Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Salmonella typhi infection in Iraq, 2019-2021

INTRODUCTION

Salmonella typhi could infect the intestinal tract and the bloodstream or invade body organs and secrete endotoxins. It is endemic in developing countries. It is increasingly evolving antimicrobial resistance to several commonly used antimicrobial agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was done at Iraqi Communicable Disease Control Center, where all confirmed cases of Salmonella typhi are reported, for a period 2019-2021. All demographic, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients, comorbidities, type of samples, distribution of S. typhi by age and gender, time distribution in each year and profile of bacterial resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics were gathered and analysed.

RESULTS

Most samples were taken from blood. The mean age of cases during 2019, 2020 and 2021 was 18.7 ± 6.5, 17.7 ± 14.1 and 17.3 ± 12.8. Males constituted 56.7%, 58.5% and 39.8%, respectively. Some cases had comorbidities. Most cases had headache and fever. Some of them had nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and epigastric pain. The age and sex were significantly associated with years of reporting. The most months of case reporting were June-July (2019 and 2021), Jan. -Feb. (2020). There was an obvious increase in S. typhi resistance to ceftriaxone (92.2%, 86.1%, 88.8%) and ampicillin (77.1%, 76.9%, 81.27%). There was a gradual increase in sensitivity to tetracycline (83.1%, 88.1%, 94%), cotrimoxazole (86.7%, 86.1%, 92.2%), ciprofloxacin (78.3%, 90.1%, 87.8%) and cefixime (77.7%, 72.3%, 72.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

There was a sharp rise in resistance rates of the S. typhi in Iraq (during 2019-2021) to ceftriaxone and ampicillin, while there were highest sensitivity rates to imipenem, aztreonam and chloramphenicol. The following recommendations were made: (1) Improvement of general hygiene and food safety measures. (2) Emphasis on vaccination and surveillance of Salmonella infection. (3) Rational use of appropriate antibiotics through implementation of treatment guidelines. (5) Educate communities and travelers about the risks of S. typhi and its preventive measures.

The association between COVID-19 and atopy in Baghdad, Iraq, 2022

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has high morbidity and mortality especially in preexisting risk groups. In atopic diseases the IgE and eosinophils are commonly elevated. This study aims to determine the potential association between COVID-19 and atopic diseases in Iraqi patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study done in Baghdad on 112 patients who attended Al-Zahraa Allergic Center. Their demographic characteristics, total IgE, eosinophil counts and PCR result for COVID-19 were determined.

RESULTS

The means for IgE and eosinophils were 245.7±260.1IU/ml and 444.5±117.1cells/microliter sequentially. Around 32.1% had high IgE level (i.e., atopic) and 11.6% had COVID-19. Among the atopic patients, 33.3%, 30.5% and 36.2% had atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma respectively. More than half (58.3%) of them were male, 55.5% aged <45 years, 36.2% were retired or had no job, 69.5% were graduated from secondary school or more and 88.8% lived in urban areas. There is no significant association in IgE level between those with and without COVID-19, which means that exposure to SARS Cov2 virus could not be a trigger or exacerbation for atopic diseases. Also, there was no association between atopic patients with COVID-19 and those without it regarding type of atopy, age, sex, occupation, education, type of living area.

CONCLUSIONS

Atopy is not a risk factor for COVID-19.

Effect of dietary probiotics and stocking density on carcass traits, meat quality, microbial populations and ileal histomorphology in broilers under hot-climate conditions

The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential effects associated with dietary probiotic inclusion and the stocking density on carcass traits, meat chemical composition, meat sensory quality, microbial populations and ileal histomorphology in broiler chickens raised under hot climate conditions. In total, 1800 1-day-old unsexed broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated in a completely randomised design according to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement, with three concentrations of a dietary probiotic (0, 200 and 400 mg/kg) containing 4 × 109 cfu/g of Bacillus subtilis and two stocking densities (12 or 18 birds/m2), forming six treatments, with three pens (replicates) each. The probiotic concentration had no significant (P &gt; 0.05) effect on bodyweight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, carcass percentage and meat chemical composition. Dietary probiotic inclusion significantly (P = 0.02) increased the scores of meat colour and odour. The acceptability score was significantly (P &lt; 0.03) affected by the stocking density. Dietary supplementation of the probiotic at both 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (P = 0.05) reduced the counts of Escherichia coli and Salmonella in the gut and litter. In meat, dietary supplementation of the probiotic at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly (P = 0.03) reduced the counts of E. coli, compared with those of the control group. Moreover, Salmonella was not detected in meat. Regarding the ileal villi and crypt morphology, dietary probiotic supplementation significantly (P = 0.05) increased the height of the villus. There were no significant probiotic concentration × stocking density interactions for any of the investigated parameters, except for the gizzard percentage. Thus, dietary probiotic supplementation in broilers raised under a high ambient temperature had a significantly positive effect on the ileal villus height and a significantly negative effect on the counts of E. coli and Salmonella in the gut and litter. No negative effects on growth performance, carcass parts and meat quality were detected.

