Survey of Toxoplasma Gondii in Livestocks’ Meat (Sheep, Goat, Camel), Using Nested PCR Method in Sabzavar District

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic zoonosis in the world which led to loss of life and property in the countries annually. Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan disease. It is estimated that about a third of the world's population are infected with the parasite. Parasites is transmitted in various ways such as contaminated water containing oocytes shed of cats, eating undercooked or raw meat or through congenital infection. This study was conducted in Sabzevar, in which a sample of animals in slaughters in Sabzevar were selected including livestock such as sheep, goats, camels, which were collected and investigated for toxoplasmosis. In this study, DNA of these samples (heart and diaphragm) including 40 sheep, 40 goats, 40 camels were collected and then were examined using B1 marker. The PCR results showed  60% of sheep infected to toxoplasmosis and infection rate in diaphragm and heart samples were 37.5% and 25.5%. Also frequency rate for toxoplasma in goat and camels were obtained 52.5% and 65% and infectivity rate of diaphragm and heart were 35% and 17.5% for goat, 45% and 20% for camels samples. The results showed that infectivity rate of toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats in Sabzavar is more dangerous than other cities. It seems that infection rate was influenced by examination tests, ecological condition, way of growth and feeding and agony of livestock and others factors. Toxoplasmosis were seen more in female sheep. We did not obtain any difference for infectivity in goat and camel gender and related to growing factors. In this study, toxoplasmosis was reported in camels of Iran for first time. The RFLP results showed genotypes of II and III for toxoplasma and it needs to modified studies in this field

Survey of Toxoplasma Gondii in Livestocks’ Meat (Sheep, Goat, Camel), Using Nested PCR Method in Sabzavar District

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic zoonosis in the world which led to loss of life and property in the countries annually. Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan disease. It is estimated that about a third of the world's population are infected with the parasite. Parasites is transmitted in various ways such as contaminated water containing oocytes shed of cats, eating undercooked or raw meat or through congenital infection. This study was conducted in Sabzevar, in which a sample of animals in slaughters in Sabzevar were selected including livestock such as sheep, goats, camels, which were collected and investigated for toxoplasmosis. In this study, DNA of these samples (heart and diaphragm) including 40 sheep, 40 goats, 40 camels were collected and then were examined using B1 marker. The PCR results showed  60% of sheep infected to toxoplasmosis and infection rate in diaphragm and heart samples were 37.5% and 25.5%. Also frequency rate for toxoplasma in goat and camels were obtained 52.5% and 65% and infectivity rate of diaphragm and heart were 35% and 17.5% for goat, 45% and 20% for camels samples. The results showed that infectivity rate of toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats in Sabzavar is more dangerous than other cities. It seems that infection rate was influenced by examination tests, ecological condition, way of growth and feeding and agony of livestock and others factors. Toxoplasmosis were seen more in female sheep. We did not obtain any difference for infectivity in goat and camel gender and related to growing factors. In this study, toxoplasmosis was reported in camels of Iran for first time. The RFLP results showed genotypes of II and III for toxoplasma and it needs to modified studies in this field

High resolution melting technique for molecular epidemiological studies of cystic echinococcosis: Differentiating G1, G3, and G6 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato

Reliable and rapid genotyping of large number of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato isolates is crucial for understanding the epidemiology and transmission of cystic echinococcosis. We have developed a method for distinguishing and discriminating common genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. (G1, G3, and G6) in Iran. This method is based on polymerase chain reaction coupled with high resolution melting curve (HRM), ramping from 70 to 86 C with fluorescence data acquisition set at 0.1 C increments and continuous fluorescence monitoring. Consistency of this technique was assessed by inter- and intra-assays. Assessment of intra- and inter-assay variability showed low and acceptable coefficient of variations ranging from 0.09 to 0.17 %. Two hundred and eighty E. granulosus s.l. isolates from sheep, cattle, and camel were used to evaluate the applicability and accuracy of the method. The isolates were categorized as G1 (93, 94, and 25 %), G3 (7, 4, and 4 %), and G6 (0, 2, and 71 %) for sheep, cattle, and camel, respectively. HRM results were completely compatible with those obtained from sequencing and rostellar hook measurement. This method proved to be a valuable screening tool for large-scale molecular epidemiological studies. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

Isoenzyme characterization of trichomonas vaginalis isolated from hiv patients in fars and kerman, Southeast Iran

