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Background and purpose : Zoonotic helminth infection is one of the most important diseases in the north of Iran. This study was done on collected intestinal helminth parasites in dogs and jackals in the geographical areas of Sari in Mazandaran province of Iran.
Materials and Methods : this study was done on 30 stray dogs and 45 stray jackals in the central parts of Sari in 1371-1372. After autopsy , samples were looked for the presence of intestinal helminthes. All of the helminthes collected in 10% formaldehyde and stained to be observed by microscope. The taxonomic study was carried out by measuring different parts of the body of helminthes. Them the data were analysed statistically and compared with different records in Iran and other parts of the world.
Results : In this study 9 genus and 12 species of different helminthes were collected from 30 dogs and 45 jackals. Hookworms were the most common helminthes with respect to the number of infected animals , and echinococcus. Spp had the highest intensity of infection. Among these parasites , 7 species were zoonotic helminthes. The main species were found as follow: Ancylostoma caninum , Uncinaria stenocephala , Toxocara canis , Rictularia spp , Echinococcus spp , Taenia multiceps , Taenia hydatigena , Taenia taeniaformis , Taenia ovis , Mesocestoides spp , Dipylidium caninum , Alaria spp. The prevalence of intestinal helminthic infections were different in the three geographical areas , and in the forest and plain areas were more than the mountain and costal regions. The infection was three times more prevalent in dogs than in jackals.
Conclusion : Ragarding to high prevalence of infection helminthic infection in the different geographic areas and in various animals as reservoirs Studied herein a more careful attention to the ecologic , veterinary and health problems is recommended

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Background and Purpose : Regarding the rile of lice in the transmision of different diseases , and also as an important agent of defermining the level of hyegine in the society. This research was carried out in the primary schools of Sari township in the year 1376-1377.
Materials and Methods : After coardination with the education organization of Sari city , the samples were selected randomly from 472 primary school , considering the gender of the students , the number of rural schools , clusfer stratifying , and all the students were examined for infestation to louse the hairs of head , back neck and car nearby to see the larva , nymph or matured louse in case of observing any of the above the case was considered as infested , and the questionaree was filled , also from each classes the norinfested students with the same number of infested students were selected randomly a confoar group , and the questionaree filled for them. The data were compare of with cy square and Z analysis.
Results : Out of 10991 students selected in this study , 215 (1.9 %) persons were infected in pedicolusis , the rate of infection was 1.2 % in city and 3.7% in villages. Infection in girls school was 3.7% and in boys schools was 0.5%. also there was a statestically significant difference between infection and variations such as health instructor , father occupation , parents education and common use of prirate belongings. And there was no statistically significant difference between infection , bathing or level of education.
Conclusion : Based on the finding of the research it is concluded that , the rate of infection in rural area is three times more than urban area , and , that the rate of infection in girls is seven times more than boys. Regarding the obtained results from the variation trials of methods and materials , it was found that education of parents , father’s occupation , presence of instructor , common use of private belongings individual hyegine , play important role in acguiring infection in students

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Background and Purpose: Rodents Ëctoparasites play important role in transmission of diseases such as plaque, recurrent fever, Typhus etc. Â study was conducted to determine rodent ectoparasites in sari city and central region of sari in 1997-1998.
Materials and Methods: This research was a descriptive study, done on rodents living in sari city and the central region (the distance of 5 km. From city), the animals were trapped by installing hunting net randomly in different places of the areas under studying. The prey was slices of bread and cucumber soaked with oil, etc. Âfter anaesthetizing and writing all the external characteristics, the body was bruched over on a water container in order to isolate the parasites. Âfter collection of ectoparasite from the water container they were preservated in 70% alcohol to be identified by wet mount method. Âlso the necessary information about the rodent and alcohol were written in special form to be analyzed statistically.
Results: Ïn this study the total number of 196 rodents belonging to five species were hunted which whereas following 3(29.3%) Rattus norvegicus, 45(35.7%) Rattus rattus 12(9.5%) of 25(19.8%) of original species of Glisglis 7(5.5%) of wild species of Âpodemus sgluaticus. Ôf these 45(35.7%) mice were infected with one or more of ectoparasites. Çontamination was observed only in Rallus Rattus, Rattus norvegicus, and the other species were not contaminated. Âlso the isolated ectoparasites were as following, Rihipicephalus, Hoplopleare, Ôpiliacaridae, Ëchinolaelaps echidnini.
Çonclusion: The result indicated that the rate of contamination with hunted rodent ectoparasites in the area of under studying was 36.7% . Çontamination was observed in Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus species, but was not observed in the other hunted rodents, due to the type of the living conditions.Since the isolated ectoparasites are important medically, veterinary point of view, hence eradication programme of the rodents along with ectoparasites are recommended, so after the death of the rodents the ectoparasite not to invade residential area.

