Epidemiological Aspects of Canine Dirofilariasis in the North of Iran

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is an important parasite in dog and other carnivores. Our objec­tive was study on incidence and periodicity of heartworm in north of Iran and using other meth­ods for its diagnosis in addition to Parasitology exam.Methods: This survey spanned two years, between 2006 and 2008. Blood samples were collected from 431 stray dogs distributed along north of Iran, the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. The Knott's modified test was used for diagnosis of D. immitis and other filariae. Meanwhile, the periodic­ity of microfilaria in peripheral blood circulation was calculated and the imaging diagno­sis techniques of four dogs that had positive results were done.Result: Diagnostic parasitology results indicated that 16.01% of stray dogs were microfilaremic. Two different microfilariae were diagnosed: D. immitis in 13.69%, Dipetalonema reconditum in 1.86% and in 0.46% both of them. There was no statistically significant between infection to fiariae with sex and age of dogs. Also study on the periodicity of the presence of microfilaria in peripheral circulation showed that the highest rate of those was at 1 am and the lowest rate at 12 pm. Radiographic study showed distinctive signs with varied degrees of severity included: Tortu­ous and enlargement of main and lobar pulmonary artery, pulmonary parenchymal lesions and Right side heart enlargement that confirmed in electrocardiography. Also in echocardiographic images observed short parallel-sided images with the appearance of equal signs that indicated the pres­ence of the heartworm.Conclusion: These results showed that to obtain a reliable diagnosis of heartworm infection, imag­ing tests could support parasitological exams

Study on the prevalence of blood parasites in camels of Zabol in 2008

Considering that camel breeding is widespread in extensive parts of Iran and camels are important in transmission of some zoonotic disease to other ruminant and even humans, the necessity of conducting this study was assumed. In this research, apart from the rate of infection to blood parasites in camels of Zabol, the relationship between infection and some other factors including age, sex and geographical location of camel breeding were also studied. For this purpose, 113 blood samples of camels were taken from different regions of Zabol and transferred to the parasitology laboratory. The results indicated that 30.09% of studied camels were infected by blood parasites with the greatest infection rate of 19.47% belonging Trypanosoma evansi and then infection rates of 6.20% by Theileria sp., 3.54% by bacteria sp. and 88% by blood microfilaria were also observed. Statistical analysis did not show significant relationship between infection to blood parasites and age and sex of the studied camels. With regard to presence of blood parasites in the camels of the region and the importance of arthropods in their transmission, apart from treatment of infected animals, arthropod control measures should also be conducted in other to control these infections

Infection of Anisakids Larvae in Long Tail Tuna (Thunnus tonggol) In North Persian Gulf

Background: The aim of this paper was to study the prevalence and intensity of Anisakids lar­vae in the long tail tuna fish captured from Iranian shores of Persian Gulf.Methods: Different organs including skin, abdominal cavity, stomach and intestinal contents, stom­ach sub serous tissues, liver, spleen, gonads and 20 grams of muscles of 100 long tail tuna fish (Thannus tonggol) caught from waters of the north parts of Persian Gulf were searched for anisakid nematodes larvae. Twenty grams of around the body cavity muscles were digested in artificial gastric juice. Different organs and digested muscles were examined with naked eyes for the presence of anisakids larvae. The collected larvae were preserved in 70% alcohol containing 5% glycerin, and cleared in lactophenol for identification.Results: Our findings revealed that 89% of fish harbored 3rd stage larvae of Anisakis sp. of which 2% were infected with both Anisakis and Raphidascaris. All inspected organs except that of skin were found to be infected, while stomach sub serous tissues were the most infected organ (80%) followed by abdominal cavity (10%), liver (4%), testicle (3%), stomach contents and spleen (2%) and intestinal contents (1%). Intestine and abdominal cavity were the organs har­bored Raphidascaris sp. Digested muscles were free of parasite. Mean intensity was low for both spe­cies and ranged between 1.5 for Raphidascaris sp. and 3.67 for Anisaki sp.Conclusion: Anisakids larvae especially Anisakis are very prevalent in some fish including tunas of Persian Gulf, and consumption of infected fish if it is not properly cooked may lead to human anisakiasis

Isolation and purification of Echinococcus granulosus antigen B from hydatid cyst fluid using three different methods

Hydatid cyst, the larval stage of cestodes Echinococcus spp., is recognized as a zoonotic infection in the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently classified echinococcosis in a group of neglected tropical diseases. The prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection is high in Iran due to the presence of various intermediate hosts in this country. Considering the rising trend of this zoonotic parasitic disease based on national epidemiological studies, diagnosis is of great significance. WHO has suggested the use of specific antigens, especially antigen B (AgB) for serological diagnostic tests. In general, AgB is a polymeric lipoprotein, which disintegrates into 8.12, 16, and 20.24 kDa subunits. In the present study, we applied three different methods for AgB isolation from hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) and compared their efficacy in AgB isolation. Finally, the protein concentration of this antigen was measured by Bradford assay and confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The results showed that the application of polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) as a thickener agent beside purification of HCF in dialysis bag and filtering and also dialysis against acetate buffer leading to the best quantity in purified antigen B

Analysis of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties Changes in AA1050 Aluminum Subjected to ECAP and KoBo Processes / Analiza Zmian Mikrostruktury I Własności Mechanicznych Aluminium AA1050 Po Procesie ECAP I KoBo

Analysis of the results of the microstructure and the mechanical properties change in AA1050 aluminum alloy of technical purity processed using ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing) and KoBo deformation methods are presented in the paper.. ECAP process was performed according to Bc scheme in the range from 1 up to 10 passes. Changes of microstructure were analyzed using scanning electrone microscope equipped with electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) system. Microstructure and fraction of high-angle grain boundaries in KoBo processed samples were similar to those observed in ECAP processed samples after four passes. The most significant microstructure refinement was observed in ECAP processed sample submitted to 10 passes. In ECAP method the systematic increase of mechanical properties was observed along with increase of deformation degree.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki analizy zmian mikrostruktury i właściwości mechanicznych aluminium technicznego z serii AA1050 po procesie ECAP (Equal Channel Angular Pressing) i KoBo. Proces ECAP prowadzono wg schematu Bc w zakresie od 1 do 10 przepustów Zmiany mikrostruktury analizowano za pomocą mikroskopu skaningowego z systemem do analizy dyfrakcji elektronów wstecznie rozproszonych (EBSD). Mikrostruktura oraz udział granic ziaren dużego kąta po procesie KoBo był zbliżony do uzyskanych po 4 cyklach ECAP. Największe rozdrobnienie mikrostruktury uzyskano w procesie ECAP po 10 przepustach. W metodzie ECAP obserwowano systematyczny wzrost własności mechanicznych wraz ze wzrostem stopnia odkształcenia