Inherited CD59 deficiency, where neurology and genetics intertwine.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical phenotype of eight children diagnosed with CD59 deficiency and their ultimate neurological outcome. METHODS: The data of our cases were extensively reviewed both clinical and ancillary tests; investigations included: neuroimaging, neurophysiological studies, and laboratory tests. RESULTS: All patients presented during early infancy with Guillain-Barre syndrome later they suffered repeated relapses leading to the diagnosis of chronic axonal neuropathy. Recurrent stroke and acute necrotizing encephalopathy were described, 2 patients in each group. One girl developed acute disseminated encephalomyelitis while one boy developed acute transverse myelitis. Overt hemolytic anemia requiring blood transfusion reported in six patients. CONCLUSION: Inherited CD59 deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder which can have devastating neurological consequences. First line immunotherapy including intravenous immunoglobin, corticosteroids, and plasma exchange may have transient beneficial effect. Reports of targeted therapy with eculizumab might be lifesaving. Genetic counseling is crucial.

Perception of online and face to face microbiology laboratory sessions among medical students and faculty at Arabian Gulf University: a mixed method study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all spheres of society including medical education and healthcare systems. In response to the pandemic, there has been a transition in medical education practice from traditional forms of teaching to online instruction delivery and virtual learning. Effective clinical microbiology education involves a combination of 'hands-on' practical learning and instructional delivery of scientific knowledge. Microbiology practical laboratories are critical learning environments offering 'hands-on' learning experiences that cannot be replicated through online learning. We conducted a mixed-methods study to understand the perception of online and face-to-face microbiology laboratory sessions among the medical students and microbiology faculty at Arabian Gulf University (AGU). METHODS: The study participants were third and fourth-year undergraduate medical students and faculty involved in delivering microbiology labs at AGU. The questionnaire consisted of questions ranging from perceived learning style to attitude towards online delivery of microbiology curriculum. After the questionnaire administration (google form), focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted for students and microbiology faculty separately. RESULTS: Among 168 students, 50.6% preferred face-to-face lab sessions as compared to 30.4% who preferred online labs, and 51.8% considered online labs to be an essential addition to face-to-face labs. Among the faculty, 85.7% preferred the face-to-face mode of teaching. All the faculty (100%) disagreed that all the microbiology labs teaching should be online. 57.2% considered online labs to be an essential addition to traditional face-to-face labs. Both faculty and students hold that a blended mode of instructional delivery is vital and indispensable for the transfer of skills and knowledge for microbiology students. CONCLUSION: The blended mode of delivering microbiology laboratory sessions in medical school is successful and well-received by both students and faculty. Students take the responsibility for furthering their own learning and understanding of concepts. Instructors have also noticed that blending learning strategies also successfully enhances the development of cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities in students. A review of the microbiology lab curriculum is necessary to identify content areas that can be delivered effectively through online, face-to-face lab sessions, or both, supported with appropriate tools and infrastructure.

Trend and seroprevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in Bahrain: 2001-2015.

In Bahrain, adequate epidemiological information is lacking concerning the rate of EBV infection, which could be helpful in order to develop measures to protect against EBV infections. The aim of this study, was to investigate the trend of EBV infection in Bahrain over a 15-year period, 2001-2015. The EBV serological results of 10 560 patients with possible EBV infection were evaluated. Samples taken at the Salmaniya Medical Complex during 2001-2015 were included. The presence or absence of EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgG, VCA IgM and EBV nuclear antigen (EBNA) IgG antibodies was recorded. Of the 10 560 samples, 10 333 were usable; of these, 86.1% were seropositive with an increasing trend of EBV infection over the study period. Primary EBV infection was found in 7.4% of the seropositive samples; of these, 47.3% were between 5 and 19 years. EBV reactivation was found in 11% of the seropositive samples; of these, 50% were > 25 years of age. The youngest seropositive patient was 11 months old. EBV is a common viral infection in Bahrain. Most primary infections occur between 1 and 5 years while most reactivation infections occur after the age of 25 years. Serial surveillance of EBV infection is needed in Bahrain. Measures to protect against EBV infections should be implemented.

