Effect of Piascledine-bacterial nanocellulose combination on experimental cutaneous wound healing in rat: Histopathological, biochemical and molecular studies.

The study investigated the wound healing potential of Piascledine (an avocado/soybean mixture) alone and in combination with bacterial nanocellulose on rat cutaneous wounds. Full-thickness excisional wounds (2 cm in diameter) were induced on the backs of 60 Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into four groups, treated with daily topical application of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), Piascledine 10% (PSD 10%) and Piascledine+bacterial nanocellulose (PSD + BNC) (10 mg/disk) and normal saline (control) for 20 days. Wounds were monitored daily, and at 10, 20 and 30 days post-injury (DPI), tissue samples were collected for biochemical, histopathological and molecular analyses. Treated rats with PSD and PSD + BNC showed a significant decrease in the wound area compared with other groups. PSD and particularly PSD + BNC modulated inflammation, improved fibroplasia and angiogenesis and scar tissue formation at short term. At the long term, they reduced the scar tissue size and improved collagen fibres alignment, tissue organization and remodelling as well as re-epithelialization. PSD enhanced matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) gene expression, collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) synthesis and decreased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) gene expression at various stages of wound healing. The study concluded that topical application of Piascledine, particularly in combination with bacterial nanocellulose, promotes wound healing activity by modulating inflammation, regulating MMP-3 expression and enhancing collagen and GAGs synthesis.

Bioclimatic Analysis and Spatial Distribution of Livestock Fascioliasis in Iran.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of fascioliasis and to perform a climatological analysis of different regions of Iran based on the current situation of the parasite and its intermediate host using Geographical Information System (GIS). METHODS: Meteorological data were obtained from Iran Meteorological Organization. Risk map of fascioliasis transmission was prepared based on this data and using forecasting indices. Further, the number of fascioliasis cases from 31 provinces reported to the Iran Veterinary Organization were collected and prevalence maps of livestock fascioliasis were drawn. RESULTS: The main risk hotspots were found in Northern provinces like Golestan, Mazandaran and Gilan as well as some Southern provinces such as Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and Fars, which have ideal conditions for completion of the parasite life cycle. Moreover, Gilan Province with 10.83% had the highest rate of fascioliasis infection in slaughtered animal. CONCLUSION: Iran is one of the most important foci of fascioliasis globally. Several provinces of Iran have appropriate conditions for evolution of parasite life cycle and presence of its intermediate host. These regions require special attention and serious determination in order to control fascioliasis in human and animals.

Echinococcus granulosus in humans associated with disease incidence in domestic animals in Kermanshah, west of Iran.

Hydatidosis is one of the important zoonotic diseases that cause considerable economic losses and public health problems worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence Echinococcus granulosus in people and slaughtered animals in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. Hospitals data and meat-inspection records in Kermanshah abattoir were used in this study. A total number of 32,130 slaughtered livestock (7000 cattle, 19,950 sheep and 5180 goats) was inspected in the 3-year period and overall 2043 (6.35 %) were infected. The highest and lowest prevalence was recorded in cattle and goats, respectively. In human, Cystic echinococcosis affected more females (54 %) than males (46 %) with a 1.17 male to female ratio. Rate of disease in urban and rural regions were 46 and 54 %, respectively. The youngest and the oldest patient operated were 7 and 87 years old, respectively, and the age group 21-40 years (41.2 %) were the most affected. A significantly higher number of hydatid cysts were recorded in the liver than in other sites. The ratio of hepatic hydatidosis to pulmonary hydatidosis was 2.46. The results showed that hydatidosis is of great importance in this area and serious attention is needed to prevent and control the disease.

Prevalence of ectoparasites in free-range backyard chickens, domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and turkeys of Kermanshah province, west of Iran.

This study was carried out on free-range backyard chickens, domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and turkeys from May 2012 to April 2013 to determine the prevalence and identify the species of ectoparasites in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. Of the total of 600 free-range backyard chickens (185 ♂ and 415 ♀), 700 domestic pigeons (278 ♂ and 422 ♀) and 150 turkeys (53 ♂ and 97 ♀), 389 (64.83 %), 608 (86.85 %) and 54 (36 %) were infected with one or more parasites respectively. Eleven ectoparasites species including five of lice (50.16 % Menacanthus stramineus, 13.66 % Menopon gallinae, 4.83 % Cuclotogaster heterographus, 5.16 % Goniocotes gallinae, 2.33 % Goniodes gigas), three of mites (26.33 % Dermanyssus gallinae, 8.5 % Ornithonyssus bursa, 7 % Cnemidocoptes mutans), one of tick (78.66 % Argas persicus) and two of flea (12.33 % Echidnophaga gallinacea, 2 % Pulex irritans) were found in the backyard chickens. The domestic pigeons were infected with six species of parasites including: Columbicola columbae (61.7 %), M. gallinae (10.43 %), M. stramineus (9 %), D. gallinae (8.28 %), Argas reflexus (74.14 %) and Pseudolynchia canariensis (27.7 %). The ectoparasites species recorded in turkeys were M. gallinae (14 %), M. stramineus (8 %), D. gallinae (12.66 %), C. mutans (6 %), A. persicus (24.66 %) and E. gallinacean (6 %). This is the first survey to determine the prevalence and identify the species of ectoparasites among free-range backyard chicken, domestic pigeons and turkeys in Kermanshah province. The high prevalence rate of ectoparasites in free-range backyard chickens and domestic pigeons indicates that parasitic infection is a common problem in this area.

Acute caprine fasciolosis: a case with unusual migration to lung.

Fasciolosis is an important parasitic disease of domestic ruminants and occurs worldwide as a result of infection with liver fluke species. This report describes the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of acute fasciolosis in a goat with unusual migration to lung. A 10-month-old goat was presented with history of weakness and acute recumbency from 12 h ago. The clinicians didn't report clinical evidence of systemic disease. Hematological analysis showed no significant changes in blood parameters except a mild reduction in lymphocyte population and about 6 % eosinophilia and also normocytic normochromic anemia. A noticeable increase in the level of serum ALP, AST and also GLDH were observed. Moreover, total protein and albumin showed a slight decrease in value comparing to reference intervals. In macroscopic examination numerous short vermiform cords were noted on the liver surface and the surface had an uneven appearance. A large number of immature, wandering flukes were seen on the cut surface. Histopathologically, a wide range of hepatic lesions was found. The most important lesions were moderate to severe perihepatitis and haemorrhagic tracts on the hepatic surface. These lesions corresponded to migratory tunnels filled with blood, fibrin and cellular debris. However histopathological findings of lung revealed chronic suppurative bronchopneumonia, but this lesion is not only associated with larval migration.

A survey on helminthic infection in mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus) in Kermanshah, Iran.

Parasitic infections of rodents can compromise scientific research as well as the health of the animals and humans. Based on previous studies, infection rate of parasitic helminths is different in various regions of Iran. The current survey was aimed to determine endoparasitic helminths infection in 138 trapped rodents of Kermanshah county, Iran. Mice and rats were trapped using metal snares from January to October 2011 and euthanized. Rodents included 110 Mus musculus (79.00%), 23 Rattus norvegicus (17.00%), and five Rattus rattus (4.00%). The gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts were removed and examined to identify parasitic helminths. The results indicated that 42.02% of examined rodents were infected with eight helminths species, i.e. Trichuris muris (14.49%), Syphacia obvelata (13.76%), Syphacia muris (2.89%), Aspicularis tetrapetra (5.07%), Heterakis spumosa (5.07%), Capillaria hepatica eggs (3.62%), Hyminolepis diminuta (12.30%), and Cystisercus fasciolaris, the larva of Taenia teanieformis (4.34%). Given the results of this study, we concluded that examined rodents were more infected with nematodes than other helminths. As rodents are usually infected with a number of zoonotic parasites, hence control of these animals has an important role in safeguarding public health.

Prevalence and morphological characterizations of Linguatula serrata nymphs in camels in Isfahan Province, Iran.

Linguatula serrata, well known as tongue worm; is an aberrant cosmopolitan parasite, which inhabits the canine respiratory system (final host). The discharged eggs infect many plant feeder animals including human causing visceral and nasopharyngeal linguatulosis which is known as "Marrara syndrome". In current study, the prevalence of infection with L. serrata nymphs in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of slaughtered camels was investigated in Isfahan Province, Iran. The MLNs of 232 slaughtered camels, including 115 females and 117 males, were examined for L. serrata nymphs. Camels were categorized into four age groups, namely under six months, six months to two years, two to four years and greater than four years. Also, the morphometrics of the nymphs were measured using the classic parasitology methods. Results showed that 21.12% of examined camels were infected with L. serrata. Age and sex had no significant effect on the prevalence of this parasite in camels. The size of the different parts of nymphs' body were recorded and evaluated. The infection rate to the nymphs of parasite in hemorrhagic and black-colored lymph nodes were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than the infection rate in normal-colored nodes. Also, results showed that in soft lymph nodes, the infection rate was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) more than those of normal and hard nodes. A high prevalence of infection in camels suggests possibility of similar high rate of infection in other animals, and people in the investigated area. This, in turn, emphasizes the need for more preventive measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic outbreaks.