The head louse (Pediculus humanus capitis) is a common, wingless, obligate blood-sucking ectoparasite belonging to the order Phthiraptera, which is a specific parasite of humans with worldwide medical importance. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of head lice and its associated factors among primary school pupils in six selected schools in Zakho City. A total of 215 pupils (80 boys and 135 girls) were examined from the first to the sixth stages, aged 6 to 14 years, during October 2024 to March 2025. The results revealed an overall infestation prevalence of 22.32% (48/215), with a significantly higher rate among females than males (30.37% vs. 8.75%). The age of 8 years showed the highest non-significant infestation rate with pediculosis; thereafter, the rate declined non-significantly with increasing age. The infestation rate among long-haired pupils was 29% higher than among short-haired pupils (16.52%). The student using the shared combs has a higher infestation rate than using the personal comb. This study revealed a significant relationship (P < 0.05) between gender, hair length, growth stage and school location and head louse infestation. In contrast, no significant relationships (P > 0.05) were observed for age, hair washing, using a personal comb, and head lice infestation. From this study, we conclude that there is a high prevalence of head lice among pupils in primary schools, which necessitates the application of preventive measures, including personal hygiene and cleanliness, frequent hair washing, and not sharing combs between students or family members.

Background: Fresh vegetables are considered fundamental to the human body and a vital element of a healthy diet. However, Ingestion of raw vegetables is one of the primary routes of transmission of intestinal parasites. Objective: To determine zoonotic parasites contaminating fresh vegetable in Zakho City, Iraq. Material and Methods: A total of 105 samples of six varied fresh vegetable varieties, including celery, watercress, arugula, lettuce, leek, and cress, were microscopically examined. Results: Microscopic examination of samples revealed a contamination of 75.23%. Parasitic contamination was detected in cress (90%), followed by arugula (80%), watercress (73.33%), leek (73.33%), celery (66.66%), and lettuce (65%). Fourteen different parasite species were found; they were in the order of S. stercoralis larvae (38.09%), followed by eggs of A. lumbricoides (20.95%), and Taenia spp. (16.19%). Protozoa of higher rates of contamination included Cystoisospora spp. (12.38%), Entamoeba cyst (11.42%), and Cryptosporidium oocysts (10.47%). Lower rates of contamination were recorded for eggs of H. nana (4.75%), Toxocara spp. (4.75%), E. vermicularis (1.90%), P. equorum (1.90%), and Nematodirus spp. (0.95%), as well as trematode metaceracria (2.85%). Results also revealed Eimeria spp. (3.80%), and B. coli trophozoites (0.95%). Additionally, the fresh vegetable had a greater rate of double contamination than triple and quadruple contamination. Conclusion: The current study found that fresh vegetables were contaminated with helminths and protozoa, which can be significant contributors to the spread of harmful intestinal parasites.

Background and objective: The most prominent intestinal parasite causing watery diarrhea globally is cryptosporidiosis. The objectives of the study were directed to examine the frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. among pre-schoolchildren of age groups (≤5) years presenting with and without diarrhea, and determine associated risk factors related to this infection in children attending different daycare centers and kindergartens. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among preschool children. Participants examined from October 2022 to ending of February 2023 in the city of Duhok. Overall, (160) stool specimens were collected from children who attended different daycare centers and kindergartens in Duhok, all stool samples were examined microscopically by direct wet mount and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain methods to detect the oocyst of Cryptosporidium spp. Results: The infection rate of cryptosporidiosis among the total infected stool children was (11.25%). The parasite infection showed a significant difference between boys and girls at P <0.05, the highest infection rate was found in age group of (3-4) years old (25%), followed by age group (5) years old (10.64%). The Modified Zihel-Neelsen stain test (75%), performed more accurate than the direct wet mount method (25%). Conclusion: The study showed Cryptosporidiosis were common health problems in various day care centers of Duhok city and active prevention programs must be considered for the improvement of cleanliness and health education.

