Introduction: Candida species, opportunistic yeast, are the second most common cause of female vulvovaginal candidiasis. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the isolated Candida species in pregnant women in Hajjah governorate, Yemen.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 396 pregnant women attending Authority AL-Gumhorri Hospital Hajjah between February and July 2023. Vaginal swabs were collected, and Candida species were isolated and identified based on the standard laboratory method. Furthermore, the antifungal drug susceptibility of Candida species was determined by the Kirby-Bauer technique.Results and discussion: The prevalence of vaginal Candida infection among pregnant women was 61.4%. Candida albicans was the most predominant species (59.26%), followed by Candida krusei(13.58%), Candida Tropicalis (11.12%), Candida Grabata (9.87%), and Candida dubliniensis (6.17%). The highest rate of Candida infections was among women aged 24–30 years (71.9%) who finished primary school (77.8%), with the third trimester (80%), multigravida (66.1%), and recurrent infection (67.7%) showing significant differences (P < 0.05). The Candida albicans isolates were resistant to clotrimazole and itraconazole at 34.7% and 23.6%, respectively.In addition, the resistance of Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, and Candida dublinensis isolates to fluconazole, voriconazole, voriconazole, and nystatin was 57.6%, 63%, 43.8%, and 60%, respectively. Additionally, approximately 46.2% of isolated Candida albicans exhibited one kind of antifungal drug resistance, whereas 38.7% of isolated non-albicans exhibited resistance to three different antifungal agents. According to the above findings, Candida infection is highly prevalent in Yemen and quite widespread. Interventions in health education are advised to increase women’s knowledge of vaginitis and its prevention. The antifungal susceptibility test may also be helpful in determining the best medication for each patient.

Dengue fever (DF) is a mosquito-borne viral infection that has recently become a burden worldwide, particularly in low-income countries, such as Yemen. There have been no epidemiological studies on DF in recent years in Yemen. Therefore, based on secondary data, this study aimed to shed light on the epidemiology of DF in Yemen between 2020 and 2024. This was a retrospective analysis using secondary data recorded between January 2020 and August 2024 in the Surveillance Center of the Ministry of Health and Population in Aden. The data was gathered in a Microsoft Excel file and descriptively analyzed. A total of 104,562 dengue cases, aged between 1 and 80 years (SD = 24.93±17.02), were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. A higher proportion of DF cases was recorded among males (58.10%), the age group of 15–24 years (26.11%), in 2020 (30.65%), in the Taiz governorate (39.17%), and in the autumn (28.9%). The total incidence of DF was 103.09 per 10,000 individuals. Additionally, the incidence rate of DF per 10,000 individuals was significantly higher among males (118.3 cases), aged 25–34 years (91.73 cases), in 2020 (31.39 cases), and in the Shabwah governorate (176.96 cases). In general, the total fatality rate was 217 (0.21%), with a high rate among females (0.23%), aged ≥ 65 years (0.75%), in 2020 (0.37%), and the Aden governorate (0.82%). These findings indicate that the rates of DF cases have increased in Yemen over the last few years. Therefore, it is critical to introduce an effective program to prevent DF and control dengue vector transmission in Yemen.

Background and aims: Candida species are opportunistic yeasts that affect the genital urinary tract that causes vulvovaginal candidiasis in the most females, particularly in developing countries. This work aims to find the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among pregnant women in Ibb, Yemen. Material and methods: Two hundred and eighteen samples of females attending outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics were chosen from several hospitals (Al-Thawra, Maternity and Childhood Center, Maternal Reproductive Health Center, and Nasser General Hospital) located in Ibb, from December 2019 to March 2020. The laboratory works were performed in the microbiology department of Al-Thawra Hospital, Ibb. Vaginal swabs were cultivated on Sabouraud dextrose agar, then the species of Candida identification and anti-fungal sensitivity tests were performed regarding the standard procedure of microbiology. Results: The findings revealed that out of 218 cases, 134 (61.5%) were infected with Candida species, and the rate of candidiasis was higher among women coming from rural areas than among women in urban areas; and in the age group 28-37 years. C. albicans (61.2%) were the most prevalent species followed by C. tropicalis (21.64%), C. glabrata (11.19%), and C. kefyr (5.97%). Susceptibility tests showed that the most isolated Candida species were sensitive to nystatin (94.8), fluconazole (91.04%), amphotericin B (88.80%), voriconazole (78.35%), clotrimazole (75.37%), ketoconazole (73.13%), and itraconazole (69.40%). Conclusion: It can be concluded that Candida vaginitis is very common among pregnant women, and the tested anti-fungal agents continue to be effective against all isolates of Candida species. In contrast, there was a slight increase resistant against itraconazole, ketoconazole, clotrimazole, and voriconazole which raises concern about a rise in Candida species that are resistant to these drugs. Peer Review History: Received 27 June 2020; Revised 15 July; Accepted 12 August, Available online 15 September 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Ashwaq Ali Hezam Al-Arossi Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: ashwaqali651@gmail.com Name: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: shmahe@yemen.net.ye Name: Dr. (Mrs) Amaka A. Mgbahurike Affiliation: University of PortHarcourt, Nigeria E-mail: amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS DURING PREGNANCY IN SANA'A, YEMEN TETANUS IMMUNIZATION AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN: COVERAGE RATE AND RATE OF PROTECTION AT TIME OF DELIVERY

