study on ectoparasites fauna of dogs in suburbs of Ghilanegharb, Kermanshah province, Iran

Background: Canine infestation of ectoparasites is of medical and veterinary importance worldwide and in Iran due to transmission of pathogen agents

Objectives: The present study was aimed to determine prevalence and species diversity of ectoparasites in dogs of Gilanegharb suburb of Kermanshah province, Iran

Methods: A total of 138 dogs [93 sheepdogs and 45 watchdogs] were randomly selected and examined from March 2012 to May 2013. The body surface was investigated for ixodid ticks and removed along with the mouthparts. The mites were also removed directly from the skin and/or using skin scraping and then digested. Fleas and lice were collected from body surface of examined dogs and identified

Results: The results indicated that 65 sheepdogs [47.11%] and 43 watchdogs [31.16%] were infested with ectoparasites. There was a significant difference between prevalence and sex in dogs aged less than one-year-old [p<0.05]. The maximum and minimum ixodid ticks infestations were respectively for Rhipicephalus sanguineus [35.36%] and H. marginatum marginatum [3.06%]. Tick indices [number of tick per each animal] were 2.13 with the highest body distribution in ear [24.82%] of R. sanguineus [p<0.05]. The frequency of ixodid tick infestation was significantly higher in spring [33.82%] than other seasons. Thirty five dogs [25.14%] out of all examined dogs were infested with Sarcoptes scabiei [15.33%], Demodex canis [9.81%], Ctenocephaloides cams [6.52%], Pulex irritans [3.62%], and Trichodectes canis [4.35%]

Conclusions: From the results of the current study, it was concluded that there was species diversity in dogs' ectoparasites fauna which can be transmitted to humans and served as the carrier for spreading the infective agents in the region

[Eimeria infection in dairy cattle of industrial farms in kangavar suburban of Kermanshah province, Iran]

Background: Eimeria infection is an important part of protozoal infection in ruminants which causes economic lost in animal husbandry of Iran and worldwide. Therefore it is important to implement effective control programs on the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria species in livestocks

Objectives:This study was aimed to determine prevalence and Eimeria species diversity in dairy cattle with different age groups under industrial management

Methods: The present study was carried out in industrial cattle husbandry of Kangavar suburban of Kermanshah province, Iran, from spring 2011 to 2012. A total of 307 fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from the rectum of examined animals. The fecal specimens were subjected for flotation technique and collect Eimeria oocysts. The intensity of infection was determined using McMater method. Eimeria species diversity and frequency was also determined by using oocyst sporulation technique in 2.5% potassium dichromate

Results: The overall prevalence was 31.92% [98 out of 307]. The highest prevalence was found in dairy cattle [37%] with 1-3 years old. There was no significant difference between prevalence and different age groups. The highest frequency was significantly in spring [41.66%]. The intensity was variable in examined animals which ranged from 3.18×10[3] to 2.71×10[5]. There was no significant difference between the prevalence and intensity in all age groups. Fecal consistency findings revealed that the highest infection was significantly in dairy cattle with normal fecal consistency in all age groups. According to Laboratory identification, a number of seven Eimeria species were detected in all infected animals. The most common specie was E. zuernii [28.25%] in 5% dairy cattle [1-3 years-old] in spring [30%] and summer [30%]. There was significant association between frequency of Eimeria infection and each season during the course of the study. All infected cattle had mixed infections with two [42.85%] and three [3.15%] species of Eimeria

Conclusions:The results of this study indicated that cattle Eimeria infection was a problem in dairy cattle of industrial farms in the region. Attention should be paid within seasonal infection in young cattle to avoid probable clinical coccidiosis, particularly in farms with poor hygienic conditions and no prophylactic treatments

[Study on frequency and diversity of Eimeria species in broiler farms of Hamedan suburb, Iran]

Coccidian infection in poultry is the most common infection in the world and is the cause of mortality and great economic losses in poultry production. This study was aimed to determine the frequency and Eimeria species diversity in broiler farms of Hamadan suburb, Iran. A total of 16 broiler farms were randomly selected with different production age in 2012. The information about poultry production and hygienic management of the farms was recorded. During the course of the study, litter sampling was carried out two times per week for each two farms with the same production status. The litter samples were subjected to flotation technique for collecting Eimeria oocysts. The intensity of infection was determined on the basis of oocyst per gram of litter [OPG] using Clayton-Lane and McMater methods. Eimeria species diversity and frequency was also determined by using oocyst sporulation in 2.5% potassium dichromate and micrometry. A total of 12 [75%] broiler-chicken litters were positive for Eimeria oocysts. The intensity was significantly variable in the farms ranged from 2.2×102 and 1.45×105. According to Laboratory identification, four Eimeria species were detected in litter of all infected farms. The species frequency was E. tenella in 11 farms [69%], E. maxima in 10 farms [62.5%], E. acervulina in 8 farms [50%], and E. necatrix in 7 farms [44%]. The frequency and Eimeria species diversity in litter of industrial broiler-chicken of Hamadan suburb indicated a need to improve the hygiene and management principals of the farms in the region

