Sophisticated mummification using chemical preservation was prevalent in ancient Yemeni civilization as noted in the 4th century B.C. mummies of the National Museum of Yemen, Sana'a, used in this study. Five of these mummies were used to evaluate hydrolytic enzymes produced as a result of fungal contamination. Forty-seven fungal species were isolated, thereby reflecting a high degree of contamination which may have resulted from the poor ventilation and preservation system. Aspergillus was the most common genus isolated (48.9%). Fifteen isolates exhibited ability to produce cellulase (EC; 3.2.1.4), Aspergillus candidus being the highest cellulose-producer. Pectin lyase (PL, EC; 4.2.2.2) and pectin methyl esterase (PME, EC; 3.1.1.11) were produced by Trichoderma hamatum, whereas chitinase (EC; 3.2.1.14) was produced by Aspergillus niger. Protease activity was noted by only Cladosporium herbarum. The higher activities of these fungal hydrolytic enzymes represent the major threats of biodeterioration including deteriorating linen bandages as well as the mummy bodies. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the preservation system of the mummies at the National Museum to minimize the contamination up to the lowest level and protect the mummies from biodeterioration.

Objectives: There is increasing interest in the use of quantitative PCR (q-PCR) for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. However, the assay remains largely unstandardized, making comparison between studies unreliable. The objective of this study was to assess accuracy of a normalized q-PCR assay for diagnosis of the infection. Subjects and methods: Seventy-six fresh gastric biopsy specimens were collected from patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy and examined by rapid urease test (RUT), culture, and a commercial TaqMan q-PCR assay targeting the ureA gene. Counts obtained from the latter assay were normalized to the human ACTB gene. A subject was considered to be infected if two or more assays were positive. Results: The detection rates were 42.1%, 52.6%, and 78.9% by culture, RUT and q-PCR, respectively. Bacterial density ranged 0.005 to 4800 bacteria per 100 human cells. Because q-PCR showed low initial specificity (45.7%), the cutoff value for the assay was recalculated as 1 bacterium per 100 human cells, using ROC curve analysis. Accordingly, the sensitivities and specificities were 79.5% and 97.3%, respectively, for culture; 94.9% and 91.9%, respectively, for RUT; and 94.9% and 94.6%, respectively, for q-PCR. By gold standard, 39 of the dyspeptic patients (51.3%) were found to be infected. Conclusions: With the identified cutoff value, the q-PCR assay diagnosed H. pylori infection with an accuracy slightly superior to that of RUT. However, the possibility that low counts detected only by q-PCR represent true infections warrants further investigation. Normalization of bacterial counts for standardization of q-PCR H. pylori assays is recommended.

Salmonella remains a public health concern around the world, including Yemen although data on its incidence are few. This study determined the incidence of Salmonella infection in 250 enteric fever and 210 food poisoning cases attending Thamar general hospital and Dar Alshafaa medical clinic in 2008. In total, 773 clinical specimens were taken: 250 blood, 187 urine and 336 stool samples. Of the patients with enteric fever and food poisoning, 16.4% and 15.2% respectively were infected with Salmonella. The serovars isolated were: Salmonella Typhi (45.6%), Salmonella Enteritidis (24.4%), Salmonella Paratyphi B (14.4%), Salmonella Typhimurium (13.3%) and Salmonella Paratyphi A (2.2%). The distribution of somatic groups was: D (70%), B (27.7%) and A (2.2%). None of the isolates was resistant to ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, ceftriaxone or moxifloxacin, while 71.1% were resistant to co-trimoxazole, 62.2% to gentamicin, 56.6% to ampicillin and 35.5% to nalidixic acid. RÉSUMÉ Les salmonelles restent une préoccupation de santé publique dans le monde, y compris au Yémen, même si les données sur leur incidence sont rares. La présente étude a déterminé l'incidence de l'infection à Salmonella chez 250 . La répartition des groupes somatiques était la suivante : D (70 %), B (27,7 %) et A (2,2 %). Aucun de ces isolats n'était résistant à la ciprofloxacine, à la sparfloxacine, à la ceftriaxone ou à la moxifloxacine, alors que 71,1 % étaient résistants au co-trimoxazole, 62,2 % à la gentamicine, 56,6 % à l'ampicilline et 35,5 % à l'acide nalidixique.‫املتوسط‬ ‫لرشق‬ ‫الصحية‬ ‫املجلة‬ ‫عرش‬ ‫التاسع‬ ‫املجلد‬ ‫األول‬ ‫العدد‬ 89

