Infected Males Research Articles

Study of some epidemiological aspects and heamatological parameters associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Tikrit city

This study aimed to estimate the epidemiological prevalence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis, and it's distribution rate in Tikrit and affiliated towns and villages according to patients that attending Tikrit Teaching Hospital. This study recorded 531 cases of infections during the period from October 2011 till the end of September 2012. The results showed that the highest peak of infection was in December (35.59 %) , and infection in male was 50.66 % which was higher than female (49.34%). As well as the highest percentage of infection was represent in the age group under five years (47.65%). Also, the survey showed the higher percentage of infection was in the center of Tikrit city with 43.50 % and followed by towns and villages that affiliate to the city. This study also aimed to know the effect of cutaneous Leishmaniasis on some aspects of hematological parameters. In which the study recorded significant decrease in mean of packed cell volume (PCV) (36.57 ± 1.32، 34.73 ± 1.10) in males and females, respectively, compared with control (l(41.75 ± 1.45 ، 39.86 ± 1.10 in males and females, (respectively). Also, decrease in concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) (11.54 ± 0.41 , 10.97 ± 0.34) in both of males and females, respectively was recorded when they compared with control (13.13 ± 0.43 ، 12.56 ± 0.32 ) in male and females, (respectively). There are significant increased in the total count of white blood cells in both infected males and females (10750 ± 1251 , 9618 ± 935) was recorded when compared with control (6829 ± 655 , 9294 ± 1027 ) in male and females, (respectively).

Liver Function Abnormalities in COVID-19 Patients and their Association with Age and Sex: a Cross-Sectional Study.

In December 2019, the onset of an unidentified disease known as pneumonia for an unknown reason occurred in Wuhan city, China. Liver dysfunction has occurred in COVID-19-infected patients. The current study investigated liver function abnormalities in COVID-19 infected patients and their relationship with age and sex. A cross-section study was designed and conducted at Al-Hakeem hospital in Al-Najaf city in Iraq. This study comprised 167 patients with SARS-CoV-2 confirmation using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Liver function test results were compared among different age groups and the two genders. The analysis of categorical variables was achieved via the Chi-square test. The differences in the continuous variables between both sexes were detected via Mann-Whitney U test. A statistically significant p-value was determined to be less than 0.05. IBM SPSS software (version 26) was utilized for data analysis. Among 167 patients with COVID-19 infection, 82 (49.1 %) had abnormal liver test and 85 (50.9%) were normal (P=0.816). No significant differences were noted in liver test abnormalities among the various age groups (P=0.784). The percentages of liver function abnormalities in males and females were (68.3 %) and (37.5 %) respectively. Significant differences were detected between males and females (P=0.001). The distribution of AST and ALT between males and females was shown to be significantly different (P=0.012) and (P=0.009), respectively. The ALP (U/L) and total bilirubin (mg/dL) median values between males and females were shown to be statistically insignificant. In our study, we estimated that the risk of liver function abnormalities was not significantly different among all age groups and infected males had a higher incidence of liver dysfunction with significant differences in serum AST and ALT levels between both sexes.

Distribution of Giardia lamblia Among local and Displaced Children in Kirkuk City

The aim of this study was to show the distribution of Giardia lambliainfection among local and displaced children in Kirkuk city, and itseffect on some hematological parameters Haemoglobin (Hb), Packed cellvolum (PCV) White Blood Cell Counts (WBCc). The stool samples wereexamined by direct wet mounts techniques, concentration and ELISAtechniques. Blood sample were collected from each child and somehematological parameters were estimated for them. The overall rate ofGiardia lamblia infection in displaced children 21.5% was higher thanlocal ones 10.53% . The prevalence of infection males 15.64% washigher than females 12.01% in both local and displaced children . Thehemoglobin value among local children was significantly lower thandisplaced children. while the PCV value among local children wassignificantly higher than displaced ones. The rate of WBC in local anddisplaced children was increased slightly, its value in local children10.13% and in displaced children10.30%. Its concluded that thedistribution of Giardia lamblia was high in both local and displacedchildren. The rate of infection in displaced children was higher than localchildren

