Journal of Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Human Diseases

Sensitivity of klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria isolated from the urine of patients with urinary tract infections in kirkuk city/iraq

Shukran Abdul Hussein Mohammed, Najdat Bahjat Mahdi, Hussain Salih Akbar — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria causing urinary tract infections among patients suffering from urinary infections, to isolate and test their antibiotic sensitivity in order to identify the effective antimicrobial agent against them. A total of 136 urine samples were collected from individuals with urinary tract infections, aged 2 to 75 years, during the period from August 6, 2023, to November 16, 2023. The samples were cultured on MacConkey agar and blood agar. A positive growth was exhibited in 65 samples, accounting for 47%, while 71 samples did not show any bacterial growth, making up 52%. Out of these, 17 isolates were identified as Klebsiella, with a positivity rate of 26%, diagnosed through microscopic, cultivation, and biochemical tests. The study results indicated that Klebsiella pneumoniae was one of the most common pathogenic causes after E.coli bacteria. The Incidence of Klebsiella was higher in females than in males, with most infections occurring in married women more than in single women. Klebsiella bacteria showed a high resistance of 100% against Gentamycin, Rifampicin, Tetracycline, Ampicillin, and Cefoxitin, while the resistance rates varied for Imipenem, Tobramycin, Trimethoprim, with 76%, 52%, and 88% respectively. The sensitivity rates ranged for Chloramphenicol, Ofloxacin, Amikacin, and Azithromycin with 41%, 35%, 11%, and 17.

Assessment of testosterone levels, kidney function and alkaline phosphatase in patients with benign prostatic enlargement in kirkuk city/iraq

Dhafer Fayeq Ibrahim, Sahib Jumaah Abdulrahman, Amjed Ạbbawe Salih — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The present study is designed to evaluate the concentration of Testosterone, Creatinine, Urea urea, and alkaline phosphatase levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study was conducted for the period from the beginning of October 2023 to the end of February 2024 at Kirkuk Hospital. General and specialized medical clinics in the city of Kirkuk. The study included (70) males with benign prostatic hyperplasia, ages (45-75) years, and average weight (82) kg. In addition to 20 samples of healthy people with the same rate of ages and weights of patients, study samples were distributed as follows: The first group: the control group and included (20) healthy males, and the second group: the patient group and distributed to three groups according to the age groups first category ( 45-55) years and included 25 patients, the second age group (56-65) years and included 20 patients, the third age group (66-75) years and included 25 patients. The results of the current study showed a significant increase (p ≤ 0.05) in the concentration of urea, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase enzyme in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia compared to healthy people, and the current study showed a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in testosterone concentration in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia compared to healthy people. According to age groups, the results showed no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in the concentrations of urea, creatinine and alkaline phosphatase enzyme in patients with prostatic hyperplasia, and the results showed a significant decrease (p≤ 0.05) in the concentration of testosterone according to the age groups of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Insights Into Mental Health, Lifestyle Patterns, and Academic Attitudes among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Medical students are more likely to experience mental health issues due to high academic pressure. Therefore, it is essential to have updated information regarding their mental health status.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 406 randomly selected medical students. Informed verbal consent was obtained from all participants. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews, ensuring confidentiality and the right to withdraw at any time. Quality control measures were maintained throughout the study. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, and results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The participants were aged between 18 and 27 years, with a mean age of 22.7±1.8 years. The majority were Muslim (61.3%) and single (85.9%). Psychological distress was observed in 52.7% of students. A significant proportion (72.9%) had a positive attitude toward medical education, although 54.9% felt their current studies were insufficient. Most students (90.7%) reported normal mental health before admission. Nearly half (47.1%) had no generalized anxiety disorder, while only 6.7% required mental health services. Additionally, 63.1% reported good food quality consumption, 45.1% were non-smokers, and 23.6% had a sedentary lifestyle. A majority (69.9%) maintained good relationships with their parents, and 36.5% reported low levels of emotional exhaustion.

Conclusion: Medical students experience considerable psychological distress despite having good mental health prior to admission. While many maintain healthy lifestyles and positive relationships, a notable proportion still require mental health support. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions among medical students.

Isolation and diagnosis of bacteria and fungi from some areas of tikrit and some villages

Marwa M.Mahdi, Sarab Dalaf Khalaf, Youns R. Abdulaah, Teba Anwar Ahmed — Sun, 18 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Airborne microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, contribute to environmental air pollution and may pose health risks, especially in agricultural regions.

Objective: To assess airborne bacterial and fungal contamination in selected areas of Tikrit, including Al-Alam, Al-Bu Ajil, Al-Buhyazaa, and Al-Karaat village.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted during November and January 2021–2022 using the passive settle plate method. Petri dishes containing Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) were exposed to air for 15 minutes across sampling sites. After incubation, microbial growth was analyzed. Bacteria were cultured on MacConkey agar and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar. Gram staining was used for bacterial identification, while Lactophenol cotton blue staining was used for fungal identification.

Results: Fungal contamination was higher than bacterial contamination, with Penicillium spp. predominating in agricultural areas. The highest colony count was observed in Al-Bu Ajil (sample G2.1), with over 96 colonies, approximately two to three times higher than other sites, likely due to favorable environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature. Most bacterial isolates were Gram-negative, mainly Klebsiella spp., which showed growth on MacConkey agar in Tikrit, Al-Alam, and Al-Karaat, indicating environmental adaptability. No bacterial growth was detected in Al-Buhyazaa (sample 3.1 H), possibly due to unfavorable conditions.

Conclusion: Airborne microbial contamination varied across study sites, with higher fungal loads in agricultural areas and widespread presence of Gram-negative bacteria. Environmental factors significantly influence microbial distribution in air.

Antibacterial Activitiy of Triterpeniod Compounds

Qutaiba Saleh Essa, Suha Maher Abed, Hayder Mudheher Abbas — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Burn wound infections represent a critical clinical challenge, with drug-resistant bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa frequently implicated. Plant-derived triterpenoid compounds, including those from Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), have demonstrated potential antimicrobial properties and warrant systematic investigation.

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of triterpenoid substances extracted from R. officinalis against pathogenic bacteria isolated from burn wound patients. Methods: This study was conducted from July 2023 to April 2024. One hundred specimens were collected from burn patients at the Burn Care Center, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. Bacterial identification was performed via routine biochemical tests and confirmed using the Vitek2 compact system. Rosemary leaves were shade-dried, powdered, and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using 250 ml of 75% petroleum ether at 40–60°C for six hours. The extract was concentrated via rotary evaporation at 40°C. Phytochemical profiling was conducted by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Antibacterial activity was assessed against six bacterial strains at concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 100% using the well-diffusion Kirby-Bauer method.

Results: A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were the predominant isolates. GC/MS analysis identified ursolic acid (1.38%) and oleanolic acid (3.27%) among the triterpenoid constituents. The greatest zones of inhibition were recorded for Staphylococcus aureus (22 mm at 50%; 26 mm at 100%), Acinetobacter baumannii (18 mm at 50%; 22 mm at 100%), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (17 mm at 100%).

Conclusion: Triterpenoid extracts from R. officinalis exhibit concentration-dependent antibacterial activity, with notable efficacy against S. aureus and A. baumannii. These findings support further investigation of rosemary-derived compounds as adjunctive agents in burn infection management.