Background: Trichomonas vaginalis is an anaerobic flagellated protozoan which is responsible for human urogenital infections. Several zymodemes of T. vaginalis have been reported from various parts of the worlds on the basis of isoenzyme patterns. This study was conducted to characterize the isolated organisms of T. vaginalis from HIV patients using isoenzyme electrophoresis in Fars and Kerman provinces, southeast Iran. Methods: Eighteenmass cultivated isolates of T. vaginalis in themodified TYI-S-33medium were analyzed using isoenzyme electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of five different enzyme systems were used to characterize T. vaginalis isolates: (i) Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), (ii) Glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), (iii) Malate dehydrogenase (MDH), (iv) Malic enzyme (ME), and (v) Phosphoglucomutase (PGM). Results: MDH, GPI, PGM, and ME enzyme systems showed a homogeneity and detected an identical enzyme pattern in all isolates. Meanwhile, G6PD revealed two different enzyme patterns. The isoenzyme electrophoretic profiles divided 18 T. vaginalis isolates into two zymodemes. Zymodeme 1 contained Shiraz isolates and zymodeme 2 contained Kerman isolates. Conclusion: The polymorphism of Iranian human isolates of T. vaginalis could be assessed by biochemical study using appropriate enzyme systems. Isoenzyme analysis is a promising method for the characterizationof T. vaginalis. New molecular studies with increased number of enzyme loci and genetic markers are suggested to classify more zymodemes of Trichomonas in Iran

The Emergence of Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Following the Earthquake in Southern Villages of Bam District, Southeastern Iran, 2010

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiological characteristics of a new emerging focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in southern villages of Bam District, southeastern Iran, 2010. Methods: A house-to- house census survey of 5544 individuals were interviewed and physically examined for the presence of active lesions or scars. Diagnosis was confirmed by direct smears, cultures and identification by PCR. The data were entered into a computer and SPSS ver. 15. Results: Overall, 1.2% of the inhabitants were infected, 0.5% active and 0.7% scars and females were more significantly infected (1.7%) than males (0.8%), (P= 0.003). All age groups were equally affected. Most of the lesions were on the face and majority had single lesion. Most of the cases appeared from 2006 to 2008 during the CL epidemic in the city of Bam. PCR indicated L. tropica as the causative agent. Conclusion: The presence of non-immune individuals along with suitable ecological conditions could induce a new emerging focus of ACL in villages

Genetic Diversity of Toxoplasma gondii by Serological and Molecular Analyzes in Different Sheep and Goat Tissues in Northeastern Iran

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by compilation protozoan agent  Toxoplasma gondii, leading to significant financial and quality-adjusted life-year losses. Overcooked or raw meat consumption has been a considerable transmission route. The present study was conducted to determine the seropositivity rate of T. gondii in sheep and goats by serological and molecular tests and genotyping of obtained isolates in northeast Iran. Methods: Blood and tissue samples (diaphragm, heart) of 296 animals (including 168 sheep and 128 goats) were collected from the slaughterhouse in Quchan Country from august 2016 to April 2017. Modified agglutination test (MAT) and the PCR method performed to detect parasite DNA on tissues.PCR-RFLP method of GRA6 gene was used to determine the genotype of T. gondii. In addition, sequencing analysis was performed to evaluate the Toxoplasma type strains. Results: Serum positive for MAT results were found in 27.4% of sheep and 23.4% of goats. Positive PCR of B1 gene results in diaphragm and heart tissues of sheep and goats was 47.8% and 26.1%, 40% and 23.3%, respectively. PCR of GRA6 gene results were positive in 10 samples that RFLP technique results using MseІ enzyme revealed genotype І. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed DNA of all samples was closely related to Toxoplasma type І. Conclusion: Concerning the high seropositivity rate of toxoplasmosis, undertaking an appropriate preventive program for reducing the prevalence of T. gondii infection by raw or undercooked meat consumption of livestock is recommended. Our study supports the notion that these animals' consumption of raw and undercooked meat can be a probable source of human toxoplasmosis

Scolicidal effects of biogenic selenium nanoparticles against protoscolices of hydatid cysts

Cystic echinococcosis (hydatid cyst, CE) as a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is still an important economic and public health concern in the world. One of the treatment options for CE is surgical removal of the cysts combined with chemotherapy using albendazole and/or mebendazole before and after surgery. Currently, many scolicidal agents, which have some complications, have been used for inactivation of the cyst contents. Therefore the development of new scolicidal agents with low side effects and more efficacies is an urgent need for surgeons. The present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro scolicidal effect of selenium nanoparticles biosynthesized by a newly isolated marine bacterial strain Bacillus sp. MSh-1 against protoscoleces of E. granulosus. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations (50e500 mg/ml) of Se NPs (in size range of about 80e220 nm) were used for 10e60 min. Viability of protoscoleces was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. The results indicated that biogenic Se NPs at all concentrations have potent scolicidal effects especially at concentrations 500 and 250 mg/ml after 10 and 20 min of application, respectively. In conclusion, the findings of present study proven that Se NPs have potent scolicidal effects, therefore may be used in CE surgery. However, the in vivo efficacy of these NPs remains to be explored

