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Background: In pigs, several different trichomonad species such as Tritrichomonas foetus, Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, and Pentatrichomonas hominis have been described as inhabiting the digestive tract. However, little information is available on the epidemiology of these neglected parasites in the Chinese pig population. Methods: The prevalence of T. suis, T. buttreyi and P. hominis among 500 fecal specimens from pigs at seven pigs farms in Anhui Province in China between Oct and Dec 2014, was determined by PCR and DNA sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes. Results: The prevalence rates for T. suis, T. buttreyi, and P. hominis were 2.8% (14/500), 42.0% (210/500) and 7.8% (39/500), respectively. Mixed infections of two or three trichomonads were detected in 24 samples. The prevalence of the three trichomonads differed significantly between some age groups, with higher infection rates of T. suis and T. buttreyi in nursery pigs and P. hominis in preweaned pigs. The SSU rRNA sequences from T. suis and P. hominis showed 100% homology with their respective homologous database sequences. However, we observed minor allelic variations in the SSU rRNA sequences from T. buttreyi, and the five representative sequences identified were named firstly as types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Moreover, type 1 was found to be dominant in the present study. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential risk posed by pigs in the transmission of trichomonad infections to humans and other animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common opportunistic pathogen found in both humans and animals. As companion animals live in close contact with human being, they may act as a zoonotic reservoir and play an important role in transmitting this parasite to humans. We evaluated the prevalence, genotypic diversity and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi in dogs and cats in eastern China during Apr to Dec 2013. Methods: Fecal specimens from 315 dogs and 143 cats from veterinary hospitals in eastern China were examined in 2015 by internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based PCR. Results: E. bieneusi was detected in 8.6% of canine and in 1.4% of feline samples. Seven genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including four known genotypes (PtEb IX, EbpC, Type IV and D) and three novel genotypes, named CHD1, CHD2 and CHD3. The dominant genotype in dogs was PtEbIX (59.3%; n=16/27). Five (CHD1, EbpC, CHD2, D and Type IV) of the seven genotypes were in the so-called zoonotic group 1, whereas genotypes PtEbIX belonged to the dog-specific group and genotypes CHD3 were placed in group 2. Conclusion: Dogs are predominately infected with host-specific genotypes of E. bieneusi, and the finding of several zoonotic genotypes in dogs and cats reminds us of potentially zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which focuses on the effect of supplement vitamin C on the respiratory and immune organ of Kunming male mice. The cold stimulation at 0° Celsius was given to the cold and cold stress +Vc group of Kunming male mice. Results show a decrease in the body weight, spleen, and lungs of the mice in cold stress environment.

The article presents a study which examines the changes of the metabolism of lipids and the levels of serum thyroid hormone during fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in immature chickens. The control subject of the study includes 160 1 day-old cyanshank patridge chickens. Results show the reduction of the serum levels of thyroxine, free triidothyronine, and triidothyronine in FLHS group.

The article presents a study which analyzes the effect of tissue antioxidant activity on chicken infected with Eimeria acervulina through the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The study states that SOD in each tissue declined while CAT in heart and liver declined but increased in lung and kidney. The study mentions the occurrence of pathogenic oxidative stress following the infection and impaired ecological oxidative balance of chickens with E. acervulina.

The article offers information on the effects of microelement Vanadium on the liver and tissue growth of rats in China. It states that the liver weight increases when the vandium dosage is in 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg. It emphasizes that Vanadium dosage is under 40 mg/kg is safe for the rat, while more than 60 mg/kg contains toxic effect.

The article offers information on the impact of Cryptosporidium parvum into the heart and encephalon antioxidant function of rats in China. The study shows that the activity of the heart tissue of rats post-infected with Cryptosporidium declines. Moreover, the content of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) of rats infected with Cryptosporidium is higher compared with the controlled group.

The article presents a study which determines the effects of carnosine on growth performance and endocrine hormone in broilers. The results showed that carnosine may enhance the growth of broilers performance. Additionally, it can promote the development of small intestine and increase the transformation of T4 into T3 during middle period of development.

The article presents a study which examines the effect of boron treatment on the structure of lingual mucous membrane and gastric mucosa in rats. Researchers allow rats treated with boron to drink distilled water for two months, and dissect the rats to obtain the tongue and stomach for analysis using micrograph system. Results show the varying pathological changes in the mucosa membrane structure of the tongue and stomach, including the decrease in the number of filiform papilla.

The article presents a study which examines the effect of dietary addition of isoflavone, daidzein, on the antioxidative and immune functions in Chinese Holstein dairy cows. Researchers feed the three groups of dairy cows into diets with a certain dosage of daidzein and feed the control group into basal diets for 60 days. Results show the enhancement of serum activities after the 60-day administration of daidzein.

The article presents a study which examines the effect of heterologous newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection on tissue free radicals metabolisms of ducks. Researchers measure and compare the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione superoxidase (GSH-Px) to analyze the change in tissues of ducks infected with NDV. Results reveal the involvement of free radicals in the pathogenic course of ducks infected with NDV.

The article presents a study which identifies the effect of serum antioxidase to chicken with different doses of Eimeria tenella. The study shows that the maleic dialdehyde (MDA) in serum decreased and increased significantly after infection with E. tenella. The study concluded that E. tenella of different dosage affects serum antioxidase.

