Objective: This study was performed to assess the Leptospira IgG antibodies seroprevalence among populations at risk in Hodeida Governorate, Yemen.Methods: A total of 200 subjects (136 males and 64 females) participated in this study during June and December 2012.They represented 10 sewage workers, 22 butchers, 16 construction workers, 108 agriculture workers, 20 hospital sanitary workers and 24 blood donors. Predesigned questionnaires and consent were taken from each individual. Blood samples were collected from subjects, and the sera were tested by ELISA to detect the presence of leptospira IgG antibodies. The possible related factors for seropositivity were evaluated.Results: Leptospira IgG antibodies were found positive in 42% of the participants. The highest seroprevalence level was detected in sewage workers (80%), followed by hospital sanitary workers (60%), construction workers (37.5%) and farmers (37%). The lowest of antibodies was in butchers (36.4%). Seroprevalence among blood donors was 25% which was comparatively less than of the populations at risk. Seropositivity of Leptospira IgG antibodies was found higher among males than females (42.6% vs. 34.4%). The highest Leptospira antibodies seropositivity was among elderly participants (81.8%). The seropositivity of antibodies in population live in rural and urban areas was not significant differences. As for closely contacting with animals, the highest antibodies were discovered in people who had goats (80%) and sheep (60.9%). Conclusion:Individuals engaged in risk activities are often exposed to leptospiral infection. Therefore, control and prevention policy toward these people are necessary.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the worldwide infections. HSV-1 causes herpes labial and HSV-2 is the main cause of genital ulcer. Host's immune response to HSV defines by the presence of neutralizing antibodies to HSV in serum of newly and previously infected persons. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine the prevalence of HSV antibodies and potential risk factors of HSV infections among women attending some hospitals and health centers in Sana'a city based on type-specific serological assay. HSV-1 differs from HSV-2 by the type-specific enveloped glycoprotein G (gG). This is the base of typespecific ELISA, which is more accurate than ELISA using common antigens. In our knowledge, there are no previous published studies or recorded data regarding the seroprevalence of HSV in Yemen. Moreover, there is no guideline of diagnosis or treatment of HSV infections in women; especially pregnant women. A total of 315 women, including 235 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) patients, 48 herpes labial patients (HLP) and 32 apparently healthy women were enrolled in this study. Of the studied women, 307 were married and 8 were single, their ages range from14-49 years. Among married women; 53 were pregnant. The total seroprevalence was 2.5% for HSV IgM, 99.4% for HSV-1 IgG and 5.1% for HSV-2 IgG. There were statistically non-significant association between herpes infections and age, size of family, educational level, residence, marital status, pregnancy, abortion, blood transfusion and contraceptive use. In conclusion, the prevalence of HSV-1 antibodies was much higher than that of HSV-2. The prevalence of HSV-1 antibodies was higher than those reported in other countries which could be due to poor hygienic conditions in Yemen. The prevalence of HSV-2 antibodies was lower than those reported in other studies; which is probably due to the differences in sexual practices among these cultures.

Objective: To assess the role of the complement components (C3 and C4) in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchial asthma (BA) among Yemeni patients. Methods: This cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in Sana’a city, Yemen in the period from March to June 2012. It included 100 BA patients, where demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire. Blood samples then collected by venipuncture, and sera were then separated and tested for the levels of C3 and C4 by immunoturbidimetry assay. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version Results: Of 100 patients, 53% were males and 29% were older than 40 years. The mean age of patients was 34.7± 17.5 years (range: 6–80). The majority of patients had active asthma (81.0%) and experienced asthma for more than two years (66.0%). Dyspnea (81.0%) and cough (65.0%) were the most frequent clinical features, while edema (11.0%) was the least frequent clinical feature among asthmatic patients. The mean level of serum C3 among BA patients was elevated (127.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL) and was significantly higher among females, patients aged 40 years or older and those with active BA, but there was no statistically significant difference with respect to the duration of asthma. In contrast, the mean level of serum C4 was normal (27.6 ± 8.8 mg/dL) but was significantly higher among patients aged 40 years or older and those having asthma for more than two years. Wheezing was significantly associated with the mean level of serum C3 among BA patients. Similarly, the mean level of serum C4 was significantly higher among patients having cough. Conclusions: The majority of Yemeni patients with BA have elevated levels of serum C3, which can be significantly higher in females, patients older than 40 years and those with active asthma. On the other hand, the levels of serum C4 are normal among the majority of Yemeni patients with BA, but these can be elevated among those with severe clinical features or long-term asthma. Keywords: Active asthma, Bronchial asthma, Complement, C3, C4, Yemen

Objective: To assess the role of the complement components (C3 and C4) in the pathogenesis and severity of bronchial asthma (BA) among Yemeni patients. Methods: This cross-sectional, clinic-based study was conducted in Sana’a city, Yemen in the period from March to June 2012. It included 100 BA patients, where demographic and clinical data were collected using a pre-designed, structured questionnaire. Blood samples then collected by venipuncture, and sera were then separated and tested for the levels of C3 and C4 by immunoturbidimetry assay. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical tests using IBM SPSS Statistics, version Results: Of 100 patients, 53% were males and 29% were older than 40 years. The mean age of patients was 34.7± 17.5 years (range: 6–80). The majority of patients had active asthma (81.0%) and experienced asthma for more than two years (66.0%). Dyspnea (81.0%) and cough (65.0%) were the most frequent clinical features, while edema (11.0%) was the least frequent clinical feature among asthmatic patients. The mean level of serum C3 among BA patients was elevated (127.9 ± 21.3 mg/dL) and was significantly higher among females, patients aged 40 years or older and those with active BA, but there was no statistically significant difference with respect to the duration of asthma. In contrast, the mean level of serum C4 was normal (27.6 ± 8.8 mg/dL) but was significantly higher among patients aged 40 years or older and those having asthma for more than two years. Wheezing was significantly associated with the mean level of serum C3 among BA patients. Similarly, the mean level of serum C4 was significantly higher among patients having cough. Conclusions: The majority of Yemeni patients with BA have elevated levels of serum C3, which can be significantly higher in females, patients older than 40 years and those with active asthma. On the other hand, the levels of serum C4 are normal among the majority of Yemeni patients with BA, but these can be elevated among those with severe clinical features or long-term asthma. Keywords: Active asthma, Bronchial asthma, Complement, C3, C4, Yemen