Molecular and morphological characterization of Pristionchus pacificus (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Neodiplogastridae), a new record of an entomophilic nematode from Iran

During a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes from the Mashhad region, in northeastern Iran, an entomophilic nematode was isolated using the Galleria trap method. Morphological characterization showed that this isolate belongs to the family Neodiplogastridae. Detailed morphological and morphometric characterization including SEM data fit with Pristionchus pacificus Sommer, Carta, Kim et Sternberg, 1996, representing the first record of this genus and species from Iran. Iranian specimens of P. pacificus FUM 5 are characterized by the body length (0.69–0.83 mm), the stoma (6–10 μm) bearing a dorsal tooth and a conical elongated tail (146–220 μm). Molecular analyses using 18S and ITS rDNA genes further support this identification. Measurements, illustrations, and SEM photographs of the Iranian isolate are provided and the phylogenetic position of the species is discussed.     

Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 (Rhabditida) from Iran with the Phylogenetic Position of the Species

A population of Butlerius butleri Goodey, 1929 was isolated from vermicompost in Kerman in the Kerman Province of Iran during a nematode survey that was conducted during 2014. This population of B. butleri is characterized by the presence of a dorsal thorn-like tooth (4 to 5 μm long), long spicules (44 to 47 μm long), gubernaculum (33 to 37 μm or more than half of the spicule length), three pairs of precloacal papillae, five pairs of postcloacal papillae (papillae V3 and V5 comprising three small papillae), and a long filiform tail (304 to 409 μm in females, 312 to 380 μm in males). Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of B. butleri individuals from this Iranian population based on 18S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequence placed this species close to Pseudodiplogasteroides compositus ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AB597237","term_id":"354681824","term_text":"AB597237"}}AB597237) and an unidentified Pseudodiplogasteroides species ({"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AB597238","term_id":"354681825","term_text":"AB597238"}}AB597238). Measurements, illustrations, and the phylogenetic tree, including the position of B. butleri are provided.     

Study of the genus Plectus Bastian, 1865 (Nematoda: Plectidae) from Iran

Three species of Plectus Bastian, 1865 viz., P. aquatilis and P. pusillus from Kerman province and P. velox from Alborz province, Iran are described and illustrated. Partial sequences of 18S region of ribosomal DNA gene were amplified for P. aquatilis and P. pusillus. The Blast results of population of P. aquatilis from Iran showed 8–10 nucleotides differences with populations of the same species (AF036602; GQ892827; AY284700) reported from the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands, respectively. Whereas Iranian population of P. pusillus showed 14–16 nucleotides differences with P. cf. pusillus (AY284705; AY284704) reported from The Netherlands. Molecular analysis revealed close relationship of the Iranian plectids with P. cf. parvus (AY284699) reported from The Netherlands. Phylogenetic relationships with other related species in the genus Plectus and closely related genera that are available in the GenBank are given.     

Interactions between root-knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica and Fusarium wilt disease, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Melonis in different varieties of melon

Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica) are destructive pathogens on cucurbits in Varamin area of Iran. The interaction between two pathogens was studied on local melon cultivars, Garmsar and Sooski. Inoculum of Meloidogyne javanica was prepared on susceptible cultivar, Rutgers using single egg mass method in greenhouse. Inoculum of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis (race 1) was prepared using Richard solution. A concentration of 2 x 10(5) micro conidia of fungus and 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 eggs of nematode was used in 1 kg of autoclaved soil. Plants were inoculated with nematode at 2-3 leave stage then with fungus 2 weeks after nematode inoculation. The experiment was conducted in factoriel design based on CRD with 20 treatments, including varieties in 2 levels (Garmsar and Sooski), nematode in 5 levels (0, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 eggs) and fungus in 2 levels (presence and absence) and 3 replicates. The index that evaluated were growth index including fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, height, Fusarium wilt index and root gall index. Results of this experiment showed that all of treatments comparison to control were significantly different (p = 0.05) in growth index. Combination of fungus and nematode (5000 eggs) caused the most decrease in growth index on Garmsar and Sooski.     

Otomycosis in the South of Iran with a High Prevalence of Tympanic Membrane Perforation: A Hospital-Based Study

Mycopathologia - Otomycosis is a superficial infection of the external ear caused by fungal pathogens. The genera Aspergillus and Candida are considered the main fungal causative agents, with the...     

The effect of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin on the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR,and SF1 genes,as well as the structural changes in testicular tissue of adult rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on the structural changes, as well as the evaluation of the expression of cation channel sperm‐associated protein 1 (CatSper1), cation channel sperm‐associated protein 2 (CatSper2), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) genes in testicular tissue of rats. All rats divided into five groups as follows; G1 as the control group that received normal saline, G2 received olive oil, G3 received 100 IU/kg HCG, G4 received 5 mg/kg clomiphene citrate, and G5 received 5 mg/kg clomiphene citrate and 100 IU/kg HCG. At the end of the experiment period, Day 56, blood samples were taken and the serum was isolated. Then, histomorphometric analysis, hormonal assess, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes were performed. The results showed that the concentrations of testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were decreased in the G4 group, whereas these parameters were increased in the G3 group. A comparison of the sperm quality indicated a significant reduction in the quality of sperm cells in the G4 group compared with other groups. The quality of sperm was significantly enhanced in the G3 and G5 groups in comparison with the G1 group. Also, our findings demonstrated that the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes were significantly elevated in the G3 group when compared with other experimental groups. According to the obtained results, it seems that clomiphene citrate reduces the process of spermatogenesis and the detrimental impacts of this compound would be neutralized by the administration of HCG.     

Familial Cases of Trichophyton benhamiae Infection Transmitted from a Guinea Pig in Iran

Mycopathologia - Trichophyton benhamiae is a zoophilic dermatophyte mainly transmitted to humans from guinea pigs. This zoophilic species can also cause dermatophytosis as reported by human contact...