The article investigates the effect of GC02 coccidian vaccine on the metabolism of serum free radical in chickens. Many healthy cross boilers are assigned into control group and immunized group. It was found that the serum level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) is significant in the immunized group than in control group. The serum level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) in immunized group has no significant change compared to control group.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis in pet dogs in Anhui and Zhejiang Provinces., Methods: Pet dog fecal samples were collected from veterinary clinics in Baohe District of Hefei City, Xuanzhou District of Xuancheng City, Fengyang County and Mingguang City of Chuzhou City, Longzihu District of Bengbu City, Si County of Suzhou City in Anhui Province, as well as in Yuhang District of Hangzhou City in Zhejiang Province from April to December, 2013. Blastocystis was detected by microscopic examination as well as nested PCR and single-step PCR based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequences. The PCR products were sequenced, and Blastocystis subtypes were assigned., Results: A total of 315 pet dog fecal samples were collected. The incidence of Blastocystis infection determined by microscopic examination, nested PCR and single-step PCR was 1.3%（4/315）, 1.9%（6/315） and 1.9%（6/315）, respectively. In addition, the two PCR methods both revealed Blastocystis infection only in Chuzhou City（3.4%, 1/29） and Hefei City（5.6%, 4/72）. The pet dogs in Chuzhou City carried ST1 and ST2 subtypes while those in Hefei carried only ST1. There was no significant difference in infection rate between adult and young dogs and between male and female dogs., Conclusion: Blastocystis infection exists in pet dogs in Chuzhou City and Hefei City.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium species infection in pet dogs, and identify the G. lamblia assemblages and Cryptosporidium species., Methods: A total of 315 fresh fecal samples were collected from pet clinics in five counties of Anhui Province and in Hangzhou of Zhejiang Province. Hemi-nested-PCR targeting the GDH gene of G. lamblia and nested-PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium were performed in all the fecal samples. The PCR products were sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics methods to identify the G. lamblia assemblages and Cryptosporidium species., Results: The positive rates of G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium spp. infections in the 315 fecal samples were 3.2% (10/315) and 1.6% (5/315), respectively. Specifically, the two indicators were both significantly higher in dogs ≤12 months (17.8% and 11.1%, respectively) than in adult dogs (0.7% and 0.0%)(P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the two indicators between male and female dogs. In addition, two G. lamblia assemblages were identified, assemblages B (n=6) and D (n=4). Sequence analysis of PCR products of the SSU rRNA gene showed that the five Cryptosporidium isolates were C. canis (n =5)., Conclusion: The prevalences of G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium infection in pet dogs in Anhui and Zhejiang Provinces were 3.2 % and 1.6 %, respectively. The assemblages of G. lamblia in this study are of types B and D.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Neospora caninum infection in the intestine of pet dogs in areas of Anhui and Zhejiang., Methods: A total of 315 fecal samples from pet dogs were collected in pet clinics from April to December 2013 in Baohe District in Hefei city, Xuanzhou District in Xuancheng city, Fengyang County in Chuzhou city, Longzihu District in Bengbu city, and Si County in Suzhou City in Anhui Province, as well as in Yuhang District in Hangzhou city of Zhejiang province. All samples underwent nested-PCR targeting Neospora-specific gene NCLI-004830. The results were further confirmed by PCR amplification of N. caninum ITS1 followed by sequence analysis., Results: The rate of N. caninum infection in the 315 samples was 1.59% (5/315). The infection rate in Chuzhou and Bengbu was 3.37% and 6.45%, respectively, and no N. caninum infection was found in the remaining areas. There was no association between the infection rate and the sex or age of the dogs., Conclusion: N. caninum infection is prevalent in pet dogs in Chuzhou and Bengbu of Anhui.

Five hundred and six fresh fecal samples were collected from Lu'an, Fuyang, Suzhou, Chizhou, Wuhu, Chuzhou and Bozhou in Anhui Province, and detected firstly by direct smear microscopy. The microscopy-positive samples were amplified by nested PCR targeting the triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) and glutamate dehydrogenase(GDH) genes. The positive PCR products were sequenced in both directions. The sequences were analyzed by ClustalX 1.81 for sequence alignment and the neighbor-joining trees were constructed by Mega 5.05. Thirty-two out of 506 fecal specimens were diagnosed as Giardia-positive by microscopy with an infection rate of 6.3%. 23 and 16 of the samples were typed as assemblage E by the TPI (530 bp) and GDH (450 bp) genes, respectively. These findings indicated that there was a different distribution of subtypes of assemblage E in different areas. The zoonosis genotypes such as assemblage A or B was not found in the present study.

Giardia lamblia trophozoites were cultivated axenically in TYI-S-33 modified medium containing 1.345 mg/ml of osthole (24 h IC50). The parasites were observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopes after treated with osthole for 24 h. The surface of the trophozoites treated with osthole was rough. The surface of ventral sucker and median body had obvious lesions, the cell membrane was damaged and the content spilled out. There were a lot of vacuoles in the cytoplasm. And the nuclear was severely deformed with a serrated edge and marginated nuclear chromatin. The microtubules of sucker had partially disintegrated.