Rafidain Journal of Science

Prevalence and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Malassezia Species Isolated from Pityriasis Patients in Duhok City/ Iraq

Jwan I. Ahmed Ahmed — 2026-06-03

Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a mild, long-lasting superficial cutaneous mycosis caused by the yeast Malassezia. It is characterized by distinct or confluent, scaly, discolored spots on the upper trunk and other sebaceous areas. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility profile of Malassezia species isolated from pityriasis versicolor patients in Duhok city / Iraq.

The current study was carried out on a total of 157 patients, 89 females (57%) and 68 males (43%) who were clinically suspected of having pityriasis versicolor, attending the dermatological department of Azadi Teaching Hospital in Duhok city during the period from July 2024-October 2024. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used to dissolve antifungal drugs, which were then utilized to test antifungal sensitivity using the agar well diffusion method against widely used antifungal medications, including (itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, and nystatin). In this study the majority of patients were in the age group of 21-30 years. Within clinical signs, hypopigmented type of PV was the most predominant type (42.7%).

The majority of patients showed two or more areas of involvement which were seen in 57 cases (36.3%). More people in urban area (92.4%) were impacted than in rural areas (7.6%).

Regarding antifungal susceptibility, the most effective drugs were ketoconazole and nystatin, followed by itraconazole and finally fluconazole.

Assessment of Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for Early Detection of Diabetic Nephropathy

Zena F. Al-Ozair — 2026-06-03

The research was undertaken to investigate the identification of early indicators of diabetic nephropathy by comparing declines in renal function between patients with (T2DM) and the non-diabetic population. Laboratory blood samples included 120 specimens from patients diagnosed with (T2DM) which were collected from the Al Wafaa Center for Diabetes and Endocrine Gland Disease and private laboratories in Mosul city and another 90 specimens obtained from healthy subjects as controls. The study participants underwent comprehensive medical evaluations, including fasting blood sugar tests (FBS), hemoglobin A1c level tests (HbA1c), and kidney tests for creatinine, urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine albumin and creatinine ratio (ACR). Results indicated a significant increase in fasting blood sugar, HbA1c levels, ACR, and increased serum creatinine, urea, and BUN levels at P ≤ 0.05 compared to healthy individuals, establishing these as reliable prognostic indicators to differentiate between diabetic patients with nephropathy and other healthy people.

The Correlation between Genetic Variation for SNCA Gene with Parkinson’s Disease

Manar k. Ahmed — 2026-06-03

The purpose of the present research was to investigate the relationship between the variation of SNCA sequences and Parkinson's syndrome by collecting 120 specimens of blood from both patients as well as normal people who visited Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital in Mosul from Dec to June 2023-2024. The specimens were separated between different categories, including the Parkinson's (patient) group donated symbol P, which contained thirty specimens split into two distinct age-based subgroups, P1 (ages 50-65) and P2 (ages 66-80). Each had 15 blood samples, and the Parkinson's family record group contributed symbol F had thirty specimens of persons around the ages of 25 and 50 as well to controls group C, which had sixty specimens of people who were healthy split into three subgroups: C1 (50-65 years old) C2 (ages 66-80) and subgroup C3 (ages 25-50). Results of our study After comparison between these groups showed for the first time mutation in different location in the SNCA gene parts after specific primers designed in different parts of this gene utilized PCR technique. Most of these mutations are point mutation in the amplicon sequences of the specific gene parts in extracted DNA from blood samples of family group (F) and Parkinson’s group (P) compared with the healthy group (C) blood samples.

This research concluded according to its results that SNCA gene had an important role in the Parkinson’s disease early diagnostic due to the point mutation that occurred in family history group F which could be utilized as early diagnostic marker.

Prevalence and Antibiogram of Multidrug-Resistant Aeromonas spp. Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Sources in Duhok City/ Iraq

Andy A. Issa — 2026-06-03

The genus Aeromonas comprises opportunistic pathogens of increasing clinical and environmental concern, mainly in aquatic and healthcare-related environments. This study was aimed at ascertaining the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Aeromonas bacteria from different environmental and clinical samples obtained from Duhok City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. A total of 387 samples (180 environmental and 207 clinical) were analyzed using phenotypic, biochemical, automated Vitek 2 compact system, and molecular methods, utilising the PCR amplification of the GCAT gene, to confirm the presence of Aeromonas bacteria. Environmental samples had a higher rate of isolation (38/180; 21.1%) than clinical samples (3/207; 1.45%). In general, out of 51 phenotypically presumptive isolates, 41 (80.39%) were confirmed by PCR. The cumulative rate of multidrug resistance MDR was 97.56%. The environmental isolates recorded an MDR rate of 97.37%, and 100% within the clinical isolates.

