RESUMEN
Feline herpesvirus 1 [FeHV-1] and feline calicivirus [FCV], associated with upper respiratory tract disease, are highly prevalent in cats worldwide. With the aim of investigating the importance of FeHV-1 in a population of cats, samples were taken in a hospital in Ahvaz, south-west Iran, between June 2007 and June 2008. Oropharyngeal, nasal and ocular swabs were collected from 65 domestic cats, including 52 stray and 13 household animals and were tested for the presence of FeHV-1 DNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The overall prevalence rate of FeHV-1 was 35.38%. There was a statistically significant association between the prevalence rate of FeHV-1 and the presence of respiratory signs. High prevalence of FeHV-1 infection strengthens the importance of applying hygienic and preventive measures in cats in the study area
RESUMEN
The effects of two Iranian medicinal plants including Zataria multiflora and Geranium pelargonium were evaluated on growth-inhibiting of some toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus and Fusarium verticillioides. In this study, standard Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium essential oils [EOs] were diluted in 0.01% dimethyl sulfoxide. Different dilutions of Z. multiflora [500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm] and G. pelargonium EOs [1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 ppm] along with 0.1 ml of each fungal suspension were inoculated onto sabouraud glucose agar and incubated at 25 [degree sign] C for 7 days. Zataria multiflora [>/= 2000 ppm] and G. pelargonium [>/= 8000 ppm] EOs completely inhibited all the tested fungi. Aspergillus species were more susceptible than F. verticillioides to two EOs. The EOs considerably exhibited inhibitory effects against these important toxigenic fungi and their different concentrations demonstrated various degrees of growth inhibition. This study showed inhibitory effects of Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium EOs against some toxigenic fungi including A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus and F. verticillioides