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Awwad S, Al-Hamdani M, Abdallah AM, Abu-Madi M. Laboratory testing efficiency during the COVID pandemic: Findings from the Primary Health Care Corporation laboratories in the State of Qatar. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:681-686. [PMID: 38471258 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about how the COVID-19 pandemic altered laboratory testing efficiency in the State of Qatar. The aim of this study was to assess laboratory testing efficiency with respect to the total number and proportion of C-reactive protein (CRP), complete blood count (CBC), and comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) tests completed on time in 2019-2021 in several ordinary and COVID-converted Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) health centers across Qatar. METHODS Secondary data from 2019 to 2021 were accessed from the PHCC-Clinical Information System center. Six randomly selected centers from three regions of Qatar (Northern, Central, and Western), two of which were COVID-converted, were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 404,316 laboratory tests were analyzed. There were decreasing, U-shaped, and inverted-U-shaped patterns in the numbers of tests conducted in different regions between 2019 and 2021 according to test type. The proportion of urgent (STAT) CBC and CMP tests increased from 2019 to 2021, and the proportion of tests completed by COVID-converted health centers increased for CRP and CBC and decreased for CMP between 2019 and 2021. Northern and Western regions in Qatar showed higher efficiency than the Central region with respect to the proportion of STAT tests completed on time in 2019-2021. COVID-converted centers completed fewer STAT CBC tests on time than ordinary centers. CONCLUSION Pandemics such as COVID-19 shift the allocation of resources from routine tests to urgent tests, as exemplified by the increase in STAT test proportions in 2019 to 2021. High population densities, as noted in the Central region of Qatar, may require additional resources during pandemics to complete urgent tests more efficiently. The conversion of centers to COVID-converted centers may not necessarily translate into higher urgent test efficiency, as exemplified by the STAT CBC test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Awwad
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Al-Hamdani
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Atiyeh M Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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Abouhasera S, Abu-Madi M, Al-Hamdani M, Abdallah AM. Exploring Emotional Intelligence and Sociodemographics in Higher Education; the Imperative for Skills and Curriculum Development. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:911. [PMID: 37998658 PMCID: PMC10669286 DOI: 10.3390/bs13110911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in understanding the nature and impact of emotional intelligence (EI) in educational institutions and the workplace since EI is associated with academic performance, career success, job satisfaction, and management skills. Here we measured EI levels in students and employees at Qatar University and examined associations with sociodemographic variables. This cross-sectional study used the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form (TEIQue-SF) questionnaire to quantify EI. Of 517 respondents, 315 were students and 202 were employees. The mean global EI level across all participants was 4.80 ± 0.78, with EI highest in the well-being domain (5.43 ± 1.04). Overall, older respondents had higher EI than younger respondents. There was no significant effect of gender, marital status, or employment position on EI. However, there were significant two- and three-way interactions. As a standalone variable, age was the most important factor influencing EI development in our cohort. However, three-way interactions revealed complex effects between age, gender, and marital status and EI. Our findings support a need for workshops on EI for employees and integrating dedicated courses into existing curricula to equip students with effective interpersonal relationship skills that foster EI development. Developing such interpersonal skills could help to promote personal, professional, and academic success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa Abouhasera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (M.A.-M.)
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (M.A.-M.)
| | - Mohammed Al-Hamdani
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Atiyeh M. Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar; (S.A.); (M.A.-M.)
