A Retrospective Study (2015 - 2022) on Brucellosis: Risk Factors, Clinical Disease, Treatment and Outcome in a Tertiary University Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Background Invasive disease due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in adult males and nonpregnant females can cause various diseases, such as primary bacteremia, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), and meningitis. Especially in older people, invasive GBS infection has a high case fatality rate. In Saudi Arabia, little is known about the clinical signs and symptoms of GBS bacteremia and the associated risk factors and mortality rate. Methodology We performed a retrospective study at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a large tertiary hospital, to investigate clinical disease, potential risk factors, susceptibility patterns, and mortality related to GBS in adult males and nonpregnant females diagnosed with GBS bacteremia. All patients ≥14 years of age with GBS-positive blood cultures from January 1, 2015, until December 31, 2022, were included. Patient data such as age, sex, comorbidities, hospital ward, length of hospital stay, monomicrobial versus polymicrobial bloodstream infection, antimicrobials used for treatment, complications, whether an infectious disease specialist had seen them, and outcomes were extracted from the electronic health records. Results A total of 50 patients with GBS bacteremia met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of these patients was 57.0 years (SD = 16.0), and 27 (54%) were female. The 90-day mortality was 11 (22%). In total, 34 (68%) patients had a monomicrobial infection, and among those with polymicrobial infection, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was the most common co-infection (56%, n = 9/16). The most common source of infection was SSTI and wound infection in 24 (48%) patients. Most patients had one or more comorbidities; the mean Charlson comorbidity index was 3.8 (SD = 2.4). The most prevalent comorbidity was diabetes mellitus in 35 (70%) patients. Of all variables analyzed, only age was significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.016), and age had a predictive value for mortality (p = 0.035). Conclusions In Saudi Arabia, as in other countries, GBS is an important pathogen, especially in older people, that should be considered when encountering a patient with bacteremia. In addition, in patients over 65 years old, GBS bacteremia carries a high risk for mortality.

The stress level of nurses, especially frontline staff, directly impacts their physical and mental health as well as work efficiency. However, few studies have been conductedto understand the stress level of nurses related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to assess the level of perceived stress among nurses at a tertiary care teaching hospital (King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah) in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey-based descriptive study involved 1044 nurses working at a tertiary care/teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to assess nurses' stress levels. The study was conducted in July 2021 by selecting clinical nurses from different nursing units. Considering the current situation of social isolation, an online cross-sectional survey using Google Forms was used. Data analysis was performed using IBMSPSSStatistics for Windows, Version 21 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Out of 1044 nursing professionals, 93 (8.9%) reported experiencing low levels of stress, 915 (87.6%) reported moderate levels of stress, and 36 (3.4%) reported high perceived stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that gender (p=0.001) and nationality (p=0.016) had significant effects on stress levels. The three major causes of stress identified by the nurses were workload, lack of resources, and fear of contracting COVID-19. Job-related stress continues to be an issue in the nursing workforce. The effects of stress experienced by nurses impact job satisfaction and retention, which, in turn, can affect the quality of patient care. This study highlights that nurses in a tertiary care (COVID care) teaching hospital in our setting often experience stress and anxiety during the pandemic. It is worth noting that this is the first study conducted to understand the level of stress perceived by nursing staff during the COVID-19 pandemic in our current study setting. The findings indicate that a considerable number of nurses experienced moderate levels of stress during COVID-19, which can have implications for patient care. Recognizing and understanding the job-related stressors of nurses can help nurse leaders implement more effective strategies aimed at reducing nurses' stress and subsequently improving patient outcomes.

