Introduction The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had resulted in an unpresented global pandemic. In the initial events, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia implemented mandatory quarantine of returning travelers in order to contain COVID-19 cases. Materials and methods This is a longitudinal study of the arriving travelers to Quarantine facilities and the prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 as detected by RT-PCR. Results During the study period, there was a total of 1928 returning travelers with 1273 (66%) males. The age range was 28 days–69 years. Of all the travelers, 23 (1.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of the first swab, 14/1928 (0.7%) tested positive. The positivity rate was 0.63% and 0.92% among males and females, respectively (P = 0.57). The second swab was positive in 9 (0.5%) of the other 1914 who were initially negative with a positivity rate of 0.39% and 0.62% among males and females, respectively (P = 0.49). There was no statistical difference in the positivity rates between first and second swab (P = 0.4). Of all travelers, 40 (n = 26, 1.3%) were admitted from the quarantine facility to the hospital due to COVID-19 related positive results or development of symptoms such as fever, cough, and respiratory symptoms; and 14 (0.7%) were admitted due to non-COVID-19 related illness. Conclusion This study showed the efforts put for facility quarantine and that such activity yielded a lower incidence of positive cases. There was a need to have a backup healthcare facility to accommodate those developing a medical need for evaluation and admission for non-COVID-19 related illnesses.
Background: Serologic testing provides better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and its transmission. This study was an investigation of the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors in Saudi Arabia. Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in Saudi Arabia during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Serology results and epidemiological data were analyzed for 837 adult blood donors, with no confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, in Saudi Arabia from 20th to 25th May 2020. Seroprevalence was determined using electrochemical immunoassay to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Results: The overall seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was 1.4% (12/837). Non-citizens had higher seroprevalence compared with citizens (OR 13.6, p = 0.001). Secondary education was significantly associated with higher seroprevalence compared with higher education (OR 6.8, p = 0.005). The data showed that the highest seroprevalence was in Makkah (8.1%). Uisng Makkah seroprevalence as the reference, the seroprevalence in other areas was: Madinah 4.1% (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.12À1.94), Jeddah 2.3% (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.31À2.25), and Qassim 2.9 % (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.04À2.89) and these were not statistically different from seroprevalence in the Makkah region. Conclusions: At the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia, the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among blood donors was low, but was higher among non-citizens. These findings may indicate that non-citizens and less educated individuals may be less attentive to preventive measures. Monitoring seroprevalence trends over time require repeated sampling.
Fenestrated vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms are rare vascular lesions. Microsurgical intervention is extremely difficult due to the complex anatomy in the vicinity of these aneurysms. Endovascular neurosurgery appears to be safe and should be considered as the first modality of treatment. This case study details the treatment of an unruptured fusiform fenestrated vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm with endovascular occlusion with stent-assisted coiling. The optimal angiographic exposure and selective microcatheterization of the aneurysm were challenging due to the patient’s body habitus, and the aneurysm was large with one dominant fenestrated limb.
Introduction The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had caused an increased burden on healthcare organizations. Thus, a new strategy is needed to ensure all COVID-19 positive cases are followed up appropriately, receive the proper medical and psychological support, and comply with the isolation guidelines. Here, we describe the characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients who were managed at home. In addition, we describe the differences between asymptomatic and those with mild symptoms. Materials and Methods This is descriptive study of all COVID-19 positive cases who were monitored utilizing the home care concept. Results During the study period from June 8 to October 18, 2020, there were a total of 5368 COVID-19 patients who were referred to the home isolation/monitoring program. Of those, 2397 (45%) were female and 2971 (55%) were male. Of the total cases, 295 (5%) required hospital admission, 45 (1%) were admitted to zone 2, and the majority 5028 (94%) were continued in the home monitoring till recovery. Of the total cases, 3137 (59%) were asymptomatic and the remaining 41% were symptomatic. Asymptomatic patients in comparison to symptomatic patients showed significant differences in relation to age, gender, being healthcare workers, and the presence of significant medical conditions. However, a logistic regression analysis showed that only age and the presence of diabetes mellitus were associated with the presence of symptoms. The mean age ( + SD) of those who required hospital admission was higher than those who were discharged or cared for in zone 2. Conclusion The utilization of home monitoring program was effective and safe in patients who were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms.
Patient: Male, 84Final Diagnosis: Eosinophilic cholangitisSymptoms: Abdominal pain • fatigue • fever • loss of appetite • nausea • vomiting • weight lossMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Left hepatectomy with caudate lobe resectionSpecialty: Gastroenterology and HepatologyObjective:Rare diseaseBackground:A variety of benign etiologies of biliary stricture may initially be mistaken for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Consequently, many patients undergo surgery for a benign disease that could have been treated medically. Eosinophilic cholangitis (EC) is an uncommon, benign, self-limiting disease that should be considered when approaching a case of obstructive jaundice since it causes biliary stricture formation. Transmural eosinophilic infiltration of the biliary tree is characteristic of EC. It may initially be indistinguishable from hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Case Report:We present a rare case of an 84-year-old male who was referred to our hospital for abdominal mass investigation with the provisional diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. During the workup, the index of suspicion for malignancy remained high as the typical laboratory and radiological findings for benign causes of biliary stricture were not present. Hence, the patient underwent left hepatectomy with caudate lobe resection and received a retrograde diagnosis of EC.Conclusions:This case demonstrates that EC could present in the elderly with cardinal signs of cancer and absence of the typical findings of EC which was not previously reported. Since only 70% of patients present with peripheral eosinophilia, we stress on the importance of implementing diagnostic criteria for EC in the setting where peripheral eosinophilia is absent. Furthermore, this disorder has been reported to respond well to steroid therapy, hence, diagnostic criteria for EC would provide another treatment option for elderly and/or those who are not fit for surgery.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.