Prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV), Apple mosaic virus (ApMV) and Arabis mosaic virus (ArMV) are important rose viruses in the world. The aims of this study were to detect the viruses and evaluate their distribution in damask rose floricultures of the Isfahan, Kerman and Markazi Provinces. To do this, total 749 leaf samples were collected randomly from floricultures of the mentioned provinces in 2012-13. Presence of the viruses in the samples was checked by DAS-ELISA using specific antibodies against each of the viruses. The result of ELISA test on collected samples in 2012 showed that 4.41%, 2.20% and 6.3% of the samples were infected with ArMV, ApMV and PNRSV, respectively. These percentages for samples collected in 2013, were 2.31%, 5.32% and 4.16%. Because of wider distribution of PNRSV in comparison to ArMV and ApMV, coat protein gene in four isolates of PNRSV was cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic tree was drawn and recombination analyses were performed. Based on the phylogenetic tree, Iranian isolates were placed in PV96 phylogroup. This is the first report of genetic diversity of PNRSV in Iran and also the first incidence report of ArMV, ApMV and PNRSV in Isfahan and Markazi provinces.

Newcastle disease virus (NOV) was isolated and identified for the first time from a flock of Japanese quail suspected to NO in Iran. Birds of the flock aged variously, and some of them died from the disease. Loss of appetite, weakness and decrease in egg production, diarrhea and nervous symptoms were the main clinical signs in the birds. Hemorrhagic lesions of the intestinal tracts and proventriculus were found in gross pathology investigations. Samples were taken for bacteriology, parasitology and virology. The results of parasitology and bacteriology examinations were negative. The virus was isolated only from brain samples and was identified as Avian Paramyxovirus type 1 (ApMV-1) by HI test using NOV-Specific antibody. The pathogenicity of the virus was identified by mean death time (MOT) in embryonated chicken eggs, intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI) and intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) in chickens. Values 40, 1.62 and 2.31 were obtained for MOT, ICPI and IVPI respectively. These results indicate that isolated ApMV-I belongs to NOV velogenic strains with severe pathogenicity. According to these findings vaccination against NOV in quail farms of Iran is highly recommended.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a prototype member of avian paramyxovirus serotype 1 (ApMV-1), which causes severe and contagious disease in the commercial poultry and wild birds. In this study, we report the results of phylogenetic analyses of recent NDVs isolated from Markazi province of Iran during a recent outbreak in the commercial broiler with respiratory signs and digestive system lesions. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that isolate was clustered within class II NDV, in sub-genotype VII-g. This NDV isolates shared high homology with the prevalent genotype NDV strains that circulate in China and Taiwan (95. 39%-84. 89%). Overall, our results confirmed the presence of genotype VII-g in Iran (The first report) and indicated that different genotypes of NDV could circulate simultaneously among poultry (VII-d & VII-i). The phylogenetic characterization of these isolates helps to characterize the evolution of NDV and may help with the development of vaccines specific to our regional necessities.

Newcastle disease virus (ApMV-1) belongs to the genus of Avulavirus and the subfamily of Paramyxovirinae and family of Paramyxoviridae which contains seven genes NP/V-M-F-HN-L. Newcastle disease (ND) is regarded throughout the World as one of the most important contagious diseases of poultry and other birds that sometimes cause 100% mortality rate in poultry flock. It is recognized as a notifiable infectious disease (List A) by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). For the determination of genetic relationship between F gene of this virus in Iran and those in other countries, fragment 1097bp of M gene of 37 tissue samples was firstly obtained for the detection of Newcastle disease and fragment 1349bp of F gene was later used to analyze phylogenetic relationship of this virus. Corresponding to F gene, four NDV strains having been isolated from infected birds in Iran were amplified in PCR system and were sequenced for determining nucleotide sequence and were compared with identified nucleotide sequence of this gene in other countries. A comparison made on F gene in Iran with that of other countries showed 1.4 to 27.3% variability in this gene, in which the greatest sequence similarity exists between sequences of F gene in Iran and India (AY339401.1) and the least relationship exists between sequences of this virus in Iran with USA (ACD14136.1).