Objective: The increased antibiotics resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from surgical wound is the major health threats challenge the patients especially in developing countries like Yemen. This work was aimed to determine and identify the bacteria associated with surgical wound infections and their resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Methods: One hundred and twenty swabs were sampled from surgical wound patients at Aden City, Yemen. The pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified according to standard microbiological methods. Also, antibiotic susceptibility tests were determining by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Results: The results showed that out of 120 samples, 68 (56.67%) showed bacterial growth. It was found that the most isolated bacteria was Sylococcus aureus 27 (39.70%) followed by Escherichia coli 19(27.94%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 13 (19.12%), and Proteus mirabilis 9 (13.24%). All isolated bacteria were recorded to be extremely resistant to the most tested antibiotics. S. aureus was reported to be susceptible to cefotaxime, vancomycin, and ciprofloxacin and highly resistant to ceftazidime, nalidixic acid, erythromycin, and tetracycline. The E. coli isolates showed resistance (100%) to vancomycin and tetracycline and moderately sensitive to ceftazidime and gentamycin. P. aeruginosa showed from high to moderate resistance to most tested antibiotics except gentamycin and cefotaxime. Most of P. mirabilis isolates were sensitive to ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, and gentamycin and highly resistant to amoxicillin, erythromycin, and vancomycin. Conclusion: The current study findings that the reduced sensitivity of isolated bacteria to commonly used antibiotics is an alarming and threat upsurge of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Peer Review History: Received 27 January 2020; Revised 15 February; Accepted 1 March, Available online 15 March 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Dr. Mujde Eryilmaz Affiliation: Ankara University,Turkey E-mail: meryilmaz@ankara.edu.tr Name: Rola Jadallah Affiliation: Arab American University, Palestine E-mail: rola@aauj.edu Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF DIALYSIS WATER AND DIALYSATE AT MUKALLA ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY CENTER IN MUKALLA CITY - HADHRAMAUT - YEMEN: RATE OF CONTAMINATION AND SENSITIVITY OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES TO ANTIBIOTICS BIOFILM FORMATION AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF UROPATHOGENS IN PATIENTS WITH CATHETER ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN IBB CITY -YEMEN ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES FOR HADHRAMI HONEY ON GROWTH OF SOME PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Background: Dengue Fever virus (DENV) considers one of the most important mosquito-borne viral diseases in the world and it is endemic in more than 100 countries. Objective: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of DENV infection among suspected patients and to investigate some associated risk factors with dengue fever infection in Taiz governorate, Yemen. Methods: This study was cross-sectional, descriptive, and experimental, combining the use of a structured questionnaire and analysis of serum samples obtained from 300 suspected patients attending at many hospital and clinic centers in Taiz during the period from July to November 2016. The serum samples were tested for anti-dengue immunoglobulin (IgM) and (IgG) by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELIZA). Results: Out of 300 suspected febrile cases, it was found that 49(16.3%), 68(22.7%), and 17(5.7%) cases were showed positive for the IgM, IgG, and both IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively, while 166 (55.3%) cases were negative. The incidence rate was more in males than in females. The most affected age group with dengue fever infection were (21–30) years. Dengue Fever was more frequent among patients coming from the urban area, having secondary school, and low-income status people. Also, there was statistical significant between DENV infections with a place of residencyand gender (P0.05). Conclusion: Taiz governorate become one of the endemic governorates in Yemen particularly the Taiz city which should be brought to the attention of public health authorities Peer Review History: Received: 5 September 2020; Revised: 15 October; Accepted: 26 October, Available online: 15 November 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Rola Jadallah, Arab American University, Palestine, rola@aauj.edu Dr. Dulger Gorkem, Duzce University, Turkey, gorkemdulger@yandex.com Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF DIFFERENT BRANDS OF PARACETAMOL TABLETS IN YEMENI MARKET

Objectives: Intestinal parasitic infections are widely distributed and remain one of the most health problems in Yemen. This is a cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection and associated factors among schoolchildren in Ibb City, Yemen. Methods: A total of 300 stool samples were collected from schoolchildren between January to April 2018 and examined by direct smear and formalin ether concentration techniques. Results: The result showed that 62.7% were positive for intestinal parasites, with a higher frequency of single than multiple infections (85.1 vs. 14.36%, respectively). Also, 85.64% were infected by protozoa whereas 14.36% infected by helminths. The prevalence of infection was 61.70% for Entameba histolytica, 23.94% for Giardia lamblia, 7.45% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 4.3% for Hymenolepis nana, and 2.61% for Enterobius vermicularis. Moreover, the highest prevalence of E. histolytica, G. lamblia, and A. lumbricoides was within group aged 9-12 years. H. nana was between age groups of 9-12 and 13-16 years while E. vermicularis was found among 5-8 and 9-12 years. In addition, females were 69% infected significantly higher than males 54.55%. Besides, the various signs and symptoms associated with intestinal infections have been documented. Conclusion: High prevalence of intestinal infection was documented among schoolchildren drinking from cistern water, poor hygiene practices, poor food sanitation, non-swimming, and non-previously treated for Schistosoma parasite. High frequency of intestinal parasitic infection between schoolchildren in the study area requires more effort to implement the appropriate programmers that warrant to control and prevention the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis. Peer Review History: Received 1 March 2019; Revised 7 April; Accepted 3 May, Available online 15 May 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy Affiliation: Sana'a University, Yemen E-mail: shmahe@yemen.net.ye Name: Hebatallaha A Moustafa Affiliation: Ain Shams University, Egypt E-mail: anasweety2003@yahoo.com Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: COCCIDIAN INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG CHILDREN IN AL-TORBAH CITY IN YEMEN: IN COUNTRY WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF MALNUTRITION