Correlations between serum kidney injury molecule-1, cystatin C and immunosuppressants: A cross-sectional study of renal transplant patients in Bahrain.

Renal transplant patients receive several immunosuppressive drug regimens that are potentially nephrotoxic for treatment. Serum creatinine is the standard for monitoring kidney function; however, cystatin C (Cys C) and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) have been found to indicate kidney injury earlier than serum creatinine and provide a better reflection of kidney function. Here, we assessed Cys C and KIM-1 serum levels in renal transplant patients receiving mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, sirolimus, everolimus, or cyclosporine to evaluate kidney function. We used both the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) 2021 equation, which is based on creatinine and combined creatinine with Cys C, and the CKD-EPI 2012 equation, which is based on Cys C alone, to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Then, we assessed the association between serum KIM-1 and GFR < 90 mL per minute per 1.73 m 2. We observed significantly higher serum Cys C levels in patients with the elevated serum creatinine, compared with those with normal serum creatinine. The estimated GFRs based on creatinine were significantly higher than those based on the other equations, while a significant positive correlation was observed among all equations. Serum KIM-1 levels were negatively correlated with the estimated GFRs by the CKD-EPI Cys C and the combined creatinine with Cys C equations. A serum KIM-1 level above 0.71 ng/mL is likely to indicate GFR < 90 mL per minute per 1.73 m 2. We observed a significant correlation between serum creatinine and Cys C in our renal transplant patients. Therefore, serum KIM-1 may be used to monitor renal function when using potentially nephrotoxic drugs in renal transplants.

Humoral and Innate Immunological Profile of Paediatric Recipients of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was one of the essential tools in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike conventional vaccines, this newly approved mRNA vaccine is taken up by cells, which leads to the synthesis of the specific viral Spike antigen. The vaccine was initially introduced for adults, and the immunological profile of adult recipients is well-characterized. The vaccine was approved for paediatric use much later after its efficacy and safety had been confirmed in children. However, the complete picture of how the paediatric immune system in children reacts to the vaccine is not well documented. Therefore, in order to better understand the immune response in children, we analysed the humoral response, immune cell count, and interferon signalling in paediatric vaccine recipients ranging between 5 and 17 years of age. Our findings suggest that the paediatric recipients elicit a robust humoral response that is sustained for at least three months. We also found that the vaccine triggered a transient lymphocytopenia similar to that observed during viral infection. Interestingly, we also found that the vaccine may sensitise the interferon signalling pathway, priming the cells to mount a potent response when exposed to interferons during a subsequent infection. The study offers new insights into the workings of the paediatric immune system and innate immunity, thereby opening the doors for further research in this field.

Reduction of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Production in the Staphylococcal Strain USA300 After In Vitro Ascorbic Acid and Nicotinamide Treatment.

Background Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is one of the most important determinants of virulence in Staphylococcus aureus. It is associated with a propensity for complicating skin and soft tissue infections and necrotizing pneumonia. This study aims to quantitively examine the effect of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide on PVL production in the reference strain USA300. Methodology Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantitively measure the production of PVL via the commercial LukS sandwich ELISA kit (IBT Bio-services, MD, USA). Results Incubating USA300 with subinhibitory concentrations of antioxidants resulted in a statistically significant eight-fold reduction in PVL production at 1.25 mg/mL and 30 mg/mL for ascorbic acid and nicotinamide, respectively. Although the mechanism by which antioxidants inhibit PVL production is yet to be elucidated, we suggest that it can be due to interrupting PVL gene expression. Conclusions Ascorbic acid and nicotinamide have the potential to be toxin-suppressing agents that may be effective in supporting the bactericidal effect of antibiotics to improve the outcome of PVL-associated infections; however, further extensive research is required.

