Equine Piroplasmosis in Asymptomatic Horses of Western Iran: Comparison of Microscopic Examination and Multiplex PCR.

PURPOSE: Piroplasmosis is responsible for anemia, fever, loss of physical activity and even death in equines. In epidemiological studies, accurate diagnostic tests are essential for detecting asymptomatic carriers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection in asymptomatic horses from Lorestan province, western Iran by developing a multiplex PCR. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood samples were examined by microscopy and multiplex PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi. Out of the total of 165 horses, 19 (11.51%) and 31 (18.78%) cases were positive for piroplasms by microscopy and PCR, respectively. The detection rates of both genera were significantly higher in multiplex PCR compared to microscopy (p < 0.0001). Compared with multiplex PCR, the sensitivities of microscopy for the detection of Babesia were only 28.5%. The prevalence of T. equi infection was significantly higher in summer (p = 0.035). The prevalence of B. caballi was significantly higher in males (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that the multiplex PCR described here is a sensitive technique for the detection of piroplasm DNA in carriers. Furthermore, asymptomatic carriers must be considered as an important source of infection for equids living in this region.

Surgical treatment of a penetrated metallic foreign body in the oral cavity wall of a mare.

One of the reasons of weight loss and poor performance in horses is decrease in food intake. Oral cavity problems can cause malfunctions in prehension and deglutition resulting in dysphagia. There are few published reports about a metallic foreign body disorders in the oral cavity of horses due to an important role of their flexible lip and incisor teeth in food selection and prehension. This report describes the history, clinical, hematological and radiographic findings and surgical management of a left oral wall fistula formation due to a piece of wire penetration in a pregnant mare. The wire was removed through surgical intervention in a standing position of the horse under mild sedation and local anesthesia. One-month follow-up examination showed that the mare had regained her previous work performance with no post-operative complication. Precise oral examination and using an ancillary diagnostic device such as radiography can be suggested for oral cavity pathologies detection and accurate diagnosis in horses.

The comparative efficacy of tyloxapol versus pentoxifylline against induced acute phase response in an ovine experimental endotoxemia model.

The effective treatments of endotoxemia are necessary to prevent high mortality rates. Hence, the present study was performed to clarify the antiendotoxic effects of tyloxapol and pentoxifylline in experimentally induced endotoxemia in sheep. Thirty clinically healthy 1-year-old Iranian fat-tailed ewes were randomly divided into six equal experimental (n = 5) groups, comprising Negative and Positive control, Tyloxapol 1, Tyloxapol 2, Pentoxifylline 1 and Pentoxifylline 2. Phenol extracted lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli serotype O55:B5 was infused at 2 µg/kg intravenously. Tyloxapol (200 and 400 mg/kg) and pentoxifylline (30 and 60 mg/kg) were injected to Tyloxapol and Pentoxifylline groups, respectively, at 90 min after endotoxemia induction over 60 min along with intravenous fluids. Blood samples were collected from all ewes prior and 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 24 and 48 h after lipopolysaccharide injection and sera and plasmas were separated, subsequently. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were measured in all samples. Serum concentrations of haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, TNF-α and IFN-γ in Tyloxapol 1 and 2 and Pentoxifylline 1 and 2 groups were significantly lower than Positive control one after hour 3. There were no significant differences among Tyloxapol and Pentoxifylline groups (P > 0.05). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in Tyloxapol 1 and 2 and Pentoxifylline 1 and 2 groups were significantly lower than Positive control one after hour 3. There were no significant differences among Tyloxapol 1 and 2 and Pentoxifylline 1 and 2 groups (P > 0.05). Tyloxapol and pentoxifylline act as the anti-inflammatory mediators by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and hepatic APPs and modulating oxidative enzymes activity after endotoxemia induction in sheep. Furthermore, their efficacies at different doses were significantly similar together and both drugs don't induce their effects by dose dependent manner and the anti- and pro-inflammatory effects of them were statistically similar.

A survey on prevalence and pathological findings of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in Iran.

In a survey of 430 Lori-Bakhtiari sheep at a slaughterhouse in Iran, gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 7 sheep (1.6%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult and female sheep (P < 0.05). Chemical analysis of the gallstones revealed 6 sheep with pigment (bilirubin) stones and 1 sheep with cholesterol stones. Chemical composition of bile in these sheep was evaluated. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in the affected sheep revealed bacteria (Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.) in 5 sheep. Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed focal calcification, cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, diffuse and focal infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles in sheep with gallstones. It was concluded that the prevalence of both types of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is low. Cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, but it is not likely to become clinically significant.