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

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

شناسایی افتراقی ایزوله‌های گوسفندی و گاوی فاسیولاهپاتیکا با روش RAPD-PCR

درک ساختار ژنتیکی و تنوع ژنتیکی فاسیولاهپاتیکای جدا شده از میزبان های مختلف، پیچیدگی‌های همه گیری شناسی و مهمی دارد که در کنترل فاسیولوزیس موثر هستند. از روش RAPD-PCR جهت مطالعه تنوع ژنتیکی فاسیولاهپاتیکا در گوسفند و گاو بکار گرفته ‌شد. DNA از کرم های بالغ فاسیولا جمع‌آوری ‌شده که از کبد حیوانات آلوده در کشتارگاه استان آذربایجانشرقی در شمالغرب ایران استخراج گردید. سپس با استفاده ازسه عدد پرایمر اولیگونوکلئوتید دکامری همراه با توالی‌های DNA خالص به وسیله واکنش زنجیره‌ای پلی‌مراز تکثیر شدند .الگوهای RAPD بصورت اختصاصی اما برای هر قطعه DNA در هر پرایمر متفاوت بودند. شباهت داخل گونه‌ای برای دو ایزوله فاسیولاهپاتیکا در محدوده 69 تا 100درصد قرار داشت. یافته‌ها نشان داد که فاصله ژنتیکی بین گونه‌ای بیشتر از فاصله ژنتیکی داخل گونه‌ای است (47-19 درصد در مقایسه با 19-0 درصد). درخت تبار‌زایشی پیشنهادی درباره این ایزوله‌ها نشان داد که تنوع ژنتیکی در تحت ساختارهای جمعیتی فاسیولاهپاتیکای انگل گوسفند و گاو در ایران، سوالات بحث برانگیزی درباره اختصاصات میزبان، اپیدمیولوژی (از قبیل ، انتقال زئونوتیک) و اکولوژی را بدنبال دارد. علاوه براین روش RAPD-PCR در تشخیص انفرادی و بررسیهای اپیدمیولوژیکی در مناطق آندمیک مفید است

Prevalence of Toxocara eggs in public parks of Tabriz city, center of East Azerbaijan Provice, Iran

This study was carried out for the presence of Toxocara SPP. Eggs in public parks in the city of Tabriz, east Azerbaijan province, Iran. Soil samples were collected from total 75 existing public parks in Tabriz from September 2008 to September 2009. Soil samples were collected from 3-4 distinct sites in the same area. The flotation material was analyzed under the light microscope. Toxocara SPP. Eggs were found in 28 samples of total 300 taken samples from 75 public parks showed a contamination rate of 9.3%. The number of observed Toxocara eggs in each microscopic field was varied from 1-7. Low rate of contamination with Toxocara SPP. Eggs in Tabriz parks might be due to lower dog population and cultural differences (Diet and hausbandary conditions) of present study in this city in comparison of other cities of the world

A case-report of Chalcalburnus chalcoides parasitic infections to ligula intestinalis in saungar- Dam of Gilan province

Gypsy King Fish (Chalcalburnus chalcoides) is from the carp family and found largely in the country's water resources. Ligula intestinalis is one of the parasites of this fish. Ligula intestinalis has two intermediated hosts. Cyclops is first intermediate hosts and fish are the second intermediate hosts. Plerocercoid larva can be found in the abdominal cavity of fish. This study was designed to investigate the causes of fish mortality trench Gilan province saungar- Dam in September 2012 was conducted. Were randomly sampled and a total of 65 fish species caught, identified and determined by age and parasitology were performed on them. The results showed that the infection rate 83/08 and 54 fish of 65 fish digit number were infected

Survey of Experimental Contamination to Ichthyophthirius Multifiliis in Cultural Rainbow Trout Consequently Vaccination with Aquavac Garvetil

Branch. 4 Under graduated students of veterinary medicine and members of young researcher club of Tabriz, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz branch, Tabriz, Iran Garedaghi Y., Khayat Nouri M.H., Kakekhani S., Nazeri M.; Survey of experimental contamination to ichthyophthirius multifiliis in cultural rainbow trout consequently vaccination with aquavac garvetil ABSTRACT The rainbow trout is the only cold water fish in Iran which has specific economic importance. One of the major bacterial diseases among the rainbow trout is streptococcosis which can be controlled through aquavac garvetil vaccine. It has been shown that this vaccine has stimulation effects on specific and non-specific immune system in the fish. So the aim of this study was determination of Ichthyophthirius experimental infectious in rainbow trout after aquavac garvetil vaccination. In this study, 2000 fish (1g) randomly selected and ten infected fish by Ichthyophthirius added to pool after 15 days. After 60 days, fishes randomly divided in control and treatment groups. In treatment group, vaccination was done in two stages. First stage in day 67 which fish were sunk in aquavac garvetil vaccine and in second stage vaccine were administrated orally in day 127. In control group, vaccine were not used. After one month, in both groups, 500 fish randomly were selected and anesthetized, after wet mount preparation the numbers of parasites were counted. Mean of number of parasites compared in control and treatment groups. Results showed that in treatment group after vaccination the number of parasites significantly decreased (p&lt;0.05) compared with control group. This effect of aquavac garvetil vaccine is probably via stimulating effect of this agent on nonspecific immune system in fishes. However study of the mechanism of this vaccine in decreasing of Ichthyophthirius infections needs to more investigation