Lecturer

Microsoft Windows applications (Word, Excel, Office, PowerPoint) – Advanced •

Mendeley is a desktop and web program produced by Elsevier for managing and sharing research papers, discovering research data and collaborating online. It combines Mendeley Desktop, a PDF and reference management application available for Windows,

Isolation and identification of food born pathogens, Specifically, areas of interest which concern food microbiology are food poisoning, food spoilage, food preservation, and food legislation.

Techniques of molecular biology. Molecular cloning. Polymerase chain reaction. Gel electrophoresis. Macromolecule blotting and probing, USING

Kurdistan Biology Syndicate

373

Duhok

ASSOCITION OF MICROBIOLOGISTS OF INDIA

member 469

India

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of cox1 and ITS 1 Gene Fragments of Moniezia Species Isolated from Sheep

Pakistan Veterinary Journal (Issue: 4) (Volume: 42)

Monieziasis caused by Moniezia species is considered the most common gastrointestinal disorder in sheep. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of the tapeworms in the sheep’s intestine in Duhok province, Kurdistan region, Iraq based on molecular techniques. A total of two hundred sheep were examined during the period from January to June 2022. Thirty-two (16%) sheep were harboring Moniezia species, while statistically local sheep were more susceptible to infection (32.3%) as compared to imported sheep (8.1%). Sampled tapeworms were analyzed morphologically and using conventional PCR for amplifying and sequencing of ITS 1 and cox1 gene. The results of PCR confirmed the identity of tapeworms as Moniezia spp. with a product length of 743 base pairs for ITS 1 and 364 base pairs for cox1 gene. The sequencing analysis using cox1 gene revealed that; 25 Moniezia expanse and 7 Avitellina centripunctata while sequence analysis by using ITS 1 gene revealed 20 Moniezia expanse and 12 Moniezia spp. with 99.6-100% homology. This study confirms the prevalence of Moniezia spp. in Iraq by using the ITS 1 and cox1 gene.

Molecular Characterization of Sarcoptes scabiei and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Internally Displaced Children in UNHCR Refugee-IDP Camp

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (Issue: 11) (Volume: 1)

Scabies is a common dermatological condition, frequently associated with pyoderma especially in warm climatic areas causing the most common dermatological infection worldwide. The indirect health impact of scabies complication, including secondary bacterial infection imposes a major cost on health-care systems particularly among internally displaced children in refugee camps. There is inadequate information concerning the genetic diversity of populations of the scabies mites in humans in Iraq. The objective of this study was to measure the strength of association between pyoderma and scabies in addition to genetic characterization and variation in the DNA sequences of Sarcoptes scabiei and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in internally displaced children in UNHCR Refugee-IDP camp in Zakho, Iraq. Molecular characterization was performed using ITS2 rDNA as a specific marker for targeting the nuclear ribosomal DNA of Sarcoptes scabiei and specific primers mecA for targeting the mecA gene of MRSA using PCR techniques. There are no previous studies in Iraq in this direction. The results revealed a 480 bps PCR product amplified from the DNA of S. scabiei isolates and 310 bps PCR product from the DNA of MRSA, which indicating specific detection of S. scabiei var. hominis and MRSA from infected children. Four isolates of scabies and one isolate of MRSA were subjected to DNA sequence of ITS2 and to partial DNA sequence of mecA gene to access the relation with other global isolates. The obtained sequences were submitted to GenBank with the following accession numbers (MW261329, MW261330, MW261331, MW115895, MW165336). PCR assay has increased sensitivity over microscopic examination especially during outbreak investigation of scabies when large number of suspected patients are screened and untreated scabies is often associated with pyoderma

The Incidence of Scabies and Head Lice and Their Associated Risk Factors among Displaced People in Cham Mishko Camp, Zakho City, Duhok Province, Iraq

Polish Journal of Microbiology (Issue: 4) (Volume: 69)

