Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Urinary Tract Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study from Southwestern Saudi Arabia

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

Ocular Complications after COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic affects various populations worldwide. The discovery of vaccinations was necessary for the prevention and elimination of the disease. Despite the high importance of these vaccinations, they may cause some complications, such as ocular complications. This study aims to draw attention to the possible complications of the vaccination and highlight its importance. Materials and Methods: Systematic review of the literature from January 2021 to January 2023. A total of 20 published articles were included and reported cases of ocular complications in patients who received COVID-19 vaccines. Results: A total of 243 patients with verified ocular complications following the COVID-19 vaccination were included, ranging in age from 18 to 84 years. The most common ocular complications reported in the current study were ocular inflammatory complications, which represented 47.3%, followed by optic neuritis (24.3%). Retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, acute macular neuroretinopathy, and paracentral acute middle maculopathy represented 10.7%. Herpetic ocular infections and herpetic eye disease (14%). Nearly half (42%) of the patients with ocular problems received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccination. Conclusions: Despite the high importance of the COVID-19 vaccination, it was found that it is associated with the occurrence of some ocular complications. Future projects should come with more extensive prospective studies to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms and risk factors associated with ocular complications following COVID-19 vaccination, thereby enhancing our understanding and guiding appropriate management strategies