Evaluation of an immunoblotting test based on whole tachyzoite lysate for diagnosis of humoral response of domestic cats infected with Toxoplasma gondii, Rh strain

This study was aimed to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in cats infected with Rh strain of T. gondii by using an immunoblotting method. For this, cats were experimentally infected using tachyzoites harvested from Vero cell cultures. Tachyzoites were then lysed and transferred to polyacrylamide gels followed by blotting to PVDF membranes. An immunoblotting was performed using these membranes to detect IgG antibodies. Protein bands were detected in regions related to the presence of T. gondii surface antigens, dense granular or rhoptry proteins. No positive bands were detected in serum samples of kittens that received only Vero cell lysates [controls]. Positive or negative results were in concordance to the results of IFAT. The results of this study revealed that whole tachyzoite antigen based immunoblotting is an appropriate diagnostic test for serological detection of anti-T. gondii antibodies in recently infected kittens with this Apicomplexan parasite

Seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in asymptomatic dogs in Iran

Clinically infected dogs have been identified as the main reservoir hosts of visceral leishmaniasis [VL] caused by Leishmania infantum. Recently asymptomatic infected dogs were regarded to be as important as clinically ill dogs. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of L. infantum infection among asymptomatic dogs in the southwest and central parts of Iran and to investigate possible risk factors associated with this infection. 548 serum samples were collected from dogs in three Iranian provinces and subjected to direct agglutination test [DAT] in dilutions of 1:80 to 1:20480. Fifty three [9.67%] of the dogs had detectable anti-L. infantum antibodies at dilutions of >/= 1:80. Living status of the dogs [household or free roaming] was a potential risk factor for the infection; seroprevalence was significantly higher in free roaming dogs [P<0.001]. Dogs of more than 2-year-old had a significantly higher infection rate in comparison with younger dogs [P<0.001]. No significant statistical differences were seen between seroprevalences of the male and female dogs. The results of this study show relatively high sero-prevalence of L. infantum infection in evaluated regions and higher seroprevalence in old and free roaming dogs, which shows the importance of environmental contamination and access of the dogs to the other reservoir hosts

Assessment of avian osteoporosis by a quantitative radiographic method

The aim of this study was to develop a quantitative radiographic method for assessment of experimental osteoporosis in Leghorn breed laying hens. Three groups of 24 Leghorn pullets were reared in cage and fed a ration containing different calcium levels, including 3.55, 2.075 and 0.6 percent [for groups 1-3, respectively]. The hens were fed this diet from 17 weeks of age to the end of the experiment. At 20, 28 and 36 weeks of age, 8 hens from each group were selected randomly. Radiographs were obtained from the tibiotarsus and the humerus of each hen. Radiographs were digitized using a camera and assessed by "Image J" software. Bone radiopacities and bone cortex/diameter [C/D] ratios were measured. The hens were sacrificed and the bone ash and calcium contents were measured. Bone densities of the birds in different groups were significantly different at just 36 weeks of age; they were greater in the tibiotarsus bone of the control group than in the tibiotarsus bone of median [P=0.02] and with the low calcium [P=0.007] groups. Humerus densities were also greater in control group compared with that of median [P=0.04] and with low calcium [P=0.0004] diet group. Cortex/diameter index of the tibiotarsus bone was different in all three stages between control and the two other groups, while there were no significant differences between the humeri C/D indices and the three groups in the first stage. Humeri C/D indices of the second and third stages had significant differences between control and the two other groups [P?0.05]. This study showed that radiographic evaluation of bone density is valuable just in progressed osteoporosis, while C/D index can be used for diagnosis of osteoprotic bones in earlier stages

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs in Tehran, Iran

Toxoplasma gondii infects a wide range of animals; felines are definitive hosts and other animals including the dogs are intermediate hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran, capital of Iran and to investigate possible associated risk factors. Three hundreds ninety six serum samples were collected during 2007-8 from the dogs. Collected samples were tested using an indirect fluorescent antibody test [IFAT] in dilutions of 1:16 and more. All procedures were carried out in Shahrekord University, Iran. All the data were analyzed using SPSS software, qui square test with confidence interval of 0.95. From evaluated samples, 89 [22.47%] were positive in titers of at least 1:16. further evaluations in other dilutions showed positive results in dilutions of maximum 1:16, 1:32, 1:64, 1:128 and 1:256 in 38, 29, 15, 2 and 5 dogs respectively. Investigation of the role of risk factors showed no sex predisposition while infection rate was significantly higher in dogs older than one year old. Living places were of significant importance; infection rate was significantly higher in stray or guard dogs in compare with household dogs [P<0.05]. Relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran shows high environmental contamination. It is recommended that the dogs with suspected clinical signs be tested for T. gondii infection

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs from west and central parts of Iran using two indirect ELISA tests and assessment of associate risk factors

To determine the seroprevalence of anti-Neospora caninum and anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dogs in Iran and to investigate related risk factors to the infection, a study was conducted in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Isfahan and Khoozestan provinces, locate in west central parts of Iran. For this, 548 serum samples were collected from dogs during an 18 month period from July 2007 to February 2009. Serodiagnosis of N. caninum was carried out using a homemade indirect ELISA test and of T. gondii using an optimized indirect ELISA designed using an affinity purified 30 kDa T. gondii surface antigen [SAG1]. From a total of 548 dogs, 159 [29%] were positive for N. caninum and 147 [26.8] for T. gondii. 49 [8.94%] dogs had detectable antibodies against both N. caninum and T. gondii. No sex predisposition was detected in the examined animals, but age and living places were of high importance for both N. caninum and T. gondii infections

Neospora caninum and leishmania infantum co-Infection in domestic dogs [canis familiaris] in Meshkin-Shahr district, northwestern Iran

Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis [MVL] is an infectious disease that affects both human and animals. Domestic dogs [Canis familiaris] are principal reservoir hosts of MVL caused by Leishmania infantum. Dogs are definitive hosts for Neospora caninum and a risk factor for infecting intermediate hosts. The immunosuppression caused by visceral leishmaniasis [VL] can promote the occurrence of co-infections with other agents such as neosporosis. This study aimed to determine the frequency of co-infection of the both protozoan parasites in the endemic areas of VL from Meshkin-Shahr District, north-west of Iran. Altogether, 171 serum samples were collected from domestic dogs of Meshkin- Shahr District by multistage cluster sampling from October 2008 to August 2009. The collected serum samples were tested for the detection of simultaneous infection of L. infantum and N. caninum using direct agglutination test [DAT] and indirect ELISA, respectively. Of the 171 domestic dogs, 27 [15.8%] and 52 [30.4%] were showed antibodies against L. infantum and N. caninum, respectively. Simultaneous infections of N. caninum and L. infantum was found in 16 [9.4%] of the dogs. In VL-positive and VL-negative dogs, N. caninum infection was found in 59.3% and 25.0%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between VL-positive and VL-negative dogs with N. caninum infection [P= 0.001]. These findings indicate that Meshkin-Shahr District in northwestern Iran is an active focus of canine visceral leishmaniasis [CVL]. Neospora caninum and L. infantum co-infection is prevalent in the area and infection by L. infantum seems to enhance susceptibility to N. caninum infection in domestic dogs

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in camels [Camelus dromedarius] in Isfahan Province, center of Iran

The aim of this study was to investigate the sero-prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in Camelus dromedaries; the most popular camel species in Iran. Totally, 310 serum samples were collected from camels in Isfahan Province during 2008 and tested in Shahrekord University using indirect fluorescent antibody test [IFAT] for serodiagnosis of anti-N. caninum IgG antibodies as a cross-sectional study. Among evaluated serum samples, 10 [3.22%] had anti-N. caninum antibodies detectable in dilutions of 1:50 and 1:100. to rule false positive results due to cross-reactivity of this protozoan parasite with the closely related protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, an IFA was also performed for T. gondii infection in dilution of 1:16 for positively reacted serum samples against N.caninum. no concordant infections of these two protozoan parasites were detected. Presence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in camels in Iran emphasizes the necessity of further studies to detect the role of this organism as a pathogen and possibly economic importance in camels population