Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected worldwide distributed parasitic disease caused by the E... more Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected worldwide distributed parasitic disease caused by the Echinococcusgranulosus sensu lato (s.l.) species complex. For a better understanding of the pathways of transmission of this parasite, clinical and molecular epidemiological studies are particularly needed from endemic areas where data are scant, such as in the Middle East. The study aimed to identify the characteristics, location, cyst stage and species/genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. complex in humans from the Kurdistan region, Iraq. To this aim, from June 2019 to February 2021, 64 echinococcal cysts were surgically removed from 62 patients in Azadi and Vajeen reference Hospitals at Duhok city, Duhok governorate (Kurdistan region, Iraq). The results confirmed the liver as the most common anatomical site of CE with 72.58% of the cases, followed by the lungs in 19.35%, while 66.13% of CE cases were females. The highest rate of infections occurred in the age class 21–30 (27.42%). High rate...
Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: June 28, 2021 August 09, 2021 August 11, 2021 Sept... more Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: June 28, 2021 August 09, 2021 August 11, 2021 September 05, 2021 Fascioliasis caused by Fasciola species (Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica) is considered as the most important helminthic infection of domestic animals in developing countries. The present study was performed during January to December 2019, in Biology Department, University of Zakho. Hundred adult’s flukes of Fasciola spp. were isolated from bile ducts and gallbladder of cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at different abattoirs (Duhok, Zakho, Shelidiza, Aqrah and Bardarash) in Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit, Jena Bioscience GmbH (Germany). Specific markers ITS1 and ITS2 ribosomal DNA were used for amplifying 480 and 550 bps fragments. DNA sequences have been used to characterize these liver flukes. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized ...
Fascioliasis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola species. The... more Fascioliasis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola species. The current study was conducted during January to December 2019,in which five districts were selected in various parts of Duhok governorates which differ in their environmental and geographical conditions they included: Duhok city, Zakho, Shelidiza, Aqrah and Bardarash. Each slaughter house was visited once monthly to determine the rate of fascioliasis among domestic animals; cattle, sheep and goats. The infected livers were examined grossly and the bile duct and gall bladder were inspected for the presence of Fasciola species, the work was performed in Parasitology Laboratory, Biology Dept., Faculty of Science, Zakho University. Fascioliasis was diagnosed in 2.0% (195/9757) of total slaughtered livestock, with the highest rate of infection in cattle which was 3.27% (66/2021), followed by sheep 1.76% (122/6932) and the lowest in goats 0.87% (7/804). Slightly higher prevalence rate from posi...
This study intended to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in t... more This study intended to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in the sera of 630 women at childbearing age, and to link the outcomes with some risk factors. The enrolled women visited Zakho Maternity Hospital from July 2018 to July 2019. Their ages ranged from 15 to 45 years. All samples were examined using ELISA to detect immunoglobulin G and M, in addition to performing IgG Avidity test for seropositive pregnant women. The differences between seropositivity and age was significant (p<0.05), the highest rate (20.43%) for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in the age group 33-38 years. Women who had more contact with cats showed higher IgG and IgM seropositivity rates (16.45% and 1.26%, respectively). Married women had higher IgG Abs seropositivity than single ones (12.52% vs 6.31%, respectively), moreover, only married women were seropositive for IgM Abs. Pregnant women presented higher IgG Abs seropositivity than non-pregnant (15.21% versus 10.49%), w...
This study included biochemical analysis of hydatid cysts (HCs) (laminated and germinal layers) a... more This study included biochemical analysis of hydatid cysts (HCs) (laminated and germinal layers) and hosts tissues of sheep, goats and cattle during the period from Nov. 2010 to Oct. 2011. Furthermore, biochemical analysis of germinal layer of HCs surgically removed from human liver and lungs were also included in study. The chemical analysis involved the determination of cholesterol, triglyceride and nitrogenous compound. The germinal layer showed the highest content of cholesterol in HC of all hosts with the highest being in germinal layer of HCs in cattle liver (5.29 ± 0.65 mg/100g). Whereas, in host tissues, the highest level was observed in uninfected cattle liver tissues (35.71 ± 1.51mg/100g). The triglyceride in laminated layer of HC was higher than that in germinal layer in HCs of all hosts, with the highest being in the laminated layer of HCs in cattle lungs (11.85 ± 0.28 mg/100g). While in host tissues, the uninfected tissues showed the high level of triglyceride with the h...
