Molecular detection and identification of Bartonella species in cats from Hamedan and Kermanshah, Western Iran.

Bartonella species are emerging vector-borne zoonotic pathogens which infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Cats are the primary reservoir hosts for several zoonotic Bartonella spp., the most common being B. henselae the causative agent of cat scratch disease. Despite the important role of cats in the epidemiology of bartonellosis, there is limited information about the prevalence and species infecting cats in Iran. The aim of present study was molecular detection and identification of Bartonella species in cats from two western provinces Hamedan and Kermanshah. From December 2018 to February 2021, 87 cats (n = 26 from Hamedan, n = 61 from Kermanshah) were examined clinically, their bodies were searched for collection of ectoparasites, and cephalic or saphenous blood specimens were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood specimens and conventional PCRs targeting the rpoB, and ITS regions of Bartonella spp. were performed. Positive samples were sequenced and analysed phylogenetically. Bartonella DNA was detected in 11/87 cats (12.64 %). Sequencing results revealed the presence of B. henselae in cats from Hamedan, and B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae in cats from Kermanshah. A statistical association between cat origin and the prevalence of Bartonella spp. was observed in the studied population. This study confirms for the first time the circulation of Bartonella spp. in cats in two western Iranian provinces. Prevention strategies e.g. ectoparasites control, and regular examination of pet and urban cats are suggested for minimising Bartonella infection in cats and subsequently in humans.

Detection and Genomic Characterization of Canine Circovirus in Iran.

Canine circovirus (CaCV) is a single-stranded DNA virus that globally circulates in dogs and wild carnivores. Although the pathogenic potential of the virus has not been fully understood yet, CaCV has been suggested to exacerbate the clinical course of other canine viral infections but also to circulate in dogs without clinical signs. In this study, we carried out real-time PCR assays to detect enteric pathogens from 156 canine rectal swabs collected from dogs without enteritis in 3 different regions in Iran. A total of 14 samples tested positive for CaCV and full-length genome sequences were obtained from 6 of the detected strains. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that, despite the distance between the different sample collection sites, all Iranian CaCV strains were closely related and formed a separate clade from extant CaCVs. The present study shows that CaCV is circulating in non-diarrheic dogs in Iran, thus highlighting the need for further epidemiological investigations in Iranian domestic and wild carnivores.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to Parasitic Diseases and Anthelmintic Resistance Among Livestock Farmers in Hamedan, Iran.

Iranian studies have shown a high prevalence of broad spectrum anthelmintic resistance (AR) in gastrointestinal helminths of ruminants. However, there is a lack of information about levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices among livestock farmers in Iran regarding the concept of parasite control and AR. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of livestock farmers of Hamedan, Iran, regarding parasitic diseases and AR by interviewing 150 farmers using a structured questionnaire. Most of farmers had some knowledge of the clinical signs associated with helminth parasitism, but more than half were unaware of the existence of zoonotic parasites. More than half of the participants had never heard about AR, but were interested to learn about it through their veterinarians. Those who were aware of the problem considered non-prescribed anthelmintic drugs to play a role in its emergence, while several of the participants believed that "more expensive" and "foreign-branded" drugs worked best. Almost all of the farmers reported that they frequently consulted with a veterinarian about anthelmintic treatments, but very few adhered to recognized principles of responsible and sustainable drug use. About half of the participating farmers treated their sheepdogs for helminth parasites, despite the common practice of regularly feeding likely infected livestock offal. Education had a significantly positive association with farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and best practice scores, while knowledge was significantly associated with both attitudes and practices. Based on these results, we recommend that regular country-wide classes should be held to educate farmers on the evidence-based principles of sustainable helminth control and prevention of zoonotic helminth diseases.

Proximal ureteral reconstruction using renal capsule flap: a canine experimental model.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this article was to evaluate the effectiveness of using the renal capsule in ureteral reconstruction in a canine model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten clinically healthy male adult dogs were used in this study. Dogs underwent ureteral reconstruction using a tube-shaped flap of the renal capsule. RESULTS: All but one animal (90%) survived till nephrectomy and thereafter. At 30 days after operation, the double-J stent was removed from the ureter, and at the 60th day, intravenous pyelography confirmed openness of the duct. The internal surface of the tunneled flap was coated with thick, folded urothelium. Maturing granulation tissue and angiogenesis as well as fiber producing fibroblasts were observed in the lamina propria. The presence of smooth muscle cells beneath the lamina propria indicated complete reconstitution of the damaged ureter. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the autologous renal capsular flap provided a practical option for treating ureteral defects in dogs with an acceptable outcome. So, using the selfsame renal capsular tissue is a feasible method for restoration of the injured proximal ureter.

Expression of pro-inflammatory genes in lesions, spleens and blood neutrophils after burn injuries in mice treated with silver sulfodiazine.

OBJECTIVES: It is now supposed that cytokines released during the burn injuries have a great impact on the immunological and pathological responses after the burn. The main objective of this study was to investigate the expression of some pro-inflammatory genes in the wound, spleen and blood neutrophils during the healing process of burn wounds in a murine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of ten pro-inflammatory genes were examined in wounds, spleens and blood neutrophils of mice with burn injuries treated with either silver sulfodiazine or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using RT-PCR at the end of the first and second weeks after injuries. RESULTS: None of the pro-inflammatory genes were expressed in the skin, spleen and blood neutrophils of healthy mice. In the group control, IL-12P35, IL-12P40, CCR5, IL-1ß and IFN-γ were expressed in the spleen and blood neutrophils in the first week. Instead, CCL5, CCR5, IL-1ß and IFN-γ were expressed in the wound, but in the second week, the expression of the genes became similar. In the test group, in the first week, TNF-α, IL-12P35, IL-12P40 and IL-1ß were expressed in the lesions, CCL4, IL-1α, IL-12P35, IL-12P40, CCR5 and IFN-γ were expressed in the spleen and no pro-inflammatory gene expression was detected in blood neutrophils. CONCLUSION: IL-1ß and IFN-γ are expressed in wound, spleen and neutrophils of untreated mice, but not in silver sulfodiazine treated mice. Hence, treatment with silver sulfodiazine suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes in some stages of healing.

Dioctophyma renale (Goeze, 1782) Infection in a Domestic Dog from Hamedan, Western Iran.

Dioctophyma renale infection is found in a wide range of mammalian species, typically in temperate areas of the world. Here, we report for the first time, the parasitism of a domestic dog by D. renale in Hamedan, Iran, a mountainous cold region, lacking significant amounts of rainfall, high humidity and temperature. A 2.5 yr old male mixed breed dog was presented with a two months history of progressive hematuria and muscle weakness. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry were performed with results indicating impaired renal function. Urinalysis, showed hematuria as well as parasitic eggs, suggestive of D. renale infection. Urinary system ultrasonography revealed a hypoecogenic tubular structure in the right kidney. The animal was treated with fenbendazole (45 mg/kg, PO, QD - five days) and ivermectin (0.02 mg/kg, SC, single dose). One week later, repeated laboratory examination confirmed presence of at least one alive worm in the affected kidney. A unilateral nephrectomy was performed; one female (60 × 5 cm) and one male (30 × 3.8 cm) live worm were taken out of the extremely thin walled right kidney. One month later, due to failure of the remained kidney and poor condition, the patient deceased. We conclude that dioctophymosis can be found in cold and or relatively dry area. Moreover, the results showed that the worm was not affected with common anthelmintic drugs.