The highest resistance was exhibited by tested antimicrobials against imipenem (95.12% total; 94.74% environmental; 100% clinical), followed by amikacin (90.24% total; 92.11% environmental; 66.67% clinical) and tetracycline (85.37% total; 86.84% environmental; 66.67% clinical). Moderate resistance rates were detected for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, meropenem and aztreonam.

On the other hand, the lowest resistance rates were against ciprofloxacin (39.02%; environmental: 34.21%, clinical: 100%) and chloramphenicol (26.83%; environmental: 26.32%, clinical: 33.33%). This study reveals the environmental and clinical prevalence and multidrug resistance of Aeromonas bacteria, especially in hospital-associated microhabitats, and their significance to public health. The results suggest environmental surveillance on a regular basis, increased infection control, and more restrictive antibiotic policies in the region

Dual Effect Against Foodborne Salmonella Isolates: Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Efficacy of Different Concentrations of Extracts from Cocos nucifera (L.) and Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton

Sarah M. Hirmiz — 2026-06-03

This study investigates the antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Coconut kernel/testa and Cardamom seed pods against both typical Salmonella isolates that do not ferment lactose (Lac-) and the atypical group that can ferment lactose (Lac+). Both plant extracts, including ethyl acetate and methanolic fractions, demonstrated good antibacterial activity against typical and atypical resistant Salmonella isolates, with ethyl acetate fractions of both plants exhibiting the most effective results against planktonic cells, in which ethyl acetate fraction of Cardamom seed pods showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5 mg/ml against potential Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL (CTX-M))-producing Lac+ isolate. While the ethyl acetate fraction of Coconut kernel/testa scored an MIC of 15 mg/ml against the multidrug-resistant (MDR), potential ESBL (CTX-M)-producing Lac- isolate.

The highest bactericidal activity was observed with the Cardamom methanolic fraction against the Lac- Salmonella sample with a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 25 mg/ml. Biofilm formation ability by the Lac+ isolate was significantly diminished by the methanolic fraction of Coconut kernel/testa at a sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (SMIC) of 25 mg/ml. Likewise the methanolic fraction of Cardamom also exhibited a noteworthy reduction in biofilm formation, with a significant impact observed at 5 mg/ml of SMIC.

Effect of Organic Acids and Probiotics on Methicillin and Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Patients in the Dhi Qar Governorate

Riyadh M. J. Alzamili — 2026-06-03

Governorate and how to use alternative treatments based on available, inexpensive, and safe materials for human use. The goal of this study was to find out how well some organic acids and probiotics kill clinical isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA and Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus VRSA a big health problem. From 430 specimens studied, only 314 (73%) demonstrated growth, whereas 116 (27%) indicated no growth. Out of 314 (73%), 158 (50.3%) were recognized as gram-positive bacteria, whereas 50 (31.65%) were categorized as Staphylococcus aureus and the growth of gram-negative bacteria 156 (49.7%). We obtained and processed 10 patient samples using traditional microbiological procedures, followed by molecular testing for validation. We treated the isolates with four types of organic acids: acetic, lactic, citric, and oxalic acids. We also used locally isolated probiotics from sheep milk, sheep whey, and cow whey, and we also used a commercially available probiotic powder formulation consisting of three probiotic bacteria. Results demonstrated that organic acids showed much more antibacterial efficacy than probiotic therapy. Acetic acid had the most efficiency among the acids, successfully suppressing bacterial growth at reduced doses. Lactic acid had the next highest efficacy, followed by citric acid with moderate activity, and oxalic acid exhibited the lowest effectiveness. The probiotic formulation decreased bacterial numbers to a degree, although its effect was far less marked than that of the organic acids. Based on these findings, organic acids, especially acetic acid, may work well as alternatives to or in addition to common antimicrobials.

