Severe acute respiratory corona viruses (SARS-COVs) are a particular category of RNA viruses that have emerged as a potential danger to the human population, triggering epidemics and pandemics that have resulted in catastrophic human mortality. The SARS-CoV2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that began on December 12, 2019 in Wuhan, China, has been linked to bats. A new SARS-CoV-2 variant appeared in late December 2020. Mutations with variants continued to appear until the time of this study. Thus, this study aimed to provide a local database among Iraqi patients about SARS-COV-2 variants as there have been very few local studies documenting its existence and its relationship with the progression and severity of infection.

     Understanding Caspase-3 (CASP-3) and interleukin-32 (IL32) roles in SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical to linearize the pathogenesis of the virus as well as the resultant disease which may uncover novel therapeutic targets in treating COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to evaluate caspase‐3 (CASP3) and interleukin 32 (IL32) roles and their correlation with the disease severity among patients.  The case-control study (140 patients and 60 healthy controls) was performed with molecular and ELISA assays. CASP3 and IL32 serum levels were determined along with other clinical data of patients. CASP3 levels were classified as significantly higher (p < 0.001), while IL-32 levels were significantly lower in production (p

Since the appearance of COVID-19 disease as an epidemic and pandemic disease, many studies are performed to uncover the genetic nature of the newly discovered coronavirus with unique clinical features. The last three human coronavirus outbreaks, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are caused by Beta-Coronaviruses. Horizontal genetic materials transfer was proven from one coronavirus to the other coronavirus of non-human origin like infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of avian. Horizontal genetic materials transfer was also from non-corona viruses like astroviruses and equine rhinovirus (ERV-2) or from coronavirus-unrelated viruses, like influenza virus type C. However, SARS-CoV-2 is identical to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Interestingly, Wuhan ci

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, seven strains of coronaviruses were recognized to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold associated with HKU1, NL63, OC43 and 229E viruses to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) during 2002, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) during 2012, and the COVID-19 that started during December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

This is a review for the current pandemic

      This study aimed to get a better understanding of molecular epidemiology and genetic variation in the spike glycoprotein as a key viral component involved in viral entrance into host cells and as a potential vaccination target. Three Iraqi SARS-CoV-2 strains were investigated using whole-genome sequencing, with two of them clustering into the 20A (GH) clade, and the remaining strain is clustered in 20E (GV) clade, belonging to the B.1.36.1 and B.1.177.80 lineage, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing of the viral RNA samples revealed nine sporadic nonsynonymous uncommon mutations with freq

Despite efforts to contain and manage the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak which was declared a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic still remains a major global challenge. Patients who display the classical symptoms of the infection are easily identified, tested, isolated and monitored. However, many cases of infected asymptomatic patients have been documented. These patients are not easily identified even though many evidences suggest that they can spread the virus to others. How and why these COVID-19 asymptomatic presentations occur remain unclear. The many theories and views are conjectural, and supporting evidences are still needed. In this review, we

Background: Data on SARS-CoV-2 from developing countries is not entirely accurate, demanding incorporating digital epidemiology data on the pandemic.

Objectives: To reconcile non-Bayesian models and artificial intelligence connected with digital and classical (non-digital) epidemiological data on SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Iraq.

Results: Baghdad and Sulaymaniyah represented statistical outliers in connection with daily cases and recoveries, and daily deaths, respectively. Multivariate tests and neural networks detected a predictor effect of deaths, recoveries, and daily cases on web searches concerning two search terms, "كورونا" and "Coronavirus" (Pillai's Trace val

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a pandemic worldwide. On a daily basis the number of deaths associated with COVID-19 is rapidly increasing. The main transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 is through the air (airborne transmission). This review details the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the aerodynamics, and different modes of transmission (e.g. droplets, droplet nuclei, and aerosol particles). SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by an infected person during activities such as expiration, coughing, sneezing, and talking. During such activities and some medical procedures, aerosols and droplets contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 particles are formed. Depending on their

Introduction: COVID-19 vaccine have been indicated to successfully decrease the hazard for symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection furthermore associated hospitalisations. Objective: To study the immune response among different types of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Methods: This study includes 100 vaccinated individuals (43 Sinopharm, 30 AstraZeneca and 27 Pfizer) with one or two doses from different health centres in Baghdad. During the period from April 2021 to the end of May 2021, SARS-CoV-2 IgG and SARS-CoV-2 IgM levels were detected using AFIAS-6 device depending on FIA (Fluorescence Immunoassay) technique. Results: 93% of the cases were positive for IgG levels, and negative in 7% case