Lithostratigraphy and study of planktonic foraminifera of the Abderaz Formation at type section, Kopet-Dagh basin, IRAN

In order to study the fossil contents of the Abderaz Formation for biostratigraphical purposes the 300 meters thick section was sampled at type section. The sequence is mainly made up of grey shales and marls with two units of chalky limestone in upper part. The lower contact of the formation with Aitamir Formation is disconform while the upper contact with Abtalkh is continuous. There are huge amounts of inoceramids and ammonite. In the chalk limestone bonds of this formation which is belong to Santonian time planktonic, would exist some foraminifera with a less diversity because during the Santonian, the members of morphotype group three (M3) shows a regression in the above-mentioned section, with association of tegilla shapes decreases in the area and sea water. The study of the planktonic foraminifera in isolated form led to differentiate three morphotype groups. The first group is characterized by trochospiral tests usually indicate shallow waters, the second group contains forms with strong ornamentations and the primary keels representing mid waters and finally compact trochospiral tests with keels known as deep water indices are included in the third group. Studies on the morphotypes showed a regressive cycle for Abderaz Formation

Study on Leishmania infection in cats from Ahar, East Azerbaijan Province and North West Iran by parasitological, serological and molecular methods

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo study Leishmania infection in cats and its potential role in transmission of the disease to human by parasitological, serological and molecular methods in Ahar District, East Azerbaijan Province.MethodsIn this study, 65 cats from different parts of Ahar Province were trapped. The cats were anesthetized with chloroform and blood samples were taken from jugular vein and tested by direct agglutination test. Spleen and liver smear samples were prepared in order to microscopically examine these organs, and also cultured in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle and Roswell Park Memorial Institute 1 640 media. Finally, spleen tissue DNA was extracted to perform polymerase chain reaction analysis.ResultsIn direct agglutination test, 4 (6%) cats had a positive titer, while 14 (22%) cats had a titer of 1:80 which was suspected for an infection and 47 (72%) cats were negative. Culture results were negative and in polymerase chain reaction no amplification was observed.ConclusionsWe found no case of feline visceral leishmaniasis. It needs more extensive studies by using a larger number of cats to firmly establish leishmaniasis in this area