Antimicrobial activity of Loranthus europaeus L. and Lawsonia inermis L. extracts against clinical Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from boil infections

This study included to collect 106 samples boil swab from patients, males and females, at Baqubah Teaching Hospital whose ages ranged between (1-80) years old. At the period of 1st July 2016 to the end of January 2017. Aimed to identification of bacterial isolates and determine the antibiotic resistance of isolates. In addition to determine the activity of aqueous and alcohol of Loranthus europaeus and Lawsonia inermis extracts on bacterial isolates. The results showed a significant difference (p <0.05) in the percentage of infected females (58.49%) compared to the infected males (41.51%). The study involved isolation and diagnosis of (41) (38.67%) of Staphylococcus aureus, of which, 5 (12.20%) were methicillin-resistant isolates. Bacterial isolates were identified initially depending on cultural and microscopic features and biochemical reactions test. Antibiotics sensitivity of Staph. aureus conducted for 14 β-lactam antibiotic groups. All of bacterial isolates (100%) were resistant to ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and cefepime, and (92.68%) to cefoxitin and penicillin G, while (100%) of isolates were sensitive to Imipenem and Meropenem. Regarding plant extracts, various concentrations of hot aqueous extracts were prepared for each one of them (12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200) mg/ml against methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus. When Loranthus europaeus’s extract was used, the diameters of inhibition zone were (14.57, 15.28,16.00, 23.71 and 25.00 mm) while (0.00, 11.85, 18.00, 21.28 and 24.14 mm) when Lawsonia inermis’s extract was used. Like aqueous extracts, same range of concentrations were prepared for alcoholic extracts. The diameters of inhibition zone were (7.57, 8.42, 10.57,13.28, 17.28), (11.14, 17.00, 20.85, 25.42, 28.42) when alcoholic extracts of Loranthus europaeus and Lawsonia inermis, respectively were used. Comparing the activity of hot and alcoholic aqueous extracts of the tested plants, alcoholic extracts of Lawsonia inermis had a higher inhibitory effect against S. aureus isolates.

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN LISTERIOSIS IN VOJVODINA, SERBIA, IN THE PERIOD 2005-2020

In the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, listeriosis has been reported to health authorities since 2005. In this study, we retrospectively analysed the data of listeriosis collected from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2020. Descriptive method was applied. Demographic, chronological and topographical distribution of the disease in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina was reviewed. In the study period, a total of 52 cases of listeriosis were registered. The average annual incidence rate of reported cases was 0.16/100,000. The largest annual number of cases (n = 10) was reported in 2020. The highest incidence rate registered in youngest age group < 1 year was (5.4/100,000). Gender distribution of the infected population showed no difference with respect to number of infected males and females. Listeriosis was registered throughout the year, but most frequently in October (21.15%). Topographical distribution revealed that listeriosis was more frequently reported in South Bačka county (2.4/100,000 inhabitants). The overall case fatality rate of reported Listeria monocytogenes infection was 23.08%. The highest case fatality rate was in the age group 19 - 59 years (29.41%), and fatal outcome in males was twofold the fatality rate in females. Our data analysis suggests that our practitioners, gynaecologists, paediatricians, oncologists and other clinicians should take listeriosis into consideration much more often in differential diagnosis in order to improve the diagnosis of the disease and further on epidemiological investigation on source of infection.

The trematode Podocotyle atomon modulates biochemical responses of Gammarus locusta to thermal stress but not its feeding rate or survival

