Prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in Diyala province, Iraq

Background: Occult HBV infection (OBI) is the absence of hepatitis surface antigens (HBsAg) that is not apparent during detection by serological tests despite the presence of virus DNA. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of OBI infection among various populations in Diyala province, Iraq. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st January to 30th September, 2021, at Ibn Sina Dialysis Center, Baquba Teaching Hospital, Iraq. Three hundred and sixty participants were equally involved (90 individuals for each) from the dialysis department, the thalassemia department, blood bank donation Centre, and the control group. Study populations were screened for HBV Ag, HBV c IgG, HBV c IgM, abusing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, and detecting HB core gene. Demographic data of the study group were recorded. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS Version 25, and the P-value was considered significant wherever it was below 0.05. Results: The positivity rate of serological markers of OBI among the study population was (6.7%) of the participants were HBs Ag positive. Whereas 22 (6.1%) were anti-HBc IgG positive and 3 (0.8%) were anti-HBc IgM positive. The detection rates of the PCR products of 76 participants after amplification using specific primers for (core-gene) have been presented to the gel electrophoresis, which showed none of the 76 participants were positive for the HBc gene. Conclusion: The current study showed a medium percentage of anti-HBc IgG in the serum of the study groups without the presence of HBs Ag, which indicates the presence of a previous infection that was resolved or the occurrence of occult hepatitis B infection. The current study results also showed that the serum of any of the study groups was not positive for the core gene, which confirms the possibility of infection with OBI

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

Epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the Middle East and north Africa: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Chlamydia trachomatis in the Middle East and north Africa is poorly understood. We aimed to provide a comprehensive epidemiological assessment of C trachomatis infection in the Middle East and north Africa. METHODS: We did a systematic review of C trachomatis infection as well as a meta-analysis and meta-regression of C trachomatis prevalence. We searched PubMed and Embase, as well as regional and national databases up to March 13, 2019, using broad search terms with no language or year restrictions. Any document or report including biological measures for C trachomatis prevalence or incidence was eligible for inclusion. We extracted all measures of current (genital or rectal), recent, and ever infection with C trachomatis. We estimated pooled average prevalence in different populations using random-effects meta-analysis. Factors associated with prevalence and sources of between-study heterogeneity were determined using meta-regression. FINDINGS: We identified a total of 1531 citations, of which 255 reports contributed to 552 C trachomatis prevalence measures from 20 countries. No incidence measures were identified. Pooled prevalence of current genital infection was 3·0% (95% CI 2·3-3·8) in general populations, 2·8% (1·0-5·2) in intermediate-risk populations, 13·2% (7·2-20·7) in female sex workers, 11·3% (9·0-13·7) in infertility clinic attendees, 12·4% (7·9-17·7) in women with miscarriage, 12·4% (9·4-15·7) in symptomatic women, and 17·4% (12·5-22·8) in symptomatic men. Pooled prevalence of current rectal infection was 7·7% (4·2-12·0) in men who have sex with men. Substantial between-study heterogeneity was found. Multivariable meta-regression explained 29·0% of variation. Population type was most strongly associated with prevalence. Additional associations were found with assay type, sample size, country, and sex, but not with sampling methodology or response rate (about 90% of studies used convenience sampling and >75% had unclear response rate). There was no evidence for temporal variation in prevalence between 1982 and 2018. INTERPRETATION: C trachomatis prevalence in the Middle East and north Africa is similar to other regions, but higher than expected given its sexually conservative norms. High prevalence in infertility clinic attendees and in women with miscarriage suggests a potential role for C trachomatis in poor reproductive health outcomes in this region. FUNDING: National Priorities Research Program from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)