Molecular detection of Theileria spp. in sheep and vector ticks in the North Khorasan Province, Iran

A survey was carried in North Khorasan Province, Iran in 2010–2011, designed to identify Theileria spp. infections of both sheep and ticks. The tick species were also examined. Ninety sheep from different flocks were clinically examined, and blood samples and ixodid ticks were collected. Light microscopy of blood smears revealed Theileria spp. infection in 37 (41.1 %), while 74 (82.2 %) of blood samples were positive using semi-nested PCR. Theileria ovis, Theileria lestoquardi, and mixed infection were detected in 63/90 (70 %), 5/90 (5.5 %), and 6/90 (6.6 %) of samples, respectively. Of the 434 ticks that were collected, the most prevalent species was Rhipicephalus turanicus (69.3 %) followed by Hyalomma marginatum turanicum (18.4 %), Dermacentor marginatus (6.4 %), and Rhipicephalus bursa (5.7 %). The ticks were separated into 42 tick pools, and the salivary glands were dissected out in 0.85 % (w/v) saline under a stereomicroscope and examined using semi-nested PCR. Three pools of H. marginatum turanicum salivary glands were infected with T. ovis and T. lestoquardi, and one pool of R. turanicus was infected with T. ovis. Based on these results, it is concluded that the prevalence of T. ovis is higher than T. lestoquardi and that H. marginatum turanicum and R. turanicus are likely vectors of T. lestoquardi and T. ovis in this area.     

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.     

Microorganisms associated with abscesses of sheep and goats in the south of Iran

A total of 86 abscesses (45 and 41) abscesses of sheep and goats, respectively) were examined for their causal agents; 44 of these abscesses were located subcutaneously, and the remaining 42 were in lungs, livers, intestines, and udders. A total of 23 different types of microorganisms were isolated from 78 abscesses; bacteria were not detected in the remaining eight abscesses. Microorganisms isolated were: species of the genera Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus and Pasteurella, Escherichia coli, and other gram-negative rods. Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and Eubacterium tortuosum were isolated in pure culture from one abscess each in goats. Two to four different microorganisms were associated with 25 of the 86 abscesses. It was determined that 11 isolates of Corynebacterium pyogenes, 2 isolates of Pasteurella haemolytica, 1 of P multocida, and 1 of C pseudotuberculosis were lethal to mice. Two of the C pyogenes isolates from subcutaneous spreading abscesses of goats were pathogenic for rabbits; these two isolates produced similar suppurative inflammation in goats experimentally, but did not cause death. As determined by experimental inoculation, goats were more susceptible than sheep to the two isolates. In nature, subcutaneous abscesses of goats associated with C pyogenes were of a more diffusive type which resulted in generalization of the infection and death of the animals. Postmortem examination of ten goats dying of field infection showed the presence of larvae of the warble-fly Przhevalskiana silenus at the site of infection.     

Some observations on sheep sarcoptic mange in Tehran province,Iran

Sarcoptes scabiei infestation was diagnosed in 278 sheep from 12 fatling flocks. The sheep presented crusted skin lesions initially appear on the lips or nostrils, the lesion on nostrils also extend towards around the eyes, the supraorbital fossae and in some cases over entire face. The infested male lambs by mating behavior in fatling flocks caused transmitting the infection to fat tail area and scrutum. Histopathological study of lesions demonstrated marked acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis. Tunnels could be observed in the hyperkeratotic stratum corneum and mite segments were located mainly in the stratum corneum and also in the stratum granulosum. Attempts to eliminate S. scabiei var. ovis were made in 3 naturally infested sheep herds, by two dippings with two weeks interval with Amitraz, Cypermetrin and Prompetamphos. The results of this study indicate that acaricidal treatment of S. scabiei var. ovis in 3 naturally infested herds was successful, but a few cases of reinfestation were found in each treated group.     

The distribution pattern of Sarcocystis species,their transmission and pathogenesis in sheep in Fars Province of Iran

Of 1362 sheep examined during two years in Fars Province of Iran, 786 (57.7%) were positive for Sarcocystis spp. The prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals owned by nomadic Assyrians (67.95%) than in those owned by local people (41.86%). More of the animals above 2 years age were infected (69.98%) than young ones (30.02%). Females had a higher prevalence of infection (61.07%) than males (38.93%) but most of the males were younger. There was no variation in the infection rate during spring, summer or autumn, but it was low in winter. The species observed were Sarcocystis gigantea, predominantly in oesophagus, S. medusiformis, mainly in diaphragm, S. tenella in the oesophagus, diaphragm, tongue and heart, and S. arieticanis in the oesophagus, tongue and occasionally in the diaphragm. In transmission studies, the prepatent period for S. gigantea and S. medusiformis and for the two microscopic species was 11–13, 10 and 8–12 days, respectively. The infection could not be transmitted to hamsters and guinea-pigs. The macroscopic species were almost non-pathogenic but were responsible for economic losses because of rejection of carcases or parts thereof at slaughter. The microscopic species caused tissue damage to the affected organs, resulting in haemorrhages, mononuclear infiltration and necrotic changes.Abbreviations DPI days post infection     

Prevalence of Theileria spp. infection in sheep in South Khorasan province, Iran

The prevalence of Theileria spp. infection was studied in sheep in the South Khorasan province in Iran from 2003 to 2004. A total of 840 sheep from 34 flocks were clinically examined and investigated for the presence of Theileria spp. in the appropriate blood smears and any tick species on the body of the animals. In this study, 11.9% of sheep were infected with Theileria spp., with a parasitemia of 0.02–0.1%. Differences in the infection rates were statistically significant among different areas of the South Khorasan province. The highest prevalence was found in the Ferdows area (31.4%) and the lowest rate in the Nehbandan area (0.7%). The prevalence of Theileria spp. infection in males and females and between different age groups of sheep were not statistically significant. Seasonally, the prevalence of Theileria spp. infection in sheep reached its highest level in June (26.3%), whereas it decreased in July and August. It was found that 50.5% of the animals harbored Rhipicephalus sanguineus, 48.5% harboured Hyalomma anatolicum and 0.89% harboured Hyalomma dromedari.     

Causes of death and illness in the native sheep of North Ronaldsay, Orkney. I. Adult sheep

Post-mortem examinations on 71 native sheep found dead on the island of North Ronaldsay, Orkney in four visits between April 1983 and July 1985 were carried out. The sheep in this almost feral flock have access to a small area of unmanaged moorland pasture but are otherwise restricted to the foreshore where they subsist largely on Laminaria spp. and other seaweeds. Young adult animals died largely of heavy parasite burdens combined with inadequate nutrition, while the older sheep often starved because of severe dental disease precipitated by heavy deposits of tartar on the cheek teeth--rarely seen in sheep on a more conventional diet. Other underlying metabolic conditions, such as the extensive mineralization of the kidney medulla in many mature sheep, may be debilitating. The pathological findings suggest that adaptation to the peculiar environmental rigours and dietary restrictions on North Ronaldsay is less complete than has previously been assumed.     

Methods of infesting sheep with gastro-intestinal nematodes after cryopreservation: dosing of larvae in gelatin capsules compared to dosing of larvae in water suspension

Cryopreservation of the infective larvae (L3) of nematodes is being used increasingly for the routine maintenance of pure strains of nematodes in the laboratory. Gelatin capsules are frequently used to administer the L3 of nematodes to sheep, but with some nematode species this method usually does not give good results with cryopreserved larvae. The development in sheep of cryopreserved L3 of Trichostrongylus spp. and other ovine nematodes was compared when the larvae were administered either in a suspension or in gelatin capsules with or without the use of CuSO4 to stimulate the oesophageal groove reflex. Significantly larger numbers of cryopreserved L3 developed when dosed per os in suspension than when the L3 were dosed in gelatin capsules. Stimulation of the oesophageal groove did not appear to affect the numbers of worms that developed from L3 dosed in suspension. It is speculated that L3 in suspension bypass the rumen to go directly into the abomasum, while those in gelatin capsules enter the rumen, thus closely approximating the natural infestation of grazing ruminants. In these trials, however, only cryopreserved L3 were used. Sufficient numbers of cryopreserved L3 of Trichostrongylus falculatus and T. colubriformis in suspension developed, so that it seems unlikely that laparotomy will be required for routine infestations in the laboratory.     

高寒牧区放牧条件下陶塞特羊与青海半细毛羊杂交试验

试验结果表明 ,在高寒牧区放牧条件下 ,陶塞特羊与青海半细毛羊杂交F1 的初生重与半细毛羊差异不显著 ,4月龄断奶体重和 6月龄体重显著高于半细毛羊(P <0 0 1 ) ;6月龄体高、体长、胸宽、尻宽和管围显著高于半细毛羊 (P <0 0 1 )。 6月龄屠宰测定表明 ,陶半F1 的宰前活重、胴体重和净肉重分别为 2 6 67kg、 1 1 88kg和 8 92kg,均显著高于半细毛羊 (P <0 0 1 ) ;屠宰率为 44 54 % ,胴体净肉率为 75 0 8% ;眼肌面积为 1 2 41cm2 ,GR值为 1 2 2 0mm ,骨肉比为 1 0∶3 0 1 ,均优于半细毛羊。每只杂种羊比半细毛羊增收 2 4 92元     

Filarial infection of equidae in the Tehran area of Iran

Summary Microfilariae of three genera, namelyElaeophora böhmi, Onchocerca cervicalis andParafilaria multipapillosa were recovered from blood samples of equidae in Tehran, Iran. These microfilarial infections in equidae are reported for the first time from Iran.

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Infestacion Filaroidea De Equinos En El Area De Teheran, Iran

Resumen Microfilarias de tres géneros,Elaeophora bohmi, Onchocerca cervicalis andParafilaria multipapillosa se aislaron de la sangre de equinos en el area de Teherán, Irán. Este es el primer reporte de la infestación filaroidea de equinos en Irán.

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Filariose Des Equides Dans La Region De Teheran En Iran

Résumé Les microfilaires des genresElaeophora böhmi, Onchocerca cervalis etParafilaria multipapillosa ont été trouvées dans des échantillons de sang d'équidés de la région de Téhéran en Iran. C'est la première fois qu'un tel parasitisme des équidés est constaté en Iran.

     

Acute enteritis and deaths in sheep from Salmonella hindmarsh associated with oral dosing with zinc oxide

Abstract

Extract

Madam:– The administration of zinc salts to sheep at the time they are exposed to spores of Pithomyces chartarum will reduce the amount of liver damage from the mycotoxin contained in these spores.(7 Smith, B.L., Embling, P.P., Towers, N.R., Wright, D.E. and Payne, E. 1977. The protective effect of zinc sulphate in experimental sporidesmin poisoning of sheep. N.Z. vet. J., 25: 124–127. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar])(10 Towers, N.R., Smith, B.L., Wright, D.E. and Sinclair, D.P. 1975. Preventing facial eczema by using zinc. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1975, : 57–61.  [Google Scholar])(11 Towers, N.R., Wright, D.E., Aitken, W.M., Smith, B.L., Sim, A.L. and Sinclair, D.P. 1976. Zinc and facial eczema. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference 1976, : 65–68.  [Google Scholar]) It is a recommended practice in facial eczema susceptible areas of New Zealand.(9 Towers, N.R. and Smith, B.L. 1983. Facial eczema. Zinc dosing for prevention. Revised recommendations 1984, AgLink FPP 496 end revise [Google Scholar]) We wish to report a suspected outbreak of salmonellosis that occurred only in a ZnO-dosed group of trial animals and suggest that there may be an association between ZnO administration and salmonellosis.