Is There Any Relationship Between Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Skin Diseases ?

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been associated with several extrahepatic conditions. Although a high prevalence of HCV infection was detected in patients with lichen planus, the pathogenetic potentials of HCV with skin diseases is still controversial. Aim: To determine the anti-HCV antibody seropositivity among patients with certain non-communicable skin diseases; lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, eczema, and urticaria. Patients and methods: Two hundred patients suffering from non-communicable skin disease were enrolled in this study which was conducted in Baquba for the period from 1st. November/2010 to 1st. July/2011. The patients were attending the Dermatology and Venereology Unit in the outpatient clinic of Baquba General Teaching Hospital. The patients group into 18 patients with lichen planus, 23 with psoriasis, 7 with vitiligo, 95 with eczema, 36 with chronic urticaria, and 21 with alopecia areata. The age range of the patients was (5-70) years. Additionally, 90 apparently healthy unpaid blood donors were included as control group. Anti-HCV antibody was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay.  Rsults: Only two patients were positive for anti-HCV antibody; one with lichen planus and another with eczema. All other patients with psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, and urticaria were negative for anti-HCV antibody. There was no significant association between HCV infection and skin diseases under study. Conclusion: No association between HCV infection and lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, vitiligo, eczema, and urticaria, probably due to low prevalence of HCV infection among general Iraqi people

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Enterococcal Isolates And its Relevance With Biofilms Formation And Β -Lactamase Production

Background: Enteroccci are part of the normal intestinal flora of human and animal, but with increasing antimicrobial resistance, enterococci are recognized as serious nosocomial as well as community pathogens.                                                                                                                                                    Objectives: To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 44 isolates of enterococci recovered from different pathological specimens from in-and out-patients from Diyala province. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in Baquba GeneralHospital and Al-BatoolHospital for Maternity and children during the period from 1st. September/2005 to 30th. September /2006. A total of 343 specimens were collected from 213 inpatients and 130 outpatients. 200 (58.3%) were females and 143 (41.7%) were males. The mean age of patients was (32.8 ± 17.2) years. Specimens include, urine, stool, vaginal swabs, throat swabs, burn swabs, blood for culture, middle ear swabs, wound swabs, sputum and cerebrospinal fluid. Specimens were streaked on blood agar, and other differential and selective media. 44 isolates of enterococci (30 E. faecalis, 10 E. faecium, 3 E. gallinarium, and 1 E. avium) were recovered and identified according to standard bacteriological and biochemical criteria. The susceptibility patterns toward 13 antimicrobial agents were done by disc diffusion method. Data were statistically analysed. Results: The results revealed that the highest susceptibility of enterococcal isolates was toward the Nalidixic acid (79.5%), Ciprofloxacin (61.4%), Amoxacillin+clavilanic acid (61.4%), Rifampicillin (36.4%),Trimethoprim (22.7%),  Vancomycin (11.4%). However, all isolates were resistant to Cloxacillin, Cefotaxim, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, and Erythromycin. The susceptibility of non- β -lactamase producing isolates to penicillin were significantly higher than β - lactamase producing isolates (p<0.001). Furthermore, the sensitivity of non-biofilms former isolates were significantly higher than that of biofilms former isolates (p= 0.002). Conclusion: The overall susceptibility rates of enterococcal isolates recovered from nosocomial as well as community acquired infections to available antimicrobials are low

Seroprevalence of Anti- Herpes Simplex Virus Type2 IgG, IgM Antibodies Among Pregnant Women in Diyala Province

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the leading cause of genital ulcer disease worldwide. The acquisition of genital herpes during pregnancy has been associated with spontaneous abortion, prematurity, and congenital and neonatal herpes. Objectives: To determine the seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 among pregnant women in Diyala province. Materials and methods: Ninety one pregnant women were chosen from those attending the primary health care centers in Baquba - Diyala province, during the period from                    1st November / 2012 till 30th April / 2013. The age range between (15-37) years and the mean age was (25.10 ± 5.27) years. Anti- herpes simplex virus type 2 IgM and IgG antibodies were assayed by Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay technique. (ELISA). Results: The results showed that the anti- herpes simplex virus type 2 IgG, IgM antibodies seroprevalence among pregnant women was 2 out of 91(2.2%), and 2out of 91(2.2%)  respectively. The results of statistical analysis did not reveale significant differences with age, residence, educational levels, duration of pregnancy, previous of abortion and number of abortions on the prevalence of anti- herpes simplex type virus 2 IgM and IgG. The rate of susceptibility for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among pregnant women was 89 (97.8%). Conclusion: Low prevalence rate of HSV-2 seropositivity was appeared among pregnant women in studies area. However, it's necessary to focus on the women that demonstrated susceptibility for herpes simplex virus type 2 infection