Bayesian true prevalence estimation of brucellosis in sheep, goats, cattle and camels in southeast regions of Iran.

AIMS AND METHODS: Brucellosis is worldwide one of the most prevalent zoonotic diseases with serious public health hazard affecting domestic livestock and causing economic losses. Objective of this study is to estimate the true prevalence of brucellosis in livestock, specifically cattle, sheep, goats and camels, using a novel Bayesian latent class model, adjusting for the imperfect sensitivity and specificity of the applied tests, where the second test was restricted only to first test-positive samples. RESULTS: Brucellosis seems more prevalent in goats and sheep, while the posterior medians and 95% probability intervals (95% PI) for the average true prevalence for sheep, goats, cattle and camels are 18% (4%-43%), 19% (7%-37%), 16% (5%-34%) and 18% (1%-48%) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study results indicate that brucellosis is highly endemic in Iran and crucial steps are needed to control and raise awareness about the high public health concern of the disease.

Echocardiographic assessment of intravenous administration of medetomidine and xylazine hydrochloride at different sedative doses in one-humped camel calves (Camelus dromedarious).

Echocardiography illustrates a convenient and noninvasive tool for measuring cardiac output (CO) changes after administration of sedative drugs, but it is unknown in camelids practice. The aim of present study was to investigate echocardiographic effects of intravenous (IV) injection of medetomidine and xylazine in camel calves. Twenty apparently healthy immature male one-humped camel calves (Camelus dromedarious) were divided into four groups (five animals in each treatment). Medetomidine and xylazine were injected into the left jugular vein at two different doses of 10.00 and 20.00 µg kg-1 and 0.20 and 0.40 mg kg-1, respectively. Effects on some selected echocardiographic parameters were recorded at different intervals, before drug administrations (baseline) and after 3, 60 and 120 min. Data were analyzed by repeated measure, ANOVA test, then relevance and significance were taken as p ≤ 0.05. Significant decrease in fractional shortening percentage (FS%), ejection fraction percentage (EF%), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR) and subsequent CO were noticeable 3 min after drug administration in medetomidine high dose (MH), medetomidine low dose (ML) and xylazine high dose (XH) groups (p ≤ 0.05), furthermore at this time significant decrease in left ventricular mass (LVmass) and left ventricular systolic time intervals were seen in these groups, however, in xylazine low dose (XL) group, the lowest level of most echocardiographic parameters were detectable after 60 min. High dose IV injection of medetomidine was associated with significant decrease in most echocardiographic parameters without echocardiographic arrhythmia. Although, ML and XH groups had the same effects on echocardiographic indices but the intensity and duration were less than MH group.

Comparative evaluation of the sedative and physiological effects of medetomidine alone and in combination with pethidine, morphine, tramadol, and methadone in goats.

BACKGROUND: The use of combinations of α2 -adrenergic agonists and opioids has been published as providing superior sedation than either drug alone. INTRODUCTION: The present study aims to compare the sedative and physiological effects of intravenous (IV) administration of medetomidine alone and in combination with methadone, morphine, tramadol, and pethidine in goats. METHODS: Ten healthy goats aged 12 ± 3 months and weight of 22 ± 4 kg were used in an experimental, crossover (Latin square), randomized, and blinded study. The animals were assigned to five IV treatments with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments: medetomidine (20 µg kg-1 ), medetomidine/methadone (0.5 mg kg-1 ), medetomidine/morphine (0.5 mg kg-1 ), medetomidine/tramadol (5 mg kg-1 ), and medetomidine/pethidine (1 mg kg-1 ). RESULTS: Clinical adverse effects such as tremors (facial and generalized), bruxism, nystagmus, mydriasis, and vocalization were presented in all the medetomidine/opioid treatments. Clinical adverse effects were observed at 10-90 minutes in medetomidine/opioid treatments. Animals in all treatments were sedated at 5-90 minutes. Sedation was significantly higher in medetomidine/opioid treatments than in medetomidine at 15-30 minutes after administration (P < 0.05). In all treatments, heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decreased from baseline at 5-105 and 30-60 minutes, respectively. There was no significant difference in heart and respiratory rates between different treatments at any time point. Ruminal motility was decreased in medetomidine and medetomidine/opioid treatments at 10-75 and 10-105 minutes, respectively. Compared with medetomidine, ruminal motility was significantly lower in medetomidine/opioid treatments at 75-105 minutes. CONCLUSION: The use of combinations of medetomidine/opioids would be considered for superior sedation at 15-30 minutes after administration in goats. No significant differences were detected among opioids in combination with medetomidine in goats.