This study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the effects of associated risk factors of scabies and head lice on displaced people in Cham Mishko camp, Zakho city, Duhok Province, Iraq. The study included 1300 internally displaced people (IDPs) who visited the dermatology clinic and health care center in Cham Mishko camp from January 2018 to December 2019. Participants’ bio-information was collected on special questionnaire form after receiving permission from the camp’s health authorities and verbal consent from the participants. Monthly weather data were collected from Duhok Directorate of Meteorology and Seismology. The total rate of ectoparasites was 81.2% (45% for scabies and 36.2% for head lice). Ages from 1–10, 21–30, and 31–40 years showed the highest rates with scabies (48.1%, 46.7% and 46.1%, respectively), while the highest rates of head pediculosis were at ages from 1–10 and 11–20 years (40% and 36.6%, respectively). Scabies rate was slightly higher in males than females (46.6% vs. 43.4%), while the rate of head pediculosis was significantly higher in females than males (58.2% vs. 13.9%). Families with more than ten people showed the highest rates of scabies and head pediculosis (49.5% and 74.5%). Scabies was more common in cold months than in summer while head pediculosis was more common in hot months. The number of scabies and head pediculosis cases increased by 123 and 85 cases, respectively, in 2019. It is inferred that the effects of scabies and head pediculosis in IDPs will be considerable, with a higher carriage rate than other studies in Iraq.

The frequency of the pathogenic bacteria isolated from different clinical samples in Duhok, Iraq

Proceedings of the 1st International Multi-Disciplinary Conference Theme: Sustainable Development and Smart Planning, (Issue: IMDC-SDSP Cyperspace, 28-30 June 202: 363)

Pathogenic bacteria are still considered the most global problematic issue, and they have a significant impact on human health, particularly the Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of the pathogenic bacteria and the related risk factors among patients in Duhok, Iraq. A total of 700 samples (281 from males and 419 from females) from Duhok Teaching Hospital were recruited and analysed. All samples were routinely cultured and identified based on their cultural and biochemical characteristics. Furthermore, the diagnosis was confirmed by using the Vitek2 system. The results showed that the highest rate was for Staphylococcus aureus (31%), and the lowest rate was for Candida albicans (4.4%). The other infections varied in their rates and included 27.7% E. coli, 9.4% Klebsiella pneumonia, 6.1% Acinetobacter pneumonia, 6% Streptococcus spp., 5.4% Enterobacter spp., 5.1% Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 4.7% Proteus mirabilis. Furthermore, the bacteria were mostly recovered from urine (67.1%) and swab (19.6%) specimens. The infection rate was higher in females (58.3%) than males (41.7%). This study suggested that the incidence of pathogenic bacteria is high in Duhok, Iraq. However, it was comparable to the global bacterial pattern with the domination of S. aureus and E. coli.

Present status of Salmonella Typhi in different age groups hospitalized patients in Duhok City, Iraq

ZANCO Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (Issue: 6) (Volume: 31)

Typhoid fever is still recognized as one of the most important global health problem. Salmonella species are the main cause of typhoid fever that causes health threat in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to find out the prevalence and the risk factors of Salmonella Typhi from people presenting with fever to Azadi general hospital, Duhok, Iraq. A total of 2323 patient blood samples (992 males and 1331 females) were collected through the period January 2017 to December 2017. Serologic-proved typhoid fever for Salmonella Typhi was diagnosed by Widal test. Out of 2323 blood samples, 824 (35.47%) were diagnosed as serologic-proved typhoid fever. The highest percentage (37.3%) of typhoid fever was recorded at age group 21–30 years and the less prevalence was at age group more than 51 years (29%) (p=0.4036). No significant differences was found in frequency of typhoid fever in males (35.4%) and females (35.5%) (p=0.9387). The incidence of typhoid fever in June (39%) was significantly higher than the incidence rate in other months of the year (p=0.0086). Typhoid fever has a considerable challenge to public health. The age group 21-30 years is the vulnerable group for typhoid fever. The typhoid fever is independent of sex and it is a seasonal disease with the majority of cases occurring is the June. Awareness should be created in young generation related to polluted water and hygienic food to eradicate this particular infection. Hence, health education classes play an important role in to reduce the infection rate.

