Basrah Province Research Articles

GIS Approach for Spatial Distribution Analysis of Groundwater Quality at South-West Part of Basrah

Water is necessary for sustainable development and healthy society. Groundwater, often, is not sufficient and protected for direct human consumption. Due to increase in the density of population the requirement of water is increasing. In this work, the assessment of groundwater quality was conducted in the south-west part of Basrah province. Spatial variations in the quality of groundwater in the study area have been analyzed utilizing GIS technique. The geochemical parameters of groundwater samples including pH, EC, TDS, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, HCO3, SO4, and NO3 were assessed in this study. Information maps of the study area have been actually prepared to make use of the GIS spatial interpolation approach for all the parameters. The current study reveals that most of the parameters are observed to be beyond permissible limit as per WHO and Iraqi standards. Thus, it is concluded from this work that results acquired in this research and the spatial database founded in GIS will be useful to monitor and manage the groundwater pollution in the study area.

Molecular Detection of Influenza A virus in Domestic Ducks and Geese in Basra Province, Southern Iraq

Avian influenza is one of the important viral diseases in poultry that can cause serious economic losses in many countries around the world, and occasionally infect human causing mild to severe illness. It is caused by avian influenza A viruseswhich have been isolated from avian species, particularly waterfowls that are considered the main reservoir for all influenza A virus subtypes. The aim of this study was to detect influenza virus from domestic ducks and geese in different geographical regions(Abu Al-Khasseb, Shatt Al-Arab, Zubair, and Al-Qurnah) of Basrah province, Southern Iraq. The study was conducted on 115 cloacal swabs collected from 60 ducks and 55 geese distributed in different regions of Basrah province. Samples were processed for RT-PCR to amplify matrix (M) gene that is conserved between all influenza A subtypes by using a set of universal primer. We demonstrated that influenza A viruses is prevalent in domestic waterfowls with a significantly higher percentage in ducks than geese; 42 samples (29 ducks and 13geese) were positive to viral M gene. In addition, the virus prevalence was significantly higher in the North of Basrah (Al-Qurnah region) than the other geographical regions. The overall findings of this study obtained a primary picture about the distribution of avian influenza viruses in our region, which is importantto prevent the spread of infection to poultry and eventually minimize the risk of acquiring infection to humans. According toour knowledge, this is the first study aimed to identify avian influenza viruses in waterfowls in Basrah province, Southern Iraq.

Microbiological study and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of ear infections in patients with Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) in Basrah Province

The ear infections are highly popular disease in the world. Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is one of the prevalent hearing problems, this infection of the middle ear may extend to cranium that can cause many serious complications if not treated duly. It is famed for its return enduring infection. The causative agents of bacteria or fungi may be cause the CSOM infection. Therefore, our study is mainly aimed to identify the bacterial isolates which causing of CSOM and detect some isolates of fungi which implicated in this ear infection with performed of the antimicrobial susceptibility test. The study was executed on people whose attending the outpatients clinic of ENT in AL-Mwanee General Hospital during the period from November, 2016 to May, 2017 in Basrah governorate. Ear swab samples were collected and processed from eighty five (85) patients of CSOM by the following of standard bacteriological procedures mainly, for isolation and identification the bacterial pathogens, in addition, common diagnosis methods was used to detect of some fungal isolates. The positive microbial growth cultures were seen in 59 cases with frequent of (69.41 %) and 26 cases were negative in frequent of (30.58%). Their ages ranged from 1-60 years with high incidence of CSOM in age groups ≤ 10 and 31-50 years old in percent's of (38.82 % and 24.70 %) respectively. Polymicrobial samples from the total isolates (89) which identified in this study were (82) aerobic bacterial isolates in frequent (92.13 %) and 7 fungal isolates in frequent.

English

Basrah province is situated at the extreme south of Iraq, it has an interesting reptile fauna (Squamata and Serpentes) and represents a land bridge between three different zoogeographical regions ( Oriental, Palaearctic and Ethiopian). This situation gave Basrah province a topographic specific opportunity for raising its own faunal diversity including reptiles; in this study Basrah province was divided into four main zones: the cities and orchards, marshes and wetlands (sabkha), the true dessert, the seashore and Shat Al-Arab. Forty nine reptile species were recorded including snakes, sea and fresh water turtles, and Lizards; brief notes and descriptions for the rare and important species were provided and supported by Plates.

