Comparative evaluation between chitosan and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile changes in hyperlipidemic cats

Summary The purpose of the present survey was to determine the effects of the chitosan and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile changes and the influence of time on treatment process in cats. For the management of cholesterol induced hyperlipidemia, twenty-one healthy cats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group A (control) included seven cats that were fed with cholesterol powder (4 g/kg for 10 days). Group B was similar to group A, but in addition, atorvastatin (5 mg/kg) was administered for 45 days after induced hyperlipidemia. Group C was similar to group B, but chitosan (3 g/cat) was administered instead of atorvastatin. Blood samples were collected four times on days 0, 10, 40 and 55 after challenge. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were measured using standard commercial kits. Atorvastatin (P<0.001) and chitosan (P<0.01) showed more hypolipidemic activity in lowering triglycerides compared with group A. In a comparison between two drugs and their effects on triglyceride, atorvastatin showed a significant difference with chitosan (P<0.01). Atorvastatin (P<0.01) and chitosan (P<0.05) showed more activity in lowering cholesterol than the control group. The treated groups (B and C) had good results in lowering LDL-C, compared with group A, on day 45 (P<0.001). A significant difference was seen only between groups A and B and on day 45 in increase of HDL-C (P<0.01). In conclusion, it was shown that although both drugs had hypolipidemic activity in cats, atorvastatin was more effective than chitosan. Further experimentation will be needed to elucidate the possible biochemical mechanism of the drugs

Quantitative evaluation of the alkaline phosphatase activity in industrial and traditional dairy products supplied in Ahvaz as an indicator of pasteurization

Alkaline phosphatase is an indigenous milk enzyme and is probably, the most important indigenous milk enzyme from a dairy technology viewpoint which is used to determine the efficacy of the pasteurization process. The aim of this study was to assess the alkaline phosphatase activity of 200 samples of industrial and traditional yoghurt, ice cream and cheese, as well as raw and pasteurized milk samples. To achieve this purpose, p-nitrophenylphosphate was used as substrate and the amount of liberated p-nitrophenol was measured spectrophotometrically. The amount of liberated p-nitrophenol in all samples of raw milk was very high (6839±4070 µg/ml) but in pasteurized milk samples, the amount was in the range of 0.75-52.96 µg/ml and 88% of the samples had less than 10 µg p-nitrophenol/ml, the maximum permissible limit of p-nitrophenol in pasteurized products. The amount of liberated p-nitrophenol was in the range of 5.68-1210 µg/ml and 2.61-18.22 µg/ml in traditional and industrial cheese samples, respectively and it was estimated at the range of 0.75-26.67 µg/ml and 0.71- 35.82 µg/ml for traditional and industrial ice cream samples, respectively. The lowest alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in both industrial and traditional yoghurt samples. Meanwhile, p-nitrophenol in 12% of industrial cheese, 44% of traditional cheese and 16% of both industrial and traditional ice cream samples was higher than 10 µg/ml which could be due to the inadequate pasteurization of the product or cross contamination with raw milk. The results of the present study showed a need for more strict attention in the pasteurization of milk and its products

Serological survey of Q fever in goats and buffaloes in Ahvaz region using the ELISA method

Coxiellosis or Q fever of domestic animals which is caused by Coxiella burnetii is usually asymptomatic and subclinical; although it has also been associated with abortion and infertility. Domestic ruminants are the primary and important reservoirs of Coxiella burnetii, which is spread by the milk, urine, feces and vaginal mucous of infected animals. Inhalation of bacteria present in the environment is the main route of animal and human infection. The aim of this study was to survey seroprevalence of Q-fever in goats and buffaloes in Ahvaz Region. In this study, blood samples were collected randomly from 137 goats and 135 buffaloes in Ahvaz. The collected sera were tested for Coxiella burnetii by ELISA. Seroprevalence of Q fever was 34.31 in goats (95% Cl: 26.41–42.21) and 0% in buffaloes. Chi square test showed that prevalence in buffalo and goat is statistically different (

A comparison between PCR and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) in diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis caused by Canine parvovirus

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most common viruses responsible for acute hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of CPV-2 infection is especially important in kennels in order to isolate infected dogs. The aim of the present study was to compare two laboratory tests i.e., Polymerase Change Reaction (PCR) and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) most commonly used for the diagnosis of canine parvovirus infection in companion dogs. Fecal samples were collected from fifty five dogs (50=hemorrhagic diarrheic and 5= healthy) between 2011 and 2012 in Ahvaz district, southwest of Iran. The studied dogs were divided into two age groups (6 months), four different breeds (Terriers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers and Mixed) and based on environment into two groups (open and close) also. All samples were tested by ICA and PCR methods and the results were analyzed by using Kappa test, Mc Nemar and Chi-square analysis. ICA and PCR were able to detect CPV-2 antigen or nucleic acid in 33 and 50 of the hemorrhagic diarrheic samples, respectively. Samples of healthy dogs were negative by both tests. Although sensitivity of ICA compared with PCR method was determined to be 66% (PCR more sensitive than ICA), nevertheless statistical analysis showed that the difference between two techniques were not significant (P>0.05). Kappa test was obtained 0.38 between two techniques. CBC showed that most infected dogs had leucopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia also (82%; 41 out of 50 samples).Obtained results of this survey showed that accurate standardization of laboratory tests is required to provide veterinarian with an effective tool for a precise etiological diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis due to CPV infection. Although Immunochromatography is a simple and quick method for screening of fecal samples of dogs suspected of CPV infection, but PCR is more sensitive and reliable than ICA. Moreover, the subtypes of the virus determined by PCR test after verifying parvovirus. In this test 48 samples were CPV-2b and another 2 samples were CPV-2a. Our results showed that CPV-2b was the predominant subtype

