Among 35 species of genus Helicobacter, H. pylori is the most common causative agent of human gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. The infection can spread through direct human-to-human contact, fecaloral route, and contaminated water. The study was designed to investigate the rate of prevalence of H. pylori in the population of Dhamar, Yemen. In this one-year study, 460 including 250 male and 210 female stool specimens were collected between January to December 2020 in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen. Of the total 460, 215 rural (male: n=120 and female: n=95) and 245 urban (male: n=130 and female: n=115) specimens were investigated for identification of H. pylori by serological test using Helicobacter pylori stool antigen (HpSA) test. In addition, for comparing an improved recovery of H. pylori, conventional culture-based isolation was also carried out using three selective media. Modified Campy-blood Agar (MCA), Belo Horizonte Agar (BHA), and Egg yolk Emulsion (EYE) medium supplemented with antimicrobial agents including vancomycin (10mg/L), cefsulodin (5mg/L), trimethoprim (5mg/L), and amphotericin B (5mg/L) and isolates were phenotypically characterized. The HpSA test results revealed that of the total 460 specimens, 89 (19.3) were positive for H. pylori with relatively low in male (n=43; 17.2) as compared to the female (n=46; 21.9) specimens. After 310 days of incubation, H. pylori was recovered at a variable rate on each selective (MCA: 16.5; BHA: 15.0; EYE: 13.0) media. However, culture-based assay results showed less recovery (n=81; 17.6) with no significant difference among all selective media tested and between genders (male: n=39; 15.6; female: n=42; 20.0). The infection rate was comparatively higher in rural (n=45; 20.9) as compared to urban (n=36; 14.7) population. Overall, the study data showed the prevalence of infection in both genders of all age groups. The present study showed a relatively high rate of infection of H. pylori in the Dhamar population. The serological identification and culture-based methods are important for rapid detection, aid in treatment, and developing policies for the control and eradication of H. pylori infection and to prevent the disease in different age groups in Yemen.

Introduction: Besides stomach, the oral cavity is the second reservoir of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) that plays an important role in oral diseases and recurrent gastric infection. This study aimed to determine the risk factors of oral H. pylori infection for better human health. Methodology: Saliva samples from 280 subjects who visited the dental clinics were collected for the H. pylori antigen test. The data regarding age, gender, residence, frequency of tooth brushing, presence of dental caries and/or periodontitis were reported for each participant. Stool antigen Helicobacter pylori test was used to detect gastric infection. Results: The overall prevalence of H. pylori in oral cavity and stool were 40.4%; 95% CI [34.8–46.2], and 36.4%; 95% CI [31–42.2], respectively and were not statistically significant (p = 0.546). The differences of positive rates of H. pylori infection according to the presence of periodontitis (54.7% vs 30.1%, p < 0.001, OR; 95% CI: 2.8 (1.7-4.6)) and dental caries (47.1% vs 32%, p = 0.001, OR; 95% CI: 2.2 (1.3-3.5)) were statistically significant. Living in rural areas increases the risk of acquiring H. pylori infection compared with urban areas (46.9% vs 34.7%, p < 0.001, OR; 95% CI: 0.6 (0.4-1)). Conclusions: The H. pylori antigen test on saliva could be used as evidence of gastric infection. Oral diseases including periodontal diseases and caries are important risk factors for H. pylori colonization, so the professional treatment of these diseases may reduce the rate of new and recurrent gastric infection by H. pylori.

The presence of antibiotic residues in beef is considered a serious threat to public health. This study aimed to detect antibiotic residues in raw beef and the impact of low and high temperature treatments on residues persistence. A total of 250 sampleswere collected from retail markets in Erbil city (Iraq) and analyzed microbiologically in plates pre-inoculated with Bacillus subtilis. The overall occurrence of antibiotics residues was (10.8%).The highest rate was detected in January (16.7%). Cooking for thirty minutes completely deactivate antibiotic residues against the challenged bacterium. In conclusion, the presence of antibiotic residues in beef samples in Erbil city was high and their persistence is markedly reduced by cooking.

