Zaraza vrstama Helicobacter i razvoj želučanih lezija u domaćih mačaka i mačaka lutalica

Gastritis is a common finding in dogs with 35% of the dogs investigated for chronic vomiting and 26% to 48% of asymptomatic dogs affected. However, the true prevalence in cats is yet to be determined. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic gastritis in domestic and stray cats. The total rate was an estimated as 66.6%. Thorough histopathological studies revealed no significant association between the occurrence of chronic gastritis and age and sex in either stray or domestic cats. Gastritis was significantly more prevalent in the antrum than the gastric body and only chronic non-specific gastritis was diagnosed. The most common types of chronic non-specific gastritis were atrophic (26.3%), lympho-plasmacytic (24.6%) and hypertrophic (15.8%), respectively. In chronic gastritis cases, fibrosis and lymphoid follicles were seen in 42.1% and 31.6% of the subjects respectively, but no significant associations were observed between the type of non-specific chronic gastritis, fibrosis and occurrence of lymphoid follicles. The prevalence of gastric erosion and ulcers in cats was 19.2% and 3.5%, respectively, and there was no significant association between chronic gastritis occurrence and gastric ulceration or erosions. Cytological examination revealed GHLO colonization in 63.15% of the antrum and 77.19% of the gastric body, with no correlation with non-specific chronic gastritis in the studied subjects.Gastritis je čest nalaz u pasa sa stopom od 35% u onih s kroničnim povraćanjem i 26% do 48% pasa bez znakova bolesti. Taj nalaz upućuju na zaključak da treba istražiti prevalenciju gastritisa u mačaka. Ovo istraživanje poduzeto je radi određivanja prevalencije kroničnog gastritisa u domaćih mačaka i mačaka lutalica. Procjenjuje se da se javlja u 66,6% mačaka. Patohistološke pretrage pokazale su da ne postoji značajna povezanost između pojave kroničnog gastritisa te dobi i spola u domaćih mačaka i lutalica. Gastritis se značajno češće javljao u antrumu nego u trupu želuca. Dijagnosticiran je bio samo kronični nespecifični gastritis. Najčešće se javljao atrofični gastritis (26,3%), limfo-plazmatski (24,6%) i hipertrofični (15,8%). U 42,1% kroničnih gastritisa ustanovljena je fibroza, a u 31,6% limfoidni folikuli. Nije uočena znatna povezanost između tipa nespecifičnoga kroničnoga gastritisa i fibroze te pojave limfoidnih folikula. Prevalencija želučanih erozija iznosila je 19,2%, a čireva 3,5%. Nije ustanovljena značajna povezanost između pojave kroničnog gastritisa i ulceracija ili erozija. Citološkim pretragama ustanovljena je kolonizacija antruma organizmima sličnima helikobakteru u 63,15% pretraženih mačaka, a želučanog trupa u 77,19% pretraženih mačaka. Nije ustanovljena korelacija s nespecifičnim kroničnim gastritisom

Prevalence of Zoonotic and Other Intestinal Protozoan Parasites in Stray Cats (Felis domesticus) of Kerman, South-East of Iran

Intestinal protozoan parasites constitute a major source of diseases for stray cats and have been recognized as important public health problems in several parts of the world. Considering the potential risk of stray cats for public health, present cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the type and frequency of protozoan parasites by faecal examination. A total of 100 stray cats were examined in Kerman city, Iran, Overall 67 cats (67%) were infected with at least one protozoan parasite. The following parasites, with their respective prevalence, were found; Isospora felis 38%, Isospora rivolta 25%, Toxoplasma gondii 16%, Sarcocystis spp. 8%, Cryptosporidium spp. 7%, and Giardia sp. 5%. Based on our data, the sex of stray cats was not significantly associated with the prevalence of gastrointestinal protozoan parasites. The high infection rate of zoonotic intestinal protozoan parasites in stray cats is considered to be critical from the viewpoint of public health importance.W

Q Fever in Dogs; an Emerging Infectious Disease in Iran

Background:  Q fever is an important widespread reemerging zoonosis. The presence of Coxiella burnetii in 100 tick-infested dogs was assessed in this study.Methods:  The blood samples from 100 referred dogs were acquired and evaluated by nested-PCR.Results:  C. burnetii was detected in 11 out of 100 (11%) blood samples. Most of the positive dogs were kept outdoor and fed on raw diet. Based on our findings, Q fever should be considered as an emerging disease in dogs in Iran; so, zoonotic importance of this population must be notified. To better understanding the role and pathogenic importance of dogs in Q fever outbreak and to determine whether this organism can be transmitted directly from dogs to human further in-depth studies are necessary.Conclusion:  It is determined that C. burnetii is present in dogs in southeast of Iran and people who are in contact with this population, especially asymptomatic ones are at increased risk of infection

Seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in southeast of Iran

Abstract Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic disease in many parts of Iran and infected dogs constitute the main domestic reservoirs that play a key role in transmission to humans

Hemotropic Mycoplasmas in Stray Cats in Kerman, Iran

Background:     Feline haemotropic mycoplasma are a group of pleomorphic bacteria causing hemolytic anemia along with anorexia, lethargy, dehydration, weight loss and in many cases sudden death in infected animal. However, there is a limited data on the prevalence of these organisms in Iranian cats. Methods:    We investigated the presence of feline haemotropic mycoplasma and probable risk factors for these infections among 60 ectoparasite-infested stray cats in southeast of Iran using PCR assay. Results:     The overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasma was estimated 18.3%. Pallor mucous membrane, anorexia, weight loss and splenomegaly were the most common signs and the infection rate was significantly higher in symptomatic cats in comparison with apparently healthy ones (P = 0.001). Age, gender and hematological alterations were not significantly associated with infection status while the level of BUN, creatinine, total protein and globulin were significantly higher among infected animals.Conclusion:    The prevalence of feline hemoplasma infection in stray cats seems to be considerable in our study. More investigations are needed to obtain further information on epidemiological aspects of hemoplasmas in cats in Iran