Although parasitism is one of the most common species interactions in nature, the role of parasites in their hosts' thermal tolerance is often neglected. This study examined the ability of the trematode Podocotyle atomon to modulate the feeding and stress response of Gammarus locusta towards temperature. To accomplish this, infected and uninfected females and males of Gammarus locusta were exposed to temperatures (2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26, 30 °C) for six days. Shredding (change in food biomass) and defecation rates (as complementary measure to shredding rate) were measured as proxies for feeding activity. Lipid and glycogen concentrations (energy reserves), catalase (oxidative stress indicator), and phenoloxidase (an immunological response in invertebrates) were additionally measured. Gammarid survival was optimal at 10 °C as estimated by the linear model and was unaffected by trematode infection. Both temperature and sex influenced the direction of infection effect on phenoloxidase. Infected females presented lower phenoloxidase activity than uninfected females at 14 and 18 °C, while males remained unaffected by infection. Catalase activity increased at warmer temperatures for infected males and uninfected females. Higher activity of this enzyme at colder temperatures occurred only for infected females. Infection decreased lipid content in gammarids by 14 %. Infected males had significantly less glycogen than uninfected, while infected females showed the opposite trend. The largest infection effects were observed for catalase and phenoloxidase activity. An exacerbation of catalase activity in infected males at warmer temperatures might indicate (in the long-term) unsustainable, overwhelming, and perhaps lethal conditions in a warming sea. A decrease in phenoloxidase activity in infected females at warmer temperatures might indicate a reduction in the potential for fighting opportunistic infections. Results highlight the relevance of parasites and host sex in organismal homeostasis and provide useful insights into the organismal stability of a widespread amphipod in a warming sea.

Wolbachia causes cytoplasmic incompatibility but not male-killing in a grain pest beetle.

The endosymbiotic Wolbachia is one of the most common intracellular bacteria known in arthropods and nematodes. Its ability for reproductive manipulation can cause unequal inheritance to male and female offspring, allowing the manipulator to spread, but potentially also impact the evolutionary dynamics of infected hosts. Estimated to be present in up to 66% of insect species, little is known about the phenotypic impact of Wolbachia within the order Coleoptera. Here, we describe the reproductive manipulation by the Wolbachia strain wSur harboured by the sawtoothed grain beetle Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera, Silvanidae), through a combination of genomics approaches and bioassays. The Wolbachia strain wSur belongs to supergroup B that contains well-described reproductive manipulators of insects and encodes a pair of cytoplasmic incompatibility factor (cif) genes, as well as multiple homologues of the WO-mediated killing (wmk) gene. A phylogenetic comparison with wmk homologues of wMel of Drosophila melanogaster identified 18 wmk copies in wSur, including one that is closely related to the wMel male-killing homologue. However, further analysis of this particular wmk gene revealed an eight-nucleotide deletion leading to a stop-codon and subsequent reading frame shift midsequence, probably rendering it nonfunctional. Concordantly, utilizing a Wolbachia-deprived O. surinamensis population and controlled mating pairs of wSur-infected and noninfected partners, we found no experimental evidence for male-killing. However, a significant ~50% reduction of hatching rates in hybrid crosses of uninfected females with infected males indicates that wSur is causing cytoplasmic incompatibility. Thus, Wolbachia also represents an important determinant of host fitness in Coleoptera.

Serum level of IL-1 and IL-6 in Iraqi patients with Covid-19

The current study conducted for evaluating serum interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6 level among Iraqi patients with COVID-19 (cov-19). The total number of patients positive with (cov-19) were 295. Seventy-one of them used to assessed IL-1and IL-6 and compare with 31 healthy subjects. The study revealed a high percentage of infected males (56.3%) compared to females (43.7%). The infection restricted between age 20-50 years old which represents 82.4% of all infected cases, while there is no infection recorded under the age of 10 years old. The age of 40-49 years is the most affected range (22.9%). Positive Female percentage was high only in the age group (10-19) that represents 4.7% of the total number. Both IL-1 and IL-6 show a highly significant increment in patients positive with cov-19 (p<0.0001).

