Effects of Nigella sativa and albendazole alone and in combination in Toxocara canis infected mice.

OBJECTIVE: Nigella sativa extract has been used in the Middle East as a traditional medicine for several complaints. We aimed to evaluate the biochemical, histopathological and hematologic changes in Toxocara canis-infected mice after treatment with Nigella sativa extract, albendazole or a combination of both. METHODS: This comparative study was conducted between June and July 2008 at the Itarran University Saniturla Turkey. Sixty healthy adult BALB/c male mice were randomly divided into six groups (D0-D5). Mice in groups D1-D5 received 500 embryonated T. canis eggs via esophageal tube. Groups DO and D1 served as a non-infected sham group and an infected control group, respectively. Groups D2 and D3 received 100 and 200 mg/kg N. sativa extract (NSE), respectively. Group D4 received 100 mg/kg albendazole. Group D5 received the combination dose (100+100 mg/kg NSE+albendazole). RESULTS: Treatment with N. sativa of both doses or the combination dose of N. sativa and albendazole reduced the degree of inflammation and necrosis, lead to a reduction in the percentage of eosinophils and decreased the elevated liver enzyme levels. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that N. sativa has a potent effect in protection against organ damage induced by T. canis infection.

[The prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in hair goats of the Sanliurfa region]. / Sanliurfa Yöresi Kil Keçilerinde Sindirim Sistemi Nematodlarinin Yayilisi.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in hair goats in Sanliurfa region between November 2005 and November 2006. During this period, the alimentary canal from 1 or 2 goats was obtained from the municipal slaughterhouse each week. These were brought into the laboratory and examined for the presence of nematodes. Gastro-intestinal tracts of 100 hair goats were examined. Of these, 83 (83%) were found infected with nematodes. Twenty nematode species were identified in hair goats. A total of 7641 nematodes were collected from infected hair goats. The average number of parasites for each animal was 92.06. The number of nematodes species was found to range from 1-6 in infected hair goats. The listing of 12 nematode species detected, according to their prevalence, was as follows; Marshallagia marshalli (54.21%), Teladorsagia circumcincta (72.40%), T. trifurcata (45.78%), T. occidentalis (14.45%), Haemonchus contortus (39.79%), Gongylonema pulchrum (32.53%), Nematodirus spathiger (33.73%), N. filicollis (13.25%), Trichostrongylus vitrinus (13.25%), Chabertia ovina (25.30%), Trichuris ovis (22.88%) and T. skrjabini (34.93%).

[Oral myiasis in a dog]. / Bir Köpekte Oral Myiasis Olgusu.

Oral myiasis was found in a dog that was brought to the pet clinic of Veterinary Faculty of Harran University in bad condition and with a wound in its mouth. During microscopic examination, the larvae were identified as the first stage larvae of Lucilia sericata.

Presence of Gasterophilus species in Arabian horses in Sanliurfa region.

In this study, ivermectin was administered orally to112 Arabian horses for detection of Gasterophilus species in the Sanliurfa region between June-July 2006. Eleven (9.82%) Arabian horses were found to be infected by larvae of Gasterophilus spp. A total of 409 third stage larvae (L3) were collected from fecal samples. In the Sanliurfa region, the prevalence of three species of Gasterophilus was identified as follows: Gasterophilus intestinalis (6.25%), G. nasalis (2.67%) and G. pecorum (0.89%).

[Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep in the Sanliurfa region]. / Sanliurfa yöresindeki koyunlarda sindirim sistemi nematodlarinin yayginligi.

In this study, the gastrointestinal nematodes of 75 sheep and their seasonal prevalence were investigated during March 2003-2004, in the Sanliurfa district, in Turkey. Fifty-seven (76 %) of the sheep under investigation were infected with gastro-intestinal nematodes. Eleven nematode species were detected. A total of 2,711 nematodes were collected from the digestive system of the infected sheep. The total number of parasites in each infected animal ranged from 1-977. The average number of parasites in each sheep was found to be 47.5. The number of nematode species in each animal also ranged from 1-5. Most of species in the infected sheep was found to be as follows; Ostertagia marshalli, O. occidentalis, O. circumcincta, N. spathiger, N. filicollis, T. ovis, and T. skrjabini.