Osol Journal for Medical Sciences

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a persistent inflammatory polyarthritis condition characterized by distinct immunological, clinical, genetic, and pathological characteristics, as well as remissions and exacerbations. This study was designed to estimate some Haematological and immunological parameters of Iraqi patients with RA. The data were collected between August 2023 and May 2024 from a total of 60 patients and 30 healthy controls. A serological test was assessed, including erythrocyte precipitation rate, and CRP. Complete blood count was measured using a fully automated quantitative Samsung device. The levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 cytokines were assessed by sandwich ELISA. The result of this study showed that most RA patients were female compared to males. The levels of RF, CRP, and ESR test were significantly higher in patients with RA compared to the control group. RA patients showed statistically significant higher in WBC and Ptt tests while they had lower RBCs, Hb, and RDW compared to controls. When compared to healthy individuals, we observed that patients with RF had greater levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10. RF patients had higher levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 than did healthy people.

Background: Owing to the fact that fissured tongue etiopathogenesis is still unknown and the presence of a wide variety of predisposing factors that may contribute to its development most importantly its possible association with systemic diseases, thorough research is required to get more information about this condition.


Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to ascertain the prevalence, different patterns, and predisposing factors for the development of fissured tongue in the sample of the Iraqi population.


Patient and Method: The study was carried out by collecting data from Iraqi patients who were receiving routine dental care and examinations at the Hospital of the College of Dentistry at Bagdad University. Patients’ data were collected and organized in a self-arranged case sheet. The tongues of the patients were examined to record the position and pattern of the fissures on the tongue.


Result: Based on the case sheets of the 125 patients involved in the research, 81 had a fissured tongue with age groups between 50 and 59 having the highest prevalence (88%). The single and superficial pattern (52%) and the dorsal surface of the tongue (82.7%) accounted for the highest prevalence of cases recorded. In terms of the predisposing factors, eating acidic and spicy food was the most prevalent reason (43.2%).


Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the fissured tongue is common in the community. All age groups should receive comprehensive oral health treatment. This includes managing underlying systemic disorders by addressing modifiable risk factors and encouraging excellent oral hygiene practices, as well as taking preventative steps and scheduling routine dental examinations.

Background: Soft-liners, particularly used for patients with poor hygiene habits, can become a favorable environment for the aggregation of microorganisms. Therefore, disinfection is considered a critical process for preserving the health of oral mucosa. This study aimed to determine the antifungal efficacy of five different disinfectant methods on silicone resilient lining materials.


Material and Method: A total of 60 test samples were prepared and inoculated with 2 ml of Candida solution and incubated for 2 hours. The inoculated specimens were then randomly divided into six groups (n=10): Control group, 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) group, Corega® denture cleansing tablet group, microwave water group, diode laser group, and 4% iodine solution group. A swab was taken from the surfaces of the soft-liner discs in each group, planted on aerobic culture media, and the colonies were counted separately for each treatment.


Results: A significant difference (p < 0.05) in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans was observed with all five types of disinfection methods compared to the control group.


Conclusion: According to the results, the iodine group and the laser group demonstrated the best disinfection effects, respectively.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a significant nosocomial bacteria, that causes a large range of infections e.g. bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections. The current study intends to detect the existence of specific genes (blaNDM-1, blaNDM-2, blaVIM, blaIMP) associated with metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) production in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates attained from various clinical isolate. These genes are responsible for conferring resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, making an infection caused by such bacteria difficult to treat. Two hundred and seventy eight samples are collected from patients in Baquba Teaching Hospital during the period between December 2023 and May 2024. The samples included urine, sputums, burn, and wound swabs in addition to blood samples. The isolates are diagnosed microscopically and biochemically and the VITEK-2 compact system was used for diagnosis confirmation. It is found that 39.4%; n=69 is K. pneumoniae with 26%; n=18 of isolates are Multidrug resistant. Also, this study ascertains that multidrug-resistant (MDR) K.pneumoniae has the highest resistance against different types of antibiotics, including: AMP: 100%, AMC73: 36%, PIP: 81.16%, ATM: 72.46%, FEP: 71.01%, CAZ: 62.32%, CRO: 56.5%, IPM: 27.53%, MEM: 26.19%, AK: 47.82%, TOB: 43.47%, GM: 36.23%, LEV: 31.82%, OFX: 28.98%, CIP: 24.63% and SXT: 65.22%. Referring to phenotypic detection of MBL, 11 from 18 of MDR K. pneumoniae (61.11%) indicate a positive result. Also, during the molecular detection of Metallo B-lactamase genes, it was found that (81.81%; n=9) isolates were positive for blaNDM-1, blaNDM-2, and blaVIM gene, while no isolates showed positive results to blaIMP.


