Risk factors of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among health care staff in a teaching hospital in central Saudi Arabia

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a present, pressing global public health crisis associated with rising morbidity and mortality rates due to previously curable infectious disease. Targeted drug delivery is an important approach to address AMR due to its ability to improve the therapeutic performance of antibiotics without leading to any adverse effects or organ toxicities. In this review we explore molecular mechanisms of AMR and drawbacks of conventional antibiotic therapies and discuss unique drug delivery approaches to compensate these. Nanoparticulate carrier systems, stimuli-responsive systems, antibody–drug conjugates, and CRISPR-Cas systems are some of the carrier method designs that are promising for tackling hard to treat infections related to pathogenic strains and biofilms due to their features. Many of these are among the most significant advances in the field. However, there are many challenges to be overcome, with biological limitations, scaling and regulatory challenges, etc., before they can be employed in commercial applications. Materials are being developed, and an approach standardized and applicable to future work is in development to improve the efficiency of targeted delivery systems. Controlled drug delivery, which could be the answer to an increasing AMR problem, will not only help in alerting awareness among individuals but will also help in prolonging the activity of antibiotics by providing synergistic interdisciplinary solutions. This review emphasizes the complementary role of targeted drug delivery in transitioning from laboratory investigations to clinical therapy. It addresses underrepresented aspects, including new materials, scalability, regulatory considerations, and ethical implications, while offering a roadmap for translating innovations into next-generation antimicrobials.

Objectives: E. cloacae is an opportunistic organism that causes serious infections, particularly in immuno-compromised and hospitalized patients, along with the emergence of resistance traits. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the epidemiological pattern and resistance traits of E. cloacae infections as well as those of other bacteria. The study aims to assess the epidemiological patterns, resistance characteristics and clinical outcomes of E. cloacae in Saudi Arabia and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh provided the data between January 2019 and December 2021 for the retrospective study of 638 isolates of E. cloacae. The clinical outcome of an E. cloacae infection was also determined by collecting and statistically analyzing the clinical records of 153 ICU patients. Results: The total percentage of resistant E. cloacae isolates decreased from 48.36% in 2019 to 38% in 2020 and 37.6% in 2021. The overall mortality rate among ICU patients was 40.5%, with an adult age group having a substantial relative risk value of 1.37. Conclusion: E. cloacae is a prevalent nosocomial infection in which adult age is a significant risk factor for mortality. Moreover, this study emphasizes the importance of comparing E. cloacae resistance trends before and throughout the pandemic period in order to better understand the bacteria’s behaviour.

Salmonellosis is a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia, with various serovars of Salmonella causing outbreaks and infections. The disease's clinical presentation includes common symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, with potential complications in severe cases. Diagnosing salmonellosis in Saudi Arabia involves a combination of traditional laboratory methods and molecular techniques to ensure accurate identification and treatment. Preventive measures and control strategies, including vaccination campaigns, food safety protocols, and public health education, have been implemented to mitigate the spread of salmonellosis. Challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, limited healthcare resources in rural areas, and underreporting of cases persist and impact the effective management of the disease. Recommendations for improving salmonellosis prevention and management include enhancing surveillance, implementing public health education campaigns, strengthening food safety regulations, promoting antimicrobial stewardship, investing in research, improving healthcare infrastructure, and fostering collaboration and coordination between sectors. Implementing these recommendations can help Saudi Arabia effectively address the challenges posed by salmonellosis and reduce the burden of the disease on public health.

Background and Aim: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a marine bacterium commonly associated with foodborne illnesses due to the consumption of contaminated seafood. Understanding its prevalence in both fish meat and human infections is crucial for public health. This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus in human stool and fish meat samples while analyzing seasonal and species-specific variations in the Al-Hodeidah governorate. Materials and Methods: A total of 225 samples were collected, including 75 human stool samples from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and 150 fish meat samples from five fish species commonly consumed in the region. Standard microbiological methods were used for the isolation and identification of V. parahaemolyticus, including culture on Thiosulfate–Citrate–Bile Salts–Sucrose (TCBS) agar, biochemical tests, and growth analysis in varying NaCl concentrations. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 12, applying the Chi-square test for group comparisons with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results: The overall occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus was 7.1%. Human stool samples had a occurrence of 6.7%, while fish meat samples had a slightly higher occurrence of 7.3%. The highest monthly occurrence in human samples was recorded in July (15.0%), while the highest fish contamination was detected in September (12.0%). Among fish species, Rastrelliger kanagurta (Bagah) had the highest contamination rate (20.0%), followed by Scomberomorus commerson (Dairak) at 13.3%, whereas no V. parahaemolyticus isolates were found in Dasyatis kuhlii (Safon) and Rachycentron canadum (Sakalah). Conclusion: The findings confirm the presence of V. parahaemolyticus in both human and fish meat samples, highlighting seasonal variations and species-specific differences. The peak occurrence in fish during warm months suggests a potential link between higher temperatures and bacterial prevalence. Improved seafood handling, monitoring, and public health awareness are essential to mitigate the risk of foodborne infections. Further research is needed to explore genetic determinants of virulence and antimicrobial resistance in local isolates. Keywords: fish meat, foodborne infection, seafood safety, seasonal variation, Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Objective: This cross-sectional-survey-based study aimed to investigate the severity of side-effects from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mRNA (Pfizer, Moderna), viral vector DNA (Oxford-AstraZeneca, J&J/Janssen), inactivated virus (Sinopharm, Sinovac), and other vaccines among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia, focusing on their impact on work attendance. Methods: A total of 894 HCWs residing in Saudi Arabia participated in this study from March 2023 to May 2023. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing demographic information, vaccination status, comorbidities, vaccine side-effects, and missed work information after vaccination. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Results: The majority of participants were female (83.7%) and aged 25–34 years (42.8%). Most participants were predominantly vaccinated with mRNA vaccines. Common side-effects included pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever, and chills. However, no significant association was found between vaccine type, side-effects, and work absenteeism. While demographic factors such as age and healthcare profession did not influence work absenteeism, variations were observed among different racial groups. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination among HCWs in Saudi Arabia is associated with common side-effects, but their impact on work attendance is not significant. Understanding these implications can inform strategies to support the healthcare workforce and mitigate the impact on patient care and staffing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.