One-humped camel [camelus dromedarius] infestation with linguatula serrata in Tabriz, Iran

Linguatula serrata is one of well known members of Pentastomida which infects both human and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of L. serrata in mesenteric lymph nodes, livers and lungs of camels slaughtered in Tabriz area, Iran. Mesenteric lymph nodes [MLNs], livers and lungs of 140 one-humped camels slaughtered in Tabriz, north-west of Iran were investigated for nymphs of L. serrata from July 2007 to June 2008. The organs were examined macroscopically and then a tissue digestion method was also done for investigation of liver and lung of the camels that had infected MLN. The liver and lung samples were mostly taken from condemned and rejected part of organs. The infection rate of L. serrata nymphs in MLNs, livers and lungs was 13.5%, 1.4% and 1.4% respectively. The number of isolated nymph in infected lymph nodes varied from 2 to 18 with a mean of 4.78. Only one nymph was isolated from each infected livers and lungs. The infection rate increased with age [p<0.05]. No significant difference in different sex groups and seasons was observed [p>0.05]. Considering this fact that consumption of undercooked camel liver was not common in the studied area, the zoonotic importance of this infection should be concluded

effects of oral administration of ascorbic acid on serum gamma globulin concentrations of neonatal calves

The effect of ascorbic acid [vitamin C] on the immune system is well-known. Ascorbic acid stimulates either humoral or cell-mediated immunity in many species. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of ascorbic acid on serum gamma-globulin concentration of colostrum-fed newborn calves. During a cold winter season, 20 dairy Holstein calves from a group of 40 calves were supplemented with ascorbic acid from birth to 3 weeks of age [treatment]. The other 20 calves did not receive any ascorbic acid supplementation [control]. Ascorbic acid was administered per os and treatment was as follows: 3 g/day for the first week, 2 g/day for the second week, and 1 g/day for the third week. All calves were housed in elevated metal pens during the winter and at low temperature from birth to 60 days of age. Serum samples were collected immediately after birth, before taking colostrum and on the 2nd, 14th and 28th days of age via jugular vein. There was no significant difference in serum-gamma globulin concentrations for the two groups before taking colostrum and at 2 and 14 days of age. The serum gamma-globulin concentration of the supplemented group at 28 days of age was significantly higher than that of calves not receiving ascorbic acid. The results of the present study showed that oral administration of ascorbic acid increases gamma-globulin concentration of neonatal calf serum

New concepts on limiting factors of ovine and caprine malignant theileriosis [OCMT] in Iran

In spite of presence of the vector ticks and susceptible hosts of Ovine Malignant Theileriosis in all parts of Iran, the endemic areas of the disease are restricted to certain foci in the South and center of the country. Finding the reason of this point, this study was conducted in seven experiments to transmit Theileria lestoquardi from carrier sheep to susceptible host by Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The carrier sheep were collected from three different areas including Fars, Ham and Tehran provinces and the vector ticks were collected from Fars. Ilam and Urmia. The results showed that the ticks from non-endemic areas could potentially transmit the parasite. Therefore the assumption that the restricted foci of the disease are due to adaptation of the parasite in the endemic areas to the local vector tick is not much valid. It may be concluded that in some areas [non-endemic] the limiting factor is low temperature and in the others, the extreme high temperature that reduce tick ratio per animal. Ovine and Caprine Malignant Theileriosis [OCMT] occurs in certain foci of Iran with a mean annual temperature between 20 - 25°C. The clinical signs and the variation of parasitemia were recorded in the experimentally infected animals