A total number of 1146 blood samples taken randomly from single and married women at child bearin... more A total number of 1146 blood samples taken randomly from single and married women at child bearing age of different ages, different socioeconomic and educational classes in Duhok city. They were examined to detect anti-toxoplasma IgG and IgM Abs by using LAT and ELISA tests. The rate of seroprevalence was 38.7 % by using LAT, while it was 27.7 % by using ELISA IgG. On the other hand, the rate of anti-toxoplasma IgM Abs was only 0.4 % by using ELISA. Significant differences were observed in rate of seropositivity between single and married women, and also between various age groups, the highest rate (45.3%) was observed among the age group 31-35 years. Also significant seropositive rates were observed between all educational levels with the highest rates (36.4% and 34.2%) being among illiterate and house wives, respectively. Contact with cats or eating undercooked meat has no effect on seropositivity rate. Regarding married status, pregnant women showed highest seropositivity (49...
This study included an epidemiological study on hydatidosis which included the examination of 634... more This study included an epidemiological study on hydatidosis which included the examination of 63483 sheep and 13960 goats slaughtered at Duhok Abattoir during the period from Nov.2008 to Oct. 2009. It has been found that 12.3% of sheep and 5.17% of goats were infected with HCs. Among sheep 56.10% of HC were found in the lungs, 36.25% in the liver and 7.66% in both liver and lungs. Among goats 67.31% of the HCs found in the lungs, 25.5% in liver and 7.20% in both liver and lungs. The highest % of sheep occurred in summer (14.74%) and the lowest (9.9%) during spring, whereas, the highest % in goats (11.24%) was during spring and the lowest (2.47%) during winter.
Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular p... more Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. Felines including cats are the only definitive hosts for T. gondii and they play a significant role in spreading the oocysts in the environment. It has been estimated that T. gondii infects about one-third of the human population. This study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence rate of Anti-T. gondii IgG Abs in 100 strays by using different serological techniques. Methods: Hundred stray cats of both sexes (50 males and 50 females) from different ages (one month to 48 months) were hunted by trap cage and shooting tranquilizer gun in Erbil city and used for detecting T. gondii antibodies. Results: The seroprevalence rates obtained were: 22%, 20% and 11% by MAT, ELISA and LAT respectively. Male cats showed higher seroprevalence than females (13% versus7%). According to the agreement between MAT titers and ELISA IgG (cutoff ELISA≥1) in stray cat’s sera, the percent of posit...
This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the effects of associated risk factors of ... more This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the effects of associated risk factors of scabies and head lice on displaced people in Cham Mishko camp, Zakho city, Duhok Province, Iraq. The study included 1300 internally displaced people (IDPs) who visited the dermatology clinic and health care center in Cham Mishko camp from January 2018 to December 2019. Participants’ bio-information was collected on special questionnaire form after receiving permission from the camp’s health authorities and verbal consent from the participants. Monthly weather data were collected from Duhok Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology. The total rate of ectoparasites was 81.2% (45% for scabies and 36.2% for head lice). Ages from 1–10, 21–30, and 31–40 years showed the highest rates with scabies (48.1%, 46.7% and 46.1%, respectively), while the highest rates of head pediculosis were at ages from 1–10 and 11–20 years (40% and 36.6%, respectively). Scabies rate was slightly higher in males than...
International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2020
Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular p... more Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. It has an important role in abortion and congenital diseases in pregnant women, which lead to infant's defectiveness birth when pregnant, are exposed during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent and most successful parasitic infectious disease worldwide, due to its efficient transmission through the ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked and infected meat, or the ingestion of oocysts in contaminated vegetables and water. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii Abs and their relation to some demographic factors among females, in Duhok province/ Kurdistan Region/ Iraq.Methods: During the period from October 2016 to November 2017, a total of 792 random blood samples were collected from the female population of different ages (16-55) years and various socioeconomic classes, who attended Obstetrics and Gynecolog...
In this study, ten multilocus PCR-RFLP markers were used for genotyping of T. gondii in six cats;... more In this study, ten multilocus PCR-RFLP markers were used for genotyping of T. gondii in six cats; that were seropositive by MAT test. These markers include SAG1, SAG2 (5-SAG2, 3-SAG2 and Alt.SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico. Eight T. gondii reference strains (GT1, PTG, CTG, TgCgCa1, MAS, TgCatBr5, TgCatBr64 and TgToucan) were used as positive controls for genotyping. Sample A20-1 was type III by one marker (GRA6), while sample A9-2 was type III by four markers (SAG3, BTUB, c22-8 and c29-2) and sample A20-2 was type III by four markers (SAG1, SAG3, BTUB and c29-2). Hence, it could be concluded that the strain of T. gondii in Kurdistan stray cats is likely the type III.
