- Browse by Author
Browsing by Author "AlBahrani, Salma"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 10
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item A case report of Mpox (Monkeypox) in male traveler(Elsevier, 2023) AlBahrani, Salma; AlGarzai, Ruba; Aljunaid, Thamir O.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineItem Carbapenem use correlates with percentage of patients with COVID-19 in intensive care units(Springer, 2023) AlBahrani, Salma; Almogbel, Feras; Alanazi, Wafa; Almutairi, Saleh Hamdi; Alanazi, Mohammed; Maximos, Sameh; Azaiez, Faten; Osman, Assim; Almuthen, Sharifah; Jebakumar, Arulanantham Zechariah; Al‑Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground: The first wave of COVID-19 pandemic may have significantly impacted antimicrobial consumption in hospitals. The objective of this study was to assess the evolution of carbapenem consumption and describe the implemented measures during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We calculated carbapenem consumption for all the hospital and for intensive care units (ICU) for three periods: baseline (before COVID-19 cases, January 2019-February 2020), and the period of COVID-19 cases as a pre-intervention (March-August 2020) and a post-intervention phase (September 2020-December 2021). Results: During the study period, the percentage of admitted COVID-19 patients increased in the months of April-August of 2020 (pre-intervention period) from 5 to 26% of total admitted patients. The consumption of carbapenems (DDD/1000 patient days) increased from a mean of 67.1 at baseline to 142.9 pre-intervention. In ICUS, there was an increase in the mean from 125.7 to 240.8 DDD/1000 patient days. After interventions, the DDD/1000 patient days decreased by 49.5% overall the hospital and by 36% in ICUs. For the post-intervention period, there was a correlation between COVID-19 cases and carbapenem usage in the ICU but not the overall hospital. Conclusion: An increase in the antimicrobial consumption during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic was noticed, especially in the ICU. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential to reduce consumption rate.Item Clinical features and outcome of human Mpox (Monkeypox) in Saudi Arabia: An observational study of travel-related cases(Elsevier, 2023) Assiri, Abdullah M.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Jokhdar, Hani A.; Algwizani, Abdullah R.; Albarraq, Ahmed M.; Alanazi, Khalid H.; Alamri, Ahlam H.; Almohammadi, Emad L.; Abuhasan, Musallam Y.; Alserehi, Haleema A.; Rebh, Fatimah Z.; Alrossais, Amirah; Alawad, Eman; AlBahrani, Salma; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground: The 2022 Monkeypox virus (Mpox) outbreak had involved multiple countries around the globe. Here, we report clinical features and outcome of human Mpox of the first cases in Saudi Arabia. Methods: We obtained records of confirmed Mpox cases in Saudi Arabia from the public electronic health information system, Health Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN) and the healthcare providers completed a de-identified structured clinical data collection form. Results: The reported seven cases were travel-related and all were males between 24 and 41 years of age (mean age + SD) was 30.14 (+ 6.69) years. Of the cases, three (43 %) had heterosexual contact and the others had other intimate encounters while traveling abroad. They presented with skin lesions (100 %), fever (86 %), and lymphadenopathy (71 %). The illness was mild to moderate, did not require antiviral medications, and lasted 7-15 days. The mean duration of skin rash (+ SD) was 10 (+ 2.68) days. Routine laboratory tests (CBC, BUN, serum electrolytes, and liver enzymes) were within normal limits, and initial screening for HIV was negative. Expanded contact tracing did not reveal secondary cases of Mpox in the community or the healthcare setting. Conclusion: The current study showed heterosexual transmission of Mpox and the clinical course was mild and non-complicated. Therefore, clinicians and public health professionals should consider Mpox among individuals presenting with skin rash especially in the context of the investigation of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.Item Clinical Features and Outcome of Low and High Corticosteroids in Admitted COVID-19 Patients(Atlantis Press, 2021-09) AlBahrani, Salma; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Jebakumar, Arulanantham Zachariah; Alghamdi, Mohammed; Zakary, Nawaf; Seria, Mariam; Alrowis, Abdulrahman; Medicine, School of MedicineIntroduction: There is no specific anti-viral therapies for 2019 Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) infection. Here, we compared patients receiving steroids at different dosages versus no steroids in severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Methods: We retrospectively studied COVID-19 patients who received low-dose or high-dose corticosteroid therapy...Item Clinical Presentation and Outcome of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 in the First and Second Waves in Saudi Arabia(Elsevier, 2022-05) AlBahrani, Salma; AlAhmadi, Nayef; Hamdan, Safa; Elsheikh , Noura; Osman, Assim; Almuthen , Sharifah; Almajed , Ghadeer N.; Alkhuraim , Arwa H.; Jebakumar, Arulanantham Zechariah; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineIntroduction The world had witnessed the occurrence of multiple waves of the SARS-CoV-2. Data comparing the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized patients in Saudi Arabia during the first and second waves are lacking. This study compares the characteristics and the outcomes of patients in these 2 waves. Methods This is a retrospective case series of hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2. We compared epidemiological, demographic, laboratory, and clinical data. Results The study included hospitalized patients admitted up to February 28, 2021 as the first wave and those admitted from March 1, 2021 as the second wave. There were 378 patients in the first wave and 241 patients in the second wave. Patients in the first wave were significantly younger (mean age and SD of 47.5 ± 20 vs 55.3 ± 18.2 years; p <0.001). In relation to symptoms, shortness of breath, wheezes, myalgia, tachypnea, and respiratory distress were significantly more common in the second wave than the first wave. On the other hand, sore throat was more common in the first wave than the second wave. Patients in the second wave had higher mean values of lymphocytes count, platelet counts, and ALT than those in the first wave. Patients in the first wave were more likely to receive antibiotics and antiviral therapy and had higher death rate (16.2% vs 8.4%; p = 0.001). Conclusion The study showed that patients in the second wave were younger and had a lower rate of death than the first wave.Item COVID-19 and mucormycosis superinfection: the perfect storm(Springer, 2021-07) Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Alhumaid, Saad; Alshukairi, Alshukairi; Temsah, Mohamad-Hani; Barry, Mazin; Al Mutair, Abbas; Rabaan, Ali A.; Al-Omari, Awadh; Tirupathi, Raghavendra; AlQahtani, Manaf; AlBahrani, Salma; Dhama, Kuldeep; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground The recent emergence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) disease had been associated with reports of fungal infections such as aspergillosis and mucormycosis especially among critically ill patients treated with steroids. The recent surge in cases of COVID-19 in India during the second wave of the pandemic had been associated with increased reporting of invasive mucormycosis post COVID-19. There are multiple case reports and case series describing mucormycosis in COVID-19. Purpose In this review, we included most recent reported case reports and case-series of mucormycosis among patients with COVID-19 and describe the clinical features and outcome. Results Many of the mucormycosis reports were eported from India, especially in COVID-19 patients who were treated and recovered patients. The most commonly reported infection sites were rhino-orbital/rhino-cerebral mucormycosis. Those patients were diabetic and had corticosteroids therapy for controlling the severity of COVID-19, leading to a higher fatality in such cases and complicating the pandemic scenario. The triad of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), corticosteroid use and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus have been evident for significant increase in the incidence of angioinvasive maxillofacial mucormycosis. In addition, the presence of spores and other factors might play a role as well. Conclusion With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and increasing number of critically ill patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, it is important to develop a risk-based approach for patients at risk of mucormycosis based on the epidemiological burden of mucormycosis, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, COVID-19 disease severity and use of immune modulating agents including the combined use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents in patients with cancer and transplants.Item COVID-19 vaccine had a significant positive impact on patients with SARS-COV-2 during the third (Omicron) wave in Saudi Arabia(Elsevier, 2022) AlBahrani, Salma; AlBarrak, Ali; Al-Musawi, Tariq; AlGubaisi, Nawal Ali; Almalki, Maram; Hakami, Fatimah H.; Alghamdi, Turki; AlBeiuruti, Zena; Alkhrashi, Sausan; Almershad, Meshael; Alzahrani, Samira; AlQuraiaan, Amerah; AlTourifi, Helmy; Jebakumar, Arulanantham Zechariah; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineIntroduction: The third (Omicron) wave had caused significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases around the globe. The severity of the disease dependeds on the extent of the vaccination status. Methods: This is a retrospective study of infected COVID-19 patients during the third (Omicron) wave in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 400 patients were included with 220 (55 %) males and 180 (45 %) females, and a mean age (+/- SD) of 36.34 + 16.47 years. The most common presenting symptoms were: sore throat 159 (39.8 %), cough 158 (39.5 %), fever 132 (33 %), headache 122 (30.5 %), and muscle ache 124 (31%). There was no difference in underlying conditions, signs and symptoms between males and females apart from the occurrence of sore throat with an OR of 2.014 (95 % CI: 1.103-3.677, P = 0.023) and need of hospitalization OR 2.457 (95 % CI: 1.168-5.167, P value =.018) in a binary logistic regression comparison. The need for hospitalization was inversely related to the number of COVID-19 vaccination doses. The rate of admission was 8 (72.7 %), 34 (12 %), 4 (5.4 %) for one, two, and three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, respectively (P < 0.0001). Of all the patients, 14 (3.5 %) and 8 (2 %) required intensive care (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation, respectively. The median Ct-value of SARS-CoV-2 was higher in those who had 2 or 3 doses compared to those who had one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. None of the included patients died during the study period. Conclusion: Omicron variant symptoms among infected patients are generally milder compared to other variants. Prior COVID-19 vaccination may limit disease severity and need for hospitalization.Item Initial viral cycle threshold values in patients with COVID-19 and their clinical significance(BMC, 2022-06-28) AlBahrani, Salma; Alghamdi, Mohammed; Zakary, Nawaf; Jebakumar, Arulanantham Zechariah; AlZahrani, Samirah Jamaan; ElGezery, Mohamed Hany; Abdallah, Khaled Omar; Al‑Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineBackground: The connection between initial viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of the SARS-CoV-2 with symptoms and hospital course is not clearly studied. Methods: This is a retrospective study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from Jun 1st 2020 to March 30th, 2021 examining the relationship between initial viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of SARS-CoV-2 as obtained from nasopharyngeal samples. The clinical presentations and outcomes were analyzed in relation to the initial Ct values. Results: The study included 202 hospitalized COVID-19 patients with a mean age (± SD) of 54.75 (± 15.93) and 123 (60.9%) males and 79 (39.1%) females. Of all the patients, the most frequent comorbidity was diabetes mellitus (95; 47%) and the most frequent symptoms were fever (148; 73.3%) and cough (141; 69.8%). There was no significant difference in relation to underlying conditions, clinical presentation, radiographic and laboratory data among those with low, medium and high Ct values. The mean Ct values showed no statistical change over the 10-month study period. Conclusions: Initial SARS-CoV-2 Ct values did not show any association with clinical symptoms and did not predict the need for mechanical intubation or death.Item Pattern of cephalosporin and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa : a retrospective analysis(Elsevier, 2023-11-19) AlBahrani, Salma; Alqazih, Thikrayat Qazih; Aseeri, Ali Ahmad; Al Argan, Reem; Alkhafaji, Dania; Alrqyai, Nora Abdullah; Alanazi, Sami Mohamed; Aldakheel, Dima Saleh; Ghazwani, Qassim Hassan; Jalalah, Salah Saeed; Alshuaibi, Anwar Khalid; Hazzazi, Hanadi Ali; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineObjectives: Despite its financial cost on the world's health care system, Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance has been increasing. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the level of antimicrobial resistance to anti-pseudomonas medicines, specifically β-lactam medications such as cephalosporin and carbapenems. In addition, we evaluate the prevalence of multi-drug resistance to P. aeruginosa, particularly during the years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This retrospective analysis covered the period from January 2019 to December 2022 and included cephalosporin- and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates. The real-time polymerase chain reaction Genexpert test (CARBA-R kit) was used for the detection of genes responsible for carbapenemase resistance. Results: During the time of the study, 1815 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa were identified and 160 (9%) were resistant to carbapenems and cephalosporins. The resistance rates were 32.5% (13/597) in 2019, 11.2% (44/393) in 2020, 7% (26/369) in 2021, and 11% (50/456) in 2022. Of those isolates, multidrug-resistant rates were 6.7%, 86.3%, 57.7%, and 56%, per year over the study period. Using Genexpert test, 88 (93.6%) of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa were negative for carbapenemase genes. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the alarming patterns of carbapenem and cephalosporin resistance among P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Furhter surviellance from different centers and different regions is required.Item Self-reported long COVID-19 symptoms are rare among vaccinated healthcare workers(Elsevier, 2023) AlBahrani, Salma; AlBarrak, Ali; AlGubaisi, Nawal; Alkurdi, Hamoud; Alburaiki, Dalia; AlGhamdi, Abdulrahaman; AlOthaiqy, Mohammed; Tayeb, Sarah; Tayeb, Nesreen; Abdraboh, Salimah; Khairi, Amani; Alshareef, Lujain; AlHarbi, Asma; AlRabeeah, Saad; Alqahtani, Abdullah S.; Alqahtani, Jaber S.; Hakami, Fatimah Hassan; Al-Maqati, Thekra N.; Alkhrashi, Sausan Abdulrahman; Almershad, Meshael Musaed; AlAbbadi, Asmaa; Hakami, Mariam Hassan; Faqihi, Osama; Altawfiq, Kauthar Jaffar A.; Jebakumar, Arulanantham Zachariah; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Medicine, School of MedicineIntroduction: COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected healthcare workers (HCWs). Here, we evaluate the occurence of long-COVID-19 symtoms among HCWs. Methods: This is a questionnaire-based study of HCWs who had COVID-19 in two medical centers in Saudi Arabia and were mostly vaccinated. Results: The study included 243 HCWs with a mean age (+ SD) of 36.1 (+ 7.6) years. Of them, 223 (91.8%) had three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, 12 (4.9%) had four doses, and 5 (2.1%) had two doses. The most common symptoms at the start of the illness were cough (180, 74.1%), shortness of breath (124, 51%), muscle ache (117, 48.1%), headache (113, 46.5%), sore throat (111, 45.7%), diarrhea (109, 44.9%) and loss of taste (108, 44.4%). Symptoms lasted for< one week in 117 (48.1%),> one week and< 1 month in 89 (36.6%),> 2 months and< 3 months in 9 (3.7%), and> 3 months in 15 (6.2%). The main symptoms present> 3 months were hair loss (8, 3.3%), cough (5, 2.1%), and diarrhea (5, 2.1%). A binomial regression analysis showed no relationship between persistence of symptoms for> 3 months and other demographic or clinical symptoms characteristics. Conclusion: The study showed a low rate of the occurence of long-COVID> 3 months during the Omicron-wave among mostly vaccinated HCWs with no significant comorbidities. Furhter studies are needed to examine the effect of different vaccines on long-COVID-19 among HCWs.