Introduction. There are many multidrug-resistant isolates of the nosocomial pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii, causing severe healthcare-acquired infections in terminally ill patients with high mortality and morbidity rates. Aim. This study aims to retrospectively analyse A. baumannii bacteraemia (ABB) cases in Saudi Arabia, where the information is sparse regarding the prevalence, risk factors, clinical disease, antibiotic regimen, antibiotic susceptibility, treatment outcomes and mortality associated with this infection. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2022 to identify all patients aged 14 years and above with ABB. Demographic and clinical data, as well as results from laboratory analyses, were collected from patients' electronic charts. Statistical analyses were performed on the data to identify factors associated with 90-day mortality. Results. Of the 122 ABB cases, 71 (63.4%) died. The factors that were found to be associated with 90-day mortality were the Charlson Comorbidity Index, Pitt bacteraemia score, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (P<0.001 for each), hospital ward (P<0.02), short duration of antibiotic treatment (P<0.01) and higher age (P<0.05). The most common source of infection was central line-associated bloodstream infection in 52.7%. Also associated with mortality were inappropriate antimicrobial therapy (P<0.02) and empirical use of colistin (P<0.05). In many patients, ABB was caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii [(CRAB), 69.6%], and 74.4% of those patients died. Conclusion. To prevent ABB-associated mortality, an appropriate regimen and duration of treatment are necessary. Hospitals should also practice proper hygiene to prevent the spread of ABB. CRAB is a growing threat in hospitals in Saudi Arabia, especially in the critical care setting, and carries a very high risk of mortality.

Objective: Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a major health problem worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, 16.4% of tuberculosis cases were found to be resistant to at least one first-line drug. This study aims to assess and determine patterns of tuberculosis drug resistance among patients with culture-positive tuberculosis in order to develop an appropriate treatment strategy. Methods: Data for 51 patients with culture-proven drug-resistant tuberculosis from January 2006 to January 2017 seeking treatment at the King Abdulaziz University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. World Health Organization criteria were used to classify cases according to type of resistance: monoresistant, polyresistant, and multidrug resistant. Results: Of the 299 tuberculosis positive cases there were 51 cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis, of which 60.8% were monoresistant (isoniazid, 17.6%; rifampin, 5.88%; pyrazinamide, 11.76%; ethambutol, 3.92%; streptomycin, 21.57%), 25.49% were multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and 13.73% were polyresistant. Moreover, 18% involved children, 37% adolescents, 17.6% early adults, 17.6% late adults, and 11.76% elderly. Two-thirds of the patients were non-Saudi (76.46%). We found that 5.8% of the patients were HIV positive and 50% of these patients demonstrated monoresistant tuberculosis. Moreover, 47.05% of patients had type 2 diabetes. A total of 45 (88%) patients had primary resistance and 6 had secondary resistance. Radiologically, 60.78% of the patients had cavitary tuberculosis and 64% had bilateral pulmonary disease. Conclusions: Our results show that the pattern of tuberculosis drug resistance observed within King Abdulaziz University Hospital is similar to that observed globally.

Objectives: The objective of the study is to study the prevalence, pattern, etiology, and outcome of epistaxis in a tertiary university hospital. Methods: A retrospective study conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 2014 to January 2017. Patients' demographics, causes of bleeding, and management techniques were recorded. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at King Saud University. Results: A total of 1126 patients had an epistaxis prevalence rate of 0.98% of all emergency visits. There were 462 males (41.0%) and 664 females (59.0%). The mean age was 39.1 years (from 6 to 74 years). The highest number of patients with epistaxis was 340 (30.2%) in age group of 41–50 years. The mean height was 144.6 cm and the mean weight was 56 kg. The most common cause of epistaxis was idiopathic in 353 (31.3%) patients. A total of 510 (45.3%) patients had an anterior bleeding site, while 152 (13.5%) had bilateral bleeding. The diagnosis was reached both endoscopic and clinical. The majority were treated with a nonsurgical method; anterior packing was successful in 840 (74.6%) patients and chemical and electric cautery in 80 (7.1%) patients. There was a history of recurrent epistaxis in 46 children (4.1%). No mortality occurred during the study period. Conclusion: Epistaxis is common in Saudi Arabia. The age group of 41–50 years is more prone to epistaxis with a prevalence of 30.2%. Exposure to dry, hot weather, idiopathic, and hypertension are the frequent causes. Packing and cauterization successfully treated epistaxis in most cases, and there were no cases with mortality.