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Sharma A, Abunada T, Said SS, Kurdi RM, Abdallah AM, Abu-Madi M. Clinical Practicum Assessment for Biomedical Science Program from Graduates' Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:12420. [PMID: 36231715 PMCID: PMC9565152 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The clinical practicum for biomedical science students aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills required to work in diagnostic laboratory settings. This study examines graduates' perspectives on content, teachers and clinical training and their satisfaction rates based on the skills gained during training. The study was conducted on females who graduated from Qatar University between 2015 and 2020. We used a previously validated questionnaire called CPAT-QU. Telephonic interviews were conducted and were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed a high satisfaction rate, of 80%, for the content and organization of the clinical training. The participants' main concerns included the evaluation criteria, as 8.7% were not satisfied. The students suggested increasing the length of the training in order to obtain experience that was more practical. The students' satisfaction with the teachers was 70% in terms of their attitude, command of knowledge and ability to convey knowledge. In total, 69.5% of the graduates claimed that their instructors were interested in teaching and 4.4% claimed their instructors conveyed disinterest in teaching. The Qatar University graduates were satisfied with the content of their clinical training. However, they reported some gaps in this training. Identifying these gaps will help in restructuring clinical training to improve student experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Taghreed Abunada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Sawsan S. Said
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Rana M. Kurdi
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Atiyeh M. Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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Abunada T, Abdallah AM, Singh R, Abu-Madi M. Development and Validation of a Clinical Practicum Assessment Tool for the NAACLS-Accredited Biomedical Science Program. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19116651. [PMID: 35682236 PMCID: PMC9180805 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Student perspectives on their final year clinical placements in biomedical sciences at Qatar University are assessed using the clinical practicum assessment tool (CPAT), which was developed in-house following accreditation body requirements. The tool, which we call the CPAT-Qatar University (CPAT-QU), covers the three clinical practicum domains: practicum content, preceptors, and competencies. Here, we validate this tool. The CPAT-QU has 27 Likert-scale questions and free-text open questions. CPAT-QU readability was calculated using the Flesch–Kincaid Reading Ease (FKRE) instrument. Content validity was assessed using the average and universal average scale-level content validity indices (S-CVI/Average and S-CVI/UA). For construct validity, 50 employed graduates who had completed the practicum were consented for study participation, and the validity was calculated by a principal component analysis (PCA). Reliability was analyzed by Cronbach’s alpha. The S-CVI/Average and S-CVI/UA were 0.90 and 0.59, respectively, indicating that an adequate proportion of the content was relevant. The PCA extracted two core components, which explained 63% of the variance in the CPAT-QU. Cronbach’s alpha values for the items were within the acceptable range of 0.60–1.00, showing that internal consistency has a good level. CPAT-QU appears to be a useful tool for assessing student perspectives on their clinical placements; however, construct validity needs continuous improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taghreed Abunada
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (T.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Atiyeh M. Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (T.A.); (A.M.A.)
| | - Rajvir Singh
- Cardiology Research, Heart Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha P.O. Box 3050, Qatar;
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, QU-Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar; (T.A.); (A.M.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +974-4403-7578; Fax: +974-4403-4801
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Chourabi M, Boughattas S, Abdallah AM, Ismail A, Behnke JM, Al-Mekhlafi HM, Abu-Madi M. Genetic Diversity and Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in Qatar. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:652946. [PMID: 34017691 PMCID: PMC8129557 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.652946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Giardia duodenalis is a common human intestinal parasite worldwide, and the causative agent of diarrhea, with the severity of disease ranging from asymptomatic to intense and debilitating infection. G. duodenalis is known to consist of eight genetically distinct assemblages, named from A to H. No data available on the genotypes and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis circulating in Qatar. Methods We genotyped 54 human Giardia isolates, collected from asymptomatic immigrants in Qatar, using a multilocus genotyping (MLGs) tool. We also investigated relationships between the subjects’ genotypes and their demographic data. Results Genomic DNA from 54 isolates were tested by PCR and sequence analysis at three loci: glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), β-giardin (bg) and triose phosphate (tpi)). Assemblage A was identified in nine (16.67%), assemblage B in thirty (55.55%), and a mixture of assemblages A+B in fifteen (27.78%) isolates. All assemblage A isolates, genotyped in different loci, were assigned to sub-assemblage AII, and six of them had MLGs AII-1 while one new MLG was identified in two isolates. Sequences of assemblage B isolates have high level of genetic diversity and high presence of heterogeneous peaks, especially within the gdh gene. No significant associations between genotypes and the immigrants’ demographic data were found due to the extensive number of new variants. Conclusions MLGs was used herein to genotype 54 immigrant Giardia isolates. The high level of genetic variability found in our isolates hampered MLGs determination, more investigations are now required to consolidate our findings, and to enable a comprehensive understanding of the diversity within G. duodenalis assemblage B isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwa Chourabi
- Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Sonia Boughattas
- Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Atiyeh M Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Medical Commission, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Hesham M Al-Mekhlafi
- Medical Research Centre, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Abdallah AM, Abu-Madi M. The Genetic Control of the Rheumatic Heart: Closing the Genotype-Phenotype Gap. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:611036. [PMID: 33842495 PMCID: PMC8024521 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.611036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a heritable inflammatory condition characterized by carditis, arthritis, and systemic disease. Although remaining neglected, the last 3 years has seen some promising advances in RHD research. Whilst it is clear that RHD can be triggered by recurrent group A streptococcal infections, the mechanisms driving clinical progression are still poorly understood. This review summarizes our current understanding of the genetics implicated in this process and the genetic determinants that predispose some people to RHD. The evidence demonstrating the importance of individual cell types and cellular states in delineating causal genetic variants is discussed, highlighting phenotype/genotype correlations where possible. Genetic fine mapping and functional studies in extreme phenotypes, together with large-scale omics studies including genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, and metabolomics, are expected to provide new information not only on RHD but also on the mechanisms of other autoimmune diseases and facilitate future clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiyeh M Abdallah
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Younes N, Syed N, Yadav SK, Haris M, Abdallah AM, Abu-Madi M. A Whole-Genome Sequencing Association Study of Low Bone Mineral Density Identifies New Susceptibility Loci in the Phase I Qatar Biobank Cohort. J Pers Med 2021; 11:jpm11010034. [PMID: 33430342 PMCID: PMC7825795 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11010034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone density disorders are characterized by a reduction in bone mass density and strength, which lead to an increase in the susceptibility to sudden and unexpected fractures. Despite the serious consequences of low bone mineral density (BMD) and its significant impact on human health, most affected individuals may not know that they have the disease because it is asymptomatic. Therefore, understanding the genetic basis of low BMD and osteoporosis is essential to fully elucidate its pathobiology and devise preventative or therapeutic approaches. Here we sequenced the whole genomes of 3000 individuals from the Qatar Biobank and conducted genome-wide association analyses to identify genetic risk factors associated with low BMD in the Qatari population. Fifteen variants were significantly associated with total body BMD (p < 5 × 10−8). Of these, five variants had previously been reported by and were directionally consistent with previous genome-wide association study data. Ten variants were new: six intronic variants located at six gene loci (MALAT1/TALAM1, FASLG, LSAMP, SAG, FAM189A2, and LOC101928063) and four intergenic variants. This first such study in Qatar provides a new insight into the genetic architecture of low BMD in the Qatari population. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to validate these findings and to elucidate the functional effects of these variants on low BMD and bone fracture susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadin Younes
- Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
| | - Najeeb Syed
- Biomedical Informatics Division, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (N.S.); (S.K.Y.); (M.H.)
| | - Santosh K. Yadav
- Biomedical Informatics Division, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (N.S.); (S.K.Y.); (M.H.)