Serological evidence of leptospirosis in Iran; A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Leptospirosis is a neglected infectious zoonotic disease that affects domestic animals and wildlife as well as humans. Although leptospirosis is known as an endemic disease in Iran, there is no accurate information on the overall prevalence of this disease in humans and animals. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among human and domestic and wild animals in Iran. A systematic review of English and Persian articles (since 1998 to December 2017) was conducted using Google Scholar, Medline/PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of science and Iranian databases Iranmedex, Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, and IRANDOC. Search terms include leptospirosis, Leptospira, serology, seroprevalence, seroepidemiology, serological, Iran, cow, goat, sheep, camel, dog, cat, equine, donkey, horse, mule and rodent. In Eventually 66 articles were selected to analyze based on inclusion criteria. Seroprevalence of leptospirosis in human was 27.84% (95% CI: 13.22-22.47) and 19.71% (95% CI: 6.78-32.65%) based on ELISA and MAT, respectively. The pooled prevalence of leptospirosis in cow, sheep, goat and camel was 26.62% (95% CI: 18.76-34.48), 17.38% (95% CI: 13.32-21.43), 12.18% (95% CI: 9.96-14.41) and 22.68% (95% CI: 18.97-26.40), respectively. The prevalence of leptospirosis in horse, donkey, and mule was 19.99% (95% CI: 13.32-26.68), 40.59% (95% CI: 33.20-47.97) and 9.10% (95% CI: 2.90-15.30), respectively. The prevalence in dog and cat were estimated 14.63% (95% CI: 3.49-25.77) and 14.44% (95% CI: 3.25-25.65), respectively. The prevalence of seropositivity in rodents was estimated 20.96% (95% CI: 10.62-31.30). This study is a very comprehensive report on the status of leptospirosis in Iran. Based on our results, leptospirosis has considerable seroprevalence among human and animals in Iran. This high seroprevalence of leptospirosis showed should be given more attention for this disease in Iran and thus health measures must be taken to diagnosis, control and prevent it.

Evaluation of sedative, analgesic, physiological, and laboratory effects of two doses off medetomidine and xylazine in dromedary calves.

The present study aims to comparatively evaluate the effects of different doses of intravenous xylazine and medetomidine on sedation and antinociception scores, and physiological and laboratory parameters in dromedary calves. Thirty clinically healthy male dromedary calves 15 ± 2 weeks old and weighing 95 ± 5.5 kg were studied. Two groups received xylazine at low (0.2 mg/kg) and high (0.4 mg/kg) doses. Two groups received medetomidine at low (10 µg/kg) and high (20 µg/kg) doses. One group received normal saline. Sedation signs were scored using a 3-point scale. Analgesic effect was analyzed using pinpricks. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Sedation and antinociception scores of the animals 1 hr after receiving the higher dose of xylazine and medetomidine were significantly higher than that of other groups. Compared with other studied groups, the animals receiving the higher dose of xylazine showed significantly higher potassium and creatinine serum levels after 24 hr. Doses as high as 0.4 mg/kg for xylazine and 20 µg/kg for medetomidine can be considered safe and useful for procedures associated with mild pain in dromedary calves.

In vitro effects of Artemisia sieberi on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices.

Hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease. Surgery is one of its treatment modalities during which protoscolices are likely to be released into the peritoneal cavity and cause recurrence of the disease. Given the above problem and the complications associated with conventional anti-parasitic agents, it is imperative to find an effective and natural protoscolicidal agent. The present study was conducted to evaluate effects of Artemisia sieberi on Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. Protoscolices were collected from slaughtered livestock in Kerman abattoir and the effect of three concentrations of aqueous extract of A. sieberi (25 mg ml-1, 50 mg ml-1 and 75 mg ml-1) was assessed over three different exposure periods. Results showed that scolicidal effect of this extract at exposure periods of 2, 5 and 10 min was 76 ±â€¯1.4, 76.8 ±â€¯1.41 and 85.7 ±â€¯3.29 percent at concentration of 25 mg ml-1 and 76.8 ±â€¯1.4, 78 ±â€¯3.18 and 86.4 ±â€¯24.9 percent at concentration of 50 mg ml-1 and finally 80 ±â€¯2.73, 90 ±â€¯0.79 and 92.6 ±â€¯1.27 percent at concentration of 75 mg ml-1, respectively. It can be concluded that the aqueous extract of A. sieberi has a protoscolicidal activity and can be considered a natural agent against hydatid cyst protoscolices.

Detection of pancoronavirus using PCR in Camelus dromedarius in Iran (first report).

Coronaviride is a colossal family of viruses that cause a variety of diseases in humans and other animals. As of late, a novel coronavirus, not anterior-optically discerned in humans, has been identified in a denizen of the Middle East. There is growing evidence that the Camelus dromedarius is host species for the virus and plays an important role of a source of human infection. Along these lines, the authors decided to detect coronaviruses in dromedary camels in two high-risk areas of Iran by employing an reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. In the present study, nasal swab specimens were collected from 98 camels (C. dromedarius) traditionally reared in southeast and northwest of Iran. The detection of pancoronavirus was carried out, using RT-PCR. Pancoronavirus RNA was observed in seven cases among 98 nasal swab samples. Among these, 4 positive samples belonged to Azerbaijan province located in northwest of Iran and 3 positive samples were taken from southeast of Iran. The results of this study contribute to raising the hypothesis to the extent of transmission and risk factors for human infection and public health in Iran.

First serological study of equine hydatidosis in Iran.

Hydatidosis, is an important worldwide zoonotic disease caused by larval stages (metacestodes) of tapeworm parasites of the genus Echinococcus. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of equine hydatidosis in Iran by latex agglutination test. This study also served to correlate sex and age with mentioned results in cases. Therefore, 193 serum samples were collected from clinically healthy horses at 9 race clubs in Kerman, Yazd and Golestan provinces, Iran. According to the results, antibodies against hydatidosis were detected in 6 sera (3.11 %) among 193 samples. Results showed two male and four female horses were sero-positive against hydatidosis. In conclusion, present study shows that antibodies against hydatidosis have been detected in Iran equine population. Therefore, it seems that Iranian horse clubs should improve their management and health levels to increase their proficiencies.

Seroprevalence of bovine leptospiral antibodies by microscopic agglutination test in Southeast of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serological findings of bovine leptospirosis which is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution caused by Leptospira interrogans. METHODS: One hundred and sixty seven sera were collected from 9 commercial dairy herds in jiroft suburbs, from July to October 2011. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to evaluates serological findings of bovine leptospirosis in Jiroft suburb dairy farms, Kerman province, Iran. RESULTS: Antibodies were found by MAT at least against one serovar of Leptospira interrogans in 29 samples (17.36%) among 167 sera at a dilution 1:100 or higher, and Leptospira pomona was the most prevalent serovar. Positive titers against more than one serovar were detected in 6 sera of the positive samples. CONCLUSION: This study is the first report of leptospirosis in Southeast Iran and showed that Leptospira pomona was the most and Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae the least prevalent serovars in Southeast Iran.

Seroprevalence of bovine leptospiral antibodies by microscopic agglutination test in Southeast of Iran

Objective:To evaluate serological findings of bovine leptospirosis which is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution caused by Leptospira interrogans. Methods: One hundred and sixty seven sera were collected from 9 commercial dairy herds in jiroft suburbs, from July to October 2011. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to evaluates serological findings of bovine leptospirosis in Jiroft suburb dairy farms, Kerman province, Iran. Results:Antibodies were found by MAT at least against one serovar of Leptospira interrogans in 29 samples (17.36%) among 167 sera at a dilution 1:100 or higher, and Leptospira pomona was the most prevalent serovar. Positive titers against more than one serovar were detected in 6 sera of the positive samples. Conclusion:This study is the first report of leptospirosis in Southeast Iran and showed that Leptospira pomona was the most and Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae the least prevalent serovars in Southeast Iran.

Haematological and biochemical alterations caused by epidural and intramuscular administration of xylazine hydrochloride in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius).

This study was conducted in 16 healthy immature dromedary camels weighing 120-150 kg to evaluate and compare the effects of epidural and intramuscular injections of xylazine administered at 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg. Haematological parameters included haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and total leukocyte count. Biochemical parameters included alkaline phosphates, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and glucose. Parameters were measured at different intervals before (baseline) and after the administration of drugs. Our study showed that the effect of xylazine on haematological and biochemical parameters is dose-dependant and is also related to the route of administration. The low dose of xylazine administered using both intramuscular and epidural methods showed minimal effects, whereas high doses of the drug, especially when injected intramuscularly, caused greater changes in haematological and biochemical parameters.

