Original Article
04 Jun 2026
Background
Acinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug-resistant bacterium responsible for severe
infections, particularly in hospital settings. Its resistance is driven by enzymatic genes
such as those encoding beta-lactamases and carbapenemases, which degrade
antibiotics, and non-enzymatic genes that modify mechanisms like efflux pumps and
membrane permeability, further enhancing its defence against treatments. Together,
these factors allow A. baumannii to thrive in clinical environments, complicating
infection management.
Objective
This study aimed to explore the relationships between beta-lactamases,
carbapenemases, efflux pumps, and membrane permeability changes, to understand
their collective contribution to A. baumannii's multidrug resistance.
Materials and Methods
Among 300 clinical isolates from urine, blood, wounds, and burns, 25 (8.33%) were
identified as A. baumannii. These included 8% from urine, 12% from blood, and 40%
each from wound and burn swabs.
all specimens were taken from patients who have different symptoms in
hospital of Al-Hilla Teaching Hospital/ Babylon. The research was
carried out through the period January and June 2024. Bacterial identification was
conducted using the VITEK-2 system and HI-Chromoagar® A. baumannii. Enzymatic
genes were detected using conventional PCR, while non-enzymatic genes were
analyzed via RT-qPCR.
Results
Molecular analysis revealed the presence of beta-lactamase (blaOXA-51, blaOXA-23)
and metallo-beta-lactamase genes (blaVIM, blaIMP), with high antibiotic resistance
rates. Gene expression analysis highlighted efflux pump upregulation (adeB) and
altered permeability (CarO), reinforcing multidrug resistance mechanisms.
Conclusion
The combined action of enzymatic and non-enzymatic resistance genes in A.
baumannii presents a significant treatment challenge, necessitating multi-target
therapeutic approaches.
Richard O. Solomon, Dr. Gary J. Stephens
Acinetobacter baumannii,Non- Enzymatic genes, Enzymatic genes, RT-q PCR
Review Article
04 Jun 2026
Introduction Epidural injections considered to be the mostly performed nonsurgical
treatment for radicular pain due to Lumbar disc herniation. Different types of epidural
injections have been used in the management of lumbar radiculopathy including local
anaesthetics only, different types of steroids, and combined steroids and local
anaesthetics using different approaches.
Methods The literature review used in this assignment will focus on the use of epidural
injections in the management of sciatica. High quality evidence with different study
design will be discussed including Systematic reviews, Randomised Control trials
(RCTs) and retrospective studies.
Discussion Different types of epidural injections have been studied in the management
of lumbar radiculopathy including local anaesthetics only, different types of steroids,
and combined steroids and local anaesthetics using different approaches. Studies
have been conducted in order to assess the superiority of one type on the other in term
of pain relief, functional improvement, and reduce the surgical intervention.
Conclusion the literature has shown that epidural injections are effective treatment for
LDH in term of both pain relief and functional improvement regardless of the type of
injections whether steroids with local anaesthetics or local anaesthetics alone. There is
strong evidence showing that epidural injections are more effective in the short term (<
6 months) than the long term (> 6 months).
Dr. Gary J. Stephens, Dr. Nadia Karimi
Original Article
04 Jun 2026
Background
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is one of the most severe threats facing public and
health care.
Aim of study
Study of bacterial resistance to some types of antibiotics, which shows their impact on
society in general and on individual health in particular.
The result
This study included testing an important group of antibiotics on a number of patients
suffering from chronic infections. The study included various samples of blood, urine,
stool, and swabs from the pharynx and wounds for examination. Susceptibility to
antibiotics for the purpose of knowing and estimating the extent of resistance to
antibiotics within the governorates of Iraq, with the exception of the Kurdistan region,
where the study included 18,216 samples. the proportion of fight to the antibiotics used
in the training, which are (Nitrofurantoin (29%), Gramycin (41%), Doxycycline (40),
Tetracycline (53%), Augmentin (76.5), Methprim (57.02), Amoxicillin (73.96), Ampicillin
(81.77%)). The results of this study underscore several alarming patterns concerning
antibiotic resistance observed in clinical isolates.
Material and methods
Susceptibility to antibiotics for the purpose of knowing and estimating the extent of
resistance to antibiotics within the governorates of Iraq, with the exception of the
Kurdistan region performed using the disk diffusion method.
Conclusion
Ampicillin, Augmentin, amoxicillin, Methprim, tetracycline, gentamicin, doxycycline, and
nitrofurantoin showed differing levels of resistance, highlighting the widespread issue
of antimicrobial resistance. These resistance trends are consistent with prior studies
and emphasize the critical importance of implementing thorough antimicrobial
stewardship initiatives to address and curb the proliferation of resistance.
Prof. James Harrington, Dr. Alfredo Berzal-Herranz, Richard O. Solomon
public health, AMR, Ampicillin, amoxicillin, Augmentin, gentamicin
Review Article
04 Jun 2026
a system functions as a biological clock that regulates the sleep-wake
cycle over a 24-hour period. It can be disrupted by a sleep disorder characterized by
difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep, which can affect individuals of various age
groups.
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep and circadian rhythms during the ageing
process, affecting both the body and brain. Individuals at risk of neurodevelopmental
disorders may have an increased susceptibility to sleep issues, particularly those with
autistic spectrum disorder. Melatonin supplementation can improve their quality of
life.Administering melatonin from an external source has been found to be beneficial in
regulating sleep-wake cycles and improving sleep quality. Melatonin is widely
recognised as the primary pharmacological treatment for insomnia. Pyridoxine
insufficiency is believed to elevate the likelihood of psychological disorders and disrupt
sleep maintenance. Consequently, numerous pharmaceutical formulations of
melatonin combined with vitamin B6 have been developed to enhance sleep quality.
Dr. Alfredo Berzal-Herranz, Dr. Fatima Al-Zahra
autism spectrum disorder . rhythms ( ASD ) , melatonin ( MLT) , vitamin B6, sleep , circadian
Review Article
03 Jun 2026
Female reproductive tract infections (FRTIs) represent a significant health concern for women, particularly among married women, due to their adverse effects on reproductive health. This review was conducted to examine the various types and underlying causes of FRTIs in married women. The findings highlight the high prevalence of these infections, especially during pregnancy, when they may be transmitted to the fetus either in utero or during delivery. FRTIs encompass a range of viral, fungal, and bacterial infections that arise from numerous contributing factors, including unsafe sexual practices, inadequate personal hygiene, social and environmental influences, compromised immune function, excessive medication use, and certain contraceptive methods. Additionally, female sex hormones play a crucial role in susceptibility to infection by affecting physiological, immunological, and behavioral processes. A thorough understanding of these determinants is vital for designing effective prevention and control measures. Given the widespread occurrence of FRTIs, a comprehensive strategy is required to evaluate and mitigate the associated health risks for both mothers and their children.
Oguz Ataberk, Dr. Mary J. Meegan , Prof. James Harrington
Original Article
06 Mar 2026
Objective: To characterise the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from ICU patients in Baghdad tertiary care hospitals. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted across three teaching hospitals between January and December 2025. A total of 184 K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered from blood, urine, and respiratory samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and confirmed by MIC determination. Carbapenem-resistant isolates were screened for resistance genes by PCR. Results: Resistance rates to carbapenems reached 38.6% (71/184). The blaKPC gene was detected in 56.3% of carbapenem-resistant isolates. High rates of resistance were also observed for cephalosporins (82%) and fluoroquinolones (74%). Conclusions: The high prevalence of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in Baghdad ICUs represents a significant public health concern requiring urgent antimicrobial stewardship interventions.
Dr. Omar Hassan, Dr. Zainab Mahdi, Prof. Ahmed Al-Tai
Klebsiella pneumoniae
antimicrobial resistance
carbapenem resistance
ICU
