Bovine piroplasmosis is caused by tick-borne hemoprotozoans of the genera Babesia and Theileria and is the most prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, causing a major economic impact worldwide. In the current study, a total of 405 cattle of different ages, sexes, and breeds were randomly sampled for surveying and diagnosis of babesiosis and theileriosis using three methods: direct microscopy (blood smears), indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Giemsa-stained blood smears revealed that, out of 405 examined cattle, 33 (8.15 %) were infected with Babesia sp. and 65 (16.05 %) with Theileria sp. (total number of infected cattle was 98). Mixed infection was seen in 11 (2.72 %) animals. Moreover, application of the three diagnostic assays on 158 randomly sampled cattle indicated that 17 (10.76 %) and 33 (20.89 %) were positive for Babesia and Theileria spp. by the direct smear technique, 25 (15.82 %) and 33 (20.89 %) by IFAT (fluorescence was greenish yellow for Babesia and yellowish for Theileria), and 20 (12.66 %) and 38 (24.05 %) by PCR. Using primers specific for Babesia and Theileria spp., we found that diagnostic bands appeared at ~350 and ~370 bp, respectively indicating the presence of these piroplasms. Statistically, there was a non-significant difference of the positivity in response to the three techniques; thus, any of these methods can be described as useful for diagnosing blood parasites in both domesticated animals and birds. On the basis of the obtained results, it could be concluded that direct microscopy can be used in acute infections, whereas IFAT and PCR are useful in chronicity.

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Background and Aim: Staphylococcus pyoderma is a common problem in dogs that need a novel treatment rather than antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) gel ointment on dogs' Staphylococcus pyoderma compared to gentamicin ointment. Materials and Methods: The inhibition zone of A. vera extract 20% and 40% and gentamicin 1% against Staphylococcus aureus was determined on well diffusion agar. Twenty Baladi local breed dogs were used as control negative group before intradermal inoculation with 105 CFU S. aureus. The animals were classified into four equal groups, control positive group without treatment (n=5), treated groups by 20% A. vera gel ointment (n=5), 40% A. vera gel ointment (n=5), and gentamicin ointment 1% (n=5). Topical application of A. vera and gentamicin ointments was carried out twice daily for 2 weeks until complete healing of dogs' pyoderma. Clinical evaluation was recorded. Inflammatory, oxidant, and antioxidant parameters were measured in serum. Results: The inhibition zone of A. vera extracts 20% and 40% was 19 mm and 23 mm, respectively, while gentamicin 1% was 18 mm. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (of A. vera 20% and 40% were 13.70 with R2=0.98. Dogs' pyoderma treated with A. vera gel ointment 20% and 40% were more likely to have low haptoglobin and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations than gentamicin 1% ([odds ratio [OR]=4.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.31-17.40; p<0.05]; [OR=5.2; 95% CI=1.04-22.30; p<0.05]), respectively. Conclusion: It seems evident that A. vera has therapeutic effect, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects against dogs' staphylococcal pyoderma than gentamicin that would support its further use rather than antibiotics in one health arena.

It is well established that dendritic cells and macrophages play a role in antigen presentation to B and T cells and in shaping B and T cell responses via cytokines they produce. We have previously reported that depletion of neutrophils improves the production of mucosal IgA after sublingual immunization with Bacillus anthracis edema toxin as adjuvant. These past studies also demonstrated that an inverse correlation exists between the number of neutrophils and production of IgA by B cells. Using specific inhibitors of elastase, we addressed whether the elastase activity of neutrophil could be the factor that interferes with production of IgA and possibly other immunoglobulin isotypes. We found that murine splenocytes and mesenteric lymph node cells cultured for 5 days in the presence of neutrophil elastase inhibitors secreted higher levels of IgG and IgA than cells cultured in the absence of inhibitors. The effect of the inhibitors was dose-dependent and was consistent with increased frequency of CD138 cells expressing IgG or IgA. Finally, neutrophil elastase inhibitors increased transcription of mRNA for AID, IL-10, BAFF and APRIL, factors involved in B cell differentiation. These findings identify inhibitors of elastase as potential adjuvants for increasing production of antibodies.