Al-Shatrah Veterinary and Biological Sciences Journal

Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in pregnant women and
are often caused by opportunistic uropathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae. This study aimed to isolate
and identify uropathogenic K. pneumoniae from pregnant women with UTIs in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq, and
to determine their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. A total of 22.72% of the isolates were identified as K.
pneumoniae using the VITEK 2 automated system. The highest infection rate was recorded among women
aged 18–27 years-old . Notably, the third trimester showed the highest prevalence of infection (50%). Urban
residents exhibited a higher rate of K. pneumoniae isolation compared to rural residents. Regarding antibiotic
susceptibility, high resistance rates were observed against Amoxicillin (50%) and Fosfomycin (40%), while
strong sensitivity was recorded for Gentamicin (100%), Amikacin (90%), and Imipenem (80%).These
findings highlight the importance of early detection using reliable automated systems such as VITEK 2 and
support the need for proper antibiotic selection to manage UTIs effectively and reduce the spread of resistant
strains.

Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases, affecting millions worldwide and incurring
significant healthcare costs. The study aimed to assess antibiotic resistance to commonly used antibiotics among bacterial
pathogens linked to UTIs. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method and in accordance
with CLSI guidelines (2024).After identification and isolation, only 43 samples were positive for bacterial urinary tract
infections (28.7%). The predominant uropathogen was Escherichia coli 15 (34.9%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 11
(25.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 8 (18.6%), Proteus mirabilis 5(11.6) and Staphylococcus aureus 4 (9.3%). E. coli isolates
showed variable resistance rates to Cefotaxime (60%), Ciprofloxacin (53.3%), Tetracycline (66.7%), Trimethoprim (73.3%)
and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (66.7%). K. pneumonaie isolates were high resistant to Ciprofloxacin (63.63%),
Tetracycline (100%), Tobramycin (63.63%), Trimethoprim (81.8%) and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (63.63%). Most
of P. aerugenosa and P.mirabilis were resistance to Trimethoprim (100% for each) and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
(100% and 80%, respectively). All P.aerugenosa isolates were resistant to Nitrofurantoin (100%). Isolates of S.aureus were
significantly resistant to Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (75%), Tobramycin (100%), Erythromycin (100%) and
Tetracycline (75%).

Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious disease that impacts up to 70 species of cleft hoofed mammals. There are 7 different serotypes of FMDV, O, A, C, Asia1, SAT1, SAT2 and SAT3. Antioxidant mechanisms in mammalian bodies eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS), that produces free radicals during stress factors such as viral diseases. Liver enzymes are highly affected by liver dysfunction that caused by viral infection. This study aimed to detect the effects of infection with FMD virus on antioxidant status and liver enzymes. This study applied on 80 calves (cow) from different regions, ages and sexes of Thi-Qar province during the period of December (2024) to March (2025). Blood samples were gained from 60 affected calves with (FMD virus) as well as other 20 samples from healthy calves -as control. Sera was classified after detecting the serotypes by Conventional PCR technique. Results reviled that SOD levels in groups A, O serotypes were significantly reduced when compared with those of mixed group (A&O), (MDA) levels were highly and significant rise in all afflicted categories compared to the healthy group. also a significant elevation in (ALT) and (AST) levels in groups of calves of serotype O. G.G.T levels were significantly increased in animals affected with serotype A as compared with others groups including control. In conclusion FMDV pathogenesis causes oxidative stress, with single serotypes (A/O) causing more severe antioxidant suppression and profound hepatocellular damage linked to serotype O infections.

Abstract.
Enteroviruses EV70 and EV71 are important viral pathogens; EV70 is primarily associated with acute hemorrhagic
conjunctivitis, while EV71 is linked to hand-foot-and-mouth disease with occasional ocular involvement. This study aimed
to evaluate the performance of conventional PCR and real-time PCR in detecting these viruses from conjunctival swabs in
Thi-Qar Province. A total of 120 conjunctival swabs were collected from patients suspected of viral eye infections, and viral
RNA was extracted and tested using both conventional PCR and real-time PCR. All samples were negative by conventional
PCR, whereas real-time PCR detected infections mainly in children aged 1–10 years, with EV70 being the predominant
virus. These findings suggest a potential association of EV70 and EV71 with pediatric eye infections and emphasize the
importance of sensitive molecular diagnostics for early and accurate detection

Abstract
Citrobacter freundii is an opportunistic pathogen associated with gastrointestinal infections in children, particularly in
areas with limited healthcare and inadequate antimicrobial management. This study aimed to determine the prevalence,
resistance patterns, and colony traits of C. freundii in stool samples from children under two years old admitted to Al-
Husain Teaching Hospital in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq. A total of 100 stool samples were collected and cultured. Among
the Gram-negative isolates, C. freundii made up 3%. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed complete resistance
(100%) to first- and second-generation cephalosporins (cefazolin and cefuroxime), as well as the third-generation
cephalosporin ceftriaxone. There was moderate resistance (60%) to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. In contrast, all isolates
were fully susceptible to carbapenems, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. These results confirm that the VITEK 2
Compact system is a quick and accurate method for identifying C. freundii and determining its susceptibility to
antibiotics. Additionally, the high resistance to cephalosporins underscores the urgent need for regular monitoring of
antimicrobial resistance and for informed choices about antibiotic use in managing pediatric diarrhea caused by
multidrug-resistant C. freundii .

