Toxoplasmosis, caused by the opportunistic intracellular apicomplexan, has a global distribution. It infects nearly one-third of the global human population. Cats serve as the final host of Toxoplasma gondii and are the main source of contamination of soil and water. This study aimed to detect genotypes of T. gon- dii in female blood samples with acute toxoplasmosis, in aborted women’s placental tissues, and in rooster livers. Eighty samples were collected from Zakho city and were processed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a set of primers targeting the B1 gene, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The obtained oligonucleotide sequences of T. gondii were submitted to the GenBank database for comparison with international references, and the evolutionary tree was constructed using MEGA11 software. The highest rate (62.86%) of the B1 gene was detected in the aborted women’s placental tissues, followed by rooster livers (60.87%) and then female blood samples (45.45%). After phylogenetic analysis, the obtained sequences in the current study were more closely linked to T. gondii Me49 (type II) with 88% homology. Further studies are needed to improve our knowledge for the identification of other genotypes of T. gondii that exist in this area and circulate among human population and ruminants in Zakho city, Kurdistan region of Iraq

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular zoonotic protozoon, with a worldwide distribution infecting humans and almost all warm- blooded animals. This review highlights the seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iraq, and focus on the effects of variable risk factors, clinical features, and preventive strategies. Toxoplasmosis is recognized as a considerable public health issue in Iraq, numerous studies reported variable seroprevalences among populations. The variability in seropositivity is influenced by geographical location, age, hygienic and socio- economic conditions. Higher seroprevalence is particularly reported among rural communities, pregnant women, and individuals with frequent exposure to animals or contaminated soil. The main routes for acquiring toxoplasmosis are eating or drinking contaminated food or water, being in close contact with contaminated soil, eating undercooked infected meat, and congenitally. Clinically, toxoplasmosis can be either asymptomatic, or exhibits mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications or even death in immunocompromised people and congenital infections in infants. Screening programs for pregnant women and serological testing for immunocompromised individuals can aid in early diagnosis and timely intervention. In conclusion toxoplasmosis seroprevalence is influenced by variable socio-demographic and environmental factors that affect its distribution and transmission. Further research is required to determine the actual seroprevalence and the associated factors in order to improve the control measures, and prevent the occurrence of new cases. Therefore, the introduction of health education programs and sanitary measure among the community are necessary to minimize the burden of toxoplasmosis and its related health consequences.

Toxoplasmosis, an infectious disease caused by the obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, poses varying degrees of risk, ranging from asymptomatic cases in immunocompetent individuals to severe, life- threatening conditions in immunocompromised individuals and developing fetuses, especially when infection occurs during early pregnancy. While the disease is endemic in Iraq, there is a notable lack of precise information regarding its seroprevalence among females of childbearing age and pregnant women, along with associated risk factors in the Zakho district. This cross-sectional study aimed to address this gap by determining the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using the ELISA assay. The study involved 610 females aged 18-79 years from various residential areas within Zakho district, Iraq. The findings revealed a seroprevalence of 32.46% for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies and 8.86% for IgM antibodies. Significant variations in IgG antibody seroprevalence were observed across different age groups (P=0.008), with the highest prevalence noted among those aged 46-55 years (47.73%). Conversely, IgM antibody seroprevalence, while non-significant (P>0.05), displayed the highest rate of 10.05% among ages 18-25 years. The study identified residence as a variable significantly associated with toxoplasmosis. Additionally, contact with cats, marital status, a history of abortion, and the consumption of homemade food showed significant associations with anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies only. These findings strongly suggest that Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent causative agent of infection in Zakho city, Iraq. This study contributes valuable insights into the seroprevalence and associated risk factors, providing a foundation for targeted interventions and further research in this region.

oxoplasmosisis a neglected foodborne disease, standsas the fourth most frequent cause of hospitalization and the second leading factor behind deaths among immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women who contract the disease at early pregnancy stage. The prevalence of toxoplasma infections among males in Zakho city has remained poorly examined. The current study's primary objective isto estimatethe seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) in males residing in Zakho city, Iraq. Data for analysis were gathered through serological tests and participant questionnaires. Among the 213 participants, 65 (30.52%) and 4 (1.88%) exhibited IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondiiantibodies, respectively. The currentinvestigation highlighted the prevalence ofT. gondiiinfection within the general population of Zakho city, Iraq. However, the rate of seropositivity of anti-toxoplasma IgG, increased with age, but this increase was non-significant (P>0.05). Also, higher but non-significant seroprevalence rates of toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM Abs were observed with other studied factorssuch as residence, contact with cats, occupation, marital status, and eating at restaurants.Indicatingtothe presence of poor relationships between toxoplasmosis and these demographic factors in males.

The genera Podospora and Schizothecium have previously been treated as congeneric due to similarities in several morphological characters. Recent studies based on molecular data revealed that the two genera should be considered as distinct. Ten species of Podospora and four species of S chizothecium have been identified from dung samples of herbivore animals collected from different sites in Kurdistan region of Iraq. The identified species include Podospora communis, P. dactylina, P. dasypogon, P. decipiens, P. euphratica, P. globosa, P. pauciseta, P. pleiospora, P. prethopodiales, P. setosa, Schizothecium conicum S. miniglutinans, S. tetrasporum and S. vesticola. Species of P. dactylina, P. dasypogon, P. pauciseta, P. Pleiospora, Schizothecum conicum and S. tetrasprum are recorded for the first time in Iraq. A brief description along with photographs have been provided for each species.

Twenty samples of cheese were collected randomly from local market at Dohuk city and analyzed for the detection of fungal contamination and the presence of potentially toxigenic moulds. A total of 15 different mould and yeast species were detected. Moulds were found in all samples. Aspergillus carbonarius was the most frequent species (95% occurrence), followed by Rhizopus stolonifer (65% occurrence), Mucor circinelloides and Penicillium glabrum (35% occurrence each) and Geotrichum candidum (30% occurrence) Other species isolated from the cheese were, A. japonicus, A. niger, A. terreus Eurotium amstelodami, Penicillium brevicompactum, P. citrinum, P. roquiforti Rhodotorulla species and unidentified yeast species. The isolated species showed variable lipolytic and proteolytic degrees of activity. Some of the detected fungi are well known as potentially toxigenic species.