Background: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a significant global health burden with variable prevalence influenced by metabolic, genetic, and infectious factors. Increasing evidence suggests that Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species, contribute to gallstone pathogenesis through enzymatic activity and biofilm formation. Objectives: To characterize Gram-positive bacteria within gallstones from Iraqi patients, evaluate their biofilm-forming capacity, and analyze the relationship between bacterial colonization, gallstone type, and cholesterol levels. Methods: A total of 100 gallstones were obtained from patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy between October 2024 and March 2025. Stones were aseptically processed for bacterial isolation and identification using selective culture media and the VITEK® 2 Compact System. Serum cholesterol levels were determined by enzymatic colorimetric assay. Biofilm formation was quantified via the 96-well microtiter plate method, and statistical correlations between gallstone type, cholesterol level, and bacterial presence were analyzed. Results: Cholesterol stones (57%) were more prevalent than pigment (40%) and mixed stones (3%). Bacterial growth was observed in 43% of gallstones, with Enterococcus species (31 isolates) predominating over S. aureus (12 isolates). Species-level identification revealed E. faecalis (n= 16), E. faecium (n= 9), and E. gallinarum (n= 6), marking the first reported isolation of E. gallinarum from gallstones. Cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in sterile stones (median 235 mg/dL) compared to bacteria-positive stones (173-186 mg/dL) (P < 0.0001). Biofilm analysis showed all S. aureus isolates as strong producers, whereas E. faecalis exhibited predominantly moderate-to-strong formation, while E. faecium and E. gallinarum displayed weaker capacities. Conclusion: A significant interplay between microbial colonization and gallstone composition. Strong biofilm-producing Gram-positive bacteria, particularly S. aureus and E. faecalis, may facilitate stone maturation and persistence. The novel isolation of E. gallinarum expands the spectrum of biliary microbiota.
this study aimed to study the effect of Cordia myxa extract on the growth and activities of the following types of bacteria : Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus Spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae , Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes , Bacillus subtilus, and the yeast Candida albicans .the results showed an inhibitory effect of the methanol extract on both the growth and activity of the tested microbes .this was reflected by the minimum inhibitory concentration ( MIC ) of different type of bacteria and the yeast.
By- products of corn starch industry were used to prepare media for propagation the lactic acid bacteria as a natural auxotroph. The by- products used were the corn steep water (S) and gluten extract (G) after a proper treatment to get them ready for media preparation. The results showed that it was possible to replace the peptone and meat extract by gluten extract in MRS medium. The growth was approximately similar to that obtained in standard MRS media. Corn steep water (S) was used as well and the growth enhanced by including Tween – 80 at 1% level. The later media named MZ, which was superior for growing standard and local strains and starters. The MZ medium modified by adding acetate and glacial acetic acid similarly to
... Show MoreThis study was included the isolation of four strains from two species of lactic acid bacteria which as Lactococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis; Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis; Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. cremoris, were isolated from locally fermented diary products. The isolated were identified by using morphological, cultural and biochemical tests. Their abilities to producing flavor compounds as each Diacetyl and Acetoin after cultured on MRS broth media and incubation at 30 °c for 24 hours. The results indicated that’s all strains were produced the acetoin significantly (P<0.05) more than diacetyl compound. The production of Lactococcus lactis subsp. diacetylactis from Diacety
... Show MoreBiodegradation is utilizing microorganisms to degrade materials into products that are safe for the
environment, such as carbon dioxide, water, and biomass. The current study aims to isolate and characterize
bacteria with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) degradation ability isolated from Shatt al-Arab water and
sewage from Basra, the bacteria were identified as Klebsiella pneumonia. According to the findings, the
isolates showed a highly significant difference in degradation of PET (24% during 7 days) and the percent of
degradation increased to 46% at 4 weeks compared to the control. The study also involved determining the
optimum temperature of K. pneumonia growth, which was 37°C, while the preferred
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Arzı Kanber/Kamber hikayesi Anadolu, Rumeli, Azerbaycan, Türkmenistan ve Irak gibi Türk dünyasının birçok yerinde birden fazla varyantı bulunan, çok sevilen ve yaygın olarak anlatılan aşk ve dramatik maceralı bir halk hikayesidir. Türk halk hikayelerinin en popüler olanlarından biri sayılan Arzı Kanber/Kamber hikayesi, Anadolu'nun birçok yöresinde bilinmesine rağmen Irak Türkmenleri arasında daha çok sevildiği ve yaygın olarak anlatıldığı tespit edilen birden fazla varyantından da görülebilir. Irak Türkmenleri arasında günümüze kadar hikayenin iki varyantı tespit edilmi
... Show MoreThe aims of this study the infection with parasites Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia and prevalence rates and their relationship with gende , age group , the number of family members and source of drinking water among the patients at attending the Bint Al Huda and Al- Hussin Teaching hospital in Nassriyia city in Thi- Qar province , it was noticed that the percentage of parasitic infection at females was 38.55% and at males was 61.45% and the percentage of parasitic infection with Entamoeba histolytica 97% was higher than the percentage of parasitic infection with Giardia lamblia 3%,and the reduction of percentage of infection is associated with increasing of the number of family member ,the percentage of infection was 49% at the
... Show MoreThe current research aims to measure Generalized Anxiety Disorder among students of the University of Sulaymaniyah / College of Basic Education, and to identify the significance of differences between sex, scientific specialization and age, and for that reason, the research sample of (102) male and female students was chosen in a random manner, and the researcher used the diagnostic criteria for the generalized anxiety disorder contained He mentioned it in the Statistical and Diagnostic Manual of Psychiatry, and the paragraphs of the scale were formulated according to those standards after they verify the conditions of honesty and consistency, and the use of appropriate statistical means. The results of the research indicated that genera
... Show MoreBalad –Rooz is considered as one of the endemic foci of Schistosomiasisin Iraq.A survey was performed during the first three months of 2002 in fewprimary schools in Balad –Rooz to assess the prevalence among them.