Basrah Province Research Articles

Haematological alterations of mullet Planiliza abu (Heckel, 1843) naturally infected by Ergasilus mosulensis Rahemo, 1982 (Copepoda: Ergaslidae) in a private fish farm from Basrah Province, Iraq

Generally, there is no previous information about haematological parameters of parasitized fish maintained in fish farms in Al- Mashab area, Basrah, Iraq. In this study, the effects of parasitism by the copepod Ergasilus mosulensis. on haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (HCT), red blood cells (RBCS), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and leucocytes were analysed in infected Planiliza abu. The high level of parasitism found in infected fishes was responsible for alterations in blood picture Hb, HCT, RBCS, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and leucocytes (P > 0.05). This is the first report regarding hematology of cultivated freshwater fish which are infected with parasitic copepods in Basrah Province.

Assessing the Microbial Safety of Drinking Water in Basrah Province: A study of Three Water Treatment Plants

Investigation of the bacterial factors affecting the three main drinking water purification stations (Al-Qurna, Al-Abbas, and Al-Buradieiah) located in various regions of Basrah Governorate was done. Water samples were taken monthly from September 2019 to August 2020. Water samples from the three stations, before and after purification (raw and treated water) were all subjected to microbial investigations that included estimation of the total viable microbial counts, total coliform, total fecal Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Shigella bacteria, and other dangerous bacteria that might be present. The current findings show that all of the stations under study had ineffective purification processes, resulting in pathogen levels in drinkable water that was higher than the limit set by Iraqi criteria and WHO’s desirable limits for drinking water. In the evaluation of all WTPs’ efficacy in terms of microbial elimination, the results show an efficiency rate ranging from 92.09 to 99.72.

Measures of parasitism of the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting goats Capra aegagrus in Basrah province, Iraq, with remarks on ecology

Measures of parasitism of the hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) infesting goats Capra aegagrus in Basrah province, Iraq, with remarks on ecology

Estimation of some physiological biomarkers in hyperlipidemic Patient men in Al- Zubair General Hospital / Basrah province, Iraq

Hyperlipidemia is a serious public health problem that affects many People in the world's, and it has been classified as one of the five causes of death in the world. As indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2030, hyperlipidemia incidence may increase the cardiovascular diseases to approximately 23.6 million people in the world. The aim of the study: Estimation of some physiological biomarkers levels in the serum of hyperlipidemic patients to predict atherosclerotic and cardiovascular disease. In addition to determine the effect of smoking and body mass index on the levels of biomarkers in hyperlipidemic patients.Patients and Methods: The study was conducted on patients who visited the internal consultation unit at Al-Zubair Hospital of Basra Health Directorate during the period from October 2020 to February 2021. The study was applied to a random sample of 60 hyperlipidemia men and 21 volunteers as a health group for comparison, whose ages range from 20-60 years. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in the levels of both Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant decrease in the level of Glutathione Peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) in smoking patients compared to the healthy group. While Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) did not show a significant difference between the patients smokers and healthy group. While the results showed a significant increase in the levels of VCAM-1, ox-LDL and MDA and a significant decrease in the level of GPX-1 among patients in the overweight and obese groups compared with the healthy group. The results did not show significant differences between the patients of the normal weight category and the healthy group.

Evaluation of the inland fisheries in Basrah province in Iraq during 2020-2021

The study was aimed to update the knowledge on the fish landings of the inland fisheries in Basrah province, Iraq. The species composition, species and total landings, and their trends in six landing sites throughout the study region were evaluated during the year 2020-2021. Species compositions were included seven cyprinids’ species, three cichlids’ species, three mullet’s species, and two species from sparids and silurids. The exotic species, C. carpio, tilapias species and C. auratus dominated the landings constituting 44.2% of the total catch, whereas the highly valued native species (M. sharpeyi, L. xanthopterus, C. luteus and A. grypus) forming only 12.4% of the total catch. The total landing reached 2,427.78 t in 2020 and 2,365.15 t in 2021, and these values were higher than what was recorded during the past years since the year 2009. This is due to the prevalence of aliened species and the increase in the fishing effort, such as the numbers of fishermen and fishing boats. Therefore, in fisheries management point of view, it is essential to enhance the stocks of the native species, minimize the dispersal and impacts of some exotic species, and activate the national regulating fishing, exploitation and protection of aquatic organisms to improve the inland fisheries.