The Effect of Ascorbic Acid and Nicotinamide on Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Cytotoxicity: An Ex Vivo Study.

Background: Panton−Valentine Leukocidin sustains a strong cytotoxic activity, targeting immune cells and, consequently, perforating the plasma membrane and inducing cell death. The present study is aimed to examine the individual effect of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide on PVL cytotoxicity ex vivo, as well as their effect on granulocytes viability when treated with PVL. Materials and Methods: The PVL cytotoxicity assay was performed in triplicates using the commercial Cytotoxicity Detection Kit PLUS (LDH). LDH release was measured to determine cell damage and cell viability was measured via flow cytometry. Results and discussion: A clear reduction in PVL cytotoxicity was demonstrated (p < 0.001). Treatment with ascorbic acid at 5 mg/mL has shown a 3-fold reduction in PVL cytotoxicity; likewise, nicotinamide illustrated a 4-fold reduction in PVL cytotoxicity. Moreover, granulocytes' viability after PVL treatment was maintained when incubated with 5 mg/mL of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide. Conclusions: our findings illustrated that ascorbic acid and nicotinamide exhibit an inhibitory effect on PVL cytotoxicity and promote cell viability, as the cytotoxic effect of the toxin is postulated to be neutralized by antioxidant incubation. Further investigations are needed to assess whether these antioxidants may be viable options in PVL cytotoxicity attenuation in PVL-associated diseases.

Synergistic antimicrobial effect of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide with rifampicin and vancomycin against SCCmec type IV methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a pathogenic bacteria involved in a wide spectrum of human diseases. Many virulence factors promote this widespread propagation. One important factor is acquiring antibiotic resistance genes, which leads to a reduction in the availability and efficacy of therapy options. Recently, research has suggested that the remarkable antimicrobial effect of antioxidants against superbugs such as MRSA shows synergistic effects when accompanied by antimicrobial therapy. This paper aims to examine the synergistic effects of ascorbic acid and nicotinamide with a panel of antibiotics used in antimicrobial therapy against MRSA. Material and Methods. Two SCCmec type IV MRSA reference strains (EMRSA-15 and USA300) and 10 MRSA clinical isolates feature in this paper. SCCmec typing was conducted on the 10 clinical isolates via multiplex PCR after identification. Synergy experiments on antioxidants and antibiotics were evaluated via checkerboard assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each agent was determined in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M100 guidelines through twofold microdilution assay. Results and Discussion. Synergy (FIC <0.5) was demonstrated for ascorbic acid (1/2 to 1/4 MIC) with rifampicin (1/2 to 1/8 MIC), and also ascorbic acid (1/2 to 1/16 MIC) when associated with vancomycin (1/2 MIC). Similarly, nicotinamide (1/2 to 1/16 MIC) showed a synergistic effect when paired with low concentrations of rifampicin (1/2 to 1/16 MIC), and also (at 1/4 to 1/16 MIC) with vancomycin (1/2 MIC). All reduced MICs due to synergistic combinations demonstrated statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion. The synergistic activity demonstrated in associating antioxidants with antibiotics shows promise in managing superbugs. However, more research is required to better understand the mechanism of the synergy and for utilization in clinical care.

Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kingdom of Bahrain.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a ubiquitous pathogen associated with a wide spectrum of human infections. In recent decades, MRSA infections have been increasingly reported in individuals without established risk factors, infecting immunocompetent members of the community. This emergence is attributed to the production of various virulence factors, notably Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to better understand the prevalence, antibiotic resistance profiles, and molecular characteristics of S. aureus and MRSA in a tertiary care hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary hospital for a one-year period, from December 2020 to December 2021. A total of 161 consecutive S. aureus isolates were collected. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using BD Phoenix™ automated identification and susceptibility testing system. Molecular analysis was conducted via conventional PCR and conventional multiplex PCR for SCCmec typing. RESULTS: In this study, 161 S. aureus isolates were investigated, 60% (n=97) were characterized as MRSA, of which, 12% (n=12) were healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA) while 88% (n=85) were community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). No statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in antibiotic resistance trends between HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA was detected. Multidrug resistance (MDR) amounted to 19% (n=30) of all S. aureus isolates, 14% (n=9) of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates, and 22% (n=21) of MRSA isolates. SCCmec typing demonstrated a high prevalence of type IV (61%, n=59), followed by type V (32%, n=31), then type II (4%, n=4), and type III (3%, n=3). The PVL prevalence was 39% (n=25) in MSSA and 62% (n=60) in MRSA, 33% (n=4) in HA-MRSA, and 66% (n=56) in CA-MRSA. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the emergence of PVL-producing CA-MRSA in a tertiary care hospital, as well as the detection of PVL-producing MDR strains. This development prompts serious measures to be taken in order to sustain a healthy clinical environment.

A drug utilization and drug interaction study in renal transplant patients: Implications for an urgent need for drug deprescribing.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplant patients receive several drugs concomitantly. OBJECTIVE: Limited literature exists evaluating the drug use in this population that is at high risk for drug-induced acute kidney injury and complications due to under-or over-dosage of immunosuppressant drugs due to drug-drug interactions. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out in 269 renal transplant patients in whom either oral or parenteral drugs were evaluated. World Health Organization (WHO) indicators of drug utilization such as the average number of drugs prescribed, daily defined dose, and proportion of drugs listed as WHO essential drugs were evaluated. Details on the drugs with nephrotoxic potential were obtained. Drug-drug interactions were assessed concerning the severity (major, moderate, and minor) as well as type (pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicity). RESULTS: One-hundred and ninety-eight drugs were administered to the study participants. The median (range) total number of drugs received by the study participants was 23 (6-55). The proportion of drugs listed in the WHO essential drug database was 57.1 (16.7-100)%. Forty-six drugs with potential nephrotoxicity and seven drugs that were contra-indicated in patients with chronic renal disease/end-stage renal disease were administered to the study participants. The mean (SD) numbers of drug interactions observed amongst the study participants were 18.4 (10.1). Age (ß: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1, 0.3) and duration of renal transplantation (ß: -0.3, 95% CI: -0.5, -0.1) were the significant predictors of drug burden. A total of 645 drug interactions were identified amongst the study participants (major - 240; moderate - 270; and minor - 135) of which the majority were pharmacokinetic followed by toxicity risk. Age was significantly associated with the risk of potential drug interaction (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.8, 12.4; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Drug treatment in renal transplant patients poses a significant burden in terms of nephrotoxicity potential and drug-drug interactions. A dedicated ambulatory clinical pharmacy service monitoring the drug use coupled with drug deprescribing strategies are the need of the hour in this population.

Hematologic malignancies of primary bone marrow involvement: a decade's experience in Bahrain.

INTRODUCTION: The data on the pattern of primary hematologic malignancies in Bahrain is sparse, although previously published studies suggested rising trends in their incidence. This study aimed to compare with regional and world data and identify any changing trends. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional chart analysis study was done on all cases of primary hematologic malignancies of bone marrow origin of Bahraini nationals presenting during the 10-year period from January 2005 to December 2014 at the sole oncology referral center in Bahrain during the study period. RESULTS: In a total of 272 cases, the primary hematologic malignancies in decreasing order of frequency with respective median ages at diagnosis were: acute myeloid leukemia (AML; 26.1%, 39 years), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; 22.8%, 9 years), multiple myeloma (MM, 16.2%, 57 years), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML, 14%, 39.5 years), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS; 12.5%, 56 years) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; 5.5%, 65 years). The overall crude annual incidence rate of these malignancies was 4.8/105 population. Age-specific incidence rates were found to increase dramatically with age, except for ALL, for which it peaked in the pediatric age group. The age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) per 105 per year were 1.47 (AML), 1.13 (MM), 0.93 (ALL), 0.85 (MDS), 0.81 (CML) and 0.44 (CLL). CONCLUSION: The pattern of primary hematologic malignancies in Bahrain shows unique features that distinguish it from trends reported in Eastern and Western world populations. Compared to previously published reports, ASIR trends decreased in CML and ALL but increased in MDS and MM.

