Identification of theileria species in sheep in the eastern half of Iran using nested PCR-RFLP and microscopic techniques

Theileria species are common in tropical and subtropica regions and cause great economical losses in ruminants. Two species, T. lestoquardi and T. ovis, are suspected to cause ovine theileriosis in Iran. The epidemiological aspects of ovine theileriosis in Iran are poorly understood and further investigations by sensitive and precise techniques are required. In a previous study, a sensitive and specific PCR-RFLP method was used for the identification of Theileria spp. in sheep. In the present study, Theileria species involved in ovine theileriosis were determined in five different regions in eastern half of Iran [Zabol, Lar, Ferdows, Semnan and Gorgan]. Blood samples were collected in EDTa. Of 220 blood samples obtained from sheep in different regions, 60% [132.220] were positive for Theileria spp. by nested-PCR compared with 22.27% different regions, 60% [132.220] were positive for Theileria spp. by nested-PCR compare with 22.27% [49.220] by microscopic examination. Using RFLP of PCR products, out of 132 positive blood samples, 55.3% [73.132] were positive for T. lestoquardi and 44.7% [59.132] were positive for T.ovis. The infection with these two Theileria species in different areas is compared in the article. This is the first report in which ovine theileriosis has been studied in different regions in Iran using molecular identification techniques

Serological study of Neospora caninum in pregnant dairy cattle in Tehran, Iran

Seven hundred and sixty-eight blood samples of pregnant cattle from four Holstein dairy herds that are farmed in the vicinity of Tehran were used to evaluate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Two hundred and ninety-eight of the 768 blood samples [38.8%] were positive for this infection. The prevalence of infection in the herds varied from 18.7% to 65.1%. The abortion rate in seropositive and seronegative animals was 20.67% and 10.11%, respectively. Thus, the risk of abortion was approximately double the rate in seropositive cows [p<0.0005]. There was a high correlation between the infection rate and the age in one herd. In other three herds, no significant correlation was found between infection rate and age. This is the first extended study with regards to the rate of Neospora caninum infection in pregnant cattle in the vicinity of Tehran

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

Identification of tick species of dermacentor in some localities of Iran

This study conducted during 3 years period [2002-2004]. Tick sampling was randomly carried out from domestic animals during seasonal activity of ticks from six provinces of Iran. 2170 ticks from 151 cattle, 629 sheep, 336 goats and 32 camels were collected proin 30 prosseces with a mean number of 1.9 tick per animal. 209 Dermacentor ticks collected from six provinces [Kordestan, Ardebil, East Azarbaiejan, Zanjan, Khorasan and Semnan] that included 23% of collected tick population in those provinces. The diversity of Dermacentor is restricted to three species; D.niveus [50%], D.marginatus [27%] and D.raskemensis [23%]. The maximum occurance of D.raskemensis, D.niveus, D. marginatus, were occurred in provinces of Semnan, Khorasan and Kordestan, respectively. It can be concluded that livestock had almost different pattern of tick species in any localities thus distribution of D.raskemensis ,D.niveus, D. marginatus, has been confirmed this matter

Preliminary study on virulence of some isolates of entomopathogenic fungi in different developmental stages of Boophilus annulatus in Iran

To evaluate the virulance of 11 isolates of native entomopathogenic fungi as biocontrol agent of Boophilus annulatus, in this study, 4 three months old calves were used for tick rearing. 7 Different developmental stages of the ticks, Boophilus annulatus were inoculated by 10 conidia/ml dilution of the fungal isolates in the presence of control groups. The mortality, egg hatchability and reproductive efficiency were determined in different treatments and control groups and the results were analized statisticaly. Metarhizium anisopliae strains DEMI001 and IRAN437C, Beauveria bassiana strain IRAN403C, and Lecanicillium psalliotae strain IRAN468C were the most virulent strains in comparison with their relative strains and caused 80 -100%, 20 - 80%, 0 - 40% and 0- 40% mortality for engorged females respectively. All 11 tested fungi reduced egg laying capability of the ticks several days before their death. The obtained data showed that the entomopathogenic fungi can affect all developmental stages of Boophilus annulatus, but their efficiency varies considerably according to the fungal species and strains. It is demonstrated for the first time the pathogenic effect of Lecanicillium psalliotae against Boophilus annulatus

Performance of medicinal plants in the field of anticoccidial drugs

Coccidiosis is an infection of the intestinal tract caused by protozoan coccidial parasites of the genus Eimeria. A wide rang of vertebrates, can be infected and it is especially prevalent when animals or birds are grouped together in significant numbers. The development of the broiler industry in the 1940s required the urgent availability of Anticoccidial compounds. Intensive screening activities by several companies soon produced a range of medicines that were effective in the control of coccidia. Increasing resistance of coccidia to anticoccidial drugs currently used by the poultry industry has stimulated the search for new method of control. As part of this effort have investigated medicinal plants as a potential source of compounds with anticoccidial activity. This paper reviews about 35 types of anticoccidial medicinal plant and herbal drugs from 1940 until now. These studies indicate that a Larg number of herbal preparations with anticoccidiol proprieties and futher more with stimulation of the imniune system or production of mucus fajer in intestines are very effective in control of coccidiosis