HBG2 -158 (C>T) polymorphism and its contribution to fetal hemoglobin variability in Iraqi Kurds with beta-thalassemia minor

PURPOSE: Hemoglobin (Hb) F% is increased in up to half of beta-thalassemia (β-thal) carriers. Several polymorphisms have been linked to such variability in different populations, including HBG2 - 158(C>T) (Xmn I polymorphism) on chromosome 11. To determine the role of this polymorphism in such variability among Iraqi Kurds, the current study was initiated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 102 consecutive patients diagnosed as β-thal minor were enrolled. The enrollees had their diagnosis based on peripheral blood counts and high-performance liquid chromatography to determine HbA2 and HbF. All enrollees had their DNA extracted by phenol-chloroform method and Xmn I polymorphism detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mean age (standard deviation [SD]) of the 102 enrollees was 25.4 (14.0) years, and the enrollees included 48 males and 54 females. Xmn I polymorphism was identified in heterozygous state in 46 (45.1%) patients and in homozygous state in one patient (0.98%). Thus, the minor allele frequency of this polymorphism was 0.235 in the studied group. There were no significant differences in red cell indices and HbA2% in carriers of the minor allele compared to noncarriers, while HbF% and absolute HbF concentrations were significantly higher in the former subgroup (P = 0.032 and 0.014, respectively). This polymorphism's contribution to HbF variability was found to be 5.8% in the studied sample. Furthermore, those with HbF ≥2% were 3.2 folds more likely to carry the minor allele. CONCLUSIONS: Xmn I polymorphism is frequently encountered in Iraqi Kurds with β-thal minor, and it is significantly associated with higher fetal hemoglobin in these patients

A clinical study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a new focus in the Kurdistan region, Iraq.

Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania and is a major health problem in various parts of the world. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) occurs, among others, in unpredictable outbreaks after wars and disasters. After the last war in Iraq, the collapse of the health system led to the spread of infectious diseases, including CL. Between September 2016 and November 2017, all patients with confirmed CL having one or more skin lesion(s) were referred to a regional health center in Musol City within the Rabeea District. During this period, 1539 patients visited the clinic. A total of 190 patients were excluded from the study because of poor follow-up. The treatment success rate was 97.7% (1319/1349). Statistically significant associations were found between number of lesions and treatment failure (p = 0.0018; OR = 1.4430; CI = 1.1466-1.8161), number of doses and number of lesions (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.095; p = 0.001), and the lack of municipality services and number of doses used for the treatment (p = 0.008; OR = 1.0629; CI = 1.0158-1.1122). To conclude, the highest number of patients with CL in the city of Musol was recorded after the war in Iraq. The treatment success rate was high, which reflected the strict treatment and follow-up program. An urgent plan is needed to stop the spread of infection