This study was carried out in Duhok provinces, Kurdistan Region/ Iraq from August; 2014 to Decemb... more This study was carried out in Duhok provinces, Kurdistan Region/ Iraq from August; 2014 to December 2015.The study focused on the prevalence of CE in slaughtered animals. The total prevalence was 5.25% (11753/223436), with a high rate in sheep (4.25%), and low rates in goats and cattle (0.64% and 0.37%, respectively). With respect to abattoirs involved in the study, the highest prevalence was detected in Akre abattoir (8.21%) and the lowest in Amedy abattoir (4.09%). Among the infected animals, sheep in Akre abattoir recorded the highest prevalence, while cattle in Duhok abattoir recorded the lowest prevalence (7.57 and 0.1%, respectively). Males of sheep, goats and cattle showed higher prevalence (70.51, 63.62, and 92.06%, respectively). Regarding organ involvements, malesand females of cattle showed high liver involvement (63.13 and 84.62%, respectively), while males and females of sheep (62.21 and 60.31%, respectively) and goats (60.59 and 54.51%, respectively) showed high lungs...
Fascioliasis caused by the liver flukes of the genus Fasciola is considered as the most significa... more Fascioliasis caused by the liver flukes of the genus Fasciola is considered as the most significant Trematodes infection of ruminants in both temperate and tropical countries. In the present study fifty adult Fasciola flukes (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenia) were collected from the bile ducts and gallbladder of infected bovine hosts (cattle) slaughtered at Duhok abattoir, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit. ITS-1 and ITS-2 ribosomal DNA sequences have been used to characterize these liver flukes as a specific marker. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized by staining with ethidium bromide, and photographed. ITS-2 marker for F. hepatica was amplified successfully and the length of produced band for ITS-2 was 330 bp. The present study is the first trail for molecular characterization of F. hepatica in cattle in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq using the ITS-2 rDNA as a reliable genetic marker.
Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected worldwide distributed parasitic disease caused by the E... more Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected worldwide distributed parasitic disease caused by the Echinococcusgranulosus sensu lato (s.l.) species complex. For a better understanding of the pathways of transmission of this parasite, clinical and molecular epidemiological studies are particularly needed from endemic areas where data are scant, such as in the Middle East. The study aimed to identify the characteristics, location, cyst stage and species/genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. complex in humans from the Kurdistan region, Iraq. To this aim, from June 2019 to February 2021, 64 echinococcal cysts were surgically removed from 62 patients in Azadi and Vajeen reference Hospitals at Duhok city, Duhok governorate (Kurdistan region, Iraq). The results confirmed the liver as the most common anatomical site of CE with 72.58% of the cases, followed by the lungs in 19.35%, while 66.13% of CE cases were females. The highest rate of infections occurred in the age class 21–30 (27.42%). High rate...
Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: June 28, 2021 August 09, 2021 August 11, 2021 Sept... more Received: Revised: Accepted: Published online: June 28, 2021 August 09, 2021 August 11, 2021 September 05, 2021 Fascioliasis caused by Fasciola species (Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica) is considered as the most important helminthic infection of domestic animals in developing countries. The present study was performed during January to December 2019, in Biology Department, University of Zakho. Hundred adult’s flukes of Fasciola spp. were isolated from bile ducts and gallbladder of cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at different abattoirs (Duhok, Zakho, Shelidiza, Aqrah and Bardarash) in Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit, Jena Bioscience GmbH (Germany). Specific markers ITS1 and ITS2 ribosomal DNA were used for amplifying 480 and 550 bps fragments. DNA sequences have been used to characterize these liver flukes. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized ...
Fascioliasis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola species. The... more Fascioliasis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola species. The current study was conducted during January to December 2019,in which five districts were selected in various parts of Duhok governorates which differ in their environmental and geographical conditions they included: Duhok city, Zakho, Shelidiza, Aqrah and Bardarash. Each slaughter house was visited once monthly to determine the rate of fascioliasis among domestic animals; cattle, sheep and goats. The infected livers were examined grossly and the bile duct and gall bladder were inspected for the presence of Fasciola species, the work was performed in Parasitology Laboratory, Biology Dept., Faculty of Science, Zakho University. Fascioliasis was diagnosed in 2.0% (195/9757) of total slaughtered livestock, with the highest rate of infection in cattle which was 3.27% (66/2021), followed by sheep 1.76% (122/6932) and the lowest in goats 0.87% (7/804). Slightly higher prevalence rate from posi...