Epidural ketamine in the dromedary camel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and physiological effects of epidural injection of ketamine in camels. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized prospective study. ANIMALS: Ten healthy immature male dromedary camels. METHODS: Ketamine was administered epidurally at doses of 1 and 2 mg kg(-1) (five animals in each treatment). The drug was injected into the first intercoccygeal epidural space. Anti-nociception, sedation, ataxia, and effect on cardiopulmonary, rectal temperature and some selected haematological parameters were recorded at different intervals before (baseline) and after the drug administration. Data were analyzed by anova or U Mann-Whitney tests, as relevant and significance was taken as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Epidural ketamine at the 2 mg kg(-1) dose produced complete anti-nociception in the tail, anus and perineum, whilst the 1 mg kg(-1) dose produced complete anti-nociception only in the tail. Epidural ketamine resulted in mild to moderate sedation at the 1 mg kg(-1) dose and deep sedation at the 2 mg kg(-1) dose. Ataxia was observed in all test subjects and was severe, resulting in recumbency, in the 2 mg kg(-1) group. Respiratory rate and rectal temperature did not change significantly after injection of either treatment. Following epidural injection of 2 mg kg(-1) of ketamine, heart rate increased significantly from the pre-injection baseline of 55 ± 2 to 76 ± 4 (mean ± SD) beats minute(-1), but after the lower dose changes were not significant. The only significant changes in measured haematologic parameters were decreases in total erythrocyte count at 45 minutes and total leukocyte count from 45-75 minutes, in the 2 mg kg(-1) group. CONCLUSION: Epidural ketamine injection was associated with caudal anti-nociception, sedation and ataxia in the dromedary camels; the intensity and duration of which was dose dependent. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Neither of the doses of epidural ketamine injection in our study was applicable for standing surgical procedures in dromedary camels.

Herd-prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) antibodies in dairy cattle farms based on bulk tank milk analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) antibody positive randomly selected dairy herds in southeast Iran (Kerman). METHODS: Bulk tank milk samples were collected randomly from 44 sufficiently large commercial dairy herds, included near 12 000 dairy cattle, in Kerman (The largest province of Iran), southeast Iran. The samples were tested for antibodies against C. burnetii using the commercial CHEKIT® Q fever antibody ELISA Test Kit (Idexx, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland). RESULTS: The prevalence of positive, negative and intermediate herds were 45.4%, 43.2% and 11.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The result supports the hypothesis of high prevalence and endemic pattern of Q fever in Iran. This investigation highlights the importance of further studies on Q fever in Iran.

Detection of leptospiral antibodies by microscopic agglutination test in north-east of Iran

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect leptospiral antibodies by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) in north-east of Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study was conducted to evaluate prevalence of human leptospiral infections by MAT, using six current reference strains of Leptospira interrogans in north-east of Iran. A total of 285 serum samples were collected from three north-east provinces of Iran, from December, 2009 to June, 2010.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Antibodies were detected at least against one serovar of Leptospira interrogans in 45 sera (15.79 %) among 285 samples at a dilution 1:100 or greater. Positive titers against more than one serovar were detected in 24 sera of the positive samples. Therefore, there were 75 positive reactions against different serovar of Leptospira interrogans. Positive titers were recorded against serovar icterohaemorrhagiae (31 samples), hardjo (26 samples), grippotyphosa (7 samples), pomona (5 samples), canicola (4 samples) and ballum (2 sample).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In present study the most prevalent (Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae) and the least prevalent (Leptospira ballum) serovar are different from previous studies. Maybe, species and prevalence of serovars change during the time in one area and between regions.</p>

The first serologic study of Q fever in sheep in Iran.

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular microorganism that causes Q fever in humans and animals. In ewes, C. burnetii infections are generally asymptomatic, but they can lead to abortions, stillbirths, and delivery of weak and unviable lambs. Serological assays are suitable for screening herds. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) technique has a high sensitivity and a good specificity. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies among sheep in southeast Iran. A total of 85 serum samples were collected from ten sheep flocks from April to September 2009. Serum samples were tested for Q fever antibodies using a commercial indirect ELISA kit. Antibodies were detected in 25 sera (29.42%) of 85 samples. Sixteen female (18.82%) and nine male (10.58%) cases had antibodies specific to C. burnetii. There is significant difference in seropositivity between male and female groups (P < 0.05). This first study of C. burnetii seroprevalence in sheep in southeast Iran has indicated that seropositive animals can be found throughout the country. Further work is now required to characterize the epidemiology of the infection more thoroughly.

An update on a serologic survey of Q Fever in domestic animals in Iran.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies among goat and dairy cattle herds in southeast Iran. A total of 169 sera (76 caprine samples from 9 goat flocks and 93 bovine samples from 12 dairy herds) were collected randomly. The CHEKIT Q fever ELISA kit was used to identify specific antibodies against C. burnetii in goats and cattle. The results showed that 35.5% (N = 60) of all sera were positive. Goats had a significantly higher average seroprevalence (65.78%) than cattle (10.75%). All of the goat herds and only two dairy cattle herds were positive. This study represents an update on Q fever prevalence in Iran. Goats seem to be a more important risk for human infection in this area than cattle. C. burnetii would be a potent candidate for goat abortion in this region and other nearby provinces.