Using A Galleria Mellonella to Investigate the Pathogenicity of Brachybacterium epidermidis Isolated from Conjunctivitis Newborn in Mosul City, Iraq

Teeba N. Salim — 2026-06-03

A total of 100 clinical samples were collected from neonates diagnosed with conjunctivitis at three hospitals in Mosul: Al-Salam Teaching Hospital, Mosul General Hospital, and Ibn Al-Atheer Hospital. Among the bacterial isolates, Brachybacterium epidermidis was identified in 2.27% of the isolates, which isolated for the first time in Mosul/Iraq. This Brachybacterium epidermidis grow on chocolate agar and furthermore molecular identification was performed using the universal 16S rRNA primer and the resulting sequence was compared with reference sequences in the NCBI database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), thereby confirming a 100% identity with Brachybacterium epidermidis Marseille-Q2903. In order to assess its pathogenic potential, Galleria mellonella larvae were injected with a standardized bacterial suspension compared with control group showed distinct morphological and histological changes indicating the bacterium’s ability to cause disease.

Ethanol Plant Extracts and Essential Oils Susceptibility and Molecular Characterization of Facklamia hominis: An Emerging Atypical Gram-Positive Pathogen

Aamer R. Al-Haddad — 2026-06-03

This study aimed to detect the presence of atypical Gram-positive bacteria and evaluate their susceptibility to selected plant extracts and essential oils through analysis of 200 diverse clinical specimens collected from patients in many hospitals in Mosul/ Iraq.

Specimens included blood, pus, vaginal swabs and urine, bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standardized microbiological techniques. Among the results, the species of the bacteria were very diverse, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative with particular distributions gained according to the source of a sample. Out of the isolates, 37 were Gram positive and they included general species of Staphylococcus spp.; Streptococcus spp.; Enterococcus spp.; and Lactobacillus Spp.

Gram negative included Escherichia coli, Proteus spp.; Klebsiella spp. and Pseudmonas spp. as well as limited fungal isolates mainly Candida spp. Some of the samples showed absence of microbial growth. Of these four rare strains of the genus Facklamia spp.; namely Facklamia hominis, only four times occurring in two urines and two vaginal swab samples (Al-Saliem and Al-Rawy.;2005), and were confirmed by molecular investigation as species-specific PCR (16SrRNA gene sequencing). It was the first case of clinical strains of F. hominis to be reported in Iraq. These were deposited in GenBank (accession no. PV719694.1 to PV719697.1).

The comparative genomic results revealed considerable similarity to international strains, with local mutations, which might be the case of adaptation. Plant extracts and essential oils susceptibility testing provided different degrees of resistance which point to genetic diversity and plasticity of F. hominis.

Determination of Colibactin Island in Novel Escherichia Fergusonii Isolated from Colorectal Cancer Case

Ikhlas R. Matter — 2026-06-03

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death. In our current study, 62 bacterial samples were isolated from 55 biopsies from patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy and surgical procedures. The majority of these biopsies were from patients with colorectal cancer, while the smallest number were from patients with gastric cancer. It is worth noting that 11 colorectal and gastric biopsies failed to culture on culture media. The results showed that E. coli was the most prevalent among the Gram-negative isolates obtained, accounting for 46 of the total bacterial isolates.

Escherichia fergusonii was obtained from an elderly woman who had colon cancer and underwent surgery to remove the tumor. Using traditional PCR, Escherichia fergusonii was molecularly identified as one of the isolates that had the colibactin-encoding genes (clbA. clbB, clbN, clbQ). Thus, this was considered the first local and global isolate containing these genes. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were used to prove the diagnosis of E. fregusonii and compared with those of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Deposition of the sequences of 16S rRNA at GenBank, under the accession number PV628355.1, and then the strain was given abbreviated name IAA. The phylogenetic tree was conducted to obtain the relationship between the pv628355 isolate and other Iraqi isolates and the result showed a high relationship between IAA PV628355 with IRQBAS114 LC647818.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women those reviewing gynecological centers in Nineveh Governorate

Ban N. Nuaimi — 2026-06-03

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite capable of infecting various tissues in many mammals and birds and causes toxoplasmosis. Infection occurs through the consumption of raw or undercooked meat or through contact with infected cats, which are its definitive host. With the spread of the phenomenon of raising domestic cats at home in Iraq in general and in the city of Mosul in particular, interest has arisen in studying the harm this parasite causes to humans, especially women, through its effect on fetuses during pregnancy.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infections among pregnant women in Nineveh Governorate, particularly among those who had experienced miscarriages.

This study used an ELISA test to detect T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM). The results showed that the overall infection percentage was 34% of the 200 samples examined, indicating the presence of acute and chronic infections with the parasite.

No significant differences observed between infection rates and some of the epidemiological factors studied, such as age groups, number of pregnancies, number of miscarriages, and pregnancy stage. The highest infection rate was recorded in the 35-39 age group, during the first trimester of pregnancy, and among women having their first or second pregnancy. The study showed that environmental and social factors and public health behaviors, such as soil handling, cat ownership, and meat cooking practices, were influenced parasite infection rates.

