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Bartonella species are lesser-known pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals as well as humans. Currently, out of 40 Bartonella species/subspecies, at least 17 are associated with clinical signs in humans and animals. However, despite the zoonotic importance of bartonellosis, there is limited information about prevalence and species infecting dogs and cats in Iran. The aim of this study was molecular identification of Bartonella species in dogs and arthropods infesting them in Hamedan and Kermanshah cities in the west of Iran. Blood genomic DNA (gDNA) was extracted from 100 dogs (45 from Hamedan and 55 from Kermanshah) and, of 25 Ctenocphalides canis fleas, six Pulex irritans fleas and 12 Rhipecephalus sanguineus ticks collected from nine infested dogs were examined for the presence of Bartonella species. Conventional PCR targeting fragments of ITS and rpoB genes was performed, and PCR-positive samples were sequenced bidirectionally and analyzed phylogenetically. Out of 100 dogs, 14 dogs (14%, ten from Hamedan and four from Kermanshah) were found infected with Bartonella species. Nucleotide sequencing confirmed the presence of four Bartonella species in the examined population i.e. Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Candidatus B. merieuxii in dogs. None of the examined fleas scored positive but one Rh. sanguineus tick from a blood-negative dog was infected with Bartonella DNA. Results of the present study showed the presence of different zoonotic Bartonella species in dogs of Hamedan and Kermanshah cities highlighting the importance of this vector-borne infection. Effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of pet and urban dogs and cats and successful chemoprophylaxis are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Coxiella burnetii (causative agent of Q fever) is an important zoonotic disease with a universal occurrence. Ticks are natural and potential reservoirs of this bacterium and play an effective role in the transmission of Q fever. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in hard ticks isolated from livestock in Sistan. Subjects and Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in five counties of the Sistan region. The genus and species of hard ticks were identified after collection from some domestic animals. The nestedPCR technique was used to identify the bacterial genome. Results Of all examined ticks, two genera, including 354 Hyalomma (59.399%) and 242 Rhipicephalus (40.6%) were identified. The hard ticks are in three types of species as follows: Rhipicephalus sanguineus (40.1%), Rhipicephalus nymph (0.5%), Hyalomma anatolicum (47.5%), Hyalomma sp. (1.5%), Hyalomma nymph (10.4%), and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (0.16%). No infected specimen with Coxiella burnetii was observed in the Sistan region. Conclusion According to the results of previous studies in Sistan and Baluchestan province and neighboring provinces that reported a high prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in collected ticks, it seems that more extensive research, with a larger sample size and host range, is necessary to clarify the situation of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Coxiella burnetii infection (causative agent of Q fever) is a public health problem and a zoonotic disease with a global prevalence. The importance of zoonotic diseases and their impact on the health of people in a community is undeniable. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in hard ticks isolated from livestock in different parts of South Khorasan, Iran. Materials and methods: In summer 2019, ticks were collected from cattle, sheep, camels, and goats in five counties of South Khorasan province. The genus and species of hard ticks were identified after isolation from livestock. Nested-PCR was used to identify the bacterial genome. Results: We identified two genera and six species, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus (41. 3%), Hyalomma detritum (8.9%), Hyalomma marginatum (2.2%), Hyalomma anatolicum (3.3%), Hyalomma asiaticum (0.9%), Hyalomma dromedarii (33.5%), and Hyalomma spp. (3.7%). Hyalomma nymphs (n=11, 4.1%) and Rhipicephalus nymphs (n= 3, 1.1%) were also identified. In the present study, none of the samples were infected with Coxiella burnetii. Conclusion: The present study revealed that South Khorasan province is free from epidemic and endemic foci of Coxiella burnetii.

Background & objectives: Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects all warm-blooded animals as well as human worldwide. Determining the parasite genotype in intermediate hosts is crucial in evaluating the role of these types in human infections as wll as in prevention programs. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and detect the genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in aborted fetuses of ewes in Lorestan province. Methods: Identification of the parasite was performed on the brain and liver tissues of 142 aborted fetuses using a conventional PCR based on amplification of highly repetitive 529 bp region of the parasite genome. Genotyping of positive samples, which were isolated from the brain and liver, was performed by PCR-RFLP based on SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 molecular markers. Results: From a total of 142 samples obtained from brain and fetus, 10 cases (7%) were determined as positive samples based on conventional PCR. The precence of parasite DNA was also confirmed in the liver of 3 positive samples. Evaluation of RFLP pattern of amplified SAG2, SAG3 and GRA6 genes showed the presence of various types of parasites, incuding type I in 3 samples, type II in 2 samples and atypical type in 5 samples. Conclusion: Isolation of types I, II and atypical type of T. gondii from ewes in Lorestan province suggests the need for greater attention to parasite transmission from livestock to human, particularly in pregnant women and people with weakened immune system.

Introduction: Annually, hydatid cyst causes great economic losses to communities and farmers. Hydatidosis in livestock results in a significant decrease in livestock production and seizure of infected organs of the animals at slaughterhouses. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the pollution rate of hydatid cyst in slaughtered livestock in Asadabad Slaughterhouse during the period of 2014-2015 Methods: In this cross-sectional analytic-descriptive study, by using the simple random sampling a total of 4000 cattle: 4000 sheep and 4000 goat from November 2014 to October 2015 were selected to be studied via the macroscopic method clinical examination cutting the organ under study and checklist completion. The data were analyzed by SPSS-21 using the Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of hydatid cysts in livestock was 10.7%. Sheep were the most infected (16.38%) and goats were the least infected (1.9%).The females were more infected than the males (P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rabies is an acute untreatable fatal encephalitis, which is fully preventable. Determination of prevalence and the main source of the virus can help with controlling and eradicating the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of rabies in the suspicious specimens submitted to the national reference center for rabies, Pasteur Institute of Iran, during March-August 2015. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 195 rabies-suspected specimens of brain tissue. The diagnosis was done based on the determination Negri bodies through direct immunofluorescence method. In addition, rabies infection was evaluated in terms of animal type and geographic distribution. FINDINGS: The results showed that the prevalence rate of rabies infection was 59.5% (116 specimens). This infection was mostly observed among dogs, so that from 116 cases of positive rabies, 45 cases were canine (39%). In categorizing the specimens into carnivorous and ruminant, it was found that rabies was more prevalent in carnivorous animals (p=0.01). In terms of geographic distribution, the most cases of positive rabies were reported in Khorasan Razavi province with 23 positive cases (24.2%). CONCLUSION: Rabies infection is highly prevalent in carnivorous animals, especially dogs, and it is still considered as a dangerous zoonotic disease.