Trichostrongyloid nematodes in ruminants of northern Iran: prevalence and molecular analysis

Background This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and analyze the molecular characteristics based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 region of the ribosomal RNA (RNA) gene of trichostrongylid nematodes in different ruminants from Guilan province, northern of Iran. Methods The gastrointestinal tracts of 144 ruminants including 72 cattle, 59 sheep, and 13 goats were collected from an abattoir in Guilan province during July to September 2018. After isolation the helminths, male specimens were identified based on morphological parameters. PCR and partial sequencing of the ITS2 fragment were conducted. After phylogenetic analysis, the intraspecific and interspecific differences were calculated. Results The prevalence of total infections with the nematodes was 38.9, 74.6 and 84.6% among cattle, sheep and goats, respectively. Eleven species of trichostrongylid nematodes including Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Ostertagia trifurcata, Teladorsagia circumcincta, Marshallagia occidentalis, O. lyrata, O. ostertagi, and Cooperia punctate were recovered from the ruminants. The most prevalent trichostrongyloid nematodes in cattle, sheep and goats were O. ostertagi (26.4%), M. marshalli (64.4%) and T. circumcincta (69.2%), respectively. Phylogenetic tree was discriminative for Trichostrongylidae family, while phylogenetic analysis of the ITS2 gene represented low variations and no species identification of Haemonchidae and Cooperiidae families. Conclusions This study suggests the high prevalence and species diversity of trichostrongyloid nematodes in different ruminants, indicating the importance of implement antiparasitic strategies in north regions of Iran. As well, this study showed that the ITS2 fragment is not a discriminative marker for Haemonchidae and Cooperiidae families, and investigation of other genetic markers such as mitochondrial genes would be more valuable for better understanding of their phylogenetic relationships.

Toxicities of the copper and zinc oxide nanoparticles on Marshallagia marshalli (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae): evidence on oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers, DNA damage and egg hatchability

This study investigated the in vitro anthelmintic activity of copper oxide (CuO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) against Marshallagia marshalli. The in vitro study was based on an egg hatch assay, adult and larvae motility inhibition assays, DNA damage, intensity protein profile along with several oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), protein carbonylation (PCO), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS) and nitric oxide (NO) content. Different concentrations of CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs (1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 ppm) were used to assess anthelmintic effects on three stages of M. marshalli life cycle – that is, eggs, larvae and adult parasites for 24 h. The results indicated that CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs played a significant role as anthelminthics, and the effect was dependent on time and concentration. The concentrations of 12 and 16 ppm of CuO-NPs and 16 ppm of ZnO-NPs resulted in the induction of oxidative/nitrosative stress (decreased SOD, GSH-Px and CAT, and increased MDA, PCO and NO), increased DNA damage, inhibition of adult and larval motility, egg hatch and low intensity of protein bands following sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, compared to control. It was concluded that CuO-NPs and ZnO-NPs could be utilized as novel and potential agents for the control and treatment of M. marshalli infection, and they have the pharmacological potential to be studied in vivo for further utilization in treating parasitic infections.

Marshallagia marshalli Antigen Strengthens Dendritic Cell Medi-ated T Lymphocyte Regulation on Asthmatic Patients

Background: The current study was conducted to investigate the antigenic effect of Marshallagia marshalli on the treatment of asthma by measuring the secreted inhibitory cytokine. Methods: Case patients and controls were selected from clinics in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi Province, Northeastern Iran in 2017-18. In this experimental study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 15 patients with asthma and 10 healthy controls and were cultured. PBMCs were then converted to tolerogenic DCs through exposure to GM-CSF, IL-4 and M. marshalli antigen. Then, tolerogenic DCs were exposed to autologous T cells for five days and finally, the level of secreted TGF-β1 was measured. Results: The mean TGF-β1 level in the control and control groups was 210.2 ± 8.2 and 225.4 ± 6.1 pq/ml, respectively. The results showed that TGF-β1 levels in both groups significantly increased in both groups (P<0.001). In addition, TGF-β1 levels in the case group were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: M. marshalli antigen increase the level of TGF-β1 and can create antigen-bearing dendritic cells and shift T lymphocytes to the regulatory type. This parasite can be used in dendritic cell therapy to control allergic diseases.

Estimation of Serum Copper Concentrations in Sheep and Goats Infected with Gastrointestinal Parasites in Mosul City, Iraq

The objective of the present study was to determine serum copper concentrations in sheep and goats infected with different gastrointestinal parasites. A total of 60 sheep and 30 goats were obtained from different areas in Mosul city and examined in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Mosul. Fecal and blood samples were collected from each animal. Animals infected with gastrointestinal parasites were diagnosed by detecting parasite eggs in fecal samples. Copper concentrations and hematological values were compared between infected and non-infected animals. Different gastrointestinal parasites were diagnosed include; Chabertia ovina, Cooperia spp., Haemonchus contortus, Marshallagia marshalli, Nematodirus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Ostertagia ostertagia, Strongylus spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. in both single and mixed infection types. Infected sheep and goats suffered from different clinical signs such as emaciation, poor wool or hair, trembling, pale mucous membrane, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Infected animals showed significantly (p≤0.05) lower serum copper concentrations compared to non-infected animals. Moreover, hematological parameters (RBC, Hb, PCV, MCH, MCV, and MCHC) were lower compared to non-infected animals. In conclusion, gastrointestinal parasitic infection in sheep and goats can decrease serum copper concentrations and blood parameters in infected animals, thereby exacerbating clinical signs.