[Hard ticks [Acarina: Ixodidae] diversity in the natural habitat of Iranian domestic ruminants: aprovincial study in Kermanshah]

Ticks [Acari: Ixodidae] have been recognized as important ectoparasites of livestock worldwide, including in Iran. From the point of the pathogen agents' transmission, detection of the distribution of hard ticks in different parts of the country could be useful. This study reports the frequency and diversity of ticks in all age groups of both sexes in the natural habitat of domestic ruminants in Kermanshah province, Iran. A total of 600 ruminants [203 cattle, 215 sheep, and 182 goats] from 150 flocks [90 in the east and 60 in the west part of the region] of 31 villages [15 in the east and 16 in the western part of the region] were randomly selected and examined from May to September 2012. Of all examined animals, 24.63% cattle, 25.12% sheep, and 25.27% goats were infested with a total number of 1031 unfed ixodid ticks. The highest numbers of the hard ticks were collected from 3- 4 year-old female cattle and 1-2 year -old female sheep and goats in the region. There was significant difference between age groups and sex of infested animals and prevalence of ixodid ticks. The ixodid tick indices were 4.6, 7.9, and 7.1 for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Geographical distribution of ixodid ticks infestations in different parts of Kermanshah province revealed that 12 cattle flocks [8%] and 12 goat flocks [8%] in the Miandarband region of eastern Kermanshah and 20 sheep flocks [13.33%] of Meidandam in western Kermanshah had the highest prevalence. Prevalence of ixodid tick infestation was statistically different between both parts of the region. The highest tick aggregation was found for inner thighs in cattle [46%] and ears in sheep [54%] and goats [43%]. There was significant difference between predilection body sites of collected hard ticks from infested animals. Of all examined ticks [1031], three genera including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, and Boophilus with eight, nine, and seven species in cattle, sheep, and goats were respectively identified. The predominant infesting ticks were R. sanguinus [26.2% in cattle] and R. turanicus [53.1% in sheep and 40.55% in goats] from the western part of Kermanshah province, which was significantly different. The results of the current study showed that ixodid ticks infestation was widespread and prevalent in ruminants of the region

[Effects of Nerium oleander leaf, Ricinus communis oil, Capsicum spp. seeds, and almond compound on cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania species under laboratory condition and its effect on cutaneous lesion progression in mice]

Protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania is the causative agent of leishmaniasis in humans, carnivorous animals and rodents. In Iran, Leishmania species are causes of cutaneous leishmaniasis which had been reported frequently from Isfahan. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a compound of Nerium oleander leaf, Ricinus communis oil, Capsicum spp. seeds, and almond on cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania species under laboratory conditions and its effect on the progression of cutaneous lesion in mice. In this repeated experimental study, we obtained smears from the skin lesions of 10 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis randomly. 3 cases had positive smears [30%] which were cultured in NNN media with 10% FBS to obtain promastigotes of leishmania. The effects of boiled and sieved herbal compound [Nerium oleander leaf, Ricinus communis oil, Capsicum spp. seeds, and almond] on the promastigote propagation in NNN media with 10% FBS [5x10[4]/micro l] were investigated in triplicate and compared with control group. In the 4th week, 0.2 ml of enriched promastigote of Leishmania in RPMI was inoculated in the base of the tails of the mice in the test group [n=6] and control group [n=2]. The effect of herbal compound on the progression of the lesion was investigated for 7 weeks. We used t-test for statistical analysis. The number of Leishmania promastigotes in the group treated with herbal compound was significantly less than that in the control group. Also the herbal compound had significant preventive effect on the progression of the cutaneous lesion in the test group as compared to the control group. The results of this study showed that the herbal compound had preventive effect on the parasite propagation and progression of cutaneous lesion. We recommend furthur studies on other pharmacological aspects of this herbal compound

Prevalence and body distribution of the poultry red mite in layer farms from Markazi province of Iran

