The Role of Blood Transfusion in HCV Infection: A Study Testing Ab: RNA & Genotype

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) recently was identified as a major cause of post transfusion hepatitis world wide. To evaluate the role of blood transfusion on the prevalence of HCV infection, by testing antibody and RNA as well as the genotypes of HCV .Also to detect if Blood transfusion acts as unconfounding risk factor for HCV infection. Sera from 3491 pregnant women were investigated for the presence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) by using third generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-3) as screening test, followed by immunoblot assay (Lia Tek-III). In addition 94 sera of studied women were subjected to molecular analysis (at laboratories of Sorin BioMedica – Italy) for the detection of viral RNA and genotypes of HCV. Using RT-PCR & DNA Enzyme immunoassay (DEIA) method. Our study revealed, that seroprevalence rate of HCV specific Ab & RNA were significantly higher (16.32 %, 80% respectively) among women with a history of blood transfusion, compared to those (2.53%, 56.5%) with no such history P=0.0001, P=0.01. And there is a significant direct linear correlation between number of blood transfused and the seropositive rate of anti-HCV(r=0.7, p=0.046). Based on multivariate analysis, interestingly, this study confirmed that, blood transfusion significantly acting as unconfounding risk factor for acquiring HCV infection (Adjusted OR=1.938,95% C.I=1.646-2.28). And the risk of exposure is increases with increased number of blood transfused. Although, we found no significant association between, HCV genotypic distribution and history of blood transfusion. However, high proportion of women with a history of blood transfusion were harboring HCV genotype –4 or 1b, 50%,40%, resepctively. Our study shows, evidence that, blood transfusion acts as unconfounding risk factor for acquiring and in a mode of transmission of HCV infection. Therefore strict screening of blood donor for HCV-Abs and / or RNA is highly recommended.

Lack of mother-to-newborn transmission of hepatitis C virus in Iraqi women: a prospective study with hepatitis C virus RNA testing

The risk of mother to infant transmission of hepatitis C virus varies according to the population studied and the testing used. Patients and In this study, the polymerase chain reaction was employed for the first time in Iraqi research in a prospective study to assess the risk of vertical transmission in an unselected population of Iraqi pregnant women. Hepatitis C antibodies [Abs] were sought with third generation enzyme immunoassay [EIA-3] in 3491 pregnant women. A positive reaction was then confirmed by a third generation immunoblot assay [LiaTek-111]. Positive confirmation occurred in 112 serum samples. The study followed 26 babies of 25 anti-HCV positive mothers at the first month of life. Eight of these babies were followed for 6 months postnatally. All of the neonates were positive for HCV antibodies [EIA-3 and Lia Tek-111] during the first month of life. None were positive at 6 months. Hepatitis C virus RNA was consistently negative in 22 sera [14 infants at 1 month and 8 repeated at 6 months] regardless of the hepatitis C virus polymerase chain reaction status of their mothers, of whom 9 were positive for hepatitis C RNA. The study showed no evidence of vertical transmission of HCV from pregnant Iraqi women to their offspring

Protective effect of BCG vaccination in Iraq: a case control study

The subject of the efficacy of BCG vaccination had to be scientifically studied as part of an evaluation of the program of compulsory vaccination initiated in Iraq more than 20 years ago. For this purpose, a case control study was designed including 200 cases of tuberculosis, 75.5% of which were respiratory, and 400 controls. Preliminary analysis suggested the presence of certain confounders which made matching imperative. Results showed that under the present circumstances in which BCG is used, the protective value was calculated to be 53% preventing 31 cut of 100 potential new cases of tuberculosis. Accordingly ways in strengthening efficacy is needed at this stage. This study had been partly financed by Anti- tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Society in Iraq

Facts on the prevalence of brucellosis in Iraq.

From November 1989 to February 1990. 2400 samples of blood were collected from eight Iraqi governorate; Tamim, Arbial, Sulaimaniya, Dhok, Babil, Al-Muthanna, Al-Anbar and Ninawa, representing different geographical areas. Blood sampling covered rural, urban and risk groups[slaughterhouses and diary production employees]. Indirect fluorescent antibody technique [IFAT] was used to screen these samples for the presence of specific IgG antibodies against brucellosis and it was found that the test was highly specific > results show that 4.3% of the samples examined were positive. Males were found to be more affected [4.8%] than females[3.7%].In risk group leading factor of exposure was slaughtering, in rural sample contact with animals and consumption of local yoghourt, in urban consumption of local youghourt too. Occupation in risk group mostly butchers [25%] and slaughterhouse workers [4.8%] are affected, while in rural and urban groups housewives, children and students were found to have the high positively [4.8-5.8%] general positively in risk group was 5.8%, in rural area 4.6% and the lowest 2.6% in urban area. Tamim [8.7%], Sulaimaniya [6%], Anbar [6.3%] and Babil [6.7%]had the highest prevalence rate associated with high rates in risk groups in same governorates. Two epidemiological patterns of the disease were noticed the first connected with the direct transmission found in the risk group of tamim, Sulaimaniya, Babil and Anbar, the second is the indirect pattern through the consumption of local unpasturized milk, cheese, youghourt and cream, these were mostly in the rural areas of Anbar, babil, tamim and Arbil. Accordingly brucellosis was found to be highly endemic causing occupational and clinical problems and necessitating control measures on multidisciplinary levels to limit the spread of disease

Prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies in the Iraqi population

2400 persons representing eight governorates in Iraq, were blood sampled, 300 persons from each governorate distributed evenly into rural, urban and selected persons having high contact with animals and their products, samples were examined by immunoflourescence technique to detect specific IgG serum antibodies towards Toxoplasmosis. The test was found to be highly specific of 93.7%. Overall positivity rate of the sample examined was 8.6% [207 positives], only 17% of positives registered a titre more than 1/64. all ages were found to be affected.seropositivity begins early in life. The level of hygiene and contact with animals were found to affect the epidemiology of the disease in terms of exposure, with higher positivity rates 12% in the rural areas with low standards of hygiene, 7.6% in the selected group having higher contacts with animals, and only 6.3% in the urban area, significantly higher in the rural areas. Accordingly, Anbar govenorate registered 15% positivity rate. Sulaimaniya 14.6%, Arbil 12% and Babil 11% were amongst the highest recorded