Genetic HLA Study of Kurds in Iraq, Iran and Tbilisi (Caucasus, Georgia): Relatedness and Medical Implications.

Kurds from Iraq (Dohuk and Erbil Area, North Iraq) have been analyzed for HLA genes. Their HLA genetic profile has been compared with that of other Kurd groups from Iran and Tbilisi (Georgia, Caucasus) and also Worldwide populations. A total of 7,746 HLA chromosomes have been used. Genetic distances, NJ dendrograms and correspondence analyses have been carried out. Haplotype HLA-B*52-DRB1*15 is present in all three analyzed Kurd populations. HLA-A*02-B*51-DRB1*11 is present in Iraq and Georgia Kurds. Haplotypes common to Iran and Iraq Kurds are HLA DRB1*11-DQB1*03, HLA DRB1*03-DQB1*02 and others in a lower frequency. Our HLA study conclusions are that Kurds most probably belong to an ancient Mediterranean / Middle East / Caucasian genetic substratum and that present results and those previously obtained by us in Kurds may be useful for Medicine in future Kurd transplantation programs, HLA Epidemiology (HLA linked diseases) and Pharmacogenomics (HLA-associated drug side effects) and also for Anthropology. It is discussed that one of the most ancient Kurd ancestor groups is in Hurrians (2,000 years BC)

Correspondence analysis.

<p>Correspondence analysis showing a global view of the relationship between Kurds and Mediterranean, Siberians and other World populations according to HLA-DRB1 (low resolutions) allele frequencies in three dimensions (bidimensional representation).</p

SARS-CoV-2 and RT-PCR Testing in Travelers: Results of a Cross-sectional Study of Travelers at Iraq’s International Borders

AbstractBackground:In late 2019, a novel coronavirus was detected in Wuhan, China, that caused a pandemic by September 2021, resulting in 224,180,411 cases and more than 4,600,000 deaths worldwide. In response to the pandemic, the Autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (KRG) imposed strict infection control measures at its borders for all travelers from neighboring countries, wherein each traveler was subjected to a mandatory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on arrival to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected travelers. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of infection with SARS-CoV-2 among the travelers entering Kurdistan region through Ibrahim Al-Khalil crossing point with Turkey as a predictor for the upcoming infection waves.Methods:The data of RT-PCR tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 in all travelers arriving at the Ibrahim Al-Khalil Border Crossing between Iraq and the Republic of Turkey were reviewed from August 21, 2020 to August 21, 2021.Results:It was found that there were 9873 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections among 1,082,074 travelers during the study period.Conclusions:This study shows the importance of mass testing of travelers at border crossings to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection.</jats:sec

Kurds population around the World [14,15].

<p>Kurds population around the World [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0169929#pone.0169929.ref014" target="_blank">14</a>,<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0169929#pone.0169929.ref015" target="_blank">15</a>].</p

Neighbour-Joining dendrogram.

<p>Neighbour-Joining (NJ) dendrogram constructed with HLA-DRB1 allele frequencies showing relatedness between Iraq Kurds and other World populations. Bootstrap values are 100%.</p

HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1 allele frequencies in Iraq Kurds population.

<p>HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, and -DQB1 allele frequencies in Iraq Kurds population.</p

The twelve most frequent HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 extended haplotypes in Kurds.

<p>The twelve most frequent HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1 extended haplotypes in Kurds.</p

Populations used for this study.

<p>Populations used for this study.</p