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Background and Objectives: Intestinal pathotypes of Escherichia coli belong to the companion animals may poses potential risk to public health following zoonotic transmission. Therefore, this study was proposed to determine the virulence genes associated to diarrheagenic E. coli strains isolated from healthy pet dogs and their owners in the southeast of Iran, Kerman province. Materials and Methods: Totally 168 E. coli isolates were collected from 49 healthy household dogs and their owners. Seventy isolates were obtained from non-pet owners as control group. Presence or absence of the virulence genes including eae, stx1, stx2, st1, lt1, ipaH, cnf1 and cnf2 were screened by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dissemination pattern of the genes were studied among the various hosts. Results: PCR examinations showed that the most frequent virulence gene was ipaH (6.1%) in dogs followed by eae in dog owners (6.1%) and in controls (8.6%). The most frequent pathotypes in dogs, their owners and controls were EIEC (6.1%), EHEC (4.08%) and EPEC (8.5%), respectively. In one of studied houses, both of dog and its owner harbored E. coli strains with same virulence profile (stx1/eae) and pathotype (EHEC). Conclusion: These results collectively indicate that healthy household dogs probably are the mild reservoir of potential virulent E. coli strains with possible active transmission to their contact owner. However, even non-pet owners seemed to be a notable source of intestinal pathotypes, especially EPEC, for their environment. Transmission of E. coli pathotypes may occurs by direct contact with the reservoirs or ingestion of contaminated food. These pathotypes are potentially virulent and creates public health hazards. Further studies are needed for better understanding of dissemination mechanisms of E. coli pathotypes among humans and their pets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ehrlichiosis is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic disease caused by the family of Anaplasmatacea. Recently, outbreak of human monocytic ehrlichiosis was reported in northern part of Iran. Besides, serological evidence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia canis was reported from southeastern of Iran but the epidemiology of this disease is almost undetermined in Iran. The present study was designed to use PCR for detection of Ehrlichia spp. in tick infested household dogs and determination of risks of disease transmission to dog's owners. Method: Blood samples were prepared from 100 tick infested household dogs after complete clinical examination. Complete cell blood count was done for each sample. DNA extraction was done and PCR was carried out by a commercial kit afterwards. Regarding to PCR results, blood samples were collected from owners and family members who were exposed to infected and non-infected dogs. A similar method was utilized for DNA extraction and PCR in human samples. Result: Ehrlichial DNA was detected by PCR in six percent of Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick pools and 9% of the examined dogs. No positive sample was detected among the 67 examined human bloods. Conclusion: Ehrlichiosis could be considered as an emerging canine disease but owning a dog should not be considered a major risk factor for ehrlichiosis in humans. Further serological and molecular studies in different parts of Iran are required to clarify the epidemiology of ehrlichiosis in canine, ticks, and human population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Q fever is an important widespread reemerging zoonosis. The presence of Coxiella burnetii in 100 tick-infested dogs was assessed in this study. Methods: The blood samples from 100 referred dogs were acquired and evaluated by nested-PCR. Results: C. burnetii was detected in 11 out of 100 (11%) blood samples. Most of the positive dogs were kept outdoor and fed on raw diet. Based on our findings, Q fever should be considered as an emerging disease in dogs in Iran; so, zoonotic importance of this population must be notified. To better understanding the role and pathogenic importance of dogs in Q fever outbreak and to determine whether this organism can be transmitted directly from dogs to human further in-depth studies are necessary. Conclusion: It is determined that C. burnetii is present in dogs in southeast of Iran and people who are in contact with this population, especially asymptomatic ones are at increased risk of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was set to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing E. coli isolates and the genes underlying their resistance in relation to phylogenetic background from fecal samples of healthy owned cats. Methods: A total of 