Biopathologic Characterization of Three Mixed Poultry Eimeria spp. Isolates

Background: Coccidiosis of domestic fowl, caused by species of the Genus Eimeria, is responsi­ble for important economic losses in poultry production. Because different species and/or strains can vary in pathogenicity and other biological parameters, their precise characteriza­tion is important for epizootiological studies.Methods: Fifty samples from litter, whole intestinal tract and feces were collected from poul­try houses located in different provinces of Iran. One hundred twenty male day-old broi­ler chicks were challenged with three selected isolates. Data on weight gain, Food Conversion Ratio (FCR), food intake, lesion scoring and shedding of oocysts per gram of feces were rec­orded and analyzed by the Duncan's test.Results: In all treatments, the challenged groups had statistically significant lower weight gain than that of unchallenged control group. Isolate three caused the lowest weight gain and food intake and the worst lesion score as well as FCR. Despite originating from close geographi­cal regions for isolates 1 and 2, the difference in biopathologic factors may be either due to different proportion of identified species or the different pathogenicity of the species present in the isolates.Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of considering various species of Eimeria in designing the preventive, control and treatment strategies to prevent coccidiosis in different regions of Iran. Further characterization of each isolate would be the next step to provide a basis for coccidiosis research with well-characterized local isolates

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum Infection in Rural and Industrial Cattle in Northern Iran

Background: Neospora caninum is an intracellular parasite which causes abortion in cattle worldwide.  The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle in Babol City, North of Iran."nMethods: Blood samples were collected from 237 cattle for determining the seroprevalence of N.  caninum.  A total of 237 serum samples were tested for anti-Neospora antibodies.  Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies against N. caninum antigen using a commercial N. caninum ELISA kit."nResults: Antibodies to N. caninum were found in 76 of 237 total cattle (32%), 40 of 155 industrial cat­tle (25. 8%) and 36 of 82 rural cattle sera (43. 9%) based on ELISA test results."nConclusion: This study is the first report of Neospora infection in this area.  Significant difference was observed regarding infection in industrial and rural cattle (P<0. 01)

Flea Infestation in Farm Animals and Its Health Implication

Background: Most fleas infest their host temporarily then pass to another of the same kind, while others move from one to a different host species. Although the comprehensive list of fleas reported from Iran, but there still exists considerable gap in our knowledge of zoonotic aspect of flea infestation. The present study was undertaken to determine correlation between domestic animals and man as host of fleas. Methods: The questionnaires on the base of flea infestation of animals flock and animal care- man were prepared and distributed to veterinary stations of all provinces. A total of 553 questionnaires sheets and 168 flea samples were collected from sixteen provinces. Results: One hundred fifty six specimens of Pulex irritans were collected from sheep, goats, cattle, chicken and human, which consisted of 92.8% of all recovered fleas. Chickens infested by three species of fleas including Pulex irritans (84.6%), Ctenocephalides canis (12.9%) and Ceratophilus gallinae (2.5%). Two hundred and eighty nine cases of animal and 244 cases of human infestation were recorded among the suspicious populations, the most prevalence of infestation was found in sheep and goat herds whilst chicken flocks infested with the"nlowest rate and cattle were infested moderately. The major health problem was occurred in farmers, animal care-men and their relatives. The observations showed they had different skin reactions to flea&apos;s bites. Conclusion: The results showed that fleas are approximately a widespread parasite of farm animals and it seems that they may play an important role in occurring of zoonotic infestation in Iran. Keywords: Flea, Farm animal, Human, Iran

Atopic dermatitis characteristics and medication-use patterns in school-age children with AD and asthma symptoms

