Prevalence of Linguatula serrata Nymph in Goat in Tabriz, North-West of Iran

Linguatula serrata is one of well-known members of Pentastomida which infects both humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of L. serrata in mesenteric lymph nodes, livers and lungs of goats slaughtered in Tabriz area, Iran. Mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), livers and lungs of 280 goats slaughtered in Tabriz, North-west of Iran were investigated for nymphs of L. serrata from September 2009 to September 2010. The organs were examined macroscopically and then a tissue digestion method was also done for investigation of liver and lung of the goats that were infected MLN. The liver and lung samples were mostly taken from the condemned and rejected part of organs. The infection rate of L. serrata nymphs in MLNs, livers and lungs was 27.1 %, 2.8 % and 2.8 % respectively. The number of isolated nymph in infected lymph nodes varied from 1 to 22 with a mean of 7. Only one nymph was isolated from each infected livers and lungs. The infection rate increased with age (P < 0.05). No significant difference in different sex groups and seasons was observed (P > 0.05). Linguatula infection occurs as an endemic zoonosis in the study area and has an active transmission life cycle

Dominance of Anopheles Maculatus over Etawa Crossbred Goats Population in Malaria Pre-Elimination Areas

Malaria disease is transmitted by the Anopheles sp vectors. The climate and environmental changes will in fact affect the life and bionomic vector of Anopheles sp. The Anopheles species in an area are strongly influenced by the availability of brood stocks. Such efforts to control malaria have to be in line with controlling the Anopheles population in that area. Information on the behaviors, bionomic characteristics, and habitat preferences of Anopheles species is thus needed. It is very important to select a control program according to the types of vectors to be controlled. This study aimed to examine the dominance of Anopheles species in malaria-endemic areas with currently pre-elimination status with the Etawa goats population. A field survey was necessarily conducted to catch mosquitoes during nighttime. Catching using human bait and livestock bait started from 06.00 pm to 04.00 am. Identification of species morphology used the WRBU guidelines. The catch results were dominated by Anopheles (63.64%), followed by Culex (27.27%) and Aedes (9.09%), respectively. The caught Anopheles consisted of An. maculatus (64.29%), An. subpictus (28.57%) and An. aconitus (7,14%) respectively. It was found that An. Maculatus type surprisingly still dominated the mosquito population in the malaria pre-elimination area in Purworejo. Thereby, it is important to develop such a malaria control method based on mosquito attack diversion because the dominant vector in this area is more zoophilic

Evaluación antihelmíntica de cuatro extractos de árboles forrajeros contra el nematodo Haemonchus contortus bajo condiciones in vitro

The objective was to evaluate the nematocidal effect of four hydroalcoholic extracts (HAE) of Brosimum alicastrum (HAE-Ba), Guazuma ulmifolia (HAE-Gu), Erythrina americana (HAE-Ea) and Leucaena leucocephala (HAE-Ll) against Haemonchus contortus. The tests of egg hatching inhibition (EHI) and larval (infective larvae) mortality were used. The treatments were HAEs at concentrations of 6.25-50 mg/mL for EHI and 25-100 mg/mL for larval mortality, ivermectin (5 mg/mL, positive control) and distilled water (negative control). Data were analyzed using an ANOVA and treatments with a concentration-dependent effect were subjected to a regression analysis to determine lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90). In addition, a phytochemical analysis was performed on the extracts to identify the presence of the main secondary metabolites. The best ovicidal and larvicidal activity was observed in HAE-Gu with 96.78 % EHI at 6.25 mg/mL and 57.2 % larval mortality at 75 mg/mL. Followed by HAE-Ba showing 90 % EHI at 6.25 mg/mL and 58.0 % larval mortality at 75 mg/mL. The LC50 and LC90 of HAE-Gu on EHI were 2.7 and 4.4 mg/mL, respectively. While the LCs of this same extract on larvae were LC50= 64 and LC90= 125 mg/mL. The phytochemical analysis indicates that all extracts contain tannins, coumarins, flavonoids and terpenes. The fodder species G. ulmifolia and E. americana could be candidate plants for the control of H. contortus.El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto nematicida de cuatro extractos hidroalcohólicos (EHA) de Brosimum alicastrum (EHA-Ba), Guazuma ulmifolia (EHA-Gu), Erythrina americana (EHA-Ea) y Leucaena leucocephala (EHA-Ll) contra Haemonchus contortus. Se usaron las pruebas de inhibición de la eclosión de huevos (IEH) y mortalidad larval (larvas infectantes). Los tratamientos fueron los EHA´s a concentraciones de 6.25-50 mg/ml para IEH y de 25-100 mg/mlpara mortalidad larval, ivermectina (5 mg/ml, control positivo) y agua destilada (control negativo). Los datos se analizaron mediante un ANOVA y los tratamientos con efecto dependiente a la concentración se sometieron a un análisis de regresión para determinar las concentraciones letales (CL50 y CL90).  Además, se realizó un análisis fitoquímico a los extractos para identificar la presencia de los principales metabolitos secundarios.  La mejor actividad ovicida  y larvicida fue observada en  EHA-Gu con  un 96.78 % de IEH a 6.25 mg/ml y 57.2 % de mortalidad larval a 75 mg/ml. Seguido de EHA-Ba mostrando 90 % IEH a 6.25 mg/mly un 58.0 % de mortalidad larval a 75 mg/ml. Las CL50 y CL90 del EHA-Gu sobre la IEH fueron 2.7 y 4.4 mg/ml, respectivamente. Mientras que las CL´s de este mismo extracto sobre larvas fue de CL50=64 y CL90=125 mg/ml. El análisis fitoquímico indica que todos los extractos contienen taninos, cumarinas, flavonoides y terpenos. Las especies forrajeras G. ulmifolia y E. americana podrían ser plantas candidatas para el control de H. contortus

