Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection among Children under 2 Years Old in Hillah City, Iraq

Objective: To reveal the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated with lower respiratory system infections (LRI) in children under 6 years old. Methods: RSV antigen was detected in the children aged less than 2 years by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), performed on nasopharyngeal specimens from children admitted to children and maternity hospital in addition to those who came to outer clinic in Al-Hillah city, Iraq. Results: Among children aged < 2 years, the incidence of RSV-associated LRI per 350 child-years was 68 positive cases. The majority of RSV cases occurred in infants. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that RSV contributes to variable burden of LRI in children aged < 2 years in Al-Hillah city, Iraq. The probable descriptions for this deviation are social factors, patterns of seeking health care and differences in clinical characterizations used for obtaining samples. The age distribution of cases indicates the need for an RSV vaccine that can protect children early in life. Keywords: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); Respiratory tract infections (RTI); Infant

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Antibiotic resistance pattern to different isolates in Al-Hillah city, Iraq

Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Ps. aeruginosa) considered as most important bacteria which can isolated from various kinds of infection. This study tries to survey the infections caused by Ps. aeruginosa especially medical and surgical care units and try to reveal the antimicrobial agents susceptibility against Ps. aeruginosa. Material and Method: This study was conducted during September 2012 to February 2013. During this period total of 285 samples were tested and showed growth of bacteria. The isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were selected on the basis of their growth on Nutrient agar pigmented and non-pigmented colonies with oxidase positive and on routine MacConkey medium which showed lactose Non-fermenting pale colonies. Antimicrobial susceptibility of all the isolates was performed using disc-diffusion (Modified-Kirby Baur method) according to CLSIs guidelines. Result: In present study, maximum isolates of Ps. aeruginosa isolated from various samples. The isolates were obtained from different clinical specimens, including pus, urine, respiratory fluids, blood, tissue, and genitalia. All the clinically isolated samples were identified as P. aeruginosa. Out of 285, 74.04% are males and 25.96% are females. Most of patients were aged between 27-48 years. Approximately half the isolates tested were from community patients, mostly from infections of the Wound/Pus (22.46%), urinary tract (22.11%), Swab (18.6%) and Respiratory Tract (15.09%). P. aeruginosa strains screened showed sensitivity to AK \Amikacin, E \Erythromycin and P\Penicillin while showed resistance to penicillin, erythromycin, and norfloxacin, AX \Amoxicillin, AMC \Amoxicillin + Clavulanic acid, AZM \Azithromycin. Conclusion: To prevent the spread of the resistant bacteria, it is critically important to have strict antibiotic policies while surveillance programs for multidrug resistant organisms and infection control procedures need to be implemented

Antibacterial Activity of the Crude Phenolic, Alkaloid and Terpenoid Compounds Extracts of Lactuca serriola L. on Human Pathogenic Bacteria

Objective: To reveal the effect of the crude phenolic, alkaloid and terpenoid compounds extracts of Lactuca serriola L. on some Human Pathogenic Bacteria.Methods: Antibacterial activities of the crude Phenolic, Alkaloid and Terpenoid of medicinal plant were determined by in vitro by agar diffusion-method against some human pathogenic bacteria.Results: obtained results showed that among nine pathogenic bacteria, only Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus Gram-positive were susceptible for Terpenoid, Alkaloid and Phenolic compounds while Staphylococcus epidermidis was resistant to active compounds.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that we can conclude that the effect of active compounds in same plant has different effect on different pathogenic organisms in different concentration. Keywords: Antibacterial Activity; Lactuca serriola L; Pathogenic Bacteri

Prevalence and Physiological analysis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis infections at care center in Babylon province

This study was done on the 142 patients suffering from meningitis infection depending on the physician's diagnosis from January 2009 to June 2009. Most specimens was collected in Babylon maternity and children hospital because the age group in this study was (<1-10 years). Blood and CSF specimens were collected, microbiological and biochemical tests were carried. obtained results showed that the most common bacterial causing meningitis was Streptococcus pneumoniae (23.94%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.197%), Neisseria meningitides (14.084%), Escherichia coli (14.084%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (11.97%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.338%), Staphylococcus spp. (3.521%) and Acinetobacter spp (1.408%), while Negative Culture formed  (8.45%). Physiological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in acute bacterial meningitis showed that protein (mg/dl)>500, glucose <40 mg%, CSF/blood glucose <0.4, CRP > 24 mg/L, PMN (%)>80 and white blood cell (cells/mm3) different than normal values indicated of bacterial acute meningitis. Corresponding factors associated with acute bacterial meningitis like sinusitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, chronic otitis media, diabetes mellitus and malignancy was reported. Age and sex distribution of meningitis causes revealed that the main age group of infection was (<1-5 years) and there is no significant differences between male and female infections. Keywords: Meningitis, Bacteria, Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, N. meningitide

