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Introduction: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) are life-threatening and often linked to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Common types of SCARs include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Immune-mediated mechanisms involving human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this reaction. This study examines the association between specific HLA alleles (HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1) and AED-induced SCARs in the Iraqi population. Methodology: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with SCARs and 90 tolerant controls were recruited from Dr. Saad Al-Wattari Hospital for Neurological Sciences and Baghdad Hospital - Medical City. HLA genotyping was performed using PCR-SSO method from peripheral blood samples. Statistical comparisons were made using the t-test or chi-square test, while univariate logistic regression with Bonferroni's correction (p

ABSTRACT Achromobacter denitrificans is an environmental opportunistic pathogen that is infecting a large number of immunocompromised patients. A more recently identified strain from the historical collection of strains of Achromobacter denitrificans is Achromobacter mucicolens. In hosts with a variety of underlying diseases, Achromobacter spp. can induce a wide spectrum of disorders. Because of the bacterium’s intrinsic genetic constitution and resistance gained over time, antibiotics are challenged to handle A. mucicolens. Due to the fact that A. mucicolens is rare and its taxonomy is not completely understood, it is difficult to define clinical symptoms, acquisition risk factors, and thus the best therapeutic course of action. To help comprehend this intrinsic and acquired resistance, we analyzed the entire genome of the A. mucicolens IA strain and utilized bioinformatics methods to estimate the strain's probable drug resistance profile. In our study, we have isolated and cultured a clinically important A. mucicolens strain and subjected it to antimicrobial susceptibility tests against antibiotics in the Vitek 2 testing system. The strain’s genome sequence as well as an investigation of 27 of its phenotypic traits provides important information regarding this pathogen. The genome of this A. mucicolens IA strain possesses a number of antibiotic resistance genes that code for efflux pump systems and other antibiotic-regulating as well as -modifying enzymes. Our research analysis predicted genes involved in drug resistance, including genes for efflux pump systems, antibiotic efflux, antibiotic inactivation, and antibiotic target alteration. In vitro studies validated the genomic evidence for its ability to exhibit resistance against a wide range of antibiotics. Our investigation paves the way for more research on understanding the functioning of the key discovered genes that contribute toward the pathogenicity of A. mucicolens and hence gives new information and treatment options for this emerging pathogen. IMPORTANCE Achromobacter species are well-known opportunistic human pathogens that can be found in water and soil and most commonly in hospital settings. They thrive in immunocompromised individuals, producing sporadic cases of pneumonia, septicemia, peritonitis, urinary tract infections, and other illnesses. Achromobacter strains are inherently resistant to a wide spectrum of antibiotics, making them difficult to treat promptly. The strain under study, A. mucicolens, was notably resistant to various antibiotics, and the infection could be controlled only after several rounds of prescription medications at different doses. This consumed a lot of time and put the already immunosuppressed leukemic patient through a great ordeal. The study aimed to raise awareness about the importance of the Achromobacter bacterium’s lethality, and doctors should evaluate the bacterium’s potential for resistance before prescribing antibiotics. Sanitation and other precautions should also be implemented in hospitals and other public places.

Following suicide bombing, human remains usually collected for DNA identification. Human remains affected due to exposure to excessive heat and bomb solid, sharp pieces. The aim of this work is to study the possibility of DNA analyzing of human remains after suicide bombing. Fifteen human remains were received from a place of suicide bombing in Najaf City south of Iraq. The remains were severely affected and cannot recognize morphologically or as it is human or animal origin. DNA extracted from remains by organic method, then quantified by real time PCR kit then analyzed by Powerplex 21 kit using 3130XL Genetic Analyzer. The results showed that seven remains where analyzed successfully while the other remains failed for analysis for both real time PCR quantification or STR analysis. Four remains belong to two persons. This study showed that suicide bombing affects negatively the most remains for STR analysis.

Analysis of touched DNA from crime scenes is fundamental in forensic DNA laboratories. Many factors affect the recovery of DNA from touched surfaces and then affect the quality of the final results. The aim of this work is studying the possibility of recovery suitable amount of DNA from ltouched portable computer. The computer was cleaned with 10% Bleach then touch and DNA collected for extraction by Organic method and two STR regions D5S818 (115-163bp) and FGA (308-464bp) were amplified. The results showed that it is possible to isolate a proper amount of DNA from touched portable computer where it was amplified and then analyzed by Agarose gel electrophoresis. The conclusion is that portable computer is suitable source for forensic analysis.

Back ground: It is important to establish STR database for future applications in forensic and paternity tests to gain a reliable evaluation for statistical analysis and that STR database would be more representative. Objective: The objectives of this study are establishing autosomal STR database for the population of Hilla City. Material and methods: DNA was extracted and purified from sixty six individuals from Hilla city by Prepfiller kit. Extracted DNA quantified by Quantifiler real time PCR kit. Fifteen autosomal STR loci (Identifiler) were amplified then analyzed by Genetic Analyzer. All kits supplemented by Applied Biosystem, USA. Results: All samples amplified and analyzed successfully. Allele frequency and forensic parameters were determined. Conclusion: We can conclude that we can use this database for further forensic and paternity applications.