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Background and purpose: The regulation of blood glucose is one of the complex phenomenon which is affected by several hormonal and neural systems. Beside hormonal factors, neurological factors, such as different neurotransmitters, including Gama amino buturic acid (GÂBÂ) present in nervous system of mammals playa role in regulation of blood glucose level.
Materials and Methods: Ïn this study male albino rats with weight rang of 20-25 gms were selected and intracerebroventricular (Ï.Ç.V.) injection of GÂBÂ-Â receptor antagonists (picrotoxin 50ng and bicuculline 25ng) and GÂBÂ-Â receptor agonist (muscimol 25 and 50 ng) was given to experimental group animals and results were compared with control group which received only normal salin. The mean value of blood glucose variation in each dose was determined and statistical analysis was done by one way variation and also student’s T.test. Âny how the point of significancy was considered as (P<0.05).
Results: The results indicate that picrotoxin in the dose of 50ng Ï.Ç.V. could increase the blood glucose level as compar to control group and Ï.Ç.V. injection od muscimol in the dose of (25, 50ng) could reverse the hyperglycemic effect of picroloxin significantly (P<0.05). Bicuculline in the dose of 25 ng Ï.Ç.V. caused hyperglycemia which could also be reversed by muscimol (25 ng Ï.Ç.V.) significantly.
Çonclusion: Ït seems GÂBÂ-Â receptor causes hypoglycemia by increasing the plasma level of insulin and decreasing the plasma levels of Glucagon and somatostatin. Therefore GÂBÂ-Â receptors have an inhibitory effect on regulation of blood glucose level.

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Background and purpose: Hospitals are one of the most important solids sources in cities, in which large parts of the solids are hazardous. Ïf proper attention is not paid to the control of hospital solids, it will not only affect the patients and personal health in the hospitals but also will affect the human health and environmental pollution. Therefore collection, transfer and disposal of private and government hospital solids in Mazamdaran state was evaluated.
Materials and methods: Â descriptive study carried out in all hospitals of mazandaran province during the year 2001 the study included 20 government and 7 private hospitals. The equipments used in this research were researcher’s observation and a questioners (data Çollection forms) filled by researcher.
Results: The results obtained in this research showed that inspite of solids seperation in almost all the hospitals of the province, the complete seperation is not done in about 85% of the hospitals, and sometimes the infected solids are collected in non-infected solids buckets. X2 test was 3.84 which shows a significant relationship between the government hospitals and solids seperation. Ïn 45% of government hospitals, transfer of solids form wards to their temporary sites are done by hands and in 55% by wheel porters, butin 72% of private hospitals this procedure was 58% by hands and the rest by wheel porters. 60% of the hospitals and an incinerator. The obtained X2 test of 2.25 showed a significant relationship between an active and intact incinerator and government hospitals.
Çonclusion: Âsregard to the results obtained in this research, we conclude that a legislation and establishment of hospital solids waste law and also a development of hospital indection control committee and employment of skilled. Ënvironmental health staff and also a continous education of hospital staff could be an unavoidable measures to be taken in collection, transfer and healthy disposal of hospital solids.

