Research Article
Transfer of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes from Clinical Serotypes of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to E. coli K12
Mohemid Maddallah Al-Jebouri, Ibraheem Mohammed Al-Rahaley
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 155-165.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.002
Background: It has been shown that about 60% of the multiple-drug-resistant coliform isolates transfer their plasmids to laboratory strains of E. coli, Salmonella, or Shigella. Mostly, the actual transfer frequencies were not determined, nor were the abilities of fecal and environmental strains of Escherichia coli and enteric pathogens to receive the plasmids considered. Materials and Methods: A total of 614 children feces samples (363 diarrhetic from children hospital and 251 healthy children from Mosul nurseries). All children were under three years of age. Fecal samples were transported to research laboratory using nutrient broth as transport medium for rectal swabs. EPEC identification, serotyping and antimicrobial resistance genes transfer were carried out. Results: The R determinants transfer from clinical isolates of E. coli to E.coli K12 and the number were 4, 15 and 7 for tetracycline, trimethoprim and ampicillin and their frequency range of transfer was 3.1 x 10-3 -5 x 10-2, 5.2 x 10-4 – 2.1 x 10-2 and 5.2 x 10-4 – 7.5 x 10-3 for tetracycline, trimethoprim and ampicillin respectively. The frequency range of R resistance determinant transfer for lead, zinc and mercury was 2.6 x 10-4 to 8.3 x 10-2, 1 x 10-3 to 6.3 x 10-3 and 1.8 x10-3 to 2.5 x 10-2 respectively. It was also noticed that the frequency of resistance transfer of disinfectants for receipt ranged between 1.3 x 10-3 to 1.2 x 10-1 which was the highest among all antimicrobial agents tested. Conclusions: Tetracycline resistance determinants exhibited the highest conjugative transfer frequencies, indicating that TE-associated R plasmids are transferred more efficiently than those carrying TMP or AMP resistance. Recipient frequencies were consistently lower than donor frequencies, indicating transfer inefficiency and/or reduced establishment of resistance determinants in the recipient strain (E. coli K12). Forty four serotypes were used for metal resistance transfer and only 29, 2 and 6 serotypes showed transfer for lead, zinc and mercury respectively. The present study revealed that the cetrimide transfer frequency from clinical isolates to E, coli K12 and 12 out of 13 serotypes showed resistance transfer with range from 3.4 x 10-4 to 4.9 x 10-2; 2 of them were of O125 serotype of donors.
Research Article
Immunological and Molecular Detection of Toxocara canis in Dogs and Owners in Babylon Province
Ayat Falah Hassan, Nawras Abdul-Bari Al-Kaabii
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 166-172.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.003
In endemic areas, the zoonotic helminth illness canine toxocariasis, which is caused by Toxocara canis, has a major impact on both public and canine health. This study's objectives were to assess immunological and molecular diagnoses of Toxocara canis, ascertain the disease's prevalence in dogs and their owners in Babylon Province, and assess the impact of sex, age, and geography on infection rates. A total of 150 samples were analyzed; 75 canine fecal samples were designated for molecular diagnosis and the PCR method showed a 54.67% prevalence rate. The ELISA method was used to analyze 75 dog owners' blood samples for the immunological evaluation. demonstrating a 17.33% zoonotic seroprevalence rate. The highest infection and exposure rates were found in the Al-Kifl district, indicating the influence of environmental contamination and husbandry techniques. Infection frequency varied by location. The established stability of this zoonotic agent in the area was supported by phylogenetic and sequencing investigations of three local isolates (PZ507135, PZ507134, and PZ507136), which revealed a high genetic identity (99.4% to 100%) with international isolates from several global lineages. These results highlight the necessity of integrated control measures, such as genetic surveillance, public health education, and stray dog management, to lessen the effects of zoonotic toxocariasis.
Research Article
Diagnostic Performance of Serum IL-10 and IL-17 and Their Association with Disease Severity in Entamoeba Histolytica Infection
Ayat Hassan Ali, Esraa Fadhil Wadhah
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 173-178.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.004
Background: Entamoeba histolytica is the etiologic agent of amoebiasis, a prevalent parasitic disease and a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. The severity of the disease depends on the parasite's virulence and the host's immune response. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a well-known immunoregulatory cytokine. IL-17 is a well-known pro-inflammatory cytokine. Therefore, their concurrent elevation during E. histolytica could be diagnostically useful and have important immunological implications. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in 45 laboratory-confirmed patients diagnosed with E. histolytica infection and 45 healthy controls. Patients were classified into mild (n = 9), moderate (n = 10), and severe (n = 26) groups based on disease severity. The serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were measured by a quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Differences between severity groups were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan's multiple range test. The diagnostic performance of both cytokines was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were markedly elevated in patients with E. histolytica infections compared to healthy controls. The cytokine levels gradually increased with the severity of the disease, and the highest levels were observed in patients with more severe clinical symptoms (P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed excellent diagnostic performance for both cytokines: IL-10 showed remarkable discriminative ability (AUC = 0.995, sensitivity 95.5%, specificity 95.5%), and IL-17 showed excellent discriminative ability (AUC = 0.935, sensitivity 93.2%, specificity 82.6%). Conclusion: Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were significantly associated with disease severity and showed an excellent diagnostic performance in patients with E. histolytica infection. The simultaneous increase of these functionally distinct cytokines may reflect the simultaneous activation of inflammatory and immunoregulatory immune responses during acute amoebic infection. These findings indicate the possibility to use the two cytokines as additional immunological biomarkers for evaluation of disease severity and diagnostic assessment of amoebiasis. Further investigation into the biological significance of the co-elevated levels of both cytokines is required.
