In Oman, the prevalence of health care associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [HA-MRSA] is unknown. Therefore, to estimate the prevalence of HA-MRSA, we collected nasal swabs and swabs from cell phones on sterile polyester swabs and immediately inoculated on the mannitol salt agar containing oxacillin from medical students and hospital health care providers. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was then performed using the Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method. Additionally, a brief survey questionnaire was used to acquire demographic data. Amongst the 311 participants enrolled, nasal colonization with HA-MRSA was found in 47 individuals (15.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=11.1%, 19.1%). HA-MRSA was also isolated from the cell phone surfaces in 28 participants (9.0%, 95% CI=8.6%, 9.3%). 5 participants (1.6%) showed positive results both from their nasal swabs and from their cell phones. Antibiotic resistance to erythromycin [48%] and clindamycin [29%] was relatively high. 9.3% HA-MRSA isolates were vancomycin resistant [6.6% nasal carriage]. There was no statistically significant correlation between HA-MRSA isolates and the demographic characteristics or the risk factors namely gender, underlying co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, skin/soft tissue infections, skin ulcers/wounds, recent exposure to antibiotics, or hospital visits (p>0.05, Chi-square test).

BackgroundThe prevalence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [CA-MRSA] is unknown in Oman.MethodsNasal and cell phones swabs were collected from hospital visitors and health-care workers on sterile polyester swabs and directly inoculated onto a mannitol salt agar containing oxacillin, allowing growth of methicillin-resistant microorganisms. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using Kirby Bauer’s disc diffusion method on the isolates. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for vancomycin and teicoplanin against the resistant isolates of MRSA by the Epsilometer [E] test. A brief survey questionnaire was requested be filled to ascertain the exposure to known risk factors for CA-MRSA carriage.ResultsOverall, nasal colonization with CA-MRSA was seen in 34 individuals (18%, 95% confidence interval [CI] =12.5%–23.5%), whereas, CA-MRSA was additionally isolated from the cell phone surface in 12 participants (6.3%, 95% CI =5.6%–6.98%). Nasal colonization prevalence with hospital-acquired [HA] MRSA was seen in 16 individuals (13.8%, 95% confidence interval [CI] =7.5%–20.06%), whereas, HA-MRSA was additionally isolated from the cell phone surface in 3 participants (2.6%, 95% CI =1.7–4.54). Antibiotic sensitivity was 100% to linezolid and rifampicin in the CA-MRSA isolates. Antibiotic resistance to vancomycin and clindamycin varied between 9–11 % in the CA-MRSA isolates. Mean MIC for vancomycin amongst CA- and HA-MRSA were 6.3 and 9.3 μg/ml, whereas for teicoplanin they were 13 and 14 μg/ml respectively by the E-test. There was no statistically significant correlation between CA-MRSA nasal carriage and the risk factors (P>0.05, Chi-square test).ConclusionsThe prevalence of CA-MRSA in the healthy community hospital visitors was 18 % (95% CI, 12.5% to 23.5%) as compared to 13.8% HA-MRSA in the hospital health-care staff. Despite a significant prevalence of CA-MRSA, these strains were mostly sensitive. Recommendation: The universal techniques of hand washing, personal hygiene and sanitation are thus warranted.

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the morbidity and mortality on vasooclusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients. Methods One hundred patients with(fifty) or without COVID-19 PCR positivity(fifty), were enrolled in a prospective cohort study after signing a written informed consent. Results The COVID-19 positive patients had significantly higher median VOC episodes/year i.e 3 /year (IQR, 1-6 /year) v/s 2 /year (IQR, 2-12 /year) (p < 0.05) respectively, however the need for hospitalization was similar. There was a higher culture proven infection in COVID-19 negative group (P = 0.05). COVID-19 positive group had more osteonecrosis (p < 0.05), splenic sequestration, splenomegaly, and hepatic crisis (P values 0.05, 0.006 and 0.02 respectively). Symptoms of fever, cough, fatigue, abdominal pain and anosmia were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the COVID-19 positive patients. Both cohorts, showed a fall in the mean haemoglobin, lymphocyte subset, platelets, and reticulocytes, whereas, the LDH and ferritin were significantly elevated. In SCA COVID-19 positive patients the rise in WBC, reticulocyte%, platelets, and ferritin was subdued (p < 0.05). Two died in COVID-19 positive, whereas three died in the COVID-19 negative, without statistically significant difference in mortality. Conclusions Although COVID-19 infection may have triggered the onset of VOC, it did not significantly influence the morbidity or mortality in this SCA cohort.