Wireless multichannel electroencephalography in the newborn

OBJECTIVES: First, to determine the feasibility of an ultra-compact wireless device (microEEG) to obtain multichannel electroencephalographic (EEG) recording in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Second, to identify problem areas in order to improve wireless EEG performance.

STUDY DESIGN: 28 subjects (gestational age 24–30 weeks, postnatal age <30 days) were recruited at 2 sites as part of an ongoing study of neonatal apnea and wireless EEG. Infants underwent 8-9 hour EEG recordings every 2–4 weeks using an electrode cap (ANT-Neuro) connected to the wireless EEG device (Bio-Signal Group). A 23 electrode configuration was used incorporating the International 10–20 System. The device transmitted recordings wirelessly to a laptop computer for bedside assessment. The recordings were assessed by a pediatric neurophysiologist for interpretability.

RESULTS: A total of 84 EEGs were recorded from 28 neonates. 61 EEG studies were obtained in infants prior to 35 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). NICU staff placed all electrode caps and initiated all recordings. Of these recordings 6 (10%) were uninterpretable due to artifacts and one study could not be accessed. The remaining 54 (89%) EEG recordings were acceptable for clinical review and interpretation by a pediatric neurophysiologist. Of the recordings obtained at 35 weeks corrected gestational age or later only 11 out of 23 (48%) were interpretable.

CONCLUSIONS: Wireless EEG devices can provide practical, continuous, multichannel EEG monitoring in preterm neonates. Their small size and ease of use could overcome obstacles associated with EEG recording and interpretation in the NICU.

Seasonal immunohistochemical reactivity of S-100 and α-smooth muscle actin proteins in the epididymis of dromedary camel, Camelus dromedarius

The S-100 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) proteins have been localised in epididymal tissue of several mammalian species, but there have been no data for a seasonal work in camel. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunoreactivities of S-100 and α-SMA proteins in the epididymis of dromedary camel during breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The immunopositive signals for both proteins were observed in different regions of camel epididymis. S-100-immunopositive signals were noted in both the epididymal epithelium and the intertubular connective tissue, while α-SMA signals were confined to the intertubular connective tissue, especially in the peritubular smooth muscle coat and the blood vessels. This study showed an increase in the intensity of S-100 and α-SMA immunoreactions during the breeding season in different regions of camel epididymis than that seen in the nonbreeding season. In conclusion, epididymis might be considered as a source of S-100 and α-SMA proteins in the camel and the secretion of these proteins showed distinct seasonal variations. Further, S-100 and α-SMA may affect the structural and physiological states of the epididymal duct.

Endometrium in in-vitro fertilization cycles: morphological and functional differentiation in the implantation phase

Secretory differentiation of endometrium after multiple follicular stimulation using gonadotrophin releasing hormone and human menopausal gonadotrophin has been studied both histologically and immunohistochemically in 30 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment. None had embryo transfer. Patients were randomly allocated to receive luteal phase support with a single dose of human chorionic gonadotrophin. The latter failed to produce any significant enhancement of endometrial structure or secretions. Appropriate glandular morphology was present in a greater proportion of those who were successfully stimulated than those who responded poorly. However, defective secretion of the cycle-dependent component studied, using monoclonal antibody D9B1, was demonstrated in two-thirds of cases regardless of the ovarian response. Early vascular maturation in the stroma was a common finding, and was thus considered as a feature of structural modulation of these endometria.

Serum inhibin as an index of ovarian function in women undergoing pituitary suppression and ovarian stimulation in an in vitro fertilization program

Serum inhibin concentrations, determined by radioimmunoassay, were measured in women undergoing pituitary suppression with buserelin and subsequently ovarian stimulation with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG). Three types of treatment cycle were investigated, namely (1) cycles showing a normal ovarian response and resulting in a pregnancy; (2) cycles showing a poor response to the hMG, and (3) cycles previously showing a poor ovarian response but augmented with biosynthetic human growth hormone. Good correlations were seen between serum inhibin concentrations and serum progesterone in the luteal phase prior to buserelin (Rs = 0.68), serum oestradiol on the 8th day of hMG administration (Rs = 0.82) or the day of ovulatory trigger (Rs = 0.78), and the number of follicles greater than or equal to 14 mm on the day of ovulatory trigger (Rs = 0.71). These results show inhibin to be a good index of ovarian function in women exhibiting a range of ovarian responses to stimulation in an in vitro fertilization program.

The use of biosynthetic human growth hormone to augment ovulation induction with buserelin acetate/human menopausal gonadotropin in women with a poor ovarian response

The present study has demonstrated the usefulness of GH in augmenting buserelin acetate/hMG to stimulate the rate of growth of follicles in women regarded as poor responders. The PR achieved was extremely encouraging in a group of patients whose prognosis was otherwise poor. Further studies are required to confirm these preliminary data.

