Analysis of feral cats role in dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii infection in rural area, Golestan province, North-East of Iran

Introduction:Cats carry a lot of zoonotic parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii which causes toxoplasmosis in warm-blooded animals. Toxoplasmosis includes wide range of symptoms in its intermediate and definitive hosts but the worst symptoms have been seen in pregnant women and also on immunocompromised hosts. Considering the importance of cats as the only definitive host that spread the T. gondii oocysts in environment, it is necessary to obtain comprehensive information about the role of cat in life cycle of T. gondi. Objective: Our objective was Analysis of feral cats role in dissemination of Toxoplasma gondii infection in rural area, Golestanprovince, North-East of IRAN. Materials and Methods: During the January 2012 to February 2014, a total of 210 feral cats were captured by hand made traps. Age, sex, season and locality were documented. Blood samples from carotid were collected, sera were separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 min and stored at 20 C0 until laboratory examination. The procedure was based on designed ELISA AVIDITY kit. Results: The frequency of T. gondii infection in serum samples was 85 ( 180/210). Percentage of T. gondii infection was similar in male & female and different seasons but significant difference between sampled villages has been recorded. Also the seropositivity rate of T.gondi has positive relationship with age (p˂0.005). Conclusion: Performing suitable screening test in rural population, keeping feral cats far from villages, control of feral cats population by sterilization and making villagers aware of toxoplasmosis danger are recommended

European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis persica) as a biomarker of environmental pollution in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces, Iran

Anthropogenic environmental changes are hypothesized as main reasons for animal species population declines. Heavy metals contamination is one of the worst threats to animals among human-caused threats. As most of the heavy metals bioaccumulate in organisms, analyzing concentrations of heavy metals in long living animals, such as turtles, would be very useful for biomonitoring of environmental quality. The European pond turtle is classified as a Near Threatened in the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature. The objective of this study was to obtain information on heavy metals contamination in this species, as a sentinels, to evaluate the overall health of both the European pond turtles and their ecosystem in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces. Biological samples of 10 living and 15 dead European pond turtles were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd contaminations. Highest concentration of Zn (202.6 \ub1 58.5 \u3bcg g-1), Cd (4.4 \ub1 1.3 \u3bcg g-1) and Cu (3.8 \ub1 1.7 \u3bcg g-1) was detected in livers and the highest accumulation of Pb (45.6 \ub116.3 \u3bcg g-1) occurred in kidneys. Positive correlations were detected among Zn, Pb and Cd tissue concentrations and carapaces curve length. Heavy metal levels were higher in males than females. Heavy metals contamination of sampled turtles stood in high degree. However, there is clearly a need to evaluate heavy metals physiologic effects on European pond turtles

Removal of Cadmium Ion from Aqueous Solutions Using Magnetic Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles

Industrial and agricultural processes have resulted in the release of cadmium metal into the ecosystem. One way to remove this heavy metal is adsorption. This research aimed to determine the efficiency of magnetic nanographene for removing cadmium ions from aqueous solution., This research was done in a discontinuous system at a laboratory scale. For this purpose, the effect of effective parameters such as pH, concentration, contact time, ambient temperature, adsorbent dose, and other factors was investigated. The results showed that the maximum amount of cadmium absorption occurred in the conditions of pH=6, concentration 100 mg/l, contact time 120 min, ambient temperature 45 ° C and adsorbent dose 0.01 g.  Thermodynamic parameters showed that the absorption process of cadmium metal was spontaneous and endothermic in the temperature range of 288 to 318 K The pseudo-second-order model with adsorption rate constant (K2 = 0.0092) and coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.99) showed that it describes the laboratory data better. Also, the examination of adsorption isotherms showed that the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.96) was more suitable for describing the adsorption process and was more consistent with the laboratory data. According to the results of this research, magnetic oxide nanographene adsorbent with 92.8% efficiency can be used to remove cadmium from aqueous solutions

International Journal of Molecular and Clinical Microbiology Serological survey of Leishmania infantum in wild rodents of Turkemen Sahra, Golestan province, North-East Iran

Leishmania infantum, an etiologic agent of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is spreading in Iran. Dogs are the main reservoirs but L.infantum has been detected in jackals, foxes and wild rodents too. Despite high number of rodents in the world, the exact role of them in epidemiology of VL is not clear. In recent years the number of sporadic cases of dogs and humans VL has been increased in arid and semi-arid areas of Golestan province. The aim of this study was to detect L.infantum antibody in wild rodents of Turkemen Sahra district of Golestan province. 75 rodents were randomly trapped from 8 areas and after identification of the genus and species, blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) was performed on serum samples of captured rodents. % 8 of serum samples which belonged to Mus musculus population were positive. Results of current study highlight the possible role of wild rodents in the spreading of the L.infantum in ecosystem. More epidemiological and molecular study is recommended to imagine the exact role of wild rodents in life cycle of L.infuntum in Golestan province

