Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Year:2020 | Volume:14 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

with the ability to infect a wide range of hosts. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide a snapshot of the immune responses against ST challenge in primary chicken monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) by evaluating the transcriptional changes in inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β . METHODS: After preparing blood MDMs, cell monolayers were challenged with ST at a multiplicity of infection of 50. Transcriptional analyses of inflammatory cytokine IL-1β were performed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction using SYBR Green dye. RESULTS: The results indicated that wildtype ST challenge in avian MDMs favors the differentiation of macrophages toward the alternatively activated M2-like cells through downregulating inflammatory IL-1β . CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrated the preferential differentiation of chicken macrophages toward the alterna-tively activated M2-like cells upon ST infection. Further improvement of the existing control measures, such as vaccination and molecular-based immunotherapeutic strategies against poultry salmonellosis requires a better understand-ing of mechanisms involved in the immunomodulatory actions of Salmonella in immune cells in future studies.

BACKGROUND: Equine salmonellosis is an important infection with a wide variety of consequences including develop-ment of acute salmonellosis in the cases of predisposing factors, nosocomial infections, public health risk, and environmental contaminations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fecal shedders of Salmonella spp. in the horses of Kurdistan province of Iran using phenotypic and molecular approach. METHODS: A total of 130 fresh feces were randomly collected from horses in four age groups and both sexes in four seasons from all over Kurdistan province. The samples were analyzed for the isolation of Salmonella spp. with culture and biochemical method. An invA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was also carried out for detection of Salmo-nella spp. in pooled fecal samples, simultaneously. The isolates were further serotyped and the antimicrobial profile of the isolates was determined using Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS: The results showed 1. 53% (n=2) and 7. 69% (n=10) by bacteriological methods and PCR method, respec-tively. There was no significant relation between the frequencies of Salmonella shedders and age, sex and season (P≥ 0. 05). The two isolates were recognized as Salmonella Typhimurium, showing 100% resistance against ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, sulphamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol, and 50% resistance against gentamycin. CONCLUSIONS: Rapidity and accuracy of PCR versus phenotypic method makes it an appropriate procedure for the surveillance programs regarding Salmonella detection in feces. Approximately high prevalence of subclinical form in equine salmonellosis or Salmonella fecal carriers in the studied region is instigated to seriously apply strategies to manage and control the distribution of infection to susceptible hosts.

BACKGROUND: Members of the genus Mycoplasma are known as pathogens causing respiratory disease in cattle world-wide. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate mycoplasmal infection in the lung tissue of cattle slaughtered in Hamadan industrial abattoir, Iran, using molecular and histopathological methods. METHODS: A total of 108 tissue samples were collected from the cranioventral parts of the cattle lung during March 2015-February 2016. The specimens were subjected to a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and histopathological examinations. The PCR-positive samples were tested subsequently for Mycoplasma bovis and Mycoplasma dispar using nested PCR assay. RESULTS: Nine (8. 33%) samples contained the DNA of genus Mycoplasma, among which, five and one showed the DNA sequences of M. bovis and M. dispar, respectively. Pathological changes, such as caseonecrotic lesions, interstitial pneumonia, lobar bronchopneumonia, and bronchial atelectasis were observed in 24 (22. 22%) tissue samples. All the PCR-positive lungs demonstrated at least one pathological manifestation. However, not every pathognomonic tissue changes were concomitant with the presence of the DNA of Mycoplasma spp. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that M. bovis and to a lesser extent M. dispar are relatively common in the cattle population of the western part of Iran. Therefore, these pathogens should be taken into consideration whenever respiratory problems are evident in cattle.

BACKGROUND: Ascites syndrome is one of the most important metabolic disorders in growing broiler chickens world-wide. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the effect of broccoli in comparison to ascorbic acid on controlling pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) in broiler chickens. METHODS: A total of 144 one-day old chicks were randomly divided into four groups. Each group included 36 chicks with three replicates of 12 birds. Experimental treatments were control, ascorbic acid (500 mg/kg dietary), and two levels of broc-coli (0. 5% and 1% dietary broccoli powder). Growth performance, hematocrit or packed cell volume (PCV), heterophil to lymphocyte (H: L) ratio, right ventricle to total ventricle weight ratio (RV: TV), serum biochemical factors, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, as well as humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated. RESULTS: Growth performance parameters improved in experimental treatments compared to control, even though it was not statistically significant. The RV: TV ratio in treatment groups was lower than control, and it was significant in ascorbic acid and broccoli 1% (P≤ 0. 05). H: L ratio decreased in treatment groups than control (P≤ 0. 05). Nitric oxide and HDL-C levels increased at both broccoli levels than control (P≤ 0. 05), but LDL-C and triglyceride levels decreased (P≤ 0. 05). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity were lower and higher in treatment groups than control, respectively (P≤ 0. 05). There were no significant changes in other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This research showed that addition of broccoli to the diet of broiler chickens, through improving anti-oxidant parameters, increasing serum nitric oxide levels, and decreasing blood pressure, blood lipids, RV: TV ratio, and mortality, could be effective to prevent PHS.

