In this study, most of the gallstones found in the sheep were pigment stones. This is in agreement with the results reported by Petruzzi et al. [11], Cavallini et al. [6], and Khaki [12]. All gallstones that they found in sheep and cattle were pigment type. These findings indicate that pigment cholelithiasis is more common in ruminants. Bacteriologic analysis of the bile in 5 of the 7 sheep with Ixazomib 1072833-77-2 gallstones revealed bacteria (Streptococcus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp.). Isolation of bacteria from bile is common. In one study, bacteriologic analysis of the bile in 10 sheep with gallstones and 10 controls (without gallstones) revealed bacteria in 50% of the first group and 75% of the second group [6].

Microscopic examination of gallbladders revealed focal calcification, cystic glands, necrosis and atrophy of mucosal layer, edema, diffuse and focal infiltration of lymphocytes in submucosal layer, and hypertrophy of smooth muscles. These findings indicate chronic cholecystitis which is most likely to be due to the mechanical irritation of the gallbladder by biliary calculi. Cholecystitis may occur as a result of bacterial infections such as salmonellosis. Other bacteria, either derived from the blood or ascended from the intestine, can cause acute or chronic cholecystitis. Chronic cholecystitis typically accompanies prolonged bacterial infection of the biliary tree or ongoing irritation from choleliths or parasites of the gallbladder [3]. Based on the results of this study, the prevalence of both types of gallstones in Lori-Bakhtiari sheep is low.

Although cholelithiasis can cause chronic inflammation of the gallbladder, it is not likely to become clinically significant.AcknowledgmentsThe authors wish to thank Dr. A. Khodabakhsh Sarbandi, Dr. H. Shojaei, Dr. A. Badakhsh, and Dr. S. Baradaran for their contributions and support.
Schistosomiasis is the second most significant parasitic disease in the world after malaria in terms of socioeconomic and public health importance. It is estimated that 207 million people are infected in 74 countries throughout Latin America, Africa, and Asia and more than 779 million people are at risk of infection, with mortality estimated at up to 280,000 deaths annually in sub-Saharan Africa alone [1�C3]. Estimates of the global burden of schistosomiasis range from 1.7 to 4.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost [4�C6] or even higher [7].Chemotherapy is currently the main strategy in use for schistosomiasis control. Praziquantel (2-cyclohexylcarbonyl-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexa-hydro-4H-pyrazino2,1-aisoquinoline-4-one) is the drug of choice for the treatment Brefeldin_A of schistosomiasis because of its efficacy against all schistosome species [8, 9].