Quality of Life Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be a major concern for health care workers. The number of reported cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly osteoarticular tuberculosis, is increasing. This fact is attributed to different factors such as underestimating the disease and difficulty in diagnosis, which requires tissue sampling and can lead to a delay in the diagnosis, and can result in significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to highlight the difficulties and delay in diagnosis of articular tuberculosis, raising the need to create awareness about the importance of early diagnosis to avoid major complications of joint destruction.DESIGN AND SETTING:Retrospective review of patients presenting to a tertiary care center between 2003 and 2009.PATIENTS AND METHODS:We reviewed cases who presented with monoarticular joint pain and swelling that failed to respond to treatment elsewhere and were eventually diagnosed as having articular tuberculosis. We collected the demographic data, history, data on clinical examination and the relevant laboratory investigations, in addition to the data on radiological studies. All patients were treated medically with antituberculosis chemotherapy and surgically according to the severity of joint destruction.RESULTS:Thirteen patients had a mean age was 40 years (range, 17-70 years). The average delay in diagnosis was 2 years. Only 1 patient had pulmonary TB. The hip, knee and elbow were the most common joints involved. Bacteriology was positive in 69% of the cases; and histopathology, in 92%. Fifteen percent of the patients had arthrodesis. None showed recurrence after follow-up of 4 years.CONCLUSION:A high level of clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and treatment of osteoarticular TB to reduce its significant morbidity.

Objectives:We aimed to find out the prevalence and associated risk factors of GDM among females who attended antenatal clinic at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (SA).Methods:This retrospective study was carried out from 25th September 2016 till 20th December 2016, at the Endocrine Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, KAUH, Jeddah, SA. A total of 5000 women attended antenatal clinic and 637 women were referred to the endocrine clinic for GDM. The data of only 103 GDM was included in the study because only these patients’ complete data was available. The electronic record of 93 pregnant age and BMI matched females, not having GDM were selected as a control group.Results:The prevalence of GDM was 12.75% (637/5000). Parity was associated with GDM (X2=16.82, P=.001) and GDM was significantly higher in multigravida while no association of GDM was found with working status, place of living, hypertension, family history of DM and BMI. Logistic regression analysis revealed that grand multigravida female had the lower risk of GDM as compared to multi, primi and nulligravida while age, working status, place of living, hypertension, family history of DM and BMI were not found significant risk factors for GDM. In GDM group, according to nationality, 68(66%) women were Saudi while 35(34%) were expatriates’ (Yemeni 11.2%, Egyptians 3.9%, Indians 3.9%, Pakistanis 2.9%, Sudanese 2.9%, Syrians 2.9% and others).Conclusions:The prevalence of GDM was 12.75% and it was not associated with working status, place of living, hypertension, family history of diabetes and BMI.

We reviewed a total of 169 deaths among 969 infants referred from various health institutions in the Asir Region to the neonatal intensive care unit of Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, during a four-year period (January 1992 to December 1995). The results showed that the major causes of neonatal mortality in the region were low birth weight (LBW) (45%), congenital malformations (CM) (30.8%), infection (13.6%), and birth asphyxia (7.7%). The majority of the LBW infants died from respiratory insufficiency, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. The alimentary, central nervous and cardiovascular systems were the parts most commonly involved in CM, with cardiac defect accounting for the highest fatality rate due to lack of facilities for cardiac surgery in the region, and delay in effecting a transfer. Klebsiella, Serratia and E. coli are the predominant organisms causing neonatal sepsis, in contrast with the group B streptococcus dominating in America and the United Kingdom. Generally, factors causing neonatal deaths in the Asir region are similar to those reported in other tertiary hospitals in Saudi Arabia, and tally closely with observations in America and Europe, where the standard of health care is excellent. Nevertheless, the study indicates the need for upgrading of facilities, as well as for more trained personnel for obstetric and neonatal care in Asir region. It may be necessary to consider the need for the establishment of a regional cardiac surgery center in the region.

