Evaluating the clinical significance of Anti-C1q and Anti-C3b antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus patients Zainab Khalid Khaleel, Niaam Nafie Jammil, Wameedh Hashim Abbas Alqatrani, Abeer Laily Mohammed Romanian Journal of Medical Practice, 2025 Objective(s). Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder that is marked by a variety of autoantibodies. This study aimed to evaluate the association of anti-C1q IgG, anti-C3b IgG, and anti-dsDNA antibodies with disease activity in patients with SLE. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted including 120 SLE patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum anti-C1q and anti-dsDNA IgG levels were measured by ELISA using manufacturer-defined positivity cutoffs (>10 U/mL and >18 IU/mL, respectively), anti-C3b IgG was quantified using a commercial ELISA kit without a predefined diagnostic threshold, while complement C3 and C4 were measured by nephelometry. This study used the independent samples t-test and the Pearson correlation coefficient to compare groups and assess associations between variables. Results. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected in 80% of SLE patients, compared with 51.6% for anti-C1q and 30% for anti-C3b (p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of both anti-C1q and anti-dsDNA were significantly higher in patients with active disease than in those with inactive SLE (anti-C1q: 61.4 ± 10.9 vs. 7.54 ± 3.2 AU/mL; anti-dsDNA: 70.5 ± 21.5 vs. 12.6 ± 8.0 IU/mL). Complement levels (C3 and C4) were significantly lower in active SLE (p < 0.05). Anti-C1q showed strong positive correlations with anti-dsDNA (r = 0.824) and with SLEDAI scores, and a negative correlation with C3 (r = –0.651). Anti-C3b was also positively correlated with anti-dsDNA (r = 0.608) and with disease activity (r = 0.613). Conclusion. Anti-C1q, anti-C3b, and anti-dsDNA antibodies are significantly associated with disease activity in SLE and may supplement complement measurements in clinical assessment. These findings reflect cross-sectional associations and highlight the potential utility of these markers in evaluating disease status, while longitudinal studies are required to establish prognostic value.
Identification of blaOXA-23gene in resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from cows and humans in Basra province, Iraq Alyaa Sabti Jasim, Abeer Laily Mohammed, Wameedh Hashim Abbas, Hanaa Khaleel Ibraheim, Hasanain A.J. Gharban Veterinary World, 2024 Background and Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious agent of great importance for animals and humans. It causes serious infections that show high resistance to antibiotics. This study investigated the molecular detection of blaOXA-23 gene in antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa strains isolated from cows and humans. Materials and Methods: In total, 120 samples, comprised 60 from cows (30 milk and 30 nasal discharge) and 60 from their owners (30 urine and 30 sputum), were individually collected, cultured, and tested for P. aeruginosa through molecular analysis targeting the blaOXA-23 gene. P. aeruginosa antibiotic-resistant isolates were identified by performing antibiotic susceptibility testing and detecting biofilm formation. Results: In total, 74.17% positive P. aeruginosa isolates, including 66.67% and 81.67% for cows and humans, respectively. Subsequently, positive cow isolates were detected in 60% of milk samples and 73.33% of nasal discharge samples; while positive human isolates were detected in 76.67% of urine samples and 86.66% of sputum samples. Targeting blaOXA-23 gene, 58.43% of cultured isolates were positive for P. aeruginosa by polymerase chain reaction. Respectively, positive isolates were detected in 66.67% and 45.46% of cow milk and nasal discharges as well as in 60.87% and 61.54% of human urine and sputum. The antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that all isolates were resistant to all applied antibiotics, particularly imipenem. Results of biofilm formation revealed 67.31% total positives, including 51.43% strong, 34.285% moderate, and 14.285% weak reactions. In addition, although values of the total positive cows and humans differed insignificantly, total positives showed insignificant variation between values of milk and nasal discharges of cows as well as between urine and sputum of humans; however, significant differences were identified in the distribution of strong, moderate, and weak positivity of these samples. Conclusion: Antibiotic overuse contributes extensively to increasing the prevalence of resistant P. aeruginosa isolates carrying the blaOXA-23 gene in both cows and humans. Furthermore, studies in other Iraqi areas are necessary to support our findings. The main limitations include that the number of tested samples is relatively low, and there is a need to use a large number of samples from different sources. Also, the current methods for detection of resistant isolates are still culture-based approaches. Keywords: antibiotic susceptibility test, biofilm formation, blaOxacillinases-23, conventional polymerase chain reaction, cow milk, nasal discharge, sputum, urine.