The effect of selenium nanoparticles in removing heavy metals from some types of water

Mohammad T. Selah — 2026-06-03

Given the critical need to remove heavy metals from contaminated water due to their toxic effect even when at low concentrations on both living organisms and humans, Alginate encapsulated SeNPs and commercial SeNPs were employed for the removal of these pollutants. The treatment process involved adding the nanoparticles to the contaminated water at a concentration of 100 µg/cm³and allowing them to interact for 24 hours, The removal efficiency was assessed using an atomic absorption spectroscopy to quantify the extent of heavy metals removal, specifically targeting copper, lead, chromium, and nickel. The results demonstrated that Alginate encapsulated SeNPs were more effective than commercial SeNPs in removing three metals: copper, lead, and chromium. While the Commercial SeNPs showed superior performance in removing nickel. these finding highlight the potential of alginate encapsulated SeNPs as a promising material for heavy metal removal with efficiency comparable to or even surpassing that of commercial SeNPs. Alginate serves as a support material for the nanoparticles, enhancing their capacity to absorb heavy metals due to its high affinity for these metals and its intrinsic non-toxic nature.

Evaluation Level of Gene Expression for PRE gene on Preptin Hormone in Patients with Osteoporosis in Mosul City

Elaf Gh. Nafi — 2026-06-03

Osteoporosis is commonly called a "silent condition" due to its tendency to progress without clear symptoms. It is defined by a reduction in bone mass, leading to weakened bones. has become more widespread, leading to sudden fractures in patients without any prior warning. It has been increasingly observed in people under the age of 35, prompting researchers to explore genetic factors. Hormones that regulate nutritional status, including Preptin, they play a critical role in bone metabolism.

Preptin is a recently identified peptide hormone, composed of 34 amino acids, secreted alongside insulin and amylin by pancreatic beta cells. Given its potential link to osteoporosis, the hormone Preptin was selected for further genetic study. Blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes for DNA extraction and in triazole tubes for RNA extraction. Gene expression of Preptin was analyzed in blood samples from osteoporosis and osteopenia patients in Mosul, Iraq, and compared to healthy individuals, due to the high incidence of osteoporosis and its genetic and hereditary associations. The study aimed to assess the genetic variation of Preptin genes in 40 blood samples from patients aged 35 to 75, who were receiving ongoing treatment at Ibn Sina Teaching and Al-Jamhory hospitals. A control group of 30 healthy individuals of similar age was also included.

Additionally, the research focused on detecting genetic mutations in the human DNA sequence, which has been registered in the International Gene Bank under number LC859842.

Synthesis of Activated Coke via Co-carbonization of Mixed Atmospheric Residue and Polypropylene Waste and KOH-Activation for the Desulfurization of Model Fuel

Muntaha H. Yaqoob — 2026-06-03

The increasing need for environmentally friendly methods to reduce sulfur content in transportation fuels has motivated the search for efficient and low-cost adsorbents. This study aims to synthesize a novel activated coke (AC) from a combination of atmospheric residue (ATR) from the Al-Kasik refinery and polypropylene (PP) waste collected from a cement factory. The co-carbonization process was carried out at 400 °C for 1 hour, followed by chemical activation using potassium hydroxide (KOH). The resulting activated coke was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption–desorption at 77 K, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to evaluate its crystallinity, surface area, pore structure, morphology, and elemental composition. The optimized AC exhibited a surface area of 220.96 m²/g and an average pore width of 2.95 nm, indicating a mesoporous structure. The adsorptive performance of the AC was tested using a model fuel containing dibenzothiophene (DBT) dissolved in hexane. A removal efficiency of 97.62% was achieved under optimal conditions (0.3 g of AC at 30 °C for 80 minutes). The adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetics. Moreover, the AC demonstrated good reusability, retaining 88.13% removal efficiency after five regeneration cycles. The study demonstrates that the synthesized activated coke is a promising and efficient adsorbent for sulfur removal from transportation fuels, offering a sustainable solution utilizing industrial waste materials.

A Comparative Study on the Biotransformation of Selected Steroids and Steroid Drugs Using Different Aspergillus Species

Raghda M. A. Al-ani — 2026-06-03

In nature, it can be said that there are many types of stimulants. including those being in bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals. It is a scientific fact that microbial transformation plays an important role in the biotransformation of steroids, enabling the production of stereoselective products. Our primary goal in this research is to explain and clarify the concept of microbial biotransformation and its importance in producing molecules with properties deemed useful in the pharmaceutical industry.

