Assessing the Anxiety and Knowledge about Monkeypox Virus: A Cross-Sectional Cohort Study.

Introduction Recent cases of human monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections have raised global health concerns, as sporadic instances have occurred in various regions, prompting investigations into the potential for increased transmission. This underscores the importance of effective communication strategies in addressing the emerging challenges associated with this viral ailment. The study was conducted to understand public anxiety and knowledge related to MPXV infection, particularly in the context of emerging infectious diseases. Our aims included assessing anxiety levels and knowledge about monkeypox infection among the Saudi population, as well as their willingness to receive vaccinations if available. Methods A cross-sectional cohort study among the adult Saudi population was conducted. A questionnaire with four sections, including demographic data and disease knowledge, comprised optimized questions of the standard generalized anxiety disorder assessment (GAD-7) as well as questions related to acceptance of getting the vaccine if it could be afforded. Results Out of a total of 5298 participants, 927 (17.5%) showed different degrees of GAD-7 anxiety. Females showed a significantly higher rate of anxiety (487/2189, 22.2%) than males (440/3109, 14.2%). People aged 46 to 55 and >55 years old showed significantly higher rates of anxiety (30.7% and 27.2%). There is an overall decrease in knowledge and awareness about the MPXV. Interestingly, 59% of the participants admitted that they would get the MPXV vaccine if it were made available. There was a positive correlation between the anxiety level and the response of people toward the MPXV vaccine if it were available. Conclusion Our study underscores a significant level of anxiety and a notable lack of awareness concerning MPXV infection. Although a substantial number of participants expressed their willingness to receive an MPXV vaccine, our findings emphasize the pressing need for improved public education and awareness campaigns to alleviate anxiety levels and enhance understanding of this infectious disease. This effort is crucial for mitigating health concerns and facilitating well-informed decision-making among the Saudi population.

A pregnant women with history of hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: the first case report.

BACKGROUND: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a benign, self-limiting disorder characterized by regional lymphadenopathy. Clinical symptoms range from mild fever and tenderness to upper respiratory syndrome. A few cases have been observed during pregnancy or Hashimoto's disease. What we describe here is the first observed case of KFD in a pregnant woman with a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old woman presented to Aleppo University Hospital during the 13th week of gestation with a painful cervical node on the right side of her neck. The patient's previous medical history confirmed Hashimoto's thyroiditis for several years. After histopathological examinations and radiological investigations, she was diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and treated with corticosteroids. Although the patient did not adhere to the treatment very well due to her concerns for the fetus, the clinical picture improved after delivery. The patient now is on follow-up and continuing the current treatment with corticosteroids. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigations need to be conducted to understand the possible autoimmune etiology of KFD when it is associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis disease. It is also necessary to understand the relationship between this disease and pregnancy.

Role of free style Libre-Flash Glucose Monitoring: Glycemic control of Type-1 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Type-1 diabetics (T1D) usually do not meet guidelines for glycaemic control. This study aimed to determine the benefit of free style libre-flash glucose monitoring system (FSL-FGM) in lowering glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in poorly controlled T1D patients. METHODS: This prospective two single arm clinical study included 273 T1D patients, and data collected at one, six and 18 months with concomitant extraction of samples for HbA1c basal and at six and 18 months. The study was conducted in Prince Mansour Military Hospital at Taif, Saudi Arabia from June 2017 to November 2018. RESULTS: HbA1c % was significantly diminished in patients used FSL-FGM at 6 and 18 months. The median percentage difference in HbA1c at 6 and 18 months versus basal was significantly decreased in those using FSL-FGM. Within diabetics using FSL-FGM, the median difference in HbA1c after 18 months was significantly decreased in patients with HbA1c >10% compared to those with HbA1c <10%. Estimated HbA1c by FSL showed a significant correlation with HbA1C assayed in the blood. The snapshot information showed a highly significant difference in average glucose with low significant difference in hypoglycemia parameters. The FSL-FGM provides significant changes in HbA1c in diabetic patients without observed risk for hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: The dynamic way of blood glucose monitoring using FSL-FGM provides improvement in HbA1c in diabetic patients without observed risk for hypoglycemia.

The Potential Role of PTPN-22 C1858T Gene Polymorphism in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes in Saudi Population.

