Cancer patients with Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism and COVID-19 phenotypic expression predisposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Pathogenesis of COVID-19 has been linked to the Angiotensin system. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2) has been recognized as the specific receptor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, serves as a cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that a person's vulnerability to infection may be controlled by how much of the ACE2 gene is expressed. It is also possible that the severity of COVID-19 is related to the equilibrium between ACE1 and ACE2 activity, which has been linked to the etiology of respiratory disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association of ACE1 I/D polymorphism with the severity of Covid-19. The study looked at 113 people-(50 healthy controls, 63 people with Covid). Results for the ACE2 rs4240157 T > C polymorphism were obtained. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the distribution frequencies of variables across the study groups. The ACE1-CC*CT genotype (p = 0.049) and male gender (p0.001) were related to severe COVID-19. COVID-19 severity was found to be associated with the ACE2–CT genotype through multiple logistic regression under the co-dominant inheritance model: CC*CT Allele, 95% CI (0.0104 to 0.2954), Significance level, (0.0007) Odd Ratio (0.0556); CC*TT Allele, 95% CI (0.1854 to 6.1927), Significance level, (0.9386) Odd Ratio (1.0714); and CT*TT (19.2857). This was assuming the ACE2–CC*CT genotype was connected with covid-19 severity. However, the ACE2 polymorphism did not affect the development of illness. In conclusion, male gender, malignancy, and the ACE1 genotype were linked to a negative result of COVID-19. Our results indicated that ACE1-C/T might affect COVID-19 severity; however, this association was hypertensive status-specific. However, this finding needs to be confirmed in additional large samples

Phenotypic and Genotyping Study of Aspergillus Niger: Molecular Detection of Calmodulin, 18srRNA and Pepsin like Protease Genes Based on Multiplex PCR

Aims: Aspergillosis can be diagnosed using PCR. For this purpose, the genes encoding the 18S rRNA, Calmodulin and Pepsin-like protease genes of Aspergillus niger, were elucidated. Genus specific sequences could be identified in region of 18S rRNA. Methodology: 24 fungal strains were isolated from different localities of Al-Hillah city. Isolates were screened for glucose oxidase production using submerged fermentation and molecular techniques like 18S rRNA. DNA was isolated and amplified using PCR. Gene sequencing was done and homology analysis was studied. Rate of glucose oxidase production was also analyzed. Results: The method described in this study represents a rapid and reliable procedure to assess the presence in food products of two ochratoxigenic species of section Nigri. Glucose oxidase hyper producing isolate was identified as A. niger strain. The F17 strain gave best reproducible results (87. 5±0.05U/g of cell mass) after 72 h. of fermentation at 30ºC and at a medium pH of 7.2.The 18srDNA  was used to detect A. niger was very affective. The identification and isolation of tannase gene from A. niger which is considered as an important bioreactor and industrial fungus were reported Conclusion: Our results revealed that Glucose oxidase was produced naturally by A. niger in large quantity instead of using other manipulation techniques of genetic. The PCR technique we have used appears to be adequate to study a large group of microorganisms (fungi) and it help to identify risk of pathogenicity of aspergillosis. Keywords:Aspergillus niger, Calmodulin, Pepsin-like protease, 18S rRNA, aspergillosis,  Tannase

Genetic Study of TORCH Infections in Women with Bad Obstetric History: Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Common Pathogens and Agents of Congenital Infections

To revealed the incidence of TORCH infections among pregnancy wastage in women which had bad obstetric history (BOH). METHODS: The study included 132 women with bad obstetric history. Genetic evaluation for TORCH infections was carried out by specific primers designed for that purpose using PCR method. RESULT: Toxoplasma was 36.36%, rubella 20.45%, cytomegalovirus 29.55% and herpes simplex virus 13.64%. Maximum number of cases of abortion 52 (39.39%), preterm labor 29 (21.96%) was associated with toxoplasma infection, early neonatal deaths 19 (14.39%) were maximally associated with toxoplasma and CMV infections. while congenital malformations 14 (10.6%) were evident maximally with toxoplasma infection and intrauterine death 8 (6.06%). CONCLUSIONS: Women with BOH are significantly higher in infection compared with that in control. A previous history of pregnancy wastage, genetic infestation using specific primers for TORCH agent’s detection and the serological reaction for TORCH infections during current pregnancy must be considered while managing BOH cases so as to reduce the adverse fetal outcome

Seroprevalence study of IgG and IgM Antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex II in Pregnancy women in Babylon Province