Review of Mathematical Surface Water’s Hydrodynamic/Water Quality Models with Their Application on the Shatt Al Arab River Southern Iraq

The hydrodynamic/water quality model is an important tool in water environment management. It is used to gain a deeper understanding of physical, chemical, and biological processes and to develop models capable to represent surface waters with realism. A hydrodynamic model can give essential data to sediment, noxious, and eutrophication modelling. Models enable decision-makers to select alternatives for water quality management that are superior and more scientifically justifiable. They also provide a basis for economic analysis to evaluate environmental significance and cost-benefit ratio. The presented study reviewed a variety of research that used various techniques for surface water modeling. The first section focused on the studies conducted on the Shatt Al Arab River and its branches in Basrah province southern Iraq. The second section included studies conducted on various local and global applied cases. As for the third section, it reviewed the studies that used the method of linking models to produce a more effective system, which is the approach we recommend using it in building a comprehensive model of the Shatt al-Arab river. The model will connect the HEC-RAS software, which is known for its competence in modeling complex two-dimensional situations, with the WASP program, which has a high ability to represent a wide range of water pollutants that HEC-RAS cannot represent, especially in a two-dimensional model.

A Study of Infertility Cases in Males in Basrah Province

Infertility remains a global health challenge with devastating psycho-social consequences in many communities, and the underlying long-term risk of couple separation is also a major clinical and social problem. Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive naturally after one year of intercourse. A case-control study was carried out among males who have infertility and who attended the Infertility and in vitro fertilization Center of Basrah province in the period extended from September 2021 to June 2022. A questionnaire was used to record The special notes. Seminal fluid samples were collected from (176 patients and controls were divided into 88 patients of male samples and 88 samples of the control group). In the present study, age was divided into three groups, which were statistically non-significant. The residence was also non-significant, which included central and peripheral areas. The results also showed no statistical significance between smokers and nonsmokers. The laboratory results showed that the analyzed seminal fluid parameters such as volume, sperm count, grade A, grade D, and Morphology of sperm in the patient's group differed significantly from that of the control group (P. value <0.05). Compared to primary infertility (N=61,34.6%) or secondary infertility (N=27,15.4%), the analyzed seminal fluid parameters showed no statistical significance. In addition, the seminal fluid abnormalities, which were divided into six groups, that were found significantly statistically significant in patients from controls, include asthenozoospermia, necrozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and leukocytopenia. (P. value <0.05).

Goiter in Cross Breed Goat Kids at Basrah Province, Iraq.

Cases of Goiter related to iodine deficiency in cross-breed goat kids in Basrah, Iraq are very scarce, and little information has been provided; therefore, the present study highlighted a clinical case of goat kids suffering from Goiter due to iodine deficiency with hematological and biochemical evaluation. The study examined 44 cross-breed goat kids, 1-3 months old (males and females), who showed painless palpable enlargement on one side of the cranio-ventral neck region or near the throat rejoin with weakness and alopecia. Ten clinically healthy kids of the same age were considered a control group. This study's diseased and control group was subjected to complete clinical examinations. Diseased animals show painless palpable and visible enlarged thyroid glands with or without enlargement of the neck, sparse hair coats with little alopecia, slow growth rate, irregular appetite or unwillingness to suck, weakness, and emaciation. Furthermore, the presence of thyroid thrill during palpation of jugular furrow was also detected. Moreover, diseased goat kids show no significant difference in body temperature; however, a significant increase was encountered in respiratory rate with a significant decrease in heart rate. On the other hand, no significant changes have been detected in the hematological analysis between diseased goat kids and the control group concerning the chemical analysis between the diseased cross-breed goat kids and the control group; the results of the present study indicated a significant increase in TSH, whereas, T3, T4, FT4, glucose level, Vit. E (α-tocopherol) and serum glutathione peroxides were lowered in diseased cross-breed goat kids compared with the control group. In contrast, a significant hyper- cholesterolemia was indicated in diseased animals than in the control group. It was concluded that Goiter in kids could reflect harm effects terminated mostly with death. Therefore, improving the maternal diet is an important reason to reduce the development of the disease.

