Molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis in sheep and goat in west highland pasture of Iran

Objective To determine the prevalence of Anaplasma marginale (A. marginale) and Anaplasma ovis from sheep and goat in different highland pasture in west of Iran. Methods From July 2015 to October 2015, 370 blood samples of sheep and goat were collected from different regions in Hamedan province, Iran. The DNA extracted from blood and subsequently, 16S rRNA and MSP4 genes were analyzed by nested-PCR, semi nested-PCR and RFLP methods. Results In the PCR assessment, overall 27.5% (102/370) of sheep and goat were positive for Anaplasma ovis and A. marginale infection, which was lower than reports from tropical and subtropical regions of Iran. Statistical analysis (the Chi-square test) did not show any significant relation between infection and variables such as location, tick infestation age and sex (P > 0.05). No significant correlation between the altitude and the Anaplasma species infection was found (Mann–Whitney test: P > 0.05). However, Anaplasma infection in goat significantly is more than the sheep (P = 0.008). Conclusions The ecological changes affect the frequency and distribution of Anaplasma species. Furthermore, our results indicate that sheep as potential reservoirs of A. marginale.

gene expression level of IFN-gammaR1 and IFN-gammaR2 in a murine model treated with Toxoplasma gondii and its products

Aim: To evaluate the effect of active T. gondii tachyzoites and its products on the gene expression level of IFN-gammaR1 and IFN-gammaR2 in a murine model

Background: Many studies have shown that the parasite Toxoplasma gondii utilizes different mechanisms to inhibit the function of IFN-gamma, but the parasite effect on the function of IFN-gammaR1 and IFN-gammaR2 is still unclear

Patients and methods: Toxoplasma lysate product [TLP], excretory/secretory products [ESPs] obtained from cell free and cell culture media as well as active tachyzoites were injected separately to their respective group each consisted of 10 BALB/c mice. One control group of 10 mice received phosphate buffered saline [PBS]. All of the mice were euthanized three days after the last injection and then their peritoneal leukocytes were harvested separately. The total RNA was extracted from the samples, converted to cDNA, and the gene expression level of IFN-gammaR1 and IFN-gammaR2 was assessed in all of the treated groups relative to the control one

Results: There was no significant difference between each of the treated groups relative to the control group concerning the gene expression level of IFN-gammaR2 [P> 0.05]. Furthermore, the gene expression level of IFN-gammaR1 in two groups of TLP [P= 0.04] and ESP obtained from cell free medium [P= 0.008] showed a significant difference relative to the control group

Conclusion: Findings of this study revealed a new aspect of host-T. gondii interaction in that this parasite is able to downregulate IFN-gammaR1 to reduce the IFN-gamma effects on the infected cell

Helminth infections of house mouse [mus musulus] and wood mouse [apodemus sylvaticus] from the suburban areas of Hamadan city, Western Iran

To determine the prevalence and intensity of helminths and their zoonotic importance in small rodents inhabiting in the suburban areas of Hamadan City, Iran. The present survey was conducted on the helminth infections of two species of rodents Apodemus sylvaticus [n=60] and Mus musculus[n=72] in the suburban areas of Hamadan City during 2010-2012. Rodents were collected and examined for helminth in the different organs. The nematodes were collected in 5% formalin solution and cleared in lactophenol, cestodes and trematodes collected from intestine fixed in AFA solution and stained by acetocarmine, cleared in xylol for identification. Helminths found in A. sylvaticus and M. musculus and their prevalence for the first time in suburban areas of Hamadan City were as follows; In A. sylvaticus: Cysticercus fasciolaris[3.33%], Syphacia fredrici[26.67%], S. stroma[8.33%], Anoplocephalidae sp. [1.67%], Skrjabinotaenia lobata[5%], Plagiorchis muris[1.67%] and in M. musculus: Hymenolepis nana [16.67%], H. diminuta [5.55%], S. obvelata[30.56%], S. ohtarom [9.72%], Rodentolepis crassa [1.39%], C. fasciolaris [1.39%]. Among 11 species in two rodents 4 species including S. obvelata, H. nana, H. diminuta, and P. muris have zoonotic importance. Statistically the relation between gender and their helminth infections was not significant in either M. musculus or A. sylvaticus [P>0.05]. This study reports 11 species of helminths and on the other hand 3 species were identified for the first time in Iran and 5 species of them have potential health importance for public health and cat

Frequency of blood-tissue parasitic infections in patients with multiple sclerosis, as compared to their family members

Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which has been identifies more prevalent in economically developed countries than in the developing countries. Low prevalence of parasitic infections [which can activate immune response and prevent or modulate damage to host antigens] in these areas is among the possible responsible factors for such a difference. In this study we aimed to compare frequency of blood-tissue parasitic infections in patients with MS, as compared to their healthy family members. This study was conducted on 50 relapsing remitting MS patients and 50 family members attending MS clinic at Alzahra Hospital. IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma gondii were measured. Given the high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan, all the participants were also examined for protozoan leishmania microscopically. Furthermore malaria parasite was investigated. Eighteen patients and 24 healthy family members had positive test in IgG Toxoplasma gondii[P = 0.09]. In both groups, there was no positive IgM Toxoplasma gondii. In investigating leishmania, only 3 participants in the case group and 2 in the control tested positive [P = 0.25]. No case of malaria was found among the participants. Our results showed a mismatch with hygiene hypotheses examined. However, considering that the prevalence of parasites varies with time, and depends on numerous epidemiological factors; these results do not discredit the theory investigated

[ factors relevant to the onset of vascular complications after coronary intervention in Shahid Rajaei cardiovascular Center in Tehran, Iran]

Vascular complications, as the most common complications of diagnostic catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], are important factors in the morbidity of patients undergoing such procedures; thus, this study was done to evaluate the prevalence of these complications and their related factors. This is a descriptive study composed of 2097 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention in Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Center in Tehran, Iran from January 2008 to January 2009. Occurrence of vascular complications in course of hospitalization and the related factors leading to the complications were investigated. Out of 2097 patients, 1544 [73.6%] were male and 553 [26.4%] were female, and the mean age of the participants was 57 +/- 10 years. Vascular complications from the time of PCI to the time discharge were observed in 19 [0.9%] patients. The other complications included: hematoma in 10 cases [52.6%], pseudoaneurysm in five cases [26.3%], retroperitoneal hemorrhage and arteriovenous fistula in 2 [10.5%] patients each. The complications were significantly more common in female patients [P=0.003], in patients with a history of hypertension [P=0.02], people of shorter stature [P=0.004], and being on gp IIIa/IIb inhibitors [P=0.003]. The rate of vascular complications post-percutaneous coronary interventions is low and it is considered to be a good treatment option for patients with coronary stenosis; provided that sufficient compression is applied on the vascular access point in the right time after removal of the arterial sheath. PCI is of fewer vascular complications, especially in female patients, history of hypertension, and higher anticoagulant concentrations

Development of a latex agglutination test as a simple and rapid method for diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection

Trichomoniasis is a worldwide infection and due to its complications rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection especially in pregnant women is very important. In this study, development of a latex agglutination test using native antigens for rapid diagnosis of trichomoniasis is investigated. Trichomonas vaginalis was harvested from TYIS33 culture medium and anti Trichomonas vaginalis antiserum was raised in rabbits. Salt precipitation method was used for antibody purification. Polyesteren latex particles coated with purified antibody and used for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clinical samples of vaginal discharge were collected from 500 women and examined or Trichomonas vaginalis by using wet mount, culture and latex agglutination test was 100% and 81% and those of wet mount were 33.3% and 100%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values of latex agglutination tested were 6% and 100%, respectively. Due to inconvenient sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test developed in this study, further work is recommended to improve the test

[ epidemiologic study on hearing standard threshold shift using audiometric data and noise level among workers of Isfahan metal industry]

Standard threshold shifts [STS] as an important indicator for identifying hearing loss in industries that they perform hearing conservation programs. The aim of this study is the investigation of the occurrence of standard threshold shift [STS] among workers of Isfahan metal industry using audiometric data and noise measurement level. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that performed among 2016 of workers in Isfahan Metal Industry. All of subjects were men and the rate of using personal protective equipment among workers were sometime= 189, often=865 and always=962. At the first we determined the parts of plant that exposed to non permissible noise level and then measured exposure to 8 hour equivalent noise level. Finally in regard to basic audiometric and current audiometric, the occurrences of STS were examined. This study showed that 29.9% of workers have a STS in these workplaces. There are significance relationship between age, exposure time, noise level, wearing time and number of workers with STS. But there is no relation between precedence of work and STS statistically. Findings of this study indicated that occurrences of STS among workers exposed to noise are high. Thus, it is concluded that hearing conservation programs in these industries was unsuccessful