ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Feline herpesvirus-1, feline calicivirus and Chlamydophila felis are the main causes of feline upper respiratory tract disease. This study was conducted to identify of FeHV-1, FCV and C. felis infections in domestic cat population and also to estimate the prevalence of each specific infection in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ocular conjunctiva and oropharyngeal specimens obtained from 80 cats were examined using PCR and reverse transcription PCR. RESULTS: FeHV-1 was detected in 23 (28.8%), FCV in 2 (2.5%) and C. felis in 16 (20%) cats. Twelve cats(15%) had co-infection with 2 or 3 of the mentioned pathogens. Ocular lesions were the most common clinical signs in the FeHV-1 and C. felis infections whereas respiratory lesions were more observed with the FCV infections. It seems that there is an age-related tendency in the infected cats, meaning that the age of the C. felis positive cats was less than those with FeHV-1 and FCV infections. CONCLUSION: These results confirm the presence and show the prevalence of three major pathogens associated with upper respiratory tract disease for the first time in Iran.
ABSTRACT
The general aim of this study, which was conducted for the first time in Iran, was to evaluate the seroprevalence and geographical distribution of Ehrlichia canis in a dog population in Iran, followed by molecular confirmation using PCR and sequencing. Blood samples were collected from 240 dogs in different areas of Alborz and Tehran Provinces and initially analyzed using the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test to detect anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies. Subsequently, nested PCR was performed based on a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of E. canis on serologically positive samples. The results showed that 40/240 dogs (16.6%) presented anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies and that nine of the blood samples from the 40 seropositive dogs (22.5%) contained E. canis DNA, which was confirmed by sequencing. The seroprevalence of E. canis tended to be higher in purebred, one to three-year-old male dogs living in the Plain zone, in rural areas; however, this difference was not statistically significant.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/microbiology , Ehrlichia canis/immunology , Ehrlichiosis/veterinary , Animals , Dog Diseases/blood , Dogs , Ehrlichia canis/isolation & purification , Ehrlichiosis/blood , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiology , Female , Iran/epidemiology , Male , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
The general aim of this study, which was conducted for the first time in Iran, was to evaluate the seroprevalence and geographical distribution of Ehrlichia canis in a dog population in Iran, followed by molecular confirmation using PCR and sequencing. Blood samples were collected from 240 dogs in different areas of Alborz and Tehran Provinces and initially analyzed using the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test to detect anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies. Subsequently, nested PCR was performed based on a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of E. canis on serologically positive samples. The results showed that 40/240 dogs (16.6%) presented anti-Ehrlichia canis IgG antibodies and that nine of the blood samples from the 40 seropositive dogs (22.5%) contained E. canis DNA, which was confirmed by sequencing. The seroprevalence of E. canis tended to be higher in purebred, one to three-year-old male dogs living in the Plain zone, in rural areas; however, this difference was not statistically significant.
O objetivo geral deste estudo, que foi feito pela primeira vez no Irã, foi avaliar a soroprevalência e distribuição geográfica de Ehrlichia canis em população de cães no Irã, seguida da confirmação molecular por meio de PCR seguida de sequenciamento. Amostras de sangue de 240 cães de diferentes áreas das Províncias de Alborz e Teerã foram coletadas e, inicialmente, analisadas pelo Reação de Imunofluorescência (IFA) para detecção de anticorpos IgG anti-Ehrlichia canis Subsequentemente, uma reação do tipo nested PCR baseada em um fragmento do gene 16S rRNA de E. canis foi realizada nas amostras sorologicamente positivas. Os resultados mostraram que 40/240 cães (16,6%) apresentaram anticorpos IgG anti- Ehrlichia canis e nove (22,5%) das amostras de sangue dos 40 cães soropositivos continham DNA de E. canis, confirmado por sequenciamento. A soroprevalência de E. canis, embora não estatisticamente significativa, mostrou uma tendência em se apresentar maior em cães machos com 1-3 anos, de raça pura, que vivem em zonas planas e áreas rurais.
