Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dairy cattle in Tabriz, northwest Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of antibody to Neospora caninum in healthy and aborted dairy cattle in Tabriz, capital of East-Azarbaijan in northwest of Iran. In this cross-sectional study serum samples were collected from 266 healthy and aborted Holestein-Feriesisnc cows from September 2008 to August 2009. The sera were analyzed to detect of antibody against N. caninum using the commercially ELISA kit. Seroprevalence of antibody to N. caninum was 10.5% in Tabriz dairy cattle. Also the abortion rate in all cattle sampled was 33.6% but percentage of seropositive aborted cattle was 18.4%. Neosporosis could be one of the possible causes of abortion in dairy cattle in Tabriz and regarding the distribution in dogs as definitive host for the parasite, further studies in dog and cattle are recommended

Adaptation of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by purified gp51SU for detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus

The objective of this study was to compare an indirect ELISA, based on a purified 60 kDa envelope glycoprotein [gp51SU], with a Pourquire indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies to the bovine leukemia virus. For conducting this research, 340 serum samples were collected from two different breeds of cows [Sarabi and Holestin] in different herds. Commercial ELISA revealed positive results in 17 [7%] Holstein cows. An appropriate ELISA cut-off was determined by receiver operating curve [ROC] analysis in comparison with commercial indirect ELISA. Results showed a relative sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 92%, respectively, for a cut-off value of 0.34 in the domestic ELISA. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that domestic developed kit can be used for diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus with appropriate sensitivity and specificity. In addition, a comparison of the results from a native breed, Sarabi, with Holstein showed that there was no significant [P>0.05] difference in the frequency of infection with BLV between the two breeds

[ survey on parasitic infestation [Helminths and Ectoparasites] of the rodents in Tabriz]

To determine the type and prevalence of parasitic infestation [Helminthes and Ectoparasites] of rodents in Tabriz. Cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty rodents [56 Mus musculus, 38 Rattus norvegicus and 26 Cricetulus migratorius] were traped from different urban areas of Tabriz. Animals were euthanasied by high dose of anesthetic drugs and after identification of species, their ectoparasites were isolated. The rodents were then necropsied were isolated. The rodents were then necropsied and helminthes of digestive tract were collected. After fixation of the samples in 10% formalin, identification was performed based on parasitological characteristics. Descriptive study. About 78.3% of tested samples were infested by at least on parasite. In parasitological study two nematods: Mastophorus muris [21.28%], Syphacia obvelat [17.02%], two cestodes: Skerjabinotaenia oranensis [21.28%], Hymenolepis diminuta [24.47%], one metacestode: Cysticercus fasciolaris [7.45%], one acanthocephal: Moniliformis moniliformis [8.5%], two fleas: Nosopsyllus fasciatus [47.22%], Xenopsyella cheopis [16.66%], two ticks: Rhipicephalus sanguineus [13.88%], Haemaphysalis punctata [16.66%] and one mite: Ornithonysus bacoti [5.55%] were identified. For the first time we reported Mastophorus muris [in stomach], Skerjabinotaenia oranensis [in intestined], Rhipicephalus sanguineus [in skin] of rodents in Iran. Because of rodent's role in transmittion of zoonoses and developmental cycle of parasites as intermediate host, their eradication is crucial