Introduction: Malaria and dengue fever are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in tropical areas and represent major public health problems. They are transmitted by mosquito namely Anopheles and Aedes aegypti, respectively. Hodeidah is a high density with these vectors. Also, co-infection of these diseases has (malaria and dengue) become undetected due to lack of suspicious clinical suspicion and overlapping symptoms. Aim of the Study:The study aimed to detect the prevalence of co-infection with malaria and dengue fever, determine the clinical presentation within febrile patients in Hodeidah city and determine some potential risk factors associated with co-infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (from January to December 2017) in febrile patients. All patients were designed into three groups: Group A (co-infected with malaria and dengue); Group B (malaria as mono-infection) and Group C (dengue as mono-infection). The diagnosis of malaria was by microscopic and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and the dengue virus was Al-Areeqi et al.; IJTDH, 40(3): 1-10, 2019; Article no.IJTDH.54064 2 detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnosis was performed in Center of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (CTMID), Authority of AL-Thawra Public Hospital-Hodeidah, in collaboration with the Tihama Foundation for Medical-Pharmaceutical Studies and Research (TFMPSR), Hodeidah, Yemen. Results: Out of 270 febrile patients, 82 cases (30.4%) patients were malaria -dengue coinfection, 100 cases (37.0%) of malaria, 21 cases (7.7%) of dengue and 67 cases (24.8%) were non-malaria and non-dengue. The most common symptoms were fever, headache, arthralgia, myalgia and retro-orbital pain, where the clinical symptoms of co-infected patients were more like dengue than malaria. One death was reported in malaria -dengue coinfection, with a case fatality rate (CFR%) of 1.2% (1/82). Conclusion: Our results show a high prevalence of malaria -dengue coinfecion in Hodeidah, Yemen as the first time. These due to a high density of vectors in this region and endemic areas for malaria and dengue. Furthermore, surveillance strategies, preventive measures and healthcare worker's education are critical for curtailing this problem and lifesaving. Original Research Article

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This study is designed to record the mycoflora and total aflatoxin isolated from dry dates in Yemen Republic. Thirty four date samples collected from different shops and markets in Sana’a city were analyzed mycologically for the presence of fungi cultivated on three types of media. Eight species belonging to 7 genera were isolated from analyzed date samples on the three cultural media. Aspergillus genera was the most dominant fungi and grew well on the three type of media of which A. niger is the most common species, A. flavus was isolated in rare, low and rare frequency on 1% and 20% sucrose Czapek’s and Sabouraud dextrose agar media. Rhizopus stolonifer was isolated in rare, low and low frequency on 1, and 20% sucrose Czapek's and Sabouraud dextrose agar media. The date samples were analyzed for the presence of total aflatoxin using ELISA technique which revealed that 4 out of 5 date samples were contaminated with aflatoxin ranged from 3059.89-7585.96 ppt (ng Kg-1).

No abstract

Hepatitis B is a dangerous illness and simple blood transportation and other ways, particularly in patients with chronic hemodialysis (HD). HBV has significant pathogenicity and mortality rates. The objective of this experiment was to assess the rates of anti-HBc distribution among chronic HD patients in Hodeidah City. This investigation was applied to 150 chronic HD patients and soon before HD sessions, samples were obtained. All samples have been analysed using ELISA for anti-HBc. Sera, which has shown that anti-HBc is positive, were tested for liver function. The ages of 30 to 50y (40,7 percent) were the most vulnerable and statistically significant to the HD process (P < 0,05). Of 150, 129 (86.0 percent) were anti-HBcAg positive. Conclusions: significant anti-HBc distribution rate among HD patients in the city of Hodeidah.