The prevalence of burn related deaths in Basrah

Background: Burns are injuries to the skin that might be caused by high temperatures, chemicals or different other mechanisms. In Iraq and other developing countries, burns represent an important health problem with many effects on life causing morbidity and mortality, and exert many consequences including disability, psychological impact and financial loss. The aim of this study was to explore the demographics and types of burns, factors associated with burn fatalities, and to evaluate the magnitude of this problem with focusing on causes and manner of thermal deaths among the victims. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from autopsies of burn-related deaths reported to Department of Forensic Medicine in Basrah province, southern part of Iraq during a period of 4 years from 1st of January 2013 to 31st of December 2016, along with information retrieved from hospital records, history and information from close relatives. Results: Out of total of 4244 autopsies conducted during that period, 373 of them were burn-related deaths. The majority of the victims were females (75%). Most of the injuries (89%) were caused by flame. The commonest age group involved in both males and females was (20-29) years. Suicidal burns constituted 62%, and the higher proportion was seen among females. Domestic problems along with psychiatric illnesses were the main factors associated with self-inflicted burns. Conclusion: Burning deaths represent a large proportion among the overall unnatural deaths in Basrah city, the higher proportion of burn-related deaths was observed in females, and among suicidal burn deaths, females constituted more than ninety percent.

The association of IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism with progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Basrah Province-Iraq

The study was aimed to investigate the association between IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism with the progression of type 2 diabeteis mellitus in Basrah Province. This study included (100) subjects (30) person as a control group and (70) patients with T2DM. The patients were distributed as two groups according to Their gender and duration of the disease: group for short duration (≤ 5 years) and group for long duration( >5 years) . Lipid profile and glucose concentrations were measured by COBAS analyzer while IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism was genotyped by using (RFLP-PCR) technique. CC genotype frequency showed a significant decrease while CA genotype revealed significant increase ( p≤0.05) in T2DM compared with controls .No significant differences were observed in the allelic frequencies between both groups. Gender and duration of diabetes didn’t show any significant differences. There is significant association between CA genotype with the risk of T2DM (OR=1.50, 95% CI = 1.035-2.173). We concluded that IL-10 (-592A/C) gene polymorphism contribute in development of T2DM.

The Effect of Phosphate Fertilizer Starter Solution on Growth of Two Tomato(Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill)Varieties in Sandy Soil

A field experiment is conducted during the growing season of 2012 - 2013 on a sandy loam soil at Al-Berjsia researches station / Ministry of Agriculture , Basrah province , south of Iraq . The aim of study is to determine the effect of phosphate fertilizer starter solution on the growth of Two Tomato( Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill ) varieties ( Hotuf and Speedy ) and P-uptake . Phosphate fertilizer as consternated super Phosphate (CSP)is applied at level 120 Kg P ha-1 . An equivalent of 0 , 0.05 , 0.10 and 0.20 % of Phosphor level are added as starter solution either at transplanting time or three days after transplanting . The remaining of Phosphorus level was applied to soil at two doses . Percentage of dead seedling , plant height , number of leaves plant-1 , number of branchesplant-1 , number of flower clusters plant-1 , shoot and root dry weight , P concentration in leaves and P-uptake by plant are investigated . The results showthat addition of CSP starter solution significantly decreases the percentage of dead seedling of compared with the control treatment. Plants received Phosphor starter solution show a higher growth parameters and P-uptake as compared with control treatment plants . Increasing the level of Phosphor starter solution from 0 to 0.20 % decreases percentage of dead seedling by 90.1 % and increased plant height by 19.23 % , number of leaves by 33 % , number of branches by 23.52 % , number of flower clusters by 69.24 % , shoot dry weight by 183.1 % , root dry weight by 175 % , P concentration by 60.8 % and P-uptake by 309.7% . Comparing between two tomato varieties ,results show thatSpeedy tomato varietyis more tolerant to transplanting and gives a higher growth and P-uptake ,the results show also tomato seedlings received starter solutions at three days after transplanting time appear more resistant to soil shuck of transplanting than those plants received starter solution at transplanting.

