Molecular epidemiology of SEN virus among blood donors and renal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The SEN virus (SEN-V) is a single-stranded circular, non-enveloped DNA virus that has been linked to blood transfusion and is thought to be a major cause of post-transfusion hepatitis. The two SENV types, SENV-H and SENV-D, are non-A to E hepatitis viruses  in those who are infected. The purpose of this study is to find out how common SENV and its variations are among renal dialysis patients and healthy blood donors. METHODS: The study used a cross-sectional design, with 300 blood samples collected from KFMMC patients, 150 from healthy blood donors and 150 from renal dialysis patients, between January 2019 and January 2021. The samples were screened for the presence of SENV-D and SENV-H. using nested PCR. RESULTS: Molecular analysis of the SEN virus revealed that 9.3% of the samples (14 out of 150) tested positive for SEN virus infection in renal dialysis patients. The data from healthy donors revealed that 10% of the samples tested positive for the SEN virus (15 out of 150). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SEN-V in healthy blood donors and renal dialysis patients demonstrates the virus's blood-borne nature and emphasizes the dangers of blood-borne transmission.

Factors related to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: To assess the amount of vaccine hesitancy and its determinants in relation to various demographic, social, and personal characteristics among the Saudi population. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: we utilized a structured questionnaire on a five point-Likert scale that included immunization process awareness, perception towards immunization and factors leading to vaccine refusal. Results: The study included 5965 participants characterized according to various demographical factors. The participant's knowledge, perception, and the factors affecting the decision of taking the vaccine were calculated. About 40.7% had enough information about COVID-19 vaccines and were willing to take it. The participant's perception towards COVID-19 vaccines is proportional to their knowledge and varied with the personal characteristics. Factors influencing vaccine use varied also with personal characteristics. Intent to be vaccinated was higher among older age groups, advanced education, retirees, and higher income persons (P < 0.001). Moreover, the influence of heterogeneity in personal perception towards COVID-19 vaccines has been discussed. Vaccine barriers scores were significantly higher among lower educational and income levels (P = 0.004). The leader's influence on vaccine decision was high (p < 0.001). The side effects of COVID-19 vaccine is the most important barrier to vaccine acceptance. Knowledge and perception score were consistently and significantly higher among the group who received their information from official websites, followed by those who had used both websites and social media (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Additional approaches will be needed to effectively meet the needs of the hesitant population, particularly the safety and efficacy concerns, the speed of vaccine development, and the distrust in government and health organizations.

Incidence and molecular characterization of the extended spectrum beta lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from urinary tract infections in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To find the prevalence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli)-producing extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) at King Fahd Military Medical Complex in Dhahran (KFMMC) and to detect the genes responsible for its production. In addition, we determined the pattern of multi-drug resistance among isolates. Methods: A total of 117 uropathogenic E. coli isolates were collected from KFMMC over a period of 4 months from March 2014 to June 2014. These were received in the Microbiology Laboratory at Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences (PSMCHS), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for analysis. The isolates were screened for ESBL using VITEK® 2 Compact. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)  examination was used to determine TEM, SHV, and CTX-M genes.  Results: Our findings indicated that there is a high incidence of ESBLs among the E. coli isolated from UTI (23.1%). Our study also indicated that CTX-M genes are the most prevalent among the isolates at KFMMC followed by TEM class (6%), but there was also a higher percentage E. coli (3.4%) simultaneously harboring TEM and CTX genes. None of our isolates harbored the SHV genes. Conclusion: The findings document the threat of ESBL among E. coli isolates from UTI especially the CTX-M class in our hospital with the occurrence of these strains as etiologic agents of infection in the hospital and community.