Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2017 | Volume:72 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:18

BACKGROUND: Salmonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens that infect a wide range of domestic and wild animals. Opportunistic wild carnivores such as Golden jackal (Canis aureus) which stray in high numbers around the rural areas can act as potential sources of salmonella spp in humans and wild & domestic animals in northern Iran. OBJECTIVES: The object of this survey was to examine the Salmonella spp infection including the antibiotic-resistant pattern in golden jackals in Golestan and Mazandaran Province. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2015, fecal samples of 50 road-killed Golden jackals (Canis aureus), were collected and analyzed for Salmonella contamination by classical microbiological culture methods and PCR followed by serotyping and determining of antibiotic resistant pattern. RESULTS: Five isolated salmonella belonging to 2 serotypes: S typhymurium (3/5) and S arizona (2/5) were isolated by culturing and PCR. The rate of salmonella contamination was similar between females and males and higher incidence was detected in jackals under 2 years old. CONCLUSIONS: 10% Salmonella infection of sampled golden jackals highlights the neglected role of this species in zoonotic diseases dissemination and poses a great threat to human health in rural areas of Golestan and Mazandaran Provinces. The epidemiological study on role of wild animals in the spread of salmonella and developing strategy for salmonellosis prevention and control seems necessary.

BACKGROUND: Anthrax is a widespread disease in Iran and its importance is not only restricted to the economic losses in livestock but also is significant in terms of public health. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anthrax combating program in livestock from 1989 to 2014. METHODS: In this study, national strategy of anthrax disease in livestock was evaluated from the beginning (in 1989) to 2014. Data were analyzed using Pearson’ s correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Vaccination against anthrax began from 1929. From1999 to 2015, vaccination had been done for 78621001 cattle and 1357680466 small ruminants. In these years, there were 452 and 761 epidemics of disease in cattle and small ruminants respectively. In addition, 666 cattle and 5775 small ruminants had died due to anthrax. There was no statistically significant relationship between the number of epidemics and vaccination, as well as between the rate of mortality and vaccination in livestock population. CONCLUSIONS: Without planning based on epidemiological principles, vaccination alone will not actually be able to decrease the incidence of the disease, so vaccination should be targeted along with control and surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Ostertagia species are the main domestic ruminants abomasum worms, which cause parasitic gastritis. Parasitic gastritis is associated with disruption of the endocrine structure of abomasum, and influence the function and pH of abomasums. This can lead to weight loss, reduced milk and wool production with potentially mal-digestion of proteins. These cause the economic loss to animal husbandry industry. So, the national research priority in veterinary parasitology is identification of different native species of Ostertagia in Iran. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study is identification and differentiation of Ostertagia species based on the molecular characterization. METHODS: During carcasses inspection at different abattoirs in Rey, Tehran, Mashhad and Bandar Abbas, 180 adult male worms of Ostertagia species from sheep and goat were collected. Morphological analysis was performed based on the morphometric characteristics of spicules. The ITS1, 5. 8s and ITS2 ribosomal DNA was ampilified from individual worms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then purified PCR product were sequenced and analyzed by Blast tool. RESULTS: 946 bp PCR products for all sequenced samples were compared with the released sequences of Ostertagia isolates available from GenBank and showed 2-3% differences and 97-98% similarity. CONCLUSIONS: The three species included in the present study are different in terms of molecular property (with 2-3% difference) and it is necessary to determine transmittance pattern and host affinity rules from each one to be used by program managers and evaluators for Prevention and Control programs.

BACKGROUND: Biological control of parasites by using entomopathogen fungi is the one of the recommended ways to control them instead of using the chemical agents. Entomopathogen fungi are not pathogenic for animals and plants, while ticks are one of the most important parasites of animals that can transmit very important microbial pathogens. Ixodes ricinus is a hard tick that infests animals and human. OBJECTIVES: This study demonstrated enzyme assay of entomopathogen fungi hosted on Ixodes ricinus. METHODS: Enzymatic activities of chitinase, lipase and protease of fungal structures on the killed tick bodies have been assayed by standard sphectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Chitinase, lipase and protease activities showed significant differences among different fungal strains (p<0. 05). This research, which was done for first time in Iran demonstrated the effect of some enzymes which affect on acaricidal properties of native strain of entomopathogenic fungi in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the relationship between enzyme level of fungal strains and the possibility of selecting more effective strains of entomopathogenic fungi.