Comparison of the Effect of Maximal and Submaximal Aerobic Physical Activity on Saliva Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Indices in Middle-Age Women

Background & Objective: Some studies have demonstrated that aerobic exercise can reinforce antioxidant defensive system. To this end, the present study aimed to compare the effect of maximal and submaximal aerobic physical activity on saliva enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant indices in middle-aged women. Materials & Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 24 women (35-45 years, Weight: 67.41±5.03, Height: 161.83±2.98 and BMI: 25.74±2.01) were selected purposefully and voluntarily who were randomly categorized into two groups, Maximal Aerobic Physical Activity (MAPA) and Submaximal Physical Activity (SAPA) (n=12/group). SAPA were done with 50 to 70 percentage of heart rate reserve for 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. To do MAPA, Bruce Protocol (seven stages for 3 minutes) was applied. It started with 10% incline and 1.7 miles/hour speed and continued with 2% increase for every 3 minutes until exhaustion, 3 sessions/week for 6 weeks. Required saliva samples were gathered before the first session and 24 hours after the last session of exercise to be applied to evaluate Catalase, Superoxide dismutase, Malondialdehyde enzyme, and total antioxidant capacity. Data were analyzed using an independent T-test (P≤ 0.05). Results: Research results represented a significant difference in saliva enzyme indices for MAPA and SAPA groups: Catalase (PCAT= 0.003), Malondialdehyde (PMDA=0.001), and total antioxidant capacity (PTAC= 0.04). MAPA group showed higher average. In addition, the results indicated no significant difference in dismutase superoxide enzyme levels (PSOD=0.88) in MAPA and SAPA groups. Conclusion: According to the reported results, it may be concluded that due to its ability to increase antioxidant enzyme secretion, MAPA is applied to cope with oxidative stress

Zoonotic and Non-zoonotic Parasites of Wild Rodents in Turkman Sahra, Northeastern Iran

Background: This study was conducted to collect informative data on the parasitic infection of wild rodents, emphasizing on finding parasites, which have medical importance to human. Methods:  During 2012-2014, a total number of 91 wild rodents were captured from rural areas of Turkmen Sahra, Golestan Province, using handmade traps. Animals were anesthetized, surveyed for any ectoparasite and then their carcasses were carefully dissected for examination of endoparsites. Results: Four species of rodents including Mus musculus (52.75%), Rattus norvegicus (38.46%), Rhombomys opimus (4.40%) and Meriones libycus (4.40%) were captured. Parasitic infestation was detected in 38.5% of sampled rodents. Parasite infestation rates of sampled rodents was Hymenolepis diminuta = 7.7%, Cryptosporidium spp = 6.6%, Trichuris spp.= 5.5%, Cysticercus fasciolaris = 2.20%, Angiostrongylus spp.= 2.20%, Capillaria sp.= 1.09%, Rhipicephalus spp. = 8.70%, Nosopsyllus fasciatus = 1.09%, and Laelaps nuttalli = 3.29%. Among 10 genera/species of identified parasites, at least 8 of them were zoonotic with public health importance. L. nuttalli and N. fasciatus were the only two non-zoonotic detected parasites in this survey. Conclusion: Harboring a wide variety of zoonotic parasites in sampled wild rodents particularly when they live nearby villages, represents a potential risk to native inhabitants. Hence, controlling rodents’ population in residential regions and improving awareness of local people about the risk of disease transmission through rodents seems to be entirely necessary

Trace Elements and Contaminants Concentrations in Tissues of Caspian Seals (<i>Pusa caspica</i>) along the Iranian Coast

The Caspian seal (Pusa caspica) is an endangered species that only lives in the Caspian Sea. Little information is available on its exposure to contaminants, and no data exists for Southern sub-populations. From 2011 to 2016, tissues samples were collected from 20 Caspian seals to (i) Define the concentration of trace elements in five different matrices and the concentration of 30 pesticides in their blubber; (ii) Determine whether differences in contaminant concentrations are age- or sex-related; (iii) Evaluate if detected concentrations can represent a risk to the species. Age- and sex-related variations were detected for Zn and Hg in the blubber and Fe in the kidney by age only. Exceptionally high Hg concentrations and low levels of hepatic Zn were detected, raising some concern about the reproductive health of seals. Similarly, the DDTs levels detected were in the range of adverse reproductive effects in marine mammals. Based on these results, potentially adverse effects on the immune and endocrine systems of the Caspian seal cannot be ruled out. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that pollutant monitoring becomes an integral component of conservation strategies for the Caspian seal

