Equine strongyles, the significant nematode pathogens of horses, are characterized by high quantities and species abundance, but classification of this group of parasitic nematodes is debated. Mitochondrial (mt) genome DNA data are often used to address classification controversies. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine the complete mt genomes of three Cyathostominae nematode spe...

Fleas were collected from 61 wild carnivores belonging to 13 species in various nature reserves and on farms, two feral domestic cats in a nature reserve and a domestic dog in the city of Johannesburg. Eleven flea species, including two subspecies of one of these, belonging to six genera were recovered. Amongst these only Ctenocephalides felis felis and Ctenocephalides felis strongylus are cons...

We review strongylosis covering all aspects as it is one of the most important internal parasitic diseases of equines caused by nematodes of strongylidae family affecting more than 80% equids in the world. Majority of the work published has been focused on incidence, epidemiology and control. Strongylus vulgaris, one of the large strongyle is the most prevalent and pathogenic. Small strongyles ...

Introduction Parasites live in a host from which they obtain food and protection. They may harm but usually do not benefit the host. The word “parasite” is derived from the Latin and Greek languages meaning, in general, “one who eats at the table of another.” It is said that a “good” parasite does not overtly harm or kill its host. It is theoretically possible that a more benign parasite (e.g. ...

We examined the effects of Prunella vulgaris Labiatae (P. vulgaris L.) on specific and non-specific immune responses of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. The optimal concentration without toxicity of P. vulgaris was determined to 30-40 μg/ml in vitro and 120 μg/100 g of fish in vivo. P. vulgaris significantly elicited an antibody titer compared to FCA or β-glucan. β-glucan plus P. vulgaris g...

There are over two million equine animals in Iran, of which approximately 75% are donkeys. Despite this, very little is known about their parasite status and the impact of this on their work output. Usually, it is the alimentary canal, body cavity and liver that harbor parasites in equine species. In this study, 45 donkeys (Equusasinus) were examined at necropsy. The contents of the stomach, sm...