BACKGROUND: Heat stress causes the lower performance in broiler chickens. OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted to investigate the effect of betaine supplementation in broiler chickens under heat stress condition. METHODS: Two hundred one-dayold male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 5 replicates per treatment and 10 birds per each replicate. The experimental treatments were the heat stressed birds fed different levels of 0. 0 (without any dietary supplement), 0. 05, 0. 1 and 0. 2% betaine. The experimental diets were added to the diets during the finisher period (day 25 to 42 of age) and under heat stress condition (32± 1 º C from 9. 00 AM to 5. 00 PM). RESULTS: The results showed that feed consumption was not affected by betaine supplementation. Consumption of 0. 2% betaine resulted in a higher weight gain during the whole period as compared to 0. 05 betaine and control diet (p<0. 05). The consumption of all betaine levels caused the decreased feed conversion ratio during the finisher period (p<0. 05) and 0. 2% betaine resulted in lowest feed conversion ratio between the experimental treatments. Dietary betaine supplementation had no effect on internal organ weights of heart, liver, abdominal fat, spleen and bursa at day 42 of age (p>0. 05). Furthermore, consumption of different betaine levels had no effects on blood indices, the amounts of blood enzymes and antioxidant status at day 42 of age (p>0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Totally, the consumption of 0. 2% betaine improves the performance without any effects on blood indices and internal organs under heat stress condition.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites due to the growth of molds in animal feed. Lactic acid bacteria are microorganisms that can absorb aflatoxins. OBJECTIVES: the effect of the yeast Lactobacillus rhamnosus (PTCC 1637) on Aflatoxin B1 detoxification and absorption of toxin in in vitro (the cow rumen) was investigated. METHODS: For this purpose, the bacteria used in various treatments (live-treated, autoclave, heat-treated, treated with acid 100º C) was prepared and added to the rumen of cattle. Aflatoxin B1 in different doses (0, 5, 10, 20) ppb in the rumen were added and at times one and two hours were incubated at 37° C. The amount of toxin residues was measured by ELISA using Europroxima kits. RESULTS: The results showed that microorganisms have been treated in an autoclave have the largest amount toxin removal (90. 5 percent) (p<0. 05). Also with increases the incubation time, the amount of toxin absorbed significantly (78%) increased (p<0. 05) and with increasing concentrations of toxin in vitro the bacteria’ s ability to absorb toxin increases. CONCLUSIONS: As a solution to the livestock feed industry bacterial cell wall or its compounds can be helpful in reducing Aflatoxin B1 toxin.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is the main monohydroxylated derivative of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) formed in liver and excreted into milk. AFM1 creates certain hygienic risks for human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine AFM1 level in raw milk samples in Yazd province. METHODS: This investigation was a descriptive-cross sectional study. Eighty raw milk samples were collected from four cities (Yazd, Taft, Mehriz and Sadogh) in Yazd province in winter and spring seasons. The concentration of AFM1 was determined by ELISA method. The analysis of the results was performed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: All samples (100%) were contaminated with AFM1, with the concentrations ranging from 3. 18 to 92. 24 ng/l with a mean concentration of 22. 07 ng/l. AFM1 level in 13. 7% of raw milk samples was higher than the maximum tolerance limit of 50 ng/l accepted by the European Union (EU). The contamination level of AFM1 in winter samples (28. 21 ng/l) was higher than spring samples (15. 92 ng/l). Also, the highest and lowest contamination levels were observed in milk samples collected from Sadogh (mean 42. 21 ng/l) and Yazd (12. 79 ng/l) cities, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrated AFM1 was detected with a mean concentration of 22. 07 ng/l in milk samples of Yazd province. Moreover, 13. 7% of samples contained AFM1 at hazardous levels for human health.

BACKGROUND: Use of Garlic Powder (GP) and Total Sulfur Amino acid (TSAA) can improve redox status of broiler chickens fed with and infected by Eimeria and recover the negative effects of coccidiosis. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of GP and TSAA on feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and prooxidant– antioxidant balance (PAB) of the chickens challenged with Eimeria oocysts species mix. METHODS: A 2×2×2 split-plot-factorial arrangement of treatments was used. 400 day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were equally assigned to two plots (4 treatments each). Two hundred of the chickens were challenged with Eimeria oocysts species mix by oral inoculation at day 34 (infected plot) and the others were left as unchallenged (uninfected plot). In each plot, broiler chickens were randomly assigned to four treatments and fed one of following diets: basal diet, basal diet plus 0. 5% GP, basal diet plus 50% more TSAA based on Ross 2009 recommendations, basal diet plus 0. 5 % GP and 50% more TSAA based on Ross 2009 recommendations. RESULTS: The results showed that after inoculation birds with 7. 5×102 Eimeria oocysts species mix significantly (p<0. 05) reduced the FI to 20% and increased FCR to 14% and also increased serum PAB (p<0. 05), especially for infected broilers that were fed with basal diet, however, supplementation of GP and TSAA were better for broiler chickens in infected plot than uninfected plot. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that addition of GP and TSAA to diet may recover the negative effects of coccidiosis and improve the performance and redox of broiler chickens infected by Eimeria.

