(1) Backgrounds and Objectives: The global battle to contain the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is still ongoing. This cross-sectional study aimed to detect the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG among previously symptomatic/asymptomatic and vaccinated/unvaccinated inhabitants of Sakaka City, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. (2) Methods: Blood samples of 400 participants were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG using colloidal gold immuno-chromatography lateral flow immunoassay cards. (3) Results: The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG positivity was 45.8% and 42.3%, respectively. Statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between the previous RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2-RNA and positivity for IgM and/or IgG. The highest seroprevalence of IgM and IgG were detected among smokers, participants aged ≥40 years, and patients with chronic diseases. Although most of the participants (58.5%) did not previously experience COVID-19 like symptoms, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG seropositivity amongst them was 49.1% and 25.6%, respectively, with higher seroprevalence among males than females. At the time of the study, the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate at our locality in Saudi Arabia was 43.8% with statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001) between being vaccinated and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and/or IgG positivity, with more positivity after receiving the second vaccine dose. (4) Conclusions: Public assessment reflects the real scale of the disease exposure among the community and helps in identifying the asymptomatic carriers that constitute a major problem for controlling the SARS-CoV-2. To limit the spread of the virus, rigorous implementation of large-scale SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological testing strategies should be empowered.

Schwannomas are the most common tumor of peripheral nerves which are arising from Schwann cells and are benign in their nature. Intracranial schwannoma accounts for between 5 and 8% of intracranial tumors, whereas intracerebral schwannoma, a rare disease, accounts for <1% of intracranial schwannomas. Intracerebral schwannoma has no specific clinical manifestation, and it is not classified by age. Here, we are reporting a case of an 18-year-old male who presented with attacks of seizures. MR imaging studies were done and showed right parieto-occipital cortical and subcortical mass lesion with intense enhancement and significant vasogenic oedema with mass effect on the subjacent sulci. The tumor was surgically removed through a right occipital craniotomy. Histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of schwannoma.

(1) Backgrounds and Objectives: Since its discovery, information about the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly. However, many issues remain unresolved. Coronaviruses are primarily transmitted through respiratory secretions. The possibility of transmission via donated blood transfusion deserves studying. This is the first study in Saudi Arabia to look at pre-vaccination donated blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody content as a marker for virus transmission via viral RNA positive blood and/or the potential therapeutic value of convalescent plasma. (2) Methods: A total of 300 blood samples were sequentially collected from unvaccinated donors who donated blood to the blood bank of Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Sakaka, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia. Specific ELISA was used to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 was detected using specific real-time reverse-transcription PCR (rRT-PCR). (3) Results: The prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was low (9%), whereas the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM was high (65%). Relevant demographics, anthropometrics, and lifestyle factors revealed significant associations (p < 0.05) between IgM-positivity only vs. age (age group 21–30 years), postgraduate education, no history of international travel, IgG-negativity, and absence of experience with COVID-19-like symptoms. Furthermore, there are significant associations (p < 0.05) between IgG-positivity only vs. age (age group 21–30 years), postgraduate education, and being a non-healthcare worker. All donors in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG-positive group (n = 27) had previously experienced symptoms similar to COVID-19 (p < 0.001) and most of them (n = 24) showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM-positive test (p = 0.006). However, all the samples tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using rRT-PCR. (4) Conclusion: Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that donated blood is safe, with the added benefit of convalescent plasma rich in potentially neutralizing IgG and IgM against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a highly infectious neurotropic virus. The data on HSV-1 infection in Saudi Arabia, including the seroprevalence of HSV-1 antibodies, are scarce. Objectives: This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) in donated blood in Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 300 donated blood samples were collected from the Blood Bank of Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Sakaka. Sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-HSV-1 IgG. A comparison of the age, gender, education, occupation, income, hand hygiene, travel history, and cupping practice of blood donors stratified for the extent of anti-HSV-1 IgG was made. Results: There was a low prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgG (20%; n = 60/300). Moreover, 50.0% of IgG-positive participants were in the age group of 41 - 45 years, and 81.7% of the participants had a household income of < 10000 SAR (statistically highly significant; P < 0.001*). All the participants performed hand washing with soap before handling food and after using the toilet. Furthermore, IgG-positive participants had a bachelor’s degree (50.0%), were governmental employees (60.0%), were international travelers (50.0%), and practiced cupping (50.0%) with statistically significant associations (P < 0.05*). Conclusions: The current study’s findings support previous reports about the key importance of improving socioeconomic conditions and hygiene measures in reducing the spread of HSV-1. The present study provides an alarm regarding reaching the age of sexual debut without acquiring protective anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulins, consequently becoming more susceptible to acquiring HSV-1 infection through the genital route. These data support the urgent need to develop an effective anti-HSV-1 vaccine.