Evaluation of the inland fisheries in Basrah Province during 2020-2021, Iraq

The purpose of the study was to provide up-to-date information on inland fisheries landings in Basrah province, Iraq. During 2020-2021, the species composition, species and total landings, and trends at six landing locations in the research region were assessed. There were seven species of cyprinids, three species of cichlids, three species of mullet, and two species of sparids and silurids. The foreign species C. carpio, tilapias species, and C. auratus dominated landings, accounting for 44.2% of the entire catch. In contrast, the highly prized native species (M. sharpeyi, L. xanthopterus, C. luteus, and A. grypus) accounted for just 12.4%. In 2020 and 2021, the total landings reached 2,427.78 t and 2,365.15 t, respectively, greater than the previous years since 2009. This is attributable to the frequency of alien species and the rise in fishing effort, as measured by the number of fishermen and fishing vessels. Improving inland fisheries requires enhancing the stocks of native species, minimizing the dissemination and impacts of some exotic species, and activating national regulations governing fishing, exploitation, and conservation of aquatic life from the fisheries management perspective.

Effectiveness of raw bacteriocin produced from lactic acid bacteria on biofilm of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Probiotics are proven beneficial to health since they enhance immunity against dangerous pathogens and increase resistance to illness. Bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), demonstrates a broad inhibitory spectrum and therapeutic potential. This study aimed to isolate LAB-producing bacteriocin and investigate the effect of crude bacteriocin on biofilm from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study used randomly collected 80 white soft local cheeses (40 each from cows and sheep) from different supermarkets in Basrah Province. The obtained samples were cultured and the bacterial suspension of S. aureus was prepared at 1.5 × 108 cells/mL. The crude bacteriocin extracted from LAB was obtained, and the tube was dried and inverted to detect the biofilm loss at the bottom. There were 67 (83.75%) LAB isolates. Among 40 milk samples collected directly and indirectly, there were 36 (83.33%). Staphylococcus aureus isolates based on conventional bacteriological analysis and biochemical tests. Molecular testing was conducted to identify LAB and MRSA. Depending on genotypic results, the effect of white soft local cheese (cows and sheep) and the amplification results of the 16S rRNA gene were detected in 46 LAB isolates from white soft local cheese from cows and sheep. Based on the molecular identification of the mecA, results on Staphylococcus determined that only 2 of 36 isolates of S. aureus carried the mecA. Moreover, there were 26 (86.66%) isolates (MRSA) from samples of raw milk from local markets and subclinical mastitis in cows. The ability of LAB isolates was tested. The effects of bacteriocin production on preventing biofilm growth and formation were investigated. Results demonstrated that bacteriocin has high activity. Microtiter plates applied to investigate the ability of S. aureus to produce biofilms revealed that all isolates were either weak or moderate biofilm producers, with neither non-biofilm nor strong biofilm producers found among the tested isolates. Lactic acid bacteria demonstrate a high ability to produce bacteriocin. Crude bacteriocin from LAB has a restrictive effect on biofilms produced by MRSA; thus, it can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of this bacterium.

Oral Manifestations Associated with COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study of Recovered Iraqi Patients.

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of oral manifestations related to COVID-19 infection among a sample of recovered patients in the Basrah province of Iraq. Methodology. This cross-sectional study included a total of 574 individuals from Basrah city, Iraq (196 males and 378 females), who had been previously infected with COVID-19. A questionnaire was developed and used to record the demographic data, medical history, severity of respiratory infection followed by hospitalization along with oral signs and symptoms that occurred during the COVID-19 infection and their persistence after recovery. Oral manifestations were reported in 88.3% of the studied sample. The most common oral manifestation was ageusia (66.8%), followed by dry mouth (59%), gustatory changes (46%), dysphagia (40.5%), burning sensation (20.8%), oral ulceration (14.5%), and gingival bleeding (3.3%). The findings suggested that ageusia was the only symptom that persisted following recovery from the COVID-19 infection. The results showed a significant statistical correlation between the incidence of oral manifestations and the severity of COVID-19 infection followed by hospitalization. A significant correlation was also found between the age groups and COVID-19 oral manifestations, whereas no significant statistical relationship was observed between gender, smoking, and systemic diseases. COVID-19 infection has considerable impacts on the oral cavity and salivary glands and after recovery from the infection, some patients continue to complain of ageusia for several months. There is a positive correlation between the incidence of oral signs and symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection and the severity of the infection.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Thymus vulgaris extract against some Staphylococcus species isolated from subclinical mastitis in cattle in Basrah province, Iraq.

