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The objective of the present study was to investigate the role of thyroid hormones and lipid profile in development and outcome of canine visceral leishmaniosis (CVL). We therefore studied the relationships between blood serum thyroid hormones [total T4, free T4, total T3, and free T3], lipids, and lipoproteins [total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and clinical status in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Two groups of Leishmania-infected dogs [with no clinical signs (NCS; n = 15), and with clinical signs (CS; n = 16)] were assessed and compared with a group of healthy control dogs (n = 15). A significant decrease in serum total T4 (p < 0.05) concentration in the CS group was observed when compared to the NCS and control groups. The dogs in CS group revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in free T4 concentration in comparison to the control group. The CS group presented a significant decrease in HDL-C (p < 0.01) concentrations, when compared to NCS and control groups. The observed findings in the present study suggested that thyroid hormone and lipoprotein alterations may have a role in susceptibility of dogs with Leishmania infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this survey was to assess the prevalence of brucellosis with focus on Brucella abortus and Brucella melletensis in different kinds of cats in north-east of Iran. Different kinds of cats included stray, pet, and cats which were located in dairy cattle herds tested. Blood sera of 48 (34.28%) stray, 42 (30%) pet, and 50 (35.71%) cats collected from 15 industrial dairy cattle herds. They were used for rapid and tube agglutination tests such as Rose Bengal, Wright, and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). The comparison among age, sex, weight, and lifestyle of cats with serological tests of brucellosis were examined statistically. Totally, eight (5.71%) cats were mild positive with low titer. Only two (1.42%) cats reacted in 2-ME. There was no statistically significant relationship between sex of cat (male vs female) and serological results (P = 0.07). However, comparison among different age groups revealed significant differences (p = 0.009). There were no significant differences between the infected cats collected from dairy cattle herds and stray cats, but the stray cats and pet cats showed the significant differences (p = 0.028). This survey showed that Brucella infection (1) mainly occurred in male and stray cats aged 1-2 years and (2) is transiently mild, and (3) negative brucellosis in pet cats represents optimal hygiene and health monitoring of these cats by the owners. So, stray cats can be a risk factor for brucellosis in human and animal populations in north-east of Iran; thus, strong precautions over stray cats are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathology of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). We therefore studied the relationships between oxidative stress markers, liver and kidney variables, trace elements, and clinical status in dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum. Two groups of Leishmania-infected dogs [asymptomatic (AD, n = 14) and symptomatic (SD, n = 16)] were assessed and compared with a group of non-infected control dogs (CD, n = 30). A significant decrease ( p < 0.001) in serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and albumin concentration ( p < 0.05) and a significant increase in serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations ( p < 0.001), in the SD group, were observed when compared to CD and AD groups. Dogs of the AD group presented a significant decrease in copper ( p < 0.01) and zinc ( p < 0.001) concentrations, when compared to CD group, while the SD group presented a significant decrease ( p < 0.001) in copper and zinc concentrations, when compared to CD and AD groups. Oxidative stress markers (MDA and TAS) showed significant correlations ( p < 0.001) with trace elements (copper and zinc) and liver (alanine aminotransferase) and kidney (BUN and creatinine) variables. The results of the present study revealed that symptomatic dogs showed more severe oxidative stress than asymptomatic and non-infected dogs and enhanced lipid peroxidation may be linked to liver and kidney damage in canine visceral leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmania infantum is the principal agent of visceral leishmaniosis (kala-azar) in all areas of Iran. The disease is endemic in Fars, Ardabil, East Azerbaijan and Bushehr provinces while it is sporadic in other parts of the country. Dog as a member of canidae family is the main animal reservoir host of kala-azar. The present study was carried out to determine the sero-prevalence of canine leishmaniosis in Mashhad, the capital city of Khorasan Razavi Province, in the north east of Iran. Two-hundred and nine dogs in two different classes including stray and sheepdogs were selected for this cross-sectional study. The blood samples were collected and tested by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test for detection of anti- Leishmania infantum antibodies. The results showed that 16/209 (7.6 %) of blood samples were positive. The sero-prevalence rates in stray and sheepdogs were 11/94 (11.7 %) and 5/115 (4.3 %), respectively ( p < 0.05). Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that visceral leishmaniosis is distributed among dogs of this area, also sero-prevalence of canine leishmaniosis in stray dogs higher than sheepdogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]