This study was aimed to determine abundance and body distribution of PRM in laying hens of Arak. A total of 1400 laying hens were randomly examined from January to June 2008. Of those, 26 [92.86%] layer farms were found to be infested with Dermanyssus gallinae [39.3%]. There was significant association between prevalence and climatic conditions of the region. The most common predilection site of PRM was significantly cloak [52.7%] and the highest mixed infestation rate was 10.9% for wing-breast and cloak-breast of examined poultries. It was concluded that PRM infestation was low and predilection sites of infestation may affect egg laying capacity

Radular teeth morphology in limax [caspilimax] keyserlingi [Martens, 1880] and parmacella ibera [Eichwald, 1841] from northern Iran

Slugs have been known worldwide as important pests of agricultural and horticultural production. They also play a role as intermediate or definitive hosts of helminths parasite. In this purpose, current study was carried out to examine slug radular teeth structure and slug infection with helminths larvae in north of Iran. A total number of 114 slugs were collected from center and east parts of Mazandaran province from May 2011 to June 2012. The specimens were rinsed, measured, and identified. The radula of all collected slugs was extracted and stained by using Mallory II. For detecting the helminths parasite infection, foot- head and viscera of examined slugs were removed, minced, and digested with 4.5% acid pepsin. Two species of Limax [Caspilimax] keyserlingi [Martens 1880] [11.4%, 13/114] and Parmacella ibera [Eichwald 1841] [88.6%, 101/114] were prevalent in the region. There was significant difference between body length and shell size. P. ibera had the highest number of teeth rows [145 +/- 5]. The radu-lar teeth formula was approximately similar in both identified slugs. In P. ibera, there was no significant difference in the average length and width of radula. The radular teeth in L. keyserlingi were larger and thicker than P. ibera. In all examined slugs for helminths larvae infection, P. ibera [7.69%, 1/13] was infected with Strongyloid larvae from Fereidonkenar area. Two prevalent species of slugs exist in the same region of which P. ibera has capability to play a role as intermediate host of nematode helminths. Radular morphology within the slug species may be also systemically informative.

[Pathological study of neoechinorhynchus sp. [van cleave, 1919] in gastrointestinal tract of barbus sp. from the Zarrine-roud river, Iran]

All helminthes belonging to the phylum Acantocephala are obligatory parasites which are reported to be found in the gastrointestinal tract of definitive hosts such as fish worldwide and in Iran as well. The purpose of this study was undertaken to determine the frequency and pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract of the Barbus sp. due to Neoechinorhynchus sp. over a one year period, 89 fish [Barbus sp.] were collected from the Zarine-Roud River. Intestines were removed and investigated for infection. Histopathological sections were prepared and stained in a routine manner using the Hematoxylin-Eosin [H and E] method. The prevalence of gastrointestinal infection with Neoechinorhynchussp. in Barbus sp. was 16%. Histopathological lesions were revealed epithelial thickness and folding. As a result of mechanical irritation, the Fibrinous enteritis with epithelial hyperplasia was developed. In the lamina properia and mucosa of the intestine, the vessels dilated and congested. Mucosa folding sections, hyperemia and inflammatory cell infiltration including eosinophile, lymphocyte and fibrinous were noted. It was concluded that Barbus fish infected by the Neoechinorhynchus species from the Zarine-Roud River, are not suitable for pond fish cultivation in the region and this can be cause for of severe economic losses

Prevalence of Eimeria infection in sheep of Tabriz suburb, Iran

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and diversity of Eimeria species in sheep in Tabriz suburb. The prevalence of ovine parasitism due to Eimeria spp. was estimated in 240 sheep aged less than six months to over 12 months, in a period of one year [2003-2004]. The samples were collected from pre-slaughtered sheep in Tabriz slaughterhouse and transferred to the parasitology laboratory. Afterwards, sporulation of the oocysts was performed. The overall prevalence of Eimeria infection in sheep was found to be 16.7%. Two pathogenic species of Eimeria, including E. ahsata [8%] and E. ovina [18%] and four non-pathogenic species, E. faurei [18%], E. parva [13%], E, pallida [8%] and E. intricata [35%] were identified. All of the infected sheep [40 out of 240] had mixed infections at least with three species. Intensity of the infection was significantly higher in young sheep compared with older animals [P<0.05]. Gender had a significant effect on the prevalence and intensity of the infection [P<0.05]. Diversity in Eimeria spp. in different age groups, potentially, might be an important factor contributing to notable losses in small ruminants in this area