This study compared how distinct lexical competences, including lexical knowledge as well as processing skills at both word/lexical and sublexical/morphological levels, collectively and relatively predict reading comprehension in adult learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants were 220 Arabic‐speaking EFL learners in a Saudi university. A battery of paper‐ and computer‐based tests was administered to measure the participants’ lexical competences, reading comprehension ability, and working memory. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that over and above working memory, both lexical and sublexical knowledge were significant and unique predictors of reading comprehension, and sublexical processing efficiency, as opposed to lexical processing efficiency, predicted reading comprehension significantly. In addition, among the measured lexical competences, lexical knowledge was the strongest predictor, and the two knowledge variables collectively had a far greater influence on reading comprehension than did the two processing efficiency variables. These findings are discussed in light of the lexical basis of text comprehension.

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Background: Fungal infections are known for their chronicity and latency and are difficult to eradicate. The pathophysiology of these invading pathogens and the resulting alteration of the immune system are not fully understood. Fungal meningitis is associated with significant rates of morbidity and mortality, especially among immunocompromised patients. Cryptococcosis, an infection secondary to the fungus Cryptococcus, is one of the most important opportunistic infections among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and expediting treatment is crucial. Case Report: We report the case of a 28-year-old male with HIV who had a simultaneous co-infection with cryptococcal meningitis and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). The patient required a 2-week induction phase of antifungal medication with amphotericin B and flucytosine. Despite aggressive initial therapy and the patient's significant clinical improvement, his radiologic findings and lumbar puncture showed persistent cryptococcal infection. Conclusion: Concurrent infection with cryptococcosis and MAC is extremely rare even in immunosuppressed patients. In our case, the concurrent infection was associated with a prolonged course of therapy during the induction phase for cryptococcosis.