Background and Objective: Diarrheal diseases remain a significant health concern for infants and young children, particularly in developing regions like Iraq, where environmental and socioeconomic factors contribute to a high burden of enteric infections. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal protozoa and bacteria associated with diarrhea in infants and children aged 1 month to 15 years in Zakho City, Iraq. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2024 and April 2025 across distinct locations in Zakho City. A total of 406 stool samples have been collected and examined using specific diagnostic methods for protozoa and bacteria. Results: Overall, 86.94% of samples were positive for at least one enteric pathogen. Intestinal protozoa were detected in 19.45% of cases, with Entamoeba histolytica (86.07%) and Giardia lamblia (13.92%) being the most prevalent. Bacterial pathogens were identified in 85.96% of samples, predominantly Escherichia coli (87.96%) and Klebsiella spp. (10.60%). The highest protozoan infection rates were in the >1-5 years age group (29.77%), while bacterial infections peaked in the 1-month to 1-year age group (87.17%). Conclusion: Our findings reveal a substantial burden of intestinal protozoan and bacterial infections contributing to diarrhea in the pediatric population. The high prevalence of E. histolytica and E. coli highlights an urgent need for targeted WASH interventions, particularly in high-risk areas and among vulnerable age groups. Continuous epidemiological surveillance is crucial for effective control strategies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Background and Objective: The intestinal parasite infection is one of the major health problems in developing countries, particularly in tropical and subtropical areas in children. Hence, this cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and effects on some blood parameters among diarrheic children from October 2024 to May 2025 in Zakho district, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Methodology: Stool samples were collected from 403 diarrhea children among the ages (<1-15 years) in Hospital and camp in Zakho city. The stool was examined microscopic by direct wet mount and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and also for hematological study. Sixty samples from infected children and 30 samples from non-infected children, the blood was examined by a blood analyzer. Results: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infection was 33.25%. Three species of intestinal parasites recorder: Entamoeba spp. (63.43%), Cryptosporidium spp. (44.77%), and Giardia lamblia (5.22%). The percentage of infection in females was higher than that of males (34.1% vs 32.32%). Also found the high infection in age group 2–5 years, rural residents, and unemployed parents at rates of 36.1%, 37.7%, and 35.1%, respectively. Monthly peaks infection occurred in April and October. The level of hematological parameters (Hb, PCV, and MCV) decreases in the infected children, while the level of WBC and vitamin B12 increases in infected children. Conclusion: These findings highlight a high IPI burden in Zakho, the critical role of environmental, socioeconomic, and hygiene factors. Comprehensive diagnostics and targeted health interventions are crucial to address these parasitic infections and improve child health in the region.

Echinococcus granulosus, a dog tapeworm, is the source of the silent helminthic illness known as cystic echinococcosis. This investigation included molecular genotyping of cysts obtained from the different organs of infected sheep and cattle in the abattoir. A total of twenty-eight echinococcal cysts were isolated from liver and lungs of fifteen sheeps and thirteen cattles. Collected samples were analyzed using the mitochondrial cox1 gene. Gel electrophoresis was used to verify the produced amplicons. The results showed that a fragment of 446 bps was revealed. Four amplicons are present in these samples that were selected for sequencing, genotyping, and phylogenetic analysis, which was constructed by comparing the obtained sequences (MW599304 and MW599308 for sheep and MW599306 and MW599307 for cattle) with those recorded in the NCBI-BLAST. The nucleotide sequence alignment with the recorded nucleotide in the NCBI indicated that all samples of the sheep strain belong to G1. According to the findings of this investigation, the G1 strain of sheep predominated, and this strain generally is responsible for echinococcosis in animals and humans.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato species complex is the parasite responsible for cystic echinococcosis (CE), which has a worldwide distribution. This study involved the prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in sheep and cattle slaughtered at Zakho abattoirs from February 2020 to January 2021, in which 21565 animals were slaughtered. They included 14547 sheep and 7018 cattle. The total rate of infection was 1.18% (255/21565), with the highest rate (1.34%) in sheep and the lowest (0.85%) in cattle. Among infected sheep, 45.64% of the cysts were seen in both the liver and lungs, 32.82% in the liver and 21.53% in the lungs. While among infected cattle, 76.66% of the cysts were found in both the liver and the lungs, 16.66% in the liver and 6.66% in lungs. Concerning animal gender, females of sheep and cattle showed the highest infection rate as compared to males (37.01 and 83.33% versus 0.49 and 0.71%), respectively. Regarding the yearly prevalence of CE, sheep showed the highest rate of infection throughout the year with a peak during April which was 4.43%, while the highest rate of infection in cattle was during August (2.63%). According to cyst types, sheep CE showed the highest rate (63.04%) of fertility, followed by cattle (14.29%). While the highest rate (77.77%) of sterile cysts were in cattle. Furthermore, 16.67% of sheep cysts and 7.95% of cattle cysts were calcified. Sheep cysts are characterized by the highest rate of protoscolices viability than cattle cysts (58.36 vs 27.36%).These results showed that the prevalence of CE infection is lower than that previously reported in the same regions of Iraq, but the disease is still present and there is the possibility of its transmission to sheep and cattle which play an important role in the life cycle and transmission of this zoonotic disease to definitive host and from them to humans and other susceptible intermediate hosts