We also aim to highlight the importance of biotransformation in generating novel metabolites. Furthermore, we will shed light on the traits and features of some Aspergillus fungi.

We have demonstrated the biotransformation of some steroids such as DHAE and steroid drugs by some Aspergillus species such as Aspergillus albicans and Aspergillus niger. In order to clarify the results and how these fungi metabolize their substrates, we will use a previously conducted experiment and then compare the results of the experiment with the results of other previous experiments.

In conclusion, we hope that this work will be of benefit to students and researchers in the field of biochemistry.

Azo-Dye Estimation of Bisphenol A Release from Plastic Bottles to Baby's Milk Via Diazotization reaction

Ahlam A. Shihab — 2026-06-03

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic compound commonly used in modern industries, particularly in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It is classified as an endocrine-interfering compound due to its chemical structure, which is similar to that of estrogen. In this study, BPA is forced to release from plastic baby bottles to milk by heating; then it is extracted from milk and determined spectrophotometrically using an azo coupling reaction with the diazotized p-nitroaniline (PNA)reagent to yield the azo dye which shows maximum absorbance at 478 nm. The method demonstration range is from 0.1 to 5.5 µg/ml, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02861 µg/ml, limit of quantitation (LOQ) 0.09538 The calculated molar absorptivity confirmed 3.2× 104 l. mol -1.cm -1. The proposed method has high sensitivity, reliability, and it is applied for determination of BPA in milk after accelerating release of BPA under the effect of heat. The results show that the plastic used in the bottles released BPA into the milk at similar levels, but the Chinese AVEHINI plastic bottle released the highest levels. The validity of the method was confirmed using standard addition and t-test.

Investigation of Optical and Structural Properties of CuxZn1-xFe2O4 Spinel Thin Films

Laith Sh. Mahmood — 2026-06-03

This study presents the synthesis and structural characterization of copper-substituted zinc ferrite (Cu_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄, x= 0 – 0.09) thin films deposited by electric field enhanced spray pyrolysis—a novel technique for this material system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigation demonstrated a cubic spinel structure (space group: Fd-3m) with a preferred (311) orientation in all the compositions. The crystallite size, as estimated from the Williamson-Hall method, varied between 20.92 nm (x = 0) and 66.13 nm (x = 0.09), while the lattice constant decreased from 8.44 Å (x = 0) to 8.30 Å (x = 0.09), indicating compressive strain upon Cu substitution. The cubic spinel phase was also verified using Raman spectroscopy, as it showed the characteristic modes (T²g, Eg, and A¹g). The A¹g mode shifted from 608.72 cm⁻¹ (pure ZnFe₂O₄) to 591 cm⁻¹ (x = 0.09), suggesting lattice distortion due to Cu incorporation. In addition, the variation in the Copper ion content affects the band gap of Cu_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄. The band gap changed between 2.46 eV and 2.92 eV for x= (0 – 0.05). The findings demonstrate that electric field-enhanced spray pyrolysis effectively tunes the structural properties of Cu_xZn_1-xFe₂O₄ for potential applications in catalytic and magnetic applications

Assessment of Bacterial Sterilization Efficiency Using a Custom-Designed Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet System

Samar A. Saeed — 2026-06-03

The present research work, an optimized sterilization method has been introduced using atmospheric pressure cold plasma. A developed pin-to-pin atmospheric pressure setup of cold yield plasma, the working operational parameters of the designed setup are equal to (11kV, 50µA, 17kΩ, 10L/min and 0.3mm, 11mm) for the electrode potential, the plasma current, ballast resistance and airflow rate, the electrode pins diameter and spacing respectively. The disinfection process was subjected on flat glasses substrates contaminated with several bacteria types including, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus aureus. The study demonstrates the dependent of the bacterial sterilization on the exposure time. The rates of exposure time of the contaminated slides were chosen in a relatively short time period equals 5, 10, 15 and 25 min the process was repeated statistically to confirm the effects. Sterilization efficiency was measured by counting the remaining colonies after treatment and standardizing against a 0.5 McFarland reference. The results expose that; all the bacteria type is eliminated at different exposure time. Since the E. coli bacteria elimination time is 10min, the S. aureus bacteria removal attended at 25min. this study shows that the cold plasma with suitable setup design and operational parameters can implemented for successful sterilization method as this type of sanitization has several practical advantages.