Burkholderia pseudomallei Septic Arthritis of the Knee Joint: Report of a Third Imported Case in Oman.

Melioidosis is a severe disease that can affect humans and animals. It is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is an environmental aerobic gram negative bacteria. Despite being endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, many cases have been reported from different regions, including the Middle East. This is the third imported case of B. pseudomallei from Oman in a 46-year-old Indian male with left knee septic arthritis in less than three weeks after arrival in Oman. He underwent open arthrotomy, and his synovial fluid culture grew a bacteria with dry, pink colonies that were oxidase positive, susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic, identified by API NE as B. pseudomallei, and confirmed by molecular tests. This single case report highlights the urgent need to increase molecular diagnostic capacity and improve public health surveillance while maintaining a one health tripartite approach.

The role of supporting services in driving SARS-CoV-2 transmission within healthcare settings: A multicenter seroprevalence study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in healthcare workers (HCWs) based on risk of exposure to COVID-19 patients. METHOD: This was a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence cross-sectional study in risk-stratified HCWs randomly selected from three main district hospitals in Oman. RESULTS: 1078 HCWs were included, with an overall SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 21%. The seropositivity rates in low-, variable-, and high-risk groups were 29%, 18%, and 17%, respectively (p-value < 0.001). The study found higher positivity in males (crude odds ratio [COR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-2.3), and workers residing in high-prevalence areas (COR 2.09, 95% CI 1.42-3.07). Compared with doctors, workers from supporting services, administration staff, and nurses were more likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (COR 9.81, 95% CI 5.26-18.27; 2.37, 95% CI 1.23-4.58; 2.08 95% CI 1.14-3.81). The overall rate of previously undetected infection was 12%, with higher values in low-risk HCWs. High district prevalence was a driving factor for seropositivity in the low-risk group (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.36, 95% CI 1.0-5.59). CONCLUSION: Low-risk supporting services workers can drive SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hospitals. More attention and innovation within this area will enhance the safety of health care during epidemics/pandemics.

Two cases of cholera O1 in South Batinah, Oman, April 2019: lessons learned.

Cholera represents an ongoing threat to many low-income and middle-income countries, but some cases of cholera even occur in high-income countries. Therefore, to prevent or combat cholera outbreaks, it is necessary to maintain the capacity to rapidly detect cholera cases, implement infection control measures, and improve general hygiene in terms of the environment, water, and food. The 2 cases, 1 imported and 1 secondary, described herein are broadly indicative of areas that require improvement. These cases were missed at the primary health care stage, which should be the first detection point even for unusual diseases such as cholera, and the absence of strict infection control practices at the primary care level is believed to contribute to secondary cases of infection. This report also encourages countries to ensure that rapid diagnostic stool tests are available to enable quick detection, as well as to provide information to people travelling to areas where cholera is endemic.