BACKGROUND: Several foodborne outbreaks associated with the consumption of vegetables have been reported which involved Vibrio spp. as causative agents. Conventional methods of detecting these microorganisms are time-consuming. Therefore, the development of techniques for rapid detection seems to be of paramount importance. OBJECTIVES: The present study recommends a rapid and reliable method for the detection of Vibrio cholera (V. chol-era), V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus, and V. alginolyticus. Moreover, the results are compared with the conventional plate culture method. METHODS: The conventional bacteriological tests were conducted to detect Vibrio spp. in vegetables and their surrounding water. The samples were also subjected to a newly developed multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using five specific genes, including VC-Rmm of V. cholerae, VP-MmR of V. parahaemolyticus, VV-Rmm of V. vulnificus, V. al2-MmR of V. alginolyticus, and VM-F for all the four isolates. RESULTS: The presence of V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus was confirmed by amplifying the specific regions of 412 bp for V. vulnificus and 144 bp for V. alginolyticus. The results demonstrated that V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus were not detected in multiplex PCR, which was consistent with the findings of conventional plating methods. CONCLUSIONS: Obtained results revealed that the designed multiplex PCR assay is a reliable, rapid, and cost-effective method for the simultaneous detection of Vibrio spp.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotics are widely used for the treatment of livestock. Their inappropriate usage leads to various disorders in humans as a result of consuming animal products. Milk is among the foods that are significantly affected by consuming antibiotics. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare Yoghurt Culture Test (YCT), Four-Plate Test (FPT), and the Copan test for detecting antibiotic residues in raw and pasteurized milk produced in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 146 raw milk samples and 54 pasteurized milk samples were selected randomly from dairy farms and dairy products suppliers. The presence of antibiotics was evaluated by YCT, FPT, and Copan test. In addition, the sensi-tivity of the three tests for tetracycline and penicillin, as the two common antibiotics in the treatment of animals, was compared. RESULTS: Our findings showed that 8. 9% of raw milk and 11% of pasteurized milk samples contained antibiotics. However, the levels of antibiotic residues were higher in 2% of the positive samples than maximum residue levels (MRL). Moreover, significant differences were observed between FPT, YCT, and the Copan test (P<0. 05). On the other hand, the positive results of YCT and Copan tests were not significantly different (P>0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that a low percentage of milk samples contained antibiotic residues higher than the permissible limit. Furthermore, YCT could be used as an inexpensive, easy, and sensitive method for identifying the residues of penicillin and tetracycline in milk.

BACKGROUND: Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) is a remarkable pathogen in the world poultry industry. The vaccine against this agent is used in poultry farms to prevent infection and reduce the incidence of disease. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the efficacy of the first Iranian inactivated ORT vaccine produced by the Razi Vac-cine and Serum Research Institute was evaluated using the experimental challenge system. METHODS: Ninety day-old specific-pathogen-free White leghorn chickens were divided randomly into five groups of 18 chickens. The birds were housed in separate specific cages in isolation rooms. At the age of 14 days, the birds of two groups were vaccinated. Afterwards, at the age of 42 days, two groups of unvaccinated chickens and all of the vaccinated subjects were challenged with the LaSota strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and ORT. One group of unvaccinated birds was maintained as the negative control. Blood samples were taken from chickens on days 14 (before vaccination) and 42 (before challenge) of the experiment. In addition, blood samples were collected on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 after the challenge (AC). On days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 after challenging with ORT, the isolation and molecular detection of the bacteria were performed on samples from the trachea, lungs, air sacs, liver, and spleen. RESULTS: Following vaccination with the Razi ORT vaccine, the titers of antibody in vaccinated chickens were shown to be significantly higher than those of unvaccinated birds. In vaccinated groups, the ORT was not recovered in cultures from lungs, trachea, and air sacs. In the unvaccinated birds challenged with ORT, bacteria were isolated from lungs, tra-chea, and air sacs. Using the polymerase chain reaction method, ORT was only detected from samples of lungs, trachea, and air sacs 2 days after challenge (DAC) in vaccinated groups. Meanwhile, ORT was detected in lungs, trachea, and air sacs until 4 days after challenge in unvaccinated birds. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the Razi ORT vaccine was effective in protecting layer chickens against infection with serotype A of the ORT.

