Ten isolates belonging to Proteus spp. were collected and obtained from Department of Biology, College of Science, the University of Baghdad. The diagnosis was done by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using 16S rRNA gene and urease C gene. All isolates (100%) were sensitive to meropenem, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, gentamycin, amoxicillin, clavulanic acid and levofloxacin. These isolates also showed 60% sensitivity to cefixime and nitrofurantoin. However, both species of P. mirabilis and P. vulgaris showed the lowest sensitivity when treated with tetracycline (60%) and amikacin (20%). Cephalothin had a variable effect on the species under study as P. mirabilis isolates were 100% sensitive in comparison with the 80% sensitivity of P. vulgaris isolates. The antibacterial activities of Ag and TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of Ag NPs against both species isolates was 10 mg/mL, while the MIC value of TiO 2 NPs was 14 mg/mL against P. mirabilis and 15 mg/mL against P. vulgaris isolates. P. mirabilis isolates showed larger swarming diameter than P. vulgaris, but this motility phenomenon of P. vulgaris was arrested rapidly after incubation with sub-MIC of TiO 2 NPs and Ag NPs comparatively with control. All isolates showed shifting to down-regulation in the fliL gene expression under the effect of the NPs using TiO 2 NPs and Ag NPs. In conclusion, down-regulation of the fliL gene expression is directly linked to the inhibition of swarming movement of Proteus species. We encourage using these inhibitors (after tests to ensure minimal toxicity to human) in combination with antibiotics to ensure bactericidal /bacteriostatic effect to treat Proteus infections.

The effect of ten different chemical compounds (comprised of carbohydrates, nutrients and nanoparticles) were tested against the swarming phenomenon of clinical isolates that belong to Proteus spp. The responsible gene of swarming RsbA was detected by PCR at 310 pb in size. The results were appeared Starch, Peptone, indomie (commercial local noodles) additives, yeast extract, and glucose had shown stimulatory effect on swarming diameter of P. mirabilis. The carbohydrates used in the experiment were starch, sucrose, lactose and glucose. The largest swarming diameter of the test culture occurred in the presence of glucose due to its stimulatory effect. However, sucrose and lactose showed an inhibitory effect on swarming of the test culture. On the other hand, starch had different effects according to its concentration; it showed an inhibitory effect at 1% and 2%, while it stimulated the swarming at 5 % concentration. Comparatively, when test culture grown on MacConkey agar, swarming did not occur due to the inhibitory role of bile salt and crystal violate. The yeast extract and indomie additives were stimulators for swarming with increased concentration, while Peptone showed moderate effects and red pepper powder had an inhibitory effect on swarming. This study was aimed to isolate and investigate the effect of some chemical and nutrient compounds on swarming phenomenon of P. mirabilis that allows the microorganism to invade human urinary tract and cause infection. We can concluded that Red pepper as natural alternative of antibiotics could be employed in the treatment of patients diagnosed with UTI caused by P. mirabilis due to its inhibitory role on the swarming action. However, consuming indomie noodles with its additives may have a stimulatory effect on swarming which may allow P. mirabilis to reach and colonize other sites of urinary tract and cause infection.

Background. Rejection is the main drawback facing the renal transplant operations. Complicated and overlapping factors, mainly related to the immune system, are responsible for this rejection. Elevated serum levels of sCD30 were frequently recorded as an indicator for renal allograft rejection, while BV virus is considered as one of the most serious consequences for immunosuppressive treatment of renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Aims. This study aimed to determine the association of BK virus load with serum levels of sCD30 in RTRs suffering from nephropathy. Patients and Methods. A total of 50 RTRs with nephropathy and 30 age-matched apparently healthy individuals were recruited for this study. Serum samples were obtained from each participant. Real-time PCR was used to quantify BK virus load in RTRs serum, while ELISA technique was employed to estimate serum levels of sCD30. Results. Twenty-two percent of RTRs had detectable BKV with mean viral load of 1.094E + 06 ± 2.291E + 06. RTRs showed higher mean serum level of sCD30 (20.669 ± 18.713 U/mL) than that of controls (5.517 ± 5.304 U/mL) with significant difference. BK virus load had significant positive correlation with the serum levels of sCD30 in RTRs group. Conclusion. These results suggest that serum levels of sCD30 could be used as an indicator of BK viremia, and accordingly the immunosuppressive regime should be adjusted.

This study was include the investigation of the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract for (12) type of Iraqi plant leaves (Allium porrum L, Apium graveolens Mill., Cassia angustifollia Vahl., Lawsonia inermis L., Lepidium sativum L., Malva sylvestris L., Monthapiperita L., Ocimmum bassillicum L., Pettroselinum crispum Mill., Raphanus sativus L., Sponacia oleraceal. and Trigonella foenum L.). In different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) mg/ml against Salmonella typhimurium in vitro using agar well diffusion method. All ethanolic extract of leaves showed a high activity against this bacterium except of Cassia angustifollia Vahl. as compared with the other extracts. The ethanolic extract of leaves of Petroselinum crispum Mill was showed the best activity with inhibition zone of twenty three mm in the concentration (100) mg/ml. This results confirm the antibacterial activity of these plants, and leaf components which are responsible for this action have to be isolated for using as therapeutic agents.Conclusion: The present investigation together with previous studies provide support to the anti-Salmonella typhimurium properties of studied plant leaves. It can used as antibacterial supplement towards the development of the new chemotherapy . Additional in vivo studies and clinical trails would be needed to justify and further evaluate the potential of these plants as anti-Salmonella typhimurium agent in treatment of infectious diseases caused by this bacteria.