al-turath Medical Journal

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is increasingly recognized as associated with endometrial immunological disturbance and adverse reproductive outcomes. Yet the systemic immunological and hormonal correlates of this association, and their diagnostic utility in clinical settings, remain poorly defined. Aim: This study aimed to assess the association of HPV infection with systemic immunological and oxidative stress markers and to evaluate their contribution to adverse pregnancy outcomes in women of reproductive age. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study enrolled 120 women across four groups (n=30 each): Group 1 (HPV-negative controls), Group 2 (HPV-positive without complications), Group 3 (adverse pregnancy outcomes, HPV-negative), and Group 4 (HPV-positive with adverse pregnancy outcomes). Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), peripheral blood natural killer (PB-NK) cells, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), progesterone, and estradiol were measured. Binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were applied to identify independent predictors and diagnostic thresholds. Results: Group 4 showed the highest IL-6 (12.6±2.1 pg/mL), TNF-α (15.8±2.6 pg/mL), IFN-γ (17.2±3.1 pg/mL), and MDA (6.2±1.2 nmol/mL), with the lowest IL-10, PB-NK cells, SOD, GSH, progesterone, and endometrial thickness (p<0.001 to p=0.003). Logistic regression identified MDA (OR=3.06), TNF-α (OR=2.12), and IL-6 (OR=1.84) as significant independent predictors of adverse outcomes. ROC analysis revealed MDA as the strongest single diagnostic marker (AUC=0.891, cutoff ≥4.2 nmol/mL); the combined biomarker model achieved AUC=0.934. Conclusion: HPV infection is independently associated with systemic pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress dysregulation, hormonal insufficiency, and impaired endometrial receptivity. The MDA-TNF-α-IL-6 panel shows promising clinical utility for identifying women at elevated risk of pregnancy failure, warranting incorporation into preconception assessment protocols.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is increasingly recognized as associated with endometrial immunological disturbance and adverse reproductive outcomes. Yet the systemic immunological and hormonal correlates of this association, and their diagnostic utility in clinical settings, remain poorly defined. Aim: This study aimed to assess the association of HPV infection with systemic immunological and oxidative stress markers and to evaluate their contribution to adverse pregnancy outcomes in women of reproductive age. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study enrolled 120 women across four groups (n=30 each): Group 1 (HPV-negative controls), Group 2 (HPV-positive without complications), Group 3 (adverse pregnancy outcomes, HPV-negative), and Group 4 (HPV-positive with adverse pregnancy outcomes). Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), peripheral blood natural killer (PB-NK) cells, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), progesterone, and estradiol were measured. Binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were applied to identify independent predictors and diagnostic thresholds. Results: Group 4 showed the highest IL-6 (12.6±2.1 pg/mL), TNF-α (15.8±2.6 pg/mL), IFN-γ (17.2±3.1 pg/mL), and MDA (6.2±1.2 nmol/mL), with the lowest IL-10, PB-NK cells, SOD, GSH, progesterone, and endometrial thickness (p<0.001 to p=0.003). Logistic regression identified MDA (OR=3.06), TNF-α (OR=2.12), and IL-6 (OR=1.84) as significant independent predictors of adverse outcomes. ROC analysis revealed MDA as the strongest single diagnostic marker (AUC=0.891, cutoff ≥4.2 nmol/mL); the combined biomarker model achieved AUC=0.934. Conclusion: HPV infection is independently associated with systemic pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress dysregulation, hormonal insufficiency, and impaired endometrial receptivity. The MDA-TNF-α-IL-6 panel shows promising clinical utility for identifying women at elevated risk of pregnancy failure, warranting incorporation into preconception assessment protocols.

Background Thalassemia is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders caused by a deficiency in the production of beta chains of hemoglobin. Objective of this study was to determine the evaluating variables, measuring hematological, biochemical, and physiological indicators in beta-thalassemia patients and comparing the results with healthy individuals in carriers of beta thalassemia in Tikrit, Iraq. Patients and methods Fifty patients with beta thalassemia carriers who attended the laboratory department of Tikrit Hospital between August 2025 and February 2026 were included in this prospective cross-sectional study. Patients with microcytic hypochromic blood pictures underwent CBC testing, biochemical testing for T-protein, calcium, potassium, and ALP levels, as well as testing for serum iron and ferritin levels. Results: There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.1) in the current study's sex-specific outcomes. The current study's findings on age groups revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.02) across the study groups. At a probability level of p < 0.01, there are statistically significant variations in hematological parameters. Additionally, the two research groups' total protein and potassium levels were found to be lower in patients than in healthy individuals, with statistically non-significant differences (p < 0.05). Serum iron and ferritin parameters showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between the two study groups, although calcium and ALP levels showed statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between patients and healthy individuals.