BACKGROUND: Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is a highly contagious disease of young birds. Differentiation between classical virulent and very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) isolate is very important for the poultry industry to choose the right vaccination program. Molecular and serological tests are time consuming and have variable sensitivity. However, the melting curve analysis is a relatively fast method with high precision. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the melting curve analysis for differentiation of some Iranian IBDVs whose identity had been previously determined by RT-PCR/ RFLP analysis. METHODS: In this study, after RNA extraction and reverse transcription and Real Time RT-PCR of IBDVs, high melting resolution at temperatures ranging from 81 to 92 ° C were performed. RESULTS: The findings of this study showed that in the high resolution melting curve analysis, the viruses were classified from A to D. Three vaccine strains of D78, Gumbokal, Bursa CE; IBD L; Bursine 2; and all field viruses were placed in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. High resolution melting curve analysis after normalization also showed all viruses of this study were placed in 4 HRM genotypic group. Three strains, D78, Gumbokal, Bursa CE, produced similar and non-differentiable curve but were different from other vaccine and field strains. Two other vaccine strains, IBD L and Bursine 2, were different from each other and other viruses. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the real-time RT-PCR HRM technique is cost-effective and reliable among the currently used methods and can be used for differentiation of IBDV isolates.

BACKGROUND: Infection by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in turkeys may lead to immunosuppression effects and therefore turkeys could not resist against pathogenic or less pathogenic agents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to examine the effects of IBDV on response of turkey’ s poults to avian influenza virus (AIV). METHODS: A total of 100 day-old poults were divided randomly into 4 equal groups. Groups 1 and 2 were infected with 104CID50 of IBDV by oral route at 1 day of age; groups 1 and 3 were infected with 106 EID50 of AIV (H9N2) by the oculo-nasal route at day 30. Poults of group 4 were kept as uninfected control group. All groups were vaccinated with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Blood samples via wing web were collected at days 0, 30, 37, 44, 51 and 58 and anti-NDV and anti-AIV serum titers were measured by HI test. At days 33 and 41 three poults of each group were euthanized and their splenic lymphocytes proliferation repose to phytohaemagglutinin was assessed. RESULTS: Influenza clinical signs were prolonged and more intensive in group 1 than group 3. The mean HI titers to NDV were significantly lower in group 1 than group 3, in all sampling times, but anti-AIV titers were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 3 from days 14 AIV (H9N2) post infection. The lymphocyte proliferation assay with PHA did not show any differences between groups 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: IBDV suppresses immune response in turkey and causes prolonged and more intensive clinical signs after challenge with AIV.

BACKGROUND: The Eustachian tube is an osteocartilaginous channel connecting the tympanic cavity with the nasopharynx. There is no anatomical and histological research performed on this organ in buffalo. OBJECTIVES: Anatomical and histological study of Eustachian tube in buffalo will be useful for basic knowledge of this organ. METHODS: For this study 8 adult male and female buffalos’ heads were provided from slaughter house and their Eustachian tubes were studied anatomically, then tissue samples were obtained and paraffin sections were prepared for staining methods such as H&E (for general study), Verhoff (for elastic fibers), PAS (for carbohydrates) and Masson’ s Trichrome Staining Kit (for collagen fibers). RESULTS: Anatomical results showed Eustachian tube was a white and funnel-like tube, no curve and structurally supported by cartilage and in both sexes they had the same structure. Histological and Histochemical results showed the epithelium of buffalo Eustachian tube is pseudostratified ciliated columnar and in some regions of the Eustachian tube epithelium was stratified squamous. In the first portion of Eustachian tube cartilage was elastic and then Eustachian tube cartilage was hyaline. The glands of buffalo Eustachian tube were mucous and non folicular tubal tonsil could be found around the pharyngeal opening with obviously lymphoid tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this research can be used as the basic Anatomical and Histological knowledge in buffalo.

BACKGROUND: Aflatoxins are a group of mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and are an important factor in oxidative damage to the kidney and liver. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric extract and/or sodium bentonite against renal and hepatic damage induced by aflatoxin B1. METHODS: In this experiment, which lasted for four weeks, 64 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to eight groups including: control, aflatoxin (AF), turmeric extract (TE), sodium bentonit (SB), TE+SE, AF+TE, AF+SB, AF+(TE+SB). At the end of experiment blood samples were taken from heart and some biochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the AF group, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and creatinine (p<0. 05) significantly increased and uric acid numerically increased (p=0. 056) compared to control group. Treatment of AF contaminated group with TE or SB alone remarkably decreased the levels of ALT, ALP, creatinine and uric acid. TE and SB in normal rats had no significant effect on the levels of liver enzyme compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present research, it seems that TE and SB alone decrease the harmful effects of Aflatoxin B1 and the combination of them has a potentiating effect.

