Background: Staphylococcus spp. are widely distributed in nature and can cause nosocomial, skin infections, and foodborne illness, and it may lead to severe financial losses in birds by causing systemic infection in numerous organs. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. in humans and birds in Baghdad city. Methods: Seventy-six oral cavity swabs were collected, including 41 from birds and 35 from breeders. All samples were examined by bacteriological methods and identified by using the VITEK technique, the samples were then further studied to test the ability of biofilm formation, and MDR factors and MAR index were tested with the use of seven antibiotics. Results: Among the 76 oral swabs, 37 samples were positive (48.68%) for Staphylococcus spp.: 7 human samples (20%) and 30 bird samples (73.17%). In humans, S. lentus was the most prevalent (42.85%) followed by S. aureus (28.57%), S. hominis and S. sciuri were at (14.29%) to each. In birds, S. pseudintermedius, S. gallinarum, S. lentus, S. haemolyticus, Staphylococcus spp, S. sciuri and S. xylosus were detected in 36.67%, 16.67%, 10%, 10%, 13.33%, 3.33% and 3.33% respectively. Staphylococcus isolates from the human samples demonstrated that only S. lentus was resistant 33.33% to ME, OX, and SXT. Furthermore, one of them was MDR and high MAR index value. The antimicrobial pattern of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from birds was as follows: S. pseudintermedius isolates demonstrated 100% resistance to CN, CIP, SXT, and MDR (100%) and high MAR indices value; S. xylosus was resistant 100% against ME, CN, SXT and Do and it was MDR with high MAR index;S. lentus was resistant 25% against ME, OX, C, and SXT, whereas, S. gallinarum was resistant 33.33% against ME and OX. The results demonstrated that biofilm formation of the Staphylococcus spp. isolated from human samples were weak biofilm formers: S. lentus, S. hominis, and S. aureus, while other S. aureus (50%) was moderate. In birds, the majority of the isolates had non biofilm-producing capabilities, while 80% of S. lentus and 100% of S. xylosus showed moderate biofilm formation. Conclusion: Healthcare problem was observed in this study due to high MDR and MAR index among Staphylococcus spp. isolated from pet birds to their owners and vice versa.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa has variety of virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. Therefore, rapid detection with high accuracy and specificity is very important in the control of this pathogenic bacterium. To evaluate the accuracy and specificity of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay, ETA and gyrB genes were targeted to detect pathogenic strains of P. aeruginosa. Seventy swab samples were taken from patients with infected wounds and burns in two hospitals in Erbil and Koya cities in Iraq. The isolates were traditionally identified using phenotypic methods, and DNA was extracted from the positive samples, to apply PCR using the species specific primers targeting ETA, the gene encoding for exotoxin A, and gyrB gene. The res
... Show MoreDue to its association with hepatocellular carcinoma and being one of the ten most common malignancies worldwide, hepatitis C viral infection has become a severe public health concern. Therefore, establishing an accurate, reliable and sensitive diagnostic test for this infection is strongly advised. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been created to achieve this purpose. The current study was established to investigate the hepatitis C virus among Iraqi patients with chronic renal failure and to detect the virus immunologically by the fourth generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and molecularly by real-time PCR. As a result, out of 50 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing dialysis, 39 patients tes
... Show MoreIn this work laser detection and tracking system (LDTS) is designed and implemented using a fuzzy logic controller (FLC). A 5 mW He-Ne laser system and an array of nine PN photodiodes are used in the detection system. The FLC is simulated using MATLAB package and the result is stored in a lock up table to use it in the real time operation of the system. The results give a good system response in the target detection and tracking in the real time operation.
The effect of 532nm Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser at power density of 5.234 W/cm2 on the growth of Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus was evaluated. These bacteria were isolated from samples taken from burn and infected wound areas of 55 patients admitted to the burn-wound unit in Al-Kindy teaching hospital in Baghdad during the period from October 2012 to March 2013. Each isolate was identified using microscopic, cultural and biochemical methods. A standard bacterial suspension was prepared for each isolate. Serial dilutions were then prepared and a dilution of 10-5 was selected. Irradiation experiments included four groups: (L-P-) bacterial suspension in saline solution, (L-P+) bacteria
... Show MoreBekhme formation, Dernir Dagh well -1 has been divided into two facies units using core
sample slides and depending on sedimentary structures and diagenetic processes .The facies
reflect the environment of the foreslope.This work proves the absence of Bekhme formation
in Dernir Dagh
Well- 1 as a tongue as reported by the Oil Exploration Company. Some species and genera of
bentonic foraminifera were identified. The age of Bekhme formation was estimated
depending on the recognized index fossils to be lower Maastrichtian.
The electrochemical behavior of Al-17%Si alloy is investigated in 3.5wt% NaCl solution. Many alloys with addition of the different wt% magnesium metal of 1wt%, 2%, 3wt% ,4.5wt% ,and 9wt% were prepared by gravity die casting . The microstructures of prepared alloys were examined by optical and SEM microscopes. Corrosion behavior was investigated by using potentiostat instrument under static potentials test and corrosion current was recorded to determine corrosion resistance of all prepared samples. It was found that the addition of Mg metal improves the corrosion resistance of Al-17%Si alloy in 3.5%NaCl solution. The alloy containing 1%Mg shows less corrosion rate than the others while the alloys containing 4.5%Mg, 9%Mg content have
... Show MoreIn this work, the copper metal was treated using Nd:YAG laser with energy 1Joul to enhance corrosion resistance and improve surface properties. The copper metal has many applications in industry as well as water, oil and gas pipes. The same conditions, (laser power density, scan speed, distance between paths, medium gas-air) were applied in the laser surface treatment, After laser treatment, the samples microstructures were investigated using optical microscope (OM) to examine micro structural changes due to laser irradiation. Specimen surfaces were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), macro hardness, and corrosion test before and after laser treatment to
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