Journal of Alternative Veterinary Medicine
Volume:1 Issue: 1, 2017

Canine tick-borne diseases are regarded as emerging problems within Iran and throughout the world. The present article aims at investigating Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis infections in herd and stray dogs in Iran. The present study is therefore an attempt to compare PCR assay with specific primers in order to detect the organisms at the species level. This study is based on PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA and p28 genes. Concerning Babesia canis, species-specific primers BAB3 and BAB1 are compared with genus-specific primers B-GA1B and 16S8FE. Moreover, for Ehrlichia canis, species-specific primers ECp28-F and ECp28-R are compared with genus-specific primers RLB - F2 and RLB - R2. For the purpose of this study, 280 herd and stray dogs from seven different regions in south of Iran were monitored. As the results revealed, molecular surveillance of tick-borne diseases was based on PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA and p28 genes. For Ehrlichia canis, PCR was positive with genus-specific primers (B-GA1B and 16S8FE ) and species-specific primers (ECp28-F and ECp28-R),1.4% (4 of 280) of blood samples. For Babesia canis, PCR was positive with genus-specific primers (RLB - F2 and RLB - R2), 1% (3 of 280) and species-specific primers for Babesia canis (BAB1 and BAB3) 0.4% (1 of 280) of blood samples, respectively. Sequencing results showed that one herd dog was infected with Babesia canis, four herd dogs were infected with Ehrlichia canis, and one herd dog showed co-infection with Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis. This has been the first report of the co-infections of both Ehrlichia canis and Babesia canis in naturally infected dogs in South of Iran.

T. capsicum from medicinal herbs is considered as a rich source of thymol with healing properties. Enzymatic coagulation factors stem from the liver. In the present study, 48 adult Wistar male rats were selected and divided randiomly into six groups, including control,witness, and 4 experimental groups. Bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT), prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were measured by wounding on the ears, slide and coagulometric methods, using the Dade Behring kits and four-channel-coagulometer, respectively. The resulting values were then analyzed. The results of the measurement of prothrombin time (PT) showed no statistically significant differences in the groups at P≤ 0.05 level. But the measure of activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) revealed a significant difference between experimental group 2 and the control group. The average time of clotting represented a significant statistical difference in all experimental groups compared to the control group. Moreover, there was statistically significant difference between the mean value of bleeding time of experimental groups 1, 3 and 4 in comparison to the control group (P≤0.05). Based on the findings, it is concluded that an aqueous extract of 400 mg/kg. BW C. capsicum can be used to enhance the speed of coagulation. Since different doses of aqueous extract of T. capsicum show different results on the bleeding time, this extract can be used at low doses to enhance platelet activation and for people who are prone to blood clotting and thus prone to different strokes; the high doses of this extract prevent the formation of unwanted blood clots.

In this study, 38 fish in four species of Shapour River and Seyyed Hossein Spring were caught in 2016, including: Albumus mossulensis, Cyprinion macrostomum, Capoeta barroisi persica and Garra rufa and they were studied for external worm parasites and protozoans. Totally, 10 species of parasites were isolated and recognized, including: five species of monogenes (Dactylogyrus alatus, Dactylogyrus carassobarbi, Dactylogyrus pulcher, Dactylogyrus holciki and Gyrodactylus sp.), one species of digenes (Centrocestus sp.), one species of crustacean (Lamproglena sp.), two species of protozoan (Ichthyophthrius multifilliis, Chilodonella sp.) and one species of Myxozoa (Myxobolus sp.). The results showed that the highest percent of parasitic infection was for Dactylogyrus carassobarbi and the least amount was reported for Lamproglena sp. and Myxobolus sp. Moreover, Capoeta barroisi persica and Albumus mossulensis had the highest and lowest percent of parasitic infection, respectively. There wasn’t any meaningful relationship between the infection of different species of the fish and their infected organs (P>0/05).

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements which benefit the health of consumer by maintaining or improving their intestinal microbial balance. This study aimed at investigating the effect of different doses of tarragon on the growth of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus paracasei in probiotic milk produced at one step. The product was then examined in terms of pH, acidity and microbe counting during incubator setting period. In both Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus paracasei milk samples, the sample containing 3% tarragon reached acidity level more quickly. In the milk samples with either Lactobacillus casei or Lactobacillus paracasei; it was observed that during refrigeration, the control sample had the most duration. The bioability of probiotic bacteria was measured by direct counting method. Duration of the product permanence was determined within 21 days. Upon examination of the results, it was revealed that the increased concentration of tarragon had a positive effect on the growth of the probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus paracasei in probiotic milk.

Radiography is traditionally regarded as an important part of the subjective routine foot examination in equine lameness. Laminitis is a major disease in horses due to the associated pain and debilitating nature that make it a life-threatening condition. This study was therefore conducted to estimate radiological factors which refer to anterior motor limb. Measurements were taken from 10 healthy Dareh-shori horses. After cleaning and washing the horses’ hooves, metal marker placement, the hooves were marked by the contrast, then hand-made block placed under the following limb, both front feet were radiographed with the limb in vertical position. The obtained measurements and values in this study were as: Founder Distance=5.7±2.01mm; Hoof wall thickness = 16.9±1.06mm, PCL = 59.9±5.8mm; HWT⁄PCL% = 28.4±3.6mm. Values for angles: Hoof axis = 49.9±2.8; P3 axis = 48.7±2.8; H angle = ̵ 1.58±2.29; P2 axis = 46.3±3.3; R angle = 1.7±3.6. Measurements of this study may be different from those reported in other breeds, so it can be used as reference values for diagnosis of laminitis and founder in front feet of Dareh-shori horses.

Thymus vulgaris contains components that are chemically very different. Some of these components have properties as anticonvulsant, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infection, anti-diabetics and act as a stimulant to central nervous system, stimulating the production of testosterone hydroxylase. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of intraperitoneal injection of hydroalcoholic extracts of Shirazi Thyme on plasma levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, LH and FSH in adult male Wistar rats, conducting histological studies on testis in this regard. In this study, 48 male Wistar rats, weighing about 190-210 gr were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=8). Control group received nothing. Sham group intraperitoneally received 2/0 distilled water daily. For 28 consecutive days, the experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 intraperitoneally received Shirazi Thymus extract with daily doses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/ kg of body weight. At the end of the day 28, blood samples were taken from the heart. The samples were then collected to measure the hormones LH, FSH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The results were assessed using the tests Anova, Tukey and Duncan. After blood sampling, the testes were removed and studied histologically. The mean body weight, testes weight, and plasma concentrations of FSH and dihydrotestosterone in different experimental groups did not reveal any significant differences compared to the control group. Moreover, the histological changes, with respect to the size, the interstitial space, and tubules structure, were not detected in the seminiferous tubules. In terms of size, density, cytoplasm and nucleus features, the histological changes in spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, Sertoli cells and Leydig were not recognized in the experimental group compared to the control group. However, the mean plasma concentrations of LH and testosterone in the fourth experimental group taking 400 mg/kg/day showed a significant increase in comparison to the control group. The histological changes in the seminiferous tubules were significant in terms of their number, density of tubules, and spermatozoids density in all experimental groups compared to control group which was also much more detected in more cases while increasing the dose. The use of Shirazi thyme leads to an increase in testosterone, influencing LH concentration through its effect on sympathetic nerves and consequently increasing the number of receptors on Leydig cells. Through inducing P450 (cholesterol desmolase enzyme), Cineole existed in Shirazi Thymus vulgaris extract causes increasing the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in the mitochondria which in turn triggers the increase of synthesis of steroids, including testosterone.