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Background: Today, the inhibitory effect of helminths on tumor cell growth has been proven. We investigated the anti-tumor activity of Marshallagia marshalli somatic against K562 cells.  Methods: Different concentrations of M. marshalli somatic antigen were incorporated in the culture medium of K652 cells, and the proliferation and apoptosis were measured after 24, 48, and 72 h, using MTT and Annexin V/PI staining assay. Results:  Treatment of cells with 1-2 mg/ml antigen for 24-72 h could suppress cell proliferation and increase apoptosis. While treating cells with 0.1 mg/ml antigen for 72 h could inhibit cell growth. There was no meaningful effect on treated cells in comparison with the control group (P< 0.05) after incubating cells for 24- 48 h with 0.1 mg/ml antigen. Conclusion: M. marshalli somatic antigen had an anti-cancer property, and its role in cancer treatment could be considered as an effective therapeutic method.

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Background Accurate diagnosis of canine distemper (CD), a highly contagious and acute viral disease, cannot be made solely based on clinical signs and haematological findings, but serological and molecular methods compatible with clinical signs are also required. The type of sample and method of tissue sampling are also very important. Sometimes in chronic cases, the canine distemper virus (CDV) may not be detected in blood and conjunctival specimens but can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the suitability of CSF samples with whole blood and conjunctival samples in the detection of CDV. Methods The CDV was detected in CSF, whole blood and mucosal specimens in 20 dogs with obvious neurological with or without systemic signs congruous with CD by RT‐PCR and rapid immunochromatographic (IC) antigen test kit assays. Results Rapid kit results were positive for mucosal swabs in 10 cases (50%) and for CSF in 17 cases (85%); RT‐PCR results from whole blood were positive in 11 cases (55%) and from CSF in 16 cases (80%). Conclusions Our results revealed that dogs with neurological signs showing simultaneous or recent systemic symptoms, whole blood, CSF and mucosal swabs are suitable for the diagnosis of CDV by RT‐PCR and rapid IC antigen test kits, but dogs with neurological symptoms that are systematically asymptomatic or have had systemic signs for a long time, whole blood and mucosal swabs are not good samples while CSF is a good one.