COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, is one of the longest viral pandemics in the history of mankind, which have caused millions of deaths globally and induced severe deformities in the survivals. For instance, fibrosis and cavities in the infected lungs of COVID-19 are some of the complications observed in infected patients post COVID-19 recovery. These health abnormalities, including is multiple organ failure—the most striking pathological features of COVID-19—have been linked with diverse distribution of ACE2 receptor. Additionally, several health complications reports were reported after administration of COVID-19 vaccines in healthy individuals, but clinical or molecular pathways causing such complications are not yet studied in detail. Thus, the present systematic review established the comparison of health complication noted in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals (COVID-19 infected patients) to identify the association between vaccination and the multiorgan failure based on the data obtained from case studies, research articles, clinical trials/Cohort based studies and review articles published between 2020–2022. This review also includes the biological rationale behind the COVID-19 infection and its subsequent symptoms and effects including multiorgan failure. In addition, multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) has been informed in individuals post vaccination that resulted in multiorgan failure but, no direct correlation of vaccination with MIS has been established. Similarly, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) also noted to cause multiorgan failure in some individuals following full vaccination. Furthermore, severe complications were recorded in elderly patients (+40 years of age), indicates that older age individuals are higher risk by COVID-19 and post vaccination, but available literature is not sufficient to comply with any conclusive statements on relationship between vaccination and multiorgan failure.

A high body mass index (BMI) is a known risk factor for coronavirus infection in hospitalized patients. Our study examined the association between BMI and complications and the survival rate among COVID-19 patients. This retrospective analysis used data from a tertiary hospital in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia during two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study included 600 participants, with the majority being between 41 and 60 years old (41.3%) and men comprising 63.5% of the sample. Approximately 42.5% of patients were obese, and 31.3% were overweight. The results showed that BMI was significantly linked to respiratory diseases (p = 0.013); end-stage renal disease (p = 0.021); and cardiovascular disease (p = 0.003) but not diabetes mellitus (p = 0.064). Death occurred in 10.8% of patients; 33.8% were admitted to the ICU; 13.8% needed mechanical ventilation; and 60.7% had lung infiltration. Obese patients with oxygen saturation levels below 93% were 2.45 times more likely to require mechanical ventilation than those in the normal-weight group. Overweight and obese patients were also more likely to require mechanical ventilation than normal-weight patients, with odds ratios of 3.66 and 2.81, respectively. The BMI categorized was not associated with survival rate in COVID-19-hospitalized patients using Kaplan-Meier survival plots (p = 0.061). However, the BMI categorized was associated with survival rate in COVID-19 ICU patients (p < 0.001). In addition, the overweight showed a statistically significant higher hazard ratio of 2.22 (p = 0.01) compared to normal-weight patients using a Cox regression model. A high BMI was identified as an independent risk factor for reduced oxygen saturation (<93%), the need for mechanical ventilation, lung infiltration, mortality, and longer ICU stays in COVID-19 patients.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are designated by the World Health Organization as critical-priority pathogens. While global outcomes are well documented, regional data from the Middle East remain limited. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults with confirmed CRE infections admitted to King Fahad Hospital of the University, Saudi Arabia, between 2019 and 2024. Clinical, microbiological, and therapeutic data were analyzed. Primary outcomes were infection recurrence, recurrence-related readmissions, and all-cause mortality at 14, 30, and 90 days. Predictors were assessed using univariate tests and multivariate Cox regression. Results: Among 101 patients (mean age 65 years, 57% female), Klebsiella pneumoniae predominated (94%), with OXA-48 detected in 70%. Most infections were hospital-acquired (78%). Recurrence occurred in 16.8% of cases, with 12.9% requiring readmission. Mortality reached 22.8% at 14 days, 30.7% at 30 days, and 42.6% at 90 days. Diabetes mellitus predicted recurrence (p = 0.024). Independent predictors of 90-day mortality were pneumonia (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.23–4.64), critical care admission (HR 6.24, 95% CI 2.44–15.97), and hypotension (HR 4.10, 95% CI 1.84–9.15). Elevated Pitt bacteremia and INCREMENT-CPE scores also stratified risk. Conclusions: CRE infections in Saudi Arabia impose a heavy clinical burden, with high recurrence, frequent readmissions, and late mortality. Identifying drivers of recurrence and mortality highlights opportunities for targeted risk stratification. Beyond treatment choices, these findings emphasize the need for proactive surveillance, integrated stewardship, and early recognition of high-risk patients. Region-specific evidence such as this is critical to shaping infection control policies and guiding future multicenter research into novel therapeutic approaches.

