Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in south western, Saudi Arabia.

This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women in the south western region of Saudi Arabia and to find out the possible risk factors that may lead to infection. This cross sectional hospital based study was carried out at three hospitals in the south western region of Saudi Arabia from January 2008 to August 2010. Blood samples from 487 pregnant women were collected and used to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies IgM and IgG by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A questionnaire interview was carried out to ask about some risk factors of infection. Among the 487 studied pregnant women, 38.8 % were seropositive for anti T. gondii IgG while 6.2 % were positive for anti T. gondii IgM and 3.3 % were positive for both anti T. gondii IgG & IgM. The only risk factor associated with seropositive anti T. gondii IgM was the history of the intake of immunosuppressive drugs. Regarding anti T. gondii IgG seropositivity, it was found to increase significantly with increased age, number of gravida and parities, and previous history of toxoplasmosis. The seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG & IgM by ELISA among pregnant women in the south western region of Saudi Arabia is considerable with few identifiable significant risk factors reported.

Rift Valley fever among children and adolescents in southwestern Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus has expanded its geographical range, reaching Asia in 2000. This work investigated RVF seroprevalence among children born after the 2000-2001 outbreak in Saudi Arabia and compared it with the seroprevalence of adolescents born before the outbreak. DESIGN: In a seroepidemiological study in southwestern Saudi Arabia (Jazan, Aseer, and Al-Qunfuda), a random sample of 389 children and adolescents was investigated. Data were collected regarding the subjects' sociodemographic status, housing conditions, and animal contact. Blood samples were collected and tested for RVF-specific IgG and IgM. RESULTS: None of the study samples were found to be seropositive for anti-RVF virus IgM. None of the study subjects aged 1-8 years (born after the outbreak) were positive for RVF-specific IgG. In contrast, 14 subjects (4.8%) aged 9-19 years (born before the outbreak) were positive for RVF-specific IgG. Among adolescents in our study, 4.9% were positive for anti-RVF IgG. This study showed that among adolescents, a history of contact with aborted animals (aOR=13.361, 95% CI=5.091-35.072) and transporting aborted animals (aOR=18.861, 95% CI=11.125-31.622) were significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low virus activity recently reported among animals, neither clinically apparent RVF infections nor outbreaks among humans have been documented, indicating that the control measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health are effective.

Hand hygiene non-compliance among intensive care unit health care workers in Aseer Central Hospital, south-western Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: Hand hygiene is the undisputed single most effective infection control measure. The purpose of the current study was to measure the degree of compliance with hand hygiene practices among health care workers in intensive care facilities at Aseer Central Hospital (ACH), south-western Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Data were collected by direct observation of health care workers in intensive care units delivering routine care, using the standardized World Health Organization method for direct observation "Five moments for hand hygiene" approach. Observations were made during February-April 2011, by well-trained infection control nurses during their routine visits to the units. The moment the observer identified an indication, it was counted as an opportunity to which there should be a corresponding positive or negative action (hand washing). RESULTS: The present study included 536 opportunities (observations) collected from the intensive care unit (ICU), intermediate care unit (IMCU), cardiac care unit (CCU), and pediatric care unit (PICU) of ACH. Observations covered 179 nurses and 34 physicians working in these units. Overall, hand hygiene non-compliance was observed in 41.0%. The study showed that events before contact with the patient (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 6.575, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.461-9.691), being a physician (aOR 1.712, 95% CI 1.126-2.989), and work in the IMCU (aOR 2.140, 95% CI 1.202-3.811) were significant risk factors for hand hygiene non-compliance in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The observed high figures of hand hygiene non-compliance warrant intensifying education to promote local hand hygiene and training programs to help embed efficient and effective hand hygiene into all elements of care delivery in the intensive care units of ACH.

Seroprevalence of dengue virus infection in Aseer and Jizan regions, Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: The objectives were to measure seroprevalence of dengue virus (DENV) infection in Southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia and the potential risk factors. METHODS: Two areas in Jizan region and four areas in Aseer region were randomly selected. A random sample of patients attending the outpatients' clinics of the relevant hospitals was included. Blood samples were taken and tested for DENV-specific IgG antibodies. RESULTS: The study included 965 persons. A seroprevalence of 31.7 % (306/965) for DENV specific IgG was found. In logistic regression analysis, the following significant risk factors were identified: age ≥20 years, being male, lack of electricity and having water basins in the house. CONCLUSION: The study reported the first and the largest seroprevalence study of DENV infection in south-western Saudi Arabia. The relatively high seroprevalence of DENV infection in the study area indicates that it is endemic in the region. Strong and effective health education programs in the study region will help to control DENV infection and public should be discouraged from having indoor water basins. Furthermore, the public should be encouraged to protect themselves from mosquito bites.

Rift Valley Fever in Southwestern Saudi Arabia: a sero-epidemiological study seven years after the outbreak of 2000-2001.

The objective of the present study was to measure seroepidemiology of Rift Valley Fever virus infection in the Southwestern regions of Saudi Arabia and to determine the potential risk factors leading to Rift Valley Fever virus infection. Through a series of field trips to the study area (Jizan, Aseer and Al-Qunfuda), a random sample of the general population (patients and their relatives) attending the outpatients' clinics for any reasons were included. Through questionnaire interviews, data were collected regarding their sociodemographic status, housing conditions, animal contact and other relevant information. Blood samples were taken and tested for RVF-specific IgG and IgM utilizing commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Out of 2322 persons included in the study, only 139 were positive for RVF-specific IgG thus giving an overall prevalence of 6.0%. On the other hand, none of the study samples were found to be sero-positive to RVF-specific IgM. The study revealed zero prevalence of specific IgM and IgG among pre-school children born after the 2000-2001 outbreaks. Using multivariate binary logistic regression analysis to identify potential risk factors associated with sero-positive RVF IgG, the following significant risk factors were identified: lack of electricity, having animals in the house, history of slaughtering animals, contact with or transporting aborted animals. The study documented the lack of recent RVF activity among humans in the study areas since the outbreak of 2000 and therefore, the rigorous control measures undertaken together with fostering public health messages in the region should be maintained to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission as a result of unsafe animal husbandry and slaughtering practices.