Objective(s): To measure serum C-reactive protein (CRP) titer as a predictive diagnosis of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV)
infection.
Methodology: Two hundred and ten patients with acute HCV infection and 234 apparently healthy individuals as
control group were enrolled in this study in Baghdad medical city (Teaching Laboratories). The patents include
74(35.2%) females and 136 (64.8%) males with mean age (27±16.5) years. The control group includes 114 (48.7%)
females and 120 (51.3%) males with mean age (26±5.8) years. Blood samples were collected from out patients from
Alfadul in Baghdad city. Sera were separated and stored at 20 0
C. The diagnosis of acute HCV infection was based on
detection of HC Ag and anti- HCV IgM and standard liver function tests. Determination of CRP titer was assessed by
semi-quantitative tube agglutination test. All data were statistically analyzed.
Results: Based on 95% percentile, the baseline CRP titer in healthy individuals was 1:8 (16mg/l) and for patients 1:512
(1024mg/l). There was a statistically significant increase in the mean CRP titer in patients with acute HCV infection
compared to healthy individuals (P< 0.001) .The validly of CRP titer 1: 64 as a cut –off value to predict HCV infection
provide a sensitivity and specificity of 100 % and 96% respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation
between CRP titer and liver function test values.
Recommendation:
Therefore, in further studies, we recommends the evaluation of C- reactive protein titer in patients with acute
hepatitis B Virus infection and patients with non–infectious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus
and hyperlipidemia infection, and compare between them.
Sediment accumulated in sewers is a major concern source as it induces numerous operational and environmental problems. For instance, during wet weather flow, the re-suspension of this sediment accompanied by the combined sewer overflow may cause huge pollutant load to the receiving water body. The characteristics of the sewer sediment are important as it shapes its behaviour and determines the extent of the pollution load. In this paper, an investigation of sewer sediment and its characterization is done for a case study in Baghdad city. Sediment depth covers more than 50% of the sewer cross-sectional area; several operational causes are comprised to cause this huge depths of sediment depositions. The testing and analysis of the s
... Show MoreObjective: To determine the effectiveness of hypothermia on renal functions for patients undergoing
coronary artery bypass graft CABG surgery.
Methodology: A purposive (non-probability) sample of (50) patients undergoing Isolated coronary artery
bypass graft surgery consecutively admitted to the surgical ward, and they were followed up in the
intraoperative, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in the postoperative (surgical ward). Post-operative renal function
test (glumeruler filteration rate (GFR) by using the Crockroft-Gault formula and serum creatinine level) was
determined first week post operative and post operative renal function was classified on the base of peak of
the serum creatinine level and decline of glomeru
Background: Leukemia is a broad term given to a group of malignant diseases characterized by diffuse replacement of bone marrow with proliferating leukocyte precursors. Chemotherapy has been increasingly used to treat malignant conditions. The systemic sequelae as a result of these immunosuppressive techniques induce many oral and dental complications. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chemotherapy on oral health status and activity of salivary alkaline phosphates enzyme in patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Materials and methods: The study groups included 28 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia; they were under chemotherapy, aged 20-25 year old. The control group includes healthy subjects matching with study
... Show MoreBackground: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Iraq and the United Kingdom. While the disease is frequently diagnosed among middleaged Iraqi women at advanced stages accounting for the second cause of cancer-related deaths, breast cancer often affects elderly British women yielding the highest survival of all registered malignancies in the UK. Objective: To compare the clinical and pathological profiles of breast cancer among Iraqi and British women; correlating age at diagnosis with the tumor characteristics, receptor-defined biomarkers and phenotype patterns. Methods: This comparative retrospective study included the clinical and pathological characteristics of (1,940) consecutive female patients who were diagnosed with invasive b
... Show MoreBackground: Hypertension is a major global health concern that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Understanding the impact of age and treatment types on blood pressure control is essential for optimizing therapeutic strategies. Aim: This study aims to assess how different treatment types and patient age influence blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. Methodology: A binary logistic regression model was employed to analyze data from 48 patients diagnosed with hypertension. The study investigated the impact of two treatment regimens and patient age on the likelihood of achieving optimal blood pressure levels. The statistical significance of the findings was evaluated using chi-square tests and p-values. Results: T
... Show Moresolation of candida spp. From cancer patients who suffered oral candidiasis due to immunodeficiency
Background: Cancer is rising as a significant global public health concern. The global cancer burden is escalating, exerting considerable physical, emotional, and financial strain on people, families, communities, and healthcare systems. Objective: To explore the challenges faced in cancer management from the perspectives of physicians. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. Physicians were recruited from three different centers in Baghdad and Karbala using purposive and snowball sampling. The data collection was concluded upon reaching a saturation point. Results: This study included twenty-six oncologists. There was about parity between the two genders, with a slight male predominance.
... Show More