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It is not uncommon for pigeons kept for entertainment or competition to be infected with a variety of intestinal parasites, including nematodes and cestodes. Infection by these worms is a risk not only to birds but also to native wildlife and humans. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of helminth infections in pigeons in Zabol County, Iran, and to develop strategies for the prevention and treatment of these infections. A total of 220 pigeons were examined for the presence of parasites in their gastrointestinal tracts between 2021 and 2022. The pigeons were categorized according to gender, breed, age, medication, and feed type. The digestive tract contents were scraped and washed with warm water in order to collect intestinal helminths. A variety of techniques employed for the isolation, observation, and identification of nematodes and cestodes. Additionally,the parasites around the esophageal tissue were also examined in this study. A total of 96 positive cases of helminth infection (43.63%) were identified in the 220 samples of pigeon gastrointestinal tracts examined. In addition, 52 pigeons exhibited exclusive cestode infections, 14 had nematode infections, and 31 had co-infections. Heterakis gallinarum (H. gallinarum), Eulimdana clava (E. clava), Hadjelia truncate (H. truncate), and Ascaridia columbae (A. columbae) were among the nematodes found. Cestode species identified include Raillietina tetragona (R. tetragona), Raillietina echinobothrida (R. echinobothrida), Raillietina cesticillus (R. cesticillus), Raillietina magninumida (R. magninumida), and Cotugnia digonopora (C. digonopora). A statistical analysis of data revealed a significant correlation between helminth infection and drug consumption (p=0.001). Infection with nematodes and cestodes is also associated with pigeon age (p=0.00001). T Notably, despite the hot and dry conditions, there was a high prevalence of cestode and nematode infestations in pigeons in Zabol, Iran. It is imperative that a comprehensive control program be implemented to prevent parasite transmission to pigeons and the local avian ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mononchida members are predatory nematodes with the potential to reduce the number of plant-parasitic nematodes in the soil. During a survey on Mononchida in Iran, several populations of Mylonchulus were recovered from various localities. A population of M. hawaiiensis was studied using 18S rDNA. The phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference placed the sequenced M. hawiinesis (OP210758) together with other M. hawaiiensis from Japan (AB361438-AB361442) with a 1.00 posterior probability support. In addition, morphological differences between six Mylonchulus (Nematoda; order: Mononchida; Family: Mylonchulidae) populations were investigated in Iran using discriminant analyses (DA), PERMANOVA, and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA). The purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of PCoA and DA in separating the Mylonchulus species, namely M. sigmaturus, M. paitensis, M. lacustris, M. brachyuris, M. kermaninesis, and M. hawaiiensis. To achieve this, 16 morphometric measurements (body length, a, b, c, c′, V, G1, G2, buccal cavity length, buccal cavity width, dorsal tooth apex, dorsal tooth length, neck length, amphid from anterior end, rectum, and tail length) were made on 160 specimens. The analysis of variance showed that all features were significantly different among the species, except a, b, and the amphid position from the anterior end and tail length. The stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that body length, tail length, neck length, and c′ value were the four most discriminating variables useful to distinguish clearly the six species of Mylonchulus. The variables with strong discriminatory power correctly classified 98.87% of individuals from Iran's sample of known Mylonchulus species. The results provide a morphometric basis for effectively distinguishing Mylonchulus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine molecularly the species of larvae of trichostrongylid nematodes in arrested development in the abomasum of sheep from Iran and their seasonality. Methods: A total of 240 sheep abomasa were randomly collected at different seasons from Ilam abattoir in 2017–2018. The adult nematodes were isolated and identified. The mucosa of the abomasum was removed and digested using a pepsin solution. DNA from different parts of the abomasum was extracted using a SinaPureTM kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed; the ITS2-rRNA gene was amplified using specific primers. Amplified PCR products were purified and sequenced by Bioneer Corporation (South Korea). The obtained ITS2 sequences were aligned using BLAST analysis and submitted to GenBank. Results: Morphologically, five species of adult nematodes of four genera including Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Marshallagia occidentalis, Parabronema skrjabini, and Teladorsagia circumcincta were identified. Marshallagia marshalli (65.4%, 120.2 ± 28.5) had the highest prevalence during autumn. Molecularly, arrested development of larvae of M. marshalli and T. circumcincta were demonstrated in mucosa of the abomasum in autumn and early winter using PCR of the ITS-2 region of rRNA. Conclusion: The results evidenced the first molecular characterization of the larvae of trichostrongylid nematodes from abomasum of sheep from Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey was conducted during 2018 and 2019 in order to identify plant-parasitic nematodes of the genus Basiria in Dezful region of Khuzestan province, southwestern Iran. Nematodes were extracted from the soil and root samples by using tray method, transferred to glycerin and mounted on permanent slides. Nematodes were identified based on morphological and morphometric characters. As a result, eight species including B. aberrans, B. duplexa, B. gracilis, B. jirians, B. tumida, B. graminophila, B. ritteri, and B. similis were identified; three species namely B. jirians, B. ritteri, and B. similis are here described and illustrated for the first time from Iran. B. jirians is characterized by body length 445-535 μm, stylet 9.0-9.2 μm, cephalic region without annuli, DGO 2.0-2.5 μm, median bulb at anterior end of pharynx, basal bulb pyriform, spermatheca non offset and tail elongate conoid with pointed to filiform terminus. B. ritteri can be characterized by body length 685-747 μm, stylet 10.5-11.5 μm, median bulb located at anterior half of pharynx, basal bulb cylindroid, spermatheca non offset and tail annulated and notched at tip. B. similis is characterized by body length 644-736 μm, stylet 10.3-11 μm, DGO 8.9-10.5 μm, basal bulb cylindroid and tail clavate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dictyocaulus Viviparus nematode is the cause of severe bronchitis in dairy animals which lead to significant economic losses in the industry of this type of livestock. The present study aimed to determine the incidence of D. viviparous, a highly endemic parasite in cattle and water buffaloes in Guilan province, Iran. Materials & Methods: Stool samples from 212 cows and 189 buffaloes were tested using the Baermann technique. After slaughtering the animals, the lungs of all cows and buffaloes were isolated, sampled and carefully studied to determine D. viviparus in the lungs. Results: In general, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of D. viviparus in the fecal samples of cows (22.64%) and buffaloes (26.32%). Macroscopic study revealed symptoms of severe pneumonia, nodular lesions, and hyperemia in lung tissues of 5 cows and 5 buffaloes. Microscopic (histopathological) studies showed lymphocytic bronchiolitis and multifocal eosinophilic with wide interalveolar walls in lungs infected with D. viviparus. Conclusion: The prevalence of this parasite among cattle and buffaloes were 22.64% and 26.32%, respectively; but the difference between these two animal species was not significant. Overall, the prevalence of D. viviparus was higher among young animals in both species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parasitic infections pose significant threats to humans' and animals' well-being worldwide. Among these parasites, Halicephalobus spp., a genus of nematodes, has gained attention due to its ability to cause severe infections in various animal species, including horses., Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Halicephalobus spp., specifically focusing on Halicephalobus gingivalis in horses., Materials and Methods: In July 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted in northern Iran to determine the prevalence of Halicephalobus spp. Using standard coprological techniques, 141 fecal samples from randomly selected horses were analyzed for GI helminth eggs. The Halicephalobus spp. eggs present in faeces were identified by molecular methods. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the partial 5' variable region (~ 390 base pairs) of 18 S DNA using SSUA_F and SSU22_R primers. Furthermore, the PCR products obtained were sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using available sequences from GenBank., Results: Microscopic examination of 141 fresh faecal samples revealed 5 fecal samples were infected with small ellipsoidal nematode eggs ranging between 40 and 50 × 50-60 μm. This study's PCR amplicons showed ~ 390 bp bands on 2.0% agarose gel. A partial sequence of 18 S DNA (363 bp) was obtained herein (GenBank accession no. OQ843456)., Conclusion: Overall, using molecular tools represents a significant step forward in diagnosing and managing the Halicephalobus gingivalis infections in horses., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of fenbendazole and ivermectin on strongyles and Parascaris sp. infecting adult riding horses in three regions with different climates. During 2021 and 2022 fecal specimens were randomly collected from 483 horses older than three years in 31 equestrian clubs in Hamedan (n = 217), Yazd (n = 146) and Tabriz cities (n = 120). Eggs were counted by McMaster technique, and the strongyle larvae were identified using coproculture, PCR and sequencing. Horses with strongyles and Parascaris egg counts ≥150 were enrolled in fecal egg count reduction (FECR) examination following treatment with ivermectin or fenbendazole. In total, 26.5% of examined horses were positive with at least one parasite. Infection rates varied in three cities i.e., 25.8% in Hamedan, 28.8% in Yazd, 25% in Tabriz. Fifty-seven horses had FECR measured. FECR below <90% was observed for IVM-strongyle in two horses in Tabriz, for FBZ-strongyle in two horses in Tabriz and two horses in Hamedan, for IVM-Parascaris in one horse in all three cities, and for FBZ-Parascaris in one horse in Yazd. Furthermore, FECR 90-100% was observed in IVM-Parascaris and FBZ -Parascaris groups in Tabriz. Data herein presented demonstrate different degrees of resistance of strongyles and Parascaris infecting horses in Iran against both ivermectin and fenbendazole. Since non-principled use of anthelminthics is common among horse owners, urgency of test-and-treatment strategy should be educated and implemented by policy-making organizations. Evaluating efficacy of different anthelminthics and choosing the most effective treatment in each region is suggested., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The diversity and seasonal fluctuations of plant-parasitic nematodes (tylenchids) were investigated in five alfalfa fields in five counties of the Kerman Province of Iran during four consecutive seasons in 2013. Hundred soil samples were obtained per county, with 25 subsamples per field being composited to five to represent five replicates per field per county per season. In total, 500 samples were analyzed during the study. Nematodes were extracted from soil samples using the modified tray method. In total, 11 plant-parasitic nematode genera and 12 species were recorded. According to prominence values, Ditylenchus (e.g. D. acutus, D. myceliophagus, D. terricolus and D. sarvarae), followed by Helicotylenchus pseudorobustsus, Pratylen chus neglectus and Meloidogyne javanica were the most prominent species. The season and the localities significantly affect the population densities of nematodes. Values for both the Shannon (H') and Evenness (E) indices were the highest in Bam and the lowest in Jiroft counties. A significant, negative correlation existed between soil pH and mean population densities of Scutylenchus rugosus, while significant and positive correlations existed between soil electrical conductivity and Helicotylenchus pseudorobustus, Aphelenchoides sp., Amplimerlinius globigerus and Pratylenchus neglectus. In conclusion, diversity of plant-parasitic nematodes in Bam county was higher than other localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fecal pellet was recovered in an ancient salt mine in Chehrabad located in western Iran (36.55° N, 47.51° E). Based on prior publications showing the success of the salt mine's environment to preserve various life forms, it was decided to try and ascertain whether this faex contained any parasites of paleoparasitologic interest. The rehydration involved placing the pellet in an aqueous solution of 0.5% trisodium phosphate for a week, followed by the examination of aliquots of the entire rehydrated sample on a total of 153 microscope slides. The examination of the rehydrated material revealed the presence of two larval nematodes; there were no eggs or oocysts recovered. The larvae were photographed and measured, and the decision was made not to submit the two larvae to grinding and DNA extraction for molecular diagnostics due to their excellent state of preservation. The larvae were identified as first-stage larvae that appear to represent the genus Muellerius. Herein are reported the finding of two first-stage larvae of Muellerius nematodes (Metastrongyloidea, Protostrongylidae) from the rehydrated fecal pellet collected in a Chehrabad salt mine from the era of the Sasanian Empire., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The article discusses a study on helminths found on the Caucasian agama (Laudakia caucasia). The nematodes found consisted of Skrjabinodon pigmentatus, Spauligodon lacertae, and Thelandros baylisi, with a respective prevalence of infection at 45%, 36% and 91 %. Iran is a new locality record for all 3 nematode species. Of 22 specimens of Laudakia caucasia lizards examined for the study, 21 were infected.