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: This work was carried out to screen for the presence of bacteria in roasted chicken sold in the market, poultries shop and restaurants in Tripoli. Study Design: A total of 25 roasted chicken and 25 raw chicken parts randomly collected from different selling points in Tripoli. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology laboratory in microbiology and immunology department in the faculty of pharmacy in university of Tripoli, January 2013 to September 2013. Methodology: Bacteriologically examined using the standard microbiological method according to Based on the colonial morphological and biochemical test, the following bacteria species were isolated. Results: Prevalence of Salmonella was higher in raw chicken samples (100%) compared to the roasted one (28%), E. coli was detected in both raw and roasted chicken (32%), whereas Shigella and E. coli O157:H7 were detected only in roasted chicken [(8%) and (24%)] respectively. Conclusion: The study found that the raw chicken samples were more susceptible to bacterial contamination than the roasted chicken samples, therefore special strategies are needed to decrease the prevalence of bacterial pathogens in chicken samples present in Tripoli area. Therefore good handling/hygiene in processing and preheating of roasted chicken before consumption is recommended.
Basma Mohamed K Doro(1-2022)

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)