Newcastle Disease (ND), caused by specific strains of the ApMV-1 virus, represents a major challenge in poultry agriculture, with high mortality rates and the capability to infect over 241 avian species. In Indonesia, ND remains endemic, causing recurring outbreaks that severely impact the poultry industry. Despite vaccine availability, limitations such as incomplete efficacy, frequent administration, and the risk of virulence reversion highlight the necessity of developing novel antiviral compounds. This study investigates the green synthesis and antiviral potential of 4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-6-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (THPM) against the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV). THPM was synthesized using the Biginelli reaction, a one-pot, solvent-free process involving a keto ester, urea, and aldehyde, adhering to green chemistry principles by minimizing waste and eliminating harmful solvents. In ovo antiviral activity of THPM was assessed using embryonated chicken eggs infected with NDV. Hemagglutination assays revealed significant viral inhibition, with the highest efficacy observed at 10 µg/mL, achieving a 95.77% inhibition rate. H-NMR structural analysis confirmed the presence of key functional groups essential for antiviral action, and structural resemblance of THPM to nucleic acids likely contributes to its selective activity. This study underscores the importance of eco-friendly antiviral agents like THPM in addressing the limitations of the current ND management. Future research should focus on optimizing THPM’s efficacy and safety to develop sustainable solutions for controlling Newcastle Disease.

Introduction: Irrational use of antibiotics as growth promoter and as therapeutic agents in livestock and poultry is a major issue under discussion. Inappropriate use of antibiotics is not only responsible for an increase in microbial resistance to antibiotics but also the presence of antibiotic residues in animal products is a topic of public health importance. The International Study Group on Antimicrobial Strategies (ISGNAS) has also mentioned the increased microbial resistance to antibiotic as a serious problem. Newcastle Disease (ND) is one of the most devastating diseases of the domestic fowl, which can cause high level mortality of these animals. ND is caused by Newcastle Diseases Virus (NDV), an avian Paramyxovirus type 1 (ApMV-1) that belongs to the genus Avulavirus, family Paramyxoviridae (Silva et al., 2010). Chickens are the natural host of the virus, but it can infect a variety of avian species causing severe disease (Carrasco et al., 2016). The commercial production of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) is extensively distributed in several countries around the world and many studies showed that this species can easily adapt to commercial management conditions, with good performance in terms of meat and egg production (Lima et al., 2004). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat-killed Tsukamurella inchonensis (T. inchonensis) in diet as an alternative on growth performance, intestinal morphology and immune responses of Japanese quail. Material and methods: Animal care and experimental designUnsexed Japanese quail (C. cotumix japonica) were obtained at one day of age acclimated to laboratory surroundings for one week before immunizations and measurements were begun. Quail were housed nine cages measuring 61 × 56 × 81 cm. Temperature in the animal room was maintained at 23˚ C. Food and water were available ad libitum. Quail were fed bird food containing approximately 20% crude protein that contained no coccidiostat or other medications. Fluoresent lights provided a photoperiod of12 h light and 12 h dark. The University of Tabriz Animal care and Use Committee approved all protocols. Seventeen Japanese quail were assigned randomly to each of nine groups in a 3 × 3 factorial design with three bacterial treatments. The quails were randomly assigned to each treatment, because sexing could not be done until later development. Quail were sometimes moved between cages if pecking started to occur. The bacterial treatments consisted of (1) a control or no bacteria group, (2) a low dose group, and (3) a high dose group. The low-and high dose groups received 105 or 106 CFU per bird per day in food, respectively from the first day of age. Growth performance and sample collection Body weight gain (BWG) and feed consumtionwas recorded during grower period and finisher period. On d 14, 28 and 42, two birds closet to the median weight from each pen (6 per treatment) were randomly selected, weighed, stunned and slaughtered by exsanguination. The parameters of investigation included hemagglutination inhibition and ELISA titer of antibodies against NDV, intestinal morphology development and IgA and cytokines titer. Feed intake were recorded daily on cage basis. Body weight was determined every week. At days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of the experiment (42 days), antibodies against Newcastle disease were measured. At the end of days 14, 