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma often coexist. Both diseases can have a major impact on the lives of children with AD and their caregivers. Aim: To investigate the association of patient characteristics, comorbidities and impact of AD on children who have both asthma and AD. Methods: Children with AD (n = 140) were selected from a larger cohort of children with a reported use of asthma medication. The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was used to assess Quality of Life (QoL), and the Self-Assessed Eczema Area and Severity Index (SA-EASI) was used to measure AD severity. Characteristics assessed included: age, sex, and the number and type of atopic comorbidities. Medication use for AD was defined using the total number of AD prescriptions, the number of different topical AD prescriptions and the highest potency topical corticosteroid (TCS) used. Determinants of AD severity and QoL were evaluated using Spearman rank tests. Results: The following factors were most strongly associated with a lower QoL: characteristics of AD lesions (Spearman Rs = 0.61–0.69, P < 0.01), a higher SA-EASI score (Rs = 0.54, P < 0.01) and a larger number of different topical AD prescriptions (Rs = 0.38, P < 0.01). The following factors were correlated with more severe AD: age (Rs = −0.36, P < 0.01), larger number of different TCS preparations used (Rs = 0.27, P < 0.05) and larger number of TCS prescriptions (Rs = 0.25, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In children with asthma and AD, the number of TCS preparations used is associated with lower QoL and increased AD severity

Atopic dermatitis characteristics and medication-use patterns in school-age children with AD and asthma symptoms

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma often coexist. Both diseases can have a major impact on the lives of children with AD and their caregivers. AimTo investigate the association of patient characteristics, comorbidities and impact of AD on children who have both asthma and AD. MethodsChildren with AD (n = 140) were selected from a larger cohort of children with a reported use of asthma medication. The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was used to assess Quality of Life (QoL), and the Self-Assessed Eczema Area and Severity Index (SA-EASI) was used to measure AD severity. Characteristics assessed included: age, sex, and the number and type of atopic comorbidities. Medication use for AD was defined using the total number of AD prescriptions, the number of different topical AD prescriptions and the highest potency topical corticosteroid (TCS) used. Determinants of AD severity and QoL were evaluated using Spearman rank tests. ResultsThe following factors were most strongly associated with a lower QoL: characteristics of AD lesions (Spearman R-s = 0.61-0.69, P <0.01), a higher SA-EASI score (R-s = 0.54, P <0.01) and a larger number of different topical AD prescriptions (R-s = 0.38, P <0.01). The following factors were correlated with more severe AD: age (R-s = -0.36, P <0.01), larger number of different TCS preparations used (R-s = 0.27, P <0.05) and larger number of TCS prescriptions (R-s = 0.25, P <0.05). ConclusionIn children with asthma and AD, the number of TCS preparations used is associated with lower QoL and increased AD severit

Atopic dermatitis characteristics and medication-use patterns in school-age children with AD and asthma symptoms

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma often coexist. Both diseases can have a major impact on the lives of children with AD and their caregivers. AIM: To investigate the association of patient characteristics, comorbidities and impact of AD on children who have both asthma and AD. METHODS: Children with AD (n = 140) were selected from a larger cohort of children with a reported use of asthma medication. The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was used to assess Quality of Life (QoL), and the Self-Assessed Eczema Area and Severity Index (SA-EASI) was used to measure AD severity. Characteristics assessed included: age, sex, and the number and type of atopic comorbidities. Medication use for AD was defined using the total number of AD prescriptions, the number of different topical AD prescriptions and the highest potency topical corticosteroid (TCS) used. Determinants of AD severity and QoL were evaluated using Spearman rank tests. RESULTS: The following factors were most strongly associated with a lower QoL: characteristics of AD lesions (Spearman Rs= 0.61-0.69, P < 0.01), a higher SA-EASI score (Rs= 0.54, P < 0.01) and a larger number of different topical AD prescriptions (Rs= 0.38, P < 0.01). The following factors were correlated with more severe AD: age (Rs= -0.36, P < 0.01), larger number of different TCS preparations used (Rs= 0.27, P < 0.05) and larger number of TCS prescriptions (Rs= 0.25, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In children with asthma and AD, the number of TCS preparations used is associated with lower QoL and increased AD severity