The seroprevalence of human brucellosis in different age groups patients and other associated risk factors in Duhok, Iraq

Innovaciencia (Issue: 2) (Volume: 7)

Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease contributing to significant health and economic problems worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence and the associated risk factors of brucellosis among people admitted to Azadi general hospital, Duhok, Iraq. Patients and Methods: A total of 1283 patient blood samples (603 males and 680 females) were collected through the period of January 2017 to December 2017 from people at different age groups admitting Azadi general hospital, Duhok, Iraq. All collected sera were screened for the seroprevalence of Brucella using Rose Bengal plate test kit. Results: Among the 1283 blood samples, the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis was 17.8%. The highest rate was recorded in age group between 21–30 years (22.7%) and the different distribution of human brucellosis among age groups was statistically significant (p=0.0076). The frequency of brucellosis in females (20%) was significantly higher than males (15.3%) (p=026). The distribution of brucellosis according to the seasonal changes was statistically significant (p= 0.003) (25.64% in July and 9.75% in December). Conclusions: The incidence of the brucellosis is high, and it remains a challenging health problem. The age, gender, and seasonal changes are considered as important risk factors for the distribution of the diseases. Surveillance programs and active screening for brucellosis are essential to prevent, control, and to reduce the incidence of the brucellosis.

Phage Therapy Against Biofilm of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae Isolated from Zakho Hospital Samples

Polytechnic Journal (Issue: 1) (Volume: 9)

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes infection in human, especially in immunocompromised patients. About 80% of nosocomial infection caused by K. pneumoniae is due to multidrug-resistant strain. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains necessitates the exploration of alternative antibacterial therapies, which led to studying the ability of viruses that infect the bacteria (known as bacteriophage) to treat infection with K. pneumoniae. Bacterial biofilm which are crucial in the pathogenesis of much clinically important infection and are difficult to eradicate because they exist resistant to many antimicrobial treatment. Biofilm formation by K. pneumoniae is responsible for the catheter associated infection such as urinary tract infection and respiratory tract infection due to the colonization of the polymeric surface by forming multilayered cell cluster embedded in extracellular materials. In this study K. pneumoniae isolated from the hospital environment and characterized it and form the biofilm of that organism by microplate quantitative assay. Similarly bacteriophage specific for K. pneumoniae isolated from river water. The aim of work is the use of bacteriophage as a possible alternative for the treatment of bacterial infection of K. pneumoniae. We showed that biofilm is reduced by isolated phages by the comparative account of colony-forming unit versus plaque-forming unit. The result of this study, therefore, suggests that the timing of starting the phage therapy after initiation of infection significantly contributes toward the success of the treatment

Hydrocarbon Degradation of Oil Pipeline Blockage by Thermophilic Fungi Isolated from Tawke Field

Recent Researches in Earth and Environmental Sciences

Recently major challenges facing oil industrials due to blockage of oil pipelines. Bioremediation technique was used for clearing the blockage of oil pipelines. Soil samples contaminated with Crude oil was collected from Tawke field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Different strains of fungus were isolated from soil and estimated their hydrocarbon degradation efficacy. The fungal efficient for oil degradation was characterized by study their morphology and estimate their substrate utilization. The effect of following parameters such as Temperature, pH, the concentration of oil and NaCl on the efficiency of fungus was studied. The result found that Penicillium expansum has ability to degrade the crude oil at 10% concentration associated with 0.5% NaCl under microaerophilic environment in one week at 55 °C at pH 7. The activity of biodegradation was confirmed by using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). It is one of the major advantage using Penicillium expansum in large scale production as these strains considered thermophilic strains which have merit over using Mesophilic strain due to less cost for cooling during production and minimize the contamination.

Incidence of psychrotrophs bacteria with potential public health implications in ice cream sold in Zakho markets

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (Issue: 10) (Volume: 5)

ABSTRACT Background: Foodborne illness are caused by the consumption of food that is contaminated with either bacteria or their toxins and the most common causes are psychotropic bacteria which cause major public health problem. The aim was to detect and enumerate pathogenic bacteria in locally made ice cream. Methods: 250 locally made ice cream samples were randomly collected from automatic soft machines and dipping cabinets in the markets of Zakho city over a period of ten months starting in July 2016 to May 2017. All collected samples were transported to the microbiology laboratory. The most probable number methods used for detection and enumeration of pathogenic psychotropic bacteria. Results: In general, both types of ice cream samples were showed heavy contamination with aerobic bacteria. The Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) counts exceeded the standard limits in all samples; the count in dipping cabinets' samples was higher than automatic soft machines samples whereas Coliform count in automatic soft machines samples was higher than dipping cabinets' samples. High incidence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes had been detected in all ice cream samples and the range in samples from automatic soft machines were higher than samples obtained from dipping cabinets. Conclusions: This study indicates a high prevalence of pathogenic psychrotrophs in unpacked ice cream and poor hygiene during production, which make local ice cream unsuitable for consumption and it is indicating the need to monitor the hygienic quality of markets and the health authorities must be informed about such cases to avoid food poisoning.

