Project description:Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonotic disease that can cause abortion in humans and animals. The aim of this study was isolation and subsequent genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii isolates in ovine aborted fetuses. During 2012-2013, 39 ovine aborted fetuses were collected from sheep flocks in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. The brain samples were screened for detection of the parasite DNA by nested PCR. The positive brain samples were bioassayed in Webster Swiss mice. The serum samples of mice were examined for T. gondii antibodies by IFAT at 6 weeks post inoculation, and T. gondii cysts were searched in brain tissue samples of seropositive mice. The positive samples were genotyped by using a PCR-RLFP method. Subsequently, GRA6 sequences of isolates were analyzed using a phylogenetic method. The results revealed that T. gondii DNA was detected in 54% (20/37, 95% CI 38.4-69.0%) brain samples of ovine aborted fetuses. In bioassay of mice, only 2 samples were virulent and the mice were killed at 30 days post inoculation, while the others were non-virulent to mice. The size of cysts ranged 7-22 µm. Complete genotyping data for GRA6 locus were observed in 5 of the 20 samples. PCR-RLFP results and phylogenetic analysis revealed that all of the isolated samples were closely related to type I. For the first time, we could genotype and report T. gondii isolates from ovine aborted fetuses in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. The results indicate that the T. gondii isolates are genetically related to type I, although most of them were non-virulent for mice.
Project description:BackgroundEchinococcus multilocularis is the source of alveolar echinococcosis, a potentially fatal zoonotic disease. This investigation assessed the presence of E. multilocularis infection in definitive hosts in the Chenaran region of Razavi Khorasan Province, northeastern Iran.Methodology/principal findingsFecal samples from 77 domestic and stray dogs and 14 wild carnivores were examined using the flotation/sieving method followed by multiplex PCR of mitochondrial genes. The intestinal scraping technique (IST) and the sedimentation and counting technique (SCT) revealed adult Echinococcus in the intestines of five of 10 jackals and of the single wolf examined. Three jackals were infected only with E. multilocularis but two, and the wolf, were infected with both E. multilocularis and E. granulosus. Multiplex PCR revealed E. multilocularis, E. granulosus, and Taenia spp. in 19, 24, and 28 fecal samples, respectively. Echinococcus multilocularis infection was detected in the feces of all wild carnivores sampled including nine jackals, three foxes, one wolf, one hyena, and five dogs (6.5%). Echinococcus granulosus was found in the fecal samples of 16.9% of dogs, 66.7% of jackals, and all of the foxes, the wolf, and the hyena. The feces of 16 (21.8%) dogs, 7 of 9 (77.8%) jackals, and all three foxes, one wolf and one hyena were infected with Taenia spp.Conclusions/significanceThe prevalence of E. multilocularis in wild carnivores of rural areas of the Chenaran region is high, indicating that the life cycle is being maintained in northeastern Iran with the red fox, jackal, wolf, hyena, and dog as definitive hosts.
Project description:While fluoride (F) is an essential anion to keep the human body healthy, high F intake could lead to serious health problems. The monitoring of F in drinking water as the main route of F intake, is a key factor in preventing its negative health consequences. Here, we present the F levels in drinking water distribution networks of Khorasan Razavi province in Iran which collected during 2016-2017. The non-cancer human risk attributed to F in municipal and rural regions, also, estimated by calculating the chronic daily intake (CDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) for adults and children. Samples taken from drinking water distribution network in 112 different locations across the Khorasan Razavi and the F concentration determined using standard SPADNS Method. Having a minimum of 0.09 and 0.16 and a maximum of 1.7 and 1.1 mg L-1, the mean F level in municipal and rural samples were 0.74 and 0.59 mg L-1, respectively. The mean CDI values for F in municipal samples were 1.3×10-2, 3.34×10-4, and 8.56×10-6 mg kg-1day-1, for men, women, and children, respectively. The CDI for rural samples were 1.51×10-2, 3.88×10-4, and 9.96×10-6 mg kg-1day-1, for men, women, and children, respectively. The mean HQ of F for men, women, and children in municipal and rural samples were 2.17×10-1, 5.56×10-3, and 1.43×10-4, and 2.44×10-1, 6.26×10-3 and 1.61×10-4, respectively. Locations with a HQ>1, needs appropriate strategies for reducing the F level in drinking water to prevent the potential health risks.
Project description:BackgroundCryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic pathogen transmissible from a variety of animals to humans and is a considerable public health concern. Dairy cattle have been identified in numerous reports as a major source of environmental contamination with this pathogen. The aim of study was to detect and isolate the Cryptosporidium spp. from fecal samples of naturally infected pre-wean calves in the Mashhad area.MethodsOverall, 300 fecal specimens from 1 to 30 days pre-weaned calves were collected from 10 farms in the Mashhad area the capital center of the Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran and microscopically examined for Cryptosporidium spp. All infected samples were also analyzed using nested -PCR. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was also used to detect and identify Cryptosporidium spp. in PCR- positive samples.ResultsEighty five (28.3%) of the specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in 8-14 days old and diarrheic calves were significantly higher than other groups. Restriction digestion of the PCR products by SspI, VspI restriction enzymes and sequence analysis revealed the presence of C. parvum bovine genotype in all isolates.ConclusionsOur results suggest that pre-weaned calves are likely to be an important reservoir of zoonotic C. parvum.
Project description:BackgroundThe number of people with diabetes is estimated to increase to 642 million by 2040, with most having type 2 diabetes. Patients with diabetes require continuous monitoring and possible treatment changes. Patient education is the process of enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their personal health-related behaviours and internet-enabled interventions have the potential to provide support and information to patients with diabetes.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to design a portal prototype based onto two models of care and a contextualised education programme to support the self-management of diabetes patients by involving stakeholders in the Iranian province of Razavi-Khorasan.MethodsA Design-Based Research framework was adopted. A qualitative research method was used to analyse interviews with patients and care givers. Mock-ups were developed first and designed with features of user-driven and self-care models of care. The mock-ups also had adaptation features, such as for control of the disease, ability to cure self, and family support. The portal prototype was developed iteratively by building on the mock-ups and evaluated through interviews. The features and elements of the mock-ups and the portal prototype were evaluated in an outpatient diabetes clinic in Mashhad.ResultsThirty-three participants were involved in the study. The evaluation of the mock-ups resulted in two themes and seven categories: 1) self-care improvement, including self-care requirements and self-management, and 2) educational usefulness, including medical information, information mode, mobility, interaction, and efficiency. The mock-up evaluation was used as a basis for designing a portal prototype. Next, the portal prototype was evaluated, and three categories emerged from the interview data: 1) user experience, 2) functionality, and 3) interactivity. Participants were not able to prioritise between the two care models. Some functionalities of the portal could benefit from the development within a cultural context to determine differences to the best way to present material.ConclusionsA portal prototype has been designed to include two care models to support self-management and functionalities that support aspects of culture-specific diabetes self-care. This study provides guidance on developing an internet-enabled educational portal, aimed at providing support for patients in their social context.
Project description:BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL), so-called Kala-azar is a life threating parasitic infectious disease caused by Leishmania spp. L. infantum is the main causative agent for Mediterranean form of Kala-azar which is endemic in northeastern Iran. This study attempted to investigate existence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Khorasan Razavi.MethodsBetween 2014 and 2016, tissue samples collected from spleen and liver of 192 stray dogs were examined to investigate existence of L. infantum. Kinetoplast DNA (k-DNA) PCR was performed to identify the species of parasites. The positive PCR products were sequenced in both directions to confirm the kDNA PCR results.ResultsAmong samples obtained from 192 dogs, kinetoplast DNA of L. infantum was detected in two female dogs. L. infantum was confirmed by sequence analysis of PCR products.ConclusionOur data confirm stray dogs play as potential reservoirs for VL in this province. Further investigation will be necessary to clear role of stray dogs in the transmission of L. infantum to human and domestic dogs.
Project description:The human body is primarily water and healthy drinking water is vital to human life. Today, the bottled-water industry has been widely developed in most countries and more than 150 several brands of bottled water are produced in Iran. Considering the increasing consumption of bottled water and its potential for contamination with harmful chemical and microbial agents such as nitrate, the aim of this study was to assess the nitrate concentration and also the microbial quality of bottled water in a number of brands produced in the Torbat-e Heydarieh city in 2017. In present descriptive-analytical research, random sampling (80 samples) was done by collecting 1.5 l bottled water with different production dates from 20 factories. These samples were collected in four different seasons. Measurement of nitrate concentration and microbial quality including total and fecal coliforms, were performed according to the Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. The results indicated that, in general, the mean concentration of nitrate in all samples was range 0.6-16 mg/L and all samples are within the national standard of Iran (less than 50 mg/L) and international standards. Also, total coliforms and fecal coliforms in any of the studied samples were zero.
Project description:BackgroundCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal disease caused by Nairovirus classified within the Bunyaviridae family. The virus is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected ticks or direct contact with viremic animals or humans. The current study aimed to detect the virus genome in ticks from Khorasan Razavi Province.MethodsOne hundred hard ticks were collected randomly from 100 sheep in four different areas of the province. Collected ticks were kept alive and identified. All the ticks were analyzed for the presence of CCHF virus genome using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR).ResultsThe identified ticks were belonging to Hyalomma marginatum (16% female and 6% male), Rhipicephalus turanicus (52% female and 25% male), and Dermacentor raskemensis (1%). The CCHF virus genome was found in Hyalomma marginatum (5% male from Taibad and Sabzevar region and 1% female from Taibad). Genetic analysis of the virus genome isolated from two regions (Sabzevar and Taibad) showed 100% identity.ConclusionThis study indicated that CCHF should be regarded as a risk-borne infection in this province. Therefore, special health management is needed to control this disease.
Project description:According to World Health Organization guidelines, corrosion control is an important aspect of safe drinking-water supplies. The data presented is physical and chemical parameters of drinking water in the rural areas of Torbat-e-Heydariyeh city, also to determine corrosion indices. This cross-sectional study has carried out with 188 taken samples during 2014 with 13 parameters, which has been analyzed based on standard method. Also with regard to standard conditions, result of this paper is compared with Environmental Protection Agency and Iran national standards. Five indices, Langlier Saturation Index (LSI), Ryznar Stability Index (RSI), Puckorius Scaling Index (PSI), Larson-Skold Index (LS) and Aggressive Index (AI), programmed by using Microsoft Excel software. Owing to its simplicity, the program can easily be used by researchers and operators. Parameters included Sulfate, Sodium, Chloride, and Electrical Conductivity respectively was 13.5%, 28%, 10.5%, and 15% more than standard level. The amounts of Nitrate, in 98% of cases were in permissible limits and about 2% were more than standard level. Result of presented research indicate that water is corrosive at 10.6%, 89.4%, 87.2%, 59.6% and 14.9% of drinking water supply reservoirs, according to LSI, RSI, PSI, LS and AI, respectively.