Saliva samples could be used as a non-invasive method to diagnose COVID-19. We aimed to assess the results of the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of saliva specimens in the detection of COVID-19. We collected saliva and nasopharyngeal (NP) samples from consecutive COVID-19 suspects in Al-Fallujah Teaching Hospital, Anbar, Iraq from November 29, 2021 to February 15, 2022. The results of the two specimens were compared using RT-PCR. For the positive saliva tests, repetition of the test was undertaken at weekly intervals for four weeks from the time of the presentation. There were 55% men and 60% people ≤ 35 years. The majority of cases presented within 2-5 days (92%) and were of mild severity (89%). A hundred pairs of samples were taken. COVID-19 was diagnosed by NP swab RT-PCR in 56% and 31% of the saliva samples. The saliva samples had 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI] 60.4% e96.6%), 63.8% specificity (95% CI 96.1% e99.9%), and mild coefficient agreement (kappa coefficient = 0.522). The positive test for the saliva samples remained as such in all examined cases in the first and second weeks after the first test, 31/31 and 30/30, respectively. While half of them were positive in the third week (15/30). All cases became negative in the fourth week (0/15). We recommend not using the saliva swab as an alternative to the NP swab in the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR. However, saliva sample can be used for the follow-up of the COVID-19 subjects, in children, elderly, and handicapped patients.

Serum Protein plays major role to maintain balance of blood, so total protein may be elevated or decreased due to some pathological & physiological changes in human body during pregnancy period. On the other hand the serological diagnosis of antibodies level during pregnancy is usually based on the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies as markers for diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate some immunoparameters including IgM, IgG, and assay of TSP, TSA & TSG in pregnant women attending Maternity & Child Hospital in Ramadi City, West of Iraq. Sera of 50 pregnant women were collected & quantitative assays by Single Radial Immunodiffusion test (Mancini test) for detection of (IgM & IgG) concentration & spectrophotometric method for Total serum protein, Total serum Albumin & Total serum Globulin reader were achieved against these serum samples. Serum immunoglobulin (IgM & IgG) were measured in 50 pregnant women. (22) with natural delivery & (28) Cesarean delivery pregnant women. The mean IgG level was increased in pregnant women aged under 25 years, while IgM levels were markedly increased at (25-39) years. A total mean titer for IgG & IgM were found to be 1006.2071± 408.12282 & 48.8571±28.81962 respectively. Total serum protein reports separate values for total protein, albumin & Globulin. Values of serum protein reflect high globulin concentration, while albumin concentration in pregnant women recorded significant differences It is mean values for age group (15-24) & (25-39) years are 3.4479 ± .72373 & 3.0044±.33212 respectively. There was significant differences in albumin concentration through age group in pregnant women. Most values of serum routine liver function tests during normal pregnancy remain below the upper normal limits in no pregnant women. When liver disease is suspected & considered pathologic further should prompt evaluation.Furthermore, IgG concentration was predominantly increase in their level during pregnancy in association with transported IgG through placenta to the fetus during late pregnancy period.

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Sheep and goat pox (SGPX) are systemic transmissible viral diseases characterized mainly by skin and internal lesions. This work aimed to provide the first molecular detection of sheep pox virus (SPV) in Iraq. Sheep pox virus (SPV) is a widely spread skin viral disease in Iraqi sheep and is associated with the formation of benign and malignant lesions in adult and young animals, resulting in notable economic losses in sheep and goat. In the current study, 24 sheep pox samples were collected from sheep from central Iraq. These samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, and sequence analysis. Sheep pox virus DNA was detected in 18 of the samples (75%) in Iraqi sheep as the main causative agent for the disease. A partial sequence for the SGP P32 gene was deposited in Gene Bank. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of SPV-Iraqi isolate and showed that the origin of infection may be imported from India, china and USA sheep. This study presents the first report of SPV-infection in the Iraqi sheep and gives to spreading the knowledge of the origin of this disease. The results of this study will assist in the development of appropriate prophylaxis procedures and therapeutic measures.

Background: Rotavirus infection is considered one of the most common causes of acute gastroenteritis in children less than 5 years and may be responsible for approximately 5% of all child deaths yearly. It is very contagious virus that causes diarrhoea in most babies and young children, vomiting and fever are also common. It is transmitted by fecal-oral contact and contaminated surfaces and hands also directly from person to person also. Aim of the Study: The current study aimed to study the role of rotaviral infection among all the clinically diagnosed children with watery diarrhoea, fever and vomiting detect by RT-PCR technique as a cut off molecular diagnosis tool in detection, evaluation the role of some immunological parameters in serum of rotaviral infected children act as mediators in immune response like the level of Interleukin-6 and Interferon gamma by ELISA technique. Patients and Methods: A total of (75) stool samples obtained from children <5 years with acute gastroenteritis were randomly collected from Maternity and Children at al-Anbar governorate from October 2019 January 2020. Rotavirus and Adenovirus was detected by rapid test for stool samples and Rotavirus, Norovirus and Astrovirus detect by real-time polymerase chain reaction . 5 ml of blood sample were also obtained to investigated the level of Interleukin-6 and Interferon gamma by ELISA technique. Result: Out of 75 enrolled in this study , rapid test rotavirus positive Ag was found in 75 (100%) and 28(37.3%) was adenovirus positive Ag (as mixed infection). RT-PCR were used for detection of viral genome from the total rotavirus result was 72(96.0%) as positive, 46(61.3%), Norovirus 29(38.7%) as positive result and Astrovirus 0.0(0.0%) as negative result. From 73 cases have positive rotavirus results, Interferon gamma recorded 31(43.1%) as positive results and 19(40.4%) as negative while IL-6 recorded 21(29.2%) as positive results and 51(70.8%) as negative result.