This study intended to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in t... more This study intended to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in the sera of 630 women at childbearing age, and to link the outcomes with some risk factors. The enrolled women visited Zakho Maternity Hospital from July 2018 to July 2019. Their ages ranged from 15 to 45 years. All samples were examined using ELISA to detect immunoglobulin G and M, in addition to performing IgG Avidity test for seropositive pregnant women. The differences between seropositivity and age was significant (p<0.05), the highest rate (20.43%) for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in the age group 33-38 years. Women who had more contact with cats showed higher IgG and IgM seropositivity rates (16.45% and 1.26%, respectively). Married women had higher IgG Abs seropositivity than single ones (12.52% vs 6.31%, respectively), moreover, only married women were seropositive for IgM Abs. Pregnant women presented higher IgG Abs seropositivity than non-pregnant (15.21% versus 10.49%), w...
This study included biochemical analysis of hydatid cysts (HCs) (laminated and germinal layers) a... more This study included biochemical analysis of hydatid cysts (HCs) (laminated and germinal layers) and hosts tissues of sheep, goats and cattle during the period from Nov. 2010 to Oct. 2011. Furthermore, biochemical analysis of germinal layer of HCs surgically removed from human liver and lungs were also included in study. The chemical analysis involved the determination of cholesterol, triglyceride and nitrogenous compound. The germinal layer showed the highest content of cholesterol in HC of all hosts with the highest being in germinal layer of HCs in cattle liver (5.29 ± 0.65 mg/100g). Whereas, in host tissues, the highest level was observed in uninfected cattle liver tissues (35.71 ± 1.51mg/100g). The triglyceride in laminated layer of HC was higher than that in germinal layer in HCs of all hosts, with the highest being in the laminated layer of HCs in cattle lungs (11.85 ± 0.28 mg/100g). While in host tissues, the uninfected tissues showed the high level of triglyceride with the h...
A total number of 1146 blood samples taken randomly from single and married women at child bearin... more A total number of 1146 blood samples taken randomly from single and married women at child bearing age of different ages, different socioeconomic and educational classes in Duhok city. They were examined to detect anti-toxoplasma IgG and IgM Abs by using LAT and ELISA tests. The rate of seroprevalence was 38.7 % by using LAT, while it was 27.7 % by using ELISA IgG. On the other hand, the rate of anti-toxoplasma IgM Abs was only 0.4 % by using ELISA. Significant differences were observed in rate of seropositivity between single and married women, and also between various age groups, the highest rate (45.3%) was observed among the age group 31-35 years. Also significant seropositive rates were observed between all educational levels with the highest rates (36.4% and 34.2%) being among illiterate and house wives, respectively. Contact with cats or eating undercooked meat has no effect on seropositivity rate. Regarding married status, pregnant women showed highest seropositivity (49...
This study included an epidemiological study on hydatidosis which included the examination of 634... more This study included an epidemiological study on hydatidosis which included the examination of 63483 sheep and 13960 goats slaughtered at Duhok Abattoir during the period from Nov.2008 to Oct. 2009. It has been found that 12.3% of sheep and 5.17% of goats were infected with HCs. Among sheep 56.10% of HC were found in the lungs, 36.25% in the liver and 7.66% in both liver and lungs. Among goats 67.31% of the HCs found in the lungs, 25.5% in liver and 7.20% in both liver and lungs. The highest % of sheep occurred in summer (14.74%) and the lowest (9.9%) during spring, whereas, the highest % in goats (11.24%) was during spring and the lowest (2.47%) during winter.
Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular p... more Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. Felines including cats are the only definitive hosts for T. gondii and they play a significant role in spreading the oocysts in the environment. It has been estimated that T. gondii infects about one-third of the human population. This study was performed to estimate the seroprevalence rate of Anti-T. gondii IgG Abs in 100 strays by using different serological techniques. Methods: Hundred stray cats of both sexes (50 males and 50 females) from different ages (one month to 48 months) were hunted by trap cage and shooting tranquilizer gun in Erbil city and used for detecting T. gondii antibodies. Results: The seroprevalence rates obtained were: 22%, 20% and 11% by MAT, ELISA and LAT respectively. Male cats showed higher seroprevalence than females (13% versus7%). According to the agreement between MAT titers and ELISA IgG (cutoff ELISA≥1) in stray cat’s sera, the percent of posit...
