Diagnosis of Mesobuthus eupeus envenomation by skin test: reverse passive Arthus reaction.

While being stung by two large families of scorpions, Buthidae and Scorpionidae have different symptoms and complications, a similar maintenance treatment usually considers as the scorpion species could not be identified easily. Therefore, this study was an attempt to develop an immunologic response for designing a skin sensitivity test that can be used to determine the poisoning. The sensitivity and the specificity of RPA reaction for detecting experimental envenomated mice were evaluated. The inflammatory response for detection of envenomation was obtained by the injection of a solution containing complement, polyelectrolytes and purified monovalent antibodies. As the result, 84.44% sensitivity and 100% specificity recorded 15 min after challenge. Macroscopic findings were also confirmed histologically. No cross-reactions were observed with other species of scorpions and snake venoms. Designed Skin test induced obvious inflammatory reaction without any histological lesions. Besides adding the complement components and polyelectrolyte to the monovalent antibody leads to an increased susceptibility of inflammatory cells in this reaction, resulting in forming a visible inflammation in a short time. According to satisfactory specificity and sensitivity and visible results in about 15 min, non-harmful and cost benefity of reverse passive Arthus test can be used for diagnosis of scorpion envenomation.

A serosurvey of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in dairy cattle in Iran.

A seroepidemiological survey to determine the prevalence of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus among dairy cattle in Iran was carried out during 2006 and 2008. Blood samples were collected from 876 animals in five different provinces of the country. Sera were tested by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative determination of antibodies to CCHF virus. Serological evidence of infection was noted in 52 (5.9%) of 876 dairy cattle. Antibody prevalence increased with age; 78.8% seroprevalence in cattle older than 3 years versus 21.2% in animals less than 2 years old. There was a difference between provinces representing north-east (11.7%) and east (2%) of Iran.