Subject(s)
Animals , Dogs , Female , Male , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/microbiology , Ehrlichia canis/immunology , Ehrlichiosis/veterinary , Dog Diseases/blood , Ehrlichia canis/isolation & purification , Ehrlichiosis/blood , Ehrlichiosis/epidemiology , Iran/epidemiology , Risk Factors , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A two year seroepidemiological study was designed to find out the seroprevalence and risk factors of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) among stray and owned dogs in Tehran and Alborz Provinces of Iran. METHODS: Blood samples of 602 dogs living in 11 counties of Tehran and Alborz Provinces were taken by venipuncture in 2008-2010. After separation of blood sera, anti-leishmanial antibodies were detected by direct agglutination test (DAT). RESULTS: Overall, of the 408 and 194 serum samples collected randomly from dogs in 11 localities in Tehran and Alborz Provinces, 18/408 (4.41%) and 12/194 (6.18%) respectively were found positive. Among the localities, Shemiran in Tehran Province and Karaj In Alborz Province had the highest prevalence rates. No statistically significant differences were found between sex and living place but there was significant difference between living status (owned or stray) and CVL infection of dogs in Alborz Province (P= 0.018). The highest seroprevalence (7.5%) was found in dogs aged 3 to 5 years old. Only 20% of the seropositive dogs were symptomatic. CONCLUSION: Concerning possible human infections in Tehran and Alborz Provinces, both symptomatic and asymptomatic seropositive dogs should be considered as a risk.
ABSTRACT
This survey was conducted to identify and estimate the frequencies of ectoparasites of dogs in Tehran, Iran. A total of 143 dogs attended at the Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary School, the University of Tehran, were examined for the presence of ectoparasites and dermatological lesions. Ectoparasite specimens and blood samples were sent to parasitology and hematology laboratories, respectively. Ticks were the most frequent ectoparasite (36.4%, 52/143), followed by fleas (29.4%, 42/143), mites (25.9%, 37/143), and lice (8.4%, 12/143). Mixed infestations with two or more ectoparasites were detected in eight dogs. Rhipicephalus bursa was the most frequent ectoparasite in spring and summer. Ectoparasitic infestations were recorded mainly in large breeds and juvenile animals. Eosinophilia was more observed in dogs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. The most common clinical sign, skin pruritus, was associated with mite and lice infestations. These results indicate that the tick R. bursa was the most prominent species of ectoparasite found in the evaluated group, followed by Ctenocephalides canis and S. scabiei var canis.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Ectoparasitic Infestations/veterinary , Animals , Data Collection , Dogs , Ectoparasitic Infestations/epidemiology , Female , Iran/epidemiology , MaleABSTRACT
This survey was conducted to identify and estimate the frequencies of ectoparasites of dogs in Tehran, Iran. A total of 143 dogs attended at the Small Animal Hospital of the Veterinary School, the University of Tehran, were examined for the presence of ectoparasites and dermatological lesions. Ectoparasite specimens and blood samples were sent to parasitology and hematology laboratories, respectively. Ticks were the most frequent ectoparasite (36.4%, 52/143), followed by fleas (29.4%, 42/143), mites (25.9%, 37/143), and lice (8.4%, 12/143). Mixed infestations with two or more ectoparasites were detected in eight dogs. Rhipicephalus bursa was the most frequent ectoparasite in spring and summer. Ectoparasitic infestations were recorded mainly in large breeds and juvenile animals. Eosinophilia was more observed in dogs infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. The most common clinical sign, skin pruritus, was associated with mite and lice infestations. These results indicate that the tick R. bursa was the most prominent species of ectoparasite found in the evaluated group, followed by Ctenocephalides canis and S. scabiei var canis.
Esta pesquisa foi realizada para identificar e estimar a frequência de ectoparasitas de cães em Teerã, Irã. Um total de 143 cães, atendidos no Hospital de Pequenos Animais da Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade de Teerã, foi examinado para a pesquisa de ectoparasitas e lesões cutâneas. Espécimes de ectoparasitos e amostras de sangue coletadas foram enviadas para exame em laboratório de parasitologia e hematologia, respectivamente. Os carrapatos foram os ectoparasitos mais frequentemente encontrados (36,4%, 52/143), seguidos por pulgas (29,4%, 42/143), sarnas (25,9%, 37/143) e piolhos (8,4%, 12/143). Infestações mistas com dois ou mais ectoparasitos foram observadas em oito cães. Rhipicephalus bursa foi o ectoparasito mais frequente na primavera e verão. Infestações de ectoparasitos foram registradas principalmente em raças maiores e animais jovens. Eosinofilia foi mais observado em cães infestados com Sarcoptes scabiei. O sinal clínico mais comum, prurido na pele, esteve associado às infestações por ácaros e piolhos. Estes resultados indicam o carrapato R. bursa como ectoparasito mais comum no grupo avaliado, seguido por Ctenocephalides canis e S. scabiei var canis.
