Treatment modalities for granulomatous mastitis, seeking the most appropriate treatment with the least recurrence rate: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Granulomatous mastitis (GM) is a rare, benign, inflammatory breast disease with an unknown etiology that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. The definitive treatment of GM is currently controversial; an appropriate therapeutic strategy has yet to be identified, and the disease's high recurrence rate remains. This study aims to determine the recurrence rate for each GM treatment strategy to identify the most appropriate treatment modality.

METHODS

The search for relevant articles was undertaken using three international databases, including Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science. Articles published in English until the end of 2021 evaluating the recurrence rate of GM were included. Using Stata 13.0, the pooled incidence and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the recurrence rate were determined.

RESULTS

Sixty-five eligible studies were included in our study. The recurrence rates of systemic steroid use, topical steroid use, antibiotic use, methotrexate use, observation, drainage, excision, antibiotic use and surgery, steroid use and surgery, antibiotic and steroid use, methotrexate and steroid use were 24% (95% CI: 21-27%), 11% (95% CI: 6-21%), 18% (95% CI: 14-22%), 13% (95% CI: 7-22%), 11% (95% CI: 7-17%), 65% (95% CI: 50-78%), 13% (95% CI: 10-16%), 23% (95% CI: 14-36%), 7% (95% CI: 5-11%), 11% (95% CI: 6-18%), and 4% (95% CI: 2-8%), respectively. Drainage had the highest recurrence rate, while combined methotrexate and steroid treatment had the lowest rate.

CONCLUSION

The optimal treatment strategy for GM depends on the disease's severity, consequences, and the patient's features. The study results indicate that combination therapy is preferable for minimizing the risk of relapse and reducing treatment complications.

An HIV-positive woman with massive brain lesion due to toxoplasmosis: A case report

Key Clinical Message

Toxoplasmosis-related huge brain lesions may require decompressive craniectomy and lesion excision to avoid brain damage. In this situation, injectable cotrimoxazole is a better choice for treatment.

Abstract

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldly distributed obligate intracellular protozoa. Toxoplasmosis is a prevalent opportunistic infection in HIV-infected people, but it was rarely recorded prior to the identification of HIV infection. Here, we report a toxoplasmosis brain lesion in an Iranian HIV-positive patient. A 45-year-old woman with a complaint of malaise was referred to the Valiasr Hospital in Arak city. In her past clinical history, the patient had a history of anemia, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and positive HIV. The patient was informed of the diagnosis of massive brain toxoplasmosis as a definite diagnosis. The patient was then taken to the operating room for a left decompressive craniectomy, during which the ensuing brain lesion was excised. After a few days, she was discharged from the hospital in good condition and without any complications.

Evaluation of the effect of favipiravir on patients with COVID-19

Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. No specific drug has been accepted for COVID-19 treatment up to now. Favipiravir as an antiviral drug affects RNA viruses like influenza and Ebola. Accordingly, the aim of this study is the evaluation of favipiravir's effect on COVID-19 outcomes.

Method

This is a randomized controlled study including 97 patients with COVID-19 randomly allocated into favipiravir or control groups. The primary outcomes were improvement of clinical manifestations and atrial oxygen saturation (SpO2), and the secondary outcome was the length of hospitalization.

Results

Clinical manifestations recovery of COVID-19 patients was better in the favipiravir group, and the mortality rates were less than in the control group (P = 0.0001 for both). The level of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) was significantly higher in the favipiravir group (P = 0.0001). The mean lymphocyte count was lower in the control group (P = 0.004). In addition, levels of blood urine nitrogen (BUN) were higher in the favipiravir group (P = 0.033). The length of hospitalization was similar in both groups (P = 0.586).

Conclusion

Favipiravir can be effective for clinical and laboratory improvement of COVID-19 patients, and it is a promising drug for decreasing of mortality rate in these patients.