Seroepidemiological survey of bovine leukemia virus infection in cows in Khuzestan province

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a member of the Delta retro virus genus (family Retroviridae) and can cause persistent lymphocytosis and lymphosarcoma in cattle that is described as enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL). This disease causes significant economic losses associated with the costs of control and eradication programs. Control programs of leucosis are based on the screening of cows by serological methods and removing the infected cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of bovine leukemia virus in cattle in Khuzestan province. Serum samples from 527 cattle were randomly collected in Ahvaz, Baghmalek, Shooshtar, Gotvand, Shadegan, Hendijan, Behbahan, Ramhormoz and Susangerd cities and were examined by ELISA assay. Seroperevalence rate of bovine leukemia virus was 6.64% (95% CI: 4.51-8.77). Statistical analysis indicated no significant association between infection and age or breed. Relative frequency of infection was higher in female cows than males, but this difference was not significant and odds of infection in female cows than males were 2.6 (95% CI: 0.35-19.59). Prevalence rate of infection between industrial (15%) and nonindustrial (3.4%) husbandry was significantly different (

A comparison between PCR and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) in diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis caused by Canine parvovirus

ABSTRACT Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most common viruses responsible for acute hemorrhagic enteritis in dogs. A rapid and accurate diagnosis of CPV-2 infection is especially important in kennels in order to isolate infected dogs. The aim of the present study was to compare two laboratory tests i.e., Polymerase Change Reaction (PCR) and Immunochromatography assay (ICA) most commonly used for the diagnosis of canine parvovirus infection in companion dogs. Fecal samples were collected from fifty five dogs (50=hemorrhagic diarrheic and 5= healthy) between 2011 and 2012 in Ahvaz district, southwest of Iran. The studied dogs were divided into two age groups (<6 months, and>6 months), four different breeds (Terriers, German shepherds, Doberman pinschers and Mixed) and based on environment into two groups (open and close) also. All samples were tested by ICA and PCR methods and the results were analyzed by using Kappa test, Mc Nemar and Chi-square analysis. ICA and PCR were able to detect CPV-2 antigen or nucleic acid in 33 and 50 of the hemorrhagic diarrheic samples, respectively. Samples of healthy dogs were negative by both tests. Although sensitivity of ICA compared with PCR method was determined to be 66% (PCR more sensitive than ICA), nevertheless statistical analysis showed that the difference between two techniques were not significant (P>0.05). Kappa test was obtained 0.38 between two techniques. CBC showed that most infected dogs had leucopenia, lymphopenia and neutropenia also (82%; 41 out of 50 samples).Obtained results of this survey showed that accurate standardization of laboratory tests is required to provide veterinarian with an effective tool for a precise etiological diagnosis of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis due to CPV infection. Although Immunochromatography is a simple and quick method for screening of fecal samples of dogs suspected of CPV infection, but PCR is more sensitive and reliable than ICA. Moreover, the subtypes of the virus determined by PCR test after verifying parvovirus. In this test 48 samples were CPV-2b and another 2 samples were CPV-2a. Our results showed that CPV-2b was the predominant subtype

STUDY OF CATTLE IXODID TICKS IN KHOOZESTAN PROVINCE, SOUTH-WEST OF IRAN

Ticks are considered to be the main vectors for transmission of various diseases to animals and human. The present faunistic study aimed to determine species belonging to Ixodidae ticks, infesting cattle of Khoozestan province, south-west of Iran. Totally 1000 ticks were collected randomly from cattle from 9 locations in five geographical regions between January to September 2011, and were identified to the species level using valid identification keys. Eight tick species in fourdifferent genera were identified as Hyalomma anatolicum (39%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (25.4%), Hyalomma excavatum (14.3%), Hyalomma asiaticum (6.8%), Haemaphysalis sulcata (3.7%), Hyalomma scupense (3.4%), Hyalomma spp. (3.4%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) anuulatus (2%) and Hyalomma dromedarii (2%). As some of the collected ticks are potential vectors for transmission of pathogens to animals and humans; more studies with focus onveterinary and public health importance of these species are recommended