Prevalence and Physiological analysis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis infections at care center in Babylon province

This study was done on the 142 patients suffering from meningitis infection depending on the physician's diagnosis from January 2009 to June 2009. Most specimens was collected in Babylon maternity and children hospital because the age group in this study was (<1-10 years). Blood and CSF specimens were collected, microbiological and biochemical tests were carried. obtained results showed that the most common bacterial causing meningitis was Streptococcus pneumoniae (23.94%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.197%), Neisseria meningitides (14.084%), Escherichia coli (14.084%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (11.97%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.338%), Staphylococcus spp. (3.521%) and Acinetobacter spp (1.408%), while Negative Culture formed  (8.45%). Physiological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in acute bacterial meningitis showed that protein (mg/dl)>500, glucose <40 mg%, CSF/blood glucose <0.4, CRP > 24 mg/L, PMN (%)>80 and white blood cell (cells/mm3) different than normal values indicated of bacterial acute meningitis. Corresponding factors associated with acute bacterial meningitis like sinusitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, chronic otitis media, diabetes mellitus and malignancy was reported. Age and sex distribution of meningitis causes revealed that the main age group of infection was (<1-5 years) and there is no significant differences between male and female infections. Keywords: Meningitis, Bacteria, Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, N. meningitide

Spectral analysis and anti-bacterial activity of methanolic fruit extract of Citrullus colocynthis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds often referred to as secondary metabolites. Thirty three bioactive phytochemical compounds were identified in the methanolic extract of Citrullus colocynthis. The identification of phytochemical compounds is based on the peak area, retention time molecular weight and molecular formula. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of C. colocynthis revealed the existence of the methyl 6-oxoheptanoate, hexanoic acid, 2-isopropyl-2-methyl- 5-oxo-, methyl ester, dodecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy, benzofuran,2,3-dihydro, 1,1-Cyclopropanedimethanol, 2-methyl-α-phenyl, 1,1-cyclopropanedimethanol, 2-methyl-α-phenyl, 12,15-octadecadiynoic acid, methyl ester, (5ß)pregnane-3,20ß-diol, 14α,18α-[4-methyl-3-oxo-(1-oxa-4-azabutan, 3-(N,Ndimethyllaurylammonio) propanesulfonate, 2H-1-benzopyran-3,4-diol,2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)- 3,4dihydro-6-met, 11,13-dihydroxy-tetradec-5-ynoic acid, methyl ester, Cyclopenta[1,3]cyclopropa[1,2]cycloheptan-3(3aH)-one,1,2,3b,6,7, 4-(2,4,4-trimethyl-cyclohexa-1,5- dienyl)-but-3-en-2-one, 1-tetradecanamine,N,N-dimethyl, α-D-glucopyranoside, O-α-D-glucopyranosyl- (1,fwdarw.3)-ß-D-fructo, acetamide, N-methyl-N-[4-(3-hydroxypyrrolidinyl)-2-butynyl]-, 9- octadecenamide,(z)-, butyrophenone,2´,3,4´,6´-tetramethyl-, ethyl 5,8,11,14,-eicosatetraenoate, 9,12,15- octadecatrienoic acid, 2,3,-dihydroxypropyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)-, 1H-cyclopropa[3,4]benz[1,2-e]ezulene - 5,7b,9,9a 476.241018tetrol,1a,1b,4,4a, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, 9,10-Secocholesta -5,7,10(19)- triene-3,24,25,-triol,(3ß,5Z,7E)-, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid,2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)-, triazido-(1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopenta-2,4-dienyl)-german, ethyl iso-allocholate, α-N-Normethadol, Octadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester, phthalic acid , decyl oct-3-yl ester, 1,2- Benzenedicarboxylic acid , bis(8-methylnonyl)ester, phthalic acid, di(6-ethyl-3-octyl)ester, y-tocopherol, 1,4-ethanonaphthalene -6,9(4H)-dione,1,4a,5,8a-tetrahydro-4,5,7,10 and vitamin E. Methanolic extract of bioactive compounds of C. colocynthis was assayed for in vitro antibacterial activity against Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aerogenosa, P. mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia by using the diffusion method in agar. The zone of inhibition was compared with different standard antibiotics. The diameters of inhibition zones ranged from 4.91±0.260 to 1.03±0.200 mm for all treatments.Key words: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, phytochemicals, Citrullus colocynthis