Post‐ COVID ‐19 splenic infarction in a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation: A case report

We describe splenic infarction (SI), an infrequent condition, in an 82‐year‐old COVID‐19 patient with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). COVID‐19 may cause thrombosis, and AF is a predisposing factor for splenic infarction. Suspicion of SI may be warranted in COVID‐19 patients with abdominal pain, especially if a predisposing factor exists.

Toxicity and Antiparasitic Efficacy of Essential Oils: Analyses of the Biochemical Compositions and Potencies

Background: Hydatidosis is a common disease of both humans and animals, resulting from infection with the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiparasitic (protoscolicidal) activities of three essential oils in vitro. Methods: This study was designed to evaluate the biochemical composition and in vitro antiparasitic effects of Zataria multiflora, Origanum vulgare and Mentha pulegium essential oils. Gas chromatography was performed to identify the main components of the herbal oils. To determine the antiparasitic properties of the essential oils, live protoscoleces from hydatid cysts were exposed to three concentrations of the herbal oils and were incubated at 37°C for 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes. Results: The biochemical analysis of these oils indicated that carvacrol and thymol were the major compounds of the Zataria oil. Further, carvacrol and thymol in Origanum essential oil and pulegone and piperitone in Mentha oil were the major compounds. The quickest and slowest antiparasitic effect was achieved from Zataria and Origanum (10%) or from Zataria (0.6%), respectively. The statistical analysis showed a significant difference between the mortality rate of protoscoleces exposed to 0.6% and 1% concentrations, respectively, of Zataria and Origanum at the predetermined exposure times (P<0.05). The three concentrations of Mentha had the same significant statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Essential oils, Zataria multiflora, Origanum vulgare and Mentha pulegium had significant protoscolicidal activities that were dependent on the concentration of the oils and the exposure times.

Cryptosporidium animal species in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidiosis is an acute and short-term infection which can lead to severe diarrhea (intestinal cryptosporidiosis) associated with a persistent cough in the host with immune system defect. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of animal Cryptosporidium species and the corresponding epidemiological aspects in Iran.

METHODS

In this study, all original research articles relating to the animal cryptosporidiosis in Iran were collected from reliable databases using keywords. A meta-analysis was conducted separately for each subgroup, and heterogeneity among the studies was performed using the Q and I2 tests. Furthermore, it should be noticed that the significance level in the statistical analysis with the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software was considered to be less than 0.05. Finally, meta-analysis results were shown in forest plot with a 95% CI.

RESULTS

In total, 4795 studies were included in the initial screening. Duplicated or non-original studies and the ones which did not meet our considered criteria were excluded from the list. Out of the 100 articles included in our first list for the meta-analysis, 40, 16, 13, 10, 9, 7, and 5 were done on cattle and calves, birds, dogs, sheep, rodents, camels, and horses, respectively. The prevalence rate of cryptosporidiosis among the birds, horses, rodents, camels, dogs, cattle, and sheep in Iran was estimated to be 7.5%, 19.5%, 20.8%, 8.4%, 4.9%, 14.4%, and 9.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The different Cryptosporidium species have been found in different regions of Iran. Geographical region, climate, and domestic animals are considered as factors responsible for animal cryptosporidiosis prevalence in the area. Moreover, this parasite is zoonotic which causes disease in animals as well as humans which can result in economic loss.

Clinical manifestation and epidemiological findings of human linguatula serrate infection in Iran: systematic review

The aim of this study was to collect data and provide information on clinical diagnosis of disease, methods of dissemination, prevention and treatment of human linguatuliasis in order to increase people's awareness and health care. In this study case reports of individuals in Iran those infected with the Linguatula serrata were taken from the international databases (e.g., Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Iranmedex, Scientific Information Database, and Irandoc) and reviewed. The review covers the case reports of human tongue worm infection published either in Persian or in English between the years 1980-2018. An individual researcher undertook the bibliographic search and evaluation of articles based on inclusion/exclusion of specific criteria. Cases of infection have been reported in eight provinces of Iran. Dietary habits play the important roles in the transmission of the parasite. Clinical diagnosis was achieved by obtaining a patient's history, then completing a clinical examination of the mentioned patients. Symptoms of infection were mainly observed in the upper respiratory tract in most reports, the patient's status was improved by removing the parasite from the infected organ. Given that viscera of slaughtered livestock plays a significant role in the transmission of this infection to humans, Careful inspection of slaughtered livestock in slaughterhouses and Preventing the slaughter of livestock illegally and unsanitary, outside the slaughterhouse, is important. Accordingly, it is very important to train the employees working in the slaughterhouses and the people who consume these organs.

Evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii infection in western Iran: seroepidemiology and risk factors analysis

Background

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infectious disease, and Toxoplasma gondii is the causative factor of this intracellular protozoan disease. Due to the lack of information about the rate of T. gondii in general papulation of Markazi Province in Iran, the current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and the related risk factor analysis in the general population of Markazi Province.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was performed within 6 months on individuals who were referred to diagnostic laboratories in Markazi Province. The demographic and background information of the subjects were collected using a questionnaire. Three milliliters of blood samples was collected from the participants under sterile conditions. The sera were separated and evaluated for levels of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS software using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.

Results

Out of 824 people from the general population of Markazi Province who were investigated in this study, 276 (33.5%) had anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in their blood. According to the logistic regression model, gender variables, location, marital status, and having a cat at home do not affect the chances of contracting the parasite. Furthermore, the chance of contracting the parasite in 41- to 50-year-olds is 0.85 times the one in the 20- to 30-year-olds. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in men and women in Markazi Province was 33% and 34.5%, respectively.

Conclusion

The mean prevalence of T. gondii infection in the age groups of 20-40, and ≥ 40 years was estimated to be 24.7%, and 40.8%, respectively. These rates were significantly lower than the national results (44%, and 55%, respectively). Therefore, regarding to the health authorities, it is necessary to raise the level of awareness of people of the region, especially at-risk groups about the transmittance and prevention methods, and infection risk factors in order to prevent the occurrence of T. gondii infection and reduce the prevalence and incidence of the disease.

Fungal and parasitic contamination of indoor public swimming pools in Arak, Iran

BACKGROUND

Swimming is a popular exercise for different types of people at different ages. Public swimming pools are places where fungal infections can be easily transferred. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of mycological, parasitological, and physicochemical parameters of swimming pools of Arak city.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was done for 12 months from April 2013 to March 2014 in six indoor active swimming pools of Arak city (A, B, C, D, E, and F). Samples were collected in four seasons, two times/season; each time, two samples were obtained from six specified locations (shallow level pool, deep level pool, dressing rooms, showers, margin of pool walls, and foot-washing sink) from each pool with a total of 576 samples. Physicochemical parameters including water temperature, pH, turbidity, and the residual chlorine were measured on-site. In order to isolate and detect the fungal agents, special filters and culture Sabouraud's dextrose agar, chloramphenicol, and mycosel agar media were applied. Furthermore, non-nutrient agar medium enriched with Escherichia coli was used to detect and to separate the eggs of the worms, cysts, and parasitic protozoa from centrifuges of samples. In order to investigate their sediment, optical microscope and culture media were used.

RESULTS

We found that 456 (79.1%) samples were positive regarding the fungal elements, and 516 fungal species were isolated. The most common isolates were saprophytic species (8.74%), yeast species (25%), and dermatophyte species (2.5%). The most contaminated surfaces were foot-washing sinks and showers. In this study, Acanthamoeba parasites were isolated from one pool only. All the investigated physicochemical parameters of pool water except for the temperature were found to be in the standard range.

CONCLUSIONS

Existence of saprophytic fungi and yeast in pools' water is plausible to be considered as an indicator of water resistance to the detergent agents. This high degree of contamination is due to the huge number of visitors, the complexity of construction, the choice of materials, and the long opening hours. Isolation of dermatophytes and Acanthamoeba parasite from the pools' area and foot-washing sink reveals the important role of the public swimming pools in disease transmission.