We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for acquisition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in children admitted with urinary tract infection (UTI) at a tertiary university hospital in Saudi Arabia, as well as to investigate antibiotic resistance patterns. This retrospective cross-sectional study involved hospitalized children aged 0-14 years from January 2018 to December 2022 with urine cultures that grew E. coli or ESBL-producing E. coli. Data of the antimicrobial susceptibility for isolated bacteria were collected. This study analyzed 242 urine samples obtained from 119 children with E. coli UTIs. Of these, 20.7% (n = 50) were ESBL producers. Previous antibiotic use (last 3 months), prophylactic antibiotic use, prior UTI (last 3 months), recurrent UTIs, and underlying co-morbidities (p = 0.011, <0.001, 0.025, <0.001, and 0.013, respectively) had a significant relationship with increased risk of ESBL E. coli UTIs. Generally, the highest resistance rates in the ESBL-producing isolates were for ampicillin and third-generation cephalosporin. Conversely, all ESBL-positive isolates were sensitive to meropenem, with variable resistance rates to other antibiotics as amikacin, nitrofurantoin, quinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (2%, 8%, 56% and 64%, respectively). There is a high prevalence of ESBL production among children hospitalized with E. coli UTIs. Addressing ESBL UTI risk factors helps to recognize high-risk cases and enhance proper antibiotic use.

BackgroundStaphylococcus lugdunensis is a pathogen that can cause various diseases in humans, of which bacteremia and infective endocarditis have been described most extensively. In Saudi Arabia, reports of S. lugdunensis infection are extremely rare, and no studies have reported S. lugdunensis antibiotic susceptibility. The objective of this study was to determine S. lugdunensis clinical disease, potential risk factors, susceptibility pattern, and 30-day mortality.MethodsA retrospective study was performed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2022. Patients ≥14 years old were included. All variables, such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), clinical manifestations, source of infection, antimicrobial susceptibility, antimicrobial given, duration of treatment, and 30-day mortality, were obtained from electronic health charts.ResultsTwenty-five patients with S. lugdunensis infection were identified, with a median age of 58 years and all had comorbidities (mean: 2, range 1-10). The patients had a median BMI of 28, and most patients were either overweight (28%, n = 7) or obese (48%, n = 12). The 30-day mortality was only 8% (n = 2). S. lugdunensis was most often cultured from wound swabs (72%, n = 18) and blood (20%, n = 5). The majority (68%, n = 17) of infections were community-acquired. Antibiotic susceptibility to vancomycin was 100% (n = 25), oxacillin 72% (n = 18), and clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 64% (n = 16) each. The mean Charlson comorbidity index was significantly higher (p-value = 0.027) among the deceased patients (6.00 ± 2.12) than those that survived (1.83 ± 1.77).ConclusionS. lugdunensis can cause clinically significant disease, especially in patients with multiple comorbidities, and a higher Charlson comorbidity index was found in patients who died.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to measure the incidence and record the relations between risk factors of postoperative pneumonia (POP) among patients who underwent open heart surgery in a single hospital in Saudi Arabia. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted in June 2019 at King Abdulaziz University hospital in Saudi Arabia. Data including general information, comorbidities, lab investigations, preoperative risk factors, intraoperative considerations, and postoperative elements were collected and analyzed.ResultsA total of 255 cardiac surgeries were performed from November 2014 to June 2019. Two hundred of the 255 cardiac surgeries were analyzed as open-heart surgeries. Only five patients were diagnosed with POP after open heart surgery with an incidence of 2.5%. The mean age of these patients was 47±18 years, more than half of them were smokers, three were hypertensive, four were classified as ASA 4, and three underwent the operation electively. The mean bypass time was 100.3 ± 24.5 min, the mean duration of operation was 199 ± 86.2 min, the mean postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 97.4 ± 83.4 hours, and the mean overall hospital stay was 10.4 ± 7.2 days. We observed significant differences in only the following correlations: amount of blood transfusion with ICU stay and with the overall hospital stay.ConclusionThe incidence of developing postoperative pneumonia in patients undergoing open heart surgery in the King Abdulaziz University hospital from November 2014 to June 2019 was 2.5%, indicating a high-quality level of surgical technique and proper infection control.

