ORCID Profile
0000-0002-8450-2993
Current Organisation
Bu Ali Sina University
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-10-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S13071-019-3759-2
Abstract: Apicomplexan parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium infect a wide range of animal species as well as humans. Cryptosporidium spp. can cause life threatening diarrhea especially in young animals, children, immunocompromised patients and malnourished in iduals. Asymptomatic cryptosporidial infections in animals can also occur, making these animals potential reservoirs of infection. In the present study, a molecular survey of Cryptosporidium spp. in ruminants that were slaughtered for human consumption in Yazd Province, located in central Iran was conducted. Faeces were collected per-rectum from 484 animals including 192 cattle, 192 sheep and 100 goats. DNA was extracted from all s les and screened for Cryptosporidium by PCR lification of the 18S rRNA gene. Positives were Sanger sequenced and further subtyped by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein ( gp60 ) locus. In total, Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 22 animals: C. andersoni and C. bovis in seven and two cattle faecal s les, respectively, C. ubiquitum in five sheep, and C. xiaoi in six sheep and two goat s les, respectively. To our knowledge, this study provides for the first time, molecular information concerning Cryptosporidium species infecting goats in Iran, and is also the first report of C. ubiquitum and C. xiaoi from ruminants in Iran. The presence of potentially zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium in ruminants in this region may suggest that livestock could potentially contribute to human cryptosporidiosis, in particular among farmers and slaughterhouse workers, in the area. Further molecular studies on local human populations are required to more accurately understand the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp. in this region.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.MEEGID.2019.104021
Abstract: Giardia duodenalis is one of the most common intestinal parasites in humans as well as livestock and wildlife. It is of both public and veterinary health importance in developing nations. A molecular survey of Giardia duodenalis assemblages in ruminants from Yazd Province, Iran was conducted on 484 animal faecal s les collected per rectum from slaughtered ruminants including 192 cattle, 192 sheep and 100 goats from June to November 2017. Species-specific and assemblage-specific PCRs for assemblages A, B and E at the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) gene were performed, and s les positive for Giardia were confirmed by sequencing. In total, 25 (5.16%) of examined faecal s les including eight cattle (4.2%), twelve sheep (6.2%) and five goats (5%) were infected with G. duodenalis. Assemblage-specific PCR detected G. duodenalis assemblage E in seven faecal s les (six in sheep and one in a goat). Assemblages A and B were not detected. This study provides the first insight into Giardia infection in slaughtered livestock in Iran. Although the prevalence of infection with Giardia in this hot-arid area of Iran was low, educating people about direct contact with livestock such as farmers and abattoirs workers about this zoonotic infection is important.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-01-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-03-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13071-022-05209-7
Abstract: Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are vector-borne zoonotic parasites which affect mainly dogs and humans worldwide. In Iran, information about the distribution of those nematodes is scant in several regions. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of these filarial parasites in stray dogs from five Iranian provinces where no information about these parasites is available. Blood s les were collected from 344 stray dogs in five provinces of Iran (i.e. Mazandaran, Gilan, Esfahan, Qazvin and Loresan). The presence of microfilariae was assessed using direct smear, modified Knott’s test, molecular detection of filarial DNA ( cox 1 gene) and Wolbachia endosymbiont of parasitic nematodes ( ftsZ gene) by conventional PCR (cPCR). All of the PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was performed. In total, 75 dogs (21.8%) were found to be positive for D. immitis by cPCR. Infection was detected in all provinces, with the highest prevalence in Gilan province (22/28 78.6%). Acanthocheilonema reconditum was diagnosed in five dogs (1.4%) from three provinces (i.e. Esfahan, Mazandaran, Gilan). Two dogs were infected with both parasites and three were only infected with A. reconditum . Dirofilaria repens infection was not found in the examined population. Representative sequences of the D. immitis cox 1 gene from dogs from the northern provinces (Mazandaran, Gilan, Qazvin) were grouped together and distinctly separate