overall, the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG and IgM among blood donors was 5.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Additionally, the seropositive rates of anti-HEV IgG and IgM were significantly higher in non-Saudi donors (22.1% and 7.8%) than in Saudi donors (3% and 0.2%). The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG increased with age; however, there was no correlation between gender and anti-HEV IgG and/or IgM. The seroprevalence of HEV among blood donors in the Qassim Region was lower than previous estimates for other regions of the country. Further studies covering a wider geographical area are needed to validate and expand the findings and to determine the importance of HEV screening in the region.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-496
Author(s):  
Yousef Ahmed Alomi ◽  
Hussam Saad Almalki ◽  
Aisha Omar Fallatah ◽  
Awatif Faraj Alshammari ◽  
Nesreen Al-Shubbar

The national total parental nutrition program with an emphasis on pediatrics started before several ago at Ministry of health hospitals In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The program covered several regions and consisted from the foundation of Intravenous Admixture and preparation of pediatric parenteral nutrition to administration and follow up of patients outcomes. In addition to the prior system, the new initiative project with the standardized formulation of pediatric’s parenteral nutrition is the complementary project of the parental nutrition for pediatrics. The project initiated to prevent drug-related problems of parental nutrition, improve patient clinical outcome and reduce the unnecessary economic burden on the healthcare system. It is the new system in the Middle East and Gulf counties in additional to Saudi Arabia. The initiatives are the systemic implementation of standardized pediatrics formulation using management project tools of starting new idea until finding in the ground.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 483-487
Author(s):  
Yousef Ahmed Alomi ◽  
Hussam Saad Almalki ◽  
Aisha Omar Fallatah ◽  
Awatif Faraj Alshammari ◽  
Nahedh Rashed Alotaibi

The general administration of pharmaceutical care started potential pharmacy practice program. The program is part of accreditation professional’s process of national and international regulations. The adult’s parenteral nutrition was one of the critical programs. The most healthcare professionals are not familiar with the new system. The new initiatives system adult’s standardized concentration formulation of total parental nutrition as complementary to the previous one. The new formulation consisted of all parental nutrition requirements based on national and international standards. The new system can be converted as computerized physician orders. The new initiatives may implement as project management model over one year or less than that’s. The new system prevents nutrition-related problems, and medication errors, and improve clinical outcomes of the adults’ population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-512
Author(s):  
Simeon S. Magliveras

Filipinos are a major part of the workforce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a population of almost one million. This article investigates the effects of gender segregation on Filipino workers and how they navigate their lives through systems imposed on them. In particular, it examines the Kafala system (administrative sponsoring system) used for recruiting migrant workers for GCC countries. This article suggests that contrary beliefs about gender segregation and dress codes, Filipinas found it empowering. However, this article also concludes that gender segregation and dress codes also lead to isolation and loneliness. In addition, it is concluded that the fate and contentment of the overseas Filipino workers are directly dependent on who sponsors them.


Author(s):  
Zuber Mujeeb Shaikh

Patient and Family Rights (PFR) is a common chapter available in the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation[i] (fifth edition) and Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions (CBAHI) Standards for hospitals (second edition)[ii]. JCI Accreditation is a USA based international healthcare accrediting organization, whereas CBAHI is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based national health care accrediting organization. However, both these standards are accredited by Ireland based International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua), which is the only accrediting organization who “accredit the accreditors' in the world. In Patient and Family Rights (PFR) chapter of JCI Accreditation for hospitals, there are nineteen (19) standards and seventy-seven (77) measurable elements (ME) whereas in CBAHI Accreditation there are thirty one (31) standards, ninety nine (99) sub-standards and fifty (50) evidence(s) of compliance (EC). The scoring mechanism is totally different in both these accrediting organizations. The researcher has identified thirty two (32) common parameters from JCI Accreditation and CBAHI standards, intent statement, measurable elements, sub-standard and evidence of compliance. On the basis of these identified common parameters, the researcher has compared the Patient and Family Rights chapter in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards. Methods: This is a comparison study (normative comparison) in which the researcher has critically analyzed and compared the Patient and Family Rights (PFR) standards of JCI (Joint Commission International) Accreditation of USA (United States of America) and CBAHI (Central Board for Accreditation of Healthcare Institutions) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Data Collection: Primary data are collected from the JCI Accreditation Standards for hospitals, fifth edition, 2013 and CBAHI Standards for hospitals of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, second edition, 2011. Secondary data are collected from relevant published journals, articles, research papers, academic literature and web portals. Objectives of the Study: The aim of this study is to analyze critically Patient and Family Rights (PFR) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards to point out the best in among both these standards. Conclusion: This critical analysis of Patient and Family Rights (PFR) Standards in JCI Accreditation and CBAHI Standards for hospitals clearly show that the PFR Standards in CBAHI Standards are very comprehensive than the JCI Accreditation standards.


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