Background: Antenatal care is vital for pregnant women and fetuses. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has hindered access to care worldwide, resulting in missed appointments. Therefore, assessing the quality of antenatal care during the pandemic is crucial. This study evaluated the care provided at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia and suggested areas for improvement.Methods: This retrospective medical records review involved 400 pregnant patients who received antenatal care at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in the past two years. A checklist was used to collect patient data, including demographics, antenatal care visits, ultrasounds, gestational age at first visit and ultrasound, prior cesarean section and preterm delivery, and virtual clinic attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.).Results: The sample had a mean age of 30±6 years, and most participants (87.8%) were Saudi women. Over half of the participants did not attend any antenatal follow-up visits, and the majority had only one ultrasound. Only a small proportion of mothers attended virtual clinics during the pandemic. Having a prior cesarean section and a parity of 1-3 were positively associated with ultrasound attendance, while prior preterm delivery was positively associated with antenatal visits and virtual clinic attendance.Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of improving antenatal care quality at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, especially during COVID-19. To achieve this, strategies such as increasing visits, ultrasound attendance, and virtual clinic access should be considered. By implementing these recommendations, the hospital can enhance care and promote maternal and fetal health.

Objective: To follow the incidence of major complications in women who had gynecologic laparoscopy at a university hospital in Saudi Arabia. Design: Retrospective chart review. Materials and Methods: The hospital records of all women who underwent gynecologic laparoscopy at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from April 1997 to September 2013 was reviewed. Demographic data, indications, types and presence of complications of laparoscopic procedures performed were determined. Results: During the study period, a total of 1580 gynecologic laparoscopies were performed. One thousand and sixty-three were diagnostic (67.3%) and 517 were operative (32.7%). Indications for laparoscopy were 771 (48.8%) for infertility, 196 (12.4%) for abdomen and pelvic pain, 238 (15.1%) for pelvic mass, 73 (4.6%) for abnormal vaginal bleeding, 207 (13.1%) for ectopic pregnancy, 28 (1.8%) for removal of missing intrauterine contraceptive device, 24 (1.5%) for tubal ligation, and 43 (2.7%) for other indications. Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 119 women (7.5%). There were no deaths in the series. However, one vascular and one bladder injury had occurred. Conclusion: Despite the increased variety and complexity of operative cases, the presence of subspecialty staff and improved training has contributed to maintaining a low rate of complications in gynecologic laparoscopy.

Objectives:To compare the effectiveness of intermittent and continuous proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) infusion on the outcomes of patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB).Methods:The study was a single-centred retrospective study in adult patients with active upper gastrointestinal bleeding who received intermittent or continuous PPI infusion at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from January 2013 to October 2019. The outcomes assessed were rebleeding, length of hospital stays and mortality within 30 days of admission, and were compared between the treatment groups. A statistically significant p-value was set at 0.05.Results:The study involved 97 patients with NVUGIB treated with intermittent (n=56) and continuous (n=41) PPI infusions, with mean (±SD) ages of 66.0±16.1 and 58.0±19.5 years, respectively. The baseline and clinical characteristics between the 2 treatment groups; age (p=0.116), gender (p=0.345) and comorbidities (p=0.401), were comparable. There were no significant differences in rebleeding rates within 30 days (5 [8.9%] versus 1 [2.4%], p=0.396), length of hospital stays (4 vs 5, p=0.067), and mortality rate (1 [1.7%] vs 3 [7.3%], p=0.308) between the 2 groups.Conclusion:The management of NVUGIB with intermittent and continuous PPI infusions demonstrated comparable outcomes in reducing rebleeding rate, length of hospital stays, and mortality rate among patients attending the university hospital in Saudi Arabia.