Antimicrobial efficacy of Thymus vulgaris extract against some Staphylococcus species isolated from subclinical mastitis in cattle in Basrah province, Iraq Abeer Mohammed, Wameedh Alqatrani, Nawres Jaber Open Veterinary Journal, 2023 Background: Thymus vulgaris extracts can play a significant role as alternatives for antimicrobial agents against bovine staphylococcus mastitis. Aim: This research's goal was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of an extract from Thymus vulgaris as an alternative to antibiotics on bovine Staphylococcus mastitis. Also, to know the effect of the extraction methods (hot alcoholic, cold alcoholic and hot water extract) on its effectiveness. Methods: Two hundred ten of cow milk samples from different areas of Basrah province had been suffering subclinical mastitis reported by using California mastitis test (CMT). Staphylococcus species were identified by conventional microbiological technique, GP24 Kit, and nuc gene. Antimicrobial activity of various concentration of Thymus vulgaris extracted (75, 50, 25) mg /ml with different methods of extraction (hot alcoholic, cold alcoholic and hot water extract). Results: Out of 210 samples, 99(47.1%) were positive California mastitis test (CMT), the identification rate of Staphylococci spp. by conventional microbiological technique and GP24 kit were 78(78.8%). Out of 78 isolates of Staphylococcus spp 48(61.5%) were identified as S. aureus, by using both molecular technique by using PCR and miniaturize Kit GP24, and employing the miniature GP24, the remaining 30 (38.5%) were determined to be different species of Staphylococcus. Antibacterial activity of various concentrations of Thymus vulgaris extracted (75, 50, 25) mg /ml with different methods of extraction revealed that hot alcoholic extract (100%) was more effective than cold alcoholic extract (66.7%), whereas, there is no effect on the bacteria species with the hot water extract. Conclusion: Thymus vulgaris extracts can play a significant role as alternatives for antimicrobial agents against bovine staphylococcus mastitis.
Classical and molecular identification of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from infestation cattle wounds with myiasis in Basrah governorate, Iraq Moaed H. Sayhood, Abeer L. Mohammed, Mohanad F. Abdulhameed, Muna M. Jori Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 2022 The present study was carried out to describe some epidemiological facts of myiasis infestations in cattle; therefore, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated and identified from various infested sites with maggots from February to September 2019. It involved three districts (Shatt-Alarab, Al-Qurnah, and Al-Dyr) north of Basrah Governorate/Iraq. A total of 54 herds/owners were visited, with 150 cattle were found to be infested with maggots and diagnosed from different sites of the animal body. The result was indicated that 31% (95%Cl, 26.9-35.4) of examined animals were infested with myiasis, and there were no significant differences detected between sex and ages of the animal groups under study. Staphylococcus aureus was diagnosed using classical methods as morphological characteristics, physiological (coagulase tube method), biochemical tests, and growth on selective medium as Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) at a percentage of 32% (48/150). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the nuc gene in this isolated species, indicating the presence of nuc size (423) bp compared with a ladder used. The study clearly states that myiasis is a severe threat to cattle populations and that veterinary and agriculture authorities must recall control measures. These measures should be forged to include using a trapping/catch system, applying effective treatment, spraying pesticides, and sterilizing male flies with radiation to inhibit producing offspring.
Molecular detection of ica gene and some surface proteins in biofilm producer of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Biochemical and Cellular Archives, 2020