Elimination of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in intensive care patients lowers infection rates

This study surveys the clinical relevance of the nasal Staphylococcus aureus colonization status on intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired S. aureus infections and compares molecular characteristics of isolates from the nose and infectious sites. The 390 patients included comprised 278 non-carriers and 112 carriers. Among the carriers, 56 were decolonized with mupirocin. Decolonization was verified through a second (negative) culture. Spa typing and virulence gene profiling were performed for all isolates. Twenty six S. aureus infections were detected in the carriage group and 20 in the non-carriage group. Eighteen of these 26 (69.2%) infections were among carriers, and 8 of these 26 (30.8%) infections occurred among decolonized carriers (p = 0.02). Overall, 31/112 (27.7%) of the colonized patients and 25/46 (60.1%) of infection were due to methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The highest frequency virulence genes were sea and hlg (both 100%) in nasal isolates and sea, hlg, fnb, and clf (100%) for infectious isolates. t030 was the most abundant spa type overall. S. aureus carriers were more likely to develop S. aureus infection compared with decolonized and non-carrying patients. The sources of ICU S. aureus infection appear to be exogenous mostly, and a predominant clone (spa type 030) plays an important role. We confirm that nasal mupirocin treatment prevents ICU infections even when there is an increased prevalence of nosocomial MRSA.

Plasma Level of MicroRNAs, MiR-107, MiR-194 and MiR-210 as Potential Biomarkers for Diagnosis Intestinal-Type Gastric Cancer in Human

Background:

Timely and sensitive diagnosis of gastric cancer is crucial for efficient treatment and survival of the patients. microRNAs have been considered as diagnostic biomarkers in different type of cancers including gastric cancer. In the present study, the expression profile of four microRNAs, miR-103, miR-107, miR-194 and miR-210 were evaluated in patients with intestinal-type of gastric cancer (IGC) in order to assess their diagnosis utility as noninvasive biomarkers.

Methods:

A total number of 100 plasma samples from patients with gastric cancer and healthy controls were obtained and total RNA was extracted using a commercial monophasic solution of phenol and guanidium thiocyanate. Reverse transcription (RT) reactions were performed by specific stem-loop RT primers and M-MuLV RT-enzyme. The expression patterns of microRNAs were assessed using reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) method and the expression of SNORD47 RNA was used as the reference for normalization.

Results:

The results indicate that the plasma levels of miR-107, miR-194, and miR-210 were significantly lower in patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the patients could be distinguished from healthy individuals at the cutoff levels of 0.504, 0.266, and 0.394 of miR-107, miR-194, and miR-210, respectively. On the other hand, the expression levels of these miRNAs were not significantly different in different clinicopathological stages of the disease.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that the plasma levels of miR-107, miR-194 and miR-210 were downregulated in patients with ICG and propose these molecules as potential non-invasive biomarkers for detection of IGC.

Comparison of antibacterial effects of a carrier produced in microemulsion system from aqueous extract of Aloe vera with selected antibiotics on Enterobacteriacea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Antibiotics resistance has recently increased. The aim of this study was the evaluation of antibacterial efficacy of Aloe vera carrier produced in microemulsion system in comparison with ordinary antibiotics against some Enterobacteriacea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aquatic extract of Aleo vera was produced by the Soxhlet method and a nonocarrier in the microemulsion system was prepared by two emulsifiers. The clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Paratyphi, Serratia marcescens, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Citrobacter freundii and Morganella morganii were obtained from patients and were identified by microbiological methods. Diffusion disk was used for evaluation of antibacterial properties in comparison with selected ordinary antibiotics. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) for tested materials were determined using MTT in the Micro Broth dilution method.

RESULTS

The results proved that effect of carrier on studied isolates is dependent on concentration level. The inhibitory effect of carrier in concentration of 15 μg/ml by 18 mm zone of inhibition for Klebsiella pneumoniae was comparable to Ceftazidime and Cefalothin. The lowest MIC and MBC determined by the Microbroth dilution method with MTT belonged to Klebsiella pneumoniae as 0.1 and 3 μg/ml and higher concentrations belonged to Enterobacter aerogenes at 7 and 15 μg/ml. The greatest effect of carrier of Aleo vera aquatic extract was observed for Klebsiella pneumoniae and the lowest effect belonged to Enterobacter aerogenes, Citrobacter freundii and Morganella morganii.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the carrier of Aloe vera produced in microemulsion system was most effective and had equal effects in comparison with ordinary antibiotics against Enterobacteriacea.

An In Vitro Evaluation of Ozonized Organic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on Giardia Lamblia Cysts

BACKGROUND

Giardia lamblia is a common intestinal parasite that has been reported all over the world.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of ozonized organic extra-virgin olive oil on the cyst of G. lamblia.

METHODS

The olive oil was ozonized based on international standards and confirmed by the world health organization (WHO) at various times in a generator. The ozone concentration of olive oil was adjusted at 32, 64, 96, 128, 160 mg/g based on ozone absorption. Giardia lamblia cysts were isolated from heavily infected stool samples and the sucrose gradient flotation technique. Five groups of triple tubes containing Giardia cysts were exposed to olive oil with 32, 64, 96, 128, 160 ozone concentrations, and the sixth and seventh groups were exposed to non-ozonized olive oil and normal saline, respectively. The tubes were placed at room temperature, and every four hours, the mortality of the Giardia cysts was assessed.

RESULTS

The results showed that the first five groups' mortality rate of Giardia cysts reached 100% in 100 hours. An increasing concentration of ozone in olive oil leads to an increase in the mortality rate of Giardia cysts. The results showed a significant difference in the mean time of the mortality in all the groups (P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, the higher fatality effect of ozonized organic extra-virgin olive oil (Ozonized Olive Oil = OZO) was proved in comparison with metronidazole in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that ozonized organic extra-virgin olive oil was a growth inhibitor of Giardia cysts, and concerning its compatibility with a biological system, it is recommended for further clinical trials.

Antimycobacterial activity assessment of three ethnobotanical plants against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: An In Vitro study

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Resistances to herbal medicines are still not defined and finding natural remedies against drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) has research priority. The antimycobacterial susceptibility method for herbal extracts is unclearly defined and there is no standard method for assessment of the materials against bacteria. In the present study, time kill of three medicinal plants was determined against MTB.

METHODS

The clinical isolate of MTB from a patient who harbored confirmed tuberculosis was used in the study. Aqueous extracts of Aloe vera leaves, mint, and Hypericum perforatum were prepared using reflux distillation. Disk diffusion methods were conducted in Petri dishes and McCartney bottles containing Löwenstein-Jensen medium to measure the sensitivity of plant extracts in serial concentrations of 0.25-8mg/mL. A pour plate method was performed by mixing 0.7mL of each concentration of extract in 5mL Löwenstein-Jensen medium followed by surface culturing of MTB fresh cells. The time kill method was conducted by bacterial suspension in equal amounts of the extract and viable evaluation in fresh culture at the beginning, and at 24-h, 48-h, 72-h, and 1-week intervals. All cultures were incubated at 37°C for 4weeks. Inoculum concentrations were considered as a variable.

RESULTS

The zones of inhibition of A. vera, H. perforatum, and mint extracts in the disk diffusion method in McCartney bottles were 60mm, 41mm, and zero, respectively, but Petri dishes did not have repeatable results. In the pour plate method, an extract concentration up to 1mg/mL could inhibit cell growth. In mint extract, colony forming was four times more than the others at 0.5mg/mL. Time kill of 95% of cells occurred when exposed to extracts of A. vera and H. perforatum separately, but was 50% in 24 h and 20% in 10 min. The time kill for mint was 95% in 1week.