Genotypes and allele frequencies of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion polymorphism among Bahraini population with type 2 diabetes mellitus and related diseases.

Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism, of a 287-bp Alu repetitive sequence in intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been shown to be associated with different types of diseases and has been widely investigated in different populations with different ethnic origins. Various reports were published suggesting inter-ethnic variations in the frequency of allelic forms of the ACE gene. The goal of this study was to test the distribution of alleles and the different genotypes of ACE (I/D) polymorphism in Bahraini subjects and compare the results with those obtained from other population studies. The Bahraini population is an Arabic peninsula population with a high prevalence of T2DM and hypertension. A total of 560 unrelated Bahraini individuals were recruited in this study and the presence (insertion)/absence (deletion) (I/D) polymorphism of a 287-bp Alu1 element inside intron 16 of the ACE gene was done by PCR-based assays and the presence or absence of the genotypes were analyzed by the gel electrophoresis. The distribution of II, ID, and DD genotypes showed differences among Bahraini subjects, and the frequency of the D allele was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the studied group. The results obtained for the D allele are consistent with those obtained from previous studies among Arabs, Africans, and Caucasians, but differs significantly (P < 0.05) from those in Japanese and Chinese, thus proving the ethnic variation in the distribution of the ACE alleles in different populations.

Trends in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: antibiotic resistance, virulence factors and emerging strains.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a ubiquitous pathogen that is increasing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It is implicated in a wide range of infections, from superficial skin infections to lifethreatening syndromes. MRSA has moved beyond healthcare facilities, affecting individuals in the community without substantial risk factors. Aims: To review the prevalence and molecular characterization of MRSA in GCC countries during 2011-2021. Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed using the following keywords: MRSA, Staphylococcus aureus, GCC, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, UAE, prevalence, and molecular characterization for articles published after 2011. Results: Thirty-nine of 111 articles examined, fulfilled the purpose of this review. Most studies were in Kuwait (44%), Saudi Arabia (28%) and United Arab Emirates (10%). Studies from other GCC countries were sporadic. Several studies demonstrated a clear emergence in antibiotic resistance especially against fusidic acid, ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. Regional prevalence of MRSA is reported as 25-35%, with clear dominance of community-acquired (CA)-MRSA. Panton- Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-producing strains accounted for 35-45%, with clear association with CA-MRSA emergence, but there were some sporadic reports of incorporation of PVL in healthcare-associated (HA)-MRSA. The reported dominant strains included EUST80, USA1100 and WA-MRSA-51. Novel strains are more likely to produce PVL and show fusidic acid resistance. Conclusion: There is a need for national and regional MRSA surveillance programmes, especially with the emergence of strains that require no underlying risk factors to cause illness, as well as the propagation of chimeric resistance elements in both HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA.

The Effect of Age, Gender and Comorbidities Upon SARS-CoV-2 Spike Antibody Induction After Two Doses of Sinopharm Vaccine and the Effect of a Pfizer/BioNtech Booster Vaccine.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 emerged in China in 2019 and has since travelled the world infecting millions. SARS-CoV-2 causes Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), that has to date taken over 4 million lives. The Kingdom of Bahrain's vaccine roll-out has consisted of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) and Pfizer/BioNtech's BNT162b2 (Pfizer/BioNtech). Testing for SARS-CoV-2 anti-Spike (S) antibodies is a useful technique in estimating an individual's immune protection against the infection. In this study we evaluated S antibody levels by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay in 379 individuals double vaccinated with Sinopharm and 15 of whom were given a booster with the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine. Among our double vaccinated cohort, we found a spectrum of S antibody levels. Indeed, we found that a significant proportion of individuals with low S antibody levels had clinical conditions, which were mainly immune-related disorders. Furthermore, a significant proportion of individuals with low S antibody levels were above 50 years of age. Finally, we observed a significant increase in S antibody levels after the Pfizer/BioNtech booster was administered. These findings reveal that while a large proportion of Sinopharm vaccinated individuals did not develop high levels of antibodies against the S protein, a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine significantly enhances S antibody levels, revealing this "triple dose" vaccination strategy as a useful method of ensuring protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.

