Background: Childhood meningitis is a major
cause of morbidity and mortality, Hemophilus
influenza b (Hib) is the most common cause in
many countries, especially below 5 years and
before the development of conjugated Hib vaccine,
it is followed by Streptococcus Pneumonia, and
then N. meningitides, in addition to other
microorganisms.
Objective: To identify the causative organisms
of bacterial meningitis and to identify the factors
predisposing significantly to the incidence of
bacterial meningitis.
Method: This cross sectional , study was done in
Al-Elwia Pediatric Hospital during the period 1st
of January 2007 to 30th of June 2007.Eighty four
patients with presumptive diagnosis of meningitis
were included in this study, from the age of 2
months -12 years, History about some risk factors
were taken in details. Analysis of cerebrospinal
Fluid (CSF) with Gram stains & cultures were
done in all cases.
Results: The number of cases of meningitis was
50 (20 proved meningitis & 30 partially treated
meningitis), while 34 patients are found to have no
meningitis.
Streptococcus pneumoniae was identified in
45%, Hemophilus Influenza b in 20%, while
Nisseria meningitides 5%, other organisms include
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus,
Klebsiella, & salmonella.
Many factors affecting the occurrence of
bacterial meningitis & these include: age, sex,
residence, body weight and home overcrowding.
Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae was
found to be the predominant microorganism
causing bacterial meningitis in children aged 2
months-12 years, followed by Hemophilus
influenza b, while N. meningitides were one of the
rare bacteria which had been identified. E. coli was
found to be the major cause in cases of ventriculoperitoneal
(VP) shunt meningitis.
Background: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) leads to activation of T-helper cells (Th-1 and Th-2) which are involved in the synthesis and release of different cytokines which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. Objectives: To evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute toxoplasmosis. Methods: This case-control study involved 31 patients with toxoplasmosis aged 19 - 47 years matched with 20 healthy subjects. Anti-T. gondii antibody (IgG, IgM, IgA) was determined by direct antigen-antibody reaction. Interleukin-6(IL-6), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and human malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured. Results: IgM, IgG and IgA levels were high in the infected patients compared with controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, IL-
... Show MoreIn the present work, radon gas concentrations in different surface soil samples in Baghdad governorate were measured using RAD-7 detector. The results have been shown that, the Radon gas concentrations ranged between (41.67±1.78Bq/m3), to (185.67±4.22Bq/m3), a map showing the distribution of the concentration of radon in selected areas was defined to identify areas with high pollution level. The reason for the high concentration of radon is that these surface soil samples are taken from agricultural areas. It is also known that fertilizers contain uranium levels as well as areas bombed in wars in the country. It is worth noting that all radon concentrations in Baghdad governorate are below the recommended minimum of 200-300Bq/m3) (Inte
... Show MoreBack ground: Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in the
middle and south of Iraq, it involves mostly infants. The
disease is observed mainly among rural areas that are far
from equipped medical centers. Therefore, there is a need
for anon- invasive, cost- effective, reliable, easily
available and fast method of diagnosis of this dngerous
disease.
Objective: The aim was to compare the validity and
predictive values of the recombinant K39 antigen (rK39)
test with that of the indirect fluorescent antibody test
(IFAT) test (the usual laboratory method) in the detection
of visceral leishmaniasis.
Methods: A Cross-sectional study was done in ALMansour Pediatric Hospital (in AL-Rusafa), and Central
Pediatric
Background:Parkinson’disease(PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by resting tremor, bradykinesia, cogwheel rigidity, and impairment of postural reflexes; the frequency of PD increases with aging.Clinically Parkinson's disease characterized by two groups of symptoms: motor and non-motor symptoms.Non-motor symptoms can be categorized as autonomic, cognitive/psychiatric (may include depression, dementia, anxiety, hallucinations), sensory and rapid eye movements (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD).
Objectives:The objectives of this study are to find out the frequency of the non-motor symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson disease in a group of patients in Baghd
... Show MoreThe objective of investigating some biochemical parameters like urea, creatinine, Hb and other parameters as CRP and leptin in the serum of ESRD patients on hemodialysis pre-dialysis. Method: Sample of 250 cases which consists of the patient with ESRD, their mean ages were 52.66 ± 12.55 years with ranged from 18-83. Moreover, under hemodialysis treatment not less than three months. Apparently, 20 healthy subjects were selected as (control) for comparison. Results: The results showed that there was a significant increase (p<0.01) in the serum urea, creatinine, CRP, and leptin. While, revealed significant (p< 0.05) decrease in the levels of uric acid, serum glucose, albumin, inorganic phosphorus, potassium, Hb and platelet in patien
... Show MoreThis study has been undertaken to investigate the mineralogical properties and morphological features of sand fraction in some soils of Baghdad / Iraq.The morphological features of sand fractions were studied by Polarized optical microscope. Results have shown that the grains of these minerals from samples of sands have different colors, those from the surface horizons have dark brownish spots, due to staining by organic matter, and have a yellowish– to yellowish brown spots due to accumulation of Iron oxides.Results of light minerals indicated that quartz is dominant due to effect of parent material of these soils. Two types of opaque minerals (black and brown) are found, whereas t
BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is resulted from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, which initiated in China in December 2019. Parasites are efficient immune modulators because their ability to stimulate an immune response in infected persons. AIM: This study aims to detect if there is a probable relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and COVID-19. METHODS: Ninety patients consulted at Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital (Al-Shifa center) from October 2020 till April 2021, confirmed infection with COVID-19 by PCR. Stool examination was done for detecting intestinal parasites. RESULTS: From 90 patients, males were 63 (70%), with median age 32 years, while females were 27 (30%), with age 24–44 years. Asymptomatic pati
... Show MoreThe ground level ozone concentration at different locations in Baghdad city was identified. Five
different sites have been chosen to identify the ground level ozone concentration. Al- Dora and Al-
Za'afarania were chosen as areas contained point source ( power plant station ) in addition to high traffic
load , while Al –Uma park, Aden square and Al-Mawal square were chosen as area contained heavy
traffic only (line source). The measurement focuses on spring and fall because these periods display
favorable meteorology to ozone formation. During the research period the maximum values (peaks) for
ground level ozone concentration were observed at fall: at Al-Za'afarania area 101ppb as an average, at
Al-Dora 87 ppb as a
The isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from patients with various infections in hospitals, the isolates were identified and accurately diagnosed by phenotypic examination and biochemical tests, as well Vitek-2, and then genetic detection and diagnosis of many of the pathogenic factors associated with Staphylococcus aureus using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and testing for association by antibiotic resistance and production of some toxins by Staphylococcus aureus. After performing analysis of statistical, it was set up that the correlation coefficient of the PCR technique using virulence genes, sensitivity test to antibiotics and other virulence factors were significant at p < 0.05, but was insignificant with the
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