farnaz malekifard

The present study was aimed to assess the house fly susceptibility to pyrethroid insecticides using molecular analysis. Flies were collected from poultry farms in four different cities of West Azerbaijan and were transferred to the laboratory to evaluate their resistance to pyrethroids using insecticide resistance bioassay. Genomic DNA was extracted from susceptible and resistant flies. Using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific allele (PASA), PCR was employed to reveal the presence of allelegenetic variations in the para-type sodium channel (para) gene to recognize knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation from the homozygous type of complete susceptibility (sus/sus) to the mutated-homozygous type of complete resistance (kdr/kdr) or to the mutated-heterozygous type (kdr/sus). In this study, these genotypes were targeted using specific primers to identify these genetic variations. The results of bioassay showed more than 50% resistance in all studied populations , and the highest level of resistance was reported from houseflies in Urmia city (86%). A polymerase chain reaction test for identifying kdr homo- or heterozygote house flies was used to determine the frequency of kdr. The L1014 F allele was found in all populations tested. The frequency of KDR in the studied populations was high and varied from 37% to 81%.The maximum percentage (71%) of homozygous genotype (kdr/kdr) occurred at Urmia, followed by Takab (61%), and the minimum percentage occurred at Sardasht (30%). Flies with kdr/kdr genotype were identified in all tested populations.

Varroosis is a disease of Apis mellifera L. caused by the mite Varroa destructor. V. destructor is a complex species and has two distinct Korean (K) and Japanese (J) genotypes. Different Varroa genotypes appear to be important regarding the virulence of mite. The aim of the present study was to identify the haplotypes of the Varroa destructor mite which infects honeybees (Apis mellifera) in honey bee colonies in Urmia, using PCR-RFLP techniques for the mitochondrial Cox1 gene of the mite. For this purpose, 200 mites were collected from apiaries in different regions of Urmia city. In order to confirm the haplotype, two specific primer pairs were selected. A segment of DNA genome comprising 570 bp of nuclotides have been selected and amplified using the primer pair. XhoI and SacI restriction enzymes were used for the amplified products. Although, the SacI restriction enzyme did not cut the DNA, the XhoI restriction enzyme cut the amplified DNA into two fragments (bands), with the sizes of 270 and 300 bp two bands. While comparing the results, these bands were found specific for Korean haplotype of V. destructor. In conclusion, all the 200 samples of V. destructor examined in this study were identified to be the Korean genotype. According to the results of this study, and the relationship between type of genotype and its pathogenicity, new treatment and control methods can be used in the apiaries of this region.

Coccidiosis is an economically important disease caused by a variety of Eimeria spp. In this study, the frequency of Eimeria species in sheep and goats of Urmia city in different seasons of the year was investigated. For this purpose, 280 sheep and goats were studied from Februry 2020 to Februry 2021. Fecal culture method with potassium bicromate (2%) was performed for Identification of Eimeria spp. Out of 280 small ruminants studied, 48 (17.14%) were infected with Eimeria spp. From the studied sheeps, six Eimeria species including E. intricata (40.54%), E. parva (18.91%), E. faurei (16.21%), E. ovina (10.81%), E. ahsata (8.10%), and E. pallida (5.4%) were identified. From the studied goats, three Eimeria species including E. arloingi (54.54%), E. christenseni (27.27%) and E. palida (18.18%) were also identified. The results of this study showed that there are different types of Eimeria spp., including pathogenic Eimeria in sheep and goats in Urmia. According to the importance of sheep and goat breeding industry in the northwest of Iran, preventive and periodic treatments against coccidiosis can prevent the effects of this parasite, including reduced production and growth rate especially in younger species and thus help the economics of the region.

Due to the importance of Sarcocystis as a common zoonotic disease in public health, in this study, the infection rate of Sarcocystis infection and molecular identification of its species by using COX1 and 18srRNA genes in slaughtered cattle and buffaloes of the abattoir of Urmia was investigated. For this purpose, samples were taken from the intercostal muscles, diaphragm, esophagus, and thighs of 100 cows and 100 buffaloes slaughtered in the slaughterhouse of Urmia city in 2021. At first, macroscopic and microscopic evaluation were performed on samples. Then, DNA was extracted from homogenized tissues and molecular investigations were done using COX1 and 18srRNA genes. In the macroscopic examination, none of the samples obtained from cows were infected with sarcocystis, while this protozoan was isolated from 11 (%11) samples obtained from buffaloes. The infection rate in the impression smear method in cow and buffaloes samples were 27 (%27) and 16 (%16) and in peptic digestion method was 37 (%37) and 23 (%23), respectively. In parallel, molecular evaluation confirmed the presence of sarcocystis infection in 39 cases (39%) out of 100 cow carcasses and 26 cases (26%) out of 100 studied buffalo carcasses. The findings of this study indicate relatively high infection rate in cattle and buffalo populations of the province. The findings of this study indicate relatively high infection rate in cattle and buffalo populations of the province. So, it is suggested to avoid eating raw and undercooked meat.

Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic protozoan infecting various vertebrates such as humans and domestic animals. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and genotypes of G. duodenalis using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in dogs of Urmia, Iran. Overall, 246 stool specimens were collected from 100 pet, 49 stray, and 97 shelter dogs in the Urmia, Iran. Totally, seven samples (2.48%) were microscopically positive in terms of Giardia cyst. The PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that three (1.21%) and two (0.83%) samples have the C and D genotypes, respectively. In addition, two samples (0.83%) were belonged to the AI sub-group. A significant association was determined between the frequency of Giardia infection and life style, age, and stool form of dogs. The findings of the study showed the high frequency of Giardia infection in stray dogs and the dogs under one-year-old. Furthermore, the C and D genotypes of G. duodenalis were predominant in dogs of Urmia, Iran.

Taenia spp. and Echinococcus are important common zoonotic parasites in dogs. Dogs as the most important final hosts were infected with several species of these helminths simultaneously which are morphologically indistinguishable. The aim of the present study was to investigate Taenia spp eggs contamination in dogs of Urmia, Iran, by molecular method.

In this study, a total of 246 dog fecal samples were collected from Urmia, northwest of Iran, and examined using a flotation method followed by multiplex PCR for detection and identification of parasites’ eggs.

Taeniid eggs were observed in 12 (4.57%) of samples. Based on Multiplex PCR analysis, 1.62%, 2.03% and 1.21% of samples were infected with Echinococcus granulosus, Tenia spp and simultaneous infection of Tania and E. granulosus were observed, respectively. E. multilocularis was not seen in the samples.

Considering the observation of infection with Echinococcus granulosus and Taenia spp. in this study and their importance as zoonotic parasites, it is recommended to design and implement control programs.

Coccidiosis is a parasitic protozoal disease throughout the world caused by Eimeria species. This disease is also common in Iran. There are many anticoccidial drugs, however; new drugs release are essential due to drug resistance. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is a plant with antioxidant against diseases and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has also antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal effects. The anticoccidial drugs prescription are accompany with drug resistance and their poultry meat residue. Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of C. sinensis and T. vulgaris extracts on sporulation of Eimeria species oocysts of broiler chicken exereta. For this purpose, fecal samples were collected from broiler chicken farms of West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Oocysts were collected using floatation technique. A total number of 5×104 oocysts per mL exposed with different concentrations (20, 40, 60, 80 mg/ml) of C. sinensis and T. vulgaris in different times. Results indicated. C. sinensis and T. vulgaris extracts anticoccidial effect on sporulation of Eimeria oocysts was dose dependent. C. sinensis and T. vulgaris extracts inhibit sporulation of Eimeria oocysts at concentration of 80 and 60 mg/mL after 72h and 48h, respectively. It was concluded that C. sinensis and T. vulgaris extracts can inhibit sporulation of Eimeria oocysts under laboratory condition.

Ticks are important ectoparasites in animals which causes economic losses in animal husbandry of Iran and worldwide. This study was aimed to determine frequency and species diversity of hard ticks in sheep and goats in Divandareh suburb, Kurdistan province, Iran. A total of 240 small ruminants (120 sheep, 120 goats) were randomly selected and examined from spring 2019 to spring 2020. Ixodid ticks were collected from body surface of examined animals and identified. Of all examined animals, 28.58% sheep, and 19.16% goats were infested with a total number of 398 ixodid ticks. The highest prevalence of hard ticks was found in ≥1 years-old animals in the region. There was significant difference between prevalence and different age and sex groups of infested animals. Of all examined ticks (398), four genera including Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp ., Dermacentor spp. and Haemaphysalis spp. with five species. i.e. H. asiaticum asiaticum (36.93%), Rhipicephalus bursa (28.89%) and Dermacentor marginatus (21.85%) , Haemaphysalis  inermis (9.54%) and Hyalomma anatolicum (2.76%) were identified. Ixodid ticks’ infestations occurred throughout the year with the highest prevalence in spring. There was significant difference between prevalence of hard ticks and seasons in this study. Tick indices (tick number per animal) were 3.4.  Based on our results, it is concluded that ixodid tick infections were prevalent among sheep and goats in Divandareh suburb, Kurdistan province, Iran.

