Journal of Veterinary Research
Year:2006 | Volume:61 | Issue:1|Papers Count:21

Objective: Determination of parasitic infections of aquarium fishes around Tehran.Design: Random sampling.Animal: One thousands and eight aquarium fishes.Procedure: Parastitic infections of different organs including skin, gills, eyes, blood, alimentary canal, liver, kidney, abdominal cavity, muscle and swimming bladder in six different species: Barbus tetrazona (n=119), Betta splendens (n=170) Carassius autratus (n=101) Cichlasoma severum (n=267), Gymnocorymbus temetzi (n= 201) and Poecilia reticulata (n=150) were examined Blood samples were stained with Geimsa. were prepared for studying skin, gills, alimentary canal and other organs.Results: In spic of different infectious rates for different parasitic infections in examined fishes, total percentage of infection for protozoa, arthropods and helminthes were 25.3%, 2.9% and 6.65%, respectively. Dactylogyrus vastator, Chiloldonella sp., Hexamita sp., Ictyobodo necator, Ichthyophtirius multifilis, Microsporidium , Myxosporida sp. Tricodina sp. and Lernaea cyprinicea were collected from 5 (83%) species. Furthermore Gymnocorymbus ternetzi was the least infected fish and Argulus foliaceus was the only parasite infective.Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the protozoal infections are very common among aquarium fishes.Although, no gross pathology was observed among infected fishes, but it is likely that in case of any changes in the environment, then parasites, become pathogen.  

Objective: To determine resistance of sheep nematodes to levamisole.Design: Experimental field survey.Animals: in this survey, 15 sheep flocks were selected from three geographical regions of Khuzestan province including mountainous, hilly and plain area. On each flock, 30 sheep were randomly distributed into two groups (control and test) of 15 animals each.Procedure: Faecal egg count reduction test was performed according to guidelines of W.A.A.V.P.1 and percentage of faecal egg count reduction was calculated for each flock. In the resistant flocks, faecal culture and necropsy of untreated and treated groups were used to determine resistant species of the nematods.Statistical analysis: Drug resistance was detected if: i) the percentage of reduction in egg counts was less than 95% and ii) the 95% confidence level was less than 90%.ANOVA and t-test were used for analysis of the results.Result: Results of faecal egg count reduction test showed that 66.6% of the flocks were resistant ones, 13.4% suspected to be resistance and the rest susceptable to levamisole.Conclusion: This survey showed that levamisole efficacy in the sheep flocks of highland regions in Khuzestan province reduced significantly. This reduction is due to development of resistant isolates of Ostertagia circumcincta and Tricbostrongylus vitrinus in the resistant flock.

Objective: Isolation and characterization of bacterial agents of abortion in ewes of Shiraz area.Design: Cross sectional study.Samples: One hundred and ninety eight aborted fetuses of Shiraz area were examined under bacteriological study.Procedure: Fetal stomach contents and/or liver and lung of aborted fetuses were collected for bacteriological tests.Results: Ninety one (46%) out of 107 (54%) bacterial isolates showed negative results. Brucella, Salmonella, Campylobacter and E.coli were the most dominant isolates.Conclusion: Despite the success of the prevention and control program, abortion causes economic losses in the sheep industry. In this regard, brucella and salmonella are the most infective agents.

Objective: Serological diagnosis of infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in tissues of kidney, spleen and liver of rainbow trout (O.mykiss) fry.Design: Cross- sectional study.Animals: Ninety nine samples consisting of smears from kidney, spleen and liver were obtained from rainbow trout.Procedure: Kidney, spleen and liver from rainbow trout (O.mykiss) fry less than 3 g body weight obtained from some farmed rainbow trout of Tehran and Char mahal - va- Bakhtiari provinces. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) was undertaken using both polyc1onal and monoc1onal antibodies to IHNV to identify the IHNV antigens in the tissue samples.Results: Only eleven samples from the region of Char mahal- va - Bakhtiari were positive for IHNV using both monoclonal and polyc1onal antibodies to IHNV.Conclusion: Because of economic losses due to disease caused by IHNV in farmed rainbow trout, it is necessary to do a comprehensive screening test, virus isolation and evaluation of the pathogenicity of recovered virus.