Sex difference in innate inflammatory response and macrophage polarization in Streptococcus agalactiae-induced pneumonia and potential role of microRNA-223-3p

While number of studies have shown that biological sex is a risk factor in the incidence and severity of infection-induced inflammatory diseases, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In this study, we compared the innate inflammatory response in male and female mice with group B streptococcal (GBS)-induced pneumoniae. Although male and female mice displayed similar bacterial burdens, males exhibited more innate inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and a higher proportion of infiltrating monocytes/macrophages. The analysis of the distribution of macrophage subtypes M1 (pro-inflammatory) versus M2 (anti-inflammatory) yielded a higher M1/M2 ratio in infected males compared with females. Given the importance of the chromosome X-linked microRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) in modulating the inflammatory process and macrophage polarization, we investigated its potential contribution in sex bias of GBS-induced innate inflammatory response. Knock-down of miR-223-3p with specific antagomiR resulted in increased inflammatory response and higher M1/M2 ratio following GBS infection. Notably, compared to male mice, we detected higher amount of miR-223-3p in macrophages from females that correlated negatively with M1 phenotype. These results suggest that differential expression of miR-233-3p may impact macrophage polarization, thereby contributing to fine-tune sex differences in inflammatory response.

The Entomopathogenic Fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana for Management of the Melon Fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae: Pathogenicity, Horizontal Transmission, and Compatability with Cuelure

Simple SummaryThe melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae is an invasive fruit fly that causes extensive damage to many fruit crops. Sustainable management of this pest can be achieved through environmentally friendly and safely integrated pest management (IPM), in which the use of biopesticides is a key component. In this study, various isolates of entomopathogenic fungi were evaluated on two developmental stages of this pest. The fungal isolate ICIPE 69 has the greatest potential. The study also evaluated whether ICIPE 69 could be used together with the male pheromone of the melon fruit fly, as well as whether infected flies could contaminate clean flies. Our study indicates that ICIPE 69 can be included in IPM packages to reduce yield losses.In the laboratory, the pathogenicity of thirteen isolates of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin and two isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin against the melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae (Coquillett) were assessed by exposing adults to 0.3 g of dry conidia (~3 × 109 conidia) of each isolate for 5 min and monitoring mortality for up to 5 days. Compatibility with a male pheromone, cuelure, (4-(p-acetoxyphenyl)-2-butanone), was determined by testing conidial germination and germ tube growth of the most promising isolate, M. anisopliae ICIPE 69, in the presence of cuelure at different temperatures. For horizontal transmission, the flies were separated by sex, separately exposed to M. anisopliae ICIPE 69, and subsequently mixed with non-exposed flies from the other sex. The most pathogenic isolates were M. anisopliae ICIPE 69, 18, and 30, causing mortalities of 94, 87, and 81%, with 5 days post-exposure, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 caused the highest pupal mortality of 74%, with 15 days post-exposure. Horizontal transmission of M. anisopliae ICIPE 69 among male and female Z. cucurbitae was confirmed by 59 and 67% mortality after exposure to infected donor males and females, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 affected the oviposition, but not hatchability, of infected Z. cucurbitae females. Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69 is, therefore, a potential isolate for biopesticide development for Z. cucurbitae management in cucurbit production systems.

Association between ABO blood groups genotype variation and sever infection of COVID-19 in Iraqi patients

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by new beta-coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Recently, several studies provided evidences to confirm that factors such as blood group type and the genetic variations play a significant role in severe infection. The current study focused on ABO blood group type and genetic suitability. 100 (male & female) sample were collected. The number of infected males was higher than female number (60% male), while the females were (40 %), the highest number of patients within age group 25-35 cases in male. while female showed the highest percentage infection in the age group 15-25. The blood group A among patients with was significantly higher 34 %. While the lowest proportion of blood group AB. We applied Sanger sequencing method to identify the genetic variation distribution patterns of single nucleotide polymorphisms regions of the ABO genetic locus rs657152 at the 9q34.2c. Initially, genomic DNA was extracted successfully for all cases followed amplification ABO gene locus, further alignment of sequences samples against a Homo sapiens in the NCBI showed two mutants type SNPs for mostly A/C and C/C associated sever infection corresponding the sequence the control A/A.

Relation between Serological Findings and Expression of IL-1β and IL-6 genes in Patients Infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Iraq.

