IRAQI JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Malalignment syndrome involves improper anatomical positioning due to musculoskeletal abnormalities, often resulting in torsional deformities that impair function and require surgical intervention. Traditional surgical planning methods have limitations in precision and consistency. This review aimed to explore recent advances in computer-aided surgical simulation and digital 3D skeletal modeling techniques used to assess and correct lower limb deformities. It was conducted to analyze current methods in 3D surgical planning, focusing on computer-aided simulations and the use of personalized surgical guides. Sources were selected from peer-reviewed journals and databases, evaluating their applications in clinical practice. Studies showed that computer-assisted surgical simulation enhances preoperative planning, improves alignment accuracy, reduces intraoperative complexity, and decreases surgery time. Personalized guides developed from digital modeling have demonstrated improved outcomes and reduced surgical trauma. Computer-aided 3D modeling and personalized surgical planning represent significant advancements in deformity correction. These tools provide surgeons with improved visualization, simulation capabilities, and efficiency, ultimately supporting safer and more accurate surgical interventions.
Keywords: Computer-aided surgical simulation, surgical planning, 3D motion analysis
Citation: Akar BA, Ghazwan AG, Al-Saadan WA. Imaging and simulation techniques for lower limb deformity: A literature review. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 1-16. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.1

Background: BK and JC polyomaviruses are perceived as the two most common human polyomaviruses (HPyVs). These two viruses inhabit the epithelial surfaces of the bladder and kidney as the primary site of replication and latency. There have been multiple evidences on the association and implication of some of the HPyVs in human cancerous growth, indicating an etiological association with carcinogenesis.
Objective: To explore the association and implication of some of the polyomaviruses in urothelial carcinomas.
Methods: Tissue biopsies were collected from 103 patients with urothelial carcinoma. The biopsies were processed for polyomavirus DNA and large T antigen (TAg) through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Results: BK polyomavirus and JC polyomavirus were detected in 21 cases (29.6%) and 10 cases (14.1%) with malignant tumors, respectively. The percentage of cases with double positive BK polyomavirus DNA and TAg was found to be high (62.20%). The specificity was high for both BK and JC viruses (98.48%).
Conclusion: The study suggests that JC and BK polyomaviruses may play an important role in the urothelial tumor development.
Keywords: Polyomavirus, HPyVs, urothelial cancer, BK virus, JC virus, tumors, Large T-Ag, real-time PCR, Immunohistochemistry
Citation: AlMalaki KA, Al-Obaidi AB, Ghazi HF. The potential role of BK and JC polyomaviruses in urothelial cancer. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 17-24. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.2

Background: The rising number of methamphetamine abusers and the consequent fatalities prompted this case presentation, aiming to highlight the risks associated with its use and to enhance awareness of its detrimental effects on the human body.
Case presentation: The study examined a 30-year-old male who was discovered deceased at his home in the early morning. The autopsy showed no evidence of external or internal trauma and significant gross pathological alterations. A small torn nylon package was found in the stomach's lumen, its contents released. Toxicological tests of the stomach contents, blood, and urine identified methamphetamine in the package. Laboratory results indicated a lethal concentration. The liver tissue exhibited sinusoidal cholestasis, and the kidneys displayed severe acute renal tubular necrosis.
Conclusion: The study highlights the toxic and irreversible impact of methamphetamine on different human organs and the lethal consequences of smuggling the substance through oral ingestion.
Keywords: Amphetamine, methamphetamine, autopsy, tubular necrosis, sudden death
Citation: Sami SW, Al-Qazzaz MA. Fatal Methamphetamine Poisoning: Forensic Case Presentation. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 25-31. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.3

Background: Banknotes are handled by individuals with varying health and hygiene practices and are stored under diverse environmental and personal conditions. Paper currency is widely exchanged for commercial transactions and services, making it a potential vector for the transmission of bacteria.
Objective: To evaluate the bacterial contamination of banknotes in circulation in the Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq.
Methods: The study was done between February and April 2023 and analyzed at the Microbiology Laboratories of the College of Medicine, University of Fallujah. A total of 84 samples were collected from seven banknote denominations across four locations. The bacteria were isolated and then identified by VITEK-2 then the antibiotic susceptibility test was done.
Results: Among the locations, the butcher shop had the highest number of positive samples 23 (32.1%), followed by the grocery store 21 (29.1%) and Rafidain Bank 18 (25%), while the pharmacy 10 (13.8%) had the fewest. Bacterial identification revealed a predominance of Gram-negative isolates over Gram-positive bacteria. The number of colony-forming units correlated with the locations of positive samples, with the grocery store being the most contaminated. Antibiotic susceptibility testing indicated that while antibiotics such as Imipenem and Ciprofloxacin may remain effective, significant resistance was observed for Ceftriaxone.
Conclusion: The study found that currency used in daily life may be a source of bacterial infection. The exchange of banknotes among individuals with different hygiene practices and occupations may facilitate the spread of diseases through contaminated currency.
Keywords: Antibiotic resistance, banknotes, currency contamination, disease transmission
Citation: Hasan TA. Banknotes as a potential source of transmissible diseases in the Al-Anbar Governorate, Iraq. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 32-38. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.4

