Researcher Image
حارث جبار فهد زيارة - Harith Jabbar Fahad Al-Mathkhury
PhD - professor
College of Science , Department of Biology
[email protected]
Qualifications

BSc. in Biology , University of Basrah, Iraq MSc. in Microbiology, University of Baghdad, Iraq PhD in Medical Microbiology, University of Baghdad, Iraq.

Responsibility

Teaching and Reasearch

Research Interests

Pathogenesis of bacteria Bacterial biofilms Antibiotic resistance

Teaching

Bacterial pathogenesis Bacterial virulence Bacterial metabolism

Publication Date
Tue Dec 01 2020
Journal Name
Meta Gene
Association between the rs2234671 polymorphism and the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections in Iraqi women

A case-control study was designed to find out the association between rs2234671 polymorphism of cxcr1 and rUTI in a sample of Iraqi women by polymerase chain reaction- sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method. The current findings revealed that the genotype GC (OR= 7.86, 95% CI = 2.82-21.87, P= 7.7 × 10-5) and the C allele (OR= 3.93, 95% CI = 1.97 - 7.83, P = 9.8×10-5) are significantly associated with rUTI. However, the genotype GG played as a protective factor (OR= 0.12, 95% CI = 10.05 - 0.34, P = 4.0 ×10-5). Depending on these findings, the genotype GC is significantly associated with rUTI.

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Publication Date
Tue Feb 28 2023
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
The Ability of Staphylococcus aureus to Establish Biofilm on Acrylic, Plastic, and Metallic Denture Materials

       Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogenic agent due to its ability to cause various types of infections, ranging from mild skin infections to sever systemic diseases. One of the most virulence factors of this bacterium is its ability to from biofilms on solid surfaces by anchoring the planktonic cells and by producing a protective layer of extra polymeric substances. Biofilm formation is controlled through many genes. The most important ones are icaA and icaD. Dentures are prosthetic devices that are made of different materials to replace lost teeth. The aim of this study is to examine the ability of different types of denture materials to support the biofilm formation of S. aureus at phenotypic level by detecting ba

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Publication Date
Wed Aug 26 2020
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Agricultural Sciences
ECO-FRIENLY SYNTHESIS OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES AND STUDY THEIR EFFECT WITH ANTIBIOTICS AGAINST ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII

This study was aimed to produce AuNPs biologically using Klebsiella pneumoniae and study their synergistic effect with some antibiotics.Technologies of nanoparticles are quick and are employed in many applications in biomedicine. The potential of metallic nanoparticle as an anti-microbial agent is greatly investigated which considered as an alternative method to reduce the challenges of multi-drug resistance microbes. The present study discusses the novel approach to synthesize nanoparticles involving eco-friendly synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Klebsiella pneumoniae and study their effect as antimicrobial spectrum .Also study synergism effect of gold nanoparticles with antibiotic against Acinetobacter baumannii. These approac

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Publication Date
Sun Jul 31 2022
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
Gentamicin Variably Affects amrZ and rhl gene Expression in Swarmer Cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

       Swarming is one of the most important virulence factors used by bacteria to invade new sites. This study aimed to test the effects of gentamicin on swarming motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both phenotypically and molecularly. The present results revealed that 11/25 isolates had gentamicin MIC of 1024 µg/ml.  However, gentamicin at sub-minimal inhibitory concentration significantly (P< 0.05) reduced the diameter of swarming in all P. aeruginosa isolates. Noticeably the mean and median swarming diameter before treatment with gentamicin 5.557 and 5.816 cm respectively had significantly (P < 0.001) reduced to 0.871 and 0.766 cm respectively. At the molecular level, amrZ (a global regulator of multiple genes) and

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Publication Date
Sun Apr 26 2020
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
The Antibiofilm Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticles Against Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is highly adapted to hospital environments, causing persistent chronic infections due to its ability to form biofilms. In this work, the antibiofilm activity of AuNPs with a subMIC concentration of 9.34 μg/ml was investigated by the microtiter plate method against 80 clinical isolates of A. baumannii. The results revealed that the biofilm was significantly (P< 0.05) reduced by 48.2 – 82.1%.

