An improved microculture method for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis

This study evaluated the performance of three diagnostic methods for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Patients who came to the Health Center Laboratory of Gonbad-e-Qabus in Golestan Province, Iran, were enrolled in the study. Skin scraping smear, improved microculture (IMC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed. A total of 303 subjects were recruited, among whom 273 subjects fulfilled the criteria for CL. Sensitivity and specificity were 88.8 % (95 % CI = 84.2–92.2 %) and 100.0 % for smears, 98.4 % (95 % CI = 96.1–99.1 %) and 100.0 % for IMC, both of them 100.0 % for PCR. Although, PCR was relatively more sensitive than the IMC, the high correlation (agreement = 96 %, Kappa = 0.82) between IMC and PCR along with the advantages of simplicity, rapidity, adequate sensitivity and as a needle free method, offers the IMC as a valuable alternative diagnostic method for PCR in diagnosis of CL. © Indian Society for Parasitology 2013

Inference on Selected Population under Generalized Stein Loss Function

Inference on selected population is concerned with the problem of selecting the best population among the given k populations, and then doing inference on the parameter of selected population. Suppose independent random samples (Xi1,…,Xin), i=1,…,k are drawn from U(0,ϴi) population, respectively. Let Xi= max(Xi1,…,Xin) and X(1)≤X(2)≤…≤X(k) be the order statistics of X1,…,Xk. The population corresponding to largest X(k) (or the smallest X(1)) is selected and the problem of estimation the parameter ϴM (or ϴJ) of the selected population under generalized Stein loss function is considered. We obtain the Uniformly Minimum Risk Unbiased (UMRU) estimator of ϴM (and ϴJ) and show that the UMRU estimator of ϴM is inadmissible. For k=2, we derive the class of all linear admissible estimators of ϴM  and ϴJ, respectively

Emergence of a new focus of visceral leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in Golestan Province, north-eastern of Iran

Over the last decade, a few cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been reported in some districts of the province of Golestan, in north-eastern Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Leishmania infantum infection among humans and domestic dogs by using direct agglutination test (DAT) and PCR assays in the eastern zone of the province. Between 2011 and 2012, blood samples were randomly collected from 450 humans and 50 domestic dogs, in the eastern zone of Golestan Province including 7 villages from Marave-tappeh district where new cases of human VL had been recorded there. Each of these samples was tested for anti-Leishmania antibodies, in DAT, and for L. infantum kinetoplast DNA on whole blood, in PCR-based assays. A total of 450 human samples, 6 (1.33 %) were found seropositive and 13 (2.8 %) was found PCR-positive. Of the 50 dog samples, 16 (32 %) were found seropositive and 15 (30 %) were PCR-positive. All PCR-positive dogs were found seropositive except one as well as 6 (46.2 %) PCR-positive humans were also found seropositive. Moreover, the species of L. infantum was detected in all PCR-positive samples. The high prevalence of VL in the study areas offer it has emerged as an endemic focus in the province. Further investigations on the vectors, reservoirs and human population are recommended. © 2013 Indian Society for Parasitology

Determination of optimum levels of energy and protein on pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) diet at marketing stage

To investigate an economical diet for white pacific prawn (Litopenaeus vannamei) rearing coastal zones of south Iran, 9 experimental diets were prepared considering three protein (37%, 37%, 40% CP) and three digestible energy (262, 312, 362 kcal. 100g^-1 DE) levels, using herbal protein source (soybean meal) as main protein source for the diets. 27 polyethylene round tanks (300 L volume) provided with aerated flow-through water system, stocked with …juvenile shrimps (9.16 ± 0.05 g mean weight) were applied to evaluate the growth performance of the shrimps and feed efficiency parameters of the diets for 8 weeks rearing period in an in-door experimental system. Results showed the diets were significantly different (P≤0.05)in the terms of growth performance and diet efficiency the shrimp, while the best obtaining observed in diet 1 (34% CP and 262 kcal. 100g^-1 DE). Average of weight gain was ranged from 4.58 ± 0.52 g in Diet 9 up to 6.88 ± 0.81 g in diet one, SGR was from 0.73 ± 0.06 in diet 9 to 1.00 ± 0.09 in diet one, survival was from 75.00 ± 7.07 % in diet 9 to 95.00 ± 5.00 % in diet one and FCR was from 5.02 ± 0.94 in diet one to 8.24 ± 1.59 in diet 9. Diets did not effectively influenced the body composition of the shrimp (P>0.05). According to the results of the present study, 34% Cp and 262 kcal. 100g^-1 DE could be suggested as suitable levels to be considered in the diet of the white pacific prawn in the grow-out stage

Feasibility study on pomferet (Pampus argentus) breeding technique in Imam marine research station

This study was conducted during April to June 2007 .Pomferet brooders were captured by gill net (5 m Height, 300 m length, 7 cm size) during tidal time with 20-40 minutes interval. Khor Mermis, Khor Patil and Khor Mavi were subjected for broodstock captures. Totally 237 brooders were captured (126 male and 111 female) and were kept in 300 L. tanks. Semi dried method were used for breeding with 0.6 % fertility solution. Hatching were placed during 16-18 hoers. Fish larvae were kept in 4 T. tanks and were fed by fresh rotifer .temperature and salinity was kept 31-28 degree centigrade and 45-47 ppt. respectively .results shows successful breeding of pomferet in 2007 .egg diameter was 1.1 mm and hatching were completed during 16-18 hours at 31-29 degree centigrade. After 31 days length of larvae was 40 mm. while for 7 and 15 days length of larvae was 4.5 and 8.4 mm respectively