Objective: To determine serum ALP, AST, GGT and bilirubin changes in theileriotic cows. (Mediterranean coast fever).Design: Case- Control study.Animals: Fifty theileriotic cattle referred to Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Charnran University and fifty healthy cows, Procedure: The cows were examined and their clinical signs were recorded. In theileriotic and healthy cows serum concentrations of ALP, AST, GGT and bilirubin were determined.Statistical analysis: ANOVA and t-test.Results: In this study, lymph nodes enlargment was seen in 90% of cases, Fever and abnormal mucous membranes were seen in 60%. The mean values of ALP, AST, GGT, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were 69,3 u/l, 62 u/l, 10.6 u/l, 0,58 mg/dl and 0.38 mg/dl, respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between affected and healthy cows (P<0.01). In addition, ALP showed a significant difference between two age groups in affected and healthy cows (P<0.05),Conclusion: On the basis of the results of this study it seems that hepatopathy has an important role in pathogenesis of theileriosis.

Objective: Clinical and radiographic presentation of a bone disease in young dogs with no previous report from Iran.Design: Case report.Animal: five dogs (4 males and 1 female) 8-11 months old.Procedure: Clinical and radiographic studies of the limbs with and without clinical signs.Results: Pain and lameness were the most common clinical findings in one or both forelegs without any previous trauma. Radiographic signs of panosteitis were observed as increased radiopacity in the medullary cavity of the long bones. Radius and ulna in all dogs and hummers, metacarpus and femur in some of them showed the signs of disease.Conclusion: Panosteitis can be concern for small animal in Iran.

Objective: Study of clinicopathological changes of synovial fluid in bovine bacterial arthritis.Design: Cross-sectional study.Animals: One hundered and seventeen cases of bovine arthritis and 48 clinically healthy cows.Procedure: Synovial fluid samples were collected from 117 abattorial cases of bovine arthritis and 48 clinically healthy cows in the Tehran province. The samples were cultured for isolation of mycoplasma and other gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Physical appearance and viscosity were noted and mucin clot test and the measurement of WBCs, total protein, glucose, ALP, AST and ALT were done.Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range tests and chi-square.Results: Bacterial organisms were isolated from 40 cases (34.3%) of bovine arthritis. Bacterial spp. organisms were included mycoplasma (46.3%), bacterial (32. %), yeast sp. (14.1%) and a mixture of bacterial and my coplusma agents (6.9%). In the most cases of bacterial arthritis, viscosity and mucine clot test were ranged from moderate to poor. In spite of higher WBCs, ALT, ALP, AST and total protein values in the synovial fluid of infected cases the values of glucose was lower than control (P<0.05). Conclusion: In 66% of infected cases no microorganism was isolated. Therefore interference of viruses and immunologic reactions should be notified. Significant alterations in WBCs, total protein, glucose, AST, ALT and ALP values of synovial fluid showed that these changes are very important and can be diagnostic.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of human toxigenic types of C. botulinum (A, B, E) in some sea fishes of northern and southern regions of Iran.Design: Prevalence study.Animals: Rutilus frisi kutum, Mugil auratus risso, Otulitus ruber and stromateus niger.Procedure: One hundered and twenty samples of 4 kinds of fishes were tested for C.botulinum types from intestine and gills (240 examinations), using cooked meat medium. After centrifugation of the samples, bioassay technic was used for toxin detection to diagnose the type of C. botulinum.Statistical analysis: Descriptive study.Results: Ten (8.33%) out of 120 tested samples of intestine and gills in northern sea fishes, were positive for C.botulinum toxin. In this regdred, 8 out of 60 (13.33%) intestine and 2 but of 60 (3.33%) gill samples were positive. From 120 samples of intestine and gills examined for bacterial detection in southern sea fishes only 2 samples (1.66%) were positive, which both belonged to intestine samples. Overall, the order of contamination of C. botulinum in 4 kinds of fishes was Mugil auratus risso (10%), Rutilus frisi kutum (6.6%), Otulitus ruber (3.33%) and Stromateus niger (0%). Type E showed the highest prevalence rate (50%) in this study.Conclusion: From the results of this study, type E of C. botulinum (psychrotrophic type) showed the highest prevalence rate which indicates health hazard and therefore proper and special control measures needed for food safety.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment in ovine babesiosis.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Thirty six sheep about 1-2 year -old. Procedure: Thirty six sheep, which were negative for any blood parasites, were selected. The animals were categorized into the splenectomized and unsplenectomized groups and each group into 3 subgroups: control, Diminazen and lmidocarb ones. Babesiosis was induced by intravenous injection of 5.2×106 infected erythrocytes per animal. When body temperature and parasitemia rise, Diminazen (3.5 mg /kbw) and Imidocarb (1.2 mg/kbw) were administrated to each animal in the corresponding groups. Animals were kept up to day 9 post infection. After clinical manifestations, blood samples were daily collected from each animal and hematological parameter determined.Statistical analysis: t-student test.Discussion and Results: The results indicated that Diminazen is more effective than Imidocarb. Furthermore, clinical signs and parasites were recurred in the treated sheep with Imidocarb.