BACKGROUND: Bee venom contains various biomolecules, such as enzymes, peptides, and amines. The immune sys-tem produces IgG antibodies against bee venom proteins. However, IgE antibodies may also be developed in allergic individuals. OBJECTIVES: In this study, immune responses, including IgG and IgE reactions to bee venom were assessed in vari-ous individuals, using the immunoblotting technique. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 20 people of three major groups, namely beekeepers, allergic individu-als, and normal people. Venom samples of honey bees and wild bees were collected from the suburbs of Tehran, Iran. Furthermore, commercial honey bee venom samples extracted from Apis mellifera and samples of wild bees extracted from Polistes and Vespula were purchased from France. Immunoblotting was carried out using the sera of subjects and anti-human IgG and IgE coupled to horseradish peroxidase. RESULTS: The results of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed similar protein bands in Iranian and European honey bee venoms, including α-glucosidase (170 kDa), Api m (100 kDa), acid phosphatase (49 kDa), hyaluronidase (43 kDa), phospholipase A2 (17 kDa), and melittin (2 kDa). In wild bees, two bands were found with the molecular weights of 35 and 25 kDa belonging to antigen 5 and phospholipase A1, respectively. These were not observed in honey bee venoms. Immunoblot analysis revealed that all the mentioned proteins were immunogenic and al-lergenic in different individuals. Hyaluronidase, as well as phospholipases A1 and A2, were the major allergens in most individuals, while IgE reaction to melittin was only reported in one person. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, studies on antibodies against bee venoms can be useful in immunotherapy. Different people indicated distinct allergenic patterns. Therefore, further similar assays are recommended before, during, and after immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, use of rabbits in research as laboratory animals is quite prevalent, however imaging modal-ities for producing anatomical illustrations are rare. Computed tomography (CT) is a nonaggressive modality which provides more anatomical detailed data. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to create a plenary and exact deliniation and morphometric evaluation of cervical ver-tebrae in rabbits. METHODS: A CT scanner with two detectors was used in this study. Several parameters were measured in 10 healthy, adult female white New Zealand rabbits and the results were evaluated. RESULTS: Some parameters including VBH, SCH, PDL, PDW, VBL, EPH, and EPW had no significant difference through cervical vertebrae but other parameters such as SPH, TPL, TPW, SPA, and TPA were significantly different. In the fifth cervical vertebrae, transverse process had three parts, as well as having a big transverse foramen while in the sixth vertebra, transverse process resembled a wide plate CONCLUSIONS: VBH had an invariable measure from the second to seventh cervical vertebrae. SPH had an invariable measure from the second cervical vertebra to the sixth one, then once more it increased at the location of the seventh cervical vertebra and was invariable up to the first thoracic vertebra. This study presents a complete and precise description and morphometric evaluation of cervical vertebrae in rabbits using CT scan. As an important feature of this study, no specimen was killed and anatomical studies were performed using the CT scan technique.

BACKGROUND: Fish and fish products are consumed in many countries as a considerable source of nutrients. The heavy metals contents are known to increase drastically in the marine environment. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the contents of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in four com-mercially valuable fish species of the Caspian Sea (Rutilus frisii kutum) and Persian Gulf (Parastromateus niger, Pomadasys kaakan, and Scomberomorus commerson). METHODS: A total of 200 samples were collected randomly from fresh fish. A microwave-assisted digestion method was conducted to prepare fish samples and atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for determining heavy metals. RESULTS: The ranges obtained for heavy metals were 0. 013-0. 038, 0. 127-0. 352, and 0. 007-0. 067 mg/kg for Cd, Pb, and Hg, respectively. No fish species overpassed the standard concentrations of metals set by the national or international standards, except for the mean level of Pb in Parastromateus niger. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study indicated that Pb, Cd, and Hg were found in Iranian fish species exclu-sively in trace levels except for the Pb content of the black pomfret of the Persian Gulf. The concentrations of these elements did not exceed the legal limits of the European Commission or the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran.