Real-Time PCR Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq

Mohammed A. Hamad ^1*, Firas R. Jameel ¹, Noor Najm Abdullah ¹, Muhaidi MJ ²

Accurate diagnosis with real-time PCR is essential for pandemic control. Understanding transmission dynamics aids in formulating effective public health measures.

Abstract

Background: Genomic sequencing has advanced COVID-19 understanding, facilitating therapeutic assessment and guiding treatment strategies. Precise diagnosis is vital for grasping transmission dynamics and detecting novel variants. The study aimed to investigate the molecular attributes, mutations, and diagnostic methodologies of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Methods: Real-time PCR was utilized for COVID-19 diagnosis in Al Anbar province. Samples underwent RNA extraction and RT-PCR amplification. Between February and April 2020, 245 samples were collected from Anbar province, initially yielding negative results via rtPCR. Data on infection rates, gender disparities, and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: In 2020, the infection rate was 14%, reducing to 11% in 2021. Men exhibited higher infection rates (70%) compared to women (30%). Clinical data indicated varying severity and fatality rates between sexes. Conclusion: While RT-PCR remains widely accepted, alternative diagnostic methods show promise. Further research is essential for comprehensive COVID-19 understanding and improving diagnostic accuracy. The study underscores ongoing research's significance in combating viral epidemics, emphasizing the need for comprehensive understanding and adaptive strategies to mitigate mortality risks.

Keywords: COVID-19, Real-time PCR, diagnosis, Transmission dynamics, Viral variants

References

Ali, A. M., Yousif, A. A., &Abuelhassan, A. O. (2020). fawzi EM, Elbasheer SA, Ahmed NS (2020) Is a Real Time-Polymerase chain Reaction a Reliable Confirmatory Test for COVID-19. J Blood DisordTransfus, 11, 442.‏

Bala Krishnan A, Vigneshwaran V, Tharani Kumar L, (2024a). Understanding and Combatting COVID-19: Insights from Clinical Characteristics and Management Strategies, Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(2), 1-9, 9455

Bala Krishnan A, Vinoth Kumar K K, Tharani Kumar L, (2024b). Concerning Fungal Coinfections in COVID-19: Risks, Types, and Prevention – A Review, Journal of Angiotherpay, 8(2), 1-5, 9457

Chan, J. F. W., Chan, K. H., Choi, G. K. Y., To, K. K. W., Tse, H., Cai, J. P., ... & Yuen, K. Y. (2013). Differential cell line susceptibility to the emerging novel human betacoronavirus 2c EMC/2012: implications for disease pathogenesis and clinical manifestation. The Journal of infectious diseases, 207(11), 1743-1752.‏

Chan, J. F. W., Choi, G. K. Y., Tsang, A. K. L., Tee, K. M., Lam, H. Y., Yip, C. C. Y., ... & Yuen, K. Y. (2015). Development and evaluation of novel real-time reverse transcription-PCR assays with locked nucleic acid probes targeting leader sequences of human-pathogenic coronaviruses. Journal of clinical microbiology, 53(8), 2722-2726.‏

Dong, X., Liu, L., Tu, Y., Zhang, J., Miao, G., Zhang, L., ... &Qiu, X. (2021). Rapid PCR powered by microfluidics: A quick review under the background of COVID-19 pandemic. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 143, 116377.‏

Esra Hassan Abd Ali. (2024). Inflammatory Modulation of Interleukin-17 and -23 in Long COVID Diabetic Patients, Journal of Angiotherpay, 8(3), 1-7, 9583

Friedrich, R., Rappold, E., Bogdan, C., & Held, J. (2018). Comparative analysis of the Wakoβ-glucan test and the Fungitell assay for diagnosis of candidemia and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Journal of clinical microbiology, 56(9), 10-1128.‏

Hag-Ali, M., AlShamsi, A. S., Boeijen, L., Mahmmod, Y., Manzoor, R., Rutten, H., ... &AlShamsi, A. A. (2021). The detection dogs test is more sensitive than real-time PCR in screening for SARS-CoV-2. Communications Biology, 4(1), 686.‏

Haileamlak, A. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on health and health systems. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences, 31(6), 1073.‏

Hamad, M. A., Jameel, F. R., Ali, L. F., & Ali, M. F. (2021). MOLECULAR AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON COVID-19 IN IRAQ. Biochemical & Cellular Archives, 21(2).‏

Hana W. Jun Chen, Jegathambigai Rameshwar Naidu, Mohamed Najimudeen. (2024). A Post-Pandemic Insight on The Covid-19 and Pregnancy in Malaysia, Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(2), 1-3, 9454

Jayanthi E, C. Elayaraja, Priyadharshini S. (2024). Navigating COVID-19 Treatment: CT Scans, Steroids, and Medical Practice Challenges in India, Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(2), 1-4, 9459

Jeha J, Sudha S, Geetha N B et al., (2024). Green Fungus Challenges in Post-COVID Health Landscape, Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(2), 1-10, 9463

Khan M, Adil SF, Alkhathlan HZ, Tahir MN, Saif S, Khan M, Khan ST. COVID-19: A Global Challenge with Old History, Epidemiology and Progress So Far. Molecules. 2020 Dec 23;26(1):39. doi: 10.3390/molecules26010039. PMID: 33374759; PMCID: PMC7795815.

Moniruddin Chowdhury, Syeda Humayra, Taha Sulayman, Keichiro Mihara et al., (2023). Use of Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies and Its Outcome Measures in COVID-19 Patients, Journal of Angiotherapy, 7(1), 1-7.

Mukherjee, S., &Pahan, K. (2021). Is COVID-19 gender-sensitive?. Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, 16, 38-47.‏

Najaflou, N., Monajjemi, M., Attarikhasraghi, N., Kandemirli, F., &Mollaamin, F. (2021). The specification of observed covid-19 in england: A review of auto-mutation. Biointerface Res. Appl. Chem, 11(6), 14794-14808.‏

Nithya A, Vinoth S V, Ashok Kumar M et al. (2024). Unprecedented Rise of Mucormycosis in COVID-19 Patients: Urgent Need for Protocol Adaptation and Awareness in India – A Review, Journal of Angiotherapy, 8(2), 1-4, 9458

Sasi Kumar S, Gopinath S, Kalaichezhian M, Harish M, (2021), Surgical Management of Patients During Covid 19 Pandemic, Journal of Angiotherapy, 6(1), 2219

Singh, J., & Singh, J. (2020). COVID-19 and its impact on society. Electronic Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2.

To, K. K. W., Tsang, O. T. Y., Yip, C. C. Y., Chan, K. H., Wu, T. C., Chan, J. M. C., ... & Yuen, K. Y. (2020). Consistent detection of 2019 novel coronavirus in saliva. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 71(15), 841-843.‏‏

Zahra A. Kheudhier, Alaa K. Mossa, (2022), Ferritin and High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) may predict the COVID-19 patient’s fate, Journal of Angiotherpay, 6(2), 5319

Zhou, J., Chu, H., Li, C., Wong, B. H. Y., Cheng, Z. S., Poon, V. K. M., ... & Yuen, K. Y. (2014). Active replication of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and aberrant induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in human macrophages: implications for pathogenesis. The Journal of infectious diseases, 209(9), 1331-1342.‏