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. Infections in Arab Horses, Southwest of Iran

Background: Because of the economic importance of the Arab race horses and also the role of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in abortion and reproductive failure of these animals, we decided to perform this study. Objectives: We designed this study to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii and anti-Neospora spp. antibodies in Arab horses from 12 cities of Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, a total of 235 blood samples were collected from jugular veins of Arab horses of different ages and genders from 12 cities of Khuzestan province. All the sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT) and the existence of anti-Neospora antibodies were tested using N-MAT for Neospora spp. Results: According to the MAT results, antibodies to T. gondii were found in 114 (48.5%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:20 in 84, 1:40 in 19, 1:80 in four, 1:160 in four, and 1:320 in three horses. According to the N-MAT results, antibodies to Neospora spp. were found in 47 (20%) of 235 sera with titers of 1:40 in 39, 1:80 in five, and 1:160 in three horses. We did not observe any statistically significant differences regarding age groups and genders between seropositive and seronegative horses for Neospora spp. using chi-square (chi(2)) test, but it seemed that anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were more prevalent in older horses ( >= 10 years old). Conclusions: The results indicated that Arab horses are exposed to these parasites in southwest of Iran. Further research is required to determine the genomic structures of these parasites in Arab horses in southwest of Iran

Seroepidemiological Study of Hydatid Cyst by ELISA Method in East-Azarbaijan Province (2009)

Abstract: Background & Aims: Hydatidosis as a parasitic zoonotic infection is endemic in Iran, but systematic information about the exact rate of hydatidosis prevalence in different regions of the country is very limited. Because of the importance of disease this study was undertaken in East-azarbaijan province to determine the prevalence rate of hydatidosis by ELISA method. Methods: Totally, 1500 serum samples were collected from patients referred to different health centers in 8 cities of East-Azarbaijan province in 2009. Antigen B was obtained from infected sheep’s lung and liver. All sera were checked in 1:400 dilution by ELISA test. Optimal antigen concentration and serum dilution were determined by cross-titration method. Data were analyzed with t-test and chi-square. Results: Overall, 19 cases (1.28%) were positive for human hydatidosis, of whom 8 cases (0.93%) were from urban population and 11 cases (1.8%) were from rural areas. There was no significant difference between urban and rural population in this regard. Also 1.76% of females and 0.83% of males were positive that shows significant difference between two sexes (P<0.001). Age group of 30-40 years old had significantly (P<0.001) the highest rate of positive cases (1.66%). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, in East Azarbaijan hydatidosis is an important endemic disease with a considerable prevalence. Because of high rate of infection in different age and occupational groups, prevention and control of this disease should be considered as one of the health priorities. Moreover, further studies are needed to investigate the sources and transmission routes of the infection. Keywords: Echinococcosis, ELISA, Seroepidemiology, East-Azarbaija