Background: Skin diseases are a big health problem affecting a high percent of the population and causing distress and disability. Children's skin is often regarded as smoother and softer than that of adults; as a result, it may be more susceptible to irritation and inflammation.
Objective: To determine frequency and types of skin diseases in children less than 5 and to find some sociodemographic characteristics of those children.
Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City; the data were collected during March and April 2019. A convenient sample (262 under 5 years of age children) were selected from dermatological outpatient’s clinic by interviewing the parents of those children.
Results: Out of this sample, 144 (55%) were males; atopic dermatitis in 79 (30.2%) constituted the highest percentage followed by diaper rash in 46 (17.5%) and warts were found in 28 (10.7%). Regarding their sociodemographic characteristics, 199 (76%) and 209 (80%) of the children starting solid food and bottle feeding less than 4 months age, respectively and 224 (85.5%) of the children were up-to-date vaccination.
Conclusion: Atopic dermatitis was the most frequent skin diseases in children under 5 years. Most of them were males, starting solid food and bottle feeding before 4 months. More than two third were taking their vaccination up to date.
Keywords: Skin diseases, under 5 years, Baghdad, atopic dermatitis and sociodemographic
Citation: Hussain NA, Alogaili MH, Mohammed LK. Skin diseases in a sample of under-five years children and their sociodemographic characteristics at Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City/Baghdad. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 39-45. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.5

Background:Candida albicans (C. albicans) is determined as the major human pathogen in the genus Candida. The presence of virulence genes and the increasing prevalence of resistance to antifungal therapy have contributed to the pathogenicity of C. albicans. Next-generation sequencing (NGS), also known as high-throughput sequencing, is the catch-all term used to describe a number of different modern sequencing technologies. These technologies allow for sequencing of DNA and RNA much more quickly and cheaply than the previously used Sanger sequencing, and as such revolutionized the study of genomics and molecular biology.
Objective: To determine the mutations in the genes responsible for multidrug resistance among isolates of pathogenic C. albicans using NGS technique.
Methods: This study comprises a total of (1596) samples collected from different body sites and lesions (blood, wounds swabs, ear swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, high vaginal swabs, sputum, threat swabs, and urine); after diagnosis the C. albicans isolates DNA extraction was done and final using NGS technique.
Results: Only 209 of 1596 samples that were taken from the patients and cultured on Sabouraud\\'s dextrose agar were found to be positive. Candida isolates were cultured on Chrom Candida Agar the results revealed that 59 of the isolates were C. albicans. ERG11 gene in this study found to cause 12 silent mutations, while missense mutation was just two compared with reference sequences standard strains SC5314. ERG11 gene in this study found to cause 12 silent mutations, while missense mutation was just two. One deletion mutation was found in the YOR1 gene in this investigation, this gene alone has 2 silent mutations and 1 missense mutation, the PDR16 gene contained 15 missense mutations and 6 silent mutations.
Conclusion: This study showed that next generation sequencing allows the thorough investigation of isolates more cost efficient and faster than another technique.
Keywords: Candida albicans, NGS technique.
Citation: Mohammed MM, Al-Attraqchi AAF, Alrubaye DS. Analysis of antifungal resistance genes in Candida albicans isolates using next generation sequencing. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 46-57. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.6

Background: Corona virus disease 2019(COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2), heavily relies on the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for cell entry. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the virus plays a critical role in this process and is considered a key target for neutralizing activity. The RBD can be produced efficiently and effectively to induce a neutralizing immune response. Chitosan (CS), a widely used vaccine adjuvant, shows promise as an adjuvant/carrier in vaccine delivery.
Objective: To investigate the potential of CS nanoparticles (CS-NPs) as an alternative adjuvant to stimulate specific anti-RBD IgG antibody production efficiently and with reduced toxicity compared to alum.
Methods: Antigens were prepared by loading RBD protein onto CS-NPs, followed by measuring the released RBD protein using high-performance liquid chromatography. Rabbits were vaccinated, and the resulting antibody response was detected using competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: The use of CS-NPs as an adjuvant loaded with the RBD antigen demonstrated the ability to induce a substantial titer of anti-RBD IgG antibodies when administered to rabbits over a course of three doses with two-week intervals. Comparatively, using alum as an adjuvant resulted in higher antibody titers with the same vaccination schedule.
Conclusion: It was observed that CS-NPs as an adjuvant could efficiently stimulate specific anti-receptor-binding domain IgG antibodies while exhibiting less toxicity compared to alum
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, vaccine adjuvant, chitosan nanoparticles, RBD, specific IgG antibody.
Citation: Mahdi FM, Abdulamir AS, Taha AA. SARS-COV-2 prevention strategy receptor binding domain loaded with chitosan nanoparticles enhance antibody production. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(1): 58-63. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.1.7