RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii infects a wide range of animals; felines are definitive hosts and other animals including the dogs are intermediate hosts. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran, capital of Iran and to investigate possible associated risk factors. METHODS: Three hundreds ninety six serum samples were collected during 2007-8 from the dogs. Collected samples were tested using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) in dilutions of 1:16 and more. All procedures were carried out in Shahrekord University, Iran. All the data were analyzed using SPSS software, qui square test with confidence interval of 0.95. RESULTS: From evaluated samples, 89 (22.47%) were positive in titers of at least 1:16. further evaluations in other dilutions showed positive results in dilutions of maximum 1:16, 1:32, 1:64, 1:128 and 1:256 in 38, 29, 15, 2 and 5 dogs respectively. Investigation of the role of risk factors showed no sex predisposition while infection rate was significantly higher in dogs older than one year old. Living places were of significant importance; infection rate was significantly higher in stray or guard dogs in compare with household dogs (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in dogs in Tehran shows high environmental contamination. It is recommended that the dogs with suspected clinical signs be tested for T. gondii infection.
RESUMEN
Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in a study to determine whether oral administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole affects the rate of tear secretion in healthy rabbits. Ten rabbits received 40 mg/kg trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole orally twice a day for 14 days; the other five rabbits were used as a control group and received a placebo during the study. The Schirmer II tear test (STT-II) was performed in both groups during administration of the drugs or placebo on the first, third, seventh and 14th days. Significant decreases in STT-II values were observed in the treatment group on the 14th day of the study in comparison with baseline values (P<0.001).