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Biomedical Informatics Division, Sidra Medicine, Doha 26999, Qatar; (N.S.); (S.K.Y.); (M.H.)
| | - Atiyeh M. Abdallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Doha 2713, Qatar;
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar;
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences-QU Health, Doha 2713, Qatar;
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit-QU Health, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +974-4403-7578; Fax: +974-4403-4801
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Boughattas S, Behnke JM, Al-Sadeq D, Ismail A, Abu-Madi M. Cryptosporidium spp., prevalence, molecular characterisation and socio-demographic risk factors among immigrants in Qatar. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007750. [PMID: 31661498 PMCID: PMC6818760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization WHO has estimated that in developed countries, up to 30% of the population may suffer from foodborne diseases each year, and that in developing countries up to 2 million deaths per annum can be attributed to cryptosporidiosis. Reports have already emphasized the role of immigrants in outbreaks of parasitic diseases especially those working in food processing industries. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Herein we assessed Cryptosporidium spp. infections among immigrants in Qatar with a special focus on food handlers and housemaids. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. by q-PCR among 839 asymptomatic subjects was 4.5%. Based on the Gp60 gene, the majority of isolates were identified as C. parvum subtype IIdA20G1b. The positive sample for C. hominis was subtyped as IeA12G3T3. Seven mixed infections were also identified (four C. parvum + C. hominis, and three C. parvum + C. meleagridis). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. did not differ significantly between the sexes or age classes but varied significantly between subjects affiliated to different religions with the lowest prevalence among the Muslims. Multifactorial analysis retained also marked significance with education, income, and a house contents index. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Our results contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis and the risk factors associated with the likelihood of carrying this infection among immigrant workers from developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Boughattas
- College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jerzy M. Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Duaa Al-Sadeq
- College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Medical Commission, Ministry of Public Health, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- * E-mail:
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Abu-Madi M, Boughattas S, Behnke JM, Sharma A, Ismail A. Coproscopy and molecular screening for detection of intestinal protozoa. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:414. [PMID: 28877704 PMCID: PMC5588727 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2346-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intestinal parasitosis is one of several health concerns about immigrants who travel from endemic to non-endemic regions. Reliable rapid sensitive diagnostic tools, for use in non-endemic regions, are urgently required to enable frequent assessment of immigrant workers in jobs where risk of local transmission is a particular concern (e.g. food-handlers). We assessed the burden of intestinal protozoa in newly arrived immigrants and those applying for renewal of work permits in Qatar (n = 735), by both microscopic examination of stool samples and by Real Time PCR methodology. Results Prevalence was considerably higher using RT-PCR compared with coproscopy (Blastocystis hominis: 65.2 vs 7.6%; Giardia duodenalis: 14.3 vs 2.9%; Entamoeba histolytica: 1.6 vs 1.2%). Dientamoeba fragilis was sought only by RT-PCR (prevalence of 25.4%). Prevalence of G. duodenalis was significantly higher in male subjects, associated with blue collar workers and declined over time. Prevalence of B. hominis varied significantly with region of origin of subjects with highest values recorded among African immigrants. Prevalence of D. fragilis also varied with region of origin of subjects, and was lower in young female subjects and in renewal applicants compared with first-time applicants for work permits. Conclusions We strongly recommend that, henceforth, intestinal protozoa should be screened by RT-PCR, with a particular focus on frequent assessment of immigrant food-handlers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Sonia Boughattas
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Aarti Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Medical Commission, Ministry of Public Health, P.O. Box 42, Doha, Qatar
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Boughattas S, Behnke J, Sharma A, Abu-Madi M. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in feral cats in Qatar. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:26. [PMID: 28100230 PMCID: PMC5242050 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-0952-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cats are essential in the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii as they can shed the environmentally resistant oocysts after acquiring infection. Human populations living in cities with high densities of feral cats are therefore likely to be at risk of infection. The current study is the first to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in the feral cat population in Qatar. We investigated the seroprevalence of T. gondii among 495 adult cats from urban and suburban districts in Qatar. Using results from the Modified Agglutination Test, we fitted statistical models with host sex, area and season as explanatory factors and seropositivity as the outcome. RESULTS The analysis revealed an overall seroprevalence of 82%. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the summer season (P = 0.006). No significant difference was detected (P > 0.05) between seroprevalence in female and male cats and in cats from urban and suburban districts of Qatar. CONCLUSIONS Despite the seasonal difference, the observed seroprevalence of T. gondii suggests high environmental contamination throughout the year, with some female cats generating more intense responses compared to males. Both findings merit further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Boughattas
