Back 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 Hospital (in AL-Karkh) in Baghdad for 6
months duration (from the 1st of December 2004 to 30th of
May 2005). Children less than five years who suspected to
be infected with visceral leishmaniasis were selected and
investigated by IFAT test and rK39 dipstick strip.
Results: The validity of rK39 test when evaluated with
the standard methods IFAT test showed a sensitivity of
90.5%, specificity of 90.7%, predictive value positive of
77.9%, predictive value negative of 96.4% and 90.7%
accuracy.
Conclusions: The rK39 antigen strip test is valid in the
diagnosis of suspected children with visceral
leishmaniasis as the test is rapid, sensitive, and specific
Background: Immunoassays are one of the oldest techniques used in diagnostic virology where a number of serologic techniques, with different degrees of sensitivity and specificity, for the detection of HCV antigens and their specific antibodies, have been developed.
Materials and methods: One hundred and four sera samples were collected from National Center for Blood Transfusion, Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Hospital, Central Public Health Laboratories and Teaching Laboratories. According to the manufacturers practical instructions, many available methods for detecting Anti-HCV antibodies, including enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunochromatographic assay (ICA), recombinant immunoblot
Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease in tropical countries, including Iraq. Several studies have sought to examine chemotherapies for leishmaniasis treatment but most of them are of toxic and/or undesirable side effect, therefore, the need for investigating new fewer toxic therapies is essential. Aim of study: In this study, the cytotoxic effect of Artemisinin (ART), a novel herbal compound, was screened against the two forms, promastigotes and amastigotes, of the Iraqi isolate of Leishmania tropica, the causative agent of Baghdad boil. Material and methods: Different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.6 and 7.8) µM of Artemisinin were screened to investigate the leishmanicidal activity of th
... Show MoreBackground: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected disease in tropical countries, including Iraq. Several studies have sought to examine chemotherapies for leishmaniasis treatment but most of them are of toxic and/or undesirable side effect, therefore, the need for investigating new fewer toxic therapies is essential. Aim of study: In this study, the cytotoxic effect of Artemisinin (ART), a novel herbal compound, was screened against the two forms, promastigotes and amastigotes, of the Iraqi isolate of Leishmania tropica, the causative agent of Baghdad boil. Material and methods: Different concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.6 and 7.8) µM of Artemisinin were screened to investigate the leishmanic
... Show MoreDirect agglutination test was used to evaluate the immunogenicity of three different antigens inoculated in hamsters as one , two and three doses which were: Group (1) inoculated with autoclaved killed Leishmania tropica , Group (2) inoculated with BCG vaccine alone while Group (3) inoculated with mixed antigens (autoclaved killed Leishmania "AKL"+ BCG).(4) Control animals inoculated with phosphate buffer saline. The maximum level of antibody titers were evaluated in animal inoculated with one , two or three dose of mixed antigens (320 , 640 and 1280) respectively when it compared with animals inoculated with corresponding doses of AKL antigen (80 , 160 and 320) respectively. While the minimum level of antibody titers were observed in ani
... Show MoreBackground: To compare the diagnostic value of hysteroscopy with conventional curettage and to evaluate the sensitivity of both methods to detect intrauterine endometrial pathology in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.
patients and Methods: This prospective study carried on 100 patients underwent diagnostic hysteroscopy as well as dilatation and curettage for abnormal uterine bleeding in two teaching
hospitals, Al Yarmouk and Al Kadhmiya Teaching hospital / Baghdad from the period of Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2003, endometrial specimens were sent for separate histological study, the sensitivity of both methods were assessed according to the operative and histological findings.
Results: High sensitivity and
Background: Leishmaniasis is important public
health problem owing to its impact on morbidity
and mortality and difficulties in application of
effective control measures.
Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the
using of impregnate bed nets in the control of
leishmaniasis.
Methods: The study was conducted throughout
the years 2004 and 2005, in Diala Governorate
(about 60km north-east Baghdad). This is the first
study in Iraq for evaluation of the impregnated bed
net in control of leishmaniasis. Two villages were
selected to achieve this aim. The nets were
distributed for the first village to be used by their
population. The second village was served as
control.
Results: The
... Show MoreMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Up to 10 % of MS patients have onset in paediatric age group. Although the clinical profile of MS appears similar to that seen in adults, several features may differ and specific issues arise in children. Here, we reported a 12-year old girl who presented with 3-year history of episodes of seizures and facial nerve palsy and finally fatigue and cognitive impairment were noted and interfered with her academic performance. Because of the presumed atypical clinical presentations, the diagnosis was missed then dismissed despite neuroimaging features and CSF immunological findings that were highly suggestive of MS. Later, evolution of the
... Show MoreThe study included identification of Leishmania parasites from cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis, by examination of smears for LD bodies , isolation of parasites by culture in media , and characterisation of the isolated parasites by Isoenzyme analysis.Out of 100 cases suspected for cutaneous leishmaniasis ; 85 were diagnosed on culture for Leishmania promastigotes and this method was found to be superior to direct microscopy for amastgotes (LD bodies) .The cases included in this study belonged to different areas of Wasit/Iraq. There were 30 cases from Hay, 35 from Badra, and 35 cases from Suwaira.The distribution of infection in different age groups indi
... Show MoreI have studied the relationship between blood groups in humans and disease Cutaneous injury for the first time in Iraq study showed the presence of a significant statistical relationship between them leather Bmsoy in hospitals in Baghdad and its suburbs
The parasite Alchammannia Aaúlan Ahdma backbone and the other for Avgari and moves them alternately Vafiqra is Alannsan and Allbaún and other either Allavgari is an insect Aharms or sand fly of the genus deployed in the ancient world is different form the parasite and installed Albayukimaaúa in each of the Family is so when transmitted from host to another passes stages growth