Dental Caries and gingivitis associated with Mutans Streptococci among children

Journal of Oral and Dental Research (Issue: 1) (Volume: 4)

Background Dental Caries is the most prevalent oral disease among children caused by Streptococci mutans, which produces acids that cause tooth surface breakdown and subsequent formation of cavity which encourage growth of bacterial biofilms and cause the gingivitis.Objective The aim was to assess the prevalence of dental Caries and severity of gingivitis among school children and to correlate it with the Streptococcus mutans counts. Materials and Methods Five hundred and eighty (580) school children participated in this study. Dental caries was evaluated by the decayedmissing filled Index (dmft) while gingival index was used for assessed gingival health status. Snyder test was used to determine dental caries activity, Microbial counts of Streptococcus mutans were recorded for each group.Results the study indicates that the prevalence of dental caries had decreased with age from (93.2%) in group A students (7-9 years) to (88.3%) and (85.7%) in group B (10-12 years) and group C (13-15 years) respectively. The mean dmft values have increased with age from 4.5 in group A students to 4.8 in group B and 5.1 in group C. Prevalence of gingivitis increased with age, the mean gingival score were between 1.7 and 2.2. The count of Streptococcus mutans had been increased with age ranged from 4.2×104 cfu/ml to 2×105 cfu/ml and children with severe inflammation gingivitis are more likely to have high counts of Streptococcus mutans. Conclusion Bad oral hygiene and moderate gingivitis are highly prevalent among school children. No correlation was found between the mean dmft and the number of Streptococcus mutans (cfu), High Streptococcus mutans levels showed directly co-associated with increased severity of gingivitis at older ages, indicated a positive correlation was found between the presence of gingivitis and the number of S. mutans

Prevalence of Salmonella species from poultry eggs of local stores in Duhok

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (Issue: 6) (Volume: 5)

ABSTRACT Background: Salmonellosis is one of the foodborne illness acquired by consumption of infected raw or undercooked eggs and causes major public health problem. The aim of this study was isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. from the eggshells and the egg contents samples. Methods: In this study, a total 350 eggs were randomly collected from five local stores in Duhok and Zakho city over a period of 6 months in summer of 2016. Eggs from each local store were collected and transferred to the microbiology laboratory. The conventional culture method used for detection of Salmonella spp. Results: Out of the 350 eggs, seventeen (4.85%) samples of eggshells contaminated with Salmonella spp. and none of the egg content samples were contaminated with Salmonella genus. Out of 17 positive eggs, three different Salmonella serotypes were identified including; Salmonella enteritidis (10 strains), Salmonella typhimurium (5 strains), Salmonella typhi (2 strains). Conclusions: The results of the present study provide the recent dataset of the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in eggs sold at local stores in the city. All isolates showed resistant to tetracycline, oxacillin and sulphadimethoxazole due to the indiscriminate use of these antibiotics in chicken at sub-therapeutic level or prophylactic doses which promotes selection of antimicrobial resistant strains and also increases the human health risks associated with consumption of contaminated quail eggs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Zakho- Duhok city, investigating the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in eggshell and content egg sold at local stores.

The effect of climate temperature and daily water intake on the diversity of uropathogens causing urinary tract infections in adult hospital patients

Diyala Journal of Medicine (Issue: 1) (Volume: 11)

Background: The most frequent bacterium causing urinary tract infection is Escherichia coli followed by Staphylococcus saprophytic. These infections are more prevalent among pregnant women, particularly in summer, due to dehydration and insufficient uptake of drinking water. Objective: To assess the effect of climate temperature on diversity of uropathogens causing UTIs, and investigate whether infection increases during specific months. Patients and Methods: Seven hundred forty one patients aged 20 years or above in General Zakho Hospital was investigated for urinary tract infection status from January to December 2015, and the daily drinking water uptake was assessed. The monthly climate temperatures were analyzed. Urine samples were collected using mid-stream method, and the samples were cultured to isolate uropathogens identified by biochemical tests. Results: The results indicate that 494 (66.66%) out of 741 patients were infected with UTIs, with seasonal trends of a peak plateau from June to July and a sharp decline after September. The percentage of UTI was 71% among patients who drank less than 2 liters of water per day, and 60% for other infections. Pregnant women had significantly higher prevalence of uropathogens due to the physiological changes during pregnancy. E.coli was the most common isolated pathogen (51.7%) in male and female patients. Conclusion: The results support evidence suggesting that dehydration due to low water intake, especially in summer, leads to low urine output, which increases the occurrence of urinary tract infection.

RECOVERY OF FREEZE INJURED PATHOGENIC BACTERIA FROM PACKED ICE CREAM

JOURNAL OF FOOD AND HEALTH SCIENCE (Issue: 3) (Volume: 2)

This research was conducted to recovery and enumerates the Froze injured bacteria isolated from different brands of ice cream sold in Zakho – Duhok markets. A total of 100 samples of ice creams with different flavors (plain, Mix chocolate and Mix fruit) were analyzed. All samples showed aerobic mesophilic bacteria count within the standard. The injured Coliforms bacteria were recovered and the count was exceeded the limits in four brands (Chyaw, Amca, Twin and Mufid) while no coliforms bacteria had been detected in other brands (Adlin, PAK and Bernard) which indicate post-treatment contamination from water, and unpasteurized milk. All brand ice cream show recovery of injured Staphylococcus aureus ranged from (10 MPN/g) to (220 MPN/g). The results indicate that the highest contamination was found in Mix chocolate of PAK brand (220 MPN /g), Mix chocolate of Domino brand (210 MPN/g), Mix fruit and Mix chocolate of Mufid brand (201 MPN/g and 200 MPN/g), which indicate the contamination of flavorings and ingredients during production. None of the samples from Adlin, PAK and Bernard brands showed the presence of injured Salmonella spp. while in contrast of Chyaw, Amca, Twin and Mufid brands which showed heavy contamination ranged from (7 MPN/g) to (250 MPN/g), the highest contamination was found in all types of Twin and Mufid brands followed by Amca brand, which indicate post process contamination or contaminated the tank with raw milk. Results show ice cream is unsuitable for consumed and the need of observing the hygienic quality of markets. The presence of injured pathogenic bacteria in commonly consumed food should be concerned with the consumer, company and government.

Assessment of chlorine resistant bacteria and their susceptibility to antibiotic from water distribution system in Duhok province

Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology (Issue: 6) (Volume: 2)

Chlorination has been most widely practiced method of disinfection for potable waters since the turn of century and principal means by which the microbial quality of water is maintained in Iraq. Khabur river is the main source of our drinking water in Zahko-Duhok city, here chlorine in form of hypochlorous at concentration 2 ppm are most used. In this paper we have attempted to compare sensitivity of microorganisms toward chlorine and also we have tried to determination of chlorine resistance bacteria to antibiotics. Results from our experiment suggest that bacteria isolated from post chlorinated water samples are more resistant to chlorine disinfection than prechlorinated water samples. the isolated organisms are Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus varians and Aeromonas hydrophila fully resistant to chlorine at this concentration and the most resistant bacterium of all isolates is Staphylococci. Although the strains were sensitive to abroad spectrum of antibiotics but the strains show resistant to the most important clinical antibiotics. Suggestion that either the synthesis of unique proteins or aggregation of the bacteria as mechanisms of resistance to inactivation. This study will help us to suggest relevant changes in purification processes for supply of better quality of drinking water to our Municipal Corporation.

International Conference on Advance Science and Engineering 2019 (ICOASE2019)

Iraq, Duhok - Zakho As Presenter

The conference is technically sponsored by IEEE which is represented by IEEE Iraq Section. The conference is jointly organized by the University of Zakho and Duhok Polytechnic University. The Conference is the premier forum for presenting the new results of advanced topics in science, engineering, and their applications. The aim of the conference is to bring together leading academic, scholars and students, in order to discuss theoretical and practical issues through sharing their experiences and research results. Its focus is to create and distribute knowledge about the use of scientific and engineering applications.