Milk contains a protein called kappa-casein, which controls the function and size of milk micelles as well as their ability to form and stabilize. Kappa-Casein gene (CSN3) polymorphisms were investigated in 70 Domestic (Native and Meriz goat) and Wild goat using the PCR-RFLP method and direct sequencing. CSN3-Hea III/RFLP revealed two homozygous genotypes AA and BB. For the AA and BB genotypes, the computed genotype frequencies were (0.87) and (0.13), respectively. The allelic frequency was 0.87 for the A allele and 0.13 for the B allele. The sequence data of CSN3 gene of Meriz and Wild goats revealed 2 SNPs in functional region, one SNP of Wild (ACC. No: OR050625.1), and one in Meriz goat (ACC. No: OR050626.1). In position 415 in Wild goat, the amino acid Methionine changed to Isoleucine by changing (ATG) to (ATA). On the other hand, the point mutation in Meriz goat at the positions 449 led to change amino acid Valine to Isoleucine by alternation (GTC) to (ATC). The PCR-RFLP and SNP analysis is a powerful tool for the genetic study of CSN3 variability in domestic and wild goats, allowing both the simultaneous identification of different alleles, and the detection of new variants. Establishing relationships between genotypes and both quantitative and qualitative milk qualities will require additional investigation

Giardia lamblia is an intestinal protozoan disease that is common in developing nations, particularly among children, as a result of inadequate sanitation, poor sewage drainage, and a lack of attention to personal health. The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and identify the risk factors for Giardia lamblia infection in children who had been attended in different health centers in Duhok city, North of Iraq. A total of 642 fecal samples were collected from children aged from (0 - 6) years in different health centers in Duhok city during the period between June 2022 to November 2022, and were examined for detection of Giardia lamblia by using direct microscopic examination and floatation method. Out of 642 samples examined, 61 (9.50%) were positive for Giardia lamblia. The age group (5-6) years had the highest rate of infection (16.74%). The prevalence rate among males (10.09%) was higher than females (8.88%). According to months the greatest rates of infection being observed in June and July (2.80 and 2.65%, respectively), and lowest rate was observed in November (0.16%). Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that the prevalence of Giardia lamblia parasite in Duhok cities is still high and it’s required effective techniques and plans to stop the spread of these parasites.

In this study some parameters like size, shape, pH, fertility and viability of protoscolices of Echinococcal cysts (EC) isolated from slaughtered ruminants (sheep, goats and cattle) at Duhok abattoir were determined. Throughout this study, 226 cysts were collected from 100 sheep, 64 goats and 62 cattle. Out of the examined cysts, 110 were spherical, 100 oval and 16 elongated in sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. Regarding to the pH of the cyst's fluid of different hosts was nearly neutral, ranged between 7.19±0.74 for liver cysts and 7.37±0.73 for lung cysts. Sheep cystic echinococcosis had the highest fertility rate (81%), followed by goats (39.06%), while cattle had the lowest fertility rate (17.74%). Regarding to the calcified, the highest rate (25%) was observed in goats, 6% in sheep and 3.22% in cattle. Protoscolices viability was higher in sheep (87.21%) than in goats (62.5%). This study revealed that most CEs were spherical and oval,the pH range of cystic fluid was nearly neutral. Sheep cysts were characterized by the highest rate of fertility and viability of their protoscolices. This indicate that the sheep are the principle intermediate host in Kurdistan region and are responsible in perpetuating the life cycle of the parasite and in spreading the disease to other hosts.

Iraq is an endemic country for cystic echinococcosis (CE). This disease is zoonotic infection with a widespread distribution among livestock and humans. The adult parasite inhabits the small intestine of dogs especially stray dogs, their eggs are excreted with the feces to the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Taeniid eggs and other intestinal parasites in the feces of stray dogs collected from different locations of Zakho city. The study was conducted during the period from March 2020 to March 2021, in which 160 fecal samples of stray dogs were collected from soil surface of 10 different locations in Zakho city. The feces were examined by direct wet mount and flotation technique to detect the presence of parasitic eggs and then the data were statistically analyzed. The overall, rate of infection was 46.25% (74/160) of examined fecal samples. The most frequently detected eggs were of Taeniid spp. constituting 23.13% (37/160) of the examined stool samples, with the highest rate (42.86%) being in samples collected from the areas around Zakho abattoir. Furthermore, other parasites recorded in this study, were the eggs and larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (13.12%), eggs of Dipylidium caninum (5%), Toxocara spp. (4.38%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.63%).

