علیرضا سازمند

Bartonella species are lesser-known pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Currently, out of 40 Bartonella species/subspecies, at least 17 are associated with clinical signs in humans and animals. However, despite the zoonotic importance of bartonellosis, there is limited information about prevalence and species infecting dogs and cats in Iran. The aim of this study was molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs and arthropods infesting them in Hamedan and Kermanshah cities in the west of Iran. Blood genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from 100 dogs (45 from Hamedan and 55 from Kermanshah) and, of 25 Ctenocphalides canis fleas, six Pulex irritans fleas and 12 Rhipecephalus sanguineus ticks collected from nine infested dogs were examined for the presence of Bartonella species. Conventional PCR targeting fragments of ITS and rpoB genes was performed, and PCR-positive samples were sequenced bidirectionally and analyzed phylogenetically. Out of 100 dogs, 14 dogs (14%, ten from Hamedan and four from Kermanshah) were found infected with Bartonella species. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed the presence of four Bartonella species in the examined population i.e. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Candidatus B. merieuxii in dogs. None of the examined fleas scored positive but one Rh. sanguineus tick from a blood-negative dog was infected with Bartonella DNA. Results of the present study showed the presence of different zoonotic Bartonella species in dogs of Hamedan and Kermanshah cities highlighting the importance of this vector-borne infection. Effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of pet and urban dogs and cats and successful chemoprophylaxis are suggested.

Allium jesdianum and its extract include antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to optimize extraction conditions of Allium jesdianum to assess antioxidant characteristics of the extracts and its phenolic compounds as well as assessing in vitro protoscolicical effects of the extracts.

Extracts of Allium jesdianum were prepared using various ethanol concentrations of 0, 50 and 100% at various extraction times of 24, 48 and 72 h. The optimal extract conditions were estimated using response surface methodology and the optimized extract was chosen for the experiments. Then, concentrations of 200, 400 and 600 ppm were prepared to assess their protoscolicical effects after the parasite exposure for 5, 15 and 30 min.

Increases in the extraction time were positively correlated with increases in phenolic compound concentrations and antioxidant characteristics of the extracts. However, increasing ethanol concentrations included inverse effects on the two parameters. Moreover, 100 µl/ml aqueous extract of Allium jesdianum (63.90 min) inactivated 100% of protoscoleces after 30 min of exposure.

Results showed that aqueous extracts of Allium jesdianum could inactive protoscoleces of hydatid cysts in vitro.

Keeping pets can expose their owners to various infections, including zoonotic parasites. This study was conducted for the first time in Iran to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to parasitic diseases among pet owners in Hamadan and Kermanshah, Iran.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted with the participation of 200 pet owners in Hamadan and Kermanshah, western Iran. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire containing 62 questions, the reliability and validity of which were evaluated and confirmed. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 19) through descriptive statistics (mean±SD) and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney test).

Most of the participants were female, had university degrees, and kept dogs. There was a statistically significant difference among the participants of both cities in terms of knowledge about parasitic diseases (it was more in Kermanshah, P<0.01); however, no statistical difference was observed in terms of attitude. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed that in Hamadan and Kermanshah, there is a direct and significant relationship between the knowledge score and performance (Hamadan: r=0.489 and P<0.001; Kermanshah: r=0.655 and P<0.001). In general, the level of knowledge and performance of pet owners is at an unfavorable level, and their attitude is at a favorable level.

This study, which was conducted for the first time in Iran, suggests that pet owners need necessary training to increase their level of knowledge about parasites and parasitic diseases of their animals, which will lead to improving their attitude and performance.

Following previous detection of Hepatozoon canis and Cercopithifilaria bainae in dogs from Iran, this study aimed to identify potential tick vectors collected from dogs from five provinces of Iran. From October 2018 to September 2021, a total of 222 owned and 541 sheltered dogs from Hamedan (n=305), Kermanshah (n = 227), Yazd (n =80), Khouzestan (n =71), and Mazandaran (n =80) were examined for ticks. Collected ticks (n =3339) were identified morphologically, and adults were screened for the detection of Hepatozoon and Cercopithifilaria either with conventional PCR (n=119 ticks), tick dissection (n=106), or microscopical examination after fixation in formalin (n =102). A total of 169 dogs (22.1%) were infested with ticks. Tick infestation rate varied in different provinces (i.e., 32.4% in Hamedan, 27.3% in Kermanshah, 10.0% in Yazd), but no ticks were collected in dogs from Mazandaran and Khouzestan. The majority of male ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (89.3%) and Rhipicephalus turanicus, but one dog from Kermanshah was infested with Hyalomma asiaticum (1 male and 1 female) and Hyalomma excavatum (1 male). At the molecular examination, Cercopithifilaria was detected in 14.28%, Hepatozoon in 6.7% ticks, and both parasites in 1.68% of Rhipicephalus ticks. Parasites were not observed at tick dissection and histological examinations. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed C. bainae and H. canis in R. sanguineus sensu lato and R. turanicus ticks. Data suggests that both tick species above may play a role in the epidemiology of Cercopithifilaria and Hepatozoon in Iran.

Cystic echinocossosis (hydatidosis) caused by the larval stage of cestodes of the genus Echinococcus is an important and prevalent zoonotic disease. In human patients, surgical removal of the cysts is the treatment of choice in many cases however, leakage of the larva (protoscoleces) during the surgery and formation of new cysts is a concern. Presently, different solutions such as hypertonic saline and silver nitrate are used to inactivate the cyst-dwelling protoscoleces but each have some side-effects hence searching for novel protoscolicide formulations with high efficacy and low side-effects has been always in the focus. The aim of this study was to optimize the extraction conditions of Echinophora platyloba, to evaluate antioxidant properties of the extracts and to assess their protoscolicical effects in vitro. For this purpose, hydroalcoholic extracts of Echinophora platyloba were extracted in ethanol concentrations of 0, 50 and 100% and during 24, 48 and 72 hours. Response surface methodology (RSM) was perform to estimate optimal extract conditions. Finally, 200, 400 and 600 ppm concentrations of optimized extracts were tested on live protscoleces from sheep and goat livers collected from Hamedan abbatoir. Results showed that Echinophora platyloba extract prepared with absolute ethanol in 24 hours could inactivate 100% of protoscolicess after 5, 15 and 30 minutes of exposure. This in vitro study suggest that ethanolic extract of Echinophora platyloba can potentially be applied in vivo.

Bovine anaplasmosis is an infectious disease with worldwide distribution. It spreads by various routes mainly through tick bites.

This study aimed to investigate bovine related Anaplasma spp. in cattle from three northern governorates of Egypt by serological and molecular assays, to evaluate the associated risk factors and to analyze the phylogeny of revealed A. marginale isolates.

During 2020, a total of 650 blood samples were collected from asymptomatic cattle in the governorates of Kafr El-Sheikh (n=240), Menofia (n=230), and Al-Gharbia (n=180). Sera samples were examined using the Anaplasma antibody test kit, cELISA v2. Blood genomic DNA of seropositive cattle was then examined by PCRs specific to A. marginale, A. centrale, and A. bovis. Selected positive samples were subjected to nucleotide sequencing. Risk factors (i.e. geographical area, breed, type of production, sex, age, herd size, season, husbandry system, tick infestation, and application of acaricides) were evaluated by logistic regression approach.

In total, 130 cattle (20%, 95% CI: 17.1–23.3) were recorded seropositive for Anaplasma species. Major risk factors associated with seropositivity were being crossbred, dairy cattle, aged more than 5 years, summer season, herd size of below 300, pasture grazing, tick infestation, and not being subjected to regular treatment with acaricides. By using species-specific PCR, only A. marginale was detected. Nucleotide sequencing showed the occurrence of two different msp4 genotypes.

This study shows the high prevalence of A. marginale in cattle of Kafr El-Sheikh, Al-Gharbia, and Menofia. However, the connection between Anaplasma species and their tick vectors remains unknown in Egypt and merits further investigations. Since these infections primarily spread through ixodid tick bites, effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of cattle and successful chemoprophylaxis are recommended.

Mosquitoes are vectors or intermediate hosts for several infectious microorganisms worldwide. Due to harmful effects on the environment, high operating costs, as well as the resistance of mosquitoes to chemical insecticides, the need for biological control of mosquitoes has been considered by researchers. In the present study, the larvicidal effect of essential oil of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) against larvae of Culex was investigated.

From May to September 2018 a total of 1,200 larvae of Culex mosquitoes were caught from four areas of Qarachai river located in Khondab city of Markazi province. The larvae were encountered to concentrations of 10, 50, 200 and 600 ppm aqueous solution of spearmint and rosemary essential oils produced by Barij Essence Pharmaceutical Company. Larval mortality was assessed at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after exposure to the tested materials. The experiment was repeated three times and for each concentration, the average number of killed larvae was calculated. For negative control distilled water and for positive control 1 ppm cocentration of organophosphate larvicide “Temephose” were prepared and tested.

Although all concentrations of spearmint and rosemary essential oils at different timepoints showed some degree of effect on the larvaa, spearmint essential oil at 200 ppm and at 6 hours, showed the fastest and highest larvical effect.

The present study showed that both essential oils, especially spearmint, could be considered as a potential alternative to chemical insecticides for biological control of Culex mosquito larvae.

In this study the effects of season, sex and age on serum concentration of cortisol, and its correlation with age in 180 clinically healthy dromedary camels (146 males and 34 females) were evaluated. Serum concentration of cortisol had no significant difference between two sexes, and had also no significant correlation with the age. There was a marginally significant difference between summer and winter seasons in serum cortisol (p=0.06). In male camels, there was a significant relationship between serum cortisol and the age (r=– 0.146, p=0.08). No significant differences were detected for the serum cortisol between different age groups of camels. In camels up to 5 years of age, the serum cortisol showed a significant difference between summer and winter seasons(p=0.044). The current study showed that season, sex and age may affect the changes of serum cortisol in dromedary camels, and can be proposed as the probable cause of controversial findings regarding serum cortisol in previous studies.

Skin lesions of filarial worms are usually common in livestock. In camels, the most reported species is Onchocerca fasciata, which involves subcutaneous connective tissue and the nuchal ligament. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and pathology of camel onchocerciasis in Iran’s central desert. Carcasses of 144 dromedary camels of both sexes and different ages, slaughtered at the slaughterhouse of three provinces in the central arid parts of Iran, were examined for O. fasciata infection. In addition, the blood smears of tested animals were searched microscopically for the presence of microfilariae. The results of this study show that seventeen (11.8%) of the tested animals harbored one or multiple nodules containing the worm. Nodular lesions were mainly on the two sides of neck and abdomen. Histopathologically, multifocal granulomatous inflammatory reactions were observed to be associated with the parasites in the affected areas. Transverse and longitudinal sections of the worms were observed within the granulomas. The granulomas were composed of thick fibrous walls, the cellular infiltrate of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells and eosinophils, associated with different degrees of coagulation necrosis and calcification around the parasites. No positive case was found in blood films. In this study, it was found that onchocerciasis is one of the relatively common skin lesions of camels in Iran. However, parasitemia is not common in the central partsof the country. Histopathologic changes in tissues are quite similar to granulomatous inflammations seen in other cutaneous infections.

Sarcocystis species are one of the most important meat borne parasites. Sarcocystosis causes several symptoms in human as well as numerous diseases with high economic impact in livestock. In current paper at first results of a pilot study for determination of disease agent in lamb of Yazd province central Iran is presented. Then status of parasite in red meat products in study region gets discussed. Muscles of 70 slaughtered Sheep from both sexes and different ages were investigated for presence of parasite cysts during September to October 2013. Carcass inspection with naked eye at industrial slaughterhouse of Yazd for macroscopic cysts, and pepsin-digestion method for microscopic cysts was performed on common infected sites of infection. No macroscopic cyst was seen at inspection, however bradyzoites of parasite were observed in 97.14% of animals’ digested muscles. No significant difference between infection and age groups or sex of animals was observed. As humans are considered as final and intermediate host of different species of Sarcocystis, and parasite cysts present at microscopic sizes, transmission of infection from lamb meat should come into consideration. Hence public training of disease health importance, parasite cycle and methods of inactivation probable cysts in meat is recommended.

In order to investigate the seroprevalence of BoHV-1 infections in Iranian camels in Yazd province of Iran، blood samples were taken from 50 camels of different ages and both sexes. Sera were tested to determine antibodies against BoHV-1 by virus neutralization test. The results revealed that none of the tested camels'' sera were infected with BoHV-1. The current work is the first attempt for the detection of BoHV-1 in serum of camels in Iran. Further researches in different regions of country seem necessary to find the importance of the disease.

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is one the most important zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, in the current pilot study a total of 50 Iranian one-humped camels of both sexes and different ages that were kept by local farmers in Yazd province of Iran were tested for Toxoplasma gondii infection. Whole blood samples were investigated by PCR assay using B1 gene. The results revealed that none of the tested camels were infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The current pilot study is the first attempt for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in camels in Iran by PCR method. Further studies in different regions of the country seem necessary to outline the importance of the disease. Also, experimental infection of camels with Toxoplasma gondii is recommended to study the course of the disease.

Hydatidosis is one of the most important zoonoses worldwide. Since there is no published data based on serological tests of camels’ hydatidosis in Yazd province, presence of specific antibodies in animals’ blood sera were examined with Indirect Hemagglutination and Counterimmunoelectrophoresis assays. A total of 141 sera samples from apparently healthy dromedary camels of different ages and both sexes were investigated for anti-Echinococcus granulosus antibodies. Eighteen (12.8%) and sixteen (11.3%) camels found to be seropositive with Indirect Hemagglutination and Counterimmunoelectrophoresis respectively. Statistical analyses showed that camels of Less then 10 years old being positive significantly higher than animals of other age groups (P <0.05). This preliminary study indicates that camels may play an important role in human infections in the area, although further studies are necessary to characterize the seroprevalence of the infection more thoroughly.

Vitamin A which is found in different tissues and organs plays a particular role in detecting clinical signs in various deficiency conditions. However، sometimes the marginal deficiency is present in a way that clinical signs are not visible but performance defects، such as infertility is seen. In this study، the normal baseline levels of vitamin Aand β-carotene in clinically healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Yazd province were investigated. A total of 168 Iranian camels of both sexes were sampled from February 2009 to July 2010. Spectrophoto-metry was used for measuring the serum values. The mean±SE concentration of vitamin Aand β- carotene were 63. 9±4. 7 and 9±1. 1 μg/dL، respectively. Although، the β-carotene concentr-ation was significantly higher in summer، vitamin Awas not influenced by season. No significant difference in the serum levels of the measured parameters was observed in different ages and sexes. The results of this study، for the first time، indicate the concentration of vitamin A and β- carotene in the camels in Iran. This finding can be used as a reference guide for evaluation of the deficiency or excess of vitamin Aand β- carotene in camels in Iran. Furthermore، due to the lower levels of vitamin A and β-carotene in Iranian dromedaries during winter، supplementary feeding of vitamin A is recommended during this season.

Leptospirosis as a common zoonotic diseases has a worldwide distribution. To Investigate of seroprevalence leptospiral infection in slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) province of Yazd، Iran. Blood samples were collected from 128 camels. Sera were initially screened at serum dilution of 1:100 against six live antigens of (Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona، canicola، hardjo، ballum، icterohaemorrhagiae، grippotyphosa) using microscopic agglutination test. The values ||“| 50% in a dilution l: 100 were considered as positive ones. Sera with positive values were titrated against reacting antigens in serial dilutions from l: 100 to 1:400. Antibodies against one or more serovars were shown in 30 (32. 4%) sera at dilution |“|1:100. Among the positive sera، pomona (57. 9%) canicola (23. 7%)، hardjo (10. 5%)، grippotyphosa (5. 3%) and icterohaemorrhagiae (2. 6%) were the most frequent serovars،respectively. Furthermore antibodies against more than one serovar were found in 8 (26. 6%) of positive sera. It seems that leptospiral with various serovars could be considered as a prevalent infection in camels of the central part of Iran.

Staphylococcus aureus(SA) may cause infection in all body organs. Many personnel and patients in hospitals may become carriers of this species. The aim of this study was to investigate relative frequency of SA and its resistance to Methicillin. A couple of swabs were taken from nose and nails of 151 personnels working in operation room of Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd. Samples were inoculated into Mannitol salt agar medium and S. aureus colonies were antibiogramed to determine the rate of resistance to methicillin. Statistical analyses were performed by chi-square and Fisher's exact test. Overall prevalence of SA was 35.09%(19.2% and 15.9% in noses and nails, respectively). Prevalence of methicillin-resistant SA(MRSA) was 11.92%(5.3% and 6.6% in noses and nails, respectively). Surgeons had the highest, and workers the lowest prevalence of nasal SA carrier rate. In contrast, the nails of servants had the highest, and surgeons the lowest SA carrier rate. No significant difference was found between carrier rate and age, sex and duration of employment. But a meaningful relation was found between type of job and MRSA in both noses and nails. All of the MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin. Since employees of operation room are continuously working with patients undergone operation, screening both the personnel and patients to determine the rate of carriage, preventing transfusions of fore mentioned bacterium is necessary and highly recommended.