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Publication Date
Mon Jul 01 2019
Journal Name
International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Research
Distribution of pslA among Local Isolates of Biofilm- Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa

16S rRNA gene sequence examination is an effective instrument for characterization of new pathogens in clinical specimens. Akey component of colonization, biofilm formation, and protection of the pragmatic human pathogen Pseudomonasaeruginosais the biosynthesis of the exopolysaccharide Psl.Extracellular polysaccharides,biofilm, are secreted by microorganisms into the neighboring environment and are significant for surface attachment and keeping structural safety within biofilms.Biofilm production is an important technique for the survival of P. aeruginosa,and its association with antimicrobial resistance represents a defy for patient therapeutics. The aim of the current research is to assess the antibiotic resistance manner and distribution

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Publication Date
Wed Jun 26 2019
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
Assessment of pelA-carried Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in respect to biofilm formation

Owing to high antibacterial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it could be considered as the main reason behind the nosocomial infections. P. aeruginosa has a well-known biofilm forming ability. The expression of polysaccharide encoding locus (pelA gene) by P. aeruginosa is essential for this ability. The purpose of the current research was to determine the biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical samples and to evaluate the role of the selected PelA gene in biofilm formation using PCR method in Iraqi patients. Results revealed that 24 (96%) isolates were found to have the ability to form biofilm that was remarkably related to gentamicin resistance. Moreover, the pelA gene was found in all biofilm-producers. In c

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Publication Date
Mon Jan 21 2019
Journal Name
International Journal Of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
Genetic Assessment of Antibiotic Resistance in Salmonella Enteric a Serovar Typhi in Kirkuk Province

Around fifty isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi were isolated from blood specimens of patients referring to several hospitals in Kirkuk province, Iraq. The results revealed that all isolates developed resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. However, neither sul2 nor tem genes were detected. Moreover, only ten isolates were positive for catP. Our data suggested participation of other genes or mechanisms allow these multidrug isolates to resist the antibiotics in question.

Publication Date
Thu Feb 27 2020
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
Gene Expression of pelA and pslA in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa under Gentamicin Stress

     Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces an extracellular biofilm matrix that consists of nucleic acids, exopolysaccharides, lipid vesicles, and proteins. Alginate, Psl and Pel are three exopolysaccharides that constitute the main components in biofilm matrix, with many biological functions attributed to them, especially concerning the protection of the bacterial cell from antimicrobial agents and immune responses. A total of 25 gentamicin-resistant P. aeruginosa selected isolates were enrolled in this study. Biofilm development was observed in 96% of the isolates. In addition, the present results clarified the presence of pelA and pslA in all the studied isolates. The expression of these genes was very low. Even though all biof

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Publication Date
Mon Apr 15 2019
Journal Name
Journal Of Global Pharma Technology
The dual role of Gentamicin in gene expression of fibronectin binding proteins in Staphylococcus aureus

Objectives: The current work aimed to reveal the impact of gentamicin on the fibronectin binding proteins (fnbp) gene expression and its relation to biofilm and agr type in Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 S. aureus isolates were enrolled in this study previously isolated from different specimens. Identification confirmation and methicillin resistance were achieved by amplification of 16SrRNA and mecA. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay was employed to evaluate the agr typing. The gene expression of fnbA and fnbB genes was tested by real-time PCR technique. Minimum inhibitory concentration was estimated by micro broth dilution methodology. Microtiter plate method was performed to determine the a

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Publication Date
Wed Nov 28 2018
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
pvl-carried methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized patients in Baghdad, Iraq

Out of 150 different specimens, 67 S. aureus isolate were isolated. However, 16sRNA gene was located only in 60 isolates. Moreover, mecA gene was located in 48 isolates; thereby MRSA covered 80% of all S. aureus isolates. Of considerable interest, pvl gene was detected in only six isolates (10%). Hence, the present work emphasizes the notion suggested that pvl is not an indicative of CA-MRSA.

Publication Date
Wed Dec 26 2018
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
Biofilm Shows Independency from Hemolysin Genes Arsenal in Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Normally, bacteria exposed to antibiotics at sub minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) inside the host. Therefore, the current study aimed to comprehend the association among hemolysins, biofilm, as well as gentamicin resistance in local MRSA isolates. Around 35 Staphylococcus aureus locally isolated from different clinical specimens were employed in this study. Methicillin resistance was detected via cefoxitin disk diffusion and mecA amplification methods. MIC of gentamicin was estimated by broth microdilution method. Hemolysin genes involving hla, hlb, hld, and hlg were determined using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Microtiter plate method was employed for biofilm assessment in the presence and absence of gentamic

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Publication Date
Tue Feb 28 2023
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
Gentamicin Upregulates the Gene Expression of hla and nuc in Staphylococcus aureus

The current study aimed to detect the effect of gentamicin stress on the expression of hla (encodes hemolysin) and nuc (encodes nuclease) genes of Staphylococcus aureus. Fifty-eight isolates identified as S. aureus were isolated locally from different clinical specimens. Disk diffusion method was used to detect the resistance to S. aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin was estimated by broth microdilution method. hla and nuc genes were determined by polymerase chain reaction technique. The biofilm was evaluated using the microtiter plate method in the presence and absence of gentamicin at sub-MIC. The results showed that 18 (31%) and 40 (69%) S. aureus isolates were sensitive and resistant to gentamicin, respectiv

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Publication Date
Sun Jul 01 2018
Journal Name
Journal Of Global Pharma Technology
Gentamicin Modulates the Gene Expression of hla in Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm

Objective: The present work was undertaken to investigate the impact of sub inhibitory concentration of gentamicin on hla gene expression in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates. Methods: The bacterial isolates used in this study represent 33 MRSA strains, previously isolated form patients visiting several hospitals in Baghdad. Gentamicin, vancomycin, and oxacillin MIC were determined using broth dilution method. Microtiter plate method was adopted to investigate the biofilm forming capacity. Alpha hemolysin was detected by culturing MRSA isolates on rabbit blood agar. Furthermore, hla gene was detected in MRSA isolates using conventional PCR technique; while, qRT-PCR method was performed to assay the hla expression in plank

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Publication Date
Wed Oct 17 2018
Journal Name
Advances In Animal And Veterinary Sciences
Gentamicin enhances toxA expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated form cow mastitis

The present study was undertaken in order to investigate the role of gentamicin in the gene expression of toxA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from cow mastitis. A total of ten P. aeruginosa strains originally isolated from cows infected with mastitis. Agar dilution methodology was performed to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration of gentamicin, all of which developed resistance toward gentamicin. The findings presented here demonstrated that all these strains harboured toxA depending on PCR-based assay. Nonetheless, RT-PCR technique revealed a wide variation in expression of toxA. Moreover, the cultivation of P. aeruginosa in the presence of gentamicin, significantly (P< 0.05), induced the expression of toxA, in addition to th

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Publication Date
Fri Jan 17 2014
Journal Name
Microbial Ecology
Investigating the Link Between Imipenem Resistance and Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous environmental organism, is a difficult-to-treat opportunistic pathogen due to its broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance and its ability to form biofilms. In this study, we investigate the link between resistance to a clinically important antibiotic, imipenem, and biofilm formation. First, we observed that the laboratory strain P. aeruginosa PAO1 carrying a mutation in the oprD gene, which confers resistance to imipenem, showed a modest reduction in biofilm formation.We also observed an inverse relationship between imipenem resistance and biofilm formation for imipenem-resistant strains selected in vitro, as well as for clinical isolates.We identified two clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from the sputum

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Publication Date
Sat Jan 01 2011
Journal Name
North American Journal Of Medical Sciences
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Publication Date
Sun Jul 29 2018
Journal Name
Iraqi Journal Of Science
Incidence of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Iraqi patients

The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to ciprofloxacin has complicated the problem of treating staphylococcal associated infections in which MRSA is the causative agent since ciprofloxacin was the drug of choice to treat such infections. Our study investigated the incidence of Ciprofloxacin resistant S. aureus isolates that were also methicillin resistant among Iraqi patients. The obtained bacterial isolates were tested for Ciprofloxacin resistance using agar dilution method and the sequence of gyrA and parC. The results revealed that about 8% of the isolated MRSA strains were Ciprofloxacin resistant and the resistance was due to mutation in gyrA rather than parC.

Publication Date
Sun Jan 01 2012
Journal Name
Turkish Journal Of Medical Sciences
Histopathological effects of S. xylosus peptidoglycan in comparison to E. coli lipopolysaccharide in the urinary tract of mice

he present work, among other previous studies done in our lab, aimed to highlight the histopathological effect of S. xylosus peptidoglycan in comparison to LPS of E. coli. Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty urine specimens were collected from urinary tract infection patients visiting Baghdad hospitals. The histopathological effects of S. xylosus S24 peptidoglycan was studied in the urinary tract of female mice by injecting 5 animal groups at the following concentrations: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 µg/mL. Another 5 groups were injected with 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ng/mL of E. coli (serotype 0128:B12) LPS. Results: Ten isolates were confirmed to be Staphylococcus xylosus. Histopathological study showed different pathological

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Publication Date
Sat Jan 01 2011
Journal Name
North American Journal Of Medical Sciences
Urinary tract infections caused by staphylococcus aureus DNA in comparison to the candida albicans DNA

Background: Bacterial DNA released upon bacterial autolysis or killed by antibiotics, hence, many inflammatogenic reactions will be established leading to serious tissue damage. Aim: the present work aimed to elucidate the histopathological changes caused by prokaryotic (bacterial) DNA and eukaryotic (candidal) DNA. Materials and methods: twenty one Staphylococcus aureus and 36 Candida albicans isolates were isolated from UTI patients. Viable cells and DNA of the highest antibiotic sensitive isolates were injected, intraurethraly, in mice. Results were evaluated via histopathological examination. Results: Mildest reactions were obtained from mice challenged with viable C. albicans compared with those challenged with viable S. aureus. Dos