Objective: Identification and confinnation of Clostridium septicum in isolated Clostridia from sheep-dung samples by PCR.Design: Laboratory study.Samples: Twenty eight Clostridia were isolated from 100 sheep-dung of Urmia.Procedure: Sheep-dung samples were collected and Clostridia isolated according to microbial tests. the DNA of isolates were extracted and used for PCR. PCR was performed by using designed primer for hemolysin gene (alpha toxin) of Cl.Septicum. A vaccine strain of Cl. Septicum and Cl.pefringenes types B, C and D were used as positive and negative control, respectively.Results: Six out of 28 isolates and also vaccine strain showed 270 bp band on agarose gel electrophoresis, suggesting conserved segment for hemolysin in Cl.septicum. On the other hand, other isolates such as Clostridium fallax, Cl.perfringenes, Cl.novey B, Cl. bifermentnas, Cl.carnis, Cl.Subterminale, Cl.rummosum, Cl.innoccum were negative.Conclusion: Since the DNA fragment of 270-bp was not amplified for Cl.perfringens, Cl.novyi, Cl.fallax, Cl.innoccum, Cl.camis, Cl.subterminale, Cl.bifermentance and Cl.ramusum, this condition confirmed specificity of this primer. Hence, PCR can be useful for rapid detection or identification of Cl.septicum in clinical or environmental samples.

Objective: To detect the tumor antigens in BLV associated lymph nodes and comparing with FLK-BLV cell culture antigens by immunoblotting.Design: Observational study.Samples: Nineteen BLV infected and 2 healthy lymph nodes.Procedure: SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were carried out for all infected and non infected lymph nodes.Results: SDS-PAGE results revealed no considerable differences between infected and non-infected lymph nodes. Among all protein profiles of BLV infected lymph nodes, in western blot test, protein bands with 54, 52, 47, 46, 44, 43, 39 and 36 kD weight were detected to be immunogenic. Both 72 and 57 kD bands were exist in all infected and non-infected lymph nodes as well as FLKBLV cells. Cells infected by BLV (FLK-BLV) demonstrated only 48 kD band as an immunoreactive protein identical to only one sample profile.Conclusion: The present work demonstrates at least 8 different immunogenic proteins in BLV infected lymph nodes that could be classified to three distinct profiles. 48kD protein demonstrated in FLK- BLV and just one of the profiles, seems to be a viral antigen that is expressing in certain conditions.