In this work 180 blood samples was collected from pregnant women in Babylon province, Babylon maternity and children hospital from October/2008 to April/2009. It revealed that TORCH infections was; Cytomegalovirus formed (CMV) 57.2% followed by Toxoplasma gondii 55.5% Rubella 53.9%, Herpes simplex II 28.9% and Chlamydia trachomatis 24.4%. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes IgM Antibodies according to various obstetric losses showed that Abortions happened in all causes with high percentage (Over than 30%) except Herpes infections (less than 6%), while congenital anomalies and premature delivery formed high ratio with some different in some cases. Neonatal deaths are very low under 1% except in CMV infections which formed 4.9%. Distribution of age with type of infection according IgM Antibodies to Toxoplasma, Rubella, CMV, Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes simplex revealed that major age group for infection was between <20 to 40 years which formed more than two third of all infection cases. Residential distribution with type of infection according IgM Antibodies shows that most infection occurred in rural area (over than 50% in all agents) except in Herpes simplex infections which formed 82.7% in urban area. TORCH (Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex) infections with incidence of abortion in pregnant women in this study revealed that First trimester was the highest ratio of infection than other two trimesters

Detection of virulent genetic markers like bla tem, bla imp1 of pathogenic e. coli strain isolated from Iraqi frozen chicken meat

This research was conducted at the Department of Biology, College of Science faculty for Women, University of Kufa, Iraq. From August 2020 to April 2021, one hundred twenty samples (frozen chicken) were collected from various brands (15) and origins (5) from various locations in AL-Najaf Province. The goal of this study was to look at the incidence of Escherichia coli with extended-spectrum -lactamase genes (blaTEM, bla IMP1) in chicken meats in Iraq. The samples were obtained aseptically in a sterile plastic container then transferred to the laboratory inside an icebox for bacteriological investigation. The results revealed that Escherichia coli had the highest percentage(33, 27%)out of 120 of bacterial species isolated from frozen chicken meat then  Enterobacter clocace ssp dissolvens(30, 25%) then different species as Klebsiella pneumonia ssp pneumonia( 21,18%), Klebsiella oxytoca (10,8%), Staphylococcus lantus  (5,4%), Enterococcus faecalis  (5,4%), Enterococcus gallinarum ( 3,3%), Enterobacter kobi (4,3%), Leclercia adecarboxylata(2,2%), Kluyvera cryocrescens (3,2.5%), Vagococcus fluvialis(2 ,2%), Enterobacter hormaechei (1,1%), Enterobacter ludwigii(1,1%). Recognition of resistance genes by PCR test yielded a negative outcome to  bla IMP1 identification in all Escherichia coli  isolates, while 8 (24.2 percent) of isolates were positive for blaTEM gene of Escherichia coli  out of 33 examined isolates

The Association of cagA, vacA, babA2, babB and oipA of Helicobacter pylori with Risk of Gastric Carcinoma Development

Background & Objective: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), carried by more than half of the world population, is a major cause of chronic duodenal and gastric ulcers, gastritis and carcinoma. Colonization and toxin production include major virulence traits of H. pylori. The aim of this study was to assess the existence of H. pylori and virulence factors among patients with risk of gastrointestinal carcinoma (GC) in an Iraqi population. Materials & Methods: During May 2016- October 2020 in Babylon, Iraq, a total of 500 biopsy samples were obtained from gastric tissue of patients with GC, gastritis, duodenitis, duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer and cultured onto the Brucella agar. H. pylori isolates were identified using conventional biochemical and molecular tests. Molecular identification was conducted by amplification of glmM gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The adhesin (babA2, babB and oipA) and toxin (cagA and vacA) genes were also amplified using PCR technique. Results: Among 500 biopsy samples, 269 (110 from males and 159 from female patients) H. pylori isolates were identified. The age range of patients was 14-69 years (mean age=47.34±7.23). The babA2 and babB genes were detected in 59.47% and 59.10% of isolates, respectively. Notably, babA2 was observed in 89% of GC and 64% of DN strains being significantly more associated with GC and DN (<0.0001 and 0.028, respectively). Furthermore, babB-positive strains were significantly (0.042) more associated with PG. The rate of cagA and vacA was 44.60% and 48.32%, respectively. The cagA was detected in 64.73% of GC, and 100% of PG and DN strains with a significant association. We detected the oipA in 58.36% of strains which was significantly associated with GC (74%, P=0.0001), PG (88%, p<0.0001) and DN (84%, p<0.0001) as compared to oipA-negative strains. Conclusion: The existence of H. pylori babA2, cagA and oipA virulence genes was associated with GC, DN and PG. As these genes play a crucial role in the development of gastric carcinoma, accurate control measure toward hindering the colonization of pathogenic strains is essential