In Vitro Assessment of the Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Viability Effects of Salivary Gland Extracts from Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

Background: The saliva and salivary glands of ticks possess a wide range of immuno-pharmacologically active mole­cules that effectively modulate the activity of enzymes, antibodies, and amines that have a role in different biological processes. Derived components from saliva and salivary glands of hard ticks Ixodidae have been characterized as poten­tial natural sources for discovering promising anti-cancer drug candidates. Methods: The anti-cancer activity of salivary gland extracts (SGEs) from Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma drome­darii, Hyalomma marginatum, and Hyalomma schulzei was assessed. MTT assays and flow cytometry were done on the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line to evaluate the anti-viability and proliferative inhibition. Results: Based on the MTT assay results, the SGEs from Hy. dromedarii had the highest and lowest substantial anti-viability effects on the HT-29 cancer cell and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) normal cell, respectively. The cytometric assessment revealed a significant increase in the apoptosis and necrosis ratio of the HT-29 cancer cells after treatment with Hy. dromedarii SGEs. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that Hy. dromedarii SGEs have significant anti-proliferative, anti-viability, and apoptotic potential. The result of this study suggests that Hy. dromedarii SGEs is an appropriate candidate for further investigations to identify and purify the mechanisms and molecules involved in the anti-cancer activity of the SGEs

Comparison of different methods for ectoparasite infestation detection in Laboratory bred animals and standardization of their health certificate

In order to study external parasites of laboratory reared animals at Razi institute, different methods including brushing of animal's surface body, cellophane tape of body surface, peri-anal cellophane tape test (CTT) and skin scrapings and digestive method were applied and collected samples were studied. In addition, field collected rats were tested using brushing method. One mouse had been infested by some mites. Rabbits, rats, mice and guinea pigs had not been infested with external parasites. Field collected rats had been highly infested with mites from the family Laelapidae. The, brushing method was confirmed to be a useful method for mite detection. According to the methods used in this study and these recommended by SOP from international animal breeding centers the CTT method was proposed to be useful for preparing health certificate of laboratory animals at the department of laboratory animal breading at Razi institute

Some New Records of Culicoides Species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) from Iran

Background: Biting midges of the genus Culicoides act as vectors for important diseases affecting humans and both wild and domestic animals. Collection of adult Culicoides specimens in the near vicinity of vertebrate hosts is the major part of any bluetongue surveillance plan. There are old records of Culicoides species dated from 1963, 1968 and 1975. Therefore, it was decided to collect different ceratopogonids members using a light trap. Methods: One night catching using light traps with a suction fan was performed at representative sites (25 places) located in North Western Provinces (Ardebil, Eastern Azerbaijan, Western Azerbaijan and Zanjan) of Iran (suspected farms for clinical records of Bluetongue virus or serodiagnosis of the Bluetongue virus). Samples were detected and identified primarily and were sent to a reference center for final verification. Results: Seven Culicoides species including (Culicoides circumscriptus, C. flavidus, C. longipennis, C. pulicaris, C. puncatatus, C. nubeculosus, and three species from Culicoides (Oecacta) are under study in reference laboratory in Poland and C. puncticollis were confirmed from Iran. Conclusions: Morphological and explanation of each species was regarded in this study. In comparison to old rec­ord, there are four new records of Culicoides species from Iran and one species is regarded suspected for viral trans­mission.

Detection of naturally infected vector ticks (acari: ixodidae) by different species of babesia and theileria agents from three different enzootic parts of iran.

Background: Diagnostic study of vector ticks for different pathogens transmitted specifically have been done by Iranian old scientists working on the basis of biological transmission of pathogens. In this study we decided to con- firm natural infection of different collected ticks from three different provinces of Iran. Methods: Ticks were collected from livestock (sheep, goats and cattle) during favorable seasons (April to September 2007 and 2008). Slide preparations were stained by Giemsa and Feulgen and were studied searching for any trace of infection. Positive DNA from infected blood or tissue samples was provided and was used as positive control. First, PCR optimization for positive DNA was done, and then tick samples were subjected to specific PCR. Results: Eleven pairs of primers were designed for detection of Theileria, Babesia and Anaplasma spp. Totally 21 tick samples were detected to be infected with protozoa. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum and Rhipicephalus turanicus from Fars Province were infected with T. lestoquardi at two different places. Hyalomma detritum was in- fected with T. lestoquardi in Lorestan Province and Rh. turanicus was infected to Ba. ovis from Fars Province. Conclusion: Totally 21 tick samples were detected to be infected with protozoa. Every sample is regarded with host- environment related factors. Since there are complex relations of vectors and their relevant protozoa, different proce- dures are presented for future studies

Detection of Theileriaovis in vector ticks by Polymerase Chain Reaction method (PCR) in Lorestan province

Theileriosis is caused by an  intracellular protozoan  that causes great economical losses  to animal husbandry in different regions of Iran . The present study was done in order to identify of Theileriaovis in hard ticks in Lorestanprovince . Amongst five different regions in Lorestan, and during the April-to-july period of the year 2012, 265 cases of hard ticks were collected from the ear and the body surface and 100 blood smears from ear veins of anemic and feverish sheep. DNA extraction was done from the salivary glands of collected ticks and PCR test was performed using a pair of 520 bp specific primer of SSurRNA gene of T. ovis . The microscopic examinations of blood smears showed that 12 samples of blood smears ( 12 %) contained the piroplasmic forms of Theileriaspcies. The PCR revealed that 37 out of 152 Rhipicephalussanguineus (24/34 % ) were positive for T. ovisgenum including 21 female (13/81%)  and 16 male (10/52%) ticks while the other ticks were not  infected by this parasite. Out of total of 265 tick samples, R.sanguineus was highest (38.35%)  and Haemaphysalispunctatahad the lowest (3/01%)  frequencies. Regarding the vast distribution of   R.sanguineus in the area, it seems that this tick may be the main vector of  T.ovis  in Lorestan  province, Iran

Human Infestation with Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae) in a Family Referred with Pruritus and Skin Lesions.

The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae is one of the most economically important ectoparasites in hens and some species of mammals worldwide. Cases of human infestation have been reported worldwide. In this study we report infestation in three members of a family referred with pruritus and allergic dermatitis rash. They have collected very small animals and carried them to the laboratory which later was confirmed as D. gallinae. They claimed that they had been bitten with this ectoparasite. This is the first case report of human infestation owing to D. gallinae from Iran