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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

HLA Allele and Haplotype Frequencies Among Registered Unrelated Donors in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi stem cell donor registry (SSCDR) has successfully recruited over 92,000 unrelated potential stem cell donors through nationwide campaigns. The Western region of Saudi Arabia is characterized by its unique ethnic diversity, shaped by centuries of immigration and pilgrimage. This study aimed to determine the distribution of HLA alleles and haplotypes among donors from this region. A total of 1112 donors registered with SSCDR were included, all recruited during campaigns conducted in the Western region between 2019 and 2021. Participants provided ancestry information to confirm their city of origin. High-resolution HLA typing for loci A, B, C, DRB1 and DQB1 was performed using sequence-based typing (SBT). Allele and haplotype frequencies were estimated for each subgroup using Arlequin 3.5 software. Distinct haplotype patterns were observed across cities. The most common haplotypes in the 1112 potential stem cell donors in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia were HLA-A*02:01∼C*07:02∼B*07:02∼DRB1*15:01∼DQB1*06:02 and HLA-A*02:01∼C*06:02∼B*50:01∼DRB1*07:01∼DQB1*02:01 in Jeddah; A*23:01∼C*06:02∼B*50:01∼DRB1*07:01∼DQB1*02:01 in Al-Madinah; HLA-A*26:01∼C*07:02∼B*08:01∼DRB1*03:01∼DQB1*02:01, HLA-A*30:01∼C*06:02∼B*13:02∼DRB1*07:01∼DQB1*02:01 and HLA-A*02:01∼C*06:02∼B*50:01∼DRB1*07:01∼DQB1*02:01 in Makkah; HLA-A*02:01∼C*15:02∼B*51:01∼DRB1*13:01∼DQB1*06:03 and HLA-A*02:01∼C*07:02∼B*07:02∼DRB1*15:01∼DQB1*06:02 in Al-Baha; and HLA-A*31:01∼C*15:02∼B*51:01∼DRB1*13:01∼DQB1*06:03 in Taif. HLA data are available in the Allele Frequencies Net Database (AFND: 3854, 3855, 3856, 3857 and 3858) under the population name 'Saudi Western Region'. In western Saudi Arabia, HLA allele and haplotype distributions demonstrate marked city-specific variation. Our research identifies DR7-, DR13- and DR15-based haplotypes as the most prevalent across the region. These findings are critical for optimizing unrelated donor searches for patients lacking compatible familial matches. Understanding these local frequencies allows for more targeted recruitment and better matching probabilities in stem cell registries.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Malignant neoplasms in Saudi Arabia.

In a sample of 1000 consecutive malignant neoplasms in Saudis resident in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, malignant lymphoma was the commonest of the life-threatening malignancies. The differences between malignant lymphoma in this sample and Western series include the greater frequency of lymphoma; the tendency for reticulum cell and poorly differentiated lymphomas to present as abdominal lesions; the earlier peak of prevalence of Hodgkin's disease, and the dissimilar proportions of its subtypes. The distribution of cancers in the gastrointestinal tract in our sample is almost the reverse of that encountered in the West in that cancer of the mouth and esophagus were more common than cancer of the lower intestinal tract. Lung cancer was relatively uncommon. The smoking habit is not so prevalent in Saudi Arabia as in the West and there is a need to maintain this situation by discouraging smoking. Cancer of the breast was by far the commonest major malignancy in the female, although most Saudi women have their first child early in their reproductive life. Skin cancers proved to be the most prevalent malignancy, and of these squamous cell carcinoma was the most common. The biases that affect studies such as ours in Saudi Arabia are stressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Otomycosis: a survey in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia.

The Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is characterized by a high perennial relative humidity and atmospheric pressure. One hundred and forty-eight cases clinically suspected of being otomycotic were examined by culture over a period of 13 months; 120 gave positive results and yielded 131 fungal isolates, of which 110 were single infections and 10 mixed infections of two or more fungi. A. niger was the most common (51.15%), then A. flavus (18.32%) Penicillium notatum (5.34%), C. albicans and A. terreus (each 4.58%) A. candidus (3.82%), Mucor spo (2.29%), Alternaria spo and A. clavatus (each 1.53%) and A. versicolor (0.76%). The patients were of 13 different nationalities, mostly labourers and people of low socio-economic standard. Males were affected more than females and ages ranged from 2 to 58 years. Thus racial factors, sex and age have no bearing on otomycosis. Only 8 of the 120 positive cases were affected bilaterally. The role of relative humidity and high atmospheric pressure was briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2025

National strategies for screening neural tube defects in Saudi Arabia: activating prevention and early intervention.

