Brucellosis: epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment-a comprehensive review.

Background: Brucellosis is a pervasive zoonotic disease caused by various Brucella species. It mainly affects livestock and wildlife and poses significant public health threats, especially in regions with suboptimal hygiene, food safety, and veterinary care standards. Human contractions occur by consuming contaminated animal products or interacting with infected animals. Objective: This study aims to provide an updated understanding of brucellosis, from its epidemiology and pathogenesis to diagnosis and treatment strategies. It emphasizes the importance of ongoing research, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration for effective disease control and prevention, highlighting its global health implications. Methods: Pathogenesis involves intricate interactions between bacteria and the host immune system, resulting in chronic infections characterized by diverse clinical manifestations. The diagnostic process is arduous owing to non-specific symptomatology and sampling challenges, necessitating a fusion of clinical and laboratory evaluations, including blood cultures, serological assays, and molecular methods. Management typically entails multiple antibiotics, although the rise in antibiotic-resistant Brucella strains poses a problem. Animal vaccination is a potential strategy to curb the spread of infection, particularly within livestock populations. Results: The study provides insights into the complex pathogenesis of brucellosis, the challenges in its diagnosis, and the management strategies involving antibiotic therapy and animal vaccination. It also highlights the emerging issue of antibiotic-resistant Brucella strains. Conclusions: In conclusion, brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease with implications for public health. Efforts should be directed towards improved diagnostic methods, antibiotic stewardship to combat antibiotic resistance, and developing and implementing effective animal vaccination programs. Interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing research are crucial for addressing the global health implications of brucellosis.

Current state of career placement and employment opportunities for Doctor of Pharmacy graduates: A cross-sectional analysis from a college of pharmacy, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Traditionally, graduates from colleges of pharmacy in Saudi Arabia work mainly in hospital settings, and only a few graduates work in other practice settings. However, several initiatives and national plans have recently been introduced to facilitate employment in community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry/companies. Consequently, the objectives of this study were to explore the current state of career placement, type of employment sectors, and practice settings that Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) graduates join based on recent developments in the profession. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, descriptive study. The target population was PharmD graduates from Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. Consequently, all 162 graduates from three recent cohorts (2018-2020) were contacted to participate in this survey. Results: A total of 157 graduates participated in this study, yielding a response rate of 96.91 %. Of the participants, 92 (58.6 %) were female graduates. The overall rate of employment was 84.7 %. Moreover, a higher proportion of male graduates than female graduates (97.1 % versus 73.7 %, P = 0.006) were employed. In this study, the three main sectors that the graduates joined were the pharmaceutical industry and companies (41.2 %), community pharmacies (29.4 %), and medical cities, hospitals and clinics (23.5 %). In addition, almost the same proportions of male and female graduates joined the pharmaceutical industry and companies (40.3 % versus 42.1 %). However, a higher proportion of male graduates than female graduates joined community pharmacies (32.3 % versus 26.3 %). Conversely, a higher proportion of female graduates joined medical cities, hospitals and clinics compared to male graduates (28.1 % versus 19.4 %). Conclusion: The current employment of PharmD graduates in the job market is generally high, but further improvement could be made, especially for female graduates. Moreover, the study findings showed that jobs are shifting toward community pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, we believe that decision-makers in pharmacy education and curriculum developers must consider these trends and ensure that there is adequate preparation for careers in community pharmacy practice and other sectors of the profession in the curriculum.

Rate and risk factors of recurrent tuberculosis in Yemen: a 5-year prospective study.

Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health concern in Yemen. Recurrence of tuberculosis complicates the situation further, and has severe negative economic and health consequences. This study estimated the tuberculosis recurrence rate during a 5-year follow-up period, and identified risk factors associated with recurrence.Methods: This was a prospective study with a 5-year follow-up period conducted at health centres with tuberculosis units in ten governorates. Participants were prospectively enrolled in the study from July 2007 to June 2008, with the last patient completing treatment on March 15, 2009.Results: A cohort of 814 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis completed treatment and was followed-up for five years. During the follow-up, 3.4% (n = 28) died and 4.3% (n = 35) were lost to the study, giving a final cohort of 751 patients. The mean age ± standard deviation was 32 ± 13 years. Males represented 57.6% of the subjects. The overall recurrence rate of tuberculosis was 9.5% (71/751), with significant variation between subgroups of patients (range = 7-25.8%). The highest recurrence rates were found in patients with diabetes (25.8%, p < .001), non-adherent patients (22%, p < .001), smokers (16.1%, p = .010), patients with cavitary lung disease (14.4%, p = .004), patients with weight gain ≤5% during the intensive phase (13.3%, p < .001) and unemployed patients (11.9%, p = .017). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, these risk factors were independently associated with recurrent tuberculosis: diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 3.78, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.84-7.80), non-adherence (aOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.76-5.87), weight gain ≤5% (aOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.39-4.55), smoking (aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.07-4.47), presence of lung cavitation (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.16-3.46), and unemployment (aOR 2.15, 95% CI 1.16-4.01).Conclusion: The recurrence rate of tuberculosis in Yemen was high. The presence of risk factors in newly diagnosed patients should alert healthcare professionals. As most of risk factors were modifiable, the World Health Organisation model of patient-centered care in tuberculosis treatment should be promoted in all tuberculosis centres in the country.