Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves under one year old in Ilam county (Iran), from March 2014 to February 2015.

INTRODUCTION: Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite that can infect most mammals, including humans. This parasite is an important cause of neonatal diarrhea and morbidity in calves, causing substantial economic loss to animal husbandry. Because of the importance of this parasite in calves, this study was designed in order to determine prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. among calves under one year old in Ilam county (Iran). METHODS: Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was estimated using a cross-sectional study. Fecal samples from 400 calves under 1 year old were collected in Ilam County, from March 2014 to February 2015 and they were microscopically analyzed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen method (mZN). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in calves was 16% (64/400). According to age categories, the highest infection was observed in calves under one month old, and the lowest infection occurred in calves 6 to 12 months old. Age was significantly associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection (p<0.05). The prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in diarrheic and none diarrheic calves was 27.3 and 12.4 % respectively, which indicated a significant association between positivity and diarrhea (p<0.05). The highest prevalence was observed in winter followed by autumn, spring and summer respectively. No statically difference was found between prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis and seasons of sampling. Also, calves' gender was not associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in this study. CONCLUSION: Our results provide useful information about the distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. Also, the role of potential risk factors including age, sex, clinical status and seasons of sampling was indicated in studied calves from Ilam County.

Ectoparasites of Stray Dogs in Mazandaran, Gilan and Qazvin Provinces, North and Center of Iran.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of ectoparasite infestations in stray dogs in Mazandaran, Gilan and Qazvin Provinces in fall and winter in 2013(December to March). METHODS: Seventy dogs in 2013, from these Provinces were examined for ectoparasite infestation and diagnosis of them based on parasitological methods and identification keys was done. RESULTS: The rate of infestation in these areas was 100%, 68.5% and 93.3% respectively. Fleas were the most common ectoparasites on dogs in this study followed by lice, ticks, flies and mites respectively. The isolated arthropods were fleas in 77.5%, lice in 50%, ticks in 8.6%, flies in 6.8% and mites in 5.1% of infested dogs. The ectoparasite of the dogs included 4 flea species: Ctenocephalides canis (29.8%), C. felis (19.9%), Pulex iritans (2.9%) and Xenopsiella cheopis (0.7%), 1 louse species: Trichodectes canis (41.3%), 1 tick species: Rhipicephalus sanguinus (0.7%), 1 fly species: Hippobosca sp. (1.1%) and 1 mite species: Sarcoptes scabiei (3.6%). CONCLUSION: Fleas and lice were the most common ectoparasites in stray dogs of the studied area. Some ectoparasites transmit important human disease, therefore regular monitoring of them is a major concern to control the arthropods and arthropods-borne diseases.

Prevalence of ixodid ticks on cattle, sheep and goats in Ilam County, Ilam Province, Iran.

This survey was performed to find out the infestation rate of Ixodidae ticks in domestic ruminants in Ilam County during 21 March 2009 to 23 August 2009. Sampling was performed in 25 villages and 15 animal farm from different areas of this County. A total of 1,316 ticks were collected from 416 cattle, 208 sheep and 147 goats. The overall prevalence of ticks was recorded: 43, 23.5, and 49/6 % in cattle, sheep, and goats respectively. The number of ticks that collected from cattle, sheep, and goat were 328, 573, and 415 respectively. According to the host, Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum (71.4 %), Hyalomma asiaticum asiaticum (17.6 %) and Rhipicephalus bursa (11 %) were collected from cattle. Hy. anatolicum (32.1 %), Rh. bursa (42.2 %), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (17.3 %) and Haemaphysalis inermis (8.4 %) were collected in sheep. Rh. bursa (41.5 %), Rh. sanguineus (43.2 %) and Ha. inermis (15.3 %) were observed in goats. In this study, ticks infestation rate of cattle, sheep and goat were (43 %), (23.5 %) and (49.6 %) respectively. In this survey the ticks distribution on the body surface of infested ruminants the highest infestation was found in the udder and tail (21 %) in cattle, ear (42.5 %) and tail (30 %) in sheep and ear (63 %) and tail (17 %) in goats. The lowest number of ticks in body surface of ruminants was observed in the ear and shoulder (2 %) in cattle, head and neck (2 %) in sheep and udder (7 %) in goats. Hy. anatolicum anatolicum, Rh. Sanguineus and Rh.bursa were dominant tick in domestic ruminants of Ilam County.

A new report on the occurrence of clinico-histopathological diagnostic criteria for Spinodiplotriaena.

Parasitic diseases of wild birds follows its companion volume, infectious diseases of wild birds, both of which complement the third edition of infectious diseases of wild mammals and second edition of parasitic diseases of wild mammals. In October 2012, a mature black male mynah with lack of balance and ataxia was brought into the birds department of educational hospital in veterinary medicine faculty of Tehran University. Because of no cure in clinical signs after several days of empirical therapy euthanasia and clinical pathology studies were performed. There was no microscopic pathological lesions in brain, bone marrow, heart, lung, liver and the microscopic results were as following; bone marrow: hemophagocytosis reactive macrophages, liver: infiltration of inflammatory cells (hepatitis) and hemosiderin-laden macrophages. Lung: hemosiderin-laden macrophages and spleen findings: infiltration of inflammatory cells, heterophils with phagocytic bacteria. In abdominal cavity two male and one female parasite was detect. Three parasites were cleared with lactophenol and investigated under the light microscopy and important morphological parts of them measured. Also these parasites in serum containing send to the department of parasitology. Based on all collecting data, Spinodiplotriaena (three parasites each by the length of 2/5, 1/7 and 1/5 cm were found) were diagnosed. Report of this case in important because of first report of this infection in a black mynah in Iran.