Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Risk factors include consumption of undercooked meat, raw vegetables, and unfiltered water. Aim: This study aims to screen antibodies titer in toxoplasmosis positive patients in Asabieh city in Libya and to screen risk factors associated with infection in this area. Study design: Data were collected using a cross-sectional design. Study Duration and Location: Data were collected from patients of different ages and gendersattending Ali Omar Ascar hospital, Asabieh, during the period of January 2017 to January 2018. Methodology: A single blood sample was collected from 150 patients and spun at 3000 rpm to obtain serum. The serum samples were analysedto detect anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA, BioChec) kit according to manufacturer’s instructions. A self-structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on farm animal’s contact, the process of vegetables washing, meatcooking, Water resource and raw water consumption. Results: The total seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis was 78.6%,out of which IgG and IgM were 68%, and 77.4% respectively. Several risk factors were identified, including daily contact with farm animals (82.6% were +ve, P = .0.01), unfiltered water (61.3% were +ve; P = 0.003). Conclusion: asabieh area showed a high prevalence of toxoplasmosis, and many environmental risk factors associated with the infection as animal hosts, human lifestyle were also identified, that could help to reduce the risk of spreading and transmission of infection among the populations in the future.
Basma Doro, Hend Shubar, Asma Ramadan, Badereddin Annajar(8-2019)

Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the antibacterial effect of Ficus carica extracts against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, & Staphylococcus aureus. Study Design: Evaluation of antimicrobial activity using Cup-cut agar method. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology Research Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Tripoli, from October 2015 to March 2016. Methodology: The leaves and stem part extracts of Ficus carica plant were prepared using maceration method. The antibacterial activities of the extracts were evaluated using Cup-cut agar method to determinate inhibitory zone diameters in millimeters of the plant extracts against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The measurement of exponential bacterial growth curves was used to determine the type of growth pattern spectrophotometrically at 600 nm. Furthermore, plate count methods were also used to enumerate the bacterial count and to determine the percentage of inhibition as well as IC50. Results: The results of this study showed that Ficus carica extracts used, exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The maximum zone of inhibition against S. aureus (27± 0.04mm, p
Basma Mohamed K Doro(1-2018)

Leishmaniasis is a major health problem and itis estimated that 12 million people are currently infected.A vaccine which could cross-protect people against different Leishmania spp. would facilitate control ofthis disease as more than one species of Leishmania may be present. In this study the ability of a DNA vaccine, using the full gene sequence for L. donovani gamma glutamyl cysteine synthetase (GCS) incorporated in the pVAX vector (pVAXGCS), and a protein vaccine, using the corresponding recombinant L. donovani GCS protein (LdGCS),to protect against L. major or L. mexicana infection was evaluated. DNAvaccination gave transient protection against L. major and no protection against L. mexicana despite significantly enhancing specific antibody titres in vaccinated infected mice compared to infected controls. Vaccination with the LdGCS protected against both species but only if the protein was incorporated into non-ionic surfactant vesicles for L. mexicana. The results of this study indicate that a L. donovani GCS vaccine could be used to vaccinate against more than one Leishmania species but only if the recombinant protein is used. arabic 30 English 176
Basma Doro, (12-2012)