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Dermatofibroma is a common skin benign cutaneous tumor with many variants based on alterations in the morphology and composition of its diverse elements. The cause of dermatofibroma is unknown, it was historically attributed to being a reactive response to some traumatic lesion to the skin which is associated with itching and pain. This tumor usually appears on the limbs, especially the end extremities, in young adults. In the present study, a middle-aged Persian leopard was accidentally killed because of a car incident in the Golestan National Park, Iran. Following necropsy, skin mass on the right toe was observed and after sampling was transferred to the laboratory. After routine histopathological and immunohistochemical processes, Dermatofibroma was diagnosed microscopically with non-capsulated, circumscribed, hypocellular dermal nodule in a spiral pattern. According to the results of this study immunohistochemical staining revealed positivity for CD34. There is limited information about the Dermatofibroma in leopards. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Dermatofibroma in the Persian leopard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which contain many carcinogenic compounds, are a major ingredient of petroleum/oil. PAH pollution of the Caspian Sea, the world's largest lake, is rapidly occurring and may be affecting the endangered Caspian seal (Pusa caspica), the only marine mammal in this lake. To analyze the entrance of PAHs into the Caspian Sea food chain and the health status of Caspian seals, we measured 16 carcinogenic PAHs in the liver, kidney, and blubber tissues of ten Caspian seal carcasses from the coastal region of northeastern Iran using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry. Of the 16 PAHs investigated, only anthracene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were identified in nine sampled Caspian seals. Concentrations of anthracene (=84.83 ± 79.86 ppb wet weight [w.w.]), phenanthrene (=31.75 ± 52.22 ppb w.w.), and naphthalene (=25.1 ± 31.57 ppb w.w.) in blubber tissues were higher than in liver and kidney tissues. The concentration of PAHs in tissues was significantly higher in male than in female seals, and we found an inverse relationship between seal age and PAH concentration in tissues. Although no data exist concerning toxic effect concentrations of PAHs in Caspian seals, PAH detection in seal carcasses highlights a potentially stressful condition that may impact the health of Caspian seals and other sea life in this lake. Appropriate strategies for the control of PAH entrance into the Caspian Sea should be sought, and studies for the determination of pathogenic and lethal doses of PAHs in Caspian seals should be pursued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was conducted to collect informative data on the parasitic infection of wild rodents, emphasizing on finding parasites, which have medical importance to human. Methods: During 2012-2014, a total number of 91 wild rodents were captured from rural areas of Turkmen Sahra, Golestan Province, using handmade traps. Animals were anesthetized, surveyed for any ectoparasite and then their carcasses were carefully dissected for examination of endoparsites. Results: Four species of rodents including Mus musculus (52.75%), Rattus norvegicus (38.46%), Rhombomys opimus (4.40%) and Meriones libycus (4.40%) were captured. Parasitic infestation was detected in 38.5% of sampled rodents. Parasite infestation rates of sampled rodents was Hymenolepis diminuta = 7.7%, Cryptosporidium spp = 6.6%, Trichuris spp.= 5.5%, Cysticercus fasciolaris = 2.20%, Angiostrongylus spp.= 2.20%, Capillaria sp.= 1.09%, Rhipicephalus spp. = 8.70%, Nosopsyllus fasciatus = 1.09%, and Laelaps nuttalli = 3.29%. Among 10 genera/species of identified parasites, at least 8 of them were zoonotic with public health importance. L. nuttalli and N. fasciatus were the only two non-zoonotic detected parasites in this survey. Conclusion: Harboring a wide variety of zoonotic parasites in sampled wild rodents particularly when they live nearby villages, represents a potential risk to native inhabitants. Hence, controlling rodents' population in residential regions and improving awareness of local people about the risk of disease transmission through rodents seems to be entirely necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Golden jackal (Canis aureus) is one of the most common canid in Iran and can be found in habitats from Southeast Asia to Europe. Its rapid range expansion into Europe is indicated by the single haplotype (H1) of the mtDNA control region. H1 is the pioneer haplotype that expanded its range to Europe. Haplotypes from Turkey to Europe (western dispersal) and India (eastern dispersal) were identified before, while Iranian haplotypes are not known. Here, we completed its haplotype distribution from India to Europe by collecting samples from Iran. Results show that H1 is the most frequent Iranian haplotype compared to the five other haplotypes, and its most eastern distribution is in northeastern Iran. The phylogenetic tree and median-joining network indicate that all haplotypes are monophyletic, but Indian and Eurasian haplotypes are almost exclusive. We considered Oriental (Indian haplotypes + H13 from southeastern Iran) and Palearctic (others) haplogroups to explain haplotype distribution based on a median-joining network. The Oriental haplogroup is probably adapted to India towards southeastern Iran, while the Palearctic haplogroup is responsible for the current range expansion from Iran to Europe. The distribution and frequency of haplotypes indicate the rapid large-scale expansion, and unique haplotypes for specific geographic regions might be related to local adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]