from the ones from western and central provinces (Lorestan and Esfahan), suggesting that different nematode populations are present in the country. The data reported herein fill existing gaps in knowledge about canine filarial infection in two Iranian provinces and record the highest prevalence of D. immitis ever reported in the country (i.e. 78.6%). A geographical review of the literature about Dirofilaria spp. and A. reconditum infections in dogs and humans has also been summarized, indicating that D. immitis and D. repens are distributed in 22 of 31 provinces in Iran, whereas A. reconditum is present in fewer regions. Effective control strategies are advocated for owned dogs, and a national program for the management of stray dogs is needed to minimize the risk of infection in animals and humans.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-01-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S13071-021-05141-2
Abstract: Due to the complexity of retrieving skin-dwelling microfilariae, filarioids of dogs presenting dermal microfilariae (e.g. Cercopithifilaria spp., Onchocerca lupi ) are relatively unknown compared to Dirofilaria spp . and Acanthocheilonema spp . whose microfilariae circulate in the blood. Although Cercopithifilaria spp. and O. lupi filarioids are distributed worldwide, there is a paucity of information on their occurrence in Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate these filarioids in a large population of dogs from different regions of Iran. From October 2018 to September 2020, skin biopsies were obtained from dogs housed in shelters ( n = 557) and privately owned dogs ( n = 26) in seven provinces of Iran (Hamedan, Kermanshah, Yazd, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Esfahan), as well as from three road-killed jackals ( Canis aureus ) and three cats ( Felis catus ) in Hamedan province. The skin biopsies were first soaked in saline solution at room temperature overnight, and examined for dermal microfilariae under the microscope. Positive skin specimens and sediments were tested by PCR for a 304-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox 1) gene and licons were sequenced. Microfilariae of Cercopithifilaria spp. were found in skin biopsies of 32 of the 583 (5.5%) dogs tested, with infection rates of up to 25% in Kermanshah. No microfilariae were recovered from skin biopsy s les collected from dogs in Khorramabad and Ahvaz, nor from the examined jackals and cats. None of the privately owned dogs were found to be infected. Morphologic and morphometric characteristics of the microfilariae were consistent with C. bainae . Eighteen skin s les were positive for the cox 1 gene, of which 15 sequences showed a nucleotide identity of 100% and three of 93.4% with the reference sequence of C. bainae available in GenBank (haplotype I GenBank accession number: JF461457). The data from this study broadens current knowledge on the geographical distribution of C. bainae in dogs in Middle Eastern countries. Further studies on different wild canine species in the country (e.g. jackal, fox, wolf) could provide further information on the epidemiology of these filarioids. A particular focus should be put on zoonotic O. lupi given the reports of its presence in human patients from this country.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 31-12-2020
DOI: 10.3390/PATHOGENS10010025
Abstract: Dogs and cats play an important role as reservoirs of vector-borne pathogens, yet reports of canine and feline vector-borne diseases in Saudi Arabia are scarce. Blood s les were collected from 188 free-roaming dogs and cats in Asir (70 dogs and 44 cats) and Riyadh (74 dogs), Saudi Arabia. The presence of Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., hemotropic Mycoplasma spp., Babesia spp., and Hepatozoon spp. was detected using a multiplex tandem real-time PCR. PCR-positive s les were further examined with specific conventional and real-time PCR followed by sequencing. Dogs from Riyadh tested negative for all pathogens, while 46 out of 70 dogs (65.7%) and 17 out of 44 cats (38.6%) from Asir were positive for at least one pathogen. Positive dogs were infected with Anaplasma platys (57.1%), Babesia vogeli (30%), Mycoplasma haemocanis (15.7%), and Bartonella henselae (1.4%), and cats were infected with Mycoplasma haemofelis (13.6%), Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (13.6%), B. henselae (9.2%), and A. platys (2.27%), all of which are reported for the first time in Saudi Arabia. Co-infection with A. platys and B. vogeli was detected in 17 dogs (24.28%), while coinfections were not detected in cats. These results suggest that effective control and public awareness strategies for minimizing infection in animals are necessary.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.CIMID.2019.04.005
