Toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent Saudi women: Correlation with vitamin D.

OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a life-threatening parasite particularly infecting the immunocompromised women. Deficiency of vitamin D is well reported in several infectious disorders. This study was undertaken to investigate a correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the onset of T. gondii infection in immunocompetent women from the central of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 304 Saudi women from the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Specific immunoassays were used to determine the levels of T. gondii immunoglobulin G and vitamin D. The SPSS and the Prism Graph Pad statistical software were used for the data analysis. RESULTS: Out of 304 women, 18.8% were found to be positive for toxoplasmosis. Interestingly, the serum levels of vitamin D in toxoplasma positive cases were found to be significantly low as compared with the levels of vitamin D in toxoplasma negative cases. Moreover, sociodemographic risk factors such as age, residence location, and consumption of fruits/vegetables were also found to be associated with vitamin D deficiency and with the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSION: This study investigated a direct correlation of vitamin D deficiency with the severity of the toxoplasmosis in Saudi women. Therefore, it is predicted that vitamin D supplementation may provide protection against toxoplasma infection.

Extra-intestinal Salmonellosis in a Tertiary Care Center in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: Salmonella infection is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality if not treated properly. It has developed resistance to multiple antibiotics. These developments are concerning. This study sought to observe common patterns of invasive Salmonella infections, such as the common serotypes involved, presentation, sensitive investigations, and effective treatment. This study also aimed to examine the risk factors that can worsen the infection and increase morbidity and mortality. Methodology: This retrospective analysis included all patients who were diagnosed with invasive Salmonella infection at King Khalid University Hospital from May 2017 to December 2018. Most patients in this report were immunocompromised; however, a few previously healthy patients. Different types of specimens were collected. Twenty-two patients with invasive Salmonella were included in this study. Results: Sixteen of them had underlying conditions. The most common presenting symptoms of illness were fever (n = 13), vomiting (n = 6), and diarrhea (n = 4). Most blood samples (94%) were positive for Salmonella. All patients were discharged except three who died; these were all older patients with comorbidities. Although four different antimicrobial resistance patterns were noticed in this study, ciprofloxacin was the highest significant percentage (62.5%). Of five patients initially treated with ciprofloxacin, three of them expressed resistance to this antibiotic. Conclusion: The findings of this study support that immunocompromised patients and people with extreme ages are more likely to have serious medical illnesses and at higher risk of infection with Salmonella spp. Therefore, this study emphasises the importance of antimicrobial judicious utilisation. Tackling the escalating antibiotic resistance could be approached by implementing advanced public education levels to maintain high standards of food and water safety. Moreover, the urge to investigating newer drugs against Salmonella with an acceptable safety profile is a cornerstone to attenuate the rapidly acquired bacterial resistance precisely for those who are immunocompromised. Furthermore, predicting the mortality, morbidity and the clinical response is feasible according to the patient parameters and comorbidities.