Determination of optimum stocking density for whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) culture in outdoor pond in Choeibdeh, Abadan

This study was carried out to investigate the optimum stocking density for white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in earthen ponds in Choweibdeh shrimp site Abadan southwest Iran. Six 0.5 ha. Earthen ponds were applied to survey three stocking density of this shrimp (30, 45 and 60 indviduals/m^2) with two replicates each. 15 days old postlarvae (PL15) with mean weight of 0.021 g were reared in the experimental ponds for 60 days. Results showed no significant difference (P>0.05 ) between the tested stocking densities in terms of growth (weight gain, length increment), specific growth rate (SG ), weekly growth rate, survival rate, food conversion ratio (FCR ) and protein efficiency rate (PER). Nevertheless best results were obtained in the stocking density with 30 ind./m^2 . Yield was increased by increasing the stocking density and the highest yield was obtained in the density of 60 ind./m^2 with significant difference with two other densities. Ultimately, according to the findings of the present study, stocking density of 60 ind./m^2 can be suggested as an acceptable density to be applied for white leg prawn in the region

Parasitic helminth infections of dogs, wolves, foxes, and golden jackals in Mazandaran Province, North of Iran

Background and Aim: There is a large amount of information on intestinal parasites in stray dogs and golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Mazandaran Province, Iran. However, there is little information about foxes and wolves, which have a potential role in the spread of dangerous parasitic diseases, such as echinococcosis and toxocariasis. The aim of the present study was to identify the genus or species of parasitic worms in stool samples obtained from carnivores in Mazandaran Province, Iran, from August 2017 to April 2018. Materials and Methods: A total of 274 fecal samples were collected from carnivores, including dog, fox, wolf, and C. aureus in three areas of Mazandaran Province, Iran. All specimens were examined by centrifugal fecal flotation using a solution of Sheather's sugar to detect helminths eggs. Then, all samples were assessed using a light microscope. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 18 (Chicago, IL, USA). Results: In this study, seven genera of helminths were observed, including Ancylostoma, Uncinaria, Toxocara, Dipylidium, Toxascaris, Taenia, and Spirocerca. The prevalence of helminth infections was 97.7 (127 out of 130), 56.7 (51 out of 90), 51.4 (18 out of 35), and 52.6 (10 out of 19), among dogs, C. aureus, foxes, and wolves, respectively. The highest prevalence of Ancylostoma and Toxocara infections occurred in the eastern and central areas of the province (42.1 and 35.7, respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the infection with intestinal zoonotic helminths in carnivores was an important public health factor in Mazandaran. Therefore, these infections can be potentially harmful to humans and other animals. Copyright © 2020 Siyadatpanah, et al

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Current situation and future prospects ofEchinococcus granulosusvaccine candidates: A systematic review

Cystic echinococcosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease, represents a threat for livestock and humans, manifests as a quiescent, subclinical and chronic hydatid cyst infection. The disease imposes high expenditures and economic losses in medical and veterinary. Prophylactic vaccination would be one of the effective preventive health care against echinococcosis. During the last decades, many studies have characterized the protective antigens ofEchinococcus granulosusand their role in immunization of various animal host species. Herein, we aimed to systematically evaluate and represent the best antigens as possible vaccine candidates for cystic echinococcosis. Data were systematically searched from five databases including ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and Web of Science, up to 1 February 2020. Two reviewers independently screened and assessed data extraction and quality assessment. A total of 47 articles were eligible for inclusion criteria in the current study. The most common antigens used for vaccination againstE. granulosuswere EG95 and antigen B. Freund's adjuvant and Quil A have been predominantly utilized. In addition, regarding the antigen delivery, animal models, measurement of immune responses and reduction in hydatid cyst have been discussed in the text. The data demonstrated that DNA vaccines with antigen B and recombinant protein vaccines based on EG95 antigen have the best results and elicited protective immune responses

Identification of Trichomonas Vaginalis Genotypes Using by Actin Gene and Molecular Based Methods in Southwest of Iran

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite and the causative agent of trichomoniasis. The genetic characterization of T. vaginalis isolates shows notable genetic variation in this parasite. In the present study, we aimed to identify the T. vaginalis genotypes based on analyzing of actin gene in women specimens referred to health centers of Ilam city, southwest Iran. Methods: A total of 1765 female samples were collected from gynecology clinics in the city of Ilam. DNA was extracted from positive samples and nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested PCR) was used to amplify the actin gene. Then, partial sequencing and genotyping of the actin gene was performed. A phylogenetic tree was drawn using the detected genotypes of T. vaginalis and reference sequences. Results: Twenty-one of the 1765 urine and vaginal samples were positive for T. vaginalis. All infected individuals were married and their age in years was between 25 to 34. Further, the majority of infected women had cervical lesions, patchy erythema, and white color discharge. According to sequencing analysis, the isolates were identified as genotype G (n = 8) and genotype E (n = 2). Conclusions: From the collected samples, we were able to distinguish at least two genotypes (G and E) of T. vaginalis. However, lesser is known about these genotypes in the city of Ilam. Further studies with a higher number of isolates should be performed in order to understand the implications of these results in this region