CONCLUSION

The results give some scientific basis to the use of plant extracts for growth control of MTB cells. Clinical trials are recommended for assessment of the extract as complementary medicine, as well as for antisepsis.

Study of carD gene sequence in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth rate is closely coupled to rRNA transcription which is regulated through carD gene. The aim of this study was to determine the sequence of carD gene in drug susceptible and resistant clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis and designing of a PCR assay based on carD sequence for rapid detection of this bacterium.Specific primers for amplification of carD gene were carefully designed, so that whole sequence of gene could be amplified; therefore primers were positioned at the upstream (promoter of this gene and ispD gene) and downstream (in ispD gene). DNA from 41 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis with different pattern of drug resistance was used in the study. PCR conditions and annealing temperature were designed by means of online programs. PCR products were sequenced by ABI system.PCR product of carD gene was a 524 bp fragment. This method could detect all resistant and susceptible strains of M. tuberculosis. The size of amplified fragment was similar in all investigated samples. Sequence analysis showed that there was similar sequence in all of our isolates therefore probably this gene is considered to be conservative. Translation of nucleotide mode to amino acids was showed that TRCF domain in N-terminal of protein CarD was found to be fully conservative.This is the first study on the sequence of carD gene in clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. This conservative gene is recommended for use as a target for designing of suitable inhibitors as anti-tuberculosis drug because its importance for life of MTB. In the other hand, a PCR detection method based on detection of carD gene was recommended for rapid detection in routine test.

Low Prevalence of Brucella agglutinins in Blood Donors in Central Province of Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution and has great economic importance. Despite its control in many countries, it remains endemic in Iran. Brucellosis was investigated in many high risk occupational groups; however, few studies on the prevalence of brucellosis among blood donors are available. To determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis antibodies in blood donors, a serological study was carried out in central province of Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 897 healthy blood donors with mean age 37.23± 10.9 years were enrolled in the study. Laboratory tests including Standard Tube Agglutination Test (STA) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) agglutination were checked in all samples. STA dilution ≥1:80, and in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (2ME) agglutination ≥ 20 was considered positive.

RESULTS

Out of 897 cases, 11.9% were inhabitants of rural areas. 41.5% had history of consumption of unpasteurized dairy products and 9.3% had history of contact with domestic animals. A very low level of Brucella agglutinins was present in 3(0.33%) of the samples and only one sample (0.11%) was found to be truly positive for Brucella agglutinins. 2ME was negative in all samples. None of these 4 subjects showed signs and symptoms of brucellosis in 6 months follow-up.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of our data, brucellosis has no epidemiological and clinical importance in our blood donors; therefore, it is not recommended to perform screening tests such as, STA and 2ME to identify brucellosis antibodies in the sera of blood donors.

Morphological and morphometrical description of trichostrongylus species isolated from domestic ruminants in khuzestan province, southwest iran

BACKGROUNDS

Genus Trichostrongylus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae) is one of the most important zoonotic nematodes with wide geographic distribution in the world. The purpose of the present study was to describe morphological and morphometrical characteristics of male Trichostrongylus species, currently prevalent in domestic ruminants of Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran.

METHODS

Gastro-intestinal organs of 1600 sheep, goats, cattle, and buffalos, slaughtered in Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran, were examined for infectivity with Trichostrongylus species. For examination and measurements of helminthes, Azo-carmine staining was performed, followed by camera lucida drawings of morphological characters and measurements of morphometrical criteria with a calibrated microscope. Using valid nematodes systematic keys, almost all the parasites were identified at the level of species.

RESULTS

Overall, 114 animals were found infected with at least one species of Trichostrongylus. Considering morphological characteristics of male Trichostrongylus, six species were identified including T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, T. probolorus, T. capricola, T. longispicularis and Trichostrongylus sp.

CONCLUSION

Although, compared to the previous decades, currently Trichostrongylus is much less prevalent in the domestic ruminants of the study area, but still different species occur in these animals.