Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Dogs serve as definitive or intermediate hosts for some protozoan and helminth parasites, some of which are of zoonotic, and others cause severe infectious diseases in other animals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. A total of 323 fecal samples were randomly collected from shelter dogs in Mashhad and Neyshabur areas. All samples were then transferred to the Parasitology Laboratory and examined detect intestinal protozoa and helminths using the formalin-ether technique. Out of the 323 fecal samples, 92 (28.48%) tested positive for intestinal parasites. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs in Mashhad and Neyshabur areas were 23.83 and 35.38%, respectively. Monospecific infection was found in 19.50% of dogs, while concurrent infection with two or more species was seen in 8.97% of dogs. The frequencies of the nine detected parasites were as follows: Sarcocystis sp. 12.38%, Giardia sp. 4.64%, Cystoisospora sp. 2.78%, Hammondia Neospora-like oocysts 2.16%, Taenia sp. 6.19%, Toxascaris leonina 7.43%, Dicrocoelium dendriticum 1.54%, Toxocara canis 0.92% and Capillaria sp. 0.30%. The results of this study showed the high frequency of intestinal parasites in shelter dogs. To control important zoonotic helminthic diseases such as echinococcosis and toxocariasis, it is recommended to eliminate stray dogs in cooperation with municipalities and veterinary departments in Iran. If stray dogs are transferred to shelters, they should receive regular treatment with effective anti-helminthic drugs.

Abstract Tropical or Mediterranean theileriosis in dairy cattle is widely distributed in many tropical regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proliferation status of mononuclear cells infected with Theileria annulata schizonts in different tissues and its relationship with the pathogenesis of the parasite in cattle by histopathology, immuno-histochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood and tissue samples of eight Holstein cattle that had been lost due to theileriosis and eight healthy slaughtered cattle of the same breed were collected as a control group after necropsy. The piroplasms in the blood smears and the schizonts in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes and macrophages of the lymph nodes were microscopically detected. Histopathologically, the proliferation of macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in lymph nodes and the heart, congestion, and bleeding in the red pulp of the spleen, portal tracts of the liver, interstitial tissue of the kidneys, multifocal necrosis and ulceration in the abomasum together with hyperemia and hemorrhages and lymphoblastic infiltration in the submucosa and lamina propria adjacent to these lesions and emphysema with ecchymotic hemorrhage in the lungs were evident. Immunohistochemistry identified the proliferated cells as mostly Cluster of Differentiation 3- Positive T lymphocytes and macrophage marker antibody 387- positive macrophages. Positive results of PCR for the Tams1 30.00 kDa gene were observed in lymph nodes, liver, lung and abomasum. It was concluded that the pathological changes were the result of schizont-infected macrophage proliferation leading to severe uncontrolled proliferation of uninfected T lymphocytes.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infectionin stray cats and correlation with oocyst shedding and IFN-γ concentration. From April to August 2016, one hundred fifty-nine stray cats were captured from various localities in Mashhad area. The blood and fecal samples were collected from each cat. The serum samples were examined to detect antibodies against T. gondii infection by ELISA assay and the fecal samples were microscopically examined for T. gondii oocyst detection. The concentration changes of IFN-γ in serum samples of seropositive and seronegative cats were measured using ELISA kit. The results showed that59.12% (94/159) of cats had antibodies against T. gondii infection. The seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in the adult cats above three years olds was higher than other groups. Regarding gender, month and region factors, the difference of seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was not significant. In this study, the Toxoplasma/Hammondia like oocyst (THLO) were detected in 2.56% (4/156) in fecal samples of one seropositive and three seronegative cats. Results also showed that the mean value for IFN-γ concentration in the seropositive cats was significantly higher than that of the seronegative cats. Based on the results, the high percentages of stray cats were infected with T. gondii in this area. The IFN-γ concentration of seropositive cats was higher than that of the seronegative cats.

Abstract Dog is the main reservoir host of visceral leishmaniasis in Iran. The present study was carried out to investigate visceral leishmaniasis in owned dogs with dermal lesions in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province. Thirty- nine owned dogs with dermal lesions were selected. During study, four of dogs were euthanized. The dermal smears, blood and tissue samples were collected and examined using parasitological, serological and molecular methods. A total of 39 examined dogs, leishman bodies were microscopically detected in 33.30% (13/39) of dermal smears. The sera samples were tested by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Antibody against Leishmania infantum was detected in 26.00% (10/39) dogs. According to semi-nested PCR, DNA of Leishmania infantum was detected in 2.50% (1/39) of blood samples and in 75.00 % (3/4) of different tissues of euthanized dogs. BLAST analysis of the sequenced samples indicated a 99.00% similarity with kDNA of Leishmania infantum. Based on the results, it is concluded that visceral leishmaniasis due to L. infantum is distributed among household dogs of this area and it needs more surveillance to control the disease by public health and veterinary authorities.