Identification of Anaplasma marginale in long-eared hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus) and their Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks in Iran.

Hedgehogs play a role in the eco-epidemiology of parasites, viruses and bacteria of veterinary and medical importance. In Europe, hedgehogs have been found infected with tick-transmitted Anaplasma phagocytophilum and A. marginale. In this study blood and ticks collected from 53 long-eared hedgehogs (Hemiechinus auritus) living in southeastern Iran close to Afghanistan and Pakistan borders were examined for Anaplasma spp. infection using microscopical and molecular biology methods. At microscopical examination Anaplasma-like inclusion bodies were found at the margin of erythrocytes in the blood smear of one infected hedgehog (prevalence 1.9 %). Each hedgehog was infested with three to eight adult ticks (average 4.7 ± 1.5). On the body of hedgehogs, the ears were the main site for attachment of ticks. Out of 248 collected adult ticks 81.4 % were Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato and 18.5 % were R. turanicus. PCR and sequencing showed the presence of A. marginale infection in the blood of two hedgehogs (3.8 %) and R. turanicus ticks collected from them. This is the first report of A. marginale infection in hedgehogs in Iran. Epidemiological importance of this finding is discussed and current knowledge on the tick fauna of hedgehogs in the country is reviewed.

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum Infection and Associated Risk Factors in Cattle of Sistan Areas, Southeastern Iran in 2016.

BACKGROUND: Neospora caninum is protozoan parasitic disease now described as the major cause of abortion and other reproductive issues. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of N. caninum in cattle breeds of the Sistan region, southeastern border area of Iran. METHODS: Using an ELISA kit (ID.VET, France), the antibodies against N. caninum in cattle of Sistan was evaluated in 2016. Overall, 184 blood samples from apparently healthy cattle in the eastern border area of Iran Sistan were collected for assessment of antibodies against N. caninum. The values greater than or equal to 50%, were considered positive based on manufacture's manual for ELASA kit. RESULTS: 3.8% of 184 cattle have antibody against N. caninum. Chi-square test showed that the seroprevalence among Holsteins, Sistan and cross-breed was 9.4%, 0%, and 4.3%, respectively. No significant difference was observed among the breeds (P>0.05). The seroprevalence was decreased as the age of cow increased and there is no significant difference between the prevalence of N. caninum and different city area. No statistically significant relationship between the seroprevalence of N. caninum and history of abortion, lactation number and infertility was observed. Although there was no significant difference between the cattle breeds of the Sistan region all the Sistani cows were negative for the antibody against N. caninum. CONCLUSION: Infection rate with N. caninum in bovine population in Sistan region is very low. Environmental and management factors are the major causes, which influence the regional prevalence.

Identification of Theileria Species in Sheep and Vector Ticks Using PCR Method in Zabol, Eastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Theileria is a protozoal parasite that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. Theileriosis is an important tick-borne disease caused by various species of Theileria. Among these species, T. lestoquardi (T. hirci) is highly pathogenic, while other species such as T. ovis make Subclinical and mild infections in small ruminant. Therefore, the precise identification of the species and the vector ticks are very essential for epidemiological studies and the design of control programs. METHODS: This research was conducted with the aim of molecular study to identify Theileria species and vectors in Zabol, eastern Iran in 2015. The presence of Theileria in 80 blood samples and vector ticks was evaluated using PCR method. RESULTS: Of 80 blood samples, PCR analysis showed that 50 samples (62.5%) were infected with Theileria. The evaluation of the first phase PCR with Nested PCR showed that infections with Theileria ovis and Theileria lestoquardi were 67.45% and 32.55% cases respectively. Overall, 110 ticks (78 males and 32 females) were collected and generally two genera and six species including Rhipicephalus bursa (9.1%), Rh. sanguineus (29.1%), Rh. turanicus (10.9%) Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum (23.63%), Hy. excavatum (10.9%), Hy. anatolicum (16.37%) were detected. After evaluating ticks infection by PCR method, three species of Rh. turanicus, Rh. sanguineus and Hy. asiaticum asiaticum, were infected. CONCLUSION: Theileria ovis has a high prevalence among the sheep of zabol and Hy. asiaticum asiaticum, Rh. sanguineus and Rh. turanicus may be the main vectors of Theileria species in this area.

Detection of Theileria annulata carriers in Holstein-Friesian (Bos taurus taurus) and Sistani (Bos taurus indicus) cattle breeds by polymerase chain reaction in Sistan region, Iran.

Theileria annulata is common in tropical and subtropical regions especially in Iran and causes great economic losses in cattle industry. In Iran the epidemiological aspects of bovine theileriosis in different breeds of cattle is poorly understood. The aim of present study is comparison of the number of T. annulata carriers in the two major cattle breeds (Holstein-Friesian and Sistani) in Sistan of Iran by giemsa and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. During winter 2013, 160 native cattle, from the two major breeds in Sistan, with the mean age of more than one year and without typical clinical symptoms of theileriosis were selected. At first, a thin layer smear was held from their ear sublime vein blood for Giemsa staining method. In order to do PCR assay, jugular vein blood sample of each cow was taken. The PCR employs primers specific for the 721-bp gene fragment encoding the 30-kDa major merozoite surface antigen of T. annulata. By PCR method, 38 (47.5 %) Holstein blood samples and 22 (27.5 %) Sistani blood samples had DNA of T. annulata and considered positive (The correlation was significant at values of P < 0.05). By checking 160 blood smears with light microscope and lens × 100, only 10 samples (6.25 %) were positive for T. annulata. Statistical comparison between PCR and smear method showed that the PCR method is more sensitive and accurate in comparison to Giemsa staining method to diagnose the asymptomatic carriers of T. annulata.

A study on prevalence and identification of Ovine Theileria and Babesia infection in Zabol using PCR method.

Infection with Babesia and Theileria Causes high mortality and economical losses in livestock and has a relatively high prevalence in Iran. In Zabol, animals are susceptible to this disease because of presence of vector ticks, weather conditions and smuggle animal across the border and they cause great damages to the economy and production. However, few studies have been done for differentiation of Theileria and Babesia in sheep in this area. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Babesiosis and Theileriosis in sheep in Zabol. A number of 80 animals were randomly selected and their blood samples were examined. The presence of Theileria and Babesia parasites in each sample was determined with PCR and microscopic examination. Of 80 blood samples obtained from sheep, 8 cases (10 %) were positive by microscopic examination where 6 samples were infected with Theileria and 2 samples with Babesia. The result of PCR method determined the prevalence of 66.25 % (53 samples) and 3.75 % (3 samples) for Theileria and Babesia, respectively. The correlation between these two methods (PCR and microscopic examination) was determined with Kappa statistical test. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that Babesiosis has a low prevalence among the sheep of Zabol. This is the first report in which ovine Babesiosis has been studied in this region using molecular identification techniques.

A Rare Case of Gastric Myiasis in a Lion Caused by Gasterophilus intestinalis (Diptera: Gasterophilidae)-Case Report.

Myiasis is the infection caused by a variety of dipterous (fly) larvae in vertebrate's tissue (man and domestic or wild animals). Species of Gasterophilus are obligate parasite of horses, donkeys, zebras, elephants and rhinoceroses. There are records worldwide, but mostly, in tropical and subtropical regions. This case report describes a type of gastric myiasis caused by G. intestinalis in an old lion in a zoo in Sistan, southeast Iran. Myiasis in lions is rarely reported and this is the first report of gastric myiasis in lion.

Species Diversity and Distribution of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in Zabol County, Eastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Ticks are important vectors of human and animal pathogens. They are considered as main vectors for transmission of many viral, bacterial, rickettsial and parasitical pathogens. The aim of the present study was to find out species diversity of ticks, which infested the domestic ruminants in Zabol County, Eastern Iran in 2012. METHODS: Ticks were selected randomly from sheep, goats, cattle and camels. The ticks were collected from the body of infested animals and stored in 70% ethanol, then transported to the laboratory of Zabol University of Medical Sciences. Following examinations under stereomicroscope, ticks were identified using available taxonomic keys. RESULTS: In this study, a total number of 469 adult ticks (381 males and 88 females) were collected. Ticks were classified into 2 genera and 9 species including: Hyalomma dromedarii (17.3%), Hy. schulzei (1.8%), Hy. marginatum (0.5%), Hy. anatolicum excavatum (12.60%), Hy. anatolicum anatolicum (11.2%), Hy. asiaticum asiaticum (11.0%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (21.2%), Rh. bursa (10.2%) and Rh. turacunis (13.911%). The frequency of genus Hyalomma (54.6%) was higher than Rhipicephalus. Rh. sanguineus was the predominant tick species and accounted for 21.26% of the ticks. The ratio of males was more than the female ticks. CONCLUSION: Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus species are commonly distributed in the study area. Further investigations are needed to identify the role of above tick species as vectors of pathogenic organisms.