Introduction: In 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), spread all over the world. This global pandemic spread rapidly to more than 195 countries and caused over 200 million infections with a mortality rate of 2%. This study aimed to detect seropositivity against the SARS-CoV-2 virus among outpatients, symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Methodology: A total of 489 individuals of age 5-70 years (mean 38.0 ± 17 SD) were enrolled for a cross-sectional study. They were tested for presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 IgM/IgG antibodies in serum samples using Enzyme-linked Immunofluorescent Assay (ALFA). Results: A higher seroprevalence was recorded for IgM among females (34.96%) than males (28.83%). In the case of IgG, and IgG + IgM, both males and females had similar values. A significant correlation was identified between seropositivity and age; higher seropositivity (IgG, IgM, and IgG + IgM) was recorded in age groups 51-60 and ≥ 61 years, relative to the younger age groups. No significant correlation was found between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. No significant correlation was detected between seropositivity and RT-PCR positive and negative cases. Conclusions: COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and there is a high percentage of asymptomatic carriers. The sensitivity of RT-PCR tests is not uniform and may not be able to detect all cases. On the other hand, serology can be used for large scale testing to detect the real extent to which the disease has spread.

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A total of 150 biopsies were collected from, dyspeptic patients  dyspeptic patients with and without ulcers from endoscopic unit of Azadi hospital, Dohuk. This study found a hiqh percentage (64%r) of Helicobacter pylori in the antrum of dyspeptic patients without endoscopic ulcers, while much lower, percentage was found in dyspeptic patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers which was (33%) and (20%) respectively. This low level of percentage was attributed to the inhibitory effect of antibiotics (Metronidazole,'Amoxicillin, Tetracyline) which received by (70%) of patients prior endoscopic examination. Tie study detected a high association  (75%) between Helicobacter pylori and patients with chronic active duodenol ulcer Rapid urase test was more reliable tian direct smear for detection of H. pylori, which- can be employed as ascreening test. Helicobacter pylori can be grown anaerobically for at least five days incubation at 37 Co by using selective antibiotics to prevent contamination and without providing gas mixture 85% N2, 10% Co2 and 5% O2 which was used in all previous studies.

A total of 41 sorbitol non fermentative E. coli from previous work were used in this study. Among these isolates 5 were positive serologically by anti-O157 serum. All isolates were tested by PCR technique. No E. coli O157 were detected in all isolates by PCR. The results revealed that gene based method such as PCR technique is more reliable than biochemical and serological tests for diagnosis of E. coli O157.

Studies have been referred to the increasing the numbers of H. pylori isolates against antibiotics in the world and account for recurrent and unresponsiveness of many cases of infections. In Iraq, particularly Kurdistan region there are no data regarding the antibiotic resistance profile of H. pylori isolated from clinical cases.The purpose of this work was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile of H. pylori isolates from clinical cases against clarithromycin, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. In this study 150 antral biopsies were sampled from patients referred to the Duhokhepatology and gastroenterology center, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq for endoscopy examination between March and May, 2014. H. pylori was isolated from 30 (20%) out of 150 patients and their antimicrobial susceptibility were checked by disc diffusion assay. All isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin but with variable resistance patterns to metronidazole, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin and amoxicillin which were 53.3%, 16.6%, 13.4%, 10% and 6.7% respectively. The patterns of resistance were differed from resistance to 4 combined antimicrobial agents to 2 combined antimicrobial agents. Conclusions: A high percentage of resistance to metronidazole was detected and it should be considered when prescribing drugs to the patients by the clinicians. Periodic evaluation the antimicrobial resistance profile of H. pylori clinical isolates against commonly prescribed drugs in order to prevent generation of resistant strains and to choose the most effective therapeutic strategy in the area.