A Comparative Study of the Genetics of Behçet’s Disease in Iraq: International Collaboration to Transfer Clinical and Laboratory Skills to Baghdad Medical School and Hospitals

Abstract

A collaborative project funded by the Iraqi Research Fellowship Programme of the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics was set up to transfer laboratory and clinical skills in between three clinical research teams in the UK, Jordan and Iraq. The project was set up to study the genetics of the potentially debilitating condition, Behçet's Disease (BD). Blood samples were collected from: 38 BD patients, 28 patients with oral ulcers not related to BD and 32 healthy controls. All samples were analysed using Micro SSP HLA Class I B locus kit (B locus, generic). Logistic regression analysis revealed that samples positive for HLA-B51 were 7.4 times more likely to have BD than the healthy control subjects. The results of this study make a valuable addition to the scientific literature. Additional valuable outcomes include the intellectual exchange and transfer of skills in between the collaborating teams, which led to the establishment of an international research collaboration.

Molecular Genetic Testing in Pediatric and Adult Neurology in Iraq: New Experience and Challenges from a Developing Country

“…Data about inherited neurological disorders in Iraq are scanty despite high prevalence of these diseases and their inevitable consequences of disability and early death. [4][5][6][7][8][9] During 2014, Gleeson Laboratory (Laboratory for Pediatric Brain Diseases, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rockefeller University, United States) offered its collaboration with the researchers in performing genetic testing. Late in 2014, an opportunity was offered to the researchers an opportunity was offered to the researchers to visit the Centogene laboratory in Rostock, Germany and observe their facilities for genetic testing.…”

Association of Higher Defensin β-4 Genomic Copy Numbers with Behçet’s Disease in Iraqi Patients

“…Copy Numbers with Behçet's Disease in Iraqi Patients *Ammar F. Hameed, 1 Sameh Jaradat, 2 Bassam M. Al-Musawi, 3 Khalifa Sharquie, 1 Mazin J. Ibrahim, 3 Raafa K. Hayani, 4 Johannes Norgauer 2 clinical & basic research…”

“…2 Iraq is also known to have a relatively high prevalence of the disease. 3 Although the precise pathogenesis of BD remains unknown, genetic, immunological and environmental factors have been suggested to contribute to its development. 2 A genetic basis for BD is supported by its high prevalence in certain geographic areas, the familial aggregation of cases and a strong association with human leukocyte antigen-B51.…”