2024-12

Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (Zanco J Med Sci) (Issue : 3) (Volume : 28)

Background and objective: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease that can cause a wide spectrum of clinical diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between toxoplasmosis and rheumatoid arthritis among patients, besides, to confirm the role of Toxoplasma gondii in the enhancement and modulation of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was implemented from August 2021 to February 2022, in which blood samples were taken conveniently from a total of 180 patients from both genders and different ages (15-60 years). These patients attended Zakho General Hospital and some private clinics suffering from symptoms related to rheumatoid arthritis. All samples were tested for Toxoplasma gondii immunoglobulins G and M (IgG, IgM) antibodies, C- reactive proteins (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Results: The total seropositivity of anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM Abs using ELISA were 13.9% and 3.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the highest rate (16.4%) of IgGAbs was recorded among the male group, while, the highest rate (4.8%) of IgMAbs, was recorded among the female group. Furthermore, the highest rate of IgG, and IgM Abs were recorded among the age group 46-60 in both genders (20%, 5.7% respectively). In addition, the statistical analysis demonstrated the presence of significant relationship between IgG Abs with CRP and RF test results (P = 0.027, 0.039 respectively). Whereas, concerning ESR only seropositive IgM Abs results were statistically significant (P = 0.049). Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis may influence the immune system and act as a contributing factor in the exacerbation of autoimmune illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis. Subsequent investigations will be essential to delineate the risks of T. gondii within the human population.

2022-11

HIV Nursing (Issue : 2) (Volume : 22)

Background: The correlation between Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) infection and haematological parameters are poorly understood. Therefore, this investigation explores to determine the effects of toxoplasmosis on haematological alterations during infections. Methods: A total 125 women were contributed; each blood samples were evaluated for toxoplasmosis and haematological components. Results: The study presented the total rate of toxoplasma IgG antibodies (Abs) (n=16, 12.8%) and IgM Abs (n=6, 4.8%), and the maximum rate of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG were noted among married, pregnant and female in 3rd trimester. For seropositive IgG cases significant association was obtained only among different levels of Haemoglobin (Hb) (P-value =0.052) while, for seropositive IgM cases significant differences was only verified among different levels of red blood cells (RBC) (P-value =0.013). Conclusion: T.gondii has vital influence on health, thus, screening mother's immunity, focusing on making T. gondii antibodies and CBC tests as preliminary examinations for all pregnant women. Besides, further investigation, improvement diagnostic methods are crucial.

2021-09

Pak Vet J (Issue : 2) (Volume : 42)

Fascioliasis caused by Fasciola species (Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica) is considered as the most important helminthic infection of domestic animals in developing countries. The present study was performed during January to December 2019, in Biology Department, University of Zakho. Hundred adult’s flukes of Fasciola spp. were isolated from bile ducts and gallbladder of cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at different abattoirs (Duhok, Zakho, Shelidiza, Aqrah and Bardarash) in Duhok governorate, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Genomic DNA extraction was performed using a Genomic DNA Extraction kit, Jena Bioscience GmbH (Germany). Specific markers ITS1 and ITS2 ribosomal DNA were used for amplifying 480 and 550 bps fragments. DNA sequences have been used to characterize these liver flukes. The PCR products were separated by electrophoresis in 1.5% agarose gel, visualized by staining with RedSafe dye, and photographed. ITS-1 and ITS-1 markers were amplified successfully, the length of produced band for ITS-1 was 480 bp and for ITS-2 was 550 bp. Thirteen Fasciola spp. flukes isolated from cattle, sheep and goats from different districts were sequenced, from these thirteen PCR products, 7 amplicons were recognized as Fasciola hepatica and 6 amplicons as Fasciola gigantica. These sequences were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers: MW161261, MW084365, MW052601 MW084349, MW082585, MW084348, MW082830 for F. hepatica and MW161260, MW052602, MW084353, MW084350, MW082589, MW085034 for F. gigantica. This study confirms the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica in Iraq by using the ITS-1 and ITS-2 rDNA.

2021-06

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (Issue : 2) (Volume : 10)

Fascioliasis is one of the most common neglected zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola species. The current study was conducted during January to December 2019,in which five districts were selected in various parts of Duhok governorates which differ in their environmental and geographical conditions they included: Duhok city, Zakho, Shelidiza, Aqrah and Bardarash. Each slaughter house was visited once monthly to determine the rate of fascioliasis among domestic animals; cattle, sheep and goats. The infected livers were examined grossly and the bile duct and gall bladder were inspected for the presence of Fasciola species, the work was performed in Parasitology Laboratory, Biology Dept., Faculty of Science, Zakho University. Fascioliasis was diagnosed in 2.0% (195/9757) of total slaughtered livestock, with the highest rate of infection in cattle which was 3.27% (66/2021), followed by sheep 1.76% (122/6932) and the lowest in goats 0.87% (7/804). Slightly higher prevalence rate from positive cases was found in local livestock compared to imported one (2.10% versus 1.88%). According to gender, males showed higher prevalence than females (2.08% versus 1.08%). Regarding Fasciola species, among sheep and goats; the prevalence of F. hepatica was higher than Fasciola gigantica. While among cattle, F. gigantica was the most common species. With respect to parasite burden, the heaviest burden was recorded in 38.46% (20-100 flukes/liver) of slaughtered livestock with the heaviest being in sheep (55.74%), followed by goats (71.43%) while lightest burden was recorded in cattle in 62.12% (1-10 flukes/liver). Most of the liver flukes were recovered from the bile ducts (67.69 %), followed by gall bladder (21.54%) and the least (10.77%) from both the bile ducts and gall bladder. Keywords: Bile ducts, Gall bladd, Duhok.