Pathological study of parasitism in racing pigeons: An indication of its effects on community health

Several non-official reports from different clinics, governmental veterinary head-quarters and bird keepers indicate that most of the young pigeons die with suspicious infection to parasites. In addition, the pigeon owners were complaining of skin itching on their head. Thus, this research was conducted to determine the pathological study of parasitism in racing pigeons with an indication of its effects on community health. It was carried out from May to September 2011, by an experimental study on 250 (168 adults and 82 nestlings) blood and faecal samples (Soulsby, 1982) randomly collected from suspected pigeons (mostly young) and 25 specific free pathogen birds as control. Tissue samples of both infected and control birds were removed and compared with samples of the histological study. Moreover, 12 hair samples taken from pigeon owners were checked for external parasites. The data indicate prevalence rate of various helminthes including Raillietina achinobothridia (10.4%), Syngamus trachea (8.4%), Capillaria colombae (6%) and Ascaridia colombae (8.4%). The results reveal some porotozan infections including Haemoproteus colombae (20.8%), Trichomonas gallinae (26.8%) Cryptosporidium sp. (1.2%) and Eimeria sp. (21.6%) and also ectoparasites including Lipeurus sp. (3.2%), Menopen gallinae (15.2%), Ceratophyllus colombae (10.4%) and Louse fly (12%). Multiple infections observed with internal parasites were 19/4%. However, co-infection of internal and external parasites was 24.4%. Meanwhile, five out of the 12 hair samples taken from pigeon owners were infected with the fleas (C. colombae) and lice (M. gallinae) as seen by the clinical manifestation of allergic urticarial reaction and itching. Histological studies showed a visible vascular congestion and a massive lymphoplasmacytic infiltration inside the smooth muscular layer of the small intestine of infected pigeons. This result indicates that pigeons and their owners may be at high risk of single or multiple parasitic infections.Key words: Endoparasite, ectoparasites, ovum, birds, fleas, epidemiology

Histological, ultrastructural and biochemical studies on the kidney of mice treated with Carthamus tinctorius L. extract

Objective: Carthamus tinctorius L.(C. tinctorius) is used as a food additive but also has medicinal applications. The present work was designed to investigate its probable side effects on the histology and function of the kidney in the mice. Materials and Methods: Sixty adult Balb/C mice were randomly distributed into one control and three experimental groups. The control group received only distilled water, while experimental groups were administered intraperitoneally C. tinctorius at doses of 0.7, 1.4, and 2.8 mg/kg for 49 consecutive days. In the end of experiments after blood sampling, the biochemical analyses of plasma were performed. Tissue samples were also taken and structural alterations were examined using light and electron microscopes. Results: There were histological changes included decreasing in the diameter of glomerules, increase of proximal tubular lumen, tubular necrosis, leuckocyte infiltration, and massive congestion in the kidney of the 1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg C. tinctorius groups. Moreover, ultrastructural study revealed destruction of the glomerular basement membrane, shrinkage of podocyte΄s nucleus, and reduction in the number and size of microvilli in epithelial cells of renal tubules. Furthermore, the levels of creatinine in the plasma of 1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg C. tinctorius groups showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group (

The effect of lansoprazole administration during pregnancy on the placenta

Introduction: Lansoprazole is one of the proton pump inhibitor drugs widely used in the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcers and disorders. However, there is not enough data about unexplored adverse effects of lansoprazole on the integrity of the placental barrier. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine whether placental structure could be affected by lansoprazole administration. Materials and methods: A total of 24 pregnant Balb/C mice were randomly divided into one control and three experiment groups (n=6).The experimental animals were given 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg of lansoprazole intraperitoneally on days 6-16 of pregnancy. At the end point and on the day 17 of gestation all animals were sacrificed. Then, the placentas specimens were taken and processed for histological examinations. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and were examined under light microscopy. Results: The histological examinations showed remarkable cellular changes in the placenta after treatment with lansoprazole. The placentas from drug administrated mice exhibited conspicuous decrease in the spongy layers size when compared with controls. Also, both polymorph and mononuclear cell infiltration into placental parenchyma were seen in the animals treated with 100 mg/kg lansoprazole. In addition, dilation of the intervillous space, massive vasculature congestion, increased giant cell population and fibroblastic proliferation were seen in the placental tissues from experimental groups. Conclusion: The findings of the present study led us to investigate the effect of the lansoprazole administration on the mouse placenta. Taken together, this drug should not be prescribed during pregnancy