Canine Heartworm in Southeastern of Iran with Review of disease distribution

Background: Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is mosquito-borne filarial nematode capable of causing serious cardiopulmonary disease in canines and felines, and pulmonary dirofilariasis in man. This research was conducted with the objectives of determining the incidence and assessing possible risk factors of canine heartworm in the southeast of Iran. Methods: From October 2012 to September 2013, blood samples from 87 dogs from Zabol area in Sistan and Baluchestan and 33 dogs from Bam area in Kerman Province were examined for detection of Dirofilaria immitis using modified knott test and serology. Results: Out of 120 dogs, 29 (24.2%; 95%CI: 16.6-31.8%) were positive, serologically.The overall seroprevalence of D. immitis in dog in Zabol and Bam was 27.5%(95% CI: 24.7-32.5%) and 15.15% (95% CI: 12.3-20.7%), respectively. 28.8% of stray dogs and 20.6% of housed dogs in the study areas were seropositive. Seroprevalence of D. immitis was not significantly different between stray and housed dogs (P=0.295). Investigation of seasonal dynamic of infection with D. immitis in stray and housed dog showed that the proportion of infected dog in spring and summer was greater than colder season (autumn and winter) which was not significant.The prevalence of infection with D. immitis in >5 years old stray dogs (53.8%)was greater than other age categories while in housed dogs infection rate was greater in 3-5 years old (27.3%) . Conclusion: It is important to point out the increased incidence of canine heatrworm in Iran. In order to stop the spread of canine heartworm, preventive measures must be taken now

Congenital Phimosis in Scottish Fold Kitten

   Phimosis is usually result from congenital anomaly, trauma, and prepuce or penis tumor. The present case explained the occurrence of congenital phimosis in a 3 month male Scottish Fold Kitten. The kitten was presented with the history of oliguria and urinary incontinence. In physical examination, preputial swellings without urine discharge were observed. Other Clinical parameters, biochemical and complete blood count results were normal. The surgical treatment as the solve method for correction the phimosis, was done under general anesthesia and the little full thickness skin fold was removed from apex of prepuce. The skin and mucosa were opposed together with a simple interrupted suture pattern. The patient was followed for 1 mouth, after surgery, and there was no recurrence or post operation complication. Phimosis is reported in many animal species, but the most affected animal are dogs. There are few reports about feline phimosis, but no congenital cases were reported in Scottish Fold breed

Low susceptibility of domestic cats to experimental Leishmania infantum infection

Background and objectives : The dogs are considered the main reservoir of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but lately the disease incidence has been reported in cats also. In this study, the susceptibility of domestic cats to experimental Leishmania infantum infection was assessed by different diagnostic methods. Methods : A total of 12 healthy adult male cats were captured by double door live trap cages containing baits. Of them eight cats were intraperitoneally inoculated with 107 L. infantum promastigotes (stationary phase), and four cats were used as controls. Whole blood and serum samples were collected at weekly intervals for 16 wk after inoculation for testing by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Aspirates of prescapular lymph nodes and bone marrow were obtained at monthly intervals. Clinical examination was performed twice weekly and histopathological evaluation was done on necropsy samples at the termination of the study. Results: One week after inoculation, blood nested PCR was able to detect the L. infantum infection and it remained positive until 16 wk. ELISA test remained negative during the study. Amastigote phase of parasite was not observed in bone marrow aspiration and necropsy samples. Interpretation and conclusion : The feline model described in this work would be useful in further understanding of L. infantum immunopathogenensis in cats. The results of this preliminary study suggest that cats might be resistant to VL as the inoculation dose which induces pathognomonic clinical features in dogs, just creates asymptomatic parasitaemia in cats. Though, due to long-lasting parasitaemia, cats may act as appropriate reservoir for transmission of VL to human population. Further studies are needed to describe the possible role of cats in the epidemiology of VL in endemic areas

Ehrlichiosis in Household Dogs and Parasitized Ticks in Kerman- Iran: Preliminary Zoonotic Risk Assessment

Background: Ehrlichiosis is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by the family of Anaplasmatacea. Re­cently, outbreak of human monocytic ehrlichiosis was reported in northern part of Iran. Besides, serological evidence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis was reported from southeastern of Iran but the epidemi­ology of this disease is almost undetermined in Iran. The present study was designed to use PCR for detection of Ehrlichia spp. in tick infested household dogs and determination of risks of disease transmission to dog’s owners. Method: Blood samples were prepared from 100 tick infested household dogs after complete clinical examination. Complete cell blood count was done for each sample. DNA extraction was done and PCR was carried out by a com­mercial kit afterwards. Regarding to PCR results, blood samples were collected from owners and family members who were exposed to infected and non-infected dogs. A similar method was utilized for DNA extraction and PCR in human samples. Result: Ehrlichial DNA was detected by PCR in six percent of Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick pools and 9% of the examined dogs. No positive sample was detected among the 67 examined human bloods. Conclusion: Ehrlichiosis could be considered as an emerging canine disease but owning a dog should not be consid­ered a major risk factor for ehrlichiosis in humans. Further serological and molecular studies in different parts of Iran are required to clarify the epidemiology of ehrlichiosis in canine, ticks, and human population.