A Ph.D thesis at the University of Basra, College of Science, Department of Life Sciences, entitled:

(Determination of Candidiasis Effects on Toll-like receptors and Interleukins production in Thalassemia patients)

The thesis of Ph.D student (Salih Jabbar Battah) aimed to (isolate and identify the Candida species that colonize the oral cavity of thalassemia major patients, evaluate their growth quantitatively and qualitatively, and evaluate the virulence factors of these species. Also, estimate the immune effects of the Candida species on the isolated PBMCs cells from the blood of splenectomized male thalassemia major patients in the laboratory. The study included collection of oral swabs from thalassemia major patients and healthy people, then isolating and identifying Candida species by morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods. Some virulence factors were also evaluated by measuring the activity of the enzymes proteinase, phospholipase, lipase, and hemolysin, and the ability to form biofilms of the isolated Candida species. In addition, to isolating PBMCs cells from the blood of splenectomized male thalassemia major patients and healthy people and culturing them with the isolated Candida species to determine the immune response resulting from PBMCs cells by measuring the gene expression of some immunological parameters such as (TLRs receptors and interleukins). The study concluded a widespread of Candida species in the oral cavity of thalassemia major patients, with an overgrowth compared to healthy people. In addition, evaluation of some virulence factors that showed variation among the studied Candida species. The study also showed a deficiency in the immune response of splenectomized male thalassemia major patients toward the studied Candida species. The study recommended:

1. No other confirmative tests are needed if Candida albicans is identified by using Candida differential agar or the VITEK 2 system.

2. Regular updating of the VITEK 2 system software is necessary to avoid misidentification or non-identification of microorganisms.

3. Study of other microorganisms that colonize the oral cavity in thalassemia patients.

4. Study of the immune response of all white blood cells against Candida species in all types of thalassemia and detection of the immune profile for (PRR) and other interleukins.