BACKGROUND: Recent investigations have reported an association between protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type-22 (PTPN-22) gene polymorphism and susceptibility to the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in some populations and not in others. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of PTPN-22 C1858T polymorphism with T1D in Saudi children. METHODS: A cohort of 372 type 1 diabetic children and 372 diabetes-free subjects was enrolled in the current investigation. The PTPN-22 C1858T polymorphism was identified using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: Our data showed that the frequency of CT and TT genotypes of PTPN-22 C1858T was higher in T1D children (17.7% and 4.3%, respectively) compared to healthy controls (4.8% and 1.6%, respectively), and both genotypes were statistically associated with T1D patients (OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 2.55-7.58, p < 0.001; and OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.23-8.28, p = 0.017, respectively). Moreover, the 1858T allele was significantly associated with T1D patients compared to the C allele (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.59-6.88, p < 0.001). In addition, the T allele was significantly associated with elevated levels of HbA1c, anti-GAD, and anti-insulin antibodies (p < 0.001) and a lower concentration of C-peptide (p < 0.001) in T1D children. CONCLUSION: The data presented here suggests that the T allele of PTPN-22 C1858T polymorphism might be a risk factor for T1D development in Saudi children.

Association of IL-37 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Saudi subjects.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. IL-37, a novel member of the IL-1 family, has anti-inflammatory activity. Various cytokine genes polymorphisms are reportedly associated with susceptibility to TB infection. However, an association between genetic variations in the IL-37 gene and susceptibility to TB infection has not been investigated. The aim of this case-control study was therefore to identify such an association in Saudi subjects, in which five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-37 gene were assessed. Serum concentrations of IL-37 were evaluated using ELISA, and genetic variants genotyped by multiplex PCR and ligase detection reaction. It was found that the C/C genotype of rs2723176 (-6962 A/C) occurs significantly more frequently in patients with active TB and that the C allele of this SNP is associated with TB. In addition, the C allele of rs2723176 SNP was associated with high circulating concentrations of IL-37. However, the genotype and allele frequency of the other four SNPs (rs3811046, rs3811047, rs2723186 and rs2723187) were not significantly associated with TB infection. In conclusion, the present data suggest that rs2723176 SNP of IL-37 is involved in the development of TB infection. Furthermore, high circulating concentrations of IL-37 may have a negative effect on protective immunity against TB infection.

Sequence Diversity of VP4 and VP7 Genes of Human Rotavirus Strains in Saudi Arabia.

Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavirus vaccines are used to control the disease in many countries. In the current study, the sequences of human rotavirus G and P types in Saudi Arabia are reported and compared to different relevant published sequences. In addition, the VP4 and VP7 genes of the G1P[8] strains are compared to different antigenic epitopes of the rotavirus vaccines. Stool samples were collected from children under 2 years suffering from severe diarrhea. Screening of the rotavirus-positive samples was performed with rapid antigen detection kit. RNA was amplified from rotavirus-positive samples by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for both VP4 and VP7 genes. Direct sequencing of the VP4 and VP7 genes was conducted and the obtained sequences were compared to each other and to the rotavirus vaccines. Both G1P[8] G1P[4] genotypes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected strains belong to G1 lineage 1 and 2, P[8] lineage 3, and to P[4] lineage 5. Multiple amino acid substitutions were detected between the Saudi RVA strains and the commonly used vaccines. The current findings emphasize the importance of the continuous surveillance of the circulating rotavirus strains, which is crucial for monitoring virus evolution and helping in predicting the protection level afforded by rotavirus vaccines.

Antimicrobial and immunomodulating activities of hesperidin and ellagic acid against diarrheic Aeromonas hydrophila in a murine model.

AIMS: The present study is designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo bactericidal and immunomodulating activities of hesperidin (HES) and ellagic acid (EA) against Aeromonas hydrophila. A hydrophila, an uncommon human pathogen, can cause invasive infections in immunocompromised individuals and common clinical presentations in acute gastrointestinal illness, soft-tissue infections and sepsis. The antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants against A. hydrophila have received only cursory attention. METHODS: We examined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values in vitro. Moreover, the effects of HES and EA against bacterial colonization were studied in vivo. Also, humoral immune response was tested against A. hydrophila-LPS or A. hydrophila-ECP antigen preparations and the intestinal histopathological alterations were studied. RESULTS: Data revealed that the treatments with HES and EA each had antimicrobial activities against A. hydrophila. Both HES and EA treatments significantly increased anti-LPS IgM levels and reduced anti-LPS and anti-ECP IgA levels to their normal values in comparison to the infected group, which recorded significantly elevated levels two week post-infection. In conclusion, the present data suggest that HES and EA have antimicrobial and immunomodulating activities against murine A. hydrophila infections. SIGNIFICANT: These data warrant clinical studies to delineate HES and EA roles in human infectious diseases.