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the serious bacterial infections that cause diseases and may lead to death. In this study, 178 individuals were examined for TB infection at Baghdad TB center during the period from 15th January to 1st October 2021. Out of 178 participants, 73 were shown to be positive for TB infection, while 105 showed negative results. According to the results, there was no significant variation between infected males and females with TB in comparison to the control group (P>0.05). The results showed that the mean age of the patients for both males and females was in the range of 2-65 years. Additionally, there were significant differences in patients with TB compared to the control group in terms of the weight loss of 8.82 ± 6.75 Kg, red blood cell (RBC) count (3.43 ± 0.56) × 106/μl, white blood cell (WBC) count (3.12 ± 1.57) × 106/μl, platelet count (1.03 ± 0.56) × 106/μl, and hemoglobin level (6.66 ± 1.34) g/dl. A total of 30 TB patients and 50 normal individuals were genotyped to detect the IL-1β rs 114534 gene. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for exon amplification in region 5 of the ILB1 gene in the TB patients by using specific primers. The finding showed that there was an amplified product of 249bp located in chromosome 2q13-14. A total of 30 TB patients and 50 normal individuals were also genotyped to detect the IL-6 rs 1800795 gene. The PCR was used for amplification of the IL-6 gene in TB patients by using specific primers. The finding showed that there was an amplified product of 431 bp located in chromosome 7p15-p2. The expression of the ILB1 gene was investigated in TB patients and healthy controls by using qPT-PCR. Results showed that there was a high Ct value for patients and controls with a high Ct value of templates, preoperational to the total ribonucleic acid (RNA) concentration and gene expression. The expression of the IL-6 gene was investigated in TB patients and healthy controls by using qPT-PCR. Our findings revealed a high Ct value for patients and controls with a high Ct value of templates, preoperational to the total RNA concentration and gene expression.

Host genetics and pathogen species modulate infection-induced changes in social aggregation behaviour.

Identifying how infection modifies host behaviours that determine social contact networks is important for understanding heterogeneity in infectious disease dynamics. Here, we investigate whether group social behaviour is modified during bacterial infection in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) according to pathogen species, infectious dose, host genetic background and sex. In one experiment, we find that systemic infection with four different bacterial species results in a reduction in the mean pairwise distance within infected female flies, and that the extent of this change depends on pathogen species. However, susceptible flies did not show any evidence of avoidance in the presence of infected flies. In a separate experiment, we observed genetic- and sex-based variation in social aggregation within infected, same-sex groups, with infected female flies aggregating more closely than infected males. In general, our results confirm that bacterial infection induces changes in fruit fly behaviour across a range of pathogen species, but also highlight that these effects vary between fly genetic backgrounds and can be sex-specific. We discuss possible explanations for sex differences in social aggregation and their consequences for individual variation in pathogen transmission.

Proteomic analysis of carp seminal plasma provides insights into the immune response to bacterial infection of the male reproductive system

Aeromonas salmonicida is recognized as a significant bacterial pathogen in ulcerative disease of cyprinid fish. However, the mechanism of immunity to these bacteria in common carp is still not well understood, especially the immune regulation in the gonad to bacterial infection. The aims of our study were to analyze changes in the seminal plasma proteome following A. salmonicida infection in carp males. The observed pathological changes in the tissue (liver, spleen, kidney and testis) morphology and upregulation of immune-related genes (tnfa2, il6a) confirmed the successful infection challenge. Using mass spectrometry-based label-free quantitative proteomics, we identified 1402 seminal plasma proteins, and 44 proteins (20 up- and 24 downregulated) were found to be differentially abundant between infected and control males. Most differentially abundant proteins were involved in the immune response mechanisms, such as acute phase response, complement activation and coagulation, inflammation, lipid metabolism, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, creatine-phosphate biosynthesis and germ cell-Sertoli cell junction signaling. Bacterial infection also caused profound changes in expression of selected genes in the testis and hematopoietic organs, which contributed to changes in seminal proteins. The altered seminal proteins and bacterial proteins in seminal plasma may serve as valuable markers of infection in the testis.

EXPERIMENTAL INFECTION WITH A NATURALLY OCCURRING PROTOZOAN PARASITE REDUCES MONARCH BUTTERFLY (DANAUS PLEXIPPUS) MATING SUCCESS.