<em>TESS</em> Cycle 2 observations of roAp stars with 2-min cadence data

\ua9 The Author(s) 2023.We present the results of a systematic search of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) 2-min cadence data for new rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars observed during the Cycle 2 phase of its mission. We find seven new roAp stars previously unreported as such and present the analysis of a further 25 roAp stars that are already known. Three of the new stars show multiperiodic pulsations, while all new members are rotationally variable stars, leading to almost 70 per cent (22) of the roAp stars presented being α2 CVn-type variable stars. We show that targeted observations of known chemically peculiar stars are likely to overlook many new roAp stars, and demonstrate that multiepoch observations are necessary to see pulsational behaviour changes. We find a lack of roAp stars close to the blue edge of the theoretical roAp instability strip, and reaffirm that mode instability is observed more frequently with precise, space-based observations. In addition to the Cycle 2 observations, we analyse TESS data for all-known roAp stars. This amounts to 18 further roAp stars observed by TESS. Finally, we list six known roAp stars that TESS is yet to observe. We deduce that the incidence of roAp stars amongst the Ap star population is just 5.5 per cent, raising fundamental questions about the conditions required to excite pulsations in Ap stars. This work, coupled with our previous work on roAp stars in Cycle 1 observations, presents the most comprehensive, homogeneous study of the roAp stars in the TESS nominal mission, with a collection of 112 confirmed roAp stars in total

TESS Cycle 2 observations of roAp stars with 2-min cadence data

We present the results of a systematic search of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) 2-min cadence data for new rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars observed during the Cycle 2 phase of its mission. We find seven new roAp stars previously unreported as such and present the analysis of a further 25 roAp stars that are already known. Three of the new stars show multiperiodic pulsations, while all new members are rotationally variable stars, leading to almost 70 per cent (22) of the roAp stars presented being $\alpha^2$ CVn-type variable stars. We show that targeted observations of known chemically peculiar stars are likely to overlook many new roAp stars, and demonstrate that multi-epoch observations are necessary to see pulsational behaviour changes. We find a lack of roAp stars close to the blue edge of the theoretical roAp instability strip, and reaffirm that mode instability is observed more frequently with precise, space-based observations. In addition to the Cycle 2 observations, we analyse TESS data for all known roAp stars. This amounts to 18 further roAp stars observed by TESS. Finally, we list six known roAp stars that TESS is yet to observe. We deduce that the incidence of roAp stars amongst the Ap star population is just 5.5 per cent, raising fundamental questions about the conditions required to excite pulsations in Ap stars. This work, coupled with our previous work on roAp stars in Cycle 1 observations, presents the most comprehensive, homogeneous study of the roAp stars in the TESS nominal mission, with a collection of 112 confirmed roAp stars in total.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 32 Pages, 2 Tables, 77 Figure

TESS Cycle 2 observations of roAp stars with 2-min cadence data

We present the results of a systematic search of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) 2-min cadence data for new rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars observed during the Cycle 2 phase of its mission. We find seven new roAp stars previously unreported as such and present the analysis of a further 25 roAp stars that are already known. Three of the new stars show multiperiodic pulsations, while all new members are rotationally variable stars, leading to almost 70 per cent (22) of the roAp stars presented being α2 CVn-type variable stars. We show that targeted observations of known chemically peculiar stars are likely to overlook many new roAp stars, and demonstrate that multi-epoch observations are necessary to see pulsational behaviour changes. We find a lack of roAp stars close to the blue edge of the theoretical roAp instability strip, and reaffirm that mode instability is observed more frequently with precise, space-based observations. In addition to the Cycle 2 observations, we analyse TESS data for all known roAp stars. This amounts to 18 further roAp stars observed by TESS. Finally, we list six known roAp stars that TESS is yet to observe. We deduce that the incidence of roAp stars amongst the Ap star population is just 5.5 per cent, raising fundamental questions about the conditions required to excite pulsations in Ap stars. This work, coupled with our previous work on roAp stars in Cycle 1 observations, presents the most comprehensive, homogeneous study of the roAp stars in the TESS nominal mission, with a collection of 112 confirmed roAp stars in total