Fertilization in vitro of supernumerary oocytes following gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)

Gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) was performed in 130 treatment cycles over a 17-month period. In 91% (118/130) of the cycles one or more oocytes were available for insemination in vitro and only GIFT cycles with supernumerary oocytes were included in the present study. Pituitary and ovarian suppression was achieved with buserelin followed by stimulation of multifollicular development by human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG). Failure of supernumerary oocytes to fertilize was associated with a significantly reduced pregnancy rate (3/23; 13%) compared to cycles where fertilization occurred in vitro (35/95; 37%). These findings demonstrate that the outcome of IVF of supernumerary oocytes may be of particular diagnostic value in couples where the female partner has not conceived following treatment by GIFT after pituitary down-regulation with buserelin and ovarian stimulation with HMG.

Endocrine changes in women conceiving during treatment with an LHRH agonist

We report on eight patients who conceived during pituitary desensitization with buserelin in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Pregnancy was diagnosed between day 12 and 21 of buserelin administration. Analysis of serum luteinizing hormone on day 12 showed that pituitary desensitization occurred in conjunction with increasing production of ovarian steroid hormones. Serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) were less than 10 IU/l on day 1 of buserelin administration for seven of the eight patients. The serum concentration of HCG on day 12 showed a median value of 722 IU/l (range 14.6-798 IU/l). Five of the eight patients were given HCG support (10,000 IU) following the diagnosis of pregnancy--three of these patients have ongoing pregnancies and the remaining two had blighted ova on scan. Of the remaining three patients, one had a singleton pregnancy which miscarried at 9 weeks, one had a blighted ovum on scan and bled per vagina shortly after this, and one bled per vagina prior to a scan being carried out. Our results show that pregnancy can occur during pituitary desensitization with buserelin, despite patients being counselled not to have unprotected intercourse in the cycle during which administration commences. An HCG assay on day 1 of buserelin administration is not helpful. Pregnancy should be suspected when ovarian steroid production persists despite complete pituitary down-regulation.

Use of buserelin in an IVF programme for pituitary-ovarian suppression prior to ovarian stimulation with exogenous gonadotrophins

Daily s.c. injections of buserelin were commenced in the mid-luteal phase of the preceding cycle in 118 women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer. Ovarian and pituitary suppression was said to have been adequately achieved when serum oestradiol was less than 50 pg/ml, serum LH less than 2.0 IU/l, no ovarian cysts greater than or equal to 10 mm diameter were present and menstruation had occurred. Nine groups of women were retrospectively identified after the administration of buserelin for 12 days according to whether pituitary and ovarian suppression had been achieved or not, and the reason for extended buserelin treatment prior to ovarian stimulation. Upon adequate suppression, patients were grouped in terms of the duration of exposure to buserelin, and ovarian stimulation was then started by daily injections of human menopausal gonadotrophin. There appeared to be no differences in the ovarian response for women down-regulated by day 12, 19 or greater than or equal to 26 days; those women requiring extended buserelin treatment did equally well compared to those women down-regulating quickly, in terms of number of oocytes recovered and fertilization rate. Clinical pregnancy rates per embryo transfer were 27/68(40%), 8/33(26%) and 4/17(24%) for those women down-regulated by days 12, 19 or greater than or equal to 26 respectively, and were not significantly different.

Fertilization of human oocytes in vitro by spermatozoa from oligozoospermic and normospermic men

Sperm were isolated from the semen of oligozoospermic (less than 20 x 10(6) sperm/ml) and normospermic (greater than or equal to 20 x 10(6) sperm/ml) men in an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) programme. Oocytes from the female partners were inseminated with either 75 or 100 x 10(3) motile sperm and checked for fertilization after 16-20 h. A significant reduction in the overall fertilization rate of oocytes was seen for the oligozoospermic group compared to the normospermic group, at both insemination concentrations. In the oligozoospermic group, a fertilization rate of 31% (19/61) was achieved when oocytes were inseminated with 75 x 10(3) sperm, and 38% (9/24) when inseminated with 100 x 10(3) sperm. This compared with rates of 57% (397/696) and 64% (650/1018), respectively, for normospermic cases at both insemination concentrations. No evidence of fertilization was seen in 36% (4/11) and 67% (4/6) of oligozoospermic cases when 75 or 100 x 10(3) sperm were used, compared with values of 13% (17/133) and 9% (20/212), respectively, in normospermic cases. After excluding zero cases, the fertilization rate of oocytes for the oligozoospermic group (75%; 9/12) was similar to the normospermic group (70% 650/935) when 100 x 10(3) sperm were used. However, when 75 x 10(3) sperm were used, the fertilization rate for the oligozoospermic group (41%; 19/46) was significantly lower than that of the normospermic group (62%; 397/645). Following the transfer of embryos into the female partner, clinical pregnancies were diagnosed in 2/7 (29%) oligozoospermic cases and 27/267 (10%) normospermic cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pregnancy following intra-tubal insemination in a woman who ovulated prior to gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)

The present report describes the case of a woman scheduled to undergo gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT), but who was found to have ovulated at the time of laparoscopy. She became pregnant following intra-tubal insemination and the value and limitations of such a procedure are discussed.