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Background and purpose: Giardial intestinal infections are the most common diseases in children. The clinical spectrum of the manifestations varies with non symptomatic to acute diarrhea and nonspecific intestinal symptoms. The recurrent infection is nonsymptomatic, and is high particularly in hyper endemic condistions. Ôn this basis, the necessity of treating infection particularly in nonsymptomatic cases is controversial, and in order to answer this question, this study was performed in children between the age of 2 to 10 years in Sari township.
Materials and methods: This study was a clinical trial done on 405 children from kindergardans and primary schools of Sari township without any intestinal complication in the last one month. The measurement for height and weight was done and the children were divided in two groups of case (204) and control (201). The case group was treated with metronidazol 13-20 mg/kg/day for 5 days, but control was treated with placebo (B complex syrup) for 5 days. Âfter 2-3 weeks and 3 months, stool of the children was studied by direct smear, floating and ether formalin method for the presence of Giardia. Statistical analysis was done by X2 test. Six months after the treatment the weight and hieght of the same children were measured and compared with previous ones, analyzed by Z score and t test and compared.
Results: Âfter two to three weeks, from the case group 30 (16%) children and after another 3 months 60 (29.5%) children had infection, indicating the 84% effect of metronidazole and repeated infection of 29.5% in three months period. Ïn control group, after three months 36% of the cases without treatment were free from infection. (self elimination). The chance of reinfection with relative threatening of 1.89 and P<0.01 was significant. Self elimination with X2=8.81 and P<0.01 was significant. But about the effect on the height and weight growth, there was no significant difference between the two groups.
Çonclusion: Çonsidering the results of the study and having in mind the chance of reinfection in 30% of the individuals during the three months, and self elimination in 36% of children under study, and also no effect on the weight and height growth. Ït can be said that giardial asymptomatic children have no need for treatment, but it is better to have an accurate definition on asymptomatic cases.

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Background and purpose: Study of intestinal parasites in the rodents has medical, hygienic, veternary and biologically importance. Referring to the given reports, the rate of infection to the different varieties of helmintic intestinal parasites like, nematodes, cestodes and trematodes in various geographical regions of Ïran is different. Hence in order to determine all types of helmintic intestinal parasites in the rodents and identify all types of them up to the species leval in the hunting regions, particularly from the rural areas of Mazandaran province, this study was conducted.
Materials and methods: This was a descriptive study done on 371 rodents hunted by net from urban areas of Mazandaran province, and transfered to laboratory, the characteristics were recorded, then dissection was done for isolation and identification of helmintic parasites. Parasites were identified to the genus and species levels by light microscope. Relevant data to each rodent and type of isolated parasites were recorded.
Results: From the total number of 371 hunted rodents in 7 species from areas of Mazandaran province, the highest number belonged to central area of province and the lowest belonged to Âmol township. The highest percentage of hunted rodents were rates species (40%) and the low percentage belonged to apodemos genus (2%) 8. Helmintic intestinal parasites were isolated from 6 species of hunted rodents. They were as follow: 3(27.2%) spp Nematodes, 3(19.7%) spp cestodes, and 1(0.3%) spp terematodes. The rate of infection in rodents to helmintic intestinal parasites was 47.2%. Which is described as follow: Syfhacia obvelata 3.5%, Nipostrongylus caspicus species 2.7%, Trichocephal muris 6%, Hetrakis Spomozoa 11.3%, Hymenolepis diminuta 15%, Çysticercus fasciolaris 0.5%, Metava teina 4% and Ëchinostoma ileocunum 0.3%.
Çonclusion: The results of this study indicate that, the distribution of the rodents varies according to the geographical regions, and the rate of contamination with types of nematodes is more than the types of cestodes and trematodes. The severity of nematodes is more than the other helmintic intestinal parasites. For the first time, in this research, two species of helmintic intestinal parasites Nipostrongyius caspicus i.e. Çaspicus species and Ëchinostoma ilocanum were identified.

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Background and purpose : Zoonotic parasitic infections, particularly of intestinal protozoan are of tremendous health and medical importance in different age and professional groups in north of Ïran. Âim of this study was to identify intestinal parasites in cattle breeders and their family members from rural areas of 9 cites in Mazandaran province, Ïran.
Materials and methods : Ïn this descriptive study stool samples were collected from 1575 individuals who were in contact with cattle (sheep and cows) for more than 2 years. Two samples were taken from each person under study, direct and formaline-ether slide preparations were diagnosed microscopically. Data were collected and analyzed using appropriate statistical methods.
Results : This study indicated that the highest rate of infection was observed in 51 to 60 years and the lowest in 21-30 years age groups. 61.6% and 38.4% of the cases under study were male and female respectively. Ôver all a parasites rate of 31.1% was observed. Rates of infection with one, two, three and more parasites were 22.7%, 7.8%, 2.2% and 0.2% respectively. Ïnfection rate of Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia were 31.2% and 24.8% respectively. Three out of ten identified parasites species were pathogenic. Ço-infection rate of intestinal pathogenic parasites with other parasites was 10.2% and in infected persons was 31%. Rate of infection to all types of intestinal parasites on the basis of age group, sex and education of the cattle breeders was different. Rate of infection in both sexes to Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia was more than other parasites. The highest rate of infection to intestinal parasites was observed in illiterate persons.
Çonclusion : Ïnfection with different types of pathogenic and non pathogenic protozoa, particularly to Blastocystosis and Giardiasis indicates the signifcance of these infections for the health of the cattle breeders in rural regions of northern Ïran.