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jerzy Behnke
- School of Biology, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Aarti Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Sciences, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Abu-Madi M, Behnke JM, Sharma A, Bearden R, Al-Banna N. Prevalence of Virulence/Stress Genes in Campylobacter jejuni from Chicken Meat Sold in Qatari Retail Outlets. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156938. [PMID: 27258021 PMCID: PMC4892673 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chicken meat from the shelves of supermarkets in Qatar was tested for the presence of Campylobacter spp. and the presence of five virulence genes (htrB, cdtB, clpP, cadF and ciaB) was assessed in isolates. Forty eight percent of the chickens provided for supermarkets by Saudi (53%) and Qatari (45.9%) producers were found to be contaminated and the most important factor affecting the overall prevalence of contaminated chickens was the store from which chicken samples originated. Variation in prevalence of Campylobacter in chicken meat from different stores was evident even when the same producer supplied the three stores in our survey. Differences in the prevalence and in the combinations of virulence genes in isolates that can and cannot grow in a classic maintenance medium (Karmali) were identified, providing a starting point for linking presence/absence of particular virulence genes with actual in vivo virulence and pathogenicity. Because of the relatively low infective doses of Campylobacter that are required to initiate infection in humans, it will be important to explore further the relationships we identified between certain Campylobacter virulence genes and their capacity for survival in poultry meat, and hence their contribution to the incidence of campylobacteriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Biomedical Science, Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jerzy M. Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom NG7 2RD
| | - Aarti Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Science, Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rebecca Bearden
- Department of Biomedical Science, Biomedical Research Center, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nadia Al-Banna
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
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Abu-Madi M, Aly M, Behnke JM, Clark CG, Balkhy H. The distribution of Blastocystis subtypes in isolates from Qatar. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:465. [PMID: 26384209 PMCID: PMC4573284 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1071-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blastocystis is a common single-celled intestinal parasite of humans and other animals comprising at least 17 genetically distinct small subunit ribosomal RNA lineages (subtypes (STs)), nine of which have been found in humans. The geographic distribution of Blastocystis subtypes is variable, but the subtypes present in Qatar are at present unknown. Methods Stool samples were collected from randomly selected, apparently healthy subjects arriving in Qatar for the first time. Blastocystis subtypes were determined by sequencing of the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA) PCR products. Phylogenetic analyses were done using Maximum Composite Likelihood method. Results 71.1 % of samples were positive for Blastocystis infection based on PCR-detection methodology compared to only 6.9 % by microscopy. Prevalence of Blastocystis did not differ between the sexes nor between age classes. However, there was a regional difference in prevalence with subjects arriving from Africa showing the highest (87.6 %), those from Western Asia intermediate (68.6 %) and from Eastern Asia the lowest prevalence (67.6 %). Genetic analysis detected only three STs. ST3 was the most common (69.3 %) and ST2 was the rarest (3.5 %), while ST1 had a prevalence of 27.2 %. ST2 showed a regional variation, being absent from the 64 Western Asian Blastocystis-positive subjects. Both ST1 and ST3 showed significant differences in prevalence between the sexes. Conclusions This is the first report exploring the distribution of Blastocystis subtypes in our region. We recommend that stool screening via microscopy for the presence of Blastocystis should be abandoned since it is extremely insensitive. In future, the prevalence of Blastocystis infections should be based on PCR methodology and we predict that in the years ahead diagnostic PCR will become the tool of choice. More work is needed to identify the full range of Blastocystis subtypes that circulate in our region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Science, Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Mahmoud Aly
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Health Affairs, Mail Code: 2216, P.O. Box 22490, Riyadh, 11426, KSA. .,King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Jerzy M Behnke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG7 2RD.