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Publication Date
Fri Jan 01 2016
Journal Name
Kmitl Science And Technology
Antibacterial Activity of Lactobacillus buchneri Bacteriocin against Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Eleven yoghurt samples were collected from local markets in Baghdad to isolate Lactobacillus buchneri. Only 3 isolates of L. buchneri were found and the isolate No. 3 was the most producer of bacteriocin. Bacteriocin was adsorbed 100% onto silicic acid at pH 6.0-7.0. Below or above these pH values, adsorption was decreased, ranging between 35 and 90%. Therefore, pH 6.0 was used for the purification procedure. The purification procedure including silicic acid adsorption/desorption and cation-exchange chromatography (CEC) resulted in a 11.11 fold increase in the final specific activity of pure bacteriocin (1176.47 Au/mg) compared to the culture supernatant which was 32.64 Au/mg. The molecular weight was determined to be about 3.4 kDa. The bac

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Publication Date
Mon Jun 26 2023
Journal Name
Journal Of Contemporary Medical Sciences
Glyceryl Trinitrate, a Vasodilating Drug Acts as an Antibiofilm Agent in Serratia marcescens

Objectives: Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative pathogen of many species. The ability of S. marcescens to form biofilms and its potent innate resistance to antimicrobials and cleaning solutions are both essential for its pathogenicity and survival. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on the biofilm of S. marcescens, as an alternative for antibiotic therapy. Methods: Different specimens, including ear swabs, burns, mid-stream urine, wound swabs, and sputum, were collected from patients who were brought to Al-Ramadi Hospital, Iraq. All samples were cultured, and the colonies that were obtained were detected using the VITEK® 2 compact. The ability of biofilms to develop was e

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Publication Date
Thu May 04 2023
Journal Name
Journal Of Communicable Diseases
Enhancement of Swarming and Inhibition of Prodigiosin in Serratia marcescens by Glyceryl Trinitrate

Introduction:Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative pathogen of many species. Its pathogenicity and survival are linked to its capacity to build biofilms as well as its strong inherent resistance to antimicrobials and cleaning agents. Objectives: To analyse the impact of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) on the gene expression of QS-related genes (rssB, rsmA,and pigP) of S. marcescens. Methodology: The broth microdilution technique estimated the bactericidal effectiveness of glyceryl trinitrate. The presence of rssB, rsmA,and pigP in S. marcescens isolates was detected using PCR. qRT-PCR was used to assess the effect of GTN on rssB, rsmA,and pigPgene expression. Results: The results demonstrated that GTN has no effect on S. marcesce

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Publication Date
Wed Apr 26 2023
Journal Name
Journal Of Contemporary Medical Sciences
A potential role of extracellular DNA in biofilm and ciprofloxacin resistance

Objectives: This study aims to broaden our knowledge of the role of eDNA in bacterial biofilms and antibiotic-resistance gene transfer among isolates. Methods: Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from different non-repeated 170 specimens. The bacterial isolates were identified using morphological and molecular methods. Different concentrations of genomic DNA were tested for their potential role in biofilms formed by study isolates employing microtiter plate assay. Ciprofloxacin resistance was identified by detecting a mutation in gyrA and parC. Results: The biofilm intensity significantly decreased (P < 0.05) concerning S. aureus isolates and insignificantly (P > 0.05) concernin

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Publication Date
Fri Jun 23 2023
Journal Name
Journal Of Communicable Diseases
Downregulation of the Gene Expression of Efflux Pump Gene (acrA) and its Regulator (ramA) in Klebsiella pneumoniae by Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Introduction: Biocides are commonly used for disinfection in a variety of contexts. They are generally used to avoid infection by controlling biofilm on medical equipment. However, the literature lacks information on the effect of biocide on efflux pump gene expression. Objective: To determine the influence of biocide on biofilm development and efflux pump acrA and ramA gene expression. Methodology: The microtiter plate method was used to identify biofilm development in 80 isolates of K. pneumoniae. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of three biocides (quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), chlorohexidine digluconate, and chloroxylenol) were estimated. The effect of QAC on the intensity and viability of biofilms was investigated as we

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Publication Date
Wed Jan 01 2020
Journal Name
Biochemical And Cellular Archives
EFFECT OF CHALCONE ON THE FORMATION OF BIOFILMS AND EXPRESSION OF VIRULENCE GENES IN METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

MRSA is one of the major pathogens in hospitals and the community, which have the ability to produce biofilm as a virulence factor, the impact of chalcone on biofilm formation, the synergism effect of chalcone and antibiotic in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, the gene expression of virulence genes (srtA, fnbA, fnbB) before and after treatment of it on MRSA biofilm cells in vitro, all these were the prime aims of this study. Chalcone at MBIC (20 μg/ml), significantly reduced the biofilm formation to 21.45% and at sub MBIC (15 μg/ml) to 36.58 %. While, Chalcone at MIC(5 μg/ml) reduced MRSA planktonic cells to 49.61%. Susceptibility of MRSA isolates against eight antibiotics showed that all isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and n

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