BACKGROUND: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious congenital anomalies affecting the brain and spinal cord. Despite widespread folic acid supplementation and food fortification programs, regions such as Saudi Arabia have not experienced a proportional decline in NTD prevalence. This narrative review evaluates the multifactorial contributors to NTDs, focusing on the effectiveness of current prevention and screening strategies both globally and within Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative methodology guided this review, drawing from studies published between 2000 and 2024 sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and the WHO library. Keywords included "neural tube defects," "folic acid supplementation," "screening programs," and "food fortification." While not a systematic review, PRISMA principles were loosely followed to ensure study relevance and rigor. RESULTS: Globally, countries like the United States, Canada, Chile, and Australia have implemented mandatory folic acid fortification and reported NTD reductions ranging from 19 to 78%. South Africa, for example, achieved a 66% decline in NTD-related deaths post-fortification. In Saudi Arabia, similar initiatives have been launched, including folic acid campaigns and food fortification. However, national-level data evaluating their impact remains sparse. Regional disparities in implementation, awareness, and access have limited the success of these measures. Although 80.1% of Saudi women reportedly understand the preventive role of folic acid, uptake and proper timing of supplementation remain inconsistent. Screening services, particularly in rural areas, are not uniformly accessible, reducing early detection rates. Unlike countries such as Australia and Chile, Saudi Arabia lacks a standardized system for tracking and evaluating NTD outcomes. CONCLUSION: This review concludes that while Saudi Arabia has adopted commendable preventive strategies, the absence of comprehensive data, policy enforcement, and public education limits their effectiveness. Strengthening national monitoring systems, ensuring equitable access to screening, and enforcing mandatory fortification policies modelled on successful international practices are critical. Adopting evidence-based policies supported by robust evaluation frameworks will be essential to reducing the burden of NTDs and improving maternal and child health outcomes in Saudi Arabia.

Humans↗
PubMed1976

Studies on schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia.

During studies on schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia, urine and stool samples from inhabitants of various areas (mostly rural) were examined, and 97 aquatic habitats in 46 localities were searched for snails. The results indicate the occurrence of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis in most parts of the country, with a patchy distribution and varying infection rates. The snail intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni was found to be Biomphalaria arabica. For S. haematobium three species of snails, namely, Bulinus truncatus and B. beccarii in the west and B. reticulatus wrighti in the northeast, may transmit the infection; the susceptibility of the two former species has been confirmed in the laboratory. The limitation in the size of snail habitats--which consist of wells, small canals, cisterns, small swamps, interrupted streams, and ponds--creates a special type of transmission which can be defined as "oasis transmission," making control of the disease both simple and practical.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Screening for abnormal hemoglobins in the middle east: new data on hemoglobin S and the presence of hemoglobin C in Saudi Arabia.

48 of 391 apparently healthy adult Saudi males had an AS hemoglobin pattern on electrophoresis, four subjects had an S pattern, and two subjects AC. A dithionite screening test lacked sensitivity and specificity in detecting hemoglobin S under the conditions of this study. A sickle cell trait frequency of 0.123 evidenced by hemoglobin electrophoresis correlates closely with previous studies of hemoglobinopathies in Saudi Arabs. The presence of four subjects with sickle cell disease in the study group provides further evidence of the "benign" nature of sickle cell disease in Saudi Arabia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Haemoglobin and erythrocytic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase variants among selected tribes in Western Saudi Arabia.

638 subjects from six tribes in Western Saudi Arabia were tested for haemoglobin and G-6-PD variants. In the bedouins of Harbi and Sahafi tribes there was no sickling but a low frequency of both G-6-PD deficiency (1.7%) and the Gd A+ variant (1.7%) in Harbi. In Mograbi and Mowallad tribes who immigrated recently from Africa, the frequency of Hb S was 4.1 and 3.5%, G-6-PD deficiency 7.5 and 8.5% and the Gd A+ variant 15.1 and 8.5% respectively, which are higher than in bedouins. In Ghamid tribe 4% had Hb S and there was a low frequency of both G-6-PD deficiency (4.8%) and Gd A+ variant (1.6%). However a new B slow variant is common among the Ghamid (16.1%). Hb S frequency in Zahran tribe was 2.6%. Six of the 12 g-6-PD deficient (screening) were found to be positive on starch gel electrophoresis.

Erythrocytes↗
PubMed1979

Benign sickle cell disease in Saudi Arabia: survival estimate and population dynamics.

A survey of 8,084 adult Saudi male employment applicants yielded 872 with the sickle cell trait (AS) and 51 with sickle cell disease. Based on the known distribution of hemoglobin S genes between oasis and non-oasis populations in Saudi Arabia, and on calculation of the expected number of abnormal homozygotes within the non-oasis and oasis subgroups as well as the entire employment applicant group, it appears that virtually 100% of Saudis with SS disease survive to adult life. Saudi Arabs and other Caucasian populations in the Middle East exhibit a benign type of SS disease as compared with Blacks in Africa and the Americas. In the Middle East, gene contributions from SS individuals will shift equilibrium frequencies to higher levels than encountered in Black populations under sustained selective pressures, and the polymorphism will tend to be stable with decline in selective pressure. There are some indications that the hemoglobin S gene may have been a recent import into the Middle East.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Saudi-Arabia: an overview.

Taking advantage of an investigation on cutaneous leishmaniosis in Saudi Arabia, the authors present an overview of the situation in three main foci: those of Riyadh and El-Khardj, El Hassa and Bisha. They present a list of the twelve species of phlebotomine sandflies found in the country and out of which predominates Phlebotomos papatasi, the possible vector of the disease in these foci.

