Risk assessment of central nervous system (CNS) infection patients is of key importance in predicting likely pathogens. However, data are lacking on the epidemiology globally. We performed a multicenter study to understand the burden of community-acquired CNS (CA-CNS) infections between 2012 and 2014. A total of 2583 patients with CA-CNS infections were included from 37 referral centers in 20 countries. Of these, 477 (18.5%) patients survived with sequelae and 227 (8.8%) died, and 1879 (72.7%) patients were discharged with complete cure. The most frequent infecting pathogens in this study were Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 206, 8%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (n = 152, 5.9%). Varicella zoster virus and Listeria were other common pathogens in the elderly. Although staphylococci and Listeria resulted in frequent infections in immunocompromised patients, cryptococci were leading pathogens in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. Among the patients with any proven etiology, 96 (8.9%) patients presented with clinical features of a chronic CNS disease. Neurosyphilis, neurobrucellosis, neuroborreliosis, and CNS tuberculosis had a predilection to present chronic courses. Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, M. tuberculosis, and S. pneumoniae were the most fatal forms, while sequelae were significantly higher for herpes simplex virus type 1 (p < 0.05 for all). Tackling the high burden of CNS infections globally can only be achieved with effective pneumococcal immunization and strategies to eliminate tuberculosis, and more must be done to improve diagnostic capacity.

Objective: To assess hepatic and renal functions among petrol stations workers in Sana’a city, Yemen. Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Sana’a city, in the period from November 2017 to April 2018. Cases included 109 eligible petrol station workers exposed to petrol for at least six hours daily over a period of six months or more, while 109 apparently healthy office workers were recruited from the University of Science and Technology as controls. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Then, blood samples were collected from cases and controls and tested for albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine in the Laboratory Department of the University of Science and Technology Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23.0. Results: The mean concentration of serum albumin among petrol station workers was significantly lower than the controls. In contrast, the mean level of serum ALP was significantly higher among the petrol station workers than the controls. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean levels of serum ALT and AST between the two groups. Although the mean concentrations of creatinine and urea were higher among the controls than the petrol station workers, the difference was only significantly higher for creatinine among office workers. Conclusions: Although no specific biochemical abnormalities exist in the hepatic and renal functions of petrol station workers in Sana’a city, these parameters may show evident effects with prolonged exposure to petrol components. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, longer durations of exposure and regular follow-up are recommended to assess the impact of long-term exposure to petrol on hepatic and renal functions.

Background: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common inborn enzymatic defect in the world. Determining the prevalence of G6PD deficiency is an essential step towards evaluating its impact on the health of a population. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with G6PD deficiency among newborns in Sana'a city, Yemen. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional study included 397 newborns from eight public and private hospitals in Sana'a city in the period from January to March 2020. Data about gender and the factors possibly associated with G6PD deficiency were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. G6PD deficiency was qualitatively detected in fresh blood using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and differences were considered statistically significant at p-value <0.05. Results: Of 397 screened newborns (217 males and 180 females), 19 newborns (14 male and 5 female newborns) were G6PD-deficient, with an overall prevalence of 4.8% and a male: female ratio of 2.8:1. G6PD deficiency was significantly associated with consanguinity. However, it was not significantly associated with the gender, mode of delivery, gestational age or birth weight of the newborns. Conclusions: G6PD deficiency is prevalent among as low as approximately 5.0% of newborns in the hospitals of Sana'a city. It is almost comparable to those reported from other countries in the region. It is more prevalent among males than females, with no statistically significant difference. G6PD deficiency was not associated with the gender, mode of delivery, gestational age and birth weight of the newborns.

Objective: To assess hepatic and renal functions among petrol stations workers in Sana’a city, Yemen. Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Sana’a city, in the period from November 2017 to April 2018. Cases included 109 eligible petrol station workers exposed to petrol for at least six hours daily over a period of six months or more, while 109 apparently healthy office workers were recruited from the University of Science and Technology as controls. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Then, blood samples were collected from cases and controls and tested for albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine in the Laboratory Department of the University of Science and Technology Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23.0. Results: The mean concentration of serum albumin among petrol station workers was significantly lower than the controls. In contrast, the mean level of serum ALP was significantly higher among the petrol station workers than the controls. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean levels of serum ALT and AST between the two groups. Although the mean concentrations of creatinine and urea were higher among the controls than the petrol station workers, the difference was only significantly higher for creatinine among office workers. Conclusions: Although no specific biochemical abnormalities exist in the hepatic and renal functions of petrol station workers in Sana’a city, these parameters may show evident effects with prolonged exposure to petrol components. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, longer durations of exposure and regular follow-up are recommended to assess the impact of long-term exposure to petrol on hepatic and renal functions.

Objective: To assess hepatic and renal functions among petrol station workers in Sana'a city, Yemen. Methods: A comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted in Sana'a city, in the period from November 2017 to April 2018. It included 109 petrol station workers exposed to petrol for at least six hours daily over a period of six months or more and 109 apparently healthy office clerks from the University of Science and Technology as non-exposed individuals. Data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire through face-to-face interview. Then, blood samples were collected from petrol station workers and office clerks and tested for albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea and creatinine in the Laboratory Department of the University of Science and Technology Hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 23.0. Results: The mean concentration of serum albumin among petrol station workers was significantly lower than that of office clerks. In contrast, the mean level of serum ALP was significantly higher among the petrol station workers than the office clerks. On the other hand, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean levels of serum ALT and AST between the two groups. Although the mean concentrations of creatinine and urea were higher among office clerks than petrol station workers, the difference was only significantly higher for creatinine among office clerks. Conclusions: Although no specific biochemical abnormalities exist in the hepatic and renal functions of petrol station workers in Sana'a city, these parameters may show evident effects with prolonged exposure to petrol components. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes, longer durations of exposure and regular follow-up are recommended to assess the impact of long-term exposure to petrol on hepatic and renal functions.