Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a significant global health burden with variable prevalence influenced by metabolic, genetic, and infectious factors. Increasing evidence suggests that Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species, contribute to gallstone pathogenesis through enzymatic activity and biofilm formation. Objectives: To characterize Gram-positive bacteria within gallstones from Iraqi patients, evaluate their biofilm-forming capacity, and analyze the relationship between bacterial colonization, gallstone type, and cholesterol levels. Methods: A total of 100 gallstones were obtained from patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy between October 2024 and March 2025. Stones were aseptically processed for bacterial isolation and identification using selective culture media and the VITEK® 2 Compact System. Serum cholesterol levels were determined by enzymatic colorimetric assay. Biofilm formation was quantified via the 96-well microtiter plate method, and statistical correlations between gallstone type, cholesterol level, and bacterial presence were analyzed. Results: Cholesterol stones (57%) were more prevalent than pigment (40%) and mixed stones (3%). Bacterial growth was observed in 43% of gallstones, with Enterococcus species (31 isolates) predominating over S. aureus (12 isolates). Species-level identification revealed E. faecalis (n= 16), E. faecium (n= 9), and E. gallinarum (n= 6), marking the first reported isolation of E. gallinarum from gallstones. Cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in sterile stones (median 235 mg/dL) compared to bacteria-positive stones (173-186 mg/dL) (P < 0.0001). Biofilm analysis showed all S. aureus isolates as strong producers, whereas E. faecalis exhibited predominantly moderate-to-strong formation, while E. faecium and E. gallinarum displayed weaker capacities. Conclusion: A significant interplay between microbial colonization and gallstone composition. Strong biofilm-producing Gram-positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus and E. faecalis, may facilitate stone maturation and persistence. The novel isolation of E. gallinarum expands the spectrum of biliary microbiota.
A new nano-sized NiMo/TiO2-γ-Al2O3 was prepared as a Hydrodesulphurization catalyst for Iraqi gas oil with sulfur content of 8980 ppm, supplied from Al-Dura Refinery. Sol-gel method was used to prepare TiO2- γ-Al2O3 nano catalyst support with 64% TiO2, 32% Al2O3, Ni-Mo/TiO-γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared under vacuum impregnation conditions to loading metals with percentage 3.8 wt.% and 14 wt.% for nickel and molybdenum respectively while the percentage for alumina, and titanium became 21.7, and 58.61 respectively. The synthesized TiO2- γ-Al2O3 nanocomposites and Ni-Mo /TiO2
... Show MoreBackground: Most prevalent chronic liver disease in developed and developing nations is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. From fatty liver, which often has benign, non-progressive clinical history, to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a more serious variant of fatty liver that can lead to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease encompasses broad spectrum of diseases. The gold standard for determining extent of hepatic fibrosis is still liver biopsy; however, number of noninvasive tests have been established to make diagnosis and assess effectiveness of treatment.
Objective: Aim of study was to assess effectiveness of the combination of fibroscan and
... Show MoreThe detection for Single Escherichia Coli Bacteria has attracted great interest and in biology and physics applications. A nanostructured porous silicon (PS) is designed for rapid capture and detection of Escherichia coli bacteria inside the micropore. PS has attracted more attention due to its unique properties. Several works are concerning the properties of nanostructured porous silicon. In this study PS is fabricated by an electrochemical anodization process. The surface morphology of PS films has been studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). The structure of porous silicon was studied by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Details of experimental methods and results are given and discussed
... Show MoreFive different bacterial isolates [ Vibrio cholera (Ogawa) , Vibrio cholera (Inaba) , Salmonella typhi , Salmonella paratyphi and ? Salmonella typhimurium ] were obtained from the Central Health Laboratory . Both sensitivity tests (MIC , MBC and wells method ) against these bacteria were performed by using the aqueous of leaves extract of Marjoram plant. The results cleared that the values of MIC for Vibrio cholera serotypes Ogawa and Inaba were 100 mg/ml , while the value of MBC was 200 mg/ml. The value of the Inhibition zone at 100 mg /ml concentration for both Ogawa and Inaba were 13 mm and 9 mm respectively. Our results showed that the three types of Salmonella didn’t show any inhibition zone at 200 mg/ml .
Five species of Lactic acid bacteriawere isolated from raw milk, yoghurt, vegetables and pickles, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus bulgaricus isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene. Evaluate of antimicrobial activity against all the bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis. It showed that bacteriocin of Lactic acid bacteriamore effective than supernatant of lactic acid bacteria, the results showed that isolatemost efficient isolate belonging to Lactobacillus brevis, the diameter of the inhibition of the bacteriocin of Lactobacillus brevis were 27.7, 26.3 and 25.1
... Show MoreAntibiotic resistance increment is a major problem for the human society nowadays which encourages the efforts to look for new therapeutic alternatives from natural defenses. Synergistic antibacterial activity of epidermin and staphylolysin LasA A against Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa) was evaluated. The antibacterial activities of epidermin from Staphylococcus epidermidis (Staph epidermidis) and Staphylolysin (LasA) from Ps. aeruginosa using the agar well diffusion assay were evaluated, and then using the micro dilution method to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The checkerboard method and fract
... Show MoreA total of 50 fertile human hydatid cases {33(66%) females and (34%) males}, obtained from Al-Ramadi public Hospital during the period from December 2003 to July 2004 were examined to study any bacterial infections. The specimens were obtained from hydatid fluid and then cultured on appropriate culture media to distinguish some species of bacteria which resulted in obtaining: Staphylococcus aureus (18%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(12%), Escherichia coli(6%) and Streptococcus pneumonia (4%). These bacteria were confirmed by isolation from interacyst fluid and blood culture technique. The possible routs of infection may be through blood, biliary ducts and bronchioles .The selectivity permeable of the cyst wall may be absent and that may allow
... Show MoreGod Almighty put in his great book secrets that do not end, and wonders that do not expire, for he is the one from which the scholars are not satisfied, and he does not create due to the multitude of response, and it is the comprehensive and inhibitory book that God conceals to the worlds, and he challenged the two heavyweights to come up with something like it.
At all times, issues arise in the Noble Qur’an that fit the needs of the people of that time and their culture, for it is an eternal book, characterized by the ability to give, extend and respond to addressing the problems of the age and its variables, when the Arabs had little luck at the time of the message’s descent from the scientific culture, and their proficienc
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