Objective: Molecular detection of metallo-beta-lactamase genes in the bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Objective; Evaluation of the roles of testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin hormone indicators in the pathophysiology of patients with oligozoospermia.


Methods: This investigation was applied in Baghdad, Iraq, on people with oligozoospermia from June to September 2024. Fifty blood samples were collected from patients visiting outpatient clinics after being examined by a specialist (gynecologist). In addition, forty samples were taken from healthy individuals and considered as a control group. All hormones were measured in the study groups using the Snibe Maglumi 800 machine. SPSS v. 23.0 and Prism v. 6 statistical software programs were used for the analysis of our results.


Results; The present findings indicated that most patients fall within the age groups 21–30 years (28.0%), 31–40 years (22.0%), and 41–50 years (20.0%), while a smaller percentage fall within the ≤20 years (8.0%) and >60 years (10.0%) groups. LH, FSH, and prolactin levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in patients compared to healthy individuals. In contrast, testosterone levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in patients compared to healthy individuals. ROC curve results showed that FSH achieved the highest sensitivity and specificity (71% and 75%), followed by prolactin (70% and 73%), testosterone (68% and 66%), and LH hormone (62% and 55%) at cutoff values of 7.12, 10.25, 1.965, and 5.25, respectively, in screening patients with oligozoospermia, with significant differences (p<0.05). There were positive and negative correlations among sexual hormones in oligozoospermia patients; however, these relationships were not significant (p>0.05). Finally, we found no significant variations (p>0.05) in the levels of sexual hormones across the age groups of patients.


Conclusion: The investigation revealed LH, FSH, and Prolactin levels were significantly increased, while testosterone levels were significantly decreased. ROC curve showed FSH scored the highest sensitivity and specificity, followed by Prolactin, testosterone, and lastly LH. In addition, there is no significant positive or negative correlation among reproduction hormones in oligozoospermia patients. There is no significant correlation between age and level of reproductive hormones.

Mucormycosis is a fatal, life-threatening fungal infection occurring in humans that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. It is caused by a group of ubiquitous saprophytic molds, which typically affect patients with weak immune defences such as diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, malignant hematological diseases, post-hematopoietic stem cell or solid organ transplants, as well as those with neutropenia. Mucormycosis is mostly related to the current COVID-19 epidemic and the overuse of steroids but can also be caused by haemato-oncological conditions and other health conditions, such as unbalanced diabetes or caustic injuries. It mostly impacts the nose and sinuses, affecting the eyes and other parts of the body. Immediate treatment of mucormycosis is required, consisting of reversal of underlying risk factors, prompt antifungal therapy (preferably as lipid formulations of amphotericin B or isavuconazole), and early surgical debridement. However, the stringent neutropenic and metabolic status of these patients prevents early diagnosis and withholds aggressive antifungal and surgical treatments. The ability of mucormycosis to invade blood vessels and cause angioinvasion, thrombosis, tissue infarction, and the formation of fungal emboli, increases mortality among patients. New surveillance strategies, novel preventive strategies, new applicative detection techniques, novel antifungal agents, or screening for effective agent repurposing are immediately needed to pave the way to enhance the survival of these high-risk patient populations from this deadly infection and reduce the global burden. The present review aimed to provide an exhaustive overview of mucormycosis, including basic information, etiology, epidemiology and incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis modalities, and treatment.