Background and Aims: Despite the well‑known association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, yet there are no available data concerning the prevalence of HPV and its type distribution among Libyan women. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the most common high‑risk HPV types 16 and 18 among Libyan women in Tripoli and to compare it with the cytological findings of the cervix. Methods: A total of 132 cervical samples were collected from women who sought medical attention at the gynecology outpatient clinic of the Tripoli University Hospital and other gynecology private clinics in Tripoli region. Cervical cytological status was classified according to the Bethesda System 2014. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to facilitate the specific detection of HPV types 16 and/or 18. Results: The cytopathological examination showed that 92.4% of women had normal cervical cytology (n = 122/132) and 7.5% (n = 10/132) of them had cervical lesions. The overall prevalence of the most common oncogenic HPV types was 4.5%, as only six samples (n = 6/132) were confirmed of harboring HPV‑DNA. Concerning the cytological status of the cervix, HPV‑DNA was not found (0%) in women with a normal cervix, and it was present in 60% of women with cervical lesions. The high‑risk HPV type 16 was the exclusive type among our all positive samples, with no detection of HPV type 18 among all our recruited subjects. Conclusion: Even though our findings showed a low overall prevalence of high‑risk HPV types among Libyan women, the burden of HPV 16 among women with cervical lesions highlights the need to raise attention toward expanding research about HPV and adopt measures to prevent cervical cancer by vaccination and national screening program. The introduction of HPV‑DNA testing in cervical cancer management will greatly benefit early‑stage HPV detection and help prevent cervical lesions from progression to cancer. arabic 15 English 81
H Alzaquzi, A Bashein(1-2019)

The detection of somatic mutations in tumours is essential for the understanding of cancer development and targeting therapy. The screening for BRAF V600E mutation is employed in clinical practice in Libya for its prognostic and potentially predictive role in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). Using of BRAF mutant DNA and wild type DNA targets, we found that the sensitivity of allelic discrimination-Real Time PCR was applicable. The Real Time PCR assay displayed increased analytical sensitivity in detecting the BRAF V600E mutation. The association of BRAF mutations with clinical and pathological features was assessed using Real Time PCR assay. Qiagen Real Time PCR Platform was utilised using a set of primers. forward 5-GAC. CTC. ACA. GTA. AAA. ATA. GGT. G 3, reverse 5-TCC. AGA. CAA. CTG. TTC. AAA. CTG. A. 3. Our study indicates that Real Time PCR-based assays is convenient to detect the BRAF V600E mutation in CRC and that BRAF mutations screening should not be restricted to selected patients on the basis of the clinicalpathological characteristics. arabic 9 English 63
Abdul M Gbaj, Abdulla Bashein(1-2018)

Background: Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT) is a cytosolic enzyme that catalyses the S-methylation of 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine. Low activity phenotypes are correlated with polymorphism in the TPMT gene. Patients with low or undetectable TMPT activity could develop severe myelosuppression when they are treated with standard doses of thiopurine drugs. Since ethnic differences in the TPMT gene polymorphism have been demonstrated worldwide, assessing it in the Libyan population is worthwhile. Methods: We investigated TPMT gene polymorphism in a total of 246 Libyan healthy adult blood donors from three different Libyan regions (Tripoli, Yefren, and Tawargha) and 50 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We used polymerase chain reaction restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and allele-specific PCR-based assays to analyse the TPMT gene for the variants* 2 c. 238 G> C,* 3A (c. 460 G> A and c. 719 A> G),* 3B (c. 460 G> A), and* 3C (c. 719 A> G). Results: Our results show that the TPMT variants associated with low enzymatic activity were detected in 3.25%(8 in 246) of adult Libyan individuals and the frequency of total mutant alleles was 1.63%. Heterozygous genotypes were TPMT* 3A in three subjects (0.61%) and TPMT* 3C in five subjects (1.02%). No TPMT* 2 and TPMT* 3B allelic variants and no homozygous or compound heterozygous mutant alleles were detected. The normal allele (wild-type) was found in 98.4% of the adult individuals studied. No mutant alleles were detected among the 50 children who had ALL. arabic 10 English 74
Hamza Ben Zeglam, Abdulla Bashein, (1-2015)