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A cross-sectional study was conducted during four seasons from October 2009 to October 2010 to assess the status of cystic hydatidosis in the slaughtered camels at Kerman abattoir. Hydatid cyst count and characterization were conducted based on routine meat inspection. Out of the total 217 camels examined visually and manually by palpation and incision, 45 (20.73%) were found harboring hydatid cysts. A significantly higher infection was detected in older camels ( P < 0.05) than younger ones. Of the total 45 infected, 21 (46.66%) had hydatid cysts only in the lung, nine (20%) in the liver, while the rest 15 (33.33%) had multiple organ infections. Of the 62 viscera harboring hydatid cysts, the highest (58.06%) was the lungs followed by the liver (38.75%), and the spleen (3.22%). Size assessment made on 361 cysts indicated that 140 (38.78%) were small, 128 (35.45%) medium, 33 (9.14%) large, and 60 (16.62%) were calcified. The distribution of characterized cysts in different organs based on their size was found to be statistically significant ( P < 0.05). In addition, out of the total 361 cysts collected, 58.17% were fertile, 25.20% sterile, and 16.62% calcified or purulent cysts. The rate of cyst calcification was higher in the liver than in the lung .There was a significant difference in fertility of cyst from different organs ( P < 0.05), those of lung origin being highly fertile. Likewise, out of the 210 fertile cysts subjected for viability test, 120 (57.14%) were viable. The results showed that hydatidosis is one of the major parasitic diseases in the study area. In light of the result obtained and the current situation in Kerman Municipal abattoir and its surrounding, warranting serious attention for its prevention and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caspian miniature horses are extremely rare and have barely survived. The large roundworm of horses, Parascaris equorum, is an important cosmopolitan nematode parasite of foals. Two Caspian miniature horses (3 and 5 years old) from one herd with clinical sings of colic were referred to hospital of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Kerman University, from July 2008 to March 2009. Fecal samples were taken from each horse and examined with the Cornell-McMaster dilution technique. Parascaris eggs were observed, counted, and the eggs per gram feces were calculated. At necropsy, the carcasses were cachexic, and there were massive burden of P. equorum in the small intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efforts have been made worldwide to identify and to study parasites of laboratory animals, aiming at the achievement of proper procedures for eradication of parasitic infestations, considering the important role of these animals in scientific research. There is no sufficient data about parasitic infestations of Laboratory animals which are kept in conventional systems in Iran. In this scope, peresent study was designed to investigate the presence of ectoparasites and endoparasites in conventionally maintained laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and in mices (Mus musculus). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 240 randomly selected rats and mice from two different animal houses in Kerman city, Iran. Skin scraping; blood samples and alimentary tract contents of all animals were fully examined for the presence of parasitic infections. Results: In the first animal house, Nosopsylla fasciatus (flea), Hymenolepis dimminuta, Entamoeba muris and Cryptosporidium spp. infestation were diagnosed respectively in 35.41%, 36.1%, 3.57%, and 1.25% of rat colonies but only Entamoeba muris infestation was detected in 4.58% of mice colonies. In the second animal house, 2.5% and 2% of rat and mice colonies were infected by Entamoeba muris. Conclusion: Based to presence of asymptomatic parasitic infection in conventionally maintained laboratory animals, regular periodical samplings, precise sanitary monitoring of barrier maintained system, environment and food seem necessary in animal houses. Eradication of parasites could eliminate the confounding effects of these infections on researches and additionally decrease the risk of zoonotic disease transmission to investigators and animal house personnel's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]