Prevalence of zoonotic intestinal helminths of canids in Mogahan plain, Northwestern Iran

The present study was aimed to elucidate the status of intestinal helminth infections in canids of Moghan Plain, northwestern Iran. Eighty-five intestine samples from dead or shot wild canids, 59 fecal samples from sheepdogs and 5 from red foxes were collected from 2006 to 2008 and examined in Parasitology department of Pasteur Institute of Iran. Generally, adult worms, larvae, and eggs of 13 species of various parasitic helminths were recovered. Necropsy examinations showed that 96.47% animals harbored at least one helminth species. The prevalence of different species in necropsy were Mesocestoides sp. 84.7%, Rictolaria spp. 55.3%, Macranthorhynchus hirudinaceus 45.9%, Toxocara canis 43.5%, Toxascaris spp. 35.3%, Joyeuxiella sp. 34.1%; hookworms; 22.4%, Taenia spp. 11.8%, Alaria spp. 2.4% and Dipylidium caninum 1.2%. Besides, eggs belonging to 10 species of parasitic helminths were identified in 46 fecal samples and generally, 30.9% of samples harbored eggs of at least one helminth species. The high prevalence of various helminth infections among canids in Moghan plain and contamination of environment by helminths eggs may increase the risk of infection for native people

Prevalence of Echinococcus spp. infection using coproantigen ELISA among canids of Moghan plain, Iran

Echinococcosis is one of the most important helminthic zoonotic diseases in Iran. Intestinal Scraping Technique [IST], the traditional method for diagnosis of the infection in definitive hosts, has many disadvantages including low susceptibility and being expensive, hazardous and laborious. Detection of coproantigens in fecal samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [CA-ELISA] is known as a useful tool for intravital mass-screening of definitive host populations. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Echinococcus spp. infection among canids in Moghan plain, the only area in Iran known to be endemic for E. multilocularis. One hundred thirty eight fecal samples were collected from red foxes and domestic dogs in three counties of Moghan plain namely Pars Abad, Bileh Savar and Germi. The samples were examined using an ELISA, designed for the detection of Echinococcus-specific coproantigen and the formalin-ether concentration method as well. Totally, out of 138 fecal samples, 27 [21.6%] turned positive for Echinococcus. Coproantigen was detected in 16.7% and 27.1% of red foxes and domestic dogs, respectively. Formalin-ether concentration method revealed that 43 [31.2%] of samples harbored at least one parasitic helminth, but Taenia eggs were detected only in 3 fecal samples. Since coproantigen presence reflects current intestinal infection with adult worms, CA-ELISA can be regarded as one of the most useful immunological tools for diagnosis of Echinococcus infection. Besides, the high susceptibility, low cost and rapidity

Effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy complications and anthropometric measurements of infants at birth

Maternal zinc supplementation has been suggested as a potential intervention to reduce the incidence of low birth weight [LWB]. The results of placebo-controlled trials are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on pregnancy complications and outcome. We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which 196 women who were selected from health care centers in Ardabil between 16-20 wk of pregnancy. Then, they randomly were allocated to receive zinc supplementation [as 220 mg zinc sulfate] or placebo. All information of baseline characteristics, follow up forms, pregnancy complications and anthropometric measurement of infants were collected by trained midwifes. Seventeen of the 196 women were excluded from study. The incidence of low birth weight [<2500 gr] was different significantly after zinc supplementation in placebo group [p=0.01]. Also birth weight was higher in zinc group than placebo group [p=0.03]. No significant effect of treatment was observed on pregnancy complications. However, pregnancy induced hypertension and IUGR were observed only in placebo group. This study showed zinc supplementation during pregnancy improved birth weight and reduced low birth weight