| | - C Graham Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, WC1E 7HT, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Hanan Balkhy
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, National Guard Health Affairs, Mail Code: 2216, P.O. Box 22490, Riyadh, 11426, KSA. .,King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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AbdulWahab A, Taj-Aldeen SJ, Ibrahim EB, Talaq E, Abu-Madi M, Fotedar R. Discrepancy in MALDI-TOF MS identification of uncommon Gram-negative bacteria from lower respiratory secretions in patients with cystic fibrosis. Infect Drug Resist 2015; 8:83-8. [PMID: 25995646 PMCID: PMC4425335 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s80341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early identification of microbial organisms from respiratory secretions of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is important to guide therapeutic decisions. The objective was to compare the accuracy of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) relative to the conventional phenotypic method in identifying common bacterial isolates, including nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria, in a cohort of patients with CF. METHODS A total of 123 isolates from 50 patients with CF representing 14 bacterial species from respiratory specimens were identified using MALDI-TOF MS in parallel with conventional phenotypic methods. Discrepancies were confirmed by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing in five Gram-negative isolates. RESULTS The MALDI-TOF MS managed to identify 122/123 (99.2%) bacterial isolates to the genus level and 118/123 (95.9%) were identified to the species level. The MALDI-TOF MS results were 100% consistent to the species level with conventional phenotypic identification for isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and other uncommon organisms such as Chryseobacterium gleum and Enterobacter cloacae. The 5/123 (4.6%) isolates misidentified were all Gram-negative bacteria. The isolation of E. cloacae and Haemophilus paraphrohaemolyticus may extend the potentially pathogenic list of organisms isolated from patients with CF. CONCLUSION Although the technique provides an early identification and antimicrobial therapy approach in patients with CF, limitation in the diagnosis of uncommon Gram-negative bacteria may exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atqah AbdulWahab
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar ; Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
| | - Saad J Taj-Aldeen
- Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Emad Bashir Ibrahim
- Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eman Talaq
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rashmi Fotedar
- Biotechnology Center, Ministry of Environment, Doha, Qatar
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AbdulWahab A, Taj-Aldeen SJ, Ibrahim E, Abdulla SH, Muhammed R, Ahmed I, Abdeen Y, Sadek O, Abu-Madi M. Genetic relatedness and host specificity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis patients. Infect Drug Resist 2014; 7:309-16. [PMID: 25429232 PMCID: PMC4242404 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s72112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the primary pathogens isolated more frequently in cystic fibrosis (CF) and it exhibits innate resistance to a wide range of antibiotics. PURPOSE We sought to determine whether the highly prevalent genotypes of P. aeruginosa are specifically linked to CF patients and have any related multidrug antibiotic resistance. Isolates from hospitalized non-CF patients and from environmental sources were also genotypically analyzed. METHODS Collections of P. aeruginosa from lower respiratory secretions (n=45) were genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Phenotypic screening for antibiotic susceptibility was performed for the common antimicrobial agents by E-test and automated Phoenix method. RESULTS P. aeruginosa isolates from CF (n=32), hospitalized non-CF patients (n=13), and environment sources (n=5) were analyzed. The population structure of P. aeruginosa is highly diverse and population-specific. All PFGE results of P. aeruginosa isolates fall among four major clusters. Cluster 1 contained 16 P. aeruginosa isolates from CF patients and two from environmental sources; cluster 2 contained 11 P. aeruginosa isolates from CF and one each from non-CF and environmental sources; cluster 3 contained 12 P. aeruginosa isolates from hospitalized non-CF patients and two P. aeruginosa isolates from one CF patient and one environmental source; and cluster 4 consisted of three isolates from CF patients and one from the environment. The majority of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates were in clusters 3 and 4. P. aeruginosa isolates from CF patients were resistant to ciprofloxacin (34.4%) followed by resistance to amikacin and gentamicin (each 28%), whereas the majority of isolates from non-CF patients were resistant to meropenem (69%) and were grouped in cluster 3. CONCLUSION PFGE of P. aeruginosa isolates from CF patients shows a high degree of similarity, suggesting specific adaptation of these clones to CF-affected lungs. The hospitalized non-CF cluster has a different clonal origin, indicating specific clustering in a specific location, suggesting hospital-acquired P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atqah AbdulWahab
