[ survey on Ornithobilharzia turkestanicum infection rate of sheep in Shadegan]

To determine the prevalence of Ornithobilharziosis among native sheep in the Shadegan area [Khuzestan province] and its intermediate host. Cross sectional study. One thousand and three hundred sheep and 1321 conical snails. One thousand sheep faecal samples were collected and examined with different parasitological methods. In this study the Shadegan area was divided into 20 clusters. Faecal specimens were examined by clayton lane, flotation in saturated salt and zinc sulfate solution for detecting parasite eggs. Furthermore, 300 sheep mesenteries were studied in slaughterhouse. Out of 1300 studied sheep 14.1% had infection. Meanwhile, many snails were collected from these areas. These snails were identified as Lymnea gedrosiana, Physa sp. and Melanoides sp. For the first time we introduced the Shadegan as one of the main foci of Ornithobilharzia in Iran. This status is due to the satisfactory climate [humidity and fresh water] in marsh and rivers and presence of snail as a suitable intermediate host and excessive final host [sheep, goat, cattle, buffalo, donkey, boar]

Study of different immunogenic antigens of echinococcus granulosus on immunization against hydatid cyst in sheep

Immunogenicity of Echinococcus granulosus different antigens for determination of suitabhe antigen for production of hydatid cyst vaccine compared.Data analysis by one way Cocran and student-test was showed significant difference in optical density between the groups were injected with antigens and the control groups. The most optical density is in the groups were injected by mix of oncosphere and protoscolex and the lowest is in the groups were injected by protoscolex [p < 0.05]. Furthermore, in pathology study, there was not any cyst in injected groups, but in control groups high number and big fertile cysts were founded. The level of protection with antigens of protoscolexes, onchospheres and mix of them were, 50.2,72 and 82% respectively. Vacination by a mix of oncosphere and protoscolex was considerably more effective than each one individually and prevented the hnfection of hydatid cyst with confidence level of 95% [p < 0.05]. So these antigens can produce a suitable immune response and can use for production of vaccine against hydatid cyst

efficacy of inactivated oil-emulsion H9N2 avian influenza vaccine

An experimental inactivated oil-emulsion H9N2 avian influenza vaccine was formulated with 3 parts of inactivated avian influenza antigen A/Chicken/lran/101/1998[H9N2] emulsified in 7 parts of oil adjuvant. Twelve week-old specific pathogen-free [SPF] chickens were divided into seven groups of 10 birds. Six groups were vaccinated with 1, 1/10th, 1/50th, 1/100th, 1/200th and 1/400th field dose of the experimental avian influenza vaccine [EAIV]. The last group, was injected with saline and served as the control group. The mean titer in haemagglutination inhibition [HI] test [log 2] on the vaccinated groups, 21 days post-vaccination were 6.0, 4.4, 3.83, 3.3, 3.0 and 2, respectively. Prevention of virus shedding through cloaca was used as the potency test which revealed that the protective doses 50% [PD50] of full, 1/10th and 1/50th of the field dose of the experimental vaccine were 100, 100 and 96.25%, respectively. Those groups that received <1/50th dose could not prevent virus shedding. So it can be concluded that EAI vaccine could even be entirely protective and efficient in 1/10th dose and got a desirable immunity in experimental SPF chickens