Parasitic infection is known to drive sexual selection in persuasive mating systems, where parasites influence the secondary sexual characteristics that underlie mate choice. However, comparatively little is known about their effects on animals that use coercive mating behavior. We use a tractable system consisting of monarch butterflies and their naturally occurring parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha to test how parasites influence host mating dynamics when males force females to copulate. Monarchs were placed in mating cages where all, half, or no individuals were experimentally infected with O. elektroscirrha. We found that parasites reduce a male's mating success such that infected males were not only less likely to copulate but obtained fewer lifetime copulations as well. This reduction in mating success was due primarily to the fact that infected males attempt to mate significantly less than uninfected males. However, we found that O. elektroscirrha did not influence male mate choice. Males chose to mate with both infected and uninfected females at similar rates, regardless of their infection status. Overall, our data highlight how mating dynamics in coercive systems are particularly vulnerable to parasites.

The influence of SARS-CoV-2 on semen parameters of infected infertile male in comparison with those that noninfected.

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID‐19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS COV‐2 that has spread globally, the virus can cause different pathological alterations in many organs, such as the lung, kidney, and testis. The study aimed to determine the effect of COVID‐19 on the seminal fluid parameters of infected infertile males compared with those who are noninfected.MethodsThe study was performed in Al‐Hussein Teaching Hospital during the period from September to November, 2021 and it involved 318 patients. The patients’ info included age, address, and vaccination. The sperm count, activity, and morphology were detected using Computer‐assisted semen analysis CASA (Microptic‐Spain) according to the WHO manual.ResultsThere were high significant differences between the infertile males who were infected with COVID‐ 19 and those who were vaccinated (X 2 = 12.509, p = 0.001). A high significant relation (p < 0.001) was recorded between types of infection severity and volume of semen (p < 0.001) and nonprogress life sperm (C) (p < 0.001). While significant differences were shown in the moderate progression sperm (B) (p = 0.012), and morphology (p = 0.02), respectively. High significant differences were reported between the types of infection severity (count of the sperm, presence of pus, B, C and D), (p < 0.001), while a significant difference was shown between severity types in relation to A and morphology of the sperms (p = 0.021 and 0.015), respectively.ConclusionThe severity of COVID‐19 has a significant impact on infertility and sperm parameters, particularly progression and sperm morphology, despite the fact that these parameters are unrelated to vaccination.

Sensitivity of wMel and wAlbB Wolbachia infections in Aedes aegypti Puducherry (Indian) strains to heat stress during larval development

BackgroundICMR-Vector Control Research Centre, Puducherry, India, developed two colonies of Aedes aegypti infected with wMel and wAlbB Wolbacia strains called Ae. aegypti (Pud) lines for dengue control. The sensitivity of wMel and wAlbB strains in Ae. aegypti (Pud) lines to heat stress was studied.MethodswMel and wAlbB infected and uninfected Ae. aegypti larvae (first to fourth instars) were reared in the laboratory to adults at 26 °C, 30 °C, 36 °C and 40 °C constant temperatures and also 26–30 °C, 26–36 °C and 26–40 °C diurnal cyclic temperatures. The adults were tested for Wolbachia infection. Experiments were also carried out rearing the larvae under simulated field conditions in summer (April and June) under sunlight using fully open and half open bowls and also under sunlight and natural shade.ResultsAt 36 °C and 40 °C constant temperatures, complete larval mortality was observed. At 30 °C and 26 °C, no larval mortality occurred, but Wolbachia density was relatively low in wMel infected males compared to control (maintained at 26 ± 1 °C). At diurnal cyclic temperature of 26–40 °C, Wolbachia density was reduced in males of both the (Pud) lines, but not in females. At 26–36 °C, reduction in Wolbachia density was observed in wMel males but not in wAlbB males. At 26–30 °C, no significant reduction in Wolbachia density was observed with wMel and wAlbB strains. In simulated field conditions (April), under sunlight, the daytime water temperature reached a maximum of 35.7 °C in both full and half open bowls. No larval mortality occurred. Wolbachia frequency and density was reduced in wMel-infected Ae. aegypti (Pud) males from both type of bowls and in females from full open bowls, and in wAlbB males from half open bowls. In June, rearing of larvae under sunlight, the first-instar larvae experienced a maximum daytime water temperature of > 38 °C that caused complete mortality. No larval mortality was observed in bowls kept under shade (< 32 °C).ConclusionsExposure of larvae to higher rearing temperatures in the laboratory and simulated-field conditions reduced the densities of wMel and wAlbB strains particularly in males, but the impact was more pronounced for wMel strain. The actual effect of heat stress on the stability of these two Wolbachia strains needs to be tested under natural field conditions.Graphical

