Vitiligo is an acquired idiopathic skin disorder characterized by depigmented macules due to loss of cutaneous melanocytes. A potential role of the immune dysfunction has been suggested in vitiligo, so to test this hypothesis, certain cytokines (IL-17A and TNF-?) and immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA and total IgE) were investigated in all participants. The study included: 60 patients with age range between (6-55) year; 30(11 males and 19 females) were untreated and 30(12 males and 18 females) were treated with Narrow Band Ultraviolet-B (NB-UVB) and 30 (14 males and 16 females) apparently healthy control. Serum was separated and cytokines (IL-17A and TNF-?) and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) were detected by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA); while immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG and IgA) were detected by using Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) method. The results showed that the mean levels of serum IL-17A and TNF-? in both untreated and NB-UVB treated vitiligo patients were increased significantly (p ? 0.05) as compared with healthy control. The mean levels of serum IgG and IgA in untreated vitiligo patients showed non significant decreased (P<0.05) as compared to healthy control; while serum IgM and IgE levels were found to be increased, but the increase was statistically non significant (P<0.05). The mean levels of serum IgM and IgG in NB-UVB treated vitiligo patients showed a significant increased (p ? 0.05) as compared to both untreated vitiligo patients and healthy control, while serum IgA level found to be increased, but the increase was statistically non significant (P<0.05) as compared to untreated vitiligo patients. From these findings we can conclude that marked high serum levels of IL-17A and TNF-? in vitiligo patients clarify their important participation in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, also the alteration in the mean levels of serum immunoglobulins indicate the role of humoral immunity in vitiligo patients. Among the treatment options available in vitiligo, phototherapy especially NB-UVB was one of the safest and most effective especially in patients with generalized vitiligo.
Non tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) present in the environment, mainly in water and not transmitted from human to human. The lung is the most common target of NTM infections in human. The symptoms of NTM infection are: fever, weight loss and abdominal pain.
114 sputum samples were examined microscopically using Ziehl-Nelsen stain, all were positive. They cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen media.
The results of this study indicate presence of 3 (2.6%) of rapidly growing mycobacteria, phenotypically they resemble T.B. bacilli. They were diagnosed by biochemical tests, they were positive for catalase and pyruvate, negative for niacin, nitrate reduction test, sensitive for Thiophene-2-carboxyl acid hydrozide test& resistant for Para nitr
mucosal secretions as well as in secondary granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Anti-Elastase antibodies, anti-Lactoferrin antibodies,anti-Cathapsin G antibodies and anti-Lysozyme antibodies, which belong to Perinuclear Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies(pANCA) have been described in several immunomediated diseases, including Rheumatoid Arthritis .
Objectives: Investigate the prevalence of anti-Elastase antibodies, anti-Lactoferrin antibodies,anti-Cathapsin G antibodies , anti- Lysozyme antibodies and rheumatoid factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison to healthy control.
Patients &Methods: The study involved 40 Rheumatoid Arthritis patients who were referred to Immunolog
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a collection of chronic, recurrent inflammatory illnesses of the gastrointestinal system, including Crohn's disease (CD). Infliximab is one of the biological medications used to treat CD. Therapeutic drug monitoring has evolved as a treatment in IBD, aiming to optimize benefit while meeting more demanding, objective end criteria. Objective: To determine the achievement of target trough level (TL), develop anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) to infliximab, assess response to therapy, and study TL relations with different variables. Methods: The present study was cross-sectional and conducted from May 2022 to November 2022. It included 40 CD patients allotted into 2 groups: group 1 patients ach
... Show MoreA pap test is a simple technique which can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in the vagina and cervix. Cervical cancer is the easiest gynecologic cancer we could prevent it, with regular screening tests and follow-up this screening may avoid cervical cancer or detact it early.This study aims to estimate cytological changes and precancerus lesions during Pap smear test and visual inspection of the cervix on Iraqi women and determine the relationship with demographic characteristics. The study included 50 women aged 18-56 years (mean 39 ±10) in National Cancer of Research Center (NCRC) belong to Baghdad University. These women suffered from genital problems or
... Show MoreBackground: Cervical cancer ranks the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide and the eighth cancer overall. It is considered as one of the most preventable malignancies, and can be controlled through screening and Pap smears.
Objectives: To explore the demographic and clinical characteristics of a sample of Iraqi patients who were referred to the National Cancer Research Center of the University of Baghdad for Pap smear test.
Patients and methods: The study enrolled 175 female participants who were subjected to clinical examination and Pap smear tests. A questionnaire was filled for each patient on which demographic and c
... Show MoreThe current study included measuring the level of IL-17A and IL-17F and some autoimmune antibodies related to the thyroid gland in case of hypo and hyperthyroid in Iraqi patients to evaluate the correlation between all the measured parameters in this study.The study has been carried out in AL-Kindey Endocrine Gland and Diabetic Center in Baghdad during the period between February 2018 and May 2018, included: 88 patients were divided into three groups, The first group composed of 30 patients of Hypothyroidism that included (26) of them were females, (4) of them males. The second group composed of 30 of patients of Hyperthyroidism that included (20) of them were females, (10) of them were ma
... Show MoreBackground: Diabetes mellitus is one of the commonest chronic disorders worldwide with a rapid rise in prevalence. In Iraq its prevalence is high especially in elderly age group. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher vulnerability for complications, whether microvascular or macrovascular. Ocular complications are common in diabetes mellitus, and comprise diabetic retinopathy, diabetic papillopathy, cataract, glaucoma, dry eye disease and diabetic keratopathy. Diabetic keratopathy involves endothelial and epithelial tissues of the cornea, leading to persistent epithelial defect, corneal erosion, or corneal ulcers.
Aim of the Study: To compare the mean corneal endothelial cell count between patients wi
... Show MoreAge, hypertension, and diabetes can cause significant alterations in arterial structure and function, including changes in lumen diameter (LD), intimal-medial thickness (IMT), flow velocities, and arterial compliance. These are also considered risk markers of atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular disease. A difference between right and left carotid artery blood flow and IMT has been reported by some researchers, and a difference in the incidence of nonlacunar stroke has been reported between the right and left brain hemispheres. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are differences between the right and left common carotid arteries and internal carotid arteries in patient
The research aims to reveal the impact of media policy in Iraqi media outlets on the level of objectivity in these outlets. A study from the communicators’ point of view where the researcher used a survey method on the communicators in media outlets to reveal the extent of media policies knowledge as well as the pressures exerted by this policy on communicators in media outlets. It also reveals the extent of their commitment to objectivity, neutrality in dealing with information and the way used to transfer it.
The research sample included (179) respondents from communicators in a range of Media outlets such as (Press, Radio, and Television), The researcher was careful with the diversity of the sample, and