Heavy metal(loid)s (HM) pollution in aquatic environments is a serious issue due to the toxicity, persistence, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification of these pollutants. The main sources of HM contamination are industrial activities, mining, agricultural practices, and combustion of fossil fuels. Fish can accumulate HMs through a process called bioaccumulation. As larger predatory fish consume smaller fish, these HMs enter the main food chains and can become increasingly concentrated in their tissues and finally reach humans. Here, we provided a general and concise conclusion from current research findings on the toxicological effects on different body systems. Exposure to HMs can lead to a range of adverse health effects, including neurological damage, developmental disorders, kidney damage, cardiovascular problems, and cancers. Their long-term accumulation can result in chronic toxicity even at low levels of exposure. HMs exert cellular cytotoxicity by disrupting essential cellular processes and structures. They can interfere with enzyme function, disrupt cell membrane integrity, induce oxidative stress, and cause DNA damage, ultimately leading to cell death or dysfunction. Prevention and control of HMs involve implementing measures to reduce their release into the environment through regulations on industrial processes, waste management, and pollution control technologies. Additionally, monitoring and remediation efforts are crucial for identifying contaminated sites and implementing strategies such as soil and water remediation to reduce human exposure and mitigate the impact on ecosystems. To conclude, HM accumulation in fish poses serious risks to public health and the environment, necessitating urgent interdisciplinary efforts to mitigate their harmful effects and promote sustainable practices that reduce HM flow into biological systems.

Objective: This work was connected to screen Helicobacter pylori among human in Erbil Governorate by using stool antigen test (SAT).Methods: In a clean and sterile container, three hundred stool samples were collected from both sexes during the period from July-December 2017. Samples were collected from 150 males at the rural and an urban area in equal number, similarly 150 females same areas. The collected samples were tested in Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathological Analysis using One-Step H. pylori Antigen Test Kit.Results: The obtained results shown that the prevalence of H. pylori in total samples were (11.3%). The rate of infection among females were (12.7%) compared to (10.0%) of male infection rate. According to the age wise of the patients (11-20, 51-60 and above 60 y) results showed that the H. pylori antigen rates were (16.3%, 11.9%, and 13.6%) respectively that mean the high rate of infection was varied. According to habitation, the high rate of H. pylori among males was 12.0% and 8.0% in rural and urban area consecutively. While the occurrence rate of H. pylori antigen among female was high 14.7% in rural area, compared to 10.7% in the female of the urban area. The proportion of H. pylori antigen rate in September, December and October were (16.0%, 14.0%, and 12.0%) respectively.Conclusion: From this study, we concluded that the prevalence of H. pylori among human in Erbil Governorate was high, and the infection takes place in the early years of life. The significance of public health risks was discussed.

Listeria monocytogenes is well-known globally as one of the most significant foodborne bacterial pathogens. Listeriosis may trigger life-threatening illness, such as severe sepsis, meningitis, sometimes resulting in lifelong harm and even death. This study aimed to determine the occurrence and antibiotic resistance pattern of L. monocytogenes in red meats sold at retail outlets in Erbil city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. Three hundred and seventy-five (375) samples were aseptically collected from retail meat shops between July and December 2018. For isolation of L. monocytogenes, samples were cultured on selective media and tested for their susceptibility to common antibiotics by disk diffusion assay. The results revealed that the overall occurrence of L. monocytogenes in red meat samples was 13.9%. Warm season was associated with increase in L. monocytogenes occurrence. The results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that 98.1%, 94.2%, and 82.7% of isolates were resistant to Streptomycin, Gentamicin, and Ampicillin respectively. This resistance pattern of L. monocytogenes is critically alarming owing to the aforementioned antibiotics are the drugs of choice of treatment of listeriosis. This level of resistance requires further investigations and effective countermeasures since it may pose a public health hazard.