Objective: Study on genetic variation of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus, the causetive agent of FMD outbreaks in Iran. Design: Case study.Animals: The tongue and mouth epithelial lesions of 11 clinical livestock suspected to FMD from 9 outbreaks during September, 2002.Procedures: Total extracted RNAs were used in diagnostic one step RT-PCR. VP1 gene from positive samples was then amplified in the multiplex RT-PCR for current types viral isolates in Iran. The PCR products were sequenced using fluorescent dye deoxy-terminator cycle sequencing.Results: Nine of the era mined samples out of whole were positive for FMD viral genome. Except the samples of type A, which both samples were from an outbreak in Isfahan, all of the positive samples were type O. The Considerable variation revealed in amino acids sequences of type A sample.Conclusion: Results of this study shows evolution of a new genetic variant. However, serological and cross neutralization assays are required for confirming the antigenic diversity.

Objective: To compare the effect of strains and levels of yeast on fattening calves.Design: 2x3 factorial arrangements.Animals: Thirty five male Holstain calves (average live weight 296.8 kg).Procedure: Animal were divded into five experimental groups each receiving a diet supplemented with one of the two strains of yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae including ScA7 (Biosaf) and (Iran mayeh) at tow different leves (expressed as x and 2x) or controldiet (noyeast).The amount of x were 2.5 and 5 g 1/100kg LW/d for Biosaf and Iran mayeh, respectively. The diet containd forages and concentrate (70:30 ratio). Average daily gain and feed intake of each calf were measured during 135 days of the experimental period. At the end of the fattening period rumen liqure were obtained at 0,3 and 6 hours post -feeding. Blood samples were also taken at 0 and 3 hours post -feeding and subjected for the blood metabolites analysis.Statistical analysis: The completely randomized desigin and the randomly complete block design with analysis of covariance. Result: Growth rate was improved (p>0.05) in the animals using Biosaf at the level of x compared with those of control group (1457 vs1351g/day). Despite that feed intake did not differed between the animals, the addition of Biosaf made cause a better feed conversion rate and higher rumen pH than the of other treatment. The total number of rumen bacteria was also increased numerically. No changes on blood serum metabolites were observed. Conclusion: The use of yeast Biosaf may result in a better stability of rumen pH and so increase rumen bacterial population which in turn can improve ruminal fermentation and growth rate in calves.

Objective: To modify yield of milk fat and to improve fatty acids profile of milk fat with supplementation of the diet with fish oil enrich in omega-3 fatty acids, especially, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Design: Clinical trial.Animals: Ten dairy cows (treatment group, n=5 and control group, n=5).Procedure: Different amounts of fish oil were fed to the treatment group for one or two weeks: 100ml/cow/day for two weeks, 300 and 500ml/cow/day each for one week. Statistical analysis: Data were compared between groups using unpaired Hest at p< 0.05.Results: Feeding fish oil depressed milk fat percent. The concentrations of milk protein and dry matter, however, remained unchanged. The concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids increased but those of saturated fatty acids decreased.Clinical implications: Supplementation of cow's diet with fish oil may modify milk fat yield and may improve the quality of milk fatty acids. This may increase per capita consumption of milk and its products.

Objective: To show occurrence of cryptosporidiosis in native turkeys of Iran by means of histopathological and parasitological methods.Design: Descriptive study.Animals: Fifty native turkey poults suffered from growth retardation, long standing diarrhea or both were obtained from native turkey raising areas of Iran (northern and western provinces) Procedure: The clinical signs and symptoms of poults were recorded and fecal samples were taken and stained with modified Zeihl-Neelsen method. Poults were sacrified and necropsied tissue samples collected from different parts of small and large intestine and processed for histopathological examination.Statistical analysis: kappa & Mcnemar test. Results: Histopathological studies revealed that 13 out of 50 cases were infected with cryptosporidium spp. Histopathologic changes were seen as of hyperplasia of epithelial cells, hypertrophy of crypts, atrophy, fusion and shortness of the villi and increase in the number of leukocytes in the lamina propria. Furthermore, 5 out of 13 cases were positive for cryptosporidium organisms in fecal smears in stainig with modified Zeihl-Neelsen method. The results of fecal examination and histopathological study were not correlated.Clinical implications: since the cryptosporidium is pathogenic to turkeys the infection is hazardous not only for native turkey husbandary but also for infected turkeys. This conditin could be a source of infection for industrial poultry production. Furthermore, the best cryptosporidial diagnostic method is histopathologic examination.