Thymus vulgaris extracts can play a significant role as alternatives for antimicrobial agents against bovine staphylococcus mastitis. This research's goal was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of an extract from T. vulgaris as an alternative to antibiotics for bovine Staphylococcus mastitis. In addition, it is important to know the effect of the extraction methods (hot alcoholic, cold alcoholic, and hot water extract) on their effectiveness. Two hundred ten cow milk samples from different areas of Basrah province had been suffering subclinical mastitis reported by using the California mastitis test (CMT). Staphylococcus species were identified by conventional microbiological technique, GP24 Kit, and nuc gene. Antimicrobial activity of various concentrations of T. vulgaris extracted (75, 50, 25) mg/ml with different methods of extraction (hot alcoholic, cold alcoholic, and hot water extract). Out of 210 samples, 99 (47.1%) were positive for the CMT, and the identification rate of Staphylococci spp. by conventional microbiological technique and GP24 kit was 78 (78.8%). Out of 78 isolates of Staphylococcus spp. 48 (61.5%) were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, by using both molecular techniques using PCR and miniaturized Kit GP24 and employing the miniature GP24, the remaining 30 (38.5%) were determined to be different species of Staphylococcus. Antibacterial activity of various concentrations of T. vulgaris extracted (75, 50, 25) mg/ml with different methods of extraction revealed that hot alcoholic extract (100%) was more effective than cold alcoholic extract (66.7%), whereas there is no effect on the bacteria species with the hot water extract. Thymus vulgaris extracts can play a significant role as alternatives for antimicrobial agents against bovine staphylococcus mastitis.

16S rRNA Profiling of Nine Global New Strains of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Clinical Specimens in Basrah Province, Iraq

16S rRNA Profiling of Nine Global New Strains of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Clinical Specimens in Basrah Province, Iraq

Expression of Fibronectin and Matrixmetalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) In Breast Cancer Patients in Basrah Province

Expression of Fibronectin and Matrixmetalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) In Breast Cancer Patients in Basrah Province

Investigation of Tritrichomonas Foetus in Cattle Using Different Methods in Basrah City – Iraq

Tritrichomonas foetus causes a venereal disease in cattle called bovine trichomoniasis. T. foetus lives in the reproductive tract of the cow, the surface of the penis and prepuce of the bull and causing early fetal loss and sometimes late term abortions. It can also extend breeding / calving season. In this study, 155 cows of different ages (2-6 years old) and with a variety of clinical signs (repeat breeders, abortions, and discharge only) were examined from different areas in Basrah Province, Iraq from November 2020 to July 2021, and 75 samples collected from healthy animals (without any symptom). The infection rate was detected in wet mount techniques found fewer positive findings than in pouch techniques, with 12 (40%) recorded and in pouch systems, 30 (100%) recorded while in the culture 24(80 %), Giemsa-stained smears 19(63.3%) and Acridine orange was 20 (66.6%). The present study improved that cows more than three years are more susceptible to be infected than cows less than three years. The study concluded that if no control method is applied in Basrah, there is a serious risk of spreading Trichomonas foetus.

Immunological Study of Gastroduodenal Disorders Patients Infected with H. Pylori in Basrah Province-Iraq

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the immunological finding of the most important Helicobacter pylori virulence factors CagA, VacA, DupA, HopQ, and IceA genotypes in gastric biopsies of gastroduodenal diseases patients infected with H. pylori, and to determine the concentrations of CagA, VacA, DupA, HopQ, and IceA in the sera of the patients infected with H. pylori in Iraq-Basrah, by using ELISA technique, to give acknowledge about the role of these virulence factors in patients with the gastroduodenal disorder. A case-control study included 112 confirmed gastroduodenal patients and 112 healthy individuals as a control group. Data about age, gender, smoking, alcohol abuse, family history, occupation, residence, and clinical findings for all study populations were collected. Blood samples have been gathered from each patient as well as the control group. Each individual in this study was examined under the supervision of a gastroenterologist and was subjected to a urea breath test (UBT) for definitive confirmation of H. pylori infection. The finding of this study show a significant effect of these factors with an increased risk of gastroduodenal disorder. Conclusion: The study show a significant effect of the studied virulence factors (CagA, VacA, DupA, HopQ, and IceA) with an increased risk of gastroduodenal disorder of Iraqi population in Basrah province. Keywords: Immunological factors, gastroduodenal disorder, Helicobacter pylori, ELISA, CagA, VacA, DupA, HopQ, and IceA.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Immunocompromised cancer patients in Basrah Provence, Southern Iraq

The current study was conducted in Basrah province during the period from Dec. 2020 to Oct. 2021. The purpose of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies of toxoplasmosis in cancer patients in Basrah province, southern Iraq, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This study was conducted on 173 people, including 123 people with cancer who were taking chemotherapy and 25 healthy people as a first control group and 25 people with cancer who were not taking chemotherapy were considered as a second control group. The results showed that the incidence of chronic) IgG) toxoplasmosis was 31 and acute (IgM) toxoplasmosis was 0.8%.

The Association between ABO System and Rh Factor with COVID-19 in Basrah Province, Iraq

The new coronavirus illness of 2019 (COVID-19) has been quickly spreading around the world and was deemed a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Numerous infectious diseases have been linked to the ABO blood group system. The novel respiratory infectious disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have a connection to the ABO blood group system [1]. Our study's goal was to determine whether there was any correlation between COVID-19 infection and the ABO blood group system. ABO system and RH factor distribution in 125 patients from a private clinic in Basrah/Iraq province who had COVID-19 confirmed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test and lung CT scan had been assessed. We correlated the severity of COVID-19 infection with the ABO blood group of patients under study. The results of our study blood group O predominate in COVID-19 patients, Between all instances, blood group O had a smaller percentage of severe cases than mild ones (48.6 percent). There were no serious cases with blood type AB patients. In conclusion, our research demonstrates that, while having milder cases, patients with blood group O had a higher chance of COVID-19 infection.

Molecular study of Toxoplasma gondii infection in normal delivery women with previous abortion history at Basrah Province

Toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, one of the most common parasitic infections of humans and pets. T. gondii was serologically investigated for newborn women who had previous abortion by ELISA and included (70) women with a history of single or recurrent abortion and (30) women with normal delivery without previous abortion as a control group. The study included women attending Basrah Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Al-Moanaa General Hospital, Al-Fayhaa General Hospital, Zubair General Hospital and Dar Al Shifa investment Hospital. The percentage of seroprevalence of T. gondii IgG was (41.4%). No percentage was recorded for IgM antibodies. Significant differences were found between age groups of these antibodies. The examination showed that 7 (23.3%) of (30) in the control group were positive for IgG antibodies, compared to 0 (0%) of IgM. The highest percentage (50%) of IgG antibody was in the age group 20 years or less according to the number of previous miscarriages. The highest percentage of IgG antibody infection was (46.2%) in women who had two previous abortions and no infection rates were recorded for IgM antibody. The highest infection rates (43.8%) were in Zubair district compared to the city center for IgG antibody, and no infection with IgM antibody was recorded. Infection rate (70%) was recorded for the PCR-positive samples using Nested PCR technique. Toxoplasma DNA sequences according to the isolated hosts was carried out. The reading of the genetic tree showed that the sample of women born naturally is identical with the main branch of the kinship tree that carries the sequence MZ717187, MZ717188, MZ717189, MZ717190, MZ717191 in the global gene bank.

Seroprevalence of Orf virus in sheep in Basrah province, Southern Iraq

Orf which is commonly referred to as contagious ecthyma is a viral infectious disease that infects small ruminants. Little is known about the disease status in our geographical region. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Orf virus in sheep in Basrah province, southern Iraq. Serum samples were randomly collected from 380 sheep of different age and sex groups from 4 different regions in Basrah province, which were Zubair, Abulkhasib, Shatt Al-Arab, and Qurnah. The samples were tested by ELISA for the presence of IgG antibodies to the Orf virus. Out of 380 animals screened, 98 animals were found positive for ELISA, which reveals an overall prevalence of 25.7%. There was no significant difference in the seropositivity between male and female animals. On the other hand, the seropositivity was significantly higher in lambs of the age group 1-6 months in comparison with the other age groups (6-12 months and more than 12 months). This finding indicates that the virus is highly prevalent in Basrah province as confirmed by the ELISA test.