This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the effects of associated risk factors of ... more This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the effects of associated risk factors of scabies and head lice on displaced people in Cham Mishko camp, Zakho city, Duhok Province, Iraq. The study included 1300 internally displaced people (IDPs) who visited the dermatology clinic and health care center in Cham Mishko camp from January 2018 to December 2019. Participants’ bio-information was collected on special questionnaire form after receiving permission from the camp’s health authorities and verbal consent from the participants. Monthly weather data were collected from Duhok Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology. The total rate of ectoparasites was 81.2% (45% for scabies and 36.2% for head lice). Ages from 1–10, 21–30, and 31–40 years showed the highest rates with scabies (48.1%, 46.7% and 46.1%, respectively), while the highest rates of head pediculosis were at ages from 1–10 and 11–20 years (40% and 36.6%, respectively). Scabies rate was slightly higher in males than...
International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2020
Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular p... more Background: The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is Toxoplasma gondii which is an intracellular protozoan. It has an important role in abortion and congenital diseases in pregnant women, which lead to infant's defectiveness birth when pregnant, are exposed during pregnancy. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most prevalent and most successful parasitic infectious disease worldwide, due to its efficient transmission through the ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked and infected meat, or the ingestion of oocysts in contaminated vegetables and water. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii Abs and their relation to some demographic factors among females, in Duhok province/ Kurdistan Region/ Iraq.Methods: During the period from October 2016 to November 2017, a total of 792 random blood samples were collected from the female population of different ages (16-55) years and various socioeconomic classes, who attended Obstetrics and Gynecolog...
In this study, ten multilocus PCR-RFLP markers were used for genotyping of T. gondii in six cats;... more In this study, ten multilocus PCR-RFLP markers were used for genotyping of T. gondii in six cats; that were seropositive by MAT test. These markers include SAG1, SAG2 (5-SAG2, 3-SAG2 and Alt.SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico. Eight T. gondii reference strains (GT1, PTG, CTG, TgCgCa1, MAS, TgCatBr5, TgCatBr64 and TgToucan) were used as positive controls for genotyping. Sample A20-1 was type III by one marker (GRA6), while sample A9-2 was type III by four markers (SAG3, BTUB, c22-8 and c29-2) and sample A20-2 was type III by four markers (SAG1, SAG3, BTUB and c29-2). Hence, it could be concluded that the strain of T. gondii in Kurdistan stray cats is likely the type III.
This study was carried out in Duhok provinces, Kurdistan Region/ Iraq from August; 2014 to Decemb... more This study was carried out in Duhok provinces, Kurdistan Region/ Iraq from August; 2014 to December 2015.The study focused on the prevalence of CE in slaughtered animals. The total prevalence was 5.25% (11753/223436), with a high rate in sheep (4.25%), and low rates in goats and cattle (0.64% and 0.37%, respectively). With respect to abattoirs involved in the study, the highest prevalence was detected in Akre abattoir (8.21%) and the lowest in Amedy abattoir (4.09%). Among the infected animals, sheep in Akre abattoir recorded the highest prevalence, while cattle in Duhok abattoir recorded the lowest prevalence (7.57 and 0.1%, respectively). Males of sheep, goats and cattle showed higher prevalence (70.51, 63.62, and 92.06%, respectively). Regarding organ involvements, malesand females of cattle showed high liver involvement (63.13 and 84.62%, respectively), while males and females of sheep (62.21 and 60.31%, respectively) and goats (60.59 and 54.51%, respectively) showed high lungs...
Fascioliasis caused by the liver flukes of the genus Fasciola is considered as the most significa... more Fascioliasis caused by the liver flukes of the genus Fasciola is considered as the most significant Trematodes infection of ruminants in both temperate and tropical countries. In the present study fifty adult Fasciola flukes (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenia) were collected from the bile ducts and gallbladder of infected bovine hosts (cattle) slaughtered at Duhok abattoir, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit. ITS-1 and ITS-2 ribosomal DNA sequences have been used to characterize these liver flukes as a specific marker. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized by staining with ethidium bromide, and photographed. ITS-2 marker for F. hepatica was amplified successfully and the length of produced band for ITS-2 was 330 bp. The present study is the first trail for molecular characterization of F. hepatica in cattle in Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq using the ITS-2 rDNA as a reliable genetic marker.
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