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected worldwide distributed parasitic disease caused by the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) species complex. For a better understanding of the pathways of transmission of this parasite, clinical and molecular epidemiological studies are particularly needed from endemic areas where data are scant, such as in the Middle East. The study aimed to identify the characteristics, location, cyst stage and species/genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. complex in humans from the Kurdistan region, Iraq. To this aim, from June 2019 to February 2021, 64 echinococcal cysts were surgically removed from 62 patients in Azadi and Vajeen reference Hospitals at Duhok city, Duhok governorate (Kurdistan region, Iraq). The results confirmed the liver as the most common anatomical site of CE with 72.58% of the cases, followed by the lungs in 19.35%, while 66.13% of CE cases were females. The highest rate of infections occurred in the age class 21–30 (27.42%). High rates of CE were reported among patients living in rural areas and housewives, which were 54.84% and 43.55% of the CE patients, respectively. The fertility of echinococcal cysts was 82.81%, and the viability of fertile protoscoleces was 70.53%. Cysts were staged with ultrasound according to the WHO-IWGE classification as 32.8% CE1, 32.8% CE2, 7.8% CE3a, 9.4% CE3b, 15.6% CE4 and 1.6% CE5. Molecular analyses using mitochondrial NAD5 gene showed that all analyzed samples (n = 59) belonged to the genotypes G1 or G3 of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.), thus, confirming sheep–dog–human transmission in the Kurdistan region, Iraq. No statistically significant correlation was found between the genotypes G1–G3 of E. granulosus s.s. and variables, such as the fertility, location and cyst stage classification. Based on the present findings, it is necessary to implement monitoring and control programs in sheep and dog populations to decrease the odds of human infections. Public health education campaigns are required to be implemented at the community level to reduce the risk of acquiring CE in humans in the Kurdistan region, Iraq

This study was an attempt to investigate epidemiological of hydatid cyst isolated from liver and lungs of infected intermediate host (sheep, goats and cattle) in Duhok abattoirs. Samples were collected during the period from September 2020 to March 2021, out of 28465 sheep, 1264 goats and 4629 cattle slaughtered were examined. It has been found that 2.90% of sheep, 3.08 % of goats and 0.17 % of cattle were infected with hydatid cysts. Among infected sheep , 30.59% of the hydatid cysts were found in the lungs, 60.33 % found in the liver and 9.06% were found in other organs. Among infected goats 33.33% were found in lungs, 64.10 % in the liver and 2.56 % of hydatid cyst were found in other organs, while among infected cattle, 25% were found in lung, 62.5 % in the liver and 12.5 % were found in other organs. According to the types of the cysts, sheep HCs showed the highest percentage (64 %) of fertility, followed by goats (50 %) and the least (29.03 %) in cattle. Regarding the sterile cysts, the highest percentage (67.74%) in cattle, followed by goats (31.25%) and sheep (22%). Regarding the sex, the infection in female was higher (28.84%) than the male (1.41%).

Pigeons have accompanied humans since ancient time because they are used as a source of food, pets, hobby, and religious symbols. Pigeons have shown high prevalence rate of infection with gastrointestinal helminths and protozoan. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) from October, 2017 to April, 2018, purchased from bird market of Zakho City, Kurdistan region. The samples were taken from 50 adult pigeons (28 males and 22 females). The birds were transferred to Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Zakho University. In the laboratory, each bird was sacrificed and immediately the feather and skin of under wings, chest and the rest of the body was examined for ectoparasites. The collected ectoparasites were preserved in 70% alcohol for further study. The sacrificed birds were dissected and their intestine and contained were examined for the presence of parasites. The results revealed a total rate of 76% of infection with ectoparasites, which included three species of lice, namely: Columbicola columbae (56%), Companulotes compar (36%) and Hohorstiella lata (10%). Regarding helminths, cestodes were the only helminths found in this study with a rate of 16% (8/50). Three species of cestodes were recorded, they included: Raillietina cesticillus(14%), Raillietina echinobothrida(4%) and Choanotaenia infundibulum (2%). Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of the recovered parasites on this host and their transmission to other poultry flocks and human. Keywords: Cestodes, Ectoparasites, Pigeon, Prevalence.

