Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Factors that precipitated human plague in Zambia from 1914 to 2014-An overview for a century (100 years)1145241ENStanleyS. NyirendaCentral Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Lusaka, Zambia.Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro,
TanzaniaBernardM. Hang’ombeDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of ZambiaBukhetiS. KilonzoPest Management Centre, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, TanzaniaJournal Article20160314Plague is a zoonotic and re-emerging disease caused by <em>Yersinia pestis</em>. The disease has caused a devastating effect on the entire world since the time of Justinian plague in the sixth century. Data were searched, screened and compiled from various sources on time, place and magnitude of human plague occurrences in Zambia. It was revealed that plague disease outbreak was first reported in Zambia in early 20th century and human infections had been reported in three zones since 1914. During the first half of the century, the number of human deaths steadily decreased from 93 in 1917 to 1 in 1947. Another outbreak was reported in 1956 after which it remained quiescent until 1987. More human infections were reported between 1990 and 2008. Factors which contributed to plague outbreaks and spread in Zambia included heavy rains, which was usually followed by a large increase in rodent and flea populations, socio-cultural human behaviour and life-style practiced by communities. Such practices were optimal for occurrence and rapid spread of plague including polygamy, hunting, overcrowding in houses, and belief in witchcraft, consequently seeking treatment from traditional healers, and man-rodent contact which was intensified by hunting practice. Despite smaller numbers of cases reported, there is much public health concern about the current plague situation in the country and hence, the disease shouldn’t be neglected. Improving surveillance strategies for the disease and intensifying public health education are therefore desirable in order to sensitise the communities and consequently minimise transmission of the disease.https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5241_cae5b1d00e7d9307ae691d13cb452f7a.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Comparison of a Nucleic Acid Sequence-based Amplification (NASBA) and real-time reverse transcriptase PCR methods for detection of Toxoplasma gondii in rat blood samples15235242ENRoghayehNorouziDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranAbdolhosseinDalimiDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranMahdiForozandeh MoghadamDepartment of Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranFatemehGhaffarifarDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20150205The numbers of RNA amplification methods for detection of <em>Toxoplasma </em>spp<em>.</em> are increasing, however comparative studies on the performance of these different assays are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare two molecular assays for detection and quantification of <em>Toxoplasma </em>spp. in blood samples collected from experimentally infected rats. A set of specific primers and beacon probe were selected from the B1 rRNA gene of <em>Toxoplasma</em>. The assays using real-time detection proved to be both sensitive and specific. Nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) method for detection of <em>Toxoplasma </em>spp. have advantages regarding sensitivity and potential quantitative population dynamics of <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> in comparison with the RT-PCR method, but it is not often routinely used at present. NASBA had a detection limit of 1 parasite/ml of blood, while RT-PCR detected 10 parasites/ml. The results of real-time NASBA can be obtained 12h earlier. Therefore, sooner than the ordinary real-time RT-PCR the use of real-time NASBA is preferred to the ordinary real-time RT-PCR.https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5242_67b24790ae0ce457e367973ad8b0c2e4.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Multiple cases of feline dermatophytosis due to Microsporum canis transmitted to their owners24305243ENFarzadKatiraeeDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran0000-0002-8634-4378JavadAsharafi HelanDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranFardisTeifooriDepartment of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory of Parasitology and Allergy, Lascaray Research Centre, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, SpainJournal Article20150823Zoophilic dermatophytes such as <em>Microsporum canis </em>are significant causal agents of ringworm in many areas of the world. The present study was designed to investigate epidemiological factors of <em>Microsporum canis</em> that transmitted from cats to their owners diagnosed with dermatophytosis. From January 2011 to January 2014, thirty cats and their owners with dermatophytosis lesions were examined. Direct examination carried out on hair and skin samples with 10%KOH and Lacto phenol blue. Fungal cultures were performed by Sabouraud’s dextrose agar with chloramphenicol (0.5%) and actidione. Colonies were identified on their morphology and microscopic characteristics. Lesions in cats were single or multiple in different types, mostly localized on the face and head. However, they were found on any part of the body, including the distal part of the legs and the tail. Among 30 cats with dermatophytosis 53.3% were female and 47.7% were male. Their age ranged from 2 months to 7 years. The affected sites were head and face (n=20), legs and trunk (n=13). The exposed sites were those most often affected. Single and multiple eruptions were observed in 20 and 10 cats, respectively. In the owners, the disease type was <em>tinea corporis</em> in 20 and tinea capitis in 3patients. No combination of <em>tinea corporis</em> and <em>tinea capitis</em> was observed. In most cases the lesions were moderate to severe. No resistance to antifungal treatment was found. Apart from direct contact with infected cats, no predisposing factor was found in this study.https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5243_c99b68cb8411f474a0877e74f483b80c.