Effect of foaming parameters on the physical and phytochemical properties of tomato powder.

The objective of this work was to study the effect of foaming parameters on the physical and phytochemical properties of tomato powder. A central composite rotatable design of experiments was defined with two parameters (concentration of soy protein isolate [SPI]: 1-5% and whipping time: 2-14 min) with 5 levels for each parameter. The foam was prepared by whipping tomato puree after adding SPI and dried in a thin layer (4 mm ± 1) at 50 °C. The obtained results showed the predominant effect of the concentration of SPI on the physical and phytochemical properties compared to whipping time. The powder prepared under foaming conditions of 5% SPI and whipping time of 8 min showed an increase of 97, 39, 62, and 46% in the total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and porosity, respectively, while the bulk density decreased by about 25%.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms and T2DM in a case-control association study of the Bahraini population.

Bahrain has one of the highest incidence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) as a complication was noticed in some patients while absent in others. This interesting observation raises the role of certain genetic risk factors for the development of DN. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism was found to be associated with T2DM. While some patients have predisposition to DN in the population, others have negative association. The present case-control association study was designed to investigate the association of ACE I/D polymorphism in T2DM patients in Bahrain especially in those who developed DN. A total of 360 T2DM patients (110 with DN and 250 without DN) and 360 healthy (non-diabetic) age-matched subjects were recruited for this study for comparison. The presence (insertion)/absence (deletion) (I/D) polymorphism of a 287-bp Alu1 element inside intron 16 of the ACE gene was investigated using PCR-gel electrophoresis. The results show that the distribution of the homozygote DD genotype of the ACE gene was high among Bahraini T2DM patients compared to the healthy non-diabetic subjects. In addition, the distribution of the deletion (D) allele was high among Bahraini T2DM patients with DN when compared to the healthy non-diabetic subjects. However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of ACE I/D allele and genotypes between DN patients when compared to those T2DM patients without DN. The results obtained in this study are in closely agreement with some previous reports which show a strong association of ACE polymorphism with T2DM patients, yet not a risk factor for development of DN.

HLA Matching Status Among Patients Requiring Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: The Need for a National and Regional Stem Cell Bank.

OBJECTIVES: Hematopoietic stem cell transplant is a strategic treatment for many malignant and nonmalignant blood diseases. Finding an HLA-matched donor is a requirement for a successful transplantation. The aim of the current study was to explore indications, demographics, and HLA patient-donor matching status among Bahraini patients requiring this transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 100 patients who required hematopoietic stem cell transplant at the Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health tertiary hospital in Bahrain were retrospectively studied. Data were analyzed and compared with data from similar studies. RESULTS: For the 100 patients, 294 potential donors were HLA typed. Indications for transplant included malignant diseases (50%) and hereditary blood diseases (50%). For those in the 0- to 5-year age group, the main indication was acute lymphoblastic leukemia, whereas acute myeloid leukemia was the main indication for those who were >5 years old. Sex distribution showed that 55% of patients were males and 45% were females. With regard to age distribution, 22% of patients were less than 5 years old, 30% were 5 to 17 years old, and 48% were 18 years and older. Patient-donor HLA matching status was 50% HLA identical, 32% haploidentical, 15% more than haploidentical, and 3% less than haploidentical. The number of potential donors per patient ranged from 1 to 11 typed for each patient (average of 2.94 ± 1.86). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of finding a family member as HLA-matched donor for hematopoietic stem cell transplant in our study on Bahraini patients was higher than reports in western countries yet close to other reports from countries with almost similar family sizes. We recommend forming a national Bahrain registry in addition to a regional Eastern Mediterranean stem cell bank to increase the success rate of finding an HLA-matched donor.

