SEN Virus (SENV) is a newly discovered group of transmissible, hepatotropic, single-stranded, circular, non-enveloped DNA viruses that are distantly linked to the widely distributed Torque Teno Virus (TTV) family. This research aimed to use nucleotide sequencing to identify the genetic alterations of SEN-V and to investigate the similarities between isolates. Seven DNA samples of SENV, which were previously extracted from blood of post transfusion hepatitis, were used to identify the genetic variation of SEN-V by nucleotide sequencing. According to the current analysis results, specific primer pairs were used to detect SENV DNA sequences isolated from Iraqi patients with hepatitis; however, those specific primers can also detect two new variants of SENV that are closely related to the Torque Teno Virus. In addition, four SENV isolates showed several substitution mutations, and one of them revealed the replacement of Proline (P) at position 11 with Serine (S). Only one local isolate of SENV was 100% identical to the Iranian isolate (GenBank acc. no. GQ452051.1) from thalassemia.

The newly discovered coronavirus (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the ongoing pandemic. Broad arrangement has been done to minimize virus spreading among population and to control the worldwide outbreak. Expanded biosafety measure specifically with respect to the work require using SARS-CoV-2 in laboratory (lab.) and a special consideration should be taken to protect researcher and lab. worker during handling of specimens. Therefore, the aim of this review is to help the scientists, researchers, lab. staff and biosafety specialists to respond to the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) through discussion of effective biosafety practices that can prevent laboratory acquired infections and to lessen the spread of infection into community and environment. Keywords: Coronavirus, COVID-19, biosafety, research, laboratories Citation: Al-Shuwaikh AM, Al-Shwaikh RM, Hanna DB. SARS-CoV-2 and biosafety in laboratory. Iraqi JMS. 2021; 19(1): 1-9. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.19.1.1

The aim: To find an association of COVID-19 on different types of leukocytes either count increasing or decreasing. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study conducted from October /2020 to January /2021. Eighty patients out of 170 were enrolled in this study, who were attended a private clinic for clinical investigation and a private laboratory for laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 who were divided into two groups, asymptomatic or mild (group 1), and moderate or severe (group 2). Five milliliter of blood samples were collected from patients with COVD-19 by venipuncture using a syringe for evaluation of different cells. Results: The current study revealed a significant difference in white blood cells count, neutrophils count, monocytes count, basophils count, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte to monocyte ratio between group 1 and group 2. While lymphocytes, and eosinophil showed no significant difference. Conclusion: The current study concluded that COVID-19 may affect the count of some leukocytes in patient with severe infection.

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Introducion: Atherosclerosis is a form of the cardiovascular diseases which may occur due to a chronic inflammatory reaction to endothelial damage caused by multiple causes which include infection by microorganisms like Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Methods: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of cytomegalovirus infection in patients and its relation to atherosclerosis and to measure the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) as a predictive marker for inflammatory process. A total of 30 women who were attending the Gynecology outpatient clinics and were suffering from abortion for first time or with recurrent abortion due to CMV infection were enrolled in the current study. For comparison, twenty blood samples were collected from healthy apparent women as a control group in this study. Serum MCP-1, IL-6 and CMV-IgM were measured by using ELISA technique. Lipid profile which includes total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured by spectrophotometer. Results: The results of this study showed a significant difference in mean of IL-6 in patients was (570.67 ± 199.27) when compared to control group (pÃ0.0001). While there is no significant difference of MCP-1 level between patients and control group (P=0.134). And the results showed a significant elevation of cholesterol (P<0.05) and a highly significant elevation of triglyceride and LDL in CMV infected patients (P<0.01), while no elevation occurred in HDL values (P=0.977). Conclusion: According to the present data there is a correlation between CMV infection and atherosclerosis. Bangladesh J Medicine July 2020; 31(2) : 47-51

Hepatocellular proliferation is one of the most common causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of cancer that is widely distributed disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma treatment has numerous barriers, including ineffectiveness, side effects, and drug resistance to currently available treatments. Previous studies showed that a high intake of Brassica vegetables has been associated to a decreased risk of a number of malignancies. The aim of this study is the evaluation of antiproliferative activity of Brassica nigra seeds extract in mice exposed to phenobarbital. Brassica nigra seeds where extracted; phytochemical analysis of the extract was done that including phytochemical screening tests and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Antiproliferative activity of hydro alcoholic Brassica seeds extract has been studied by 800mg/kg and compare with control group (given normal saline), phenobarbital group (Phenobarbital 75mg/kg) and combination group (Brassica extract 800mg/kg+ Phenobarbital 75mg/kg). The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of isothiocynate compound. Histologically phenobarbital induced severe hepatocellular proliferation (hyperplasia and hypertrophy), glass ground cytoplasm, while Brassica seeds extract produce improvement in histopathological changes that include mild scattered proliferation picture and eosinophilic cytoplasm. In comparison to phenobarbital group, Combination groups pretreated with Brassica nigra seeds for 14 days and phenobarbital for 7 days caused significant reduction relative liver weight and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) Brassica nigra seeds extract have isothiocynate as main compound it showed antiproliferative action on the liver tissue, implying that it may have a promising effect in minimizing the risk of liver cancer.

There are more than 340 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occurred annually throughout the world, the highest incidence is in people of developing countries. Pelvic inflammation, sterility, ectopic pregnancy, morbidity and mortality of newborns, and genital carcinoma have been assumed to be related to STIs. Sexually transmitted diseases have various clinical symptoms while 70% gonococcal or non-gonococcal urethritis in males and genital tract infections in females are asymptomatic, both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections may cause severe complications, previous studies revealed that wide range of pathogens recognized as a causative agents of urethritis in males and genital tract infections in females, such as Trichomonas vaginalis and herpes simplex virus. More epidemiological studies are needed to evaluate the significant role of organisms other than the recognized genital pathogens in vaginal syndromes. In summary we conclude that sexually transmitted diseases may increase reproductive morbidity rate causing difficulties in conception especially the infection with T. vaginalis and herpes simplex viruses, so concentrating on different methods in diagnosis is required. In addition, the cost and time of the test should be taken in consideration.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common infectious agent worldwide. It can cause earnest illnesses at each stage of life. Data on seroprevalence of HSV-1 antibody (Ab) in Iraqi population is limited. This study aimed on determination the frequency of HSV-1 IgG Ab in apparently healthy blood donor of Baghdad province, capital of Iraq. In this study, serum samples were collected from 454 apparently healthy blood donor (385 male and 69 female), their ages ranged from 18 to 64 year. This study was conducted through the period from October, 2018 to February, 2019. Demographic data were gathered by a well-designed questionnaire. Five (5) ml of blood sample was collected and centrifuged, all obtained sera samples were tested using Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) for determine of HSV-1 IgG Ab. Totally, HSV-1 IgG Ab were positive in 427 out of 454 (94.1%) among studied population. The age groups of (21-30) years and (31-40) years had the highest percentage of seropositivity for anti HSV-1 IgG Ab (39.1% and 32.3%, respectively), while the lowest seropositivity was found in age groups (>50) years and (≤20) years (4.4% and 5.4%, respectively). The frequency of HSV-1 IgG Ab was higher among male (84.8%) compared with females (15.2%), however, it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Results confirm a high frequency of anti HSV-1 IgG Ab among Iraqi population. The high frequency of HSV-1 infection underlines the need for focusing on preventive efforts and education among the population about HSV-1 and its complications.