Mervan Yousif Huseyin

Ph.D.

Microbiology

Medical Microbiology

M.S.

Microbiology

Medical Microbiology

B.Ed.

Education

Education, Methodology and Pedagogy

B.A.

Biology

Biology and Biochemistry

Lecturer

PhD. in Microbiology

ASM American Society for Microbiology

I am Contributing member in ASM

Applied Microbiology International society

I am International member in this society, so the new Name is Applied Microbiology International and the old name was SFAM society for applied microbiology.

ABO Blood Group and RhD Antigen Relationship to COVID-19 Infections in Duhok-Iraq: A Retrospective Study

Background: Since the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus a pandemic, various studies have suggested that blood group antigens might influence COVID-19 infection susceptibility. This research aims to assess the relationship between the ABO blood group system, RhD factors, and COVID-19 infection symptoms, considering age and gender variables in Duhok Method: This retrospective study analyzed data from 578 individuals who attended several hospitals and medical centers in Duhok province from September 2023 to February 2024. The cohort comprised 308 males and 270 females. Results: The distribution of blood groups A, B, AB, and O among the participants was 22.1%, 26.3%, 18.5%, and 33.1% respectively. Blood type O was predominant in mild and severe COVID- 19 cases. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the observed and Iraq expected frequencies of blood groups and RhD antigens. However, significant differences (p < 0.01) were found in the age distribution of COVID-19 symptom severity between the genders, indicating varying symptomatology across different age groups. The comparison between genders did not show significant differences in age distribution (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study concludes that there are no statistically significant associations between the ABO and RhD antigen groups with the frequency of COVID-19 infections. However, age appears to play a critical role in the severity of symptoms, with significant variations noted between different age groups within both sexes. Further research is recommended to explore these variations' mechanisms and assess potential vulnerabilities among specific demographic groups. Keywords: Covid-19, ABO groups, Rh factors, Duhok province, Iraq.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a health and environmental education training program for Syrian teachers in Northern Syria

In alignment with UNESCO’s directives for ongoing teacher development in environmental awareness to achieve sustainable development goals, this study developed and evaluated a 14-week training curriculum aimed at enhancing Environmental and Health Education awareness among Syrian teachers. Fifty educators of both genders were selected to partake in a program tailored to their needs. The study employed a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, which included pre- and post-testing; an online satisfaction survey as well as focus group discussions to explore the impact of the training. The findings revealed a statistically significant improvement in knowledge post-training, with average scores doubling from 31% to 65. The program received a high satisfaction rating of Very good-Excellent. Five themes emerged, namely acquired knowledge and skills, values instilled, personal and professional development and emerging topics. Participants overwhelmingly affirmed the training’s value and impact, noting significant knowledge and value integration in Environmental and Health Education.

The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infections in Duhok Province, Iraq: A Retrospective Study

Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped gram-negative human pathogen. It can be considered as one of the most common causes of infections, particularly chronic gastritis in more than half of the worldwide population. The infections by H. pylori in adults as well as children continues to be a challenge for all gastroenterologists. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori among men, women and children, in addition to evaluate the relationship between the infection and age and gender in Duhok city -Iraq. The data of 200 patients were collected from both Nawroz Hospital and Roj Medical center in Duhok province, during the period from June 2023 to February 2024 and the data were analysed by (SPSS, 2019) with P. value of ≤0.05 was considered, while for age category factor, a significant variation (p<0.01) between observed and expected proportions was considered. This study revealed 126 positive cases (63%), included 64 (72.7%) male and 62 (55.4%) in females. Regarding the age category factor, it is also resulted in a significant variation (p<0.01) between observed and expected proportions according to the studied age categories and the medium age 19-39 years was the most exposed to the H. pylori infection with 62 (62.0%) infection positive, while 38 (38.0) as negative (P= 0.003). An equation was derived for prediction by H. pylori infections in the future, where the formula summarized the positive forecasting for infection as result of ≥ 1; while the healthy case will be less than 1.

A broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of lyophilized crude extracts of Bacillus subtilis against clinical and food-borne pathogens

The aim of this research is to study the broad spectrum antibacterial activity of crude lyophilized extracts from Bacillus subtilis, then characterize these antibacterial activity. B. subtilis strains were isolated and identified by both API CHB 50 and molecular methods. Staphylococci strains, negative gram bacteria and Candida spp. were isolated from clinical and food samples and identified by biochemical and morphological tests. The crude antibacterial were extracted by flasks containing Lactose Broth LB, which incubated for 72 hours in shaker incubator at 37º ºC at 150 rev/min, then centrifuged 12000 rev/min or 15 min. at 4 ºC and filtrated the supernatants through 0.45 µm then frozen and lyophilized. The crude extracts were run on Diamonsil C18 column (5 µm, 250 × 4.6 mm) in HPLC system to separate the antibiotics and run on FTIR spectrum. Some strains of B. subtilis showed high activity against target strains, and others did not. The antibacterial activity of crude lyophilized extracts from B. subtilis (BS1A, BS2D, BS7SH, BS8SH ) against S. aureus strains was between high (16-40 mm) and intermediate (8-14 mm). While the antibacterial activity was intermediate (8-14 mm) against Gram negative and Candida spp. strains. Two kinds of antibiotics were separated from lyophilized extracts of B. subtilis and identified to the peptides families, Bacitracin A and Polymyxin B.