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Background and purpose : Ëxclusive breastfeeding for under six months infants is one of the most important elements in ensuing their health. Breasfeeding has many advantages for infant, mother, family and society. Therefore it is equally important to understand the reasons for formula milk consumption in the society.
Materials and methods : Â descriptive study was conducted on 462 cases under 6 months in 13 cities of Mazandaran province in 2003. Data were collected from all cases that have used formula milk (complete or partial). Questionnaires were filled in, mothers were interviewed, family folders were checked and finally the data were analyzed using t-test and chi square.
Results : The data showed that 59.5% percent of infants exclusively used formula milk and 40.5% partially used it. Form 25 reasons for formula consumption, the most significant reasons were 23.8% twin birth (23.8%) lack of breast milk and failure to thrive (13.4%).
Çonclusion : This study showed that twin birth, lack of breast milk and failure to thrive were the most prevalent reasons (50.8%) for formula consumption. 27.4% of the cases of formula consumption were absulute indication and the rest of the reasons need more elucidation.

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Background and purpose: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii. In addition to economic losses, this disease is transfer able to human and regarding the special ecological conditions of this parasite in nature of Mazandaran province, it is necessary to determine the situation of the disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of antibodies against T. gondii in cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered in official slaughterhouses in Mazandaran province, in 2004.
Materials and Methods: To determine the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in slaughtered animals, in a descriptive cross-sectional study, 639 blood samples were obtained from cattle, sheep and goats between December 2004 and April 2005, from the three main geographical zones of Mazandaran province, Iran. Nine slaughterhouses were randomly selected in Western, Central and Eastern regions. Sera were extracted from 5mL venous blood samples, by centrifugation at 2000xg for 10 min, and were stored at –20º C prior to testing. Sera were screened for T. gondii antibodies by immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and serum samples showing a titre of 1:16 were further diluted to determine the end point. Data were analyzed using Chi-square (X2) test.
Results: Of the 639 serum samples examined, 27.5% (176/639) showed positive titers equal or higher than 1:16 by IFAT. The highest frequency of antibody titres (1:16 titre) were found in sheep and the least in cattle (9%). The highest infection rates in cattle were seen in western region with 5.5 % antibody titres of 1:16. In three regions, 35% of sheep sera showed positive titers with high frequency of 1:16 antibody titre (17.3%) in Western region. Thirty percent of goat sera in 3 regions were seropositive and the highest infection rate was seen in 1:16 titre (18.5%) in Western region.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that the presence of T. gondii specific antibodies for sheep and goats in Northern Iran is high, and the consequent risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis from human consumption of sheep and goat meat may be greater in this region.

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Background and purpose: Pharmacovigilance is a science that focuses on the detection, assessment, and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the post-marketing phase. Its back bone is spontaneous reporting by health care workers via completing the yellow cards. Due to the low reporting of ADRs in the Mazandaran province, this study was designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and performance of pharmacists and nurses regarding ADRs reporting.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 286 health care workers including 67 pharmacists and 219 nurses, selected randomly from different cities of the province. The standard questionnaire of European pharmacovigilance research group was used as the data collection tool. In the field of knowledge, definition of pharmacovigilance, awareness of the national criteria for reporting the ADRs and awareness about the terminology occurrence rates of ADRs were questioned. To evaluate the attitude, reaction of subjects to the some simulated ADRs and reasons of underreporting were assessed. In the field of performance, numbers of reported ADRs and also the sites where reports sent from were asked. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test for quantitative variables and Chi-square and Kendall’s tau-b for nominal and ordinal variables, respectively using SPSS software. P< 0.05 was considered as significant level.
Results: There was no satisfying knowledge in each of the two groups. In spite of exposure of more than 80% of subjects to the ADRs, the mean reported ADRs values for pharmacists and nurses were very low as 0.72 ± 2.8 and 0.17 ± 0.67 respectively (P<0.01). Nurses liked to report most of ADRs to the physicians, nursing stations and pharmacist in spite of the national center. Considering these reports, they were more active than the pharmacists (P<0.001). The main causes of underreporting of the suspected ADRs were not being sure about the causative effect of the drug, unawareness of the existence of a national center, the ADRs were too well known to report and the ADRs were too trivial.
Conclusion: Since most of the heath care workers were not familiar with the spontaneous reporting system, interventions such as presenting pharmacovigilance workshops in the hospitals of the province focusing on the aims of pharmacovigilance, completing the yellow card, clarifying the reporting criteria and also considering the pharmacovigilance in the training courses of students are recommended.