The Effect of Phosphate Fertilizer Starter Solution on Growth of Two Tomato(Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill)Varieties in Sandy Soil

A field experiment is conducted during the growing season of 2012 - 2013 on a sandy loam soil at Al-Berjsia researches station / Ministry of Agriculture , Basrah province , south of Iraq . The aim of study is to determine the effect of phosphate fertilizer starter solution on the growth of Two Tomato( Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill ) varieties ( Hotuf and Speedy ) and P-uptake . Phosphate fertilizer as consternated super Phosphate (CSP)is applied at level 120 Kg P ha-1 . An equivalent of 0 , 0.05 , 0.10 and 0.20 % of Phosphor level are added as starter solution either at transplanting time or three days after transplanting . The remaining of Phosphorus level was applied to soil at two doses . Percentage of dead seedling , plant height , number of leaves plant-1 , number of branchesplant-1 , number of flower clusters plant-1 , shoot and root dry weight , P concentration in leaves and P-uptake by plant are investigated . The results showthat addition of CSP starter solution significantly decreases the percentage of dead seedling of compared with the control treatment. Plants received Phosphor starter solution show a higher growth parameters and P-uptake as compared with control treatment plants . Increasing the level of Phosphor starter solution from 0 to 0.20 % decreases percentage of dead seedling by 90.1 % and increased plant height by 19.23 % , number of leaves by 33 % , number of branches by 23.52 % , number of flower clusters by 69.24 % , shoot dry weight by 183.1 % , root dry weight by 175 % , P concentration by 60.8 % and P-uptake by 309.7% . Comparing between two tomato varieties ,results show thatSpeedy tomato varietyis more tolerant to transplanting and gives a higher growth and P-uptake ,the results show also tomato seedlings received starter solutions at three days after transplanting time appear more resistant to soil shuck of transplanting than those plants received starter solution at transplanting.

Evaluation of Immediate post-extraction implants of 34 patients in Basrah province

The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of the immediate postextractionimplants without incision or primary flap closure.Patients and Methods: The study included 34 patients in good general health,referred to the department of oral surgery in the specialized center of dentistry inBasra between August 2009 and July 2010, immediate post extraction implanttreatment 20(58.82 % ) female and 14(41.18%)male, aged 22 to 53 years withmean age 32.85 . Each patient had a tooth that required extraction, and each had atleast 4 mm of bone beyond the root apex. After tooth extraction, the implants wereimmediately placed without incision or flap elevation. Implant sites showing bonebone defects or bone fenestrations, were excluded from this study. The secondstagesurgical procedure was performed4 months after the first procedure. Thefollowing clinical parameters were evaluated at the time of implant placement andat second stage surgery: peri-implant radiolucency and marginal bone loss, whichwere evaluated radiographically.Results: The postsurgical healing period was uneventful for all patients. Soft tissueclosure over the implant sites was achieved in1to 3 weeks after surgery at all sites.At second stage surgery, no peri-implant bone defects were observed or detectedby probing. The soft tissue anatomy was considered clinically acceptable in allpatients.Conclusions: Immediate post-extraction implant treatment is an implant alternativewith a survival rate similar to that of the conventional technique for implantplacement and enables preserving both the bone structure and gingivalarchitecture.

Knowledge, Awareness and Practices Regarding Cystic Echinococcosis among Livestock Farmers in Basrah Province, Iraq.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an endemic neglected parasitic zoonosis in many of the countries of the Middle East. The disease poses a remarkable economic burden for both animals and humans. In this study, we conducted a questionnaire survey among livestock farmers in Basrah province, southern Iraq, in order to evaluate their knowledge and awareness about CE, and to understand some of the risky practices that could contribute to spread and persistence of such disease. Of the interviewed participants (N = 314), 27.4% owned dogs on their farms. Among farmers owning dogs, 76.7% (66/86) never tied up their dogs, and 43% (37/86) indicated feeding uncooked animal viscera to their dogs. The majority (96.5%) of the farmers indicated that they did not de-worm their dogs at all. Only 9.8% (31/314) of the respondents indicated eating raw leafy vegetables without washing. Added to that, 32% of the interviewees indicated that they source water for domestic use from a river; meanwhile 94.3% (296/314) of them do not boil water before using it for domestic purposes. Half of the interviewed livestock farmers in Basrah were not aware about how humans get infected with CE disease, and 41.4% (130/314) did not even realize that CE is a dangerous disease to human health. Almost one in three of the respondents who owned dogs on their farms viewed de-worming of their dogs as a low priority practice. This study highlights the gap in knowledge and awareness about CE among the study population. Risky practices associated with dog keeping management and food and water handling practices were identified. The insight from this research could be used to improve the delivery of a health education message relevant to cystic echinococcosis control at the human-animal interface in Iraq.

Cystic echinococcosis in marketed offal of sheep in Basrah, Iraq: Abattoir-based survey and a probabilistic model estimation of the direct economic losses due to hydatid cyst

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a highly endemic parasitic zoonosis in Iraq with substantial impacts on livestock productivity and human health. The objectives of this study were to study the abattoir-based occurrence of CE in marketed offal of sheep in Basrah province, Iraq, and to estimate, using a probabilistic modelling approach, the direct economic losses due to hydatid cysts. Based on detailed visual meat inspection, results from an active abattoir survey in this study revealed detection of hydatid cysts in 7.3% (95% CI: 5.4; 9.6) of 631 examined sheep carcasses. Post-mortem lesions of hydatid cyst were concurrently present in livers and lungs of more than half (54.3% (25/46)) of the positive sheep. Direct economic losses due to hydatid cysts in marketed offal were estimated using data from government reports, the one abattoir survey completed in this study, and expert opinions of local veterinarians and butchers. A Monte-Carlo simulation model was developed in a spreadsheet utilizing Latin Hypercube sampling to account for uncertainty in the input parameters. The model estimated that the average annual economic losses associated with hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs of sheep marketed for human consumption in Basrah to be US$72,470 (90% Confidence Interval (CI); ±11,302). The mean proportion of annual losses in meat products value (carcasses and offal) due to hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs of sheep marketed in Basrah province was estimated as 0.42% (90% CI; ±0.21). These estimates suggest that CE is responsible for considerable livestock-associated monetary losses in the south of Iraq. These findings can be used to inform different regional CE control program options in Iraq.

Association of sFas and sFas ligand with progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Basrah province

Objective: This study aimed to assess the role of Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) system in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: This study included 100 participants – 30 persons as a control group and 70 patients with T2DM (35 males and 35 females) and their ages were ranged from 40 to 70 years. The patients were distributed into two groups according to gender and duration of the disease: newly diagnosed group for short duration ≤5 years and chronic diagnosed group for long duration >5 years. Serum sFas and sFasL levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique, and also, lipid and glucose profile were measured by COBAS analyzer. Results: The results revealed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrement in the levels of FasL in T2DM than controls while the levels of Fas were increasing significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in T2DM than controls. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting blood glucose were negatively correlated with FasL, while high-density lipoprotein was positively correlated with it, and whereas HbA1c positively correlated with Fas, the gender and duration of disease did not show any correlation with the disease. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that hyperglycemia causes increase in Fas levels which lead to dysfunction of pancreatic β-cell in T2DM.

Assessment study of water quality index (WQI) for Shatt Al-arab River and its branches, Iraq

Shatt Al-Arab River (in Basrah province South of Iraq) is approximately 192 km long. It plays a key role in providing water for domestic purposes, irrigation, manufacturing, in addition to shipment. Recently the river suffers from increasing pollution, due to wastes from industries, domestic sewage and agricultural activities that find their way into water sources and result in large scale deterioration of water quality. Investigating the river size and significance, becomes necessary to perform a study to understand the water quality of this river that is considered by some experts as one of the most contaminated in Iraq. This work uses the Water Quality Index (WQI) to describe the pollution level of the river and by using Geographic Information System (GIS) to create WQI map. This study also determines the critical pollutants affecting the river water quality throughout its course. WQI has been formulated making use of several water quality parameters such as pH, temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand（BOD5), Chemical Oxygen Demand（COD）, Nitrate (NO3-2), Phosphate (PO4-3), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Turbidity (Tur), and Electrical Conductivity (E.C) which were measured at 37 sites along the river. Bad water quality was observed at the sites of the river branches, near the center of Basrah governorate. Furthermore, it was discovered that the main reason for river pollution was due to the high sewage water discharged into the river, especially river branches and illegal discharges of industrial effluent and sewage.

Classification of soils east of the Shatt al-Arab area using technologies for remote sensing.

This study was conducted to investigate the Morphological , physical and chemical properties for some soils of Basrah province ,by using Remote sensing Technique as Satellite image Land Sat 8 OLI , contour line and Geographic Information system (GIS) to delineate the land form units in area , which was checked and completed through field observation to generate a preliminary soil Mapping units . Ten profile were selected to represent different mapping units . The results of morphological description indicated that all pedons represent a recent soils which composed rivers sediments with absent of illuvial horizons ( B) . The results also showed a dominance of the dull yellow orange color in the dry state and in the moist state the dominance was to the dull yellowish brown ; Also , the dominance was to the structure sub – angular blocky . Sudden variation of texture has been found in both vertical and horizontal direction with dominance of clay and silt particles with low percentage for sand particle , The bulk density increased with the depth in comparing with surface horizons that appeared low value . Also the solid density increased with the depth in all soils pedons with clear differences among soil units . The results of chemical analysis indicated that OM content was about 1.02 – 19.67 gm .kg-1 and the highest values were at surface horizons especially in the pedon 4 , . Also results showed that the CaCO3 content was high in study area with homogenous in depth at value more than 150 gm .kg-1 . And ECe varied from low to very high values in the area of study , as shown in the soils pedon 4 and 5 salinity and a low to moderate . The pH values were within natural range of Iraqi soils in all strips and physiographical units they were about 7.31 – 8.21 . The CaSO4 content decreased to less than 3 % . Morphological ,physical and chemical properties of the studied pedons indicated that all pedons belong to Entisols order and Fluvents suborder ,Torrifluvents great group ,Typic Torrifluvents sub group , eight series were identified in study area according to Al-Agaidi (1976).

Study of the annual presence of five species of the family of water beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) in Basrah and the effect of some environmental

The study of annual presence to family Dytiscidae is started between November 2015 until the end of October 2016 in the districts of the city and Qurnah and the center of the city of Basra and Shatt al-Arab and Abi Fertile, and the results recorded five types are Cybister tripunctatus, Hydaticus ponticus, Hydrovatus clypealis, Colymbates piceus. Results showed that the highest rate of the species was in the H. ponticus reaching 5.78 insect / month, and the lowest rate 0.13 insect / type of species C. tripunctatus . Alemdaina station recorded the highest rate of the presence of the species, reaching 3.25 insect / month whereas Qurna Station was lowest rate reaching 1.87 insect / month. The results showed that the highest rate of the presence of the species during the months was in the November at a rate of 4.41 insect / month, while the least insect rate was 0.96 / month for the month of July. The study included the impact of certain environmental conditions and the presence of which degrees air temperature, water, dissolved oxygen, pH and water salinity in the five main stations in the districts of the Basrah province which are Qurna , Almdaina , Shatt al-Arab , Abo-Alkaseeb and the city center of Basrah province. The study recorded the highest temperature of air and water for the month of July was 43.23 o C and 32.58 o C, respectively, while the lowest was 17.07 oC and 18.80 o C, respectively, for the month of January. The results showed a higher rate of oxygen dissolved in the Shatt al-Arab and amounted to 5.50 mg / l while the lowest rate was in the center of the Basrah province and reached 5.25 mg / l. The study indicated that pH values were close to all stations and characterized a light alkali where rates between 7.44 - 8.16 in all the stations as well it was observed that the highest salinity rates were in Abu-Alkaseeb station reached 7.01 ds m-1 while less than the rate of 5.04 ds m-1 for the station of Almdaina. The study found the results of the most important linear relationships and correlation treatments between the population density of the species and attributes measured the highest correlation coefficients were between the presence of species through the expense of numerical density are full with water temperatures and salinity during the months of the year, amounting to -0.84 and -0.79 respectively, while the influence of dissolved oxygen and pH was less than it before as they relate reached coefficient as 0.67 and 0.55 respectively. The results of the biocontrol on the larvae and pupae mosquitoes is superior kind C. tripunctatus on the rest of the studied species was predation rate on larvae 35.22 larvae / day and the pupae 29.78 pupae / day, while the lowest rate was 1.56 larvae / day and 1.33 pupae / day for the type H. clypealis.

Molecular detection of some bacteria from slaughtered sheep and cows in Basrah Province

Molecular detection of some bacteria from slaughtered sheep and cows in Basrah Province

A retrospective study of human cystic echinococcosis in Basrah province, Iraq

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic zoonosis with serious clinical burden and constitutes a challenge to public health in endemic areas worldwide. We performed a retrospective study to investigate the occurrence of CE in patients at six hospitals in Basrah province, Iraq. In the current study setting, data retrieval and validation of the quality of hospital records was very challenging considering the difficult situation Iraq is unfortunately facing. Hospitalization records were reviewed from January 2005 to December 2015. A total of 748 cases of human with CE were diagnosed and operated in Basrah hospitals, equivalent to an annual clinical incidence of approximately 4.5 cases per 100 000 people. Hospital records show that, cystic echinococcosis affected more females (61.2%) than males (38.8%). Descriptive review of recorded CE cases in the surveyed hospitals revealed that more cases were reported in the age group of 21–30 years than in the other age groups. Based on the reviewed recorded clinical reports, cysts were mainly found in the liver (46.3%) and lungs (28.1%) of the patients. Hospital reports demonstrate that females had more hepatic cysts (63.9%) than males (36.1%). This study found that CE continues to pose a threat to public health in Basrah, and there is a need for more epidemiological investigations of CE in humans in order to determine risk factors and the economic impact of the disease in this province of Iraq.

Studying Profile Of HLA-DQB1 In Patients With Alopecia Areata In Basrah Province

A total of 100 individuals were included in this study, 50 patients with alopecia areata and 50 healthy controls. There was no significant difference between alopecia areata patients and controls according to gender and age groups. No significant difference between alopecia areata patients and controls according to age groups. HLA-DQB1 alleles were studied in those patients and compared with HLA-DQB1 in healthy controls. A significant decreased frequency of HLA-DQB1*020101 and HLA-DQB1*030201 alleles in patients with alopecia areata comparing with healthy controls (P < 0.05, OR= 0.76, 95% CI= 0.65-0.89) and (P < 0.05, OR= 0.72, 95% CI= 0.61-0.86) respectively. HLA-DQB1*030101, HLA-DQB1*060101 and HLA-DQB1*060201 showed significant increased frequencies in alopecia areata patients comparing with healthy controls, (< 0.05, OR= 0.24, 95% CI= 0.06-1.10), (P < 0.05, OR= 1.23, 95% CI= 0.97-1.56) and (P < 0.05, OR= 1.46, 95% CI= 1.05-2.02) respectively. There was no significant difference in HLA-DQB1 alleles in patients with family history of alopecia areata and patients without family history of alopecia areata. Patients with alopecia areata showed increased homozygousity in HLA-DQB1 when compared with controls (P <0.005, OR= 0.05, 95% CI= 0.01-0.23). Combination of HLA-DQA1*0103 – HLA-DQB1*0301 showed higher frequency in comparison with other HLA-DQA1-HLA-DQB1 alleles combinations

Chewing lice of some aquatic birds from Basrah Province, Iraq

Chewing lice of some aquatic birds from Basrah Province, Iraq

Morphological and histochemical study of adrenal gland in local domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Basrah province

Morphological and histochemical study of adrenal gland in local domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Basrah province