Twenty Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis isolates recovered from patients living in three distinct endemic areas in Paraguay and presenting single or multiple cutaneous lesions were analyzed. Alto Paraná and　Canindeyú located near the boundary of Paraná State (Brazil) present epidemiological patterns compatible with areas of ancient transmission of the disease. The area of San Pedro located at the oriental shore of the Paraguay River is considered to be of recent transmission, with mucocutaneous clinical forms being present.
Three different polymorphic markers were used in order to characterize and to provide a preliminary molecular mapping of the circulating strains. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms of kDNA analysis revealed the presence of three different schizodemes circulating in the endemic areas. Isoenzymatic variants were also detected in six out of the sixteen strains studied. However, no correlation was found between enzyme polymorphisms and a specific type of schizodeme.
Our results demonstrate the intraspecific heterogeneity of the Viannia species circulating in Paraguay suggesting a more complex epidemiological situation in some endemic foci. Furthermore, the finding of genotypic polymorphisms among isolates of the same species raises questions regarding parasite virulence in the American Tegumentary Leishmaniases.

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Fecal samples from 82 stray cats from Khorasan province of Iran were examined for Coccidia by the centrifugal sucrose flotation procedure. Feline Coccidia were found in 33 stray cats (40.2％). The prevalence of feline Coccidia based on fecal flotation were Isospora felis 22 (26.8％), Isospora rivolta 6 (7.3％) ,Sarcocystis spp. 4 (4.9％) and Toxoplasma gondii 1 (1.2％). The presence of T. gondii was confirmed by inoculation to mice.

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The antibody response against Toxoplasma gondii was evaluated by gelatin particle indirect agglutination test (GPAT) in 296 sera. The test was compared with P-30 ELISA for the ability to detect Toxoplasma specific IgG antibodies. Gelatin particle, an antigen carrier was sensitized with soluble antigen from sonicated Toxoplasma tachyzoites. The cutoff value of >1:16 was considered positive. In 296 sera studied, 286 sera (96.62％) gave the same quantitative result in both tests while the remaining 10 sera (3.37％) show discrepancies results. Thirty-three of 37 (89.18%) sera from patients with symptoms suggestive of toxoplasmosis tested positive by GPAT and ELISA. By kappa analysis, the correlation between antibody titer obtained with GPAT and ELISA was statistically significant (k=0.849, p<0.001 and r2=0.7068). The GPAT can be easily and rapidly performed without specialized equipment and likewise seems to be useful for the test of small number of specimens as well as mass screening or where laboratory facilities are limited.

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Canine visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a six years old male dog presented with progressive weight loss, desquamative dermatitis, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, conjunctivitis and pale mucus membrane. Biopsy of lymph nodes and tissue staining with H＆E and Giemsa revealed canine visceral leishmaniasis. To confirm the diagnosis, direct agglutination test showed 1:20,480 titer, serum electrophoresis demonstrated hyperproteinemia, hypergammaglobulinemia (6.7 g/dl) and hypoalbuminemia (1.37 g/dl) and A/G was 0.15. After 7 days of cultivation in NNN plus LIT media, the promastigote form of parasite was observed. At necropsy findings, the liver and spleen were swollen and hyperemic which Leishman bodies were shown into the cytoplasm of kupffer cells. The kidneys were swollen and there were acute interstitial nephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and so amyloidosis. Afterwards in a serological survey, three cases of seropositive dogs were found. Finally the specimens were sent to Tropical Disease and Hygiene Section in London School, and Leishmania infantum was specified.

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Equal　numbers　of　grazing Holstein, Korean native and crossbreed cattle on Cheju island (South Korea), totaling 195 were examined for Theileria sergenti infection and parasitemia levels by microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Comparatively the positive rates of T.sergenti infection as well as the parasitemia levels were higher in Holstein cattle than both the Korean native and crossbreed cattle. Positive rates and parasitemia of Holstein cows increased continuously during the grazing period. These results suggest that Holstein cattle showed more sensitive to T. sergenti infection than the Korean native cattle and crossbreed cattle.

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