Research Article
Effect of Urinary Tract Infections on Hormones at Women in Karbala City
Ashraf Ayyal Mutar Alrashedi
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 179-181.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.005
The current study aims at defining the changes in hormones, related to patient women infected with urinary tract infection in Karbala city. This study has studied 70 blood samples belonged to patient women in Al-hussein educational hospital in karbala. Age is 20-70 years old. The studies samples were compared with 30 blood samples taken from intact women as a control group. Hormonal parameters such as LH, FSH, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone has been measured. The results showed that there is an ideal decrease with LH, FSH and estrogen at the level of (P≤0.05) with patient group compared with the healthy group. The level of progesterone and testosterone concentrations showed an ideal increase with patients compared with the healthy group.
Research Article
Distribution of Antibiotics Resistance Patterns among Enteropathogenic Escherichia Coli Isolated from Infants in Nineva, Iraq
Mohemid Maddallah Al-Jebouri, Ibraheem Mohammed Al-Rahaley
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 182-192.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.006
Abstract: Background: The wide spread use of antibiotics is a major factor that accounts for the increase in their incidence of antibiotic resistance among Gram-negative bacteria especially Escherichia coli both in hospitals and the general environment. Many strains of E. coli carry plasmids which determine resistance to antibiotics (R factors) and which are transmissible to other bacteria. Materials and Methods: A total of 614 children feces samples (363 diarrhetic from children hospital and 251 healthy children from Mosul nurseries). All children were under three years of age. Fecal samples were transported to research laboratory using nutrient broth as transport medium for rectal swabs. EPEC identification and biotics resistance patterns were carried out. Results: The most frequent pattern was (CR, S3, AMP, TE, CAR, S, SXT, K, N, C) with 45 times disseminated among bacteria tested. There were 22 different resistant patterns detected among E. coli isolated from infants in children hospital with three times or more of frequency. The present study revealed that the number of resistant patterns among E. coli isolates of infants in nursery was 15. Conclusions: The present study revealed that among 550 resistant isolates of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) collected from faeces of infants, there were 278 isolates resistant to five or more of antibiotics tested at the same time. The predominance of resistance combinations containing 9–11 determinants demonstrate intense antimicrobial selection pressure in the hospital environment and highlights the widespread occurrence of multidrug-resistant EPEC strains among hospitalized infants. Low-level resistance patterns (1–3 determinants) were present but less dominant. The distribution suggests progressive acquisition of resistance genes, resulting in complex MDR phenotypes.
Research Article
Estimation of Ferritin and Complete Blood Picture of Patients in Kirkuk City, Iraq
Mohemid Maddallah Al-Jebouri, Mohammed Salah Hassan, Qamar Raad Darweesh, Rawaa Hakim
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 193-202.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.007
Background: Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide attacking both high- and low-income countries. It is characterized by decreased hemoglobin (HB) levels and a reduced number of circulating erythrocytes (RBCs), resulting in an insufficient erythrocyte mass needed for physiological demands. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in General Hospital of Kirkuk city, Iraq. 48 patients were included and they were complaining of anaemia. Age and gender were recorded for all participants. Complete blood counts and ferritin estimation were carried out. Results: Erythrocytes numbers ranged between 3.5 to 6.4 x 106/μl. The highest concentration of haemoglobulin was found among age group ≥ 51-60 years old. Haematocrit (HCT) values ranged from 37.42% to 41.43% across age groups and the highest mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) was 84.1Fl. Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) ranged between 26.3 to 28.5 pg among different age groups. The present study revealed also that mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) value ranged between 33.15 to 33.95 ± 0.46 g/dL among age groups studied. Ferritin levels among the studied age groups varied with the highest level observed in ≥51-60 age group and the value was 57.83 ± 22.12 ng/mL whereas the lowest mean was seen in 41-50 years age group with value equal to 32.25 ± 19.65 ng/Ml. Conclusions: Comparison of haematological parameters among the five age groups revealed no statistically significant age-related differences (P > 0.05). Although ferritin, lymphocyte count, MCV and haematocrit showed some numerical fluctuations between age groups, these variations were not statistically different. Erythrocyte count was the only parameter showing a statistically significant gender difference (P < 0.05) utilizing Mann-Whitney U test. Because only summary statistics were available, these data would be regarded as descriptive comparisons rather than indication of significant correlations.
Research Article
The Role of Fermentation Process to Break Down Pesticide Residues in Milk
Amel Hussein Ali, Taghreed Sabeeh Abdullah, Sarah Mohammed Abdull Ridah, Farah d Salim
Middle East Research Journal Microbiology and Biotechnology; 203-208.
https://doi.org/10.36348/merjmb.2026.v06i03.008
Pesticides are widely used in the control of weeds, harmful insects, and microbial pollution. Although they are useful in production and agriculture, excessive and inappropriate use causes some health problems, including cancers, neurological diseases, and endocrine problems. Therefore, recent research on how to remove the residues of these pesticides using microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria or probiotics has been conduct. This study relied upon the fermentation process of milk to breakdown pesticides residue. The milk fermentation process depends on the activity of Lactic Acid Bateria (LAB), as these bacteria produce lactic acid. In this study, the role of this bacterium was observed in reducing the percentage of Glyphosat pesticide. This observation was made by measuring its percentage in High-performance liquid chromatography technology (HPLC). The initial concentration of glyphost in milk (a sample that had not been processed) was calculated to be 58.2 mg/ml. After 18 hours of fermentation, the concentration of Glyphost was significantly lower than it had been and had reached 14.4 mg/ml the results showed that there were differences in the mean levels of Glyphosat residues in milk after and before the fermentation process.
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