Monitoring of cadmium and iron concentrations in healthy and prostate cancer patients in the Middle Euphrates Cancer Center, Najaf, Iraq

Prostate cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases that can cauظse death, although the cause is unknown. Nowadays, trace elements play a variety of roles. Although their roles (e.g. cadmium (Cd) and iron (Fe)) are still unknown, they might be involved in this type of cancer. This study investigates the concentrations of these elements in prostate cancer patient’s serum and then compared with a control group one. This study included a total of 100 samples. The samples were split into two groups: 50 healthy controls and 50 infected males of the same age and family history. Cd and Fe levels in serum were evaluated using an Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) after sample preparation. In prostate cancer patients, Cd and Fe levels were seen to be high. To illustrate, To illustrate, the highest values of the mean of the concentration of iron and cadmium were (1.811 ± 0.779) and (0.092 ± 0.009) for the new case of cancer patients, while the lowest values were (0.689 ± 0.281) and (0.034 ± 0.026)) for health, respectively. The correlation between serum concentrations of these elements and prostate cancer supports the hypothesis that exposure to Cd and Fe enhances the risk of prostate cancer.

A Comparative Study of Some Intestinal Parasites in Fecal Samples of Domestic and Stray Cats in Baghdad, Iraq

Some feline intestinal parasites such as Toxocara, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium can spread to humans through feces. Therefore, it is important to prevent exposure of family members by screening cat fecal samples twice per year for potential treatment regimes. This study was initiated to compare and identify gastrointestinal parasites of domestic and stray cats (Felis domesticus) in Baghdad City, Iraq. Parasite eggs and oocysts were identified under light microscopy by applying standard laboratory techniques (flotation and sedimentation). Overall, 59 of 121 (48.7%) fecal samples were positive for intestinal parasites. The rate of infection by Toxoplasma gondii was (3.31%), Isospora spp. (6.61%), Cryptosporidium spp. (31.4%), and Toxocara spp. (1.65%). Four percent of domestic and stray cats were infected with Isospora and Cryptosporidium and 2% were infected with Isospora, Cryptosporidium, and Toxoplasma. The prevalence of infected males (37%) was higher than for females (12%) during October and November. The prevalence of stray cats (30.5%) was higher than for domestic cats (18.8%) in February (45.4%). The diversity of parasites found during this study suggests that additional surveys and proper control programs are necessary to decrease the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Mutations of γCOP Gene Disturb Drosophila melanogaster Innate Immune Response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly) is a valuable experimental platform for modeling host–pathogen interactions. It is also commonly used to define innate immunity pathways and to understand the mechanisms of both host tolerance to commensal microbiota and response to pathogenic agents. Herein, we investigate how the host response to bacterial infection is mirrored in the expression of genes of Imd and Toll pathways when D. melanogaster strains with different γCOP genetic backgrounds are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. Using microarray technology, we have interrogated the whole-body transcriptome of infected versus uninfected fruit fly males with three specific genotypes, namely wild-type Oregon, γCOPS057302/TM6B and γCOP14a/γCOP14a. While the expression of genes pertaining to Imd and Toll is not significantly modulated by P. aeruginosa infection in Oregon males, many of the components of these cascades are up- or downregulated in both infected and uninfected γCOPS057302/TM6B and γCOP14a/γCOP14a males. Thus, our results suggest that a γCOP genetic background modulates the gene expression profiles of Imd and Toll cascades involved in the innate immune response of D. melanogaster, inducing the occurrence of immunological dysfunctions in γCOP mutants.