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Background and purpose: India and Iran are an important endemic focus of cystic hydatid disease (CHD), where several species of intermediate host are commonly infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Strain characterization of E. granulosus is significant for the development of an effective control programme and to asses the infectivity. In present study, genetic variations in tapeworms causing cystic echinococcosis in the North of India and Iran were investigated and compared.
Materials and methods: Isolates of E. granulosus were collected from buffalo (India) and sheep, cattle, and camel isolates from Iran. PCR linked RFLP approach of ITS1 region of rDNA. Repeat was used in the present study to characterize buffalo isolates from sheep, cattle and camel. 17 pooled samples of protoscoleces from various animals were used for DNA extraction and PCR-RFLP analysis respectively. The PCR products of each isolates were digested separately with 5 restrictive endonucleases enzymes (AluI, HhaI, MspI, TaqI and EcoRI).
Results: Based on the PCR-ITS1 method, the buffalo (liver and lungs) isolates have shown different genotypes and the sheep, cattle and camel isolates appeared to have the same genotype. The RFLP patterns of buffalo lung isolates differed from liver isolates with Taq1 and Hha1, however, showed a similarity with Msp1, EcoR1 and Alu1. Furthermore, differences in numbers and sizes of bands were also observed between buffalo, sheep and camel isolates with Taq1 and Msp1. The sheep and camel isolates differ in the number and sizes of fragments with Msp1 and Taq1. The buffalo lung isolate were quite different from other isolates, with the liver isolate showing a similarity with the sheep isolate. RFLP pattern of isolates from sheep and camel origin was identical, along with the same patterns. Moreover, the existence of buffalo strains (G1 and G3) and sheep strain (G1) were confirmed and our results support the previous studies in Northern India and Iran. These results are relevant for the possibility of transmission of G1 and G3 genotype, between livestock, animals and humans.
Conclusion: It can be speculated that buffalo lung isolates represent G3 genotype and liver isolate as G1 genotype. Further, the existence of sheep (G1) strain was also confirmed in Iran by this study. However, more molecular studies, particularly, mitochondrial gene and amino acid sequencing are required, which can provide valuable data for a better understanding of the differences between different cysts localization.

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Background and purpose: Golestan Province is one of the endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study aimed at assessing specific-PCR on Giemsa's stained slides for diagnosis of CL as well as detecting the species of Leishmania parasite in the patients referring to health center laboratory of Gonbad-e-Qabus. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2010. To diagnose the disease, direct smear (DS) from skin lesions were obtained and stained with Giemsa. If DS was negative, specific PCR on kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) extracted from direct smear would be used to identify the genus and species of Leishmania parasite. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Direct smear examination showed that out of 303 suspected patients, 238 (78.5%) were infected by CL. Furthermore, the PCR result was positive in 34 (52.3%) out of 65 smears which direct examination did not reveal Leishmania amastigotes. Using species-specific primers, Leishmania species isolated from all patients were Leishmania major. Conclusion: In most cases the DS is reported negative and it has a low sensitivity in contrast to PCR therefore, it is suggested that PCR method be used in suspected patients particularly in endemic regions because of its accurate diagnosis.

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Abstract Background and purpose: Cryptosporidiosis is one of the opportunistic protozoan diseases and zoonosis in the world, leading to acute or chronic gastroenteritis caused by Cryptosporidium spp. Since Mazandaran province is a suitable region for parasites transmission this study aims at determining the frequency of cryptosporidiosis among gastroenteritic patients referred to hospitals and medical centers of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2010-2011. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was done in hospitals and medical centers of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, in 2010-2011. Stool samples of 348 patients with gastroenteritic were collected using random cluster sampling. Specimens were prepared by formalin-Ether method and smears were stained by both acid-fast staining (AFS) and auramine phenol fluorescence (APF) to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts and then the data was analyzed using SPSS and Chi-square test. Results: Among the patients, most cases were above 40 years of age (36.8%) and only 7.5% included those aged 10-20. Also, 53.2% of patients were male while 46.8% were female. We found that 59.5% of patients live in towns and 40.5% live in villages. Cryptosporidium was detected in 8 cases (2.3%). A statistically significant correlation was observed between Cryptosporidium and the age of patients and also between Cryptosporidium and the month of being annoyed by diarrhea (P<0.05). Conclusion: Low prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was found in this study compared with previous studies in Mazandaran province. However, it is important to accurately diagnose Cryptosporidium and other parasitic infections in stool samples of patients with diarrhea admitted to hospitals or reference labs through appropriate methods of parasitology.

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Background and purpose: Ëchinococcosis, due to infection in dog with adult stages of the tape worm Ëchinococcus granulosus, poses significant economic and public health problems in endemic areas of Ïran particularly in Northern provinces. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Ëchinococcosis granulosus parasites in stray dogs' population of Sari city, in two separate studies carried out in 1991 and 2007.
Materials and methods: During the two periods of time, (first 1999 and second 2007) 80 adult stray dogs were collected by shooting from urban areas of Sari city, Northern Ïran. They were necropsied and gastrointestinal tract was opened. Recovered parasites were collected and the taxonomic study was carried out by measuring different parts of the body of parasites.
Results: Ïn these two studies, 30 and 50 stray dogs were studied in these areas. The overall prevalence rate of Ëchinococcosis granulosus in 1991 was 46.7% (in 30 stray dogs) at Sari city (1991). Ïn the second study carried out in 2007 no Ëchinococcosis granulosus egg or adult worm was found in stray dogs.
Çonclusion: The reduction of the prevalence of Ëchinococcosis granulosus in stray dogs seems to be due to increase of health care in this area, especially construction of new industrial slaughterhouse.

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Background and purpose: Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is the most common intestinal helminthic infections, especially in children in our country. Therefore, the aimed of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis infection among kindergartens of Sari and Babol cities during 2011. Materials and methods: The descriptive study with a sample of 800 children aged one to six years in kindergarten through using cellophane tape method in Babol and Sari cities were done in 2011. The samples were examined by light microscopy and obtained data from studies analyzed by chi-square (Χ2 test), using SPSS version 11 software. Results: Of the 800 children in kindergarten in the Babole and Sari cities, 387 (3.48%) were male and 413 (6.51%) females. Prevalence of Enterobius vermicularis in the total study population, 59 patients 7/3% was observed and of these, 33 patients (1.4%) males and 26 (2.3%) were female. The highest rate of infection was observed in children aged under 3 years. Infection in children whose parents had more education than the other groups (3.54 percent) was observed (P>0.05). Conclusion: With regarding to the medical and public health importance of parasites, especially in children, child care and health promotion in children can be effective in reducing infection and its complications. Therefore, regular testing of parasitology and attention to personal hygiene at the kindergarten is necessary.

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Background and purpose: Ïdentifying the various genotypes of Ëchinococcus granulosus as the agent of hydatid cysts in endemic areas can influence the disease control programs, particularly in humans. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the different genotypes of Ëchinococcus granulosus from paraffin-embedded tissues of hydatid cysts isolated from human by PÇR-RFLP.
Materials and methods: To identify the molecular characteristics of Ëchinococcus granulosus, tissue samples from 30 human patients infected with hydatid cysts were collected from hospitals across the province of Golestan. DNÂ was extracted and characterized by PÇR-RFLP method. Ïn this study, 3 restriction endonuclease enzymes were used.
Results: PÇR product obtained from amplification of Ëchinococcus granulosus rDNÂ-ÏTS1 from human hydatid cysts showed two different patterns of DNÂ bands in human isolates. Ïn spite of the difference between human isolates in the size of DNÂ bands (1000 base pairs), the use of BD1/4S and ËGF1/ËGR2 primers showed that these isolates are to some extent similar in the size of band (391 base pairs). PÇR products by RFLP method showed a different pattern of genotype or strain with Taq1 restriction enzyme in human isolates. No change in the size of DNÂ bands were observed with Msp1 and Âlu1 restriction enzyme in human isolates.
Çonclusion: Therefore, genotypic differences and similarities between the size of DNÂ bands of Ëchinococcus granulosus from human isolates with PÇR-RFLP method indicated the occurrence of different genotypes of Ëchinococcus granulosus in different parts of Golestan Province.

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Background and purpose: Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Microsporidium are infectious agents bringing about concern about food products across the world. The current epidemiological evidence suggests that these pathogens can be of great risk to human health. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the frequency of the pathogens in people referred to the medical laboratories in Tabriz. Materials and methods: A total of 1825 stool samples referred to the parasitology department of Tabriz medical laboratories were examined by direct wet file diagnoses, formalin-ether concentration, cold Kinyoun acid-fast and modified trichrome for detection of Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Microsporidium. Results: No cases of the pathogens were diagnosed through direct diagnostic method, whereas using concentration method, 18 cases of infection were diagnosed among which 15 (83% of total positive cases) were Cryptosporidium and 3 (17% of total positive cases positive) were Microsporidium. On the other hand, among the 15 cases of Cryptosporidium, presence of parasite was confirmed by cold Kinyoun acid-fast method jsut in three cases. In modified trichrom method, Microsporidium was diagnosed just in one non-diarrheal sample. Overall, no case of infection with Cyclospora was observed using all the three methods. Conclusion: Due to zoonotic nature of Cryptosporidium, the 0.16 percent frequency of this parasite in people referred to one medical diagnostic laboratory emphasizes the necessity of paying more attention to issues such as water and food health, public health education, and control of infection in cattle.

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Background and purpose: Giardia lamblia is the most common intestinal parasites in Iran. Metronidazole is used to treat the infection by prescribing medication this drug has many side effects. There are numerous reports of parasite resistance to the drug. Thus, according to the importance of Giardiasis, the present study was aimed to investigate the effects of chloroformic extract of Tanacetum parthenium in the treatment of Giardia lamblia infection in the cyst stage in Balb/c mice. Material and Methods: In this experimental study, chloroformic extracts of T. parthenium were prepared in 20, 50 and 100 mg∕ml concentrations. Cysts of Giardia were isolated from positive stool samples 0.85M sucrose solution and Balb/c mice were infected with cysts in five groups. Then, the chloroformic extracts of plant after diluting them were affected once a day for three days in infected mice and the effectiveness its was evaluated until the eight days. The results of study were recorded and compared with the control groups. Results: The results of the present study had shown that the chloroformic extract of T. parthenium, at concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/ml /per/ kg of body weight in mice could not only decrease the number of viable cysts from the feces of infected mice , but also the viability of cysts. The greatest effect of chloroformic extracts of T. parthenium on Giardia was observed at a concentration of 100 mg/ ml in the infected mice, of which 90% concentrations were treated (P< 0.05). Conclusion: According to results of this study, the chloroformic extract of T. parthenium at a concentration of 100mg/ml after seven days has the highest effect in the treatment of G. lamblia infection in mice Balb/c. Therefore, in future studies, the effect of T. parthenium in animal models, with increasing concentration and number of treatment, the plant in the various fractions can be evaluated.

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Abstract Background and purpose: Giardia lamblia is an intestinal flagellate of important protozoan parasites of medical and public health in Iran and the world. Given the importance of treatment in patients with Giardiasis, particularly with the use of medicinal plants and parasite resistance to chemical drugs, in the present study the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Artemisia annua on the cystic stage of the Giardia lamblia in vitro was done. Materials and methods: In this experimental study hydroalcholic extracts of A. annua prepared in 1, 10, 50 and 100 mg∕ml concentrations, and cysts of Giardia isolated from stools of patient by sucrose solution 0.85M. Then, hydroalcholic extract after diluting affected on Giardia cysts, the results were compared with the control groups Results: Results of this study indicated that concentration of 50 and 100 mg∕ml of hydroalcholic extracted of A. annua after 3 and 24 hours has the most killing and cytotoxicity activity on G. lamblia cysts in vitro Conclusion: According to our results, the concentration of 100mg∕ml of A. annua after 24 hour has the highest cytotoxicity effect on G. lamblia cysts. Therefore, the in vivo study on A. annua in animal models is recommended.