Iraqi journal of biotechnology

Assessment the role of Interferon Lambda in Regulating Immune Response in SLE Disorder

Mohammed A. Kamil1, Hazima M. Alabassi2 — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The role of interferons in modulating immune responses following infections or various danger signals is a crucial one, as they belong to a class of powerful antiviral cytokines. The first description of Type III interferons, known as IFNλs, was that they are a distinct mechanism that prevents viral replication at epithelial barrier sites and reduces inflammation. type III interferons have a complicated impact on both the innate and adjustive immune systems and may also have a detrimental impact on systemic autoimmune disorders. Respective autoimmune conditions such as arsenic general lupus erythematosus bear been associated with elevated levels of IFNλs in the blood and tissues of individuals and those levels are connected to particular clinical manifestations and lab findings. This review aims to difficultly assess the existing literature on the biology of IFNλs and explore their potential contribution to immune dysregulation and tissue injury in SLE diseases. This article review the new advances of the literature along the orderly look of interferons lambda and their receptor in association SLE.

The Role of Efflux Pump Genes (qacE, qacE-Δ1,and sug E1) in Carbapenems and Biocides Resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Burn Infections

1Narjis Hadi Sheghait, 2Kais Kassim Ghaima — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Burn injuries cause the skin's defenses against opportunistic infections to be compromised. One of the primary pathogens that colonize burn wounds and cause serious infections is pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appropriate treatment options and time are limited by antibiotic resistance, biofilm production, and other virulence factors. The study samples, which comprised 150 clinical specimens in the form of burn swabs from patients with burn infections, admitted to four hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, were collected between November 2022 and the end of February 2023. Of all the bacterial cultures that were collected, 45 isolates (30%) were identified as P. aeruginosa based on the results of selective media, biochemical tests, and the VITEK2 system. The results of the disc diffusion method's antimicrobial susceptibility test for the isolates under investigation showed that P. aeruginosa clinical isolates had moderate resistance to most of the tested antibiotics. Most P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited high resistance to Tetracycline, Piperacillin, and Piperacillin-tazobactam, as well as to Ceftazidime (84.44%) and Cefepime (75.55%). Also, the highest sensitivity was recorded for Colistin, Tigecycline. All P. aeruginosa isolates that showed resistance to imipenem and meropenem antibiotics (n = 14) as well as ten isolates that were sensitive to these antibiotics were used for molecular study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used for evaluate the presence of the identification gene (16S rRNA) and efflux pump genes (qacE, qacE-Δ1, and sug E1). The results of the efflux pump gene detection showed that all carbapenem-resistant isolates with high resistance to antibacterial agents (chlorohexidine, dettol, and EDTA) had the efflux pump genes, with the exception of the isolates P11, P13, and P14, where the isolates P11 and P14 did not have the gene sug E1, and isolate P12 showed the absence of the gene qacE. The findings showed that all of the resistant isolates had the gene qacE-Δ1. Also, it was found that the majority of the isolates which sensitive to carbapenems did not have the efflux pump genes. In conclusion, there is a significant correlation between the presence of efflux pump gene and the resistance of carbapenems and biocides (chlorohexidine, Dettol, and EDTA), where the high MICs values were related with isolates that have the efflux pump genes.

Investigating the Role of LH, FSH, AMH, and TGF-B Gene Expression in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

1Sarah E. Abdul Sahib, 2Jinan MJ. Al-Saffar — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders in reproductive-age women, with prevalence 10 – 18 % according to diagnostic criteria. Women'slifeare impacted by polycystic ovary syndrome, particularly while trying to conceive. The focus of this research is to establish a connection between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the aforementioned variables (LH, FSH, and AMH) and to quantify the impact of transforming growth factor gene expression on PCOS. Eighty women, ranging in age from nineteen to forty-five, were part of the study; thirty of these women had polycystic ovarian syndrome, and thirty of these women had delayed childbearing. The other twenty women were healthy. The hormone levels was analyzed after separating the serum. To determine gene expression, blood samples were collected using a Trizol tube and RT PCR was used for analysis. In conclusion from the results in comparison to control women, those with delayed childbearing had lower levels of TGF-β expression, and the results demonstrated a rise in AMH and LH levels without a change in FSH levels.

Genotyping and Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Parvovirus B19 in Beta Thalassemia Major Patients

1Noor Thamir Al-Musawe, 2Maysaa Kadhim Al-Malkey — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Beta thalassemia major (βTM) is a hereditary condition that has previously been connected to blood-borne virus infections due to repeated transfusions of blood, Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) viral infection was proposed as a risk factor due to recurrent hemotherapy. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence, genotyping, and phylogenetic analysisof B19V in βTM patients. The study included 60 control volunteers and 120 βTM patients throughout November 2023 and March 2024. Blood samples were subjected to genomic DNA extraction, then nested PCR (nPCR) targeting fragments (VP1-VP2 region, 288 nt) was followed. Furthermore, genotyping and phylogenetic analysis were performed on DNA-positive samples by direct sequencing method. The study findings revealed that age was a risk factor, meanwhile, sex was not. The B19V was detected by nPCR represented 4.1% (5 out of 120), while none were found in the control group. B19V genotyping showed a predominance of Genotype 1a (100%). A unique accession number PP747257 has been deposited in GenBank to represent B19V for this study. It deserves to be noted that the investigated isolate was suited in the vicinity of three reference sequences deposited from the Netherlands (GenBank acc. no. JN211139.1, JN211160.1, and JN211182.1). In conclusion, despite the low rate of B19V prevalence among the βTM patients, this does not eliminate its potential risk in such a vulnerable group which may lead to severe consequences as a transient plastic crisis. Therefore, blood banks in Baghdad might need to consider screening for B19V especially when transfusion is intended for high-risk populations.

Molecular Detection of B1 Gene from Blood Samples of Iraqi Diabetic Type II Patients Infected with Toxoplasmosis

1Sarah Ali Saeed, 2Israa Kasim Al-Aubaidi — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Many of warm-blooded birds and mammals, including human, are susceptible to infect with toxoplasmosis that caused by the ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is present across the planet. The nested PCR technique has proven to have a good capacity and sensitivity for toxoplasmosis detection when compared to other PCR procedures. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated to be far more economical. Type II diabetes is primarily caused by a gradual decline in insulin production and insulin resistance. This study is objected to detect the gene B1 of T. gondii in blood samples of Iraqi diabetic type II patients by using the molecular assay nested-PCR. One hundred-nine of blood samples from Iraqi type II diabetes patients and 80 blood samples from non-diabetic control volunteers were compared in the study. All of the samples were collected in March and June of 2022 from a private laboratory in Baghdad, Iraq. According to the findings of the diabetic diagnostic tests, the group of patients with diabetes had the highest mean of glycated haemoglobin 7.9. Moreover, 30/80 (15.87%) cases of non-diabetic control were sera-positive that had 32.7 ± 8.45 UI/mL for the anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody in the CMIA assay, whereas 51/109 (26.98%) samples of the group of diabetic patients were sera-positive to toxoplasmosis with a titer of 34.95 ± 7.5 UI/mL for the same antibody in the same assay. While, all samples were sera-negative in CMIA for acute toxoplasmosis IgM antibody. Additionally, 11/25 (44%) of diabetic patients infected with toxoplasmosis were positive for gene B1 detection in the nested PCR. As well as, 7/20 (35%) of toxoplasmosis asymptomatic considered control positive were also positive for the same detection. This indicate that the B1 gene of T. gondii was detected by nested PCR technique in a small percentage of the studied samples.

Molecular Evolution of Toxoplasma gondii in Thalassemic Patients Using Nested PCR Targeting B1 and RE Genes

1Raghad N. Shihab, 2Israa Kasim Al-Aubaidi — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Toxoplasmosis, caused by T gondii, is a parasitic disease affecting various mammalian hosts. Thalassemia, an inherited microcytic hemolytic anemia, is characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production. This study aimed to establish a molecular detection method using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the B1 and RE genes of T. gondii in thalassemic Iraqi patients. The study samples comprised 165 thalassemic patients and 80 healthy individuals, aged from 2 to 45 years (mean age 15.387 ± 0.627 years). Samples were collected from Al-Karma Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between March and June 2022. Two diagnostic tests were used for toxoplasmosis IgM/IgG antibodies immunochromotography rapid test which found 44(26.67%) for IgG and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). Key findings include: Anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were found in 36.4% (60/165) of thalassemic patients, with an average titer of 41.475 ± 9.193 IU/mL.T. gondii DNA was detected in 60% of thalassemic patients using the B1 gene, compared to a 30% positivity rate in the control group. For the RE gene, only 5% of thalassemic patients tested positive, while the control group showed no positive results. These results highlight the significant presence of T. gondii DNA in thalassemic patients and demonstrate the effectiveness of nested PCR in detecting toxoplasmosis. The higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis in thalassemic patients compared to healthy individuals underscores the need for vigilant screening and management in this vulnerable population.

The Frequency of Some Colibactin Genes Amongst the Clinical Strains of E. coli Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections in Iraq

1Rukiya S. Jassam , 2Husam S. Auhim — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Escherichia coli has been recognized worldwide as the most common causative agent for severe infections of the urinary tract. Colibactin is a genotoxin produced through a gene cluster called polyketide synthase (pks) island by members of Enterobacteriaceae. Limited information is available about the frequency of colibactin in E. coli isolates in Iraq. Hence, this study aimed to examine the frequency of some colibactin genes (CIbA and CIbQ) in clinical isolates of E. coli obtained from urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Iraq. Between October 2023 and January 2024, 120 urine samples were collected from females diagnosed with UTIs in Iraqi hospitals. 70 E. coli isolates were isolated after identification by biochemical methods and confirmed by molecular technique. In particular, the 16S rRNA gene was targeted using specific primers to confirm their identity. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect the CIbA and CIbQ genes and confirm the presence of colibactin. The findings of this study revealed a high prevalence of colibactin-producing isolates (40%, 28/70) compared to colibactin-non-producing isolates (60%, 42/70) with non-significant differences (p>0.05). In conclusion, the frequency of colibactin genes is high in E. coli strains isolated from UTIs in Iraq. The presence of pks-positive isolates at a high frequency is concerning, as it suggests the spread of a highly genotoxic strain in urinary tract infections in Iraq that could potentially lead to the development of urinary tract cancer diseases.

Incidence of Methicillin Resistant mecA and Investigation of Biofilm Formation in some Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in Baghdad

1Maarib Mudhar Farouq, 2Zina Hashem Shehab — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The most prevalent pathogenic bacteria in hospitals and communities is Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Its capacity to form biofilms is thought to be the primary factor in its pathogenicity since it confers resistance to both human immune response and medications, so the purpose of this investigation was to assess the development of biofilms and their correlation with antibiotic resistance in MRSA clinical isolates. From 150 swabs taken from various clinical sources of patients at several hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, 36 S. aureus were isolated. The study was conducted from November 2023 to March 2024, a span of five months. The diagnosis of S. aureus isolates was made using molecular methods, biochemical testing, and phenotypic characteristics. The molecular technique relied on PCR for gene specific detection, 16S rRNA for staphylococcus genus diagnosis, and mecA for methicillin-resistant S. aureus diagnosis. Antibiotic susceptibility to eleven different antibiotics showed that S. aureus has an elevated resistance to Cefoxitin (alternative to Methicillin) (55.55%) and Vancomycin (55.55%) While the other antibiotics have varying rates of resistance: Azithromycin (38.88%), Doxycycline (30.55%), Levofloxacin and Clindamycin (16.66%), Gentamicin, Rifampin and Trimethoprime-sulfamethoxazole (11.11%), Chloramphenicol (8.33%). The results of using the microtiter plate method (MTPs) for biofilm identification revealed that all S.aureus isolates produced biofilm in different degrees, strong (30.55%), moderate (52.77%) and weak (16.66%). S. aureus had a 97.22% MRSA incidence. In summary, a high mecA percentage is associated with a high rate of biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance, so methicillin-resistant S. aureus is a developing issue, even in our neighborhood, that needs more care and attention.

Detection of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) in Blood Utilizing Particular Cancer Stem Cell Marker CK19 and CD3 for Stage1 for Stage 1 of Breast Cancer Iraqi Patents

1Nour S. Mustafa, 2 Mohammed Abdalmalek Ali Al-bedhawi — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cells that have sloughed off the primary tumor of several types of cancer into and circulating system. This research was conducted to investigate potential markers for detection of these CTC as might represent a non-invasive method for early detection of breast cancer (BC). Blood samples were collected from 35 breast cancer women who diagnosed with breast cancer and follows up in Medical City hospital in Baghdad, Rasafa between November 2022 and June 2023. The control group included 35 apparently healthy women which were enrolled in the study after they pass the exclusion criteria. Molecular assays started with extraction of RNA followed by RT-qPCR using a specific primer to detect the gene expression of CK-19. Furthermore, ELIZA was conducted to reveal CD3 level. These two markers were recruited as markers for detection of CTCs. Conclusion: The results showed that there was a positive relationship of the expression level of both markers in patients grouped as stage 1breast cancer when compared with healthy women. All samples expressed CK-19 mRNA and the mean of CK-19 expression records more than doubled increase in stage 1 breast cancer when compared to those of healthy women. In addition, samples from patient grouped by stage 1 records a significant increase (P= 0.0130) serum level of CD3 marker when compared to those of healthy women. Immuno-detecting of CD3 might support the invasive diagnosing of breast cancer in early stage of diagnosing.

The Effect of Albizia lebbeck on Impairment of Interlukin-2 (IL-2) Gene Expression

1Adian A. Dakl, 2Ikram A. Al –Samrraee — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The determine of incorporated impacts of an ethanolic Albizia lebbeck leaf extract and Killed Whole Cell Sonicated Ag-Klebsiella pneumoniae (KWCSAg-KP) on diminish of IL-2 gene expression. Five groups of eight rabbits each were used in this experiment. Subcutaneous injection of 1000 μg/ml KWCSAg-KP was given to the first Group, while the second received subcutaneous KWCSAg-KP vaccination (1000 μg/ml) and oral Albizia lebbeck extract (300 mg/kg). Oral Albizia lebbeck extract at a dosage of 150 mg/kg and 1000 μg/ml KWCSAg-KP were given to the third group. For the fourth group, oral dosage of Albizia lebbeck extract was only 300 mg/kg. The fifth group was given PBS to serve as a control. Assessments of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression by Real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the outcomes. The first, second and third groups revealed an increase in IL-2 gene expression after vaccination compared to the control group; in contrast the fourth group exhibited a decrease in IL-2 gene expression compared to the other groups throughout the study and the changes were statistically significant (P< 0.05) among groups. It was concluded that the Albizia lebbeck extraction has anti-inflammatory properties by impairs IL-2 gene expression.

Predominance of antibiotics resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from Urinary tract infection patients in diabetic and non- diabetic woman

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Escherichia coli is the commonest bacterial uropathogen of UTIs, the commonest infections in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Better understanding of their main resistance mechanisms to commonly used antibacterial agents will help to reduce the burden of this infection. The prevalence of drug resistant uropathogenic E.coli isolates from diabetic and non-diabetic patients attending health facilities. These patients were further categorized into the ‘diabetic group based on the following definitions: the diabetic group consisted of patients with prior diagnosis of DM (complicated or uncomplicated), with a blood HbA1C level above 6,5% . Patients with T2DM were selected in line with the standard definition of the American Diabetes Association. This study aimed to define the antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from diabetic and nan-diabetic from UTI patients in al.najaf , iraq. By assessing the susceptibility patterns of these bacterial strains, we can gain valuable insights into the burden of antibiotic resistance in this population. Such information can help guide the development of appropriate treatment strategies and inform public health policy decisions. In this study, 300 clinical indivisuals were collected urine samples to patients divided into groups (A and B), each containing 150 samples. all isolates were tested for antimicrobial sensitivity using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method in accordance with the definition provided by the Committee of Clinical Laboratory International Standards (CLSI, 2020) on diagnostic sensitivity test plates. The McFarland standard was used to prepare bacterial inoculum suspensions for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Mueller Hinton agar plates were streaked using a sterilized cotton swab. sterile Antibiotics were used. its were highly Resistance to most of the selected antibiotics. E.coli showed a high resistance to ampicillin, Both group A and group B demonstrated a high level of resistance to ampicillin 61(96.82%) vs 47(92.15%) respectively,Cefotaxime 59(93.65%) vs 45(88.23%),Ceftazidime 58(92.06%) vs 43(84.31%), Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazol, 58(92.06%) vs 44(86.27%). also results showed that broad-spectrum antibiotics such as imipenem, meropenem and nitrofurantoin would be the first line and the most effective antibiotics for the empirical treatment of urinary tract pathogens due to their low resistance rates. its were 6(9.52%) vs 3(5.88 %),4(6.34%) vs 2(3.92 %) and 23(36.5%) vs 12(23.52%) respectively.

Assessment of PMS2 Expression in Iraqi Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Background: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) represented the sixth most common cancer amongst women worldwide.Postmitoticsegregation increased 2 (PMS2) is a gene that encrypts a protein that rolesin DNA mismatch repair (MMR).Objectives:To assessment the expression of the PMS2in endometrial tumors and knowing the extent of disease's progression through the interaction between the secretion on the surfaces of the pathological cells with the PMS2 marker , andFinding the relationship between age,stage and grade of tumors with expression of the PMS2 marker.Material and methods:Overall of seventy samples of paraffin embedded tissue blocks of diverse endometrium tissue cancerincluding 30 malignant with ages ranging from 30 to 70 years, 30 benign with ages from 20 to 60 years and 10 health endometrium biopsies as a control with ages ranging from 30 to 40 years. Results:The findings of this task demonstrated substantial variation in the expression of PMS2 between endometrial benign and malignant tumors (P<0.001). Furthermore, significant correlation was found between PMS2 with histological grade in malignant cases. There wasno significant variation in PMS2 expression with age and pathological stage. Conclusion:This allowed us to suggest that PMS2 hasadvantageous for managing of endometrial cancer in patients with DNAMMR.

Molecular Diagnosis of the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) among Thalassemia Patients and its Relation to Different Clinical Factors

1Maytham Khazaal Kadhim, 2Kais Kassim Ghiama — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disease with abnormal hemoglobin chains, leading to anemia. Regular blood transfusions are often required for treatment, but they carry the risk of transfusion-transmitted infections, including cytomegalovirus (CMV). Thalassemia patients are at increased risk of CMV-related complications due to frequent blood transfusions and potential iron overload. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) has emerged as a powerful tool for detecting and quantifying CMV DNA in biological samples. A study involved 150 patients with thalassemia, and thalassemia major being the most common subtype. The median frequency of blood transfusions was once every 4 weeks, ranging from every 3 weeks to every 6 weeks. Most patients (84.0%) received chelation therapy, with deferoxamine being the most commonly used chelator. Liver involvement was a common finding, with 64 patients (42.7%) presenting with an enlarged liver. CMV DNA positivity was significantly higher in patients with thalassemia major (42.4%) than those with thalassemia intermedia (21.9%). The study highlights the importance of routine CMV screening and monitoring in thalassemia patients to prevent potential complications.

The Expression Response of lasI Quorum Sensing Gene Upon Exposure to Some Microbicides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Local Clinical Specimens

1Donya A. Al-Taweel, 2Abdulameer M. Ghareeb — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Microbicides are frequently used to manage surface bacterial contamination in a variety of settings and to prohibit infections from spreading to individuals as nosocomial infections. Due of its numerous virulence factors, which are controlled by the crucial quorum-sensing (QS) network, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can withstand hostile environments. This work aims to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of microbicide agents and explore the role of the lasI gene in P. aeruginosa biofilm development in order to gain a better understanding of how these bacteria may survive in such a kind of environment.As well as measure the target gene expression before and after using microbicides.One hundred clinical sampleswere collected during the period from June 2023 until November 2023 from patients attending Baghdad hospitals. The VITEK-2 compact system was used to confirm the isolates of P. aeruginosa. Micro titer plate technique was employed to assess the isolates' capacity to produce biofilms in vitro. Out of collected samples, 38 (38%) P. aeruginosa isolates were identified. The highest percentages (47.37% and 23.68%) were assigned to burn and wound infections, while the lowest frequency (10.53% and 18.42%) was assigned to ear and UTI infections. The results indicated that the biofilm formation was strong in (79.41%), moderate in (14.17%) and weak in (5.88%). The antibiotics test showed the highest resistance to the fluoroquinolonesabout 80%.The QSgene was detected in 34 (89.47%) of the isolates.In conclusion, the expression level of lasI gene showed down regulation of concentrations of microbicides treatment average (32-64 µg/ml).Significant correlations were found between the lasI gene and the use of microbicides and biofilm development.

Molecular Characterization of Efflux Pump Genes among Carbapenems Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Burns Infections

1Alaa Aziz Abdulhassan , 2Kais Kassim Ghaima — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The emergence of multi-drug resistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) poses an increasing risk, particularly for individuals suffering from burn injuries. The efflux pump system in drug-resistant K. pneumoniae is dangerous. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine whether antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae isolated from wound patients is related to the smvA, smvR, and cepA efflux pump genes. Ninety clinical isolates of K. pneumonia bacteria were obtained from 250 burn patients (36%) who were consulted in the hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq, between August 2023 and March 2024. After identifying the isolates, the disc diffusion method was used for antibiotic susceptibility. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was employed to investigate the frequency of efflux genes (smvA, smvR, and cepA). Additionally, online software (NCBI) was used to analyze the cepA gene's sequence. The results showed that Tigecyclin (87.77%) and Colistin (72.22%) had the highest percentage of antibiotic sensitivity against K. pneumoniae, while Meropenem (56.66%) and Imipenem (53.33%) had moderate sensitivity. On the other hand, Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (94.44%) had the highest percentage of antibiotic resistance by K. pneumoniae, and 47 (52.2%) of the isolates were Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae. The results of PCR revealed that the efflux pumps genes smvA, and smvR were present in all isolates, while cepA gene was identified in 72 isolates (80%). The carbapenem-resistant local isolate K85's cepA sequence was aligned with a gene from reference strains found in GenBank, yielding results that showed 99% identity and some variations in the query's nucleotides in the positions 97, 101, 307, 394, 580, 583,656,798 (delesion), and 922 of the subject. In conclusion, there was a high prevalence of smv efflux pump genes and present a variations among cepA gene among the carbapenem resistant local isolates from burn patients.

Detection of Some Virulence Factors Genes in Clinical Isolates of Enterococcus faecalis

1Shurooq Sabah Hussien 2Alyaa R.Hussein — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Nosocomial infections, caused by Enterococcus faecalis play a major role in causing a variety of infections, including endocarditis, urinary tract infections, and chronic root canal infections. E. faecalis has a selective virulence factors regulated by multiple genes such as hemolysin (cylA), gelatinase (gel E), andadhesion of collagen from E. faecalis (ace).The aim of current work was to study some of virulence factors in local clinical enterococcal isolates and detection for some genes at molecular level that encodes to these virulence traits,furthermore the correlation between these virulence factors phenotypically and genotypically was also studied. The obtained bacterial (65) isolates were subjected to some virulence factors tests like production of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm formation. Fifty (50) isolates out of (65) were gelatinase positive,44 isolates were beta hemolysis, 12 isolates were alpha hemolysis and 9 isolates were gamma hemolysis.The results of biofilm production showed that only 1 isolate non biofilm producer and the rest isolates(64) revealed different categories of biofilm production.The molecular detection assay for selected isolates (15) showed that 73.3% of selected isolates were gelEpositive ,40% of selected isolates were cylA positive and 93.3% of selected isolates were ace positive. Besides the correlation between these virulence traits was also studied statistically.strong relationshipbetween biofilm (ace) phenotype and this genotypic factor (p value 0.002). While Hemolysin Gen. appears unrelated to hemolysin phenotype in this context (p value 0.241), Biofilm (ace) Gen. demonstrates a non-significant association with hemolysin phenotype (p value 0.875).It was observed that there was a distinct variation in virulence, taking into consideration the technique employed and the outcomes produced.

Synergistic Effect of Curcumin and Tobramycinon the mexX Geneexpression in Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

1Iftekhar Matlob Kafi, 2Ghusoon Ali Abdulhasan — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

till now there are few studies that evaluate the effect of curcuminon efflux pump gene expression, the aim of this study to investigating thecurcumin’s roleas efflux pump inhibitor against the 93 isolates of P. aeruginosacollected as identedby expert from laboratoryof Iraqi hospital/Baghdad during the period from September2023to December 2023.16S rRNA was employed to identify bacteria. For 40 isolates resistant to tobramycin, the results of agar dilution showed theminimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values ranged between 32-2048 µg/ml.Using tobramycin with curcumin significantly enhanced the sensitivity (p≤ 0.05) of P.aeruginosa isolates to tobramycin. DNA extractions were conducted on all 40 P. aeruginosa isolates to confirm the mexX presence. After the treatment of bacterial cells with tobramycin, the antibiotic upregulated the mexXgene expression in P. aeruginosa but downregulated the expression of other isolates. The tobramycin with curcumin combination of upregulated mexXexpression in P. aeruginosa and downregulated the expression of others.Current findings show that the combination ofcurcumin and antibiotics inhibitsP. aeruginosa more effectively than antibiotics alone.

Biofilm Formation by UropathogenicSerratiamarcescens

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Gram-negative nosocomial Serratiamarcescens is responsible for severe urinary tract infections (UTIs) in hospitalized individuals. S. marcescens’squorum sensing (QS) system regulates biofilm formation. This study aimed to test S. marcescens’s capacity to establish biofilms. Out of 150 clinical specimens were collected from patients admitted to Baghdad Medical City, only 23 were positive growth of S. marcescens.The S. marcescensisolates were idenitifed byCHROMagarSerratia and the VITEK-2 system compact. Microplate technique was employed to investigate biofilm formation. DNA extractions were conducted on all positive isolates to confirm their identity through PCR amplification of a fragment of rpIUgene. S. marcescens was identified in all 23 isolates. 11 (47.8%) and 12 (52.2%) isolates were capable of establishing moderate and weak biofilms, respectively. However, none of the isolates was a robust biofilm-former.Serratiamarcescens isolates from catheter-associated and UTIs have shown a significant capacity for biofilm formation, indicating potential for UTIs.

Evaluation of miR-206 as a Potential Biomarker in a Sample of Iraqi Breast Cancer Patient

1Noor Esam Abdul Muhsen , 2Ismail Hussein Aziz — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous malignant disease that begins in the tissues of the breast. It is characterized by the unregulated proliferation of cells, frequently leading to the development of tumors. The illness has a variety of molecular subtypes, including luminal A, luminal B, HER2-positive, and triple-negative, each characterized by unique genetic profiles and clinical outcomes. In this study the expression of miR-206 was examined in a sample of Iraqi female BC patients and its correlation with patients’ demographic distribution and disease characteristics, potentially providing insights into BC diagnosis and progression.The study involved 60 female BC patients and 60 healthy controls. Demographic analysis showed most BC cases (70%) occurred in women aged 40-59 years, with 65% having a family history of BC. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) was the most common type (85%), and luminal A the predominant molecular subtype (57%). Stage II and III showed the highest prevalence of BC, 40% and 36%, respectively. Using RT-qPCR with miR-16 as an internal reference, it was found that miR-206 was significantly downregulated (0.35-fold) in BC patients, with no significant differences among molecular subtypes but significantly downregulated in stages II, III, and IV compared to stage I. These findings suggested that miR-206 may play roles in BC development and progression.

Gene Expression and Serum Levels of Interleukin-40 in Male Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

1Rehab M. Khadim, 2Reema Mohamed Abed — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a kind of arthritis marked by persistent inflammation in the spine's joints, usually at the point where the spine and pelvis meet. Such a disease has different causes, including immunological causes. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the role of the immune system in this disease to improve a potential treatment strategy. In this context, the present study examined serum levels and gene expression of IL-40 in a group of Iraqi males with AS to determine their associations in AS pathogenesis. The study included a total of 200 Iraqi male participants (100 with AS and 100 healthy subjects). The serum level of IL-40 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while gene expression was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction art- (PCR) technique.Serum level of IL-40 revealed no significant difference between the Median (IQR) of AS and HC groups, 30.63 (18.03) (pg/ml) versus 33.05 (24.81) (pg/ml) (p = 0.557) with AUC of 0.560. However, the level of IL-40 gene expression was higher significantly (p = 0.005) in the AS group in comparison with the HC group, 1.23 (0.73) fold change versus a 1-fold change.Consequently, it has been suggested that IL-40 gene expression had roles in the susceptibility of AS.

Gene Expression Analysis of Interleukin-8, Interleukin-10, and Interleukin-18 among Chronic Otitis Media Patients with Effusion

1Ghaidaa Abdul Kareem Goodi 2Kais Kassim Ghaima — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Immune responses have been linked to middle ear effusion in patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME). Despite the fact that different cytokines play a role in immunologic responses in OME patients. Through the period extending from August 2022 until April 2023, under sterilized conditions 110 clinical specimens (ear discharge) collected by Otorhinolaryngologists from outpatients and inpatients with chronic otitis media (COM) with effusion whose visited Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) consulting in Ghazi Al-Hariri hospital for specialized surgeries in medical city. The specimens collected from adults (15-55 years) and children (5-9 years). According to the results of the biochemical tests and molecular identification, out of the 110 samples of ear exudates examined, 49 (44.5%) specimens contained bacterial pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (no=6, 5.5%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (no=17, 15.5%),16 Moraxella catarrhalis (14.5%) and 6 Streptococcus pneumoniae (5.5%) and 4 Haemophilus influenzae (3.6%). Using the delta delta ct method, the gene expression of three interleukins (IL-8, IL-10, and IL-22) was assessed in patients with three species (S. pneumoniae, M. catarrhalis, and P. aeruginosa) and contrasted the outcomes with those of a healthy control group. The gene expression findings of three Interleukins among Chronic Otitis media patients infected with P. aeruginosa, where the maximum level in effusion was 5.6 for IL-8, follow by 4.9 for IL-22, while the lower levels were for IL-10 (2.1) in blood and (3.2) in effusion, while with M. catarrhalis, the findings demonstrated that the expression of the three interleukins in blood and effusion exhibited significant raising in comparison with the healthy control, where the maximum level in effusion was 5.5 for IL-8, follow by 5.3 for IL-22, while the lower levels were for IL-10 (1.8) in blood and (2.2) in effusion. Also, the results of S. pneumoniae revealed that there was an increasing of the fold change of gene expression of interleukin-22 in blood (5.2) and effusion (6.1) in comparison with other interleukins and the healthy control, and the maximum level in effusion was 6.1 for IL-22, follow by 3.6 for IL-8. In conclusion, the results indicated to the importance of IL-22 in all bacterial infections and especially with S. pneumoniae and IL-8 for P. aeruginosa, M. catarrhalis. Also, the lower levels of expression of mRNA for IL-10 were related to all bacterial infections.

Prevalence of exoU/exoS genotype amongPseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from burn wound infections

1Maryam Ali Raouf , 2Husam Sabah Auhim — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been identified as the main causative agent responsible for severe infections in burn patients worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the exoU/exoS genotype in P. aeruginosa isolates collected from burn wound infections in Iraq. From January to April 2023, a total of eighty isolates of P. aeruginosawere obtained from patients with burn wound infections in two Iraqi hospitals (Teaching Baghdad Hospital and AL-Yarmok Hospital).The isolates were first identified using biochemical tests and then verified using molecular techniques, specifically by targeting the 16S rRNA gene with specific primers. The exoU/exoS genotype was detected using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by specifically targeting two genes, exoS and exoU.The study found that burn wound infections contained four distinct genotypesof P. aeruginosa, and these genotypes exhibited substantial differences (P<0.001). The exoU-/exoS+ genotype exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of 75% (60 out of 80 isolates), whereas the exoU-/exoS- genotype had a comparatively lower prevalence of 5% (4 out of 80 isolates). At the same time, a lower percentage of isolates, 6.25 % (5 out of 80 isolates), was found to contain the exoU gene only (exoU+/exoS- genotype). Notably, 11 isolates (13.75 %) exhibited the presence of both exoS and exoU (exoU+/exoS+ genotype; a highly virulence isolate).bioinformatics analysis indicates that other bacterial species, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Acinetobacter baumannii, can produce ExoU toxin. The findingsprovide valuable insights into the genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa in burn wound infections, with the presence of highly virulent strains harbouring two genes (exoSand exoU gene).

Effect of tRNALys DNA m.8360 A>G Human Mitochondria Mutation on Diabetes

1Firas Reda, 2Wiaam Ahmed — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

This study points out for the first time that mitochondria are energy production sites and other metabolic functions mitochondria DNA(mDNA) is only maternal inherited. Mutations in(mDNA) are associated with many human mitochondrial diseases linked with disorders in the oxidation production of energy. It can lead to diabetes. this study is designed to investigate the mitochondria tRNA^Lys DNA m.8360 A>G mutation in Iraq families with type 2 diabetes mellitus using microgenealliment sequencing technique. Eleventh Iraqi families underwent the experiment.Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood samples following a standard protocol and was measured by a Nanodrop device, where the purity of DNA was 1.8-1.9 at 260 nm and its concentration was 22.4ng. Eight mothers out of eleven (72.7%) have this mutation for this result it can concluded that the A8360G mtDNA mutation of the tRNALys and associated with maternal diabetes.

Potential Genotoxicity Effect of Ganodermalucidum Extracts on DNA Damage in Bone Marrow Cells of Albino Mice

1Hala Mohammed Mahmud, 2Hind Hussein Obaid — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The present study investigated the genotoxicity effects of three types of crude extracts, which include two aqueous extracts (hot aqueous extract, cold aqueous extract) and ethanolic extract of Ganodermalucidum(G. lucidum) powder from DXN Company (Malaysia) on albino mice bone marrow cells in vivo using comet assay. The extracts were subjected to analysis using GC-MS technology. The analysis revealed that G. lucidumpredominantly contains organic compounds like alcohols, aldehydes, esters, and ketones. Each type of extract (alcoholic, cold aqueous, and hot aqueous) was administered to three mice at low, moderate, and high concentrations (1000, 2000, and 4000) mg/kg (three replicate for each dose) at this study and injected with 0.3 ml in each mouse intraperitoneally. The control group received an injection of 0.3 ml of normal saline using the same method for 24 hours. The results showed that the extracts' genotoxic effect on the genetic material of bone marrow cells depends on the type of extract and dose. Furthermore, DNA damage increased significantly (P≤0.05) and proportionally to higher extracts doses as demonstrated by the increased values of comet length (hot aqueous extract=62.50, cold aqueous extract= 81.00, ethanolic extract=89.50), head diameter (hot aqueous extract= 88.30, cold aqueous extract= 78.53, ethanolic extract= 72.17), and tail length (hot aqueous extract= 19.86, cold aqueous extract= 20.32, ethanolic extract= 23.80) at the concentration 4000 mg/kg. The identification and assessment of bioactive compounds in the three G. lucidumextracts suggest these extracts have slight DNA damage effect in bone marrow cells.

Effect of Ag2O and TiO2 Nanoparticles on rsbA Gene Expression Related to Swarming Phenomena in Proteusspp.

1Muthanna Muwafaq Abdullah, 2Bahaa Abdullah Laftaah AL-Rubaii — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The rsbA gene is a regulatory gene associated with the swarming motility in Proteusspecies, which is linked to pathogenicity and survival mechanisms during urinary tract infections.The study aims to investigate the impact of silver oxide (Ag₂O) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the rsbA gene expression associated with swarming phenomena in Proteus spp. A total of 109 urine specimens were collected from patients infected with urinary tract infections attending different hospitals in Baghdad, Iraq. Twenty-nine isolates were identified as Proteusmirabilis, while eleven bacterial isolates were identified as Proteusvulgaris. The Vitek-2 compact system was employed in order to confirm the primary bacterial identification. The bacterial ability for swarming movement was assessed using the central spot inoculation method for all Proteusspp. isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration was determined using the agar dilution method; the results indicated that both P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis isolates were inhibited by Ag₂O nanoparticles at a MIC value of 10 mg/ml; on the other hand, TiO₂ nanoparticles inhibited the growth at 15 mg/ml. The disk diffusion assay was used to test antibiotic susceptibility. The results showed that about 60% of P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis isolates were not sensitive to ceftriaxone. Meropenem, on the other hand, was the most effective drug against P. vulgaris and P. mirabilis, with an 80% sensitivity rate. The ability of ten Proteus isolates for swarming movement in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of nanoparticles (10 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml for TiO₂ and Ag₂O, respectively) was evaluated, and the results revealed that the swarming movement of all these isolates was decreased. rsbA gene expression was measured for ten Proteusspp. isolates before and after the addition of sub-inhibitory concentrations of nanoparticles using the qRT-PCR technique, and the results showed a decrease in the fold change values in most of the selected isolates, which refers to the downregulation effect on the rsbA gene related to swarming phenomena.The present study concluded that both Ag₂O and TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Proteusvulgaris and Proteusmirabilis, significantly reducing their swarming diameter.

Enhancement of Cyclosporine Loaded with Chitosan Nanoparticles on Some Hematologic Parameters of Benzene-Induced Aplastic Anemia in Adult Male Dogs.

1Essa D Alhtheal, 2Sufian Saleh Salman — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Aplastic anemia, characterized by a deficiency of hematopoietic stem cells, leads to pancytopenia in peripheral blood and bone marrow cells. The aims of this study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of cyclosporine alone, cyclosporine loaded with chitosan nanoparticles, and chitosan nanoparticles alone, with emphasing on restoring normal blood cell levels and preventing disease complications. Twenty five adult male dogs aged ‎from 12 to 24 month were randomly divided into five groups: the first group was control negative (C-), given only distilled water, and the positive control (C+), which was untreated. The first treatment group (20 mg/kg) treated with chitosan nanoparticles, the second treatment group was with cyclosporin (5 mg/kg) alone, and the third treatment group was with cyclosporin loaded with chitosan nanoparticles (chitosan nano particles 5mg + cyclosporine 20mg/kg for each one). After a 60-day treatmentcourse. Assessments of adult male canines included serum IL2 levels and a complete blood count.When compared to group C+, all treated groups exhibited a signifiantly improved in RBCs, Hct, Hb, and RDWc. The group treated with cyclosporine loaded with chitosan nanoparticles shown the strongest responseto treatment when compared to the other trea drop in IL2 levels, which tment groups, the cyclosporine group loaded with chitosan nanoparticles showed a considerable was in close agreement with the negative control. In conclusion, the research shows that cyclosporine loaded onto chitosan nanoparticles has the best therapeutic effect in treating benzene-induced aplastic anemia in adult male dogs. The treatment showed an improvement in all the factors tested, which indicating the nanomaterial role of the in delivering the treatment to the desired target.

Study the Toxic Effect of Colibactin Produced by Polyketide Synthase Escherichia coli

1Abdullah A. Kamel , 1Suhad S. Mahmood — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Polyketide synthase island, also known as pks island, is a gene cluster that is present in Escherichia coli and this island is responsible for the creation of the genotoxin colibactin. Additionally, it has the capability to generate severe DNA distortions and damage, ultimately play a role in the progression of cancer. This study is aimed to investigate the genotoxic effect of colibactin toxin produced by pks+ E.coli isolates. One hundred and twenty E. coli isolates were obtained from various clinical sources and analyzed. A total of 63 samples tested positive for E. coli, representing 52.5% of the overall amount. The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the colibactin toxin detected by subjecting isolates of different sources to tissue culture (Normal human fibroblast cells-NHF) and PCR assays, while utilizing a various biochemical tests. The pks+ isolates were assessed for their cytotoxicity using the (AO/PI) double staining procedure and visualized under a fluorescence microscope. The outcomes indicated that of the 63 isolates examined, only 33 were determined to be ClbA+ E.coli, whilst 42 out of 63 were identified as UidA+ E.coli by the use of traditional PCR. The NHF cells that were infected with pks+ E.coli sustained DNA damage due to the presence of colibactin produced by pks+ E.coli and resulted killing of 83.3% NHF cells.

Examination of Candida Albicans in Saliva of Iraqi lichen Planus Patients

1Safaa Moaid Asker , 2Maha Adel Mahmood , 3Lateef Essa Alwan — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Background: One to two percent of the population suffers from lichen planus, an inflammatory skin disorder that may affect almost every part of the body, including the nails, hair, and mucous membranes. Even though lichen planus may present in a variety of ways, the most common sites of involvement are the skin and the mouth. A superinfection with Candida species can worsen the symptoms of oral lichen planus, particularly in its erosive variants, where one of the most opportunistic mycosis globally is the Candida ssp and the research aims to evaluate the prevalences of candida albicans in lichen planus patients (oral & skin)in comparison to healthy control group. Material and method: The sample consists of 90 subjects divided into 3 groups each of 30 as follow: oral lichen planus group ,skin lichen planus group and control healthy group. Saliva samples obtained from all subjects were cultivated on selective media (SDA) and colony forming unit per milliliter of Candida albicans was estimated after incubation at 37c for24- 48 h. Results: Results shows the prevelance of Candida albicans as a proportion in "Oral L.P. and healthy control." groups, showed highly significant difference while the proportion in "Oral L.P. and skin L.P groups, results showed no significant difference and Finally, the proportion in "Skin L.P. and Control" did not reveal any discernible variation . Conclusion: the prevalence of Candida albicans in oral L.P with healthy control "showed highly significant difference while comparing "Oral L.P. and skin L.P." there was no difference. Lastly, the "Skin L.P. and healthy Control", show no differences between them.

Molecular Investigation Comparative between Dombeya and Bombax Plant Species of Exotic Malvaceae

1 Zahraa H.Hilal , 2Zainab A.Aun — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

The study focuses on the Malvaceae plant family, highlighting its significance in understanding plant diversity in Iraq. The research involves classifying these plants, examining their properties and physical characteristics, and focusing on their molecular evolution and potential threats. The exotic plants are species that are not naturally present in the local environment . their intestines during their long journey back and forth between their original habitats and wintering areas.the plant Dombeya wallichii and Bombax ceiba are the exotic plants cultivated for ornamental purposes, this plants grew adapting to the environmental conditions in Iraq. Both plants perennial trees, so the study Chose to compare with Marva parviflora because that represents the family Malvaceae and it phant grew and distributed very well in Iraq, native throughout the temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions of Europe, Africa, and Asia . Molecular studies are emphasized for their accuracy and comprehensiveness in identifying species.. Molecular information is crucial for taxonomic determination, with evolutionary theory being an important tool in plant taxonomy. Individual molecular evolutionary data for Alcea are limited in determining interspecies relationships and identifying species. Chloroplasts are play a crucial role in sustaining life on earth, intracellular gene transfer and conservation, diversity, this genetic basis by chloroplast transgenes was engineered to enhance plant agronomic traits or produce high-value agricultural (biomedical products. chloroplast genome sequences impact understanding the origins of economically important cultivated species. DNA sequencing technology, especially PCR, is widely used for solving classification problems by tracing the sequence of nitrogenous bases in genes. The study involves DNA isolation from plant samples using the Genomic DNA GENEzol™ DNA Reagent Plant Kit at the Macrogen Center in South Korea and analyzing the samples through agarose gel electrophoresis. Genetic variations within the trnH-psbA intergenic spacer sequences were analyzed to study the biodiversity patterns of three plant isolates from the family Malvaceae (designated O1, W1 and W2) collected from Babylon. The results show successful PCR amplification of the TrnH-psbA region in some genera of the Malvaceae family, with sequence similarities to reference sequences. Sequencing reactions indicated that the identity of samples O1, W1 and W2 belonged to Marva parviflora, Dombeya wallichii, and Bommax ceiba, respectively. Variations were detected in some samples, and the alignment results showed the exact identity of the samples after NCBI BLASTn analysis. The study provides valuable insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships within the Malvaceae family in Iraq.

Detection of Virulence Genes (iap) in Listeria Monocytogenes in Children and Pregnant Women in Baghdad’s Hospitals

1Mawj ziyad mohammed, 2Wasan A. Garbi , — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0100

Studying listeriosis is important to find out what the disease does to pregnant women and newborns and how dangerous it is for them and virulence gene that important know what the affect of it. The gene responsible for the encoding part of Listeria monocytogenes EGD has been successfully isolated and its sequence has been determined. The gene was called IAP (invasion-associated protein) because of its potential to participate in invasion. The IAP gene encodes a polypeptide that has a total of 484 amino acids, including a 27-amino-acid signal peptide. This signal sequence triggers the production of a 47.5 kDa polypeptide that is considered to be mature. The analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence showed that p60 is a protein that possesses basic properties (the iselectric point of 9.3) and includes a domain that is composed of 19 Thr-Asn repeats. Both DNA-based hybridization tests and immunological analyses demonstrated the presence of genes associated with IAP and related proteins in all of the tested Listeria species (9, 9a, 33). PrfA lacks control over the IAP gene. Recently, it was demonstrated that the control of IAP expression is posttranscriptional, as evidenced by Wuenscher's team. in 1993.