Immunization of Arabian sheep with whole gut homogenate of Haemonchus contortus

Ten female lambs of 7-month-old were divided into two equal groups and raised under a helminth-free conditions. Animals in group 1 were immunized two times by whole gut homogenate [WGH] of Haemonchus contortus emulsified in Freund's adjuvant. In group 2 [control], animals were injected by phosphate buffered saline emulsified in the same adjuvant. Animals were challenged by 10000 third-stage larvae [L3] of Haemonchus contortus on day 33 after the first immunization and then humanely killed on day 42. Animals were tested for serum antibody and eggs per gram of faeces [EPG] throughout the study and nematodes in their abomasom were counted after necropsy. The results indicated that animals immunized with WGH showed a higher level of serum antibodies. A significant difference was observed in mean optical density of sera in ELISA between the two groups [P<0.05] and a 77 and 78% reduction in EPG and nematode counts at necropsy, respectively [P<0.05]

[ prevalence of orientodiploproctodaeum diacanthi in protonibea diacanthus of persian gulf]

A brief description of Orientdiploproctodaeum diacanthi and determining its prevalence in Protonibea diacanthus of Persian Gulf. Random Sampling. Thirty one Protonibea diacanthus. Different sizes of spotted croakers were collected in stations of Hendijan, Bahregan and the mouth of Bahmanshir in Persian Gulf. The fishes were transferred to the laboratory, their digestive tract opened and carefully examined for the various types of eaten food. Mean while, some fluks were detected based on the routine staining procedures. The flukes were counted in each fish and some of them sectioned. The collected flukes were diagnosed as Orientodiploproctodaeum diacanthi. 7 out of 31 Protonibea diacanthus were deceted as O.diacanthias. This is the first report of the presence of O. diacanthi in P.diacanthus of Persian Gulf. Infection of such fishes in the Persian Gulf and also some fresh-water fishes by this parasites is possible

Identification of excretory-secretory products from larval stages of Ostertagia circumcincta cultured in vitro by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting

Exsheathing fluid [EF] and excretory-secretory products [ES] of infective third-stage cultured larvae of Ostertagia circumcincta were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. Five and seven predominant proteins were found in the EF and ES products, respectively. Immunoblotting by sheep pre-infection serum did not react with any of the EF and ES proteins, but the post-infection serum recognized four proteins of 44.5, 41.5, 38 and 24 kDa of the ES products. None of the EF products was recognized by the post-infection serum. Protectivity of the four proteins remains to be determined

Diagnosis of experimentally infected sheep hydatidosis through antigen detection in serum and urine, with coagglutination [Co.A] test

To evaluate coagglutination test in the serum and urine of sheep for diagnosing of hydatidosis. Experimental study. Two rabbits, three dogs and nineteen sheep. Ovine hydatid cysts from affected livers and lungs, were collected from Ahwaz abattoir [Khozestan province, Iran]. The hydatid fluid [HF] and protoscolces were aseptically obtained in lab. Hydatid fluid was centrifuged and injected to rabbits in two steps. After then, rabbit hyperimmune sera were collected. Furthermore, each dog was given 15,000 viable protoscoleces. Less than two months later, dogs were autopsied after euthanasia and all Echinococcus granulosus worms were collected and their eggs were released. Almost, 2000 eggs were orally administred to each [N= 13]. The six other sheep were kept as control. All sheep were bled each week and their urine samples were collected fortnight. All sera and urine samples were examined with coagglutination [Co.A] test. While sensitivity of coagglutination test, was nil during five weeks of post-infection [p.i.], its values showed a biphasic pattern. While, it increased up to 23% in the sixth week and after then up to 100% in the 12th and 13th week of p.i. it decreased in the following weeks. Specificity of test was 100% throughout the experiment. While examination of urine in the affected sheep resulted in positive reaction from 6th week of p.i, its sensitivity and the sensitivity gradually increased up to 100% at 12th week of p.i. Furthermore, specificity of the test for urine of non-infected sheep remained 100%. These results suggest that the time of appearance of hydatid antigens in serum and urine is approximately alike. While positive results are very valuable, negative ones do not rule out hydatidosis

[Identification of Monogeneans and their population density impact on Barbus grypus and B. sharpeyi in Karoon River in Ahwaz]

Objectives: identification of Monogeneans and determination of their population density effect an Barbus grypus and B. sharpeyi in the Karoon River in Ahwaz

Design: observational study

Procedure: fish were caught by net, and were identified on the basis of their morphological characteristics and formulas of their scales and teeth. The body surface and mainly branchiae of the fish were searched for Monogeneans. The live or dead Monogeneans were then fixed by amonium picrate. Identification of the Monogeneans was based on the shape and arrangement of hooks and anchors in opisthohaptor and the male reproductive organs

Statistical analysis: analysis of variance [Anova], mean and standard deviation and standard error

Results: identification of Dactylogyncspavlovskyi, D. barbioides, Dogielius persicus,Gyrodactylus sprostonae and Paradiplozoon sp. in Barbus gtypus and D. pavlovskyi , D. barbioides, D. persicus, D. anchoratus and D.carassobarbi in Barbus sharpeyi

Conclusions: it is the first report of the presence of Gyrodactylus sprostonae and Paradiplozoon sp. on B. gtypus in Iran. This survey revealed that the host specificity among these Monogeneans are decreased. Also, the impaction of these parasites population density on both fishes were not significant

retrospective study on onychomycosis in Khoozestan, Iran

To demonstrate the distribution of fungal agents responsible for onychomycosis either directly or indirectly in Khoozestan province, south-west of Iran. A retrospective study was performed on the basis of the mycology laboratory records of the patients referred to the Mycology and Parasitology Center of Khoozestan province, Iran, during a period of 11 years [1987-1997]. Nail samples were collected by clipping and scraping. Direct examinations were performed on all specimens. Sabouraud dextrose agar, Sabouraud with cycloheximide and chloramphenicol were used for culture. A total of 2525 persons examined for nail mycotic infection. Women were affected more than men 72.9% and 27.1% respectively, P<0.01]. Of a total of 1085 positive nail cultures, 866 [79.8%] demonstrated Candida albicans, 84[7.7%] Candida species, 22[2.02%] dermatophytes, and 113 [10.4%] moulds. Of the species causing nail dermatophytosis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the most common [40.9%] whereas of the species causing mould infections, Aspergillus fumigatus was the commonest [38%]. This study showed that Candida albicans might be the most common cause of onychomycosis in Khoozestan, south-west of Iran. A similar situation is observed in neighboring countries