Molecular identification of Nosema species in provinces of Fars, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Isfahan (Southwestern Iran)

Objective To molecularly identify Nosema species in provinces of Isfahan, Fars, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. Methods One hundred and eighty adult honey bees suspected with nosemosis from provinces of Fars (different counties), Isfahan, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari were tested. In order to determine the species of Nosema, previously developed PCR and primers based on 16S rRNA gene were used. PCR products were purified and sent to the Korean company of Macrogen for sequencing. Results Only Nosema ceranae was determined in all samples based on their molecular profile. Sequences of the 16S rRNA gene were sent to GenBank/NCBI (samples accession numbers KP318660–KP318663). Conclusions This species currently exists in European honeybee apiaries of Apis mellifera in the studied provinces.

Infestation and pathological lesions of some lymph nodes induced by Linguatula serrata nymphs in sheep slaughtered in Shahrekord Area (Southwest Iran)

Objective:To determine the infection rates of mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes in relation to Linguatula serrata (L. serrata) nymphs. Methods:In the present study, mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes of 200 sheep with different sex and age that were slaughtered in a Shahrekord slaughterhouse were collected. The lymph nodes were examined macroscopically and for histopathological examination, tissue samples were taken from the gross lesions processed routinely by paraffin method and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Results:Out of 200 examined sheep, the mesenteric lymph nodes in 18 sheep (9%) and the mediastinal lymph nodes of 9 sheep (4.5%) were infected by L. serrata nymphs. The infection rate increased with age, but no significant difference was observed between males and females or the two types of lymph nodes (P>0.01). Different nonspecific gross and macroscopic lesions were seen in infected lymph nodes. L. serrata nymph sections were observed in some histopathological slides. Conclusions:It is concluded that the sheep may play an important role in linguatulosis of final hosts and human beings in this region.

Infestation and pathological lesions of some lymph nodes induced by Linguatula serrata nymphs in sheep slaughtered in Shahrekord Area (Southwest Iran)

Objective: To determine the infection rates of mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes in relation to Linguatula serrata (L. serrata) nymphs. Methods: In the present study, mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes of 200 sheep with different sex and age that were slaughtered in a Shahrekord slaughterhouse were collected. The lymph nodes were examined macroscopically and for histopathological examination, tissue samples were taken from the gross lesions processed routinely by paraffin method and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Results: Out of 200 examined sheep, the mesenteric lymph nodes in 18 sheep (9%) and the mediastinal lymph nodes of 9 sheep (4.5%) were infected by L. serrata nymphs. The infection rate increased with age, but no significant difference was observed between males and females or the two types of lymph nodes (P > 0.01). Different nonspecific gross and macroscopic lesions were seen in infected lymph nodes. L. serrata nymph sections were observed in some histopathological slides. Conclusions: It is concluded that the sheep may play an important role in linguatulosis of final hosts and human beings in this region.

Molecular survey of toxoplasma gondii in sheep, cattle and meat products in chaharmahal va bakhtiari province, southwest of Iran

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide spread disease. The present study examined the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among animals of edible meat [cattle and sheep] in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province [Southwest of Iran] in 2012. Furthermore, we attempted for the first time to identify this parasite from the meat products in the province. The tongue, brain, femur muscle and liver of 50 sheep and 70 cattle as well as 50 samples of meat products were selected and collected to perform molecular survey using Nested-PCR method. Of the studied sheep, 38% were infected. The infection rate in the age groups under 1 year, 1-2 years, and more than 2 years was 25%, 35.29% and 52.94%, respectively. The infection rate in femur muscle, brain, liver and tongue was 28%, 32%, 30% and 16%, respectively. Of the studied cattle, 8.57% were infected. The infection rate in the age groups 1-2 years, 2-4 years, and more than 4 years was 3.7%, 9.09% and 14.28%, respectively. Sheep was infected 6 times more than cattle [OR = 6.53 CI = 2.374-18.005].The infection rate among samples of meat products was 12% [6 samples out of 50 samples]. Due to the high rate of this parasitic infection among the slaughtered animals as well as meat products in this region, the use of infected material can be one of the main risk factors of transmission of the parasite to humans