BACKGROUND: The vegetables with high amount of Nitrate have many detrimental effects on the human and animal health. The high amount of Nitrate results in some diseases such as Stomach cancer, Leukemia, cancer of the lymphatic nodes or NHL (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma), blue body syndrome, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases in human. Since 80% of nitrate enters the human body by vegetables, the measurement of Nitrate and the investigation of affecting factors on its accumulation in vegetables are of crucial importance, especially in areas with high consumption of vegetables. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were monitoring the Nitrate amount in green cucumber and the most effective factors on it. METHODS: Overall, 210 samples were collected and analyzed from different farmlands of Jiroft city during one sowing season. The nitrate content of the samples was measured by Salicylic acid and spectrophotometry method. RESULTS: The results showed that the average nitrate content in the collected samples is 112. 12 mg/ wet kg and 29 samples (13% out of 210 samples) have nitrate concentration higher than standard level. Moreover, it was revealed that the factors such as type of planting, irrigation, soil, fertilizer, harvest season, age of sample, temperature, weather, sampling location in the farm, distance between bushes, weeds and farmer’ s financial status have direct influence on the nitrate content of the green cucumber in Jiroft area. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that different factors affect on the nitrate accumulation in the cucumber and a healthy product with standard nitrate content can be produced by considering the studied factors in this work.

BACKGROUND: Semen cryopreservation process with increased reactive oxygen species levels (ROS) plays a decisive role on the sperm cellular organelles (cell membrane, mitochondria and DNA). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adding different levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) antioxidants before freezing on motility, total progressive motility, viability and positive response to hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) parameters after Bull semen was frozen. METHODS: In this study, four bulls aged 4-5 years were used and 20 times the semen collection (5 ejaculates per bull) was performed. SOD (100 and 150 IU/ml) and GSH (5 and 7. 5 mM) antioxidants were added to Tris-egg yolk extender. Diluted semen samples with or without additives were manually filled with straw and the free end of the straws were sealed by sealing machines; then, semen were frozen by semi-automatic freezing machine, using liquid nitrogen. After thawing the samples, the total and progressive motility, sperm viability and positive response to the HOST parameters were determined at zero and 2 h of incubation. RESULTS: Adding SOD and GSH antioxidant levels did not reveal significant differences between treatments in any of the semen parameters in the initial hour of incubation after thawing. Two hours incubation of post-thawed semen samples containing SOD (100 IU/ml) significantly improved total motility, viability and membrane integrity of the sperm (p<0. 05). Also, in samples containing SOD (150 IU/ml), sperm membrane integrity was maintained (p<0. 05). In the semen samples with antioxidant GSH (5 mM), total motility and membrane integrity of the sperm are considerably improved after thawing (p<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that using SOD and GSH antioxidants as freezing semen extender additives can improve post-thawed bull semen quality.

BACKGROUND: FMD is one of the most important animal health problems in the world and is ranked at the top of the list A of potentially epidemic infectious diseases of livestock (OIE). FMD virus infects a wide range of domestic and wild cloven hooved animals and causes clinical signs. The disease is mild zoonotic and 70 wild mammal species from 20 animal families are susceptible to infection. Also, birds are mentioned as transferring agent of FMD virus in several references. OBJECTIVES: The motivation of this study was due to observation of a significant presence of pigeons in FMD involved farms in the epidemic of serotype O2016 in the first months of 2016. METHODS: After hunting of six pigeons gathering food in FMD involved farms, their blood samples were collected. In the laboratory, FMDV genome was traced by RT-PCR with aphtovirus universal primers and final product was sequenced. RESULTS: The 328 bp band indicating a positive result was observed in electrophoresis of all samples. These results were also confirmed in repeated experiments. Then the RT-PCR products were sequenced in both directions. Alignment and BLAST results indicated more than 97% identity of virus from samples with FMD registered viruses in Genebank, demonstrating the presence of FMD virus genome in the blood of the pigeons. CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates FMD virus genome viremia in the blood of pigeons. It is worth noting that pigeons’ infection is very important because this species is a free flight bird and has the possibility of transmitting the virus over long distances, thereby causing new epidemics. Finally, it is necessary for further studies to investigate the possible presence of clinical signs in the pigeons, the possibility of shedding, routs and virus titers of shedding from any of the possible ways.