Abstract: Encephalitozoon cuniculi infects a wide variety of domestic and wild mammalian species including humans. Although the infection status has been studied in laboratory and pet rabbits worldwide, there is shortage of information regarding the disease in Iran. In the present study, the occurrence of infection in brains of 117 asymptomatic rabbits from six breeding and experimental units with highest population of rabbit colonies in the country (n = 60) as well as pet rabbits of pet stores in two cities (n = 57) were examined by nested-PCR. Histological sections of brains and kidneys were also studied by light microscopy. PCR results revealed that 3.3% of laboratory rabbits (2/60) and 59.6% of pet rabbits (34/57) harboured E. cuniculi in their brains. Histopathology on the other hand showed spores of the parasite in kidney and brain of one and kidney of another pet rabbit. As encephalitozoonosis may interfere with results of experiments performed on laboratory rabbits, routine screenings for identification and culling of infected animals is recommended. Furthermore, infected companion rabbits can transmit E. cuniculi to people in close contact with them, therefore, improving public knowledge of this zoonotic infection is suggested.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-01-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-03-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S13071-021-04670-0
Abstract: Dogs play an important role as reservoirs of many zoonotic vector-borne pathogens worldwide, yet reports of canine vector-borne diseases (CVBDs) in Egypt are scarce. Serum s les were collected from pet dogs ( n = 500) of the three most common breeds (German Shepherd, Rottweiler and Pit Bull) in five Governates of Cairo ( n = 230), Giza ( n = 110), Al-Qalyubia ( n = 60), Al-Gharbia ( n = 60) and Kafr El-Sheikh ( n = 40) with a hot desert climate. The presence of antibodies to Anaplasma spp. ( A. phagocytophilum , A. platys ), Ehrlichia spp. ( E. canis , E. chaffeensis , E. ewingii ), Borrelia burgdorferi ( s.l. ) and Dirofilaria immitis were assessed using IDEXX SNAP ® 4Dx ® ELISA tests. For each pathogen, risk factors (i.e. geographical area, keeping condition, sex, age, breed, tick infestation, weekly sanitation of dog enclosures and application of ectoparasiticides) were evaluated by logistic regression approach. In total, 18.2% ( n = 91, 95% CI 15.1–21.8) of dogs scored seropositive for at least one pathogen, the most frequent being Ehrlichia spp. ( n = 56 11.2% 95% CI 8.7–14.3) followed by Anaplasma spp. ( n = 33 6.6%, 95% CI 4.7–9.1), Borrelia burgdorferi ( s.l. ) ( n = 9 1.8%, 95% CI 0.9–3.4) and D. immitis ( n = 7 1.4%, 95% CI 0.9–2.9). In the tested population, 15.4% (95% CI 12.5–18.8) of dogs were exposed to a single pathogen while 2.4 (95% CI 1.4–4.2) and 0.4% (95% CI 0.1–1.4) were simultaneously exposed to two or three pathogens, respectively. Major risk factors associated with VBDs were living outdoors ( Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001 Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001), female sex ( Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.005), German Shepherd breed ( Anaplasma spp., P = 0.04 Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.03), tick infestation ( Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001 Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001 B. burgdorferi ( s.l. ), P = 0.003 D. immitis, P = 0.02), irregular sanitation ( Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001 Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001 B. burgdorferi ( s.l. ), P = 0.002 D. immitis, P = 0.01) and not using ectoparasiticides ( Anaplasma spp., P = 0.0001 Ehrlichia spp., P = 0.0001 B. burgdorferi ( s.l. ), P = 0.007). To our knowledge, this is the first large-scale seroepidemiological study of CVBDs in Egypt. Considering that all of the detected pathogens are potentially zoonotic, effective ectoparasite control strategies, regular examination of pet dogs and successful chemoprophylaxis are advocated.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2023
DOI: 10.1002/VMS3.1087
Abstract: Migration of Ascaris lumbricoides through the papilla of Vater in humans, and entry into the biliary tree, is well‐recognised. Ascaris suum and Toxocara vitulorum have been recovered from the liver of swine and buffalo. We necropsied a Persian Kurdish filly at age 6 months, weighing ∼100 kg. Death evidently was caused by oleander ( Nerium oleander ) intoxication. An 8‐cm adult male Parascaris was found at the lobar‐left hepatic bile duct junction. We suggest that the nematode entered anteriorly into the hepatic tree, via the duodenum, major duodenal papilla, bile duct, left hepatic duct and finally the lobar duct. Considering the brief 4‐h elapsed time between death and necropsy, and the 18‐cm distance from the major duodenal papilla to the location of the parasite, we conclude that entry into the biliary tree likely occurred ante‐mortem. We advise consideration of Parascaris infection in differential diagnosis of equine hepatic and pancreatic dysfunction.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-02-2021
No related grants have been discovered for Alireza Sazmand.