AIM:To evaluate the role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cirrhotic patients who have hepatic and renal impairment with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). METHODS:We prospectively studied 120 cirrhotic patients with SBP and 80 cirrhotic patients with sterile ascitic fluid. They included 144 males and 56 females with ages ranging between 34 and 62 years. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was established by clinical and laboratory criteria that did not require histological confirmation. The severity of underlying liver disease was evaluated using Pugh's modification of Child's criteria (Child-Pugh scores). Ascitic fluid was sent to the laboratory for cell count, culture, sensitivity testing, and measurement of chemical elements (i.e. , albumin, glucose). Specimens were inoculated into aerobic and anaerobic blood culture bottles. Serum and ascitic fluid were also collected in sterile tubes at study entry (before the initiation of antibiotic treatment) and 48 h later. Assays for TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum and ascitic fluid were performed with an immunoenzymometric assay using manufacture's instructions. RESULTS:Cytokine levels in serum and ascitic fluid were significantly higher in the patients with SBP.(plasma TNF-α: 135.35 ng/mL ± 11.21 ng/mL vs 92.86 ng/mL ± 17.56 ng/mL, P < 0.001; plasma IL-6: 32.30 pg/mL ± 7.07 pg/mL vs 12.11 pg/mL ± 6.53 pg/mL, P < 0.001; ascitic fluid TNF-α: 647.54 ± 107.11 ng/mL vs 238.43 ng/mL ± 65.42 ng/mL, P < 0.001); ascitic fluid IL-6: 132.84 ng/mL ± 34.13 vs 40.41 ± 12.85 pg/mL, P < 0.001). About 48 (40%) cirrhotic patients with SBP developed renal and hepatic impairment and showed significantly higher plasma and ascitic fluid cytokine levels at diagnosis of infection. [(plasma TNF-α: 176.58 ± 17.84 vs 135.35 ± 11.21 ng/mL) (P < 0.001) and (IL-6: 57.83 ± 7.85 vs 32.30 ± 7.07 pg/mL) (P < 0.001); ascitic fluid TNF-α: 958.39 ± 135.72 vs 647.54 ± 107.11 ng/mL, (P < 0.001), ascitic fluid vs 132.84 ± 34.13 pg/mL, (P < 0.001)]. Twenty nine patients (60.4%) with SBP and renal impairment died whereas, only four patients (5.55%) with SBP but without renal impairment died from gastrointestinal hemorrhage (P < 0.0005).CONCLUSION: It appears that TNF-α production may enhance liver cell injury and lead to renal impairment. This correlated well with the poor prognosis and significantly increased mortality associated with SBP in cirrhotic patients.

Vaccines against acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2) are critical weapons to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus 2019(COVId-19) virus worldwide. Although these vaccines are generally safe, their widespread use has produced reports of rare complications, including vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VIITT), particularly in connection with ChAdOx1 nCov-19. We have identified three cases of sickle cell disease (SCD) experiencing a severe vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) shortly after the vaccine. Despite being stable for a long time, they had fever with tachycardia, along with a significant rise in WBC, liver enzymes, particularly alkaline phosphate, with a remarkable drop in hemoglobin, and platelets and one of them probably had fatal TTP like syndrome. Given these findings, physicians and patients should exercise caution when taking this type of vaccine and be aware of these safety concerns.

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The cytochrome P450 (CYP)4F2 gene is known to influence mean coumarin dose. The aim of the present study was to undertake a meta-analysis at the individual patients level to capture the possible effect of ethnicity, gene-gene interaction, or other drugs on the association and to verify if inclusion of CYP4F2*3 variant into dosing algorithms improves the prediction of mean coumarin dose. We asked the authors of our previous meta-analysis (30 articles) and of 38 new articles retrieved by a systematic review to send us individual patients' data. The final collection consists of 15,754 patients split into a derivation and validation cohort. The CYP4F2*3 polymorphism was consistently associated with an increase in mean coumarin dose (+9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 7-10%), with a higher effect in women, in patients taking acenocoumarol, and in white patients. The inclusion of the CYP4F2*3 in dosing algorithms slightly improved the prediction of stable coumarin dose. New pharmacogenetic equations potentially useful for clinical practice were derived.

Introduction: Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is the second most common inherited bleeding disorder. There is paucity of the literature describing the prevalence and clinical characteristics of VWD in this part of the world. The aim of the current study is to detect the prevalence, describe the spectrum of the different types of VWD, their mode of presentation, bleeding phenotype and outcome in Oman. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the 2 available referral tertiary care facilities in Oman namely; Sultan Qaboos University and the Royal Hospitals. The study included all children and adults diagnosed with VWD in Oman until June 2019. The patients were subtyped as per the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) criteria. Data was collected from the electronic hospital systems in both hospitals. Out of 700 entries of VWD in both hospitals, only 140 were true cases and 560 were tested negative but wrongly labelled. Patients or their next of ken were called and interviewed to obtain the necessary information that was not documented in the electronic system. Results: A total of 140 patients are confirmed to have VWD giving a prevalence of 1:20000. Fifty eight patients are males (41.5%), 82 patients are females (58.5%). Sixty six patients have type I (47%), 38 patients have type II (27%) and 36 patients have type III (26%). The majority of patients 90 (64%) were diagnosed before the age of 20 years and 62 of them (68%) had positive family history of the disease. The most common presentation was recurrent unexplained bruising. As expected, patients with type III tend to have a significant bleeding phenotype with a bleeding score more than 5 in adults and 3 for paediatric patients. All of them were admitted to hospital at some point electively (for surgery) or for bleeding control, however, they were not put on prophylaxis. None of the patients had serious or intra-cranial bleeding. Conclusion: Von Willebrand Disease is not uncommon in Oman with an overall prevalence of 1:20000, however, it is much less than what was originally reported in previous studies in developing countries and the WFH website. The majority of patients are type 1 and have a positive family history of the disease. The disease is more common in females. All patients with type III have abnormal bleeding score and required VW factor replacement at one point. None of the patients had a serious bleed and they are not on prophylaxis. Keywords: Von Willebrand disease, Prevalence, Oman. Disclosures Al-Khabori: AstraZeneca: Honoraria; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Novartis: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; SOBI: Honoraria; NovoNardisk: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Shire (Takeda): Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Servier: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.