ABSTRACT
Purpose: to investigate the histopathological aspect of the tissue in pigeons infected with parasites
Materials and Methods: pigeons were naturally infected with oocyst, worm ova and arthropod. This study was conducted from February to September 2013, on 125 [net trapped] wild pigeons living freely in the old obstructed tunnel [Rano] and rocks of Zakros Mountain, located on the road between Ilam and Aivan city, South West of Ilam province, Iran. Gizzard, liver, spleen, pancreas, esophagus, intestine, proventriculus, and tracheal glands were separated and preserved. Fresh fecal samples were examined and the Egg per gram was counted. Randomly, different tissues of 15 birds were collected and preceded in Hematoxylin and Eosin for a histopathological study. The birds were checked for ectoparasites
Results: degenerative changes in the epithelial tissues of the esophageal and proventriculus glands as well as destructive changes in the esophagus, duodenum and cecum of infected pigeons were evaluated. A massive congestion was seen in the tissue of pancreas and trachea. The prevalence of Raillietina spp, Tetramers, Syngamus, Capillaria, Ascaridia columbae, oocyst of protozoa, Phthiraptera, Ceratophy llus Columbae contamination and multiples infection were 29%, 5%, 8%, 15%, 4%, 8%, 2%, 5% and 24%, respectively. Collected ectoparasites included feather lice [Phthiraptera] and pigeon fleas [Ceratophyllus Columbae]
Conclusion: the prevalence of different parasites in wild pigeons is somewhat different from racing and domestic pigeons in the same area, whereas it might be due to having different immune responses. Paras ite infection could have some histopathological effects on different tissues, though few such reports exist to the best of our knowledge
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the blood donors has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in blood products. A total of 250 blood products [112 fresh frozen plasma and 138 packed cells] in the Blood Transfusion Institute, Shiraz, Iran were tested for specific T. gondii antibodies [IgG and IgM] by ELISA method in 2013. Positive IgG anti-T. gondii samples were further tested for IgM anti-T. gondii antibody. A positive IgG test with the negative and positive IgM test was interpreted as a chronic and acute toxoplasmosis respectively. The relationship of jobs, blood types, sex, marital status and residency of participants with chronic toxoplasmosis prevalence were statistically analyzed by x[2]- Of 250 samples, 58 [23.2%] and one were positive for IgG anti-T. T. gondii [chronic] and IgM anti-T. T. gondii [acute] antibodies levels respectively. Twenty nine [25.9%] of fresh frozen plasma [FFP] samples were positive for IgG anti-T. gondiii and 1[0.89%] of them was positive for IgM anti-T. gondiii antibody. Thirty [21.74%] of packed cell samples were positive for IgG anti-T. gondii antibody. The prevalence of chronic toxoplasmosis was significantly higher in workers, farmers, house wives, unemployed and free jobs [P=0.007] people with low education levels [P=0.035] and B type of blood ABO system [P=0.0001]. How- ever, there were no significant differences regarding to age, sex, marital status, residency and type of blood products There were chronic and acute toxoplasmosis in blood products and the prevalence of toxoplasmosis especially chronic form was high. Therefore screening of blood for T gondii antibodies may be considered