Endoparasites of rodents and their zoonotic importance in Germi, Dashte-Mogan, Ardabil province, Iran

In order to verify the infectivity of rodents with endoparasites in Germi [Dashte-Mogan, Ardabil Province] the current study was undertaken. Using live traps, 177 rodents were trapped during 2005-2007. in field laboratory, all rodents were bled prior to autopsy, frozen at -20[degree sign] C, and shipped to the School of public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. In parasitological laboratory, every rodent was dissected and its different organs were examined for the presence of any parasite. Blood thick and thin smears as well as impression smears of liver and spleen were stained with Geimsa and examined microscopically. Two species of rodents were trapped; Meriones persicus [90.4%] and Microtus socialis [9.6%]. The species of parasites found in M. persicus and their prevalences were as follows: Hymenolepis diminuta [38.8%], Hymenolepis nana [2.5%], Trichuris sp. [40.6], Mesocestoides larva [=tetraptrathyridium] [3.1%], Capillaria hepatica [6.9%], Moniliformis moniliformis [11.3%], Syphacia obvelata [2.5%], Taenia endothoracicus larva [0.6%], Physaloptera sp. [0.6%], Dentostomella translucida [0.6%, Heligmosomum mixtum [0.6%], Strobilocercus fasciolaris [0.6%], and Aspiculuris tetraptera [11.8%]. There were no statistical differences between male and female for infectivity with parasites in either M. persicus or M. socialis. No blood or tissue protozoan parasite was found in any of the rodents examined. Among different species identified, some had zoonotic importance. Therefore, the potential health hazard of these species needs to be considered to prevent infectivity of humans

Comparison of five simple methods for DNA extraction from Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces for PCR-amplification of ribosomal DNA

Cystic hydatid disease is an important zoonosis, affecting humans and animals and is a significant public health and economic problem throughout the world and Iran. Since extraction of DNA from the parasite is a primary and crucial step which has a principal effect on PCR results, in the current study five simple methods for DNA extraction from protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus were applied and compared with each other. After collecting hydatid cysts from an abattoir, DNA samples were extracted from two cyst isolates from sheep, two from goats and two from camels using five different methods involving the use of glass beads, mechanical grinder, freeze-thaw, boiling and crushing. For all DNA samples extracted, one PCR assay based on amplifying rDNA-ITS1 region was performed and amplicons resolved on 1.5% agarose gels. The methods were compared regarding to DNA and PCR bands, time and cost effectiveness and laborious amount. The target DNA was successfully amplified from all samples using all methods produced an expected band size. All methods showed some advantages and disadvantages in PCR gels. The boiling method, which was the most time and cost effectiveness method, achieved the thickest bands in the PCR following grinder, crushing, freeze-thaw and glass beads. Boiling and crushing methods were the most suitable methods regarding their amplicon quality, easiness, quickness and cost effectiveness

Ectoparasites of rodents captured in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran

Rodents play important role as hot of ectoparasites and reservoir of different zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to asses the infestation of commensal rodents with ectoparasites in Bandar Abbas, a port city located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf in Iran. Rodents were captured using live traps during the study period in year 2007. after transferring the rodents to the laboratory, they were identified and then their ectoparasites were collected and mounted for species identification using appropriate systematic keys. A total of 77 rodents were identified including Rattus norvegicus [74%], R. rattus [16.9%], Mus musculus [7.8%] and one hamster. Among all rodents, 40.3% were found infested with ectoparasites. A total of 6 ectoparasites were collected comprising flea, lice, mite and tick. Two species fleas; Xenopsylaa cheopis and X. astia were identified with higher index of X. astia. Two genera of ticks including Hyalomma sp. And Rhipicephalus sp. Were identified. Laelaps nuttalli was the only mite found. The Polyplax spinulosa was considered as lice ectoparasite. Among all arthropods collected, flea and lice had the most and the least frequency, respectively. Nearly all rodent species were infested with Xenopsylla. These fleas are important due to their role in plague and murine ty-phus transmission. Ticks are important due to their role in CCHF [Crimean-Cong Hemorrhagic Fever], theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis transmission. Monitoring of ectoparaiste infestation is important for preparedness and early warning preparation for possible control of arthropod-borne diseases