The emergence of Candida auris as a disheartening fungal pathogen in healthcare settings has prompted urgent re-evaluation of containment and mitigation strategies. This review critically examines the biological persistence, environmental adaptability, and resistance to standard antifungal therapies of the pathogen, particularly regions with limited surveillance infrastructure. Based on regional experiences, such as those in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East in general, the study reveals systemic weaknesses in diagnosis, reporting, and environmental sanitation. Special consideration is paid to the combination of new disinfection technologies, including ultraviolet irradiation systems and hydrogen peroxide vaporisation, with institutional behaviour change strategies. This discussion shows the importance of synchronising technological development with frequent employee contributions and cross-functional planning. It also encourages the international standardisation of diagnostic platforms and the launch of real-time genomic surveillance to reveal evolutionary trends. Finally, the findings justify the shift towards proactive models of infection control that are founded on the resilience of systems and the agility of institutions. This paper is a synthesis of epidemiological patterns, decontamination strategies and behavioural knowledge to contribute to an emerging body of knowledge that can help to fortify healthcare settings against current fungal threats.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of corticosteroid use in patients with acute respiratory illness due to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is unclear. In this study, we describe the clinical course of COVID-19 patients who received early course of corticosteroid treatment in patients with severe respiratory distress secondary to COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical course of 30 COVID-19 patients admitted to King Fahad Military Medical Complex in Dhahran from the period of late March 2020 till June 2020 was assessed and described. All the 30 patients received steroids. Data on demographics, medical history, laboratory findings, chest radiology, medication use, and clinical outcomes were extracted from patients' records. Data was entered and analyzed with SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients admitted with COVID-19 were included. The mean age 52.53 years (SD=16.31) with a range from 22-98 years; 73.3% were males. About two-thirds of the patients at least had comorbidities; most common were diabetes (46.7%) and hypertension (46.7%), and chronic heart disease (16.7%). About 57% patients had fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The median C-reactive protein (CRP) level was 87.5 mg/dL (IQR 45.0 – 165.65); 46.7% had CRP levels >120 mg/dL. The median white blood cell, lymphocytes, and platelet counts were 4.39, 1.05, and 212 K/μL, respectively. All the patients received corticosteroids; 17 (56.7%) patients were given IV methylprednisolone and 13 (43.3%) received dexamethasone tablets. Of the total patients, 13 (43.3%) patients developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); 17 (56.7%) required oxygen, 10 (33.3%) were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and 7 (23.3%) required mechanical ventilation. All the patients improved and were discharged home well. CONCLUSION: Early use of oral corticosteroids in patients with higher CRP levels may lead to better outcomes and may lower risk of transfer to ICU and use of mechanical ventilation.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact globally, and understanding the relationship between inflammatory markers and disease progression is crucial for effective management. This retrospective study aimed to examine the association between various inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, ferritin, and procalcitonin (PCT), and the characteristics of disease progression and outcomes in individuals affected by COVID-19. Methods: This study collected raw data from 470 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR. Results: The logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated LDH levels were associated with male gender, ICU admission, low oxygen saturation (O₂ < 93%), the need for mechanical ventilation, death, and the presence of lung infiltrates. Higher D-dimer levels were associated with older age, diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, and low oxygen saturation. Ferritin levels were significantly associated with older age, ICU admission, low oxygen saturation, mechanical ventilation, and lung infiltrates. In contrast, CRP was only significant regarding lung infiltrates and procalcitonin levels were not significantly associated with any of the examined factors. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of monitoring key inflammatory markers, such as LDH, D-dimer, and ferritin, as they are significantly associated with the severity of COVID-19 illness. These findings can inform clinical decision-making and guide the development of targeted interventions to improve patient outcomes.