Study of Bacterial infection associated with male infertility in Hillah city-Iraq

Objectives: To identify bacterial species present in the lower genital tract of males and to investigate the relationship with semen quality and male infertility. Methods: The microscopic analyses, cultures and ELISA technique of 175 semen and serum specimens, collected over 9 months from males investigated for infertility, were prospectively assessed. Results: One hundred and seventy five seminal fluid, blood and serum specimens were collected from men investigated for infertility over a period of 9 months (from April 2011 to December 2011) were analyzed. The seminal fluids and serum of patients mentioned to the laboratory from the fertility clinics of Babylon maternity and children Hospital and outer clinics. The results had shown that from 17 microbial species there are, Ureaplasma urealyticum 4.938272 %, Ureaplasma parvum 2.160494 %, Mycoplasma hominis 2.469136 %, Mycoplasma genetalium 5.864198 %, Chlamydia trachomatis 9.876543 %, Streptococcus pyogenes 8.641975 % , Staphylococcus aureus 11.11111 %, Staphylococcus epidermidis 12.03704 %, Staphylococcus saprophyticus 0.925926 %, Escherichia coli 20.06173 %, Proteus mirabilis 1.234568 %, Proteus vulgaris 2.469136 %, Klebsiella pneumoniae 0.925926 %, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa 1.54321 %, Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2.777778 %, Toxoplasma gondii 6.17284 % and Candida 6.790123 %. Also the infection with microorganisms revealed that it is higher in azoospermic patients than normospermic group (control).   Keywords: Male infertility, ELISA technique, Bacterial infection

Otitis Media; Etiology and Antibiotics Susceptibility among Children under Ten Years Old in Hillah city,Iraq

Background: This is an aerobic bacteriological study of acute otitis media to identify common pathogens and to evaluate their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Otitis media is a major health problem of children in low income countries. Objectives: This study was done to determine the bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility of otitis media from children under 10 years old. Methods: Infected samples were collected from sixty (190) children under ten years old suffering from otitis media from out clinic and Al-Hillah education Hospital in babil, Iraq. Over a 9 months period (September 2012 to May 2013). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using disc diffusion technique as per the standard Kirby-Bauer method. Results: In this study, 48% of patients were males and 52% were females. Patients ranged in age from 0 to 8 years old. 34 percent of patients had no previous visit and regular treatment. The results of the bacteriological studies on the 190 cases showed that microbiological culture was yielded from 190 samples. Pure cultures consist of (166/30.1%) had a single organism isolated from the middle ear discharge, while the remaining or Mixed growth (367/66.37%) had two or more organisms isolated. There were (20/3.62%) samples who had a no culture with any microorganism isolated Conclusion: Otitis media linked with high levels of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major health concern in all age groups of the study population. There is a need for culture and susceptibility test facilities for appropriate antimicrobial therapy of otitis media and antimicrobial resistant infections

Phenotypic detection of resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolates: Detection of (mec A and fem A) gene in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Background: The drug resistant phenomenon is being worldwide concern especially in the last 20 years. Among the most threatening antibiotic-resistant pathogens known are strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus ? (MRSA), they are resistant to ß-lactams and other cell-wall-active agents. In many developing countries, the situation appears gloomy due to inadequate or poor implementation of policy on infection control, lack of political will, inadequate resources including shortage of skilled manpower, poor motivation of health care workers and researchers. Objective: The present study tries to describe an accurate and quick detection for of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance gene of Staphylococcus aureus using PCR technique. Methodology: The mec A gene was amplified to characterize MRSA isolates at species level. The S. aureus ? isolates were analyzed for their susceptibility to different classes of antibiotics using the disk diffusion method. Results: Of the total 429 Staphylococcus aureus isolated, 114 (26.54%) strains were MRSA. MSRA strains were selected for PCR assay. Eighty one MRSA strains (71.05%) were mecA gene positive and thirty three (28.95%) MRSA strains were mecA negative visualized on 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Conclusions: The PCR assay was rapid and accurate procedure for the detection mec A gene of MRSA strains as compared to the conventional methods like cutler, biochemical and microscopically since the time was taken is less and can help efficiently in infection management. Keywords: mec A, fem A, MRSA, SCC, PBP2a, PCR, genes, Staphylococcus aureu

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