This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections in humans and detect Toxocara spp. in cats, with a focus on assessing the impact of age and gender on infection rates. Traditional diagnostic methods have historically limited the accurate identification of helminth infections in humans. Analysis of 450 human stool samples revealed an overall helminth infection rate of 5.7% using conventional techniques. The specific infection rates were 0.4% for Strongyloides stercoralis, 0.6% for Schistosoma mansoni, 1.7% for Hymenolepis nana, and 2.8% for Ascaris lumbricoides. Notably, no infections were recorded in the 30–39 and ≥40-year age groups, while the highest infection rate (16.3%, P≤0.01) was observed in individuals aged 20–29 years. With respect to gender, males exhibited a significantly higher (P≤0.01) infection rate (7.5%) compared to females (4%). Additionally, human sera were tested serologically using indirect ELISA for IgG antibodies, with a positivity rate of 10.4%. Age-wise, no positive cases were recorded in the 20–29 year group, while positivity rates of 8% and 24% were found in the 30–39 and >40 year groups, respectively, showing a significant difference (P≤0.01). In terms of gender, females had a significantly higher (P≤0.01) seroprevalence (15.2%) than males (6%). In domestic and stray cats, the overall prevalence of Toxocara spp. was 12%, with a significantly higher (P≤0.01) infection rate in kittens compared to adult cats. This study revealed notable prevalence of intestinal helminths in humans and Toxocara spp. in cats, with age and gender influencing infection rates. The findings emphasize the need for improved parasite control and public health measures to reduce zoonotic risks.
Abstract The results of isolation, morphological and microscopic diagnosis, Chromic Agar, Vitik technology and Bact Alert showed that the diagnosis of fungi isolated from blood samples of end-stage renal patients who did not undergo dialysis and those who underwent dialysis was 60 samples for each type. The total number of fungal isolates isolated from people who did not undergo dialysis was 26 pathogenic fungal isolates, with a percentage frequency of 43.33%. In this study, 4 genera of pathogenic fungi were identified: Candida spp, Rhodotorula spp, Cryptococcus spp. and Aspergillus spp. The number of Candida isolates reached 13 isolates, with a frequency of 50%. The results also showed that the diagnosed species from the genus Rhodotorula
... Show MoreSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the autoimmune disorders, generated by a production of specific autoantibodies against self-antigens before the occurrence of clinical symptoms. The etiology of disease is still unknown, although there have been several infectious agents that have been associated with SLE development, especially in genetically predisposed individuals. Herpes simplex virus-I and -II (HSV-I and -II) and Toxoplasma gondiiare two infectious agents that have been suggested to be involved in SLE etiology. Accordingly, the present study assessed anti- HSV-I and -II and anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in sera of 64 SLE female patients and 32 healthy control women. The patients w
... Show MoreBackground: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is an important respiratory bacterial pathogen, especially among children. It causes acute upper and lower respiratory infections.Objective: This study was aimed to measure anti- M. pneumoniae antibodies among hospitalized children who were admitted to hospital diagnosed with acute respiratory tract infections.Method: Automated ELISA technique was performed to detect anti- M. pneumoniae antibodies (IgM and IgG antibodies) in serum from 108 children less than 5 years old. The children were admitted to the Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Suleimani city/Kurdistan Region/Iraq because of acute respiratory tract infections. A questionnaire was designed to collect demographic and clinical data fr
... Show MoreThe study searches for the possibility of using duckweed Lemna spp. to reduce the concentration of heavy metals (zinc and iron) in the wastewater of Baghdad by culturing two different densities of the plant with a fresh weights 5 and 10 g/l and without the plant under optimum uncontrolled conditions. The result showed that there was a significant differences at the possibility level of (p? 0.05) for the three treatments, as the highest percentages for zinc removal in the second day for the plant treatment of 5 g/l were 66.40%, while the highest percentage of iron removal were in the tenth days for the plant treatment 10 g/l were 80 %, and noticed that the increase of the heavy metals concentrations accumulated in the plant after bei
... Show MoreThis study detects the presence of cholesterol in an Iraqi plant named Suaeda baccata Forsk of the family Chenopodiacae, wildly and widely grown in Iraq. The absence of any publication concerning the sterol content of this Suaeda specie, and the industrial importance of cholesterol depending on its role as a precursor in the synthesis of some hormones, like progesterone, acquired this study its value. The investigations revealed the presence of cholesterol that was proved by TLC together with the standard compound cholesterol, and anisaldehyde spray reagent using three different solvent systems, then authenticated by HPLC, in which the reten
... Show MoreThe Present investigation includes the isolation and identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for different cases of hospital contamination from 1/ 6/2003 to 30/9/2004, the identification of bacteria depended on morphological , cultural and biochemical characters, 37 of isolates were diagnosed from 70 smears from wounds and burns beside 25 isolates were identified from 200 smears taken from operation theater and hospital wards including the floors , walls , sources of light and operation equipment the sensitivity of all isolates to antibiotic were done , which exhibited complete sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin , Ceftraixon, Tobromycin and Gentamysin ,while they were complete resist to Amoxcillin , Tetracyclin , Nitrofurantion , Clindamycin C
... Show MoreWith increased climate change pressures likely to influence harmful algal blooms, exposure to microcystin, a known hepatotoxin and a byproduct of cyanobacterial blooms can be a risk factor for NAFLD associated comorbidities. Using both