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The link between the inflammatory marker and SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold (Ct) with disease progression remains undefined, mainly in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, this study aimed to identify several inflammatory markers (Ferritin, LDH, and D-dimer), and Ct values to predict outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 Iraqi patients. A case study was performed on 426 patients to guess cutoff values of inflammatory markers that were detected by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and specific auto-analyzer instrument. Significantly increased levels of inflammatory markers in critical and severe patients compared with mild-moderate (p < 0.001). Compared with aging and disease severity, inflammatory markers and Ct values are significantly related to the aging and severity in critical and severe COVID-19 patients (p < 0.001). Finding the Ct value was negatively associated with Ferritin, LDH, and D-dimer (p < 0.001); moreover, inflammatory markers concentrations and Ct values were significantly higher during the first ten days. The Ct values correlate with some relevant clinical parameters of inflammation. Higher levels of D dimer, S. Ferritin and LDH were associated with older age and the severity of COVID-19. The area under the ROC curve indicates that serum ferritin was the highest and excellent predictor for disease severity. Keywords: Coronavirus disease 2019; Inflammation; D-dimer; Ferritin; Lactate dehydrogenase; Cycle threshold (Ct).

This study aimed to get a better understanding of molecular epidemiology and genetic variation in the spike glycoprotein as a key viral component involved in viral entrance into host cells and as a potential vaccination target. Three Iraqi SARS-CoV-2 strains were investigated using whole-genome sequencing, with two of them clustering into the 20A (GH) clade, and the remaining strain is clustered in 20E (GV) clade, belonging to the B.1.36.1 and B.1.177.80 lineage, respectively. Whole-genome sequencing of the viral RNA samples revealed nine sporadic nonsynonymous uncommon mutations with frequency ranged from 0.00 to 0.19%. The ORF1ab, ORF1a, ORF3a, S, N, intergenic, ORF7 and ORF8 areas have seen the most changes. Furthermore, in all of our sequences, we discovered a D614G (aspartic acid to glycine) mutation in spike protein that co-occurred with an NSP12 P323L (viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase) mutation. The findings point to several viral introductions in Iraq and provide new genetic information on SARS-CoV-2 at the worldwide level. Pathogenesis, diagnostics and vaccine development require information such as SNPs and mutations.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuro-inflammatory disorder in which the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is proposed to have a pathogenic role. Therefore, a case-control study was performed (93 patients with relapsing-remitting MS and 113 healthy controls (HC) to analyze the prevalence and viral load of EBV infection using real time-polymerase chain reaction. Prevalence of EBV infection was lower in patients compared to HC but the difference was not significant (12.9 vs. 21.2%; probability [p] = 0.187). EBV-positive MS cases were more common in females than in males (83.3 vs. 16.7%), while an opposite distribution was observed in HC (37.5 vs. 62.5%), and the difference was significant (p = 0.041). Blood group O frequency was higher in EBV-positive patients compared to the corresponding HC but the difference was not significant (33.3 vs. 20.8%; p = 0.443). EBV-positive MS cases showed similar frequency in the two groups of the expanded disability status scale (EDSS: < 3.0 and ≥ 3.0; 50% each). EBV load was significantly elevated in EBV-positive MS cases compared to EBV-positive HC (94.6 ± 84.2 vs. 17.0 ± 16.3 DNA copy/100 cells; p = 0.009). When EBV-positive MS cases were classified by gender, EDSS groups or ABO blood groups, there were no significant differences between EBV loads in each stratum. However, a significant correlation between EBV load and EDSS was found (correlation coefficient = 0.620; p = 0.031). In conclusion, the prevalence of EBV infection showed no significant differences between MS patients and HC, while EBV load was significantly higher in patients.