The Effects of Methylphenidate Administration on the Histological Alterations of the Lymphatic System in the Mice

Abstract Background: The lymphatic system as a key component in the organism's body can be affected by used drugs. Methylphenidate or Ritalin is widely used for treatment of behavioral disorders in children and some depressed people. This study carried out to examine the immunotoxic effects of Ritalin. Materials and Methods: A total of 16 healthy adult female mice were selected and randomly divided into a control and three experimental groups. The experimental groups received Ritalin as 0.5,5 and 50 mg/kg body weight and control groups received distillated water by gavage method for 21 consecutive days. At the end of experiment, the structure and function of the lymphoid organs were evaluated. Results were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan’s test (p<0.05). Results: Significant alterations including a reduction in the size and number of lymphoid follicles, increasing in the megakaryocytes numbers as well as spleen capsular thickens were seen following Ritalin administration. The atrophy of the lymph nodes together with significant reduction in the number and size of lymph follicles but an increasing in the parenchyma hyperemia were seen. Also lymphocyte numbers increased while the monocytes numbers decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The consumption of Ritalin could be exerted detrimental effects on the lymphoid organs in the mouse model

The effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. on placental histomorphology and survival of the neonates in mice

Objective: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) is a member of the asteraceae family which is used as a food additive but also has medicinal applications. This study investigated its effects on placental histomorphology and survival of mice neonates. Materials and Methods: Eighty Balb/C pregnant mice were randomly distributed into one control and three experimental groups (n=20). The control group received only distilled water, whereas experimental groups were administered intraperitoneally C. tinctorius extract at doses of 0.7, 1.4, and 2.8 mg/kg during the organogenesis period (6th to 16th day of gestation). On the 17th day of gestation, half of the animals were euthanized; their fetuses and placentas were removed and histomorphological study was performed. In the rest of the animals after parturition, the number of neonates was counted. Survival rates were periodically calculated for neonates within days 5, 15, 25, and 42 after birth. The results were evaluated by one-way ANOVA. Results: The results showed that treatment with 1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg C. tinctorius extract caused reduction in the trophoblastic giant cells ratio and increasing in the proportion of labyrinthine interhemal membrane (LIM). Moreover, the size of the labyrinthine zone per whole placenta, weight, diameter, and thickness of the placenta in the mice administered with 1.4 and 2.8 mg/kg C. tinctorius extract became lower than those of controls (

Effects of Carthamus tinctorius L. on the ovarian histomorphology and the female reproductive hormones in mice

Objective: Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) is a member of the asteraceae family which had been classified as a fertility regulator in the traditional medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate its possible effects on the ovarian histomorphology and the levels of female reproductive hormones in the mice. Materials and Methods: Sixty adult female Balb/C mice were selected and randomly divided into one control and three experimental groups (n= 15). The control group received only distilled water, while experimental groups were administered intraperitoneally C. tinctorius extract at doses of  0.7, 1.4, and 2.8 mg/kg/day for 49 consecutive days. In the end of experiments, blood samples were collected and the sera were analyzed for the levels of FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Ovarian tissue samples were also taken and histomorphological changes of the ovaries were examined using optical microscope. The quantitative results were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA test. Results: The present findings showed that treatment with different concentrations of C. tinctorius extract reduced the number of ovarian follicles but number of atretic follicles showed an increase. The number and size of the corpora lutea were not affected by extract administration. In addition, in the treated mice with C. tinctorius extract, the thickness of the tunica albuginea was increased but the relative and absolute weights of the ovaries decreased significantly. Furthermore, the blood levels of the FSH and estrogen were decreased in the three experimental groups compared with those of the control animals. Conclusion: The present findings indicated that treatment with C. tinctorius extract has detrimental effects on the ovarian histomorphology and female reproductive hormones therefore popular consumption of this plant should be reconsidered