Phylogenetic, Sequencing, and Mutation Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA.1) and Its Subvariants (BA.1.1, BA.2) During the Fifth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Introduction In December 2019, a global outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 occurred in Wuhan, China, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the virus has spread to all countries, necessitating a worldwide initiative to create effective treatments and vaccines. Methods The RNA of samples QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, MD).

The effect of erythroferrone suppression by transfusion on the erythropoietin-erythroferrone-hepcidin axis in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia: A pre-post cohort study.

To track post-transfusion changes on the erythropoietin (EPO)-erythroferrone (ERFE)-hepcidin axis, we collected blood samples from 82 regularly transfused patients with β-thalassaemia major (β-TM) immediately before and 4-6 days after transfusion. The post-transfusion haemoglobin, hepcidin, and ferritin levels were increased, while the EPO, ERFE, and soluble transferrin receptor were suppressed. In addition, hepcidin change was inversely associated with erythropoietic change, which was confirmed by an increase in the hepcidin-to-ERFE ratio after transfusion.

Cryptosporidiosis in Children in Duhok City / Kurdistan Region / Iraq.

This is the first study to detect cryptosporidiosis among children in Duhok city/Kurdistan region of Iraq. The study included 332 stool samples of children using Modified Ziehl Neelsen Method (MZNM) and 122 of these were randomly selected to detect Cryptosporidium by ELISA. By MZNM, the infection rate of Cryptosporidium oocysts was 66.

Development and laboratory evaluation of a lateral flow device (LFD) for the serodiagnosis of Theileria annulata infection.

Several DNA-based and serological tests have been established for the detection of Theileria annulata infection, including polymerase chain reaction, reverse line blot and loop-mediated isothermal amplification, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and competitive ELISA. In this study, we have applied knowledge from the development and application of a recombinant protein-based indirect ELISA and competitive ELISA to establish a rapid test for point-of-care diagnosis of T. annulata infection in the field to be used by the veterinarian.

Identification of clone-9 antigenic protein of Theileria uilenbergi and evaluation of its application for serodiagnosis.

The pathogenic protozoan parasite Theileria uilenbergi is one of the causative agents of theileriosis in small ruminants in China. The infection results in great economical losses in the northwest part of China. Efforts are underway to establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on a T.

Epidemiological studies on tropical theileriosis (Theileria annulata infection of cattle) in Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

In an ad hoc survey conducted during 2006, the epidemiology of tropical theileriosis in Kurdistan Region, Iraq, was addressed. For this purpose, a total of 299 blood samples were collected from female cattle older than 1 year reared under open system management in Duhok (n = 99), Sulaimanyia (n = 100) and Erbil (n = 100) governorates. The samples were subjected to TaSP indirect ELISA as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR assays.

Identification of Theileria uilenbergi immunodominant protein for development of an indirect ELISA for diagnosis of ovine theileriosis.

Theileriosis of small ruminants in the northwest of China is a protozoan disease that restricts the development of the livestock industry. The disease is caused by infection with Theileria uilenbergi and Theilerialuwenshuni, both of which are transmitted by ixodid Heamaphysalis ticks. The development of serological tools as a means of integrated control of the disease is an urgent and important requirement.

Field validation of a competitive ELISA for detection of Theileria annulata infection.

In previous studies, Theileria annulata surface protein (TaSP) was identified as an immunodominant antigen and successfully used to develop a recombinant-protein-based indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of circulating antibodies in serum of T. annulata-infected animals. To increase the specificity, a competitive ELISA (cELISA) was developed using recombinant TaSP antigen and a monoclonal antibody (1C7) specifically binding to TaSP.