Immunological genes, including TLR3 and RIG-I, have recently been established to have linked to predisposition to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its severity. The purpose of this case-control study (100 recovered COVID 19 cases and 100 healthy individuals) was to determine the role of gender, age, TLR3 and RIG-I genes in COVID-19 aggressiveness. TLR3 and RIG-I gene expression was detected using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). COVID-19 infection intensity increased with age and no statistical difference between males and females (p>0.05) was found. TLR3 and RIG-I gene expression levels were higher in patients compared to healthy which is positively connected to infection severity development. The aforementioned genes have a favorable relationship in screening COVID-19 infection. According to receiver operating characteristic curve these genes have high sensitivity in assessing COVID-19 infection. This study found that age, TLR3 and RIG-I genes may play a role in COVID-19 predisposition worsening.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic disease with a substantial impact on the hematopoietic system and hemostasis. Neutrophilia is an early indicator of SARS-CoV-2 infection, while lymphopenia acts as a biomarker of the severity of infection, and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is the main indicator of cytokine storms. Thus, this study aimed to provide local data about hematological parameters among COVID-19 patients and estimate their correlation with viral load and other factors in severe cases. A total of 99 nasopharyngeal swabs and whole blood specimens were collected from individuals suspected with COVID-19 between October and December 2020. Samples were tested by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay, COVID-19 IgG and IgM antibody tests, beside hematological analysis. The results showed a significant increase in neutrophils count and NLR, correlated with the severity of the disease Patients at older ages who are suffering from some comorbidity like hypertension and diabetes are at elevated risk to develop more severe disease outcome. The findings demonstrated a higher neutrophils count and higher death ratio in older ages. Also, the results suggest that NLR could be employed as a useful biomarker and potential prognostic tool supporting the importance of laboratory records in assessing case severity and disease progression. © 2021 University of Baghdad-College of Science. All rights reserved.

The current study presents the cellar spiders genus NitaHuber & El-Hennawy, 2007 (Araneae, Pholcidae) as the first record for Iraq spider fauna, this genus represented by the species Nita elsaffHuber & El-Hennawy, 2007 were identified based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequence data. A short morphological description is also presented for cellar spiders listed in Iraq; including this species in addition to Artema AtlantaWalckenaer, 1837.

In the Iraqi population, a high incidence (82.7%) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported among the suspected patient. Many investigators studied the microbial infectious present in Iraqi patients with RA; however, to the best of our knowledge, there is no previous study detected the CMV DNA and antibodies to RA disease. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the presence of CMV DNA and antibodies in Iraqi RA patients. A total of 58 blood samples were collected from patients with clinical signs of rheumatoid arthritis, along with 32 samples of apparently healthy individuals as a control group. These samples were tested for rheumatoid factor (RF), CMV IgM antibodies and viral DNA during the acute and the chronic periods of the autoimmune disease. The results showed that 46.6% (27/58) and 13.8% (8/58) of rheumatoid arthritis patients had positive reactions for IgM-CMV and CMV DNA, respectively, as compared to healthy individual. The highest rate of the viral occurrence was recorded in the aged and female RA patients (24 and 21 cases, respectively). Moreover, the most significant increases in RA appearance and CMV reactivation cases were observed in patients with a mean age higher than 40 years old. This finding pointed out the prevalence of viral infections mostly in RA patients aged more than 40 years old, accompanied by increased RA cases. This study concludes that patients with positive CMV must be tested for rheumatoid factor, especially when the viral DNA is present. Moreover, we recommend measuring TNF-α and IFN-γ as the proinflammatory cytokines that play an important role to protect against viral infection and prevent their reactivation in all RA patients.

This study was aimed to provide a local database for detection of coronavirus (CoV) species in suspect individual with respiratory tract infections like influenza type A and a tuberculosis using multiplex Sybr green reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (rRT-PCR) technique. A total of 500 samples was collected from individuals suffering from upper and/or lower respiratory tract diseases for testing of 4 CoV species (229E, OC43, NL63, and HKU1). RNA extracted, amplified and subsequent the positive samples sequencing. The results showed melting curve analysis (Tm) of the specific amplicons (79.73±0.36) and 9% positive for CoVs and some of them have other co-infection such as influenza virus 26.67%, and TB 11.11%. On the other hands, the CoVs were detected 4.62% in upper respiratory samples and 20.39% with lower respiratory samples. Sequencing results pointed out two isolates were CoV-NL63 and four isolates were CoV-229E, with first record accession number MN086823.1 and MN086824.1, respectively in GenBank. In conclusion, this rRT-PCR showed the rapid and efficient detection of CoVs with few copies number. This allows being used for the diagnosis of CoVs along with other respiratory viruses in a multiplex assay to reduce processing time. Subsequent applied nested RT-PCR to overcome the low viral load.

Susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and disease severity has recently been associated with inflammatory markers and genetic polymorphisms of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) and ACE2 genes, but the evidence has been inconclusive. This case-control study (99 COVID-19 patients and 96 controls) sought to assess the significance of age, C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) in severity of COVID-19. Besides, two variants of ACE and ACE2 genes (rs4646994 and rs2285666, respectively) were analyzed to determine their role in COVID-19 susceptibility and/or disease severity. Results revealed that age, CRP and NLR were significantly elevated in severe cases compared to moderate cases, while RT-PCR Ct value was significantly decreased. Allele and genotypes of both variants were not associated with COVID-19 risk, with the exception of rs2285666 A allele. It showed a significantly higher frequency in female patients than in female controls (probability = 0.041). In conclusion, the study indicated the role of age, CRP, NLR and SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Ct in susceptibility to COVID-19 severity. However, analysis of the ACE and ACE2 gene variants (rs4646994 and rs2285666, respectively) showed that the two variants were not associated with the risk of developing COVID-19.

This study aimed to award a local database for detection of human coronavirus (HCoV) species in patients with respiratory tract infections like influenza type A and a tuberculosis using Taqman reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (rRT-PCR) technique A total of 389 respiratory samples was collected from individuals suffering from upper and/or lower respiratory tract diseases for testing of HCoV species (229E, OC43, NL63, HKU1 and MERS) RNA extracted and amplification with specific primers and probes Result showed 35 (9%) positive sample and the probe assay associated with cycle number (Ct) was 33 98±0 97 It is interesting to note, the results pointed out 12/35 (34 29%) co–infected with the most frequently Flu A and the relative risk value represented 21 5 (95% Cl 4 9-93 9) of cohort influenza type A positive case Moreover, the co-infection with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) was 5/35 (14 29%) of HCoVs cases and the relative risk value 1 53 (95% Cl 0 683 45) of cohort TB positive cases The percentage of a positive cases have a single HCoV species higher than multiple HCoV species with 31/35 (88 57%) and 4/35 (11 43%), respectively, and each viral species reported higher percentage as a single species than multiple Also, the frequency of HCoV-229E and NL63 species consisted highest percentage 75% of four HCoV species with significant presence among Iraqi studying populations Furthermore, the percentage of influenza virus A cases with HCoV infections were 7/12=58 33% with species 229E, while 60% of HCoV with TB infection appeared in NL63 In conclusion, the rRT-PCR based on Taqman observed the rapid and efficient detection of CoVs species with few copies number This allows to be used for the diagnosis of CoVs along with other respiratory viruses in a multiplex assay to reduce processing time Subsequent applied multiplex RT-PCR along with influenza and TB infections

Human Papillomaviruses (HPVs) are known to be etiological agents of cervical cancer and have been found in 99.7% of women with high-grade (HG) cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) pre-cancer. Testing of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) has been proposed as a way of improving cervical screening, especially for women with low-grade (LG) Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the diagnostic correlation of real-time PCR technique with Pap smear results for 13 genotypes of HR-HPV in 415 of suspected women. Pap smear results showed the suspected women with abnormal and normal cytological changes were 79.3% (329/415) and 20.7% (86/415), respectively. In contrast, real-time PCR results showed that women with or without abnormal changes had HR-HPV DNA positive were 50.5% (166/329) and 10.5% (9/86), respectively. Thus, Pap smear results had no sensitive to predicate risky for LG-CIN women were observed. According to the real-time PCR results, the incident of HG or cancer was more associated with HR-HPV. Our findings indicated the real-time PCR test with the cytological test as a routine practice for women with LG-CIN reduces the incidence of HG or cancer. After that, the prospective studies should be appropriated to determine HR-HPV genotypes and viral load (copies/cell) with real-time PCR test as predicate risk-factor.