Prevalence and determinants of anemia during the third trimester of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Anemia during pregnancy is a significant health problem. We aim to measure the prevalence of anemia in the third trimester of pregnancy in a specific geographical area and identify its risk factors. METHODS: A cross-section study was conducted in the antenatal clinic at Beni-Suef University Hospital on 383 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy. All enrolled women were interviewed about age, education, occupation, family income, vitamin intake, medical history, and nutritional history. A blood sample was examined for hemoglobin concentration from each enrolled woman. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was 72%. Multiparity, infrequent antenatal visits, irregular intake of iron supplements, low weekly intake of meat and fruits, and frequent daily tea consumption were identified as risk factors for anemia. About 23.6% of the anemic women had small-for-gestational-age fetuses (RR = 25.2). CONCLUSION: Anemia by the third trimester of pregnancy represents a major health problem in Beni-Suef, Egypt.

Prevalence of hepatitis B e antigenemia in Bahraini hepatitis B patients: A retrospective, single-center study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen (HBeAg) is commonly encountered among hepatitis B patients and is indicative of active infection. There is a lack of data in the literature about the prevalence of HBeAg among hepatitis B patients in Bahrain and its impact on the disease. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of HBeAg among a sample of hepatitis B patients in Bahrain and to analyze their associated laboratory profile, radiological characteristics, comorbidities, and complications. METHODS: This was a retrospective record-review study conducted on patients' records at Salmaniya Medical Complex hospital in Bahrain during the period of 2011-2016. All records of hepatitis B patients who had HBeAg tests performed were included in this study. RESULTS: Of 323 patients recruited, 18.9% had positive HBeAg. The prevalence of anti-HBe antibodies and hepatitis B core immunoglobulin G (HBc IgG) differed significantly between patients with positive and negative HBeAg (P < 0.001, P = 0.026, respectively). Alanine transferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were significantly higher among patients with positive HBeAg (P = 0.017, P = 0.016, respectively). There was no significant difference with regard to the prevalence of hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver transplantation between HBe-positive and -negative patients (P ≥ 0.05). CONCLUSION: HBeAg is prevalent among hepatitis B patients in Bahrain and is associated with a significantly different laboratory profile.

Utility of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with COVID-19 infections: Bahrain experience.

Aim: COVID-19 pandemic continues and dearth of information remains considering the utility of various inflammatory biomarkers. We carried out the present study to delineate the roles of these biomarkers in various strata of patients with coronavirus infection. Materials & methods: A retrospective study was carried out after obtaining approval from the relevant Ethics Committee. Patients established with COVID-19 infection as shown by positive real-time quantitative PCR test were included. Details on their demographics, diagnosis, whether they received tocilizumab, and the values of the following biomarkers were obtained: IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum ferritin, D-dimer, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine kinase. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted and correlation of biomarkers with IL-6 were estimated. Results: One-hundred and three patients were recruited. We observed that serum ferritin followed by D-dimer had better predictive accuracy in identifying patients with pneumonia compared with asymptomatic; and CRP in addition to the earlier markers had better accuracy for predicting severe illness compared with mild-moderate. Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in patients with severe illness admitted in intensive care unit. Significantly, higher levels of IL-6 and serum ferritin were observed in patients receiving tocilizumab. A trend of increased IL-6 levels was observed immediately following the initiation of tocilizumab therapy followed by a drop thereafter. Conclusion: We observed serum ferritin, D-dimer and CRP to accurately predict patients developing severe COVID-19 infections as well as those at risk of developing COVID pneumonia. A trend in IL-6 levels was observed in patients on tocilizumab therapy.