BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoon with worldwide distribution that infects human and a wide spectrum of warm- blooded animals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to survey the prevalence of T.gondii antibody in slaughtered livestock in slaughterhouse with modified agglutination test in Sanandaj in 2015. Methods: Totally 343 serum samples were collected from 130 cows, 111 sheep and 102 goats from May to July 2015 in Sanandaj slaughterhouse. Sera were examined with modified agglutination test (MAT) for T.gondii antibody and 1.40 titer antibody and above was considered as positive. Results: Antibodies of T.gondii were found in sera of 51 out of 343 (15.45%) samples. From 51 seropositive sera, 13 cows (23.84), 13 goats (12.74%) and 9 sheep (8.1%) were infected. The differences among species were statistically significant (P≥.002). Conclusions: Results indicate that T. gondii in sheep, goats and especially cows is prevalent, so consumption of undercooked meats should be avoided, also the prevention methods of infection should be taught to the people and due to the possibility of limitations in the results of serological tests, repetition of the study using molecular techniques is recommended

In Brazil dipters of the Lutzomyia genus are the main vectors of leishmaniasis for humans and animals. However, other hematophagous insects such as ticks, fleas, and horse flies may also be considered potential vectors of this protozoon. This paper, regarding an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis, is the the first description of the Leishmania spp. presence in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Two A. aegypti mosquitoes were captured: one of them was feeding on a polysymptomatic dog with leishmaniasis, confirmed by parasitic demonstration and positive PCR for Leishmania spp., and the other was collected in the environment where the dog was isolated. The mosquito engorged with dog’s blood was crushed between two microscopic slides and the other one was processed by the polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) searching for the presence of Leishmania spp. DNA. Amastigote forms of Leishmania sp, were observed in the smear prepared from one mosquito by microscopic examination, as well as other protozoa’s flagellated forms. In the other insect it was observed Leishmania DNA amplification. This observation reinforces the role of dogs as sources of infection of Leishmania spp. even to other potential vector species.

DNase activity in Haemonchus contortus reproductive tissue was characterized and compared to that in whole worm. DNase activity in reproductive tissue was detected throughout pHs 4-10 with high activity under acidic conditions. The activity was not inhibited by 10 mM EDTA at pH 5.0, but largely inhibited by pH 7.0. The activity produced DNA fragments with mixtures of 3'-hydroxyls (OH) and 3'-phosphates (P) at each pH. Three distinct DNase activities were identified and had M∧rs of 34, 36 and 38.5 kDa in zymograms, which were distinguished according to pH requirement and sensitivity to EDTA.

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), is one of the prime fundamental health issues facing the cattle industry, and has resulted in significant economic losses. This study aimed at detection of the enteric pathogens in diarrheic calves. Another objective was to correrlate the existence of isolated enteric pathogens to the age and seasonal distribution of diarrheic parasitic and bacterial infections among calves. The bacterial isolates were identified biochemically and serologically. Moreover the samples were examined macro and microscopically to investigate the internal parasitic causes of diarrhea. Also, for Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts were diagnosed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. Out of 364 collected fecal samples, a total bacteria isolated was 356 and identified as 131 Escherichia coli (35.99%), 90 Salmonella enterica (24.72%); 50 S. typhimurium (13.73%) and 40 S. dublin (10.99%), 35 Citrobacter diversus (9.61%), 24 Klebsiella pneumonia (6.59%), 20 P. vulgaris (5.49%), 19 P. penneri (5.22%) and 37 Staphylococcous aureus (10.16%). Regarding the parasitological findings; Toxocara vitulorum was 19.8% (72 out of 364), Oocysts of Eimeria spp. were found in 26.9% (98/364), Cryptosporidium spp. was 29.4% (107 out of 364) and Giardia spp. infection was 14% (51 out of 364). In conclusion, NCD problem is a multifactorial in which bacterial and parasitological causes were the prime causes. Thus, regular monitoring and efficient treatment of bacteriological and parasitological causes of NCD are highly recommended.

Trypanosomiasis in camels is a worldwide major clinical problem. The objective of this review was to present analysis of comprehensive studies on camel trypansomiasis in the Gulf region through meta-analytical investigation. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the rules of PRISMA. Data were extracted after complete search; then finally eligible articles were identified. Using comprehensive meta-analysis software program, the data were analyzed. The results of meta-analysis were effect size, confidence intervals (CI), heterogeneity, and publication bias. Out of 11837 camels in 19 accepted studies, 3179 were proved to be infected with T. evansi (26.85 %). At random, and fixed effects, the Z-value of -6.724 (P-value = 0.000) -30.349 (P-value = 0.000) was recorded, respectively. The Q-value (917.361), I-squared (98.038), and P- value (0.000) are the final heterogeneity variables. Additionally, the Tau-squared is 0.632 with a 0.403 Standard Error. Egger’s linear regression test for asymmetry did not indicate publication bias, Intercept (-4.95), 95% confidence interval (from -9.54 to -0.35), t-value (2.27), and df = 17.00. The 1-tailed P-value (recommended) is 0.018, and the 2-tailed P-value is 0.036.  The outcome of Kendall’s tau with continuity correction (-0.29240), with a 1-tailed P-value (recommended) of 0.040 and 2 -tailed P-value of 0.080. Duval and Tweedie’s trim-and-fill method (no studies trimmed) resulted in an adjusted correlation from 0.32702 to 0.34658 (95% CI). In conclusion, the present results indicate that camel trypanosomiasis is a common infection in Gulf countries. Therefore, strict prevention and control policies should be formulated.

Change in β-tubulin nucleic acid and protein sequences was the only known difference between Haemonchus contortus fenbendazole (FBZ)-resistant and -susceptible isolates. This change was sufficient to determine the pathologic effect induced by FBZ treatment. This research was initiated to investigate further differences from these two isolates. Since β-tubulin is involved in formation of microtubule, which has functions in secretory vesicle transport, DNase activities from excretory/secretory products (ESP) of the two isolates were compared, based on pH, sensitivity to DNase inhibitors, molecular masses and production of 3'-OH.