- Department of Pediatrics, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Saad J Taj-Aldeen
- Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Emad Ibrahim
- Microbiology Division, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shaikha H Abdulla
- Molecular Biology Unit, Central Food Laboratories, Supreme Council of Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ramees Muhammed
- Molecular Biology Unit, Central Food Laboratories, Supreme Council of Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Irshad Ahmed
- Molecular Biology Unit, Central Food Laboratories, Supreme Council of Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yasmine Abdeen
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Omnia Sadek
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Marawan Abu-Madi
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Alasaad S, Soriguer RC, Abu-Madi M, El Behairy A, Jowers MJ, Baños PD, Píriz A, Fickel J, Zhu XQ. A TaqMan real-time PCR-based assay for the identification of Fasciola spp. Vet Parasitol 2011; 179:266-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2010] [Revised: 01/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Alasaad S, Walton S, Rossi L, Bornstein S, Abu-Madi M, Soriguer RC, Fitzgerald S, Zhu XQ, Zimmermann W, Ugbomoiko US, Pei KJC, Heukelbach J. Sarcoptes-World Molecular Network (Sarcoptes-WMN): integrating research on scabies. Int J Infect Dis 2011; 15:e294-7. [PMID: 21454116 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2011.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Revised: 11/25/2010] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasites threaten human and animal health globally. It is estimated that more than 60% of people on planet Earth carry at least one parasite, many of them several different species. Unfortunately, parasite studies suffer from duplications and inconsistencies between different investigator groups. Hence, groups need to collaborate in an integrated manner in areas including parasite control, improved therapy strategies, diagnostic and surveillance tools, and public awareness. Parasite studies will be better served if there is coordinated management of field data and samples across multidisciplinary approach plans, among academic and non-academic organizations worldwide. In this paper we report the first 'Living organism-World Molecular Network', with the cooperation of 167 parasitologists from 88 countries on all continents. This integrative approach, the 'Sarcoptes-World Molecular Network', seeks to harmonize Sarcoptes epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and molecular studies from all over the world, with the aim of decreasing mite infestations in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer Alasaad
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avda Américo Vespucio s/n, Seville 41080, Spain.
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Abu-Madi M, Al-Sa'ed R, Braadbaart O, Alaerts G. Viability of increasing the tariff of freshwater for irrigation as a tool to stimulate wastewater reuse in the MENA region. Water Sci Technol 2008; 57:1475-1481. [PMID: 18496015 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2008.238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite water scarcity and high agricultural water demand in the Middle East and North Africa region, substantial proportions of treated wastewater are discharged into the environment and seas without proper utilization. All countries of the region, low pricing of reclaimed wastewater is a common tool to make reuse attractive. However, low pricing of reclaimed wastewater is ineffectual due to farmers' access to freshwater for irrigation at low tariff. Therefore, increasing the prices of freshwater in such a way that does not jeopardize feasibility of agriculture would promote irrigation with reclaimed wastewater even at increased prices. On one hand, it increases the gap between the price of freshwater and that of reclaimed wastewater, making the later more attractive. On the other hand, it would be used as a financial resource for funding the investment costs of the infrastructure needed for conveyance and distribution of reclaimed wastewater. This paper studies the viability of increasing the prices of freshwater and reclaimed wastewater. The results show that irrigation with reclaimed wastewater even for restricted irrigation can be as profitable as, and sometimes better than, freshwater irrigation. Some of the permitted crops such as fruit trees can be more profitable than vegetables. Thus, it appears that the level of knowledge farmers and others on the benefits of reclaimed wastewater is still limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abu-Madi
- Water Studies Institute, Birzeit University, PO Box 14, Birzeit, West Bank, Palestine.
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