Arthropod-borne infections, known as vector-borne diseases, are a significant threat to both humans and animals. These diseases are transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of infected arthropods. In the last half century, there have been a number of unexpected viral outbreaks in Middle Eastern countries. Recently, Iraq has witnessed an outbreak of the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus with high morbidity and mortality rates in humans. However, very little is known about the prevalence and distribution of CCHFV in Iraq, and therefore, it is impossible to quantify the risk of infection. CCHFV is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. However, transmission can also occur through contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals during slaughter or through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. Accidental crushing of infected ticks can also release the virus and lead to transmission. In addition, healthcare workers and family members caring for infected individuals are at risk of infection through exposure to contaminated body fluids and aerosols. There are still many unknowns about the role that vertebrates play in the upkeep and spread of CCHFV. Critical information for our comprehension of CCHFV ecology may be gleaned through experimental studies conducted on wild animals and cattle. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to draw attention to current studies and publications that shed light on the intricate dynamic between CCHFV, vector, and host and demonstrate how biosurveillance at each stage aids in our knowledge of disease transmission, risk, and future research prospects.

Semliki Forest Virus (SFV), a member of the Alphavirus genus in the Togaviridae family, is a small-enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) virus. The virus is spread by mosquitos and can infect humans, resulting in mild febrile disease with symptoms that include fever, myalgia, arthralgia, persistent headaches and asthenia. Virulent strains of SFV in mice cause lethal encephalitis by infecting neurons in the central nervous system. In on-going experiments in the research group using a focused siRNA screen we have investigated the role of deubiquitylases (DUBs) during SFV infection (as a model alphavirus) and monitored the effect of DUB depletion on cell viability after infection. We identified a group of DUBs that have a pro-viral effect. The DUB, USP5, from this screen was validated to determine its effect upon viral replication. Here, we show that depleted USP5 in HeLa cells resulted in SFV RNA and viral yield at 8 h post-infection being significantly reduced. In the multi-step viral growth curve assay, in the absence of USP5, similar yields of SFV were determined at 2 and 4 h post-infection. However, a significant reduction in the infectious viral particles release at 6, 8, 10 and 12 h post-infection was observed and this could be reversed by direct constraining viral replication. These results raise the potential for USP5 to play a distinct role in the replication of SFV, suggesting that USP5 may be a possible anti-viral therapy for alphavirus infection.

Pyocyanin is a blue-greenish phenazine pigment produced by certain strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This secondary product pigment is revealed to have antibacterial, anticancer, antiparasitic, antioxidant, and antibiofilm formation activity. This study investigates the effects of organic solvents, such as toluene, surfactants, and particularly triton X-100, on pyocyanin synthesis in the presence of glycerol. Moreover, the pyocyanin pigment was chemically characterised using Fourie Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed the highest yield of pyocyanin was produced when glycerol 1% was the only carbon source used in the growth medium (nutrient broth). The production of pyocyanin went up to 31.1 mg/L and 13.1 mg/L when either 0.2% toluene or 0.3% triton X-100 was added to the nutrient broth along with 1% glycerol. This was compared to the control level of 6.2 mg/L. FT-IR analysis revealed that pyocyanin had a hydroxyl group (O-H), an aromatic hydrocarbon ring (C-H), aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon chains (CH, CH2, CH3), and a C=N bond. It seems that adding glycerol-toluene to the nutrient broth medium can help P. aeruginosa make more extracellular yields, such as pyocyanin. Furthermore, FT-IR analysis showed that pyocyanin is biologically safe (has no biological toxic chemical compounds), and these findings confirmed that pyocyanin could be widely used in applications such as in the therapeutic, medication, nutrition, fabric, bio-control, nanotechnology, and physicochemical industries.

Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) relates to the torch virus family and is believed to have a substantial impact on mortality and perinatal events, as shown by epidemiological and viral studies. Moreover, there have been documented cases of EBV transmission occurring via the placenta. Nevertheless, the specific location of the EBV infection inside the placenta remains uncertain.Methods: The genomic sequences connected to the latent EBV gene and the levels of lytic EBV gene expression in placental chorionic villous cells are examined in this work. A total of 86 placentas from patients who had miscarriage and 54 placentas from individuals who had successful births were obtained for analysis.Results: The research employed QPCR to detect the BRLF1 (Rta) EBV lytic gene and quantify DNA burden in miscarriage patients and controls. In miscarriage patients, endpoint PCR and Sanger sequencing validated a particular region of the EBER1 EBV latent gene. BRLF1 gene presence ranged from 2.5 × 102 to 9.3 × 104 copies/mL in 75 miscarriage patients. However, a sample of 5 people with healthy deliveries showed a range of 2.0 × 102 to 2.9 × 102 copies/mL. All miscarriage samples were observed EBER1. The sequencing results indicated full sequence identity to EBV strains.Conclusion:The detection of EBV gene expression in placental tissues in Iraq is a novel finding. The examination of EBV is of utmost importance in pregnant women who are experiencing severe illness, since it has the potential to lead to mortality in both the mother and the developing fetus.

Background and Aim: Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2) is a highly contagious virus that infects wild and domestic canines. Despite the use of a routine vaccination protocol, it is endemic in Iraq. The genetic drift of CPV-2 is a major issue worldwide because it abrogates virus control. In Iraq, there is a knowledge gap regarding the genetic sequences of asymptomatic and symptomatic CPV-2 cases. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a genetic analysis of viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) and viral capsid protein 2 (VP2), two major capsid-encoding genes, to demonstrate the possible role of certain mutations in triggering infection. Materials and Methods: Symptomatic and asymptomatic cases (n = 100/each) were tested by a polymerase chain reaction targeting VP1 and VP2 genes. Results: The analysis revealed numerous synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations in VP1 and VP2 and in the intergenic sequence. Conclusion: The study identified significant genetic mutations in VP1, VP2, and the intergenic regions of CPV-2 in symptomatic and asymptomatic cases in Iraq. These mutations may contribute to the virus’s ability to evade control measures such as vaccination. These findings indicate that CPV-2 polymorphisms can influence the clinical state of the disease and/or trigger infection. Understanding these genetic variations provides critical insights into CPV-2 pathogenesis and could inform improved vaccination strategies to mitigate the virus’s impact in endemic regions. Keywords: canine parvovirus-2, capsid encoded genes, mutations.

Bacteriophages have the potential to eliminate both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive bacteria; as a result, they have become a major focus of such research. In contrast to antibiotics, which assault the entire bacterial population without discrimination, bacteriophages have a limited set of characteristics that allow them to target infectious microbes while avoiding friendly species (commensal microbiota). Nevertheless, large groups of naturally occurring bacteriophages that are well-differentiated and selective for the most clinically recognized pathogenic bacterial strains are required. Utilizing genetic engineering techniques that modify the target phage genome to synthesize phages with known characteristics in a brief period of time and at a low acquisition, characterization, and treatment cost. Clostridioides difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial acquired diarrhea, causing approximately 500,000 cases of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and nearly 29,000 deaths annually in the United States. Vancomycin is the most commonly used antibiotic to treat CDIs, and it is believed that it contributes to the disturbance of the gut microbiota, resulting in diminished colonization resistance against CDI and increased recurrence rates. This article provides a concise summary of existing CRISPR-Cas systems that can be utilized to create a lytic phage as a potential treatment for CDIs. While further study is needed, phage therapy appears to be a promising and perhaps more sustainable approach to preventing severe CDIs.