Diptera↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Viral hepatitis complicating pregnancy: mortality trends in Saudi Arabia.

The striking mortality in viral hepatitis associated with pregnancy, regularly observed in developing countries, has shown a significant decrease in Saudi Arabia during a period of unprecedented economic growth. However, the risk of fatal hepatitis in the pregnant Saudi woman remains approximately four times that for the nonpregnant woman. The explanation for the observed mortality trend is not apparent, but is unlikely to be the result of improved nutritional status of the population alone, or because of treatment of severe hepatitis with adrenal corticosteroids. Disseminated intravascular coagulation may be one factor that decisively influences the outcome of hepatitis in the pregnant woman.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1977

[Nutritional condition, food consumption and nutritional intake in students in Saudi Arabia. II. Food consumption and nutritional intake].

In field surveys in 13 schools in different regions of Saudi-Arabia, energy expenditure, food consumption, and nutrient intake were studied. Cereal products, especially bread, have the greatest significance in nutrition. Many students do not eat other foodstuffs regularly. A certain dependency of food consumption from the region was found in regard to the schools. The frequency of foodstuffs was generally low, but lowest in remote villages. In some age groups, the sufficient energy intake leaves much to be desired, 70 % do not reach recommended dietary allowances of animal protein and 100 % in fat. Intake of carbohydrates was too high, while intake of linoleic acid, minerals and vitamins is too low of nearly all test persons. To secure regularly a sufficient intake of essential nutrients, a school lunch program for the Saudi-Arabian boys is to be recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Epidemiological and clinical features in a nonimmune population living in an endemic area.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Saudi-Arabia. Nonimmune Europeans and their families living temporarily in this area were affected by the disease in great number, resembling an epidemic outbreak. Clinical features and treatment of the disease, problems of re-infection and immunity, as well as epidemiological factors are discussed. Using biochemical methods the parasite was identified as Leishmania tropical major.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Gingivitis, bacterial plaque, and Streptococcus mutans in naval recruits from Saudi Arabia.

Gingivitis, dental caries, bacterial plaque, and the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in plaque were studied in a group of 52 naval recruits from Saudi Arabia at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois. Gingivitis and bacterial plaque were found at higher levels in Arabian navy men, compared to American navy men, but with similar relationships. The dental caries experience of the Arabians was low, and the prevalence of S. mutans in the bacterial plaque had no clear relationship to gingival inflammation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Ecological studies at Hofuf, Eastern Saudi Arabia, in relation to dermal leishmaniasis.

Field and laboratory investigations were carried out in connection with an epidemic of dermal leishmaniasis in Hofuf, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, during 1977. In this present note emphasis is laid on description of the population dynamics and species spectrum of the sandflies, the occurrence of the vector and the course of the epidemic of Leishmania tropica in correlation with the sandfly population and the natural reservoir and the rodent population.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Saudi-Arabia (author's transl)].

Fifteen cases of dermal leishmaniasis have been observed in the personnel of a french company operating in a deserted area of north Saudi-Arabia. All patients were stationed there for more than six months and had good accomodation. The host reservoir of virus of this small epidemy is not dog but must be looked for in wild rodents, the multiplication of which seems related to the growing dispersed dumping of town refuse on wide suburban areas.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Insects and other pests affecting man and animals in Saudi Arabia.

Survey of the insects and other pests attacking farmers and domestic animals was carried out during three successive years (1968, 1969 and 1970) in the Central province of Saudi Arabia. In this paper, the insects and other pests found were given. Also, location and time of appearance for each pest were mentioned. The pests recorded were 6 species of insects belonging to 5 families and 4 orders attacking farmers; 9 species of insects belonging to 8 families and 4 orders, and 9 species of mites and ticks belonging to 5 families attacking domestic animals.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed1978

Fetal haemoglobin production and the sickle gene in the oases of Eastern Saudi Arabia.

Fetal haemoglobin (HbF) levels have been measured in 137 normal (AA) subjects, 109 with the sickle-cell trait (AS) and 237 with sickle-cell anaemia (SS) from the oasis population of Eastern Saudi Arabia. In addition the proportion of F-cells has been estimated in 71 AA, 51 AS and 34 SS subjects. The mean HbF% (and the range of F-cells %) were: AA 0.77 (0.3--18), AS 1.38 (2.3--43) and SS 25.56 (33--98). The distribution of Hb F was always heterocellular. The influence of pregnancy accounts for most of the excess female subjects with sickle-cell trait showing raised Hb F and F-cells. Whilst the normal Arabs and those with sickle-cell trait did not differ from comparable groups of American blacks, both the % Hb F and % F-cells in Saudi Arabian patients with sickle-cell anaemia were much higher than in Blacks. The high Hb F levels in individuals with sickle-cell anaemia are not due to coexistent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency or alpha-thalassaemia trait, and the Hb F level showed an inverse correlation with the degree of haemolysis. These findings indicate that the unusually elevated levels of Hb F are not due to an associated high frequency of a gene for hetero-cellular hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin in the oasis population, but rather from a genetically determined absolute increase in Hb F production related in some way to the SS genotype.

Adolescent↗