Objective: To investigate the effect of intracerebroventricular injection of histamine on pain induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin in the left ear of rabbit and the effect of the amine on morphine analgesia and naloxone hyperalgesia.Design: Experimental study.Animals: Sixty-six male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 2.640.16 Kg.Procedure: Intracerebroventricular injections of the following drug solutions were done: normal saline (control), histamine (22.5, 45μg and 90μg), morphine and naloxone (50μg and 100 μg), histamine (45μg) before morphine (50μg) and histamine (90μg) after naloxone (100μg). For induction of Pain Subcutaneous injections of normal saline (control) and formalin (100, 5%) were done Responses including the durations of head and ear movements and ear scratching were recorded in the five min intervals for 1h.Statistical analysis: One-way ANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA and Duncan's test. Results: While normal saline produced any significant response, formalin injection induced a short-lasting (10 min) pain response. Histamine at the dose of 22.5μg had no effect on head and ear movements and scratching durations, but at the doses of 45 and 90μg suppressed the pain response.Morphine (50 and 100μg) and Naloxone (50 and 100μg) induced antinociception and hyperalgesia, respectively, while I.c.v. injection of histamine (45μg) before morphine (50μg) increased the antinociceptive effect of morphine Moreover, at the dose of (90μg) after naloxone (100μg) attenuated the naloxone induced hyperalgesia. Clinical implication: Activation of brain histamine produces antinociception. Morphine induces analgesia and naloxone produces hyperalgesia. Histamine potentiates the morphine analgesia and attenuates naloxone hyperalgesia. The antinociceptive effect of histamine may be independent of opioid system.  

Objective: To study the morphology of gonads and sperm ducts of sex reversed male rainbow trout after administration of 17- α - methyl testosterone.Animals: Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.Procedure: 17-α-methyl testosterone (17- α -MT) was administered to rainbow trout in 5 treatments as follows: I) two times immersion of eyed eggs and yolk sac alevins in 250 μg/l bath with 2 hours duration and 8 days interval. II) Three times immersion of eyed eggs and yolk-sac alevins in 250 μg/l bath with 2 hours duration and 4 days intervals. III) two times immersion of eyed eggs and yolk sac alevins in 250 μg/l bath with 2 hours duration and 8 days interval plus oral administration of 3ppm 17- α -MT starting from active feeding of larvae for 90 days. IV) oral administration of 3ppm 17- α -MT starting from active feeding of larvae for 70 days. V) oral administration of 30ppm 17- α -MT starting from active feeding of larvae for 120 days. In addition, a control group was maintained with no hormonal treatment. 20 fishes from each treatment as well as control groups were examined morphologically for their reproductive organ sat the age of 24 months.Results: A range of normal to totally atrophic reproductive organs was observed in different treatment groups. Four types of sperm ducts were detected ranging from normal open-ended sperm ducts containing fluid semen, close ended sperm duct containing fluid semen, close-ended sperm duct lacking fluid semen, to close-ended atrophic sperm duct with no semen. The highest number of functional males with the ability of production of fluid sperm was found in treatment.Conclusion: 17- α - MT administration in an optimal dosage and route to female rainbow trout can produce functional males with the ability of normal sperm production although the gonads and sperm ducts may be affected morphologically.