MOLECULAR STUDY OF BLASTOCYSTIS HOMINIS ISOLATED FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF DIYALA GOVERNORATE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To detect the infection rate of Blastocystis hominis in children less than 10 years old with diarrhea in Diyalaby polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, to determine the subtype of Blastocystis hominis by sequencing the product of the positive result, and to determine the association between Blastocystis hominis infection and different factors such as gender, age, the level of mother education and the presence or absence animals in their houses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on children with diarrhea at Al-Batool Teaching Hospital in Diyala governorate, during the period from November 2020 to April 2021, a total of 100 children 55 males and 45 females, then, stool samples were collected and examined by conventional polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Results: The rate of infection with the parasite Blastocystis hominis was 8%, 8 out of 100. The infection was higher among females 62.5% than to males 37.5%, while the positive result was higher in the age group less than two years 75%, the highest percentage occur with patient whose mothers were incomplete primary and primary education was reached 37.5% and 25%; respectively and the study showed the highest percentage was with those who kept animals at homes was 75%. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: According to the genetic analysis of the sequence of eight samples that were positive for Blastocystis hominis parasite using the conventional polymerase chain reaction and they were back to the subtypes 3.

Adaptive Immune Responses in Humans During Nipah Virus Acute and Convalescent Phases of Infection.

BACKGROUND: Nipah virus (NiV) is 1 of 10 potential causes of imminent public health emergencies of international concern. We investigated the NiV outbreak that occurred in May 2018 in Kerala, India. Here we describe the longitudinal characteristics of cell-mediated and humoral immune responses to NiV infection during the acute and convalescent phases in 2 human survivors. METHODS: Serial blood samples were obtained from the only 2 survivors of the NiV outbreak in Kerala. We used flow cytometry to determine the absolute T-lymphocyte and B-lymphocyte counts and the phenotypes of both T and B cells. We also detected and quantitated the humoral immune response to NiV by virus-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Absolute numbers of T lymphocytes remained within normal limits throughout the period of illness studied in both survivors. However, a marked elevation of activated CD8 T cells was observed in both cases. More than 30% of total CD8 T cells expressed Ki67, indicating active proliferation. Proliferating (Ki-67+) CD8 T cells expressed high levels of granzyme B and PD-1, consistent with the profile of acute effector cells. Total B-lymphocyte, activated B-cell, and plasmablast counts were also elevated in NiV survivors. These individuals developed detectable NiV-specific IgM and IgG antibodies within a week of disease onset. Clearance of NiV RNA from blood preceded the appearance of virus-specific IgG and coincided with the peak of activated CD8 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: We describe for the first time longitudinal kinetic data on the activation status of human B- and T-cell populations during acute NiV infection. While marked CD8 T-cell activation was observed with effector characteristics, activated CD4 T cells were less prominent.

Quality of life and its determinants in people with epilepsy in basrah, iraq.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) in people with epilepsy and to evaluate various factors affecting their QOL. METHODS: A total of 116 patients with epilepsy and a control group of 116 apparently healthy persons were included in this case-control study which was conducted at the neurology outpatient clinic of Basrah General Hospital, Iraq. An interview was performed with the use of a special questionnaire, which included data pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics (for patients with epilepsy only). The QOL was assessed with the use of a Short Form (SF-36) health survey. RESULTS: Epileptic patients showed lower overall QOL scores as compared to controls. In the univariate analysis, patients who were older, from rural areas, and with low education and income levels had low er overall QOL scores. Frequent seizures as well as increased duration of epilepsy were also significant factors associated with reduction in QOL scores. In the multivariate regression analysis, age, educational level, income and frequency of seizures were significant determinants of QOL. CONCLUSION: Certain socio-demographic factors as well as clinical factors were crucial in determining QOL in epilepsy patients. Recognition of these factors will lead health professionals to develop different strategies to improve the QOL of those patients.