Abstract
Aims: This study compared the prevalence, diversity, and antibiotic resistance profile of uropathogens in patients with UTI and patients with renal stones.
. Material and Method: mid stream urine spacemen were collected from 150 patients (75 with UTI and 75 with UTI and renal stone). Urine samples were collected from January 2024 to February 2025 from patients attending the Urology department in Al-Nasiriyah General Hospital. Mid-stream urine samples were inoculated directly on MacConkey and Blood agar and then incubated at 37°C for 24 hr Bacterial colonies were determined by standard culture and biochemical characteristics, and their susceptibility to different antibiotics was identified by the disk diffusion method.
Results: The mean age ± SD of the entire population 38.8±14.6, ranging from 13 to 68 years. Bacteriological investigation revealed that only 53 (35.3%) showed positive bacterial growth on culture media., statistical analysis showed no significant difference (P-value =0.494) in the overall bacterial recovery rates between UTI and stone former patients . . Six bacterial species were successfully identified, with E.coli being the most prevalent, 30.19%, followed by K pneumoniae, 22.6%, then P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, 16.9% and 15.09% respectively. E. Faecalis was the lowest prevalent, 5.66%.
In conclusion, no unique microbial signature is strongly associated with the formation of renal stones. and both urease-positive and negative can be isolated from UTI with renal stone

Abstract
Despite the substantial progress witnessed in the medical science and communicable diseases
management, toxoplasmosis persists as a critical challenge facing global public health. this study
attempted to provide an overview of the reality of the spread of this disease among cats and its
implications for public health in Iraq .In this review, data collected from a total of 23 studies executed
in different parts of Iraq from 2002 to 2025 about feline toxoplasmosis. The reviewed studies
demonstrate high rates of infection with Toxoplasma gondii among Iraqi cats. stray cats showing
higher prevalence than owned cats in most provinces. Furthermore, in some of these studies, a high infection
rates documented among human coinciding with the high prevalence rates in cats especially among those who have direct
contact with these animals .The results underscore the need for standardized diagnostic protocols, larger
and more representative sampling, and integrated control programs to mitigate the zoonotic risk
posed by this disease.

Abstract
CRISPR_Cas9 technology has quickly evolved into one of the most powerful tools in molecular biology, enabling precise
and efficient genome editing with a wide ranging of biomedical applications. Its ability to selectively target and modify
specific DNA or RNA sequences has new avenues in the treatment of cancer, inherited disorders, neurodegenerative
diseases, and viral infections. In malignant study, CRISPR has been employed to disrupt oncogenic drivers like KRAS and
MYC, restore tumor suppressor pathways involving TP53 and BRCA1, and optimize immunotherapy strategies through
engineered CAR-T cells. Similarly, in genetic disorders like Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Leber congenital amaurosis,
CRISPR-mediated exon skipping and targeted repair approaches have demonstrated significant therapeutic potential. In the
field of neurodegenerative diseases, the system has shown promise in modulating genes implicated in Alzheimer disease,
particularly APP, BACE1, and APOE, offering novel insights into disease modification. Furthermore, CRISPR-based RNAtargeting
systems like Cas13 have been successfully applied in controlling viral pathogens, including HIV and SARS-CoV-
2, not only for therapeutic interventions but also for rapid and sensitive diagnostics through platforms like SHERLOCK and
SHINE. Overall, CRISPR represents a transformative advance in precision medicine. While challenges such as off-target
effects, efficiency of delivery, and ethical considerations remain, continuous progress in optimizing the technology supports
its future integration into clinical practice as a versatile therapeutic and diagnostic platform.

Abstract Enteric
infections, whether accompanied by apparent diarrhea or not, significantly impact gastrointestinal absorption, nutrition,
childhood development, and global mortality rates. This study attempts to answer the question (Is there co infection
between E. histolytica and E. coli in diarrheal samples?). This study, conducted from October 2024 to January 2025 in
Al-Rifai and Al-Nasiriyah in Thi-Qar, province the possible co-infection of E. histolytica and E. coli in 130 diarrheal
patients. The samples were examined by direct examination. The findings reveal a correlation between the parasite and
the bacterium in Al-Rifai and Al-Nasiriyah districts.The infection prevalence of E. histolytica was 66 out of 130
(50.76%). Conversely, 54 out of 130 (41.53%) E. coli showed positive culture growth confirmed by morphological
characteristics. However, 28/130 (21.53%) were found to be positive for both pathogens. It is clear that the co-existence
of these two pathogens follows the same trend (both were highly prevalent in the age group (> 20 years old), the coexistence
of the two pathogenesis was higher in Al-Refai than in Al-Nasiriyah (28.94% vs.71.06%). Conclusions, there
is co infection between E. coli and E. histolytica in the two districts.

Abstract
This study aimed to determine infection rate of Toxoplasma gondii in Al-Nasiriyah / Iraq, in some regions.
A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from cats , including samples from cats shelters and local domestic
cats. Oocysts were identified using standard laboratory methods, including the direct wet smear method and
flotation technique. According to the findings, the infection rate was 30% of all samples, but it climbed to
35.71% in February without being statistically significant. The infection rate was higher in female cats
(33.96%) than in male cats (25.53%). The cats shelters had a higher infection rate than local domestic cats
32.5% vs 28.33%, respectively, which not statistically significant. The study concludes that conventional
method for diagnosing T. gondii in cats was efficient, and the infection of T. gondii in cats was increased in
moderate and cold months.