Molecular analysis of touch DNA samples from pistol surfaces is important for crime scene investigation. In this study touched samples were collected from different parts of pistol. DNA extracted and quantified using different methods, then analyzed by mtDNA sequencing and STR profiling. The results showed that pistol surfaces can be analyzed by mtDNA sequencing but not full STR profiled. These results indicated the need for improving DNA extraction and STR profile kits for analysis low DNA amount.

تعتمد الشرطة في العالم على الفحوصات الوراثية لتوجيه الاتهام الى المشتبه بهم كما تعتمدها المحاكم المختصة في اصدار احكامها. تمتاز الفحوصات الوراثية بدقتها وحساسيتها لتراكيز قليلة من الحمض النووي. قد لايترك الجناة اثار مادية واضحة للعيان تكشف هويتهم لكن ملامستهم لسطوح في مسرح الجريمة قد يترك بعض من الخلايا التي تدل على هويتهم. يحاول الباحثين تطوير طرق لجمع الخلايا وعزل الحمض النووي للحصول على كمية مناسبة قابلة للتحليل بالاجهزة المتاحة. يعرف الحمض النووي المعزول من السطوح المختلفة بعد لمسها بالحمض النووي التلامسي. عوامل كثيرة تلعب دورا في الحصول على كمية مناسبة من الحمض النووي قابلة للتحليل منها مايتعلق بطبيعة الفرد الذي لامس السطح ومنها مايتعلق بطبيعة السطح الذي تم لمسه ومنها مايتعلق بطريقة الجمع واستخلاص الحمض النووي والتحليل الوراثي.

The increasing resistance of staphylococci to ß -lactam antibiotics has become a major clinical problem. Development of rapid and sensitive techniques for detection of MRSA is an important aim for public health. A duplex PCR were established for specific identification of methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in clinical samples. In this work a duplex SYBR Green real time PCR was developed for rapid identification of MRSA in local methicillin-resistance S. aureus isolates. Twenty methicillin-resistance S. aureus isolates, as determined by disc diffusion method, were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR amplification. Two genes were amplified successfully, mecA (533bp) and femA (314bp), as targets for methicillin-resistance and specific identification of S. aureus, respectively using conventional PCR. Sensitivity of the duplex PCR showed that the minimum concentration of DNA that gave positive results for the two genes was 30ng/µl. In order to develop rapid and sensitive test for identification of MRSA, serial dilutions of purified DNA were amplified gradually according to their concentrations using SYBR Green real time PCR. These results indicated that the SYBR Green real time PCR can be used for identification of methicillin-resistance S. aureus (MRSA) in clinical

holera toxin (CT) is a major virulence factor of V. cholerae causing water diarrhea. The detection of CT-producing V. cholerae using conventional culture-, biochemical- and immunological-based assays is time-consuming, laborious, and requiring more than three days perform. In this work a specific primers for ctxB gene were used for detection of V. cholera in water samples. Few colonies of V. cholera were suspended in water and used as a template in PCR reaction for the detection of ctxB gene. The 391-bp sequence of a gene that codes for the cholera toxin B subunit was amplified by PCR. Direct use of V. cholerae pure culture for PCR replaces the need for DNA extraction or boiling. Increase the concentration of MgCl2 enhances the efficiency of amplification. The specificity of the assay was determined to be specific for V. cholerae but not for, vibrio related bacteria, E. coli, Non-Agglutinable (NAG) V. cholerae, and Aeromonas sp.

Background: Chicken antibodies have many advantages to the mammalian antibodies and have several important differences against mammalian IgG with regard to their specificity and large-scale production. In this study, the production, purification, and HRP conjugation of polyclonal IgY against hepatitis virus surface antigen (HBsAg) were carried out. Materials and Methods: Single Comb White Leghorn hens were immunized intramuscularly with hepatitis B vaccine in combination with Freund′s adjuvants. Blood and eggs were collected before and during ten weeks after the first immunization. Results: A highly purified of 180 KDa with specific activity of 200 mIU/ml was obtained by our purification protocol. One milligram of the purified IgY was labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Sandwich ELISA was used to determine the optimum titer of anti-HbsAg IgY-conjugate which was found to be 1:20. Conclusions: This study showed that laying hens can be used as an alternative source for production of polyclonal antibodies against HBsAg and anti-HBs IgY could be labeled with HRP enzyme and could subsequently be used successfully as secondary antibody in ELISA for detection of HBsAg in the patients sera.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale., Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis., Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017., Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis., Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68])., Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs.