The Presence and Seroprevalence of Arthropod-Borne Viruses in Nasiriyah Governorate, Southern Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study

The knowledge on the presence and seroprevalence of arboviruses in Iraq is fragmental. To assess the exposure of the population to arbovirus infections in southern Iraq, we conducted a serological screening of the most common arbovirus groups using immunofluorescence, hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization tests. Serum samples of 399 adult volunteers were collected in Nasiriyah, Iraq. Antibodies were detected against West Nile virus (WNV) (11.6%), sandfly-borne Sicilian virus serocomplex (18.2%), sandfly-borne Naples virus serocomplex (7.8%), Sindbis virus (1.5%), chikungunya virus (0.5%), and Tahyna virus (2.0%). The results suggest that WNV and sandfly-borne phlebovirus infections are common in southern Iraq, and these viruses should be considered as potential causative agents in patients with febrile disease and/or neurological manifestations.

Supramolecular spectral studies on metal-ligand bonding of novel quinoline azodyes

A series of novel bidentate azodye quinoline ligands were synthesized with various p-aromatic amines like p-(OCH3, CH3, H, Cl and NO2). All ligands and their complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR data and spectroscopic studies. IR and (1)H NMR studies reveal that the ligands (HLn) exists in the tautomeric azo/hydrazo form in both states with intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The ligands obtained contain NN and phenolic functional groups in different positions with respect to the quinoline group. IR spectra show that the azo compounds (HLn) act as monobasic bidentate ligand by coordinating via the azodye (NN) and oxygen atom of the phenolic group. The ESR (g|| and g ) and bonding α(2) parameters of the copper ion were greatly affected by substituting several groups position of ring of quinoline and p-aromatic ring. The ESR spectra of copper complexes in powder form show a broad signal with values in order g|| >g > ge > 2.0023. The value of covalency factor β and orbital reduction factor K accounts for the covalent nature of the complexes. All complexes possessed an octahedral and square planar geometry. The thermal properties of the complexes were investigated using TGA and DSC. It is found that the change of substituent affects the thermal properties of complexes.

Fusariotoxicoses of farm animals and mycotoxic leucoencephalomalacia of the equine associated with the finding of trichothecenes in feedstuffs

Mycotoxicoses involving horses, rabbits and cattle have been studied. Fusarium tricinctum and T-2 toxin were isolated from all incriminated feedstuffs. Other isolated trichothecenes from the feed included HT-2, verrucarins and roridin. The toxins were separated, identified and quantitated using thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. T-2 toxin was detected in amounts varying from 0.5-204 ppm. The contaminated feedstuffs in connection with the affected horses and rabbits, included cereal grains (corn, cornstalks, bran and barley), whereas fescue hay was associated with the mucocutaneous findings in the bovine episode. The effects of the toxin(s) seemed to be host specific and varied according to the different animal species. Horses and rabbits developed primarily central nervous disorders with conspicuous pathological findings in the brain. Hepatitis and nephritis were also seen in naturally intoxicated horses and experimentally fed rats. Affected cattle developed mucocutaneous eruptions around the mouth and nostrils. In addition, dermonecrotic findings were observed involving the extremities, ear and tail. Fusariotoxicoses are toxic conditions of farm animals and man caused by the ingestion of cereal grains and forages contaminated by different fungal species of the genus Fusarium. A variety of clinical and pathological findings have been reported (5,6,10,13,15,17,31). This study concerns neuropathic findings in horses and rabbits and mucocutaneous lesions in cattle in association with T-2 toxin contamination.