A total of 1,070 camels of different ages and of both sexes slaughtered at Mashhad slaughterhouse were inspected for infection with Dipetalonema evansi. Microfilariae were found in peripheral blood smears of 221 (20.7%) camels (14% females and 23% males). In a second study, the testicles, epididymises, spermatic cords, and lungs of 197 male camels were examined, and 165 (83.7%) were infected with adult forms of D. evansi. Tissue sections from 30 infected and ten uninfected camels were collected and processed routinely for further histopathological studies. The arteries infected with D. evansi in the region of nodules in testis showed chronic reaction characterized by proliferative and hyperplastic changes of the endothelial and fibrous connective tissue layers, narrowing the lumen or occluding it. The testicles were either hypertrophic or atrophic and showed chronic orchitis with infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, macrophages and fibroblasts, parenchymal degeneration, and necrosis and, in some cases, with hematoma and hydrocele formation. Necrosis of the alveolar walls, atelectasis, pulmonary edema, and fibrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma with chronic interstitial pneumonia and rarely mineralization of the wall of the blood vessels were also seen in some of the infected animals. D. evansi is highly endemic and constitutes an important health problem to camels in this area, resulting in high morbidity, impaired working capacity, and lowered productivity.

Background:Women during the postpartum period experience many physiological, psychological, and social changes. Quality of life (QOL) is a sense of well-being and arises from satisfaction or dissatisfaction with various aspects of life including health, employment, socioeconomic state, psychological-emotional state, and family. Moreover, QOL is an important criteria for assessing healthcare system.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to compare the postpartum QOL between six to eight and 12 to 14 weeks after delivery in women referred to public health centers in Dezful City, Iran, in 2011.Materials and Methods:This study was a longitudinal study. The study participants were 150 postpartum women referred to public health centers. Quota method was used for sampling. Data collection tools in this study were demographic questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36), and Specific Quality of Life after Delivery Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS.Results:The results showed that the mean scores of various dimensions of the SF-36 were significantly higher at 12 to 14 weeks than at six to eight weeks (P < 0.001). The postpartum mean depression score was significantly higher at six to eight weeks than at 12 to 14 weeks (P < 0.001). The mean score of QOL questionnaires at 12 to 14 weeks were increased in all dimensions in comparison with six to eight weeks; however, this increase was significant only in dimension of the mother's feelings toward herself, her husband, and others (P < 0.001).Conclusions:Because enormous changes develop in postpartum women, we suggest supportive measures for mother by her mother-in-law, family, and caregivers to improve the QOL and health status of the mother and her child.

Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection in the world. Since increased free radicals and oxidative stress are reported in many parasitic diseases the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress in acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. RH strains of Toxoplasma tachyzoites were used in the present study. Twenty-five female rats were infected with the parasite while 25 other rats were as the control group that received normal saline. Zero-, 5-, 7-, 10-, and 45-day postinfection (DPI) blood samples were taken. Some parameters related to oxidant and antioxidants such as antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity were measured. On day 7 after infection, GPX activity and GSH level were significantly increased and in the mentioned day the amount of total antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced. In other cases, there were no significant differences between the groups in different days. Overall, based on the results it seems that, on day 7 after infection, in infected rats responses to oxidative stress were triggered and led to decrease of total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, glutathione was increased to cope with stress. It seems that probably antioxidant defense system entered the infection to the chronic phase and changed the parasites stage.

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