Seroprevalence of Toxocariasis in Children in East- Azerbaijan Province, Iran

Purpose: Toxocariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the ascarid of dogs and cats, the main representative of which is a Toxocara canis. Distribution of the disease is world wide and is more prevalent in children. The present study was carried out in children of East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, to determine the toxocariasis seropositivity. Material and Methods: For the present seroepidemiological study, blood samples were collected at random from children of all the five districts of the East Azerbaijan Province. A total of 336 children, 187 males and 149 females in age group of 0-15 years were selected for the present study. ELISA was used for detection of IgG antibodies against Toxocara excretory secretary antigen. A questionnaire interview was conducted to obtain the data concerning their age, sex and habits. The particular points in the questionnaire asked were recorded on the format right on the spot. Results: Gender was found to be a significant risk factor for the Toxocara infection in children population. Male children were found more infected (41.71% as compared to females (24.16%). The total seroprevalence of T. canis antibodies in children of East Azerbaijan Province was 29.46 %. The risk factors that were found associated with the infection of toxocariasis in children population of East Azerbaijan Province include family back ground, status of living conditions, awareness, etc. Conclusion: The present study reveals high prevalence of T. canis infection in children of East Azerbaijan Province. It is important to raise the awareness of health professionals, public and educators to the fact that toxocariasis is a public health problem. Health promotion by means of a school based educational approach, diagnosis and continuous programme of treatment are necessary. [Cukurova Med J 2013; 38(4.000): 581-586

Anthelmintic and Drug Resistance in Ruminants

The chemical compounds include various groups such as Benzimidazoles, Imidazothiazoles, Tetrahydropyrimidines, Salicylanides, Piperazines, Ivermectins, etc. These drugs should be used properly to get the desired results, worms be controlled and drug resistance against worms is reduced to a minimum

A survey on parasitic helminthes’ infections in restaurant staffs in Tabriz

The aim of study was to identify intestinal parasitic helminthes among restaurant workers of Tabriz in 2009. For this reason, stool specimens of 270 restaurant workers were collected and examined for the presence of intestinal parasitic helminthes. Three types of techniques were used: direct examination, saline sedimentation and formol-ether concentration. Most of the samples were contaminated at least with one kind of parasite (Hymenolepis nana, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Schistosoma mansoni ). Whereas, 3 cases were infected with two parasite (Hymenolepis nana, Ancylostoma duodenale). The prevalence rate was 4.8% for Hymenolepis nana, and 1.1% for Ascaris lumbricoides, meanwhile the prevalence rate was 1.8% for Ancylostoma duodenale. Additionally, the blood parasite Schistosoma mansoni was also detected in 2 cases. The infection with these parasites accompanies by abdominal disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and nausea and vomiting. These results indicated that, sanitary measurements were not satisfactory. Therefore, hygienic measures along with efficient pre-employment screening tests must be performed

Molecular differentiation of sheep and cattle isolates of Fasciola hepatica using RAPD-PCR

Understanding genetic structure and status of genetic variation of Fasciola hepatica isolates from different hosts, has important implications on epidemiology and effective control of fasciolosis. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) was used to study the genetic variation of F. hepatica in sheep and cattle. DNA was extracted from adult helminthes removed from livers of each infected animal in slaughterhouse at East-Azerbaijan province, North-West of Iran. DNA template amplified by the polymerase chain reaction, using three oligonucleotide decamers with arbitrary DNA sequences as primers. RAPD patterns showed the specific but different pattern DNA patterns for each primer. The intraspecific similarity coefficient within two isolates of F. hepatica was ranged between 69 to 100%. Present findings showed that the interspecific genetic distance was higher than intraspecific genetic distances (19-47% compares to 0-19%). Pair wise similarity matrices generated from each isolates-primer combination were totaled and the similarity coefficient between strains were calculated both manually (Nei and Li method) and software analysis (Free-Tree-Freeware program). The inferred phylogenetic tree on the fingerprinting of these isolates clearly demonstrated the existence of population genetic diversity sub structuring within F. hepatica of sheep and cattle of Iran, raising interesting questions on the host specificity, epidemiology (e.g., zoonotic transmission) and ecology of this fluke. RAPD-PCR is useful for both individual identification and epidemiological investigations in endemic regions