Antibacterial activities (Bacitracin A and Polymyxin B) of lyophilized extracts from indigenous Bacillus subtilis against Staphylococcus aureus

The antibacterial compounds, which are produced from Bacillus species, have a strong inhibition ability, and the composition of these compounds have not been elucidated. The aim of the present study is to explore the antibacterial activity of crude lyophilized extracts, then isolate and characterize these antibacterial. Bacillus subtilis strains were isolated from Damascus zone and identified by two methods which are the API CHB 50 and 16S DNA. Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from clinical samples, and identified by API Staph 20 and coagulase test. The crude antibacterial was extracted by flasks content LB where incubated for 72 h. in shaker incubator at 37°C at 150 rev/min, then centrifugated 12000 rev/minor 15 min. at 4 °C and filtrated the supernatants throw 0.45 µm, next frozen and lyophilized. The crude extracts were run on HPLC system to separate the antibiotics. Some strains of B. subtilis gave high activity against strains of S. aureus and others were not. Peptides families of antibiotics were separated from lyophilized extracts of B. subtilis, and then they were identified as bacitracin A and polymyxin B. This crude extract could function as antibacterial activity against S. aureus pathogens.

Prevalence, Antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, CNS and determination of MRSA, MRCNS strains in clinical samples

A total of 113 strains of S. aureus and CNS were isolated from clinical samples from three hospitals in Damascus city between 6/2013 – 8/2014, and were identified by biochemical and molecular tests. The percentage of S. aureus was (65.48%), followed S. epidermidis (25.66%) then S. saprophyticus (4.42%), so the prevalence of S. aureus was major in (pus, abscess) which was 28.37%, while the prevalence of S. epidermidis was more in CSF which was (31.03%) The molecular methods and antimicrobial resistance were studied in 55 strains of collection of samples (40 S. aureus and 15 CNS), where detected 16SrRNA, gap, and nuc genes for adjust the identification. Antibiotic resistance tests examined for 8 different antibiotics as follows: AMC (65%), GN (30%), CRO (62.5%), PE (7.5%), OFX (7.5%), AM (70%), VA (2.5%) and AX (55%). The percentage of presence of MRSA strains was 15% and MRCNS was 6.66%.

Distribution of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus in soils of Damascus zone and its antibacterial activity against Staphylococci species

The current work aimed to study the distribution of B. subtilis and B. cereus in soils of Damascus zone and focused on the antibacterial activity of Bacillus species against Staphylococci species which were isolated from pathogen and soil’s samples. The study showed that the rate of the distribution of B. subtilis was (65.71%) and it was more than the rate of distribution of B. cereus which was (35.29%) in the soil, and the rate of distribution of Staphylococci were between (10 – 20%). The antibacterial activity was studied for two species of B. subtilis, and two species of B. cereus against 35 species of Staphylococci which isolated from soil and deferent pathogen samples: ear, urine, Bronchitis excretions, Liver’s wash, CSF, Blood, Abscess, Furuncle, Pus, CV shant, Wounds. The results showed that B. subtilis which isolated from the soil of zone of Al-tall has more antibacterial activity which gives bigger inhibition zone against all strains of Staphylococci which were isolated from soil and pathogens (100%), whereas another strain which was isolated from the soil of zone of ALRabwah didn’t give antibacterial activity against some of these strains of Staphylococci (38.86%, 27.27%). In addition, two species of B. cereus didn’t have any antibacterial activity towards most strains of Staphylococci, except six of it (31.42%). With respect to strains of Staphylococci which was isolated from soil, B. subtilis of Al-tall has more antibacterial activity which give bigger inhibition zone (10-21 mm) against all of strains of Staphylococci which isolated from different soil except S. epidermidis (0 mm) which isolated from Adawee, while another species which isolated from the soil of AL-Rabwah gave antibacterial activity against some of these strains of Staphylococci. In addition, two species of B. cereus had antibacterial activity towards three strains of Staphylococci, but no activity towards four strains of it, and there is a significant difference between B. subtilis1 and Bs2, Bc1, Bc2 in almost strains of Staphylococci (P< 0.05).

