First description of the emergence of Echinococcus ortleppi (G5 genotype) in sheep and goats in Iran.

Cystic echinococcosis is one of the most important cyclozoonotic helminthic diseases caused by various genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus SENSU lato complex in the Middle East. Echinococcus ortleppi G5 genotype has been previously reported to infect camels in Iran. However, no molecular data are available on the circulation of the cattle genotype from other animal intermediate hosts. Overall, 30 hydatid cyst samples were collected from 2015 to 2016 from sheep (n; 15) and goat (n; 15) isolates in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The DNA of larval stages was extracted, amplified and sequenced by targeting of mitochondrial 12S rRNA marker. Based on sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, 28 isolates were identified as E. granulosus G1. However, two fertile hydatid cyst samples isolated from sheep and goat liver were confirmed as E. ortleppi with 99.8%-100% identity to species isolated from a buffalo in India. The first emergence of fertile cattle cysts from sheep and goats may have implications in the zoonotic importance of E. ortleppi in human infection and de-worming regime of infected dogs due to the shorter maturation time of G5 genotype compared with G1 genotype. Since the distribution of E. ortleppi in Iran is not fully known, further studies are urgently needed to appraise the evolutionary and epidemiology scenarios. These studies can ascertain the transmission dynamics of E. ortleppi inferred by full-length concatenated mitogenomes on the domestic and wildlife hosts, as well as humans in wider areas of Iran and the neighboring countries.

Morphometric, genetic diversity and phylogenetic analysis of Taenia hydatigena (Pallas, 1766) larval stage in Iranian livestock.

Cysticercus tenuicollis as metacestode of Taenia hydatigena is the most prevalent taeniid species in livestock. Eighty-eight C. tenuicollis samples were collected from sheep (n = 44) and goats (n = 44) of the northern Iran from 2015 to 2016. The isolated parasites were characterized by morphometric keys. The DNA of the larval stage was extracted, amplified and sequenced targeting mitochondrial 12S rRNA and Cox 1 markers. A significant difference in larval rostellar hook length was observed in 12S rRNA haplotypes. Analysis of molecular variance of 12S rRNA indicated a moderate genetic diversity in the C. tenuicollis isolates. The pairwise sequence distance of C. tenuicollis showed an intra-species diversity of 0.3-0.5% and identity of 99.5-100%. Using the 12S rRNA sequence data we found a moderate genetic difference (Fst; 0.05421) in C. tenucollis isolates collected from livestock of the northern and southeastern regions of Iran. We concluded that the genetic variants of C. tenuicollis are being undoubtedly distributing mostly in different parts of Iran. Further studies with a larger number of T. hydatigena isolates collected from various intermediate and definitive hosts are needed to study this evolutionary assumption and also to determine the apparent genetic differences observed in the studied regions.

Aphanius sophiae (Actinoptrygii, Cyprinodontidae), a new host for Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora) reported from Iran.

Aphanius sophiae (Heckel, 1849) or soffia tooth-carp is endemic species to the endorheic Kor River basin, Fars Province, Southwest of Iran. In spite of importance of this species as a biologic control of anopheles larvae, little attention has been paid to its diseases particularly parasitic infections. A total of 24 A. Sophiae (12 males and 12 females) in Safashahr spring, Kor River basin, were collected by using dip net in February 2012. Surface of all fish were gross examined and screened for any swelling and blisters. All of the examined specimens (100 %) were infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis. Infected fish typically developed small blister-like raised lesions on the body surface. The current study presents infection of A. sophiae with I. multifiliis for the first time from Iran. Hence, owing to considerable unexplored area of Iran further studies are required to increase our knowledge about parasitic infections of this fish.

Role of cannabinoidergic system on food intake in neonatal layer-type chicken.

Central regulatory mechanisms for neurotransmitters of food intake vary among animals. Endocannabinoids have crucial role on central food intake regulation in mammals but its role has not been studied in layer-type chicken. Thus, in this study 6 experiments designed to evaluate effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of 2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol, selective CB1 receptors agonist), SR141716A (selective CB1 receptors antagonist), JWH015 (selective CB2 receptors agonist), AM630 (selective CB2 receptors antagonist) on feeding behavior in 3 h food deprived neonatal layer-type chickens. In experiment 1, birds ICV injected with control solution and 2-AG (0.25, 0.5 and 1 µg). In experiment 2: control solution, SR141716A (6.25, 12.5 and 25 µg) were ICV injected to birds. In experiment 3 animals received: control solution, SR141716A (6.25 µg), 2-AG (1 µg) and co-injection of SR141716A+2-AG. In experiment 4, chickens received control solution and JWH015 (6.25, 12.5 and 25 µg). In experiment 5, control solution and AM630 (1.25, 2.5 and 5 µg) were injected. In experiment 6, the birds received control solution, AM630 (1.25 µg), JWH015 (25 µg) and co-administration of AM630+JWH015. Then, cumulative food intake was recorded until 120 min after injection. According to the results, 2-AG dose dependently increased cumulative food intake while SR141716A reduced appetite compared to control group (P < 0.05). Injection of 2-AG (1 µg) amplified food intake and its effect minimized by SR141716A (6.25 µg) (P < 0.05). Also, ICV injection of JWH015 (25 µg) dose dependently increased food intake and co-injection of JWH015+AM630 decreased JWH015-induced food intake (P < 0.05). These results suggest CB1 and CB2 receptors have an important role on ingestive behavior in FD3 neonatal layer-type chicken.