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Knowledge of university female students on the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis31395244ENMaryamAnsari-LariDepartment of Food Hygiene and Public health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IranSadeghGhaffariDepartment of Food Hygiene and Public health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, IranOmidRashidiDepartment of Food Hygiene and Public health, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.Journal Article20151102Many studies evaluating the knowledge on toxoplasmosis have chosen pregnant women or their health-care providers as target groups, while young females of childbearing age are more appropriate candidate for knowledge assessment. A structured self-administered questionnaire was completed by a total of 200 female students, 100 from School of Nursing and Midwifery and 100 from School of Veterinary Medicine by their desire to participate in the study to evaluate their knowledge regarding toxoplasmosis. Average age of respondents was 23 (±1.6) ranging from 20 to 31 years. Results showed that they possess an acceptable knowledge but only in a limited aspect of the parasite such as definitive host (86%), possibility of crossing agent through placenta (76.5%) and that consumption of undercooked meat is an important route of transmission (72.5%). However, a majority of respondents failed to identify soil contact as a significant transmission rate (53%); they also believed that the disease is preventable by vaccine (46%) and could be transmitted horizontally from person to person (56%). The results showed that our respondents had inadequate knowledge of some important aspects of the disease such as prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. Considering the fact that the respondents were highly educated females af childbearing age, it may be concluded that the results overestimate the level of knowledge in the general population of childbearing age females. This highlights the importance of developing some specific educational programs for this high risk population. https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5244_3cda4090cb6a9a924bdaae5831b61933.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928A Survey of hydatidosis surgical cases in Kermanshah province of Iran during 2012-201340465245ENJaber DavoudiDavoudiDepartment of Veterinary Parasitology, Islamic Azad University of Abhar branch, Abhar, IranMoslemSafariDepartment of Veterinary Parasitology, Islamic Azad University of Abhar branch, Abhar, IranShahrokhShiraziDepartment Veterinary Parasitology Science and Research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranAfshinBahman ShabestariDepartment of Veterinary Parasitology, Islamic Azad University of Abhar branch, Abhar, IranAfsanehDolatkhahDepartment of Parasitology, Medicine Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical SciencesJournal Article20150829A retrospective and cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the incidence of cystic hydatid disease among patients hospitalized in two hospitals in Kermanshah during 2012-2013. All medical documents of patients with hydatid cyst in two public hospitals were reviewed. A total of 87 patients including 37 Males and 50 females were examined for the presence of hydatid cyst infection. Results indicated that, 46 cases (52.87%) in 2012, and 41 cases (47.13%) in 2013 underwent operation, of which 42.53% were male and 57.47% female. The most involved organ was liver (66.67%) and the most involved professions were housewives (51.72%, p<0.05). Most of the operations took place in spring (31.1%) and the age of the participants ranged from 21 to 30 years (p<0.05). In 77.01% of patients, contact with dogs was evident the highest percent of surgeries have been observed. Forty surgical cases of hydatidosis were found in Kermanshah. In general, the frequency of stray dogs in this province, instruction of transmission route, combat against stray dogs, and treatment of livestock and dogs seem to be necessary. Moreover, contaminated vegetables could be a potential route of infection. <br /> https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5245_0ce2e92dd6d5ea28cb0f2b004440147c.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928A study on histopathological changes due to zoonotic nematodes in sheep in Ilam province, Iran47535246ENAli MohammadBahramiParaveterinary Faculty of Ilam, University of Ilam, Ilam, IranEhsanHosseiniParaveterinary Faculty of Ilam, University of Ilam, Ilam, IranAbbasImani BaranDepartment of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran000000312071837Journal Article20150829Livestock has important role in the human life cycle. Humans along with livestock over the years have been accompanied by undesirable consequences like zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic infectious agents such as helminths are among the most prevalent causes for the major human emerging and re-emerging infections. So, this study was performed to identify the zoonotic gastrointestinal nematodes and determine histopathological changes occurred on gastrointestinal tract in Kurdish sheep slaughtered in Ilam industrial abattoir. For this purpose, tissue samples of 375 above mentioned sheep were checked strictly. As a result, identified nematode species were <em>Ostertagia ostertagi, Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis</em>, <em>Trichuris globulosa, Oesophagostomum </em>sp., <em>Bunostomum </em>sp. Histopathological findings of infected tissues, particularly lymph nodes and mesentery have been described in results detailed. Briefly, presence of black dot or black streak on serosa of intestine, mesentery, paleness and enlargement of mesenteric lymph node, decrease in the number and size of the lymphatic follicles, decrease in the lymphoid cell population in the medulla tissue, increase of lymph node capsule thickness and sever depletion in secondary lymph follicles associated with lymphadenitis which represented by proliferation of lymphocytes and infiltration of macrophage as well as hyperemia and congestion in cortex and medulla were considerable histopathological changes. Accordingly, given that these parasites have a direct life cycle, thus, lack of hygiene in farms where animals are kept leads to increased infection and it is necessary to pay more attention to this field.https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5246_da1712fd3822d9e91376a4c42a1972a1.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Prevalence of demodicosis among youth in Northern Iran54575247ENMohammad TaghiRahimiDepartment of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Sari, IranMohammad RezaYoussefiDepartment of Veterinary Parasitology, Islamic Azad University Babol-Branch, IranEhsanAhmadpourInfectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran0000-0003-1202-6147Journal Article20150822<em>Demodex </em>spp. is common ectoparasites of human and animals. At present, although there is no agreement on demodicosis pathogenicity, some researchers have been tring to establish the role of <em>Demodex</em> in human and animal diseases. Human demodicosis usually remains asymptomatic, but occasionally it may cause blepharitis and skin diseases such as rosacea. Demodicosis usually begins in adults and rises to peak levels during old age. The peak of secretion of sebaceous glands is in the 20-30 years age group. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of demodicidosis among youth group (20-30 years old) in North of Iran in 2012. The sample size was 65 (46 females and 19 males) .Sebum was expressed from the nasolabial folds, and examined under phase contrasted microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 14. The overall prevalence of demodicosis in this study was 20%, of which 13.8% was females (9) and 6.1% belonged to males (4). There was no statistically significant correlation between the prevalence of demodicosis in males and females among examined people (<em>P</em>>0.05). Since, the demodicosis prevalence among healthy individuals without any complaint was found to be 20%, we believe that, <em>Demodex</em> spp. infestation should be considered as a serious health problem.https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5247_2ef53d6629ca661d2aeb435f9373459c.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Seroprevalence of human brucellosis community awareness and practices on its zoonotic importance in Jimma town and Chora Botor district, Ethiopia58645248ENDirar BashahunG. MichaelMakerere University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Resource and Bio-SecurityNasinyamaGeorgeJimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma, EthiopiaBentiDeresa GelelchaJimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma, EthiopiaJournal Article20150807A cross-sectional study was undertaken in Jimma town and Chora Botor district of Jimma zone to determine sero-prevalence of brucellosis in humans from February to May 2014. A total of 48 blood samples; 24 from Chora botor and 24 from Jimma town were collected. The collected sera samples were screened using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positive reactor were further subjected to complement fixation test (CFT). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20 software. The overall sero-prevalence of brucellosis in humans was 2.1% and 0.0% by RBPT and CFT, respectively. The majority (97.6%) of the respondents reported to have no awareness on brucellosis. Social habit of consuming raw milk and meat, unsafe handling of placenta, and assisting births were common practices among the community. These practices may predispose people to brucellosis in the study areas. Therefore, collaborative action is needed to exploit through educating communities and creating awareness to prevent and control the disease. https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5248_cf575052acbe2f6030db910eb386308d.pdfFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of TabrizJournal of Zoonotic Diseases2476-535X1120160928Zika Virus; An emerging threat to human health with international concerns65685249ENLeilaMolaeipoorDepartment of Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, IranEhsanMostafaviDepartment of Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, IranJournal Article20160423Among the emerging infectious diseases, arboviruses have rung more the public health alarms. Human cases of <em>Zika virus</em> were reported since 1952. As of June 2016, 60 countries have reported <em>Zika virus</em>. <em>Zika virus</em>-carrying mosquitoes are reported around the world and the transmission of the virus by travelers from endemic areas and the possibility of sexual transmission of the virus have added the concerns of the spread of the diseases. The main concern for <em>Zika virus</em> disease is probable microcephaly disease in infants and WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern for this disease. In Iran, as a result of not reporting of <em>Aedes aegypti</em> and <em>Aedes albopictus</em>, <em>Zika virus</em> transmission is not a big concern; however because of being in neighbor of Pakistan, with high reports of potential <em>Zika virus</em> vectors, possible transmission of the virus by travelers from endemic areas and the possibility of sexual transmission of the virus, continuing monitoring and vector control programs is needed.https://jzd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_5249_495619c4d84031b91a5846580f77ee40.pdf