Detection of mecA Gene, vanA Gene in Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermidis from Clinical Samples

Current study aimed to identify S. aureus and S. epidermidis strains, and investigate of methicillin resistant gene mecA and vancomycin vanA gene in these bacteria and detection the antimicrobial resistance. The samples were obtained from three hospitals: Al-Mouwasat, Children, and Dermal Venereal Diseases between August 2013 through June 2014. Forty six strains of S. aureus and S. epidermidis were detected, PCR product appeared a single DNA band for nuc, mecA and vanA genes, which coded areas equal to nearly 270 bp, 533 bp, and 1100 bp respectively. The percentage of presence of mecA gene in S. aureus strains (MRSA) was 15% and vanA gene (VRSA) was 2.5%. The percentages of antibiotic resistance were: AMC (65%), AM (70%), AX (55%), GN (30%), CRO (62.5%), PE (7.5%), OFX (7.5%) and VA (2.5%). The MIC of S. aureus was ranging between 16 – 32 μg ml-1, except resistant strains was >256 μg ml-1 while MIC for vancomycin was ranging between 4 – 8 μg ml-1, except resistant strains was >256 μg ml-1. Whereas the MIC for methicillin of all strains of S. epidermidis was ranging between 8 – 16 μg ml-1.

Antibacterial properties of crude lyophilized extracts of Bacillus subtilis against Coagulase negative Staphylococci CNS

The aim of this research was to investigate antimicrobials from crude lyophilized extract and used against CNS strains were isolated from clinical and environmental samples. Six strains were isolated from soil and wastewater. The strains were identified by biochemical and 16S DNA methods, another hand, CNS strains were isolated from patients, healthy skin, soil, and wastewater and identified by biochemical methods. The crude antibacterial production was extracted as 3 d. incubation shaker at 37 oC/150 rev min-1, then centrifugation 12000 rev min-1 for 15 min. at 4oC, and filtrate throw 0.45 μm, next freeze and lyophilized. The crude extracts were run on Diamonsil C18 column (5 μm, 250 × 4.6 mm) in HPLC system to separate the antibiotics, also run on FTIR spectrum. Some crude lyophilized extracts which extracted from B. subtilis gave high activity against some strains of CNS and others are not. Two kinds of antibiotics (Bacitracin A and Polymyxin B) were isolated from B. subtilis and identified to the peptide family. Bacitracin A could function as antibacterial against a wide spectrum of CNS pathogens.

Bacteria associated with Ear Infections in the National Hospital in Qamishly Syria and their Antimicrobial Resistance

54 isolates were isolated of the bacteria associated with ear infections which have antimicrobial resistance from the patients in the National Hospital in Qamishly City during the period from 01/08/2008 to 31/10/ 2009. The number of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was high, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. It has been found that the rate of ear infections was lower in male (44.4%) than female (55.5%), and was (48.10%) in the first age category (1- 15 year) more than the second age category (15- 30 year) (31.37%), while the rate of ear infections was (23.5%) in the third age category(30- 60 year ). We found that all the strains of isolated bacteria showed high susceptibility to Imipenem (100%), and all bacteria of Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter, showed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin (85%), but only staphylococcus (58%). In addition, most isolated bacteria showed intermediate sensitivity to tobramycin, amikacin, gentamycin, and cephalosporinses like ceftazidime, cefaclor and cefotaxime. At the same time, most isolated bacteria showed resistance to Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Oxacylline, Sulphamethoxasole, erythromycin, vancomycin and tetracyclines.

Sensitivity and Resistance main Staphylococcus Sp. Isolated of urine Cause UTIs in the National Hospital in Qamishly

Antimicrobial resistance is a big problem that needs a healthy and serious care. The current study researches 39 staphylococcus isolated from urine of patients and outpatients and the antimicrobial resistance. The research carried out at the National Hospital in Qamishly during the period 2008 - 2009. Results showed that the rate of urinary tract infections was more in females (94.87%) than in males (5.12%) and more in adults (87.17%) than children (12.82%). We found that all the strains of isolated bacteria showed high susceptibility against Imipenem (94.82%), Cefazoline (83.84%), Ceftriaxone (69.23%), Cefaclor (69.2%), Amikacin (64.1%), and Gentamycin (61.5%). In addition, most isolated bacteria showed intermediate Sensitivity of Ciprofloxacin (53.8%), Levofloxacin (51.2%), and rate of sensitivity against Tobramycin (38.4%), Amoxicillin clavulanic acid (25.6%), Pefloxacin (25.6%), Vancomycine (25.6%). At the same time, most of the isolated bacteria showed resistance of Ceftazidime, Cefotaxime, Cefuroxime sodium, Ofloxacin, Cefoxitin, Sulphamethoxasole trimethoprim, Tetracyclines, Erythromycin, Penicillin, Ampicillin, Oxacillin, Amoxicillin