Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a prevalent form of urinary tract diseases affecting individuals of all ages and genders. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), UTIs are a significant burden on the healthcare system, comprising 10% of all infections and ranking as the second leading cause of emergency department admissions. Despite this, limited research has been conducted in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Jazan Province, located in the southwestern region. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study encompassed individuals with positive urine cultures who sought care at a tertiary hospital in Jazan between January 2022 and March 2023. A standardized data collection form was utilized to retrieve relevant information from microbiology lab test results and patients’ electronic medical records. Variables such as sex, urine sample collection date, bacterial isolates, antibiotic sensitivity, and resistance were collected using the data collection form. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: A total of 1082 urinary bacterial samples were isolated and identified. Females accounted for more bacterial infections (62.66%) than males (37.34%). Gram-negative bacteria represented 94% of all isolated strains. The most prevalent pathogens associated with UTIs were Escherichia coli (47.97%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.58%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.55%). Antimicrobial resistance patterns indicated the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) (30.13%), carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacter (CRE) (1.94%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (0.74%), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) (0.18%). UTI incidence demonstrated a higher prevalence in September (13%) compared to other months in 2022. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the predominant Gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO), accounting for 34.42%, 13.95%, and 1.63% of the population. Conclusions: The prevalence of UTIs caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes is notable in Jazan. Consistent with findings from other regions, Escherichia coli remains the most common causative pathogen of UTIs, displaying a seasonal pattern that warrants attention. Approximately 35% of reported cases involve MDRO, with ESBLs accounting for 30%. These results should raise concerns among healthcare officials, highlighting the necessity for further investigations into factors contributing to the circulation of MDRO in Jazan.

Crystal-storing histiocytosis is a rare condition that is histologically characterized by intracellular cytoplasmic crystalline inclusions. It usually presents monoclonal immunoglobulins that deposit within histiocytes, which accumulate and affect different organs of the human body and are commonly associated with lymphoproliferative conditions, especially those with plasmacytic differentiation. The prognosis of this condition is variable and related to the underlying clinical disease. In this review article, we aim to describe and discuss the clinical and pathological characteristics of crystal-storing histiocytosis based on the available literature and to provide a thorough differential diagnosis.

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a globally prevalent human herpesvirus, is a known cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and various cancers. Despite its significant public health impact, molecular epidemiological data on EBV in Saudi Arabia, especially its southwestern region, are scarce. This study aims to characterize EBV epidemiology and clinical correlations using reference laboratory data from Southwestern Saudi Arabia collected between 2020 and 2023, while identifying associated demographic and clinical factors. This retrospective study was carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed EBV cases, and Ethical Approval was obtained. Descriptive statistics, χ [2] tests, and multivariate regression were employed to analyze demographic and clinical data from 133 EBV-positive patients. These analyses aimed to identify associations with age, gender, nationality, year of diagnosis, and clinical presentation, considering results statistically significant at p < 0.05. The overall EBV prevalence was 17.5% (133/760). Temporal analysis indicated an increase in cases from 2020 to 2022, followed by a remarkable decrease in 2023 (13.5%, p = 0.01), likely attributable to post-COVID-19 shifts in healthcare practices. Furthermore, seasonal patterns displayed a bimodal distribution, peaking in the first (Q1) and third (Q3) quarters. Saudi nationals comprised n = 103 (77.4%) of positive cases with the highest burden among children, with n = 101 (76%) of cases occurring in children under 12 years (toddlers 1–5 years: n = 57, 42.9%; children 6–12 years: n = 44, 33.1%). Infectious diseases (n = 38, 28.6%) and hematological disorders (n = 27, 20.3%) were the most common clinical associations. A correlation was found between clinical diagnosis and both gender (p = 0.04) and age group (p = 0.001). Finally, age (β = −0.411, p = 0.029) and test date (β = −0.187, p = 0.03) were significant negative predictors of EBV infection. This study establishes the first molecular-based epidemiological analysis of EBV infection in Southwestern Saudi Arabia, revealing distinct demographic and clinical patterns, with predominant pediatric involvement and strong age-related associations. The observed temporal fluctuations, including pandemic-related changes, emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance. These findings indicate the importance of pediatric-focused monitoring, region-specific diagnostic protocols, and further research into ethnic disparities, coinfections, and long-term clinical outcomes. The key limitations of this study include its retrospective design, the absence of systematic evaluation of coinfections (including COVID-19), and the use of data from a single region. To understand the burden of this virus at the national level, further national studies are required.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major health burden in Saudi Arabia. Its prevalence is estimated at 16.4% to 28% among adults. It is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia inducing low-grade inflammation, which drives various physiological changes, including endothelial dysfunction. The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is a membrane-bound receptor expressed on normal endothelial cells and is released upon endothelial dysfunction into the blood as soluble EPCR (sEPCR). Increased cleavage and release of EPCR is associated with the EPCR rs867186 polymorphism. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the pattern and frequency of EPCR rs867186 polymorphism and plasma levels of sEPCR in patients with T2DM and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: The current case-control study was performed in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia. Two hundred and thirty-four blood samples were collected from the 136 patients with T2DM and 98 healthy controls for DNA analysis and hematological and biochemical assessments. Results: The plasma levels of sEPCR were significantly elevated in T2DM patients compared to controls, despite no association being found between sEPCR levels and the genotype in either cohort. The pattern of EPCR rs867186 polymorphism revealed AA in 83.8% (n=196) and AG in 16.2% (n=38) of total cohorts (n=234), with comparable genotype distribution between patients and controls. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant elevation in plasma levels of sEPCR in patients with T2DM, indicating increased shedding of membrane EPCR and suggesting endothelial dysfunction. Importantly, the levels of sEPCR were not associated with rs867186 polymorphism. These findings suggest that sEPCR could be a useful biomarker for predicting early inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in T2DM.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein primarily produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac during development. It is a multifaceted biomarker with significant applications in the prenatal screening of congenital abnormalities, cancer, and other disorders. The level of AFP in maternal blood may indicate several obstetric concerns and complications during pregnancy. Atypical AFP levels are commonly utilized as a biomarker for detecting fetal anomalies, placental complications, and other pregnancy-related issues. These findings raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of screening maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) as a primary indicator of pregnancy problems and underscore the need for further investigation into the functional role of AFP throughout pregnancy. The measurement of MS-AFP has been utilized for the past four decades. It is anticipated that MS-AFP measurement will continue to be utilized as a component of integrated or sequential tests for chromosomal abnormalities and may serve as a prognostic indicator for adverse obstetric outcomes. Critically, whether AFP functions solely as a passive marker or plays active biological roles in pregnancy physiology and pathology remains unresolved, necessitating additional mechanistic investigation and discourse. This review consolidates critical data from numerous studies on AFP, focusing specifically on its diagnostic and prognostic applications for congenital abnormalities and problems during pregnancy. This review also identifies key research gaps regarding the functional biology of AFP, particularly whether AFP functions as a passive biomarker or an active participant in the pathophysiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes.