Epidemiological Insights into TORCH Infections in the Population of Erbil City

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24086/cuesj.v8n2y2024.pp26-30
Keywords: TORCH, epidemiology, transmission, prevalence, infectious diseases

Abstract

A seroepidemiological study of the TORCH panel was conducted on inhabitants of Erbil City to provide updated baseline data on TORCH prevalence. 508 individuals were included in this study. 218 (42.91%) were females and 290 (57.09%) were males. Their ages ranged from 13 to 63 year, the majority being within the age group (21-30 years), 162 (31.89%), (P < 0.05). 20 individuals (3.94%) tested positive for anti-TOX IgG antibodies. One of the 20 (5%) tested positive for anti-TOX IgM antibodies, who was a 32-year-old female. 128 individuals (25.2%) (all females) tested positive for anti-Rubella IgG antibodies. 40 individuals (7.87%) were positive for anti-CMV IgG antibodies. One of the 40 (2.5%) also tested positive for anti-CMV IgM antibodies, who was a 26-year-old male. 18 individuals (3.54%) tested positive for anti-HSV-1 IgG antibodies. One of the 18 (5.56%) also tested positive for anti-HSV-1 IgM antibodies. One 18-year-old male (0.2%) tested positive for anti-HSV-2 IgG antibodies, and none were positive for anti-HSV-2 IgM antibodies. The results suggest the presence of Toxoplasma, CMV, HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections among the community, the majority (P < 0.05) being CMV followed by TOX and HSV-1 and finally HSV-2. The positive IgG results of Rubella are most probably due to the obligatory vaccination program for females. Despite the fact that the majority of positive cases were for IgG, enhancing vaccination efforts and providing comprehensive health education is crucial for enhancing the well-being of the Erbil population.

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Author Biographies

Ameena S.M. Juma, Department of General Biology, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Ameena Sabah Mahmood Juma is an assistant professor at the Department of General Biology, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. She earned her Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology from Al-Nahrain University, College of Medicine, Baghdad in 1999. Her research interests focus on fields of Microbiology, especially Medical Microbiology, Parasitology, Bacteriology, Immunology, Infectious Diseases. I am a member of the Kurdistan Biology Syndicate and a member of Erbil Toastmasters Academy.

Kamgar A. Rasul, Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Kamgar Rasul a student at the Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. 

Muhsin H. Ubeid, Department of Anesthesia Technologies, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Muhsin H. Ubeid is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anesthesia Technologies, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. He got the B.Sc. degree in Biology (Baghdad), the M.Phil. degree and the Ph.D. degree in Functional Histology (UK). His research interests are in Histology and Physiology, Histopathology and Medical Basic Science Related. Dr. Ubeid is a member of ABRA, IBA, ITS. And many associations related to his specialty and his Job.

Shakir M. Al-Awqati, Department of Anesthesia Technologies, College of Science, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Shakir M. Al-Awqati was graduated (B.Sc.) from Agriculture College, University of Baghdad. Further, in 2018 he achieved his M.Sc. in Agricultural Extension from University Putra Malaysia (UPM). Currently he is Assistant Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, Cihan University-Erbil, Iraq. 

Tanya S. Salih, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Technology, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Tanya Salam Salih is Assistant Lecturer in Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, F.R. Iraq. Mr. Salih has a B.Sc. degree in Biology and M.Sc. degree in Immunology from Salahaddin University-Erbil.  His research interests include Medical Immunology, Genetic and Molecular Immunology and Medical Microbiology. 

Muhamed A. Abbas, College of Pharmacy, Cihan University-Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Muhamed Aydin Abbas is a highly experienced pharmacist and academic. He currently occupying the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at Cihan University-Erbil. He is holding a (B.Sc.) degree in Pharmacy, and (M.Sc.), and (Ph.D.) degree in Pharmacology. Abbas is a member of the Iraqi Syndicate of Pharmacists, his research interests include Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy, Molecular Pharmacology, and Toxicology. 

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Published
2024-07-30
How to Cite
1.
Juma A, Rasul K, Ubeid M, Al-Awqati S, Salih T, Abbas M. Epidemiological Insights into TORCH Infections in the Population of Erbil City. cuesj [Internet]. 30Jul.2024 [cited 26Jan.2025];8(2):26-0. Available from: https://journals.cihanuniversity.edu.iq/index.php/cuesj/article/view/1229
Issue
Vol 8 No 2 (2024)
Section
Research Article

Copyright (c) 2024 Ameena S.M. Juma, Kamgar A. Rasul, Muhsin H. Ubeid, Shakir M. Al-Awqati, Tanya S. Salih, Muhamed A. Abbas

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