Resistance to the knockdown effect of pyrethroid insecticides occurs due to mutations at target sites of pyrethroids, meaning the voltage-gated sodium channels gene (VGSC) in the membrane of the neurons. In fleas, this mutation occurs at two sites in the sodium channel in neurons: one is the replacement of leucine with phenylalanine (L1014F) and the other is the replacement of threonine with valine (T929V). In this study, 81 Pulex irritans and 47 Ctenocephalides canis fleas were collected from five provinces in the west and northwest of Iran. Adult fleas were exposed to cypermethrin 0.75%, and the mortality rate was calculated after 1 and 8 hr, and the mutation sites in the VGSC gene were investigated. The lethality of cypermethrin 0.75% for P. irritans was 40.00 - 57.14% after 1 hr and 60.00 - 73.91% after 8 hr. The lethality of this dose for C. canis after 1 and 8 hr of exposure was 33.33 - 41.17% and 66.66 - 80.33%, respectively. The VGSC sequence analysis indicated two mutation sites in the resistant and one mutation site in the susceptible fleas. The VGSC sequence analysis of susceptible P. irritans showed that 5.50% of them were homozygous susceptible and 94.45% were hetero-zygous susceptible. Susceptible C. canis were 5.26% homozygous and 94.73% heterozygous susceptible. All the resistant fleas were homozygous. The development of pyrethroid resistance and high-frequency L1014F mutation in fleas suggest that pyrethroids are likely to be ineffective in controlling fleas. Therefore, monitoring pyrethroid resistance and its underlying mechanisms are necessary for controlling fleas and finding new alternative control methods.

The aim of the present study was to detect Hepatozoon canis infection in dogs in Urmia municipality, northwestern Iran. The effects of age, sex, lifestyle, and tick infestation as risk factors in the incidence of the disease were studied. During years 2018 and 2019, a total of 246 whole blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of each examined dog (103 stray dogs, 99 shelter dogs, and 44 pets) and subjected to microscopic and molecular examinations. Ixodid ticks were also collected from the body surface and identified. Microscopically, infected neutrophils with Hepatozoon spp. were detected in 5 of 246 (2/03%) thin stained blood smears. Molecularly, 23 out of 246 (9.34%) blood samples were found to be infected with H. canis. There was no significant difference in different age groups and the sex of sampled dogs. However, stray dogs had a higher significant infection rate than pets and shelter ones. In body inspection, all ticks were belonging to the specie of Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The obtained sequence was transferred to GenBank/NCBI (samples accession numbers MT001887). BLAST analysis of obtaining sequences isolated from dogs indicated a 100% similarity with H. canis 18S rRNA gene sequences in GenBank. Based on our results canine hepatozoonosis was common in dogs in the study area.

The present study was conducted to perform a molecular comparison of Pulex irritans based on the mitochondrial genome in four different climatic regions including the Caspian Sea region, a mountainous region, Persian Gulf region,  and the Central Desert region, and based on nuclear ribosome genome in the west and northwestern Iran. A total of 1937 adult flea samples were collected including 1019 P. irritans (52.61%) and 918 Ctenocephalides canis (47.39%) from various hosts including humans (14.1%), sheep (22%), goats (33.5%), dogs (25.6%) and houses (6.7%) between April 2018 and May 2019. The samples collected from different hosts had similar morphological characteristics. However, there were slight differences based on mitochondrial markers and nuclear ribosomal markers in the study populations. The results from the phylogenetic tree based on three nuclear ribosome and mitochondrial markers showed that despite the slight differences in this sequence of different hosts and cities, all samples from different regions are in the same phylogeny. The results of ribosomal and mitochondrial genome analysis showed that these pieces are useful for demonstrating intraspecific similarity, and differentiation at species level and genus of P. irritans.

  Fleas are clinically important parasites for affecting human health. These insects are carriers of some pathogens such as Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia typhi, Q fever, Tularemia and Bartonella henselae which are infectious for humans and animals. The aim of this cross –sectional study was to detection of Rickettsia, Bartonella and Wolbachia pathogens in infected Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans using molecular method in West and Northwest of Iran.

The present study is a, descriptive, cross-sectional study (prevalence rate=10%, confidence level=95%,  error rate=5%) which  performed on samples collected from five provinces including  Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Azerbaijan Western, Lorestan and Hamedan for 13 months from May 2018 to June 2019. In this study, samples were collected by optical trap, human prey and direct isolation of the sample from the host and identified in the parasitology laboratory using valid diagnostic keys. The prevalence of Rickettsia, Bartonella and Wolbachia in the collected samples was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification and sequencing of gltA, pap31 and 16SrRNA genes were used for molecular diagnosis of  Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Wolbachia respectively.

The collected samples included 918(47.39%) fleas of C.canis and 1019 (52.60%) fleas of P.irritant. The PCR products of each gene was subject to sequencing. In this study, 12.9% , 5.21% and 5.21% of fleas were positive for  Wolbachia , Rickettsia and Bartonella, respectively .

Bartonella, Rickettsia and Welbachia are vector borne infectious agent. Due to their high pathogenicity and easily transmission among insect and human, monitoring of insects is essential for the controlling of the infection and preserving the public health in endemic area.

Ticks are important ectoparasites in equids which causes economic losses in animal husbandry of Iran and worldwide. This study was aimed to determine frequency and species diversity of hard ticks in equids in Turkman sahra, Iran. 240 equids were randomly selected and examined from 2018-2019. Ixodid ticks were collected from body surface of examined animals and identified. Of all examined equids, 37.91% horses, and 4.16% donkeys were infested with a total number of 357 ixodid ticks. Tick indices (tick number per animal) were 3.53.  The highest prevalence of hard ticks was found in ≥3 years-old equids in the region. There was significant difference between prevalence and different age groups of infested animals. Of all examined ticks (357), three genera including Hyalomma spp., Rhipicephalus spp. and Dermacentor spp. with four species. i.e. Hyalomma anatolicum (65.26%), H. marginatum (10.64%), Rhipicephalus bursa (22.12%) and Dermacentor marginatus (1.96%) were identified. Ixodid ticks’ infestations occured throughout the year with the highest prevalence in spring. There was significant difference between prevalence of hard ticks and seasons in this study. The results revealed that species diversity and ixodid ticks’ infestations were prevalent in the equids of Turkman sahra, Iran.

Trichomonas gallinae is a parasite that acts as a canker-causing agent and leads to significant loss and mortality, especially in young birds. Metronidazole is the approved drug used for the treatment of trichomoniasis. A non-chemical alternativess such as medical plant extracts are also used to treat this disease due to drug resistance. This study aimed to assess in vitro antitrichomonal effects of Lavandula angustifolia and Zingiber officinale extracts on T. gallinae compared with metronidazole. The T. gallinae samples were obtained from infected pigeons. Multi-well plates filled with different concentrations (5.00, 10.00, 25.00, 50.00, and 100 μg mL-1) were used to perform in vitro analysis. The Z. officinaleextract’s minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the 24-hr period was 25.00 μg mL-1, while it was 50.00 μg mL-1 for metronidazole. The MIC value obtained for L. angustifolia extract in 24-hr was 50.00 μg mL-1. The results indicated that the extracts of Z. officinaleand L. angustifolia could act as potential natural agents against trichomoniasis. Furthermore, this study delineated the equal efficiency of L. angustifolia and Z. officinale with that of metronidazole in inhibiting the growth of Trichomonas gallinae trophozoites in culture media.

Application of chemotherapy to treatment of parasitic disease of man and animals can be problematic due to different adverse effects. As a result, there is an increasing interest in nanoparticles as new therapeutic tools against these diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles on Giardia deudenalis cysts in vitro, as well as comparing it to that of metronidazole.

The cysts were taken from the stools of patients in Urmia, Iran, during 2017-2018. The cysts were taken from stool and were concentrated and isolated on 0.85 M-sucrose. Then, selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles were prepared at concentrations of 0.15, 0.3, and 0.6 mg/ml. The effect of nanoparticle’s various concentrations at 10, 15, 30, 60, and 180 min were evaluated and compared to control groups. Obtained data was recorded and statistically analyzed.

Copper oxide nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.6 mg/ml and selenium nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.3 mg/ml had the same effect as of metronidazole in killing of Giardia cysts. The cytotoxic effects of selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles, compared with metronidazole, on Giardia cysts, showed an increase of fatality rate due to extend exposure time and nanoparticle’s concentration (P<0.05).

Selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles are as efficient as metronidazole, for killing Giardia cysts in vitro.

The protozoancryptosporidiumisan important intestinal parasitic infection in domestic ruminants that has the potential for transmission between humans and livestock throughout the world and Iran.

The present study was undertaken to determine cryptosporidiuminfection in different age groupsof cattle and water buffaloesin farms of Mahabad suburb, Iran.

For this purpose, a total number of 248 fresh fecal samples were randomly collected from rectum of cattle and water buffaloesin farms of 4 villages from May2016 to May 2017. The fecal samples were subjected to floatation technique andcryptosporidiumoocysts were collected using Sucrose Gradient and Percole flotation technique and stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique.

Overall prevalence of cryptosporidiuminfection was 50% (124/248). The highest rate of infection was significant in female calves (30.65%) less than one year-old. The highest infection rate was significantly found in summer (20.16%). Cryptosporidium parvum and C. andersoni were identified in 40.32% (100/248) and 9.68% (24/248) of examined cattle, respectively. Mixed infection was 8.47%.

The results of this study indicated that C.parvum was prevalent in cattle of the region, therefore, further molecular studies are recommended to determine the genotypes of the parasiteas a potential zoonotic agent.

Honey bee ectoparasites infestations may affect the insect and cause the population reduction and economic damage in apiculture system. The present study was aimed to determine the Prevalence of Varroa and association of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in apiaries in Urmia suburb, Iran, over one year (2017- 2018). A total of 840 beehives of 120 apiaries in Urmia suburb were randomly sampled. Of those, 301 bees (35.83%) and 190 bee larvae (18.33%) were infested with Varroa. The highest infestation was found in bees and bee larvae in summer. 93 out of 840 apiaries had CCD signs. 61 out of 93 apiaries (65.59%) with CCD were infested to Varroa. There was a significant relation between CCD and Varroa (p <0/05). From the results of this work, it was concluded that Varroa mites are a prevalent ectoparasite in apiaries of Urmia suburb which may have an important role in the incidence of CCD.

Chemotherapy is currently used in treatment of different diseases, yet its various adverse effects has led to difficulties in its use for treating hydatid cysts. This leads to use of different non-chemical materials, such as plant extracts as alternatives to chemotherapy in order to cure hydatid cysts.
The aim of the present study was to investigate Quercus infectoria Olivier extract effects on hydatid cysts.
In this experimental study, various concentrations of Quercus infectoria Olivier extract at different exposure times were evaluated under laboratory conditions for their scolicidal effects on hydatid cysts. To this end, protoscoleces were collected from the livers of sheep affected by hydatid cysts and they were placed under exposure of various concentrations of Q. infectoria extract (10, 25, and 50 mg/mL) for various durations of 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. Staining with 0.1% eosin was used to specify the viability of protoscoleces. The SPSS software (version 19, Chicago) was the software used to perform the statistical analysis.
The obtained results indicate that Q. infectoria extract with the concentration of 50 mg/mL is able to kill all protoscoleces during 20 minutes. It is understood that the scolicidal effects of Q. infectoria on hydatid cysts was significant compared to the control groups (P The obtained results delineate higher scolicidal efficacy of Q. infectoria’s methanolic extracts; nevertheless, more research should be conducted to confirm the in vivo effects of Q. infectoria on curing hydatid cysts in human beings and different herbivorous animals.

Giardia duodenalis is one of the most prevalent intestinal protozoa infecting humans and domestic animals. The aim of this study was to identify subspecies of G. duodenalis by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method from fecal samples of naturally infected cattle in the Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Overall, 246 fecal specimens were collected from the cattle (diarrheic and healthy) and microscopically examined for G. duodenalis. The PCR-RFLP analysis of glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) locus was used to identify the genotypes found in cattle. In this method, 432 bp expected size was amplified and then specific restriction NlaIV enzyme was used for subspecies detection. Totally, 23 (9.34%) specimens were microscopically positive for giardiacyst out of 246 examined samples. The PCR-RFLP analysis revealed that 19 samples (82.60%) have the genotype E and 4 samples (17.39%) belong to the subgroup AI. Our findings indicated that G. duodenalis infection is prevalent in cattle of Urmia and the non-zoonotic genotype E predominates in cattle in this region.

Donkeys (Equus asinus) are economical for use in small-scale farming and are handy in third world countries with a poor infrastructure. Ticks are one of the most important external parasites which affecting the equine industry with high economic impact. The main objective of this study was to determine the tick species of donkeys that occur in the Northwest of Iran as possible risk for tick-borne diseases. The study was conducted during the four seasons in 2013 in 15 villages of West Azerbaijan province. During four seasons a total of 455 Ixodidae ticks were collected comprising 3 genera of hard ticks including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus and Dermacentor. These 3 genera included four species. The main species were Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma marginatum, Rhipicephalus bursa and Dermacentor marginatus. Although the parasite did occur throughout the year, there was a seasonal variation in the prevalence of ticks. Some of the collected ticks may play an important role for transmission of vector borne disease to donkeys; therefore, there is a need to investigate the potential tick vectors involved in the transmission of heamoparasites in donkeys in this region.

Equine piroplasmosis is a severe disease of horses caused by the intra-erythrocyte protozoan, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. The aim of this study was to identify equine piroplasmosis based on molecular and morphometrical features in horses in suburb of Urmia, West Azerbaijan province, Iran. From April to September 2011, a total number of 240 blood samples were collected randomly from horses of 25 villages. The specimens were transferred to the laboratory and the blood smears stained with Geimsa, and the morphological and biometrical data of parasite in any infected erythrocyte were considered. Extracted DNA from each blood sample was used in multiplex PCR in order to confirm the presence of B. caballi and T. equi. Microscopic observation on 240 blood smears determined that 15 (6.25%) and 5 (2.80%) samples were infected by T. equi and B. caballi, respectively. The mixed infections occurred in 2 (0.83%) samples. The results of the PCR assays showed 26 (10.83%), 14 (5.83%) and 4 (1.66%) were distinguished as T. equi, B. caballi and mixed infection, respectively. Differences in infection rates were statistically nonsignificant between male and female horses and among different age groups. Our findings indicated that T. equi and B. caballi were prevalent in horse population.

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread disease in humans and many other species of warm-blooded animals. Among livestock animals, sheep and goat are more widely infected by Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite is a major cause of abortion, with significant economic losses for sheep and goat breeders.. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was employed to detect of the T. gondii DNA in the milk of sheep and goats based on its B1 gene.. A total of 625 milk samples were collected from 345 sheep and 280 goats from randomly selected flocks of North-West of Iran.. Of 625 examined milk samples, 19 animals (3.04%) yielded a specific T. gondii B1 fragment (529 bp), of which T. gondii was detected in 16 (4.63%) sheep and 3 (1.07%) goat milk samples. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the PCR products of T. gondii with AluI restriction enzyme produced only one distinct pattern among all positive samples, which indicates that one RFLP profile of T. gondii exists in the study area.. Presence of T. gondii DNA in the milk of sheep and goats raises the possibility that this parasite is transmitted through consumption of raw milk. Since sheep and goats are important milk sources in Iran, there is a high risk of contamination through milk from these hosts due to their susceptibility to infection. Further studies are required on milk producing animals to implement effective control strategies against toxoplasmosis..

This survey was carried out to determine the infection rate of Coenurus cerebralis in Urmia abattoir, West Azerbaijan, Iran. A total of 402 sheep heads were examined and the number of C. cerebralis cysts per each head was recorded. Thirty three sheep heads were examined each month during 12 months from 2006 to 2007. Of 402 heads, a number of 75 heads (18.65%) were infected with C. cerebralis. The cysts located in the left and right hemispheres and cerebellum were 54.63%, 40.20% and 5.15%, respectively. The infected heads contained 1-4 cysts. The highest and lowest prevalence were detected in sheep in March (42.42%) and in July (2.94%), respectively. The infection rates according to age of sheep were 42.02% in 0.5 to 2 years, 22.50% in 2 to 4 years and 8.92% in older than 4 years. The age specific infection rates among age groups were significantly differed (P < 0.05). Infection rate in Haraki breed (27.77%) was higher comparing to the rate in the Ghezel breed (21.13%) and Makoie breed (23.91%). However differences between sheep breeds were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).