Evaluation of the effects of Zataria multiflora, Geranium elargonium, Myrth and Lemon essences on immune system function in experimental animals

The effects of some Iranian herbal essences have been evaluated on the function of immune system using experimental animals. Rabbits received Zataria multiflora, Geranium pelargonium, Myrth, Lemon essences and normal saline [control group], 6 times with 6 days of interval. Five days after the last injection of the essences, Candida albicans antigens were injected into all the animals. Phagocytosis and killing assays and lymphocyte transformation test [LTT] were carried out on blood samples. The cellular immunity was significantly stimulated against C. albicans antigens and Con-canavalin A [Con-A] mitogen in animals that injected subcutaneously with Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium in comparison with the control group, whereas Myrth essence had no considerable effect and Lemon essence suppressed the cellular responses. Zataria multiflora, Myrth and Lemon essences stimulated innate immunity when injected subcutaneously, whereas G. pelargonium essence had no significant effect. Humoral responses to Candida antigens were significantly decreased in animals injected with Lemon essence as compared to other essences [p < 0.05]

Identification of Isolated fungi from different lesions of birds with aspergillosis referred to mycology research center, faculty of veterinary medicine, university of Tehran [1991-2003]

In this study, the samples of 263 birds suspected to Aspergillosis were examined by direct microscopy, culture and histopathological methods. Of 263 affected birds, 185[85.3%], 23[79.3%], and 12[70.6%]were infected to pulmonary, ocular, and skin Aspergillosis, respectively. The most frequent aspergillus species were A.fumigatus[70.4%], and then A.flavus[22.7%], A.niger[3.6%], A.terreus[2.3%], and A.ustus[0.9%]. Chickens were the most affected birds[85%]. Aspergillus flavus was the most frequent pathogenic isolate in canary[61.5%]. Young birds were most involved with pulmonary lesions[96.1%], whereas the ocular and skin lesions were mainly observed in adults. Regarding to high prevalence of different Aspergillus species in the environment and contaminated feedstuffs, it should be considered to plan a program to prevent the growth of these pathogens in breeding poultry

[Isolation of toxigenic and nontoxigenic fungi from feedstuffs referred to the center of mycology]

Objective: identification of toxigenic and nontoxigenic fungi agents isolated from feedstuffs, understudy

Design: laboratory study

Samples: nineteen different samples of feedstuffs such as corn, oat, and silage, concentrated feed fat powder etc

Procedure: after processing of the samples, they were cultured [using inoculation and streak culture methods] on sabouraud glucose agar containing chloramphenicol, potato glucose agar, czapek-dox agar and rosebangal agar media under standard laboratory technical conditions

Statistical analysis: chi-square and t-test. Results: The most frequent isolated fungi were: Aspergillus [63/2%], Penicillium [36/8%], Mucor [3 116%] and Cladosporium [26/3%], respectively. According to the colony counts, Fusarium colonies were the most abundantly isolated from silage and concentrated Feeds [l18 colonies].Among the isolated Aspergillus species, A. fumigatus [l8.5%], A. Jms [35.9%], A.niger [25.9%] and A. sPP [29.6%] were identified. There was a significant difference between Aspergillus and the other fungi. These differences were significant, respect to suspected toxigenic and nontoxigenic species, as well. It means that toxigenic species were isolated more significantly than nontoxigenic agents

Conclusion: with attention to presence of toxigenic fungi on the feeds, it should be considered to plan a program for identifying fungi [spacial1y toxigenic fungi ] in different feedstuffs .After this step, in order to hygienic control of fungi on feeds, it is necessary to design some programs into the future