Background: Salmonellosis is one of the foodborne illness acquired by consumption of infected raw or undercooked eggs and causes major public health problem. The aim of this study was isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from the eggshells and the egg contents samples. Methods: In this study, a total 350 eggs were randomly collected from five local stores in Duhok and Zakho city over a period of 6 months in summer of 2016. Eggs from each local store were collected and transferred to the microbiology laboratory. The conventional culture method used for detection of Salmonella spp. Results: Out of the 350 eggs, seventeen (4.85%) samples of eggshells contaminated with Salmonella spp. and none of the egg content samples were contaminated with Salmonella genus. Out of 17 positive eggs, three different Salmonella serotypes were identified including; Salmonella enteritidis (10 strains), Salmonella typhimurium (5 strains), Salmonella typhi (2 strains). Conclusions: The results of the present study provide the recent dataset of the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in eggs sold at local stores in the city. All isolates showed resistant to tetracycline, oxacillin and sulphadimethoxazole due to the indiscriminate use of these antibiotics in chicken at sub-therapeutic level or prophylactic doses which promotes selection of antimicrobial resistant strains and also increases the human health risks associated with consumption of contaminated quail eggs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Zakho- Duhok city, investigating the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in eggshell and content egg sold at local stores.

In this study, 103 fingernails samples were collected (31 female and 72 male) from primary school children aged between 6 to12 years, which lived in Zakho city during the period from March to November, 2015. Each fingernail sample was immersed in normal saline, and subsequently centrifuged for 5 minutes at 2500 rpm. The supernatant was discarded; a few drops of the sediment of each sample were placed on the center of a clean glass slide with a drop of iodine or eosin, and then examined microscopically. The results revealed a total rate of 25.24% of infection with parasites. The recorded parasites with their rates included: eggs of Enterobius vermicularis, Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichaura (7.76, 5.82, 2.91 and 0.97 %, respectively) and cysts of Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia (4.85 and 2.91 %). According to age, the highest percentage of infection occurred in 9 years old children. Regarding the gender, males showed a higher rate of infection than females (17.47 % versus 7.76%, respectively). These results clarify the role of fingernails in the transmission of parasitic infections, which requires continuous cleaning and cutting.

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most adaptable human pathogens. Nasal Staphylococcus aureus is the main cause of community associated staphylococcal infections. This project aimed to study the prevalence of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) and evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility tests among primary school children at Zakho city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Nasal swabs were taken from a total of 300 primary school pupils aged 8-12 years. Collected nasal swabs were processed according to the standard bacteriological culture and isolates were identified using mannitol fermentation, gram stain, catalase test and coagulase test. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out on Muller-Hinton agar (MHA) to determine the susceptibility of S. aureus and CA-MRSA towards antibiotics. 30% (90/300) of the primary school children carried S. aureus. The nasal carriage of MRSA was 4% (12/300) among participants. All MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, doxycycline, amikacin and ciprofloxacin. This study showed that the incidence of S. aureus and CA-MRSA is comparable with reports from elsewhere. Measures are needed to keep the emergence and transmission of these pathogens to a lowest. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of all S. aureus isolates is crucial for treatment of MRSA. Further studies are required to detect the risk factors of the acquisition of MRSA.

Background: Salmonellosis is one of the foodborne illness acquired by consumption of infected raw or undercooked eggs and causes major public health problem. The aim of this study was isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from the eggshells and the egg contents samples. Methods: In this study, a total 350 eggs were randomly collected from five local stores in Duhok and Zakho city over a period of 6 months in summer of 2016. Eggs from each local store were collected and transferred to the microbiology laboratory. The conventional culture method used for detection of Salmonella spp. Results: Out of the 350 eggs, seventeen (4.85%) samples of eggshells contaminated with Salmonella spp. and none of the egg content samples were contaminated with Salmonella genus. Out of 17 positive eggs, three different Salmonella serotypes were identified including; Salmonella enteritidis (10 strains), Salmonella typhimurium (5 strains), Salmonella typhi (2 strains). Conclusions: The results of the present study provide the recent dataset of the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in eggs sold at local stores in the city. All isolates showed resistant to tetracycline, oxacillin and sulphadimethoxazole due to the indiscriminate use of these antibiotics in chicken at sub-therapeutic level or prophylactic doses which promotes selection of antimicrobial resistant strains and also increases the human health risks associated with consumption of contaminated quail eggs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Zakho- Duhok city, investigating the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in eggshell and content egg sold at local stores.

The current study deals with some enzyme activities in laminated and germinal layers of hydatid cysts isolated from liver and lungs of infected sheep, goats and cattle slaughtered in Zakho abattoirs and cysts isolated from humans. The activities of the enzymes, acid phosphatases (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamate oxaloacetate transminase (GOT) and glutamate Pyruvate transaminase (GPT) were measured in cysts isolated from both liver and lungs of infected sheep, goats, cattle and humans. The activities of all of these enzymes were higher in laminated layer as compared with their activities in germinal layer, however in general infected host tissue showed the highest enzymatic activities as compared with hydatid cyst.