Introduction: Presence of Clostridioides difficile in stool of food birds and animals is a risk for contamination of their meats to become potential sources of human infection. The main virulence factors of C. difficile are its resistance to antibiotics, production of toxins and spores. As far as I know, this is the first study to evaluate C. difficile prevalence in chicken meats, its toxigenic activities and antibiotics sensitivity patterns in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: Totally, 250 raw chicken meat samples were examined. Standard microbiological and biochemical procedures were used for C. difficile isolation and identification. The suspected colonies were tested by L-proline and C. difficile test kits then confirmed by Vitek 2 compact system. Xpect C. difficile toxin A/B test was used to detect A/B toxins production. Antibiotics susceptibility patterns were detected by Epsilon tests. Results: C. difficile was isolated from 11/250 (4.40%) chicken meat samples; 5/65 (7.69%) legs, 3/65 (4.61%) thighs, 2/60 (3.33%) wings and 1/60 (1.67%) breasts (p = 0.4). All isolates were non-toxigenic. Although all isolates were vancomycin sensitive, some isolates were intermediate/resistant to metronidazole, tetracycline, clindamycin or moxifloxacin antibiotics with variable degrees. Conclusions: C. difficile might contaminate retail chicken meats. Although low level of contamination by non-toxigenic strains was detected, chicken meats should be investigated as C. difficile infection sources for humans especially elders, immune-compromised and long terms wide spectrum antibiotics-used persons. Decreased sensitivity of C. difficile to antibiotics is emerging.

Introduction: Saudi Arabia can be considered a hot spot for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections with significant regional variations. As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of MRSA in clinical samples obtained from Turaif general hospital (TGH), Northern Area-Saudi Arabia, and screening the resistance profile to the most regularly used antimicrobials as an indicator for evaluation of the implemented infection control measures. Methodology: Totally, 410 Samples were collected from patients in TGH with clinically suspected nosocomial infections. MRSA isolates were identified by the classical bacteriological, biochemical, and cefoxitin-based methods as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Confirmation of isolates and testing of their antimicrobial susceptibilities were performed by the automated Vitek 2 compact system. Results: Totally, 130 nosocomial isolates were detected. Staphylococcus aureus (29.23%) was the most frequently isolated Gram-positive pathogen. MRSA represented 39.47% of Staphylococcus aureus and 11.54% of all isolates. MRSA-causing surgical site infections were the most predominant type of MRSA nosocomial infections representing (25.00%). Recent antibiotic therapy, prolonged hospital stays, and indwelling devices were significant risk factors for the development of MRSA infections. Although all MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, Fosfomycin, and tigecycline, many isolates were resistant to other tested antimicrobials. Conclusions: Hospital administrators should strengthen the ideal use of antibiotics according to the local hospital policy to control the selective drug pressure on Staphylococcus aureus strains with minimizing exposure to the risk factors by implementing the proper infection control policies.

Recruiting and retaining sufficient participants is one of the biggest challenges researchers face while conducting clinical trials (CTs). This is due to the fact of misconceptions and insufficient knowledge concerning CTs among the public. The present cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to May 2022. We evaluated knowledge and attitude among 480 participants using a pretested Arabic questionnaire. The correlation between knowledge and attitude score was tested through Spearman’s correlation test, and the logistic regression test evaluated the associated factors for knowledge and attitude. Of the studied participants, 63.5% were male and belonged to the age group less than 30 years (39.6%). Nearly two-thirds (64.6%) of them had never heard of CT. More than half of the participants had poor knowledge (57.1%) and attitude (73.5%) towards CTs. Participants’ knowledge scores were significantly associated with education level (p = 0.031) and previous participation in health-related research (p = 0.007). Attitude scores were significantly related to marital status (p = 0.035) and the presence of chronic diseases (p = 0.008). Furthermore, we found a significant positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores (p < 0.001, Spearman’s rho = 0.329). The present study revealed that most of the study population had poor knowledge and moderate attitudes towards CT. Targeted health education programs at different public places are recommended to improve the public’s knowledge of the importance of CT participation. In addition, exploratory and mixed-methods surveys in other regions of KSA is required to recognize the region-specific health education needs.

Introduction: Efforts have been made to contain COVID-19. Human behavior, affected by knowledge and perceptions, may influence the course of disease. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 422 participants. It consisted of 28 questions in four sections; seven questions about sociodemographic characteristics of participants, 12 questions to estimate level of knowledge about COVID-19, six questions to evaluate attitudes toward disease, and three questions to assess practices to prevent disease transmission. Results: Their overall understanding of COVID-19 was satisfactory. 69% of the participants had satisfactory levels of knowledge, and the main sources of information were social media platforms (79.70%) and television (70.90%). There was a significant difference in knowledge as a function of gender (p = 0.50), occupation (p = 0.012), and smoking (p = 0.041). The participants held optimistic attitudes and adopted appropriate protective measures. Most participants agreed that COVID-19 can cause death (64.7%), poses greater risks to elderly (93.4%) and those with chronic diseases (96.7%), it is mandatory to quarantine infected individuals (98.1%), preventive health measures are important (97.6%), and health authorities will succeed in controlling the pandemic (67.5%). There was a statistically significant association between satisfactory levels of knowledge and the practice of wearing masks and the adoption of protective measures (avoiding crowded places, frequent hand washing). Conclusions: Residents of Al-Jouf region in Saudi Arabia have satisfactory levels of knowledge, optimistic attitudes, and good practice during the rapid rise period of the pandemic. Awareness campaigns will improve any misbeliefs and risky behaviors.

Food Science of Animal Resources (Food Sci. Anim. Resour.) is an international, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal publishing original research and reviews on basic and applied aspects of the use of animal resources including the meat, egg, dairy, and edible insect/worm products. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. is published and distributed by the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.