50 E. coli isolates were confirmed by standard bacteriological tests. The phylogenetic analyses of the isolates were carried out by combinations of three genetic markers chuA, yjaA and DNA fragment TspE4.C2 by a triplex PCR method. The ESBL (blaCTXM, blaTEM, blaSHV, blaOXA) encoding genes were detected. To identify ESBL producing phenotypes, all selected isolates were screened with a double disk synergy test including cefotaxime, cefotaxime with clavulanic acid, ceftazidime and ceftazidime with clavulanic acid. Results: Results showed that E. coli isolates fell into four phylogenetic groups (A, D, B1 and B2) with prevalence of 78%, 4%, 8%, 10% and five phylogenetic subgroups including A0 (74 %), A1 (4 %), B1 (8 %), B2-2 (6 %), B2-3 (4 %) and D1 (4 %), respectively. Among all E. coli isolates, 4% were positive for blaSHV, blaCTX-M-15 and blaOXA-1 genes which distributed in B2-2, B2-3, A0 subgroups, respectively. According to antibiotic susceptibility test, 20 isolates were resistant which belonged to D (D1 phylogenetic subgroup) and A (A0 phylogenetic subgroup) groups. Conclusion: The results showed that healthy cats could be considered as potential source for the dissemination of ESBL-encoding genes. Further investigations in companion animals and their owners are needed to clarify the importance of spreading of these zoonotic strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is mosquito-borne filarial nematode capable of causing serious cardiopulmonary disease in canines and felines, and pulmonary dirofilariasis in man. This research was conducted with the objectives of determining the incidence and assessing possible risk factors of canine heartworm in the southeast of Iran. Methods: From October 2012 to September 2013, blood samples from 87 dogs from Zabol area in Sistan and Baluchestan and 33 dogs from Bam area in Kerman Province were examined for detection of Dirofilaria immitis using modified knott test and serology. Results: Out of 120 dogs, 29 (24.2%; 95%CI: 16.6-31.8%) were positive, serologically. The overall seroprevalence of D. immitis in dog in Zabol and Bam was 27.5% (95% CI: 24.7-32.5%) and 15.15% (95% CI: 12.3-20.7%), respectively. 28.8% of stray dogs and 20.6% of housed dogs in the study areas were seropositive. Seroprevalence of D. immitis was not significantly different between stray and housed dogs (P=0.295). Investigation of seasonal dynamic of infection with D. immitis in stray and housed dog showed that the proportion of infected dog in spring and summer was greater than colder season (autumn and winter) which was not significant. The prevalence of infection with D. immitis in >5 years old stray dogs (53.8%) was greater than other age categories while in housed dogs infection rate was greater in 3-5 years old (27.3%) . Conclusion: It is important to point out the increased incidence of canine heatrworm in Iran. In order to stop the spread of canine heartworm, preventive measures must be taken now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Efforts have been made worldwide to identify and to study parasites of laboratory animals, aiming at the achievement of proper procedures for eradication of parasitic infestations, considering the important role of these animals in scientific research. There is no sufficient data about parasitic infestations of Laboratory animals which are kept in conventional systems in Iran. In this scope, peresent study was designed to investigate the presence of ectoparasites and endoparasites in conventionally maintained laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) and in mices (Mus musculus). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed on 240 randomly selected rats and mice from two different animal houses in Kerman city, Iran. Skin scraping; blood samples and alimentary tract contents of all animals were fully examined for the presence of parasitic infections. Results: In the first animal house, Nosopsylla fasciatus (flea), Hymenolepis dimminuta, Entamoeba muris and Cryptosporidium spp. infestation were diagnosed respectively in 35.41%, 36.1%, 3.57%, and 1.25% of rat colonies but only Entamoeba muris infestation was detected in 4.58% of mice colonies. In the second animal house, 2.5% and 2% of rat and mice colonies were infected by Entamoeba muris. Conclusion: Based to presence of asymptomatic parasitic infection in conventionally maintained laboratory animals, regular periodical samplings, precise sanitary monitoring of barrier maintained system, environment and food seem necessary in animal houses. Eradication of parasites could eliminate the confounding effects of these infections on researches and additionally decrease the risk of zoonotic disease transmission to investigators and animal house personnel's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]