No abstract

For many years, fungi have emerged as significant and frequent opportunistic pathogens and nosocomial infections in many different populations at risk. Fungal infections include disease that varies from superficial to disseminated infections which are often fatal. No fungal disease is reportable in Oman. Many cases are admitted with underlying pathology, and fungal infection is often not documented. The burden of fungal infections in Oman is still unknown. Using disease frequencies from heterogeneous and robust data sources, we provide an estimation of the incidence and prevalence of Oman’s fungal diseases. An estimated 79,520 people in Oman are affected by a serious fungal infection each year, 1.7% of the population, not including fungal skin infections, chronic fungal rhinosinusitis or otitis externa. These figures are dominated by vaginal candidiasis, followed by allergic respiratory disease (fungal asthma). An estimated 244 patients develop invasive aspergillosis and at least 230 candidemia annually (5.4 and 5.0 per 100,000). Only culture and microscopy are currently available for diagnosis, so case detection is suboptimal. Uncertainty surrounds these figures that trigger the need for urgent local epidemiological studies with more sensitive diagnostics.

Lead is the most ubiquitous heavy metal in the Earth's crust. Since prehistoric times, lead has widely propagated and mobilized in the environment, increasing its non-essential uptake and exposure. The amount of lead entering the atmosphere has reduced substantially in the majority of wealthy nations. Acute exposure becomes relatively low, but chronic exposure to low levels of lead remains a significant public health issue. However, disadvantaged groups are developing and industrializing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our current study comprises various sources of lead pollutant from 48 studies. Of these, 34 studies entered systematic review synthesis after quality assessment and evaluation using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The study sought to identify lead pollution sources, epidemiology and distribution and analyse lead poisoning clinical manifestations, management, challenges and opportunities throughout the MENA countries.

Lead is the most ubiquitous heavy metal in the Earth's crust. Since prehistoric times, lead has widely propagated and mobilized in the environment, increasing its non-essential uptake and exposure. The amount of lead entering the atmosphere has reduced substantially in the majority of wealthy nations. Acute exposure becomes relatively low, but chronic exposure to low levels of lead remains a significant public health issue. However, disadvantaged groups are developing and industrializing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our current study comprises various sources of lead pollutant from 48 studies. Of these, 34 studies entered systematic review synthesis after quality assessment and evaluation using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The study sought to identify lead pollution sources, epidemiology and distribution and analyse lead poisoning clinical manifestations, management, challenges and opportunities throughout the MENA countries.