Frequency of exposure of endangered Caspian seals to Canine distemper virus, <i>Leptospira interrogans</i>, and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>

<div><p>Canine distemper virus (CDV), <i>Leptospira interrogans</i>, and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> are potentially lethal pathogens associated with decline in marine mammal populations. The Caspian Sea is home for the endangered Caspian seal (<i>Pusa caspica</i>). In the late 1990s and early 2000s, CDV caused a series of mortality events involving at least several thousand Caspian seals. To assess current infection status in Caspian seals, we surveyed for antibodies to three pathogens with potential to cause mortality in marine mammals. During 2015–2017, we tested serum samples from 36, apparently healthy, Caspian seals, accidentally caught in fishing nets in the Caspian Sea off Northern Iran, for antibodies to CDV, <i>L</i>. <i>interrogans</i>, and <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i>, by virus neutralization, microscopic agglutination, and modified agglutination, respectively. Twelve (33%), 6 (17%), and 30 (83%) samples were positive for CDV, <i>L</i>. <i>interrogans</i> and <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> antibodies, respectively. The highest titers of CDV, <i>L</i>. <i>interrogans</i>, and <i>T</i>. <i>gondii</i> antibodies were 16, 400, and 50, respectively. Frequencies of antibody to these pathogens were higher in seals >1 year old compared to seals <1 year old. Two serovars of <i>L</i>. <i>interrogans</i> (Pomona and Canicola) were detected. Our results suggest a need for additional studies to clarify the impact of these pathogens on Caspian seal population decline and the improvement of management programs, including systematic screening to detect and protect the remaining population from disease outbreaks.</p></div

Detection of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Stranded Caspian Seals (Pusa caspica)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which contain many carcinogenic compounds, are a major ingredient of petroleum/oil. PAH pollution of the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest lake, is rapidly occurring and may be affecting the endangered Caspian seal (Pusa caspica), the only marine mammal in this lake. To analyze the entrance of PAHs into the Caspian Sea food chain and the health status of Caspian seals, we measured 16 carcinogenic PAHs in the liver, kidney, and blubber tissues of ten Caspian seal carcasses from the coastal region of northeastern Iran using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry. Of the 16 PAHs investigated, only anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were identified in nine sampled Caspian seals. Concentrations of anthracene (=84.83 ± 79.86 ppb wet weight [w.w.]), phenanthrene (=31.75 ± 52.22 ppb w.w.), and naphthalene (=25.1 ± 31.57 ppb w.w.) in blubber tissues were higher than in liver and kidney tissues. The concentration of PAHs in tissues was significantly higher in male than in female seals, and we found an inverse relationship between seal age and PAH concentration in tissues. Although no data exist concerning toxic effect concentrations of PAHs in Caspian seals, PAH detection in seal carcasses highlights a potentially stressful condition that may impact the health of Caspian seals and other sea life in this lake. Appropriate strategies for the control of PAH entrance into the Caspian Sea should be sought, and studies for the determination of pathogenic and lethal doses of PAHs in Caspian seals should be pursued

Determinants of Legacy Persistent Organic Pollutant Levels in the European Pond Turtle ( Emys orbicularis

International audienceMany banned persistent organic pollutants (POPs) remain for decades in the aquatic environment and can have harmful effects on long-lived predators because of their high bioaccumulation and biomagnification potentials. We investigated the occurrence and levels of 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 16 organochlorine pesticides in European pond turtles (n = 174) from April to July 2018 in the Camargue wetland, France. Although the Camargue was highly contaminated in previous decades, plasma occurrence and levels of POPs were very low: we were able to quantify only 3 of the 34 compounds we analyzed in >10% of the turtles. The burdens from POPs did not differ between males and females and were uncorrelated with sampling date and body mass. We observed differences in POP burdens between turtles from the 2 sampling sites. One possible explanation is that the sampling sites were in different agricultural hydraulic systems: plasma occurrence and levels were higher for PCB-52 and hexachlorobenzene in turtles captured in drainage channels and for PCB-153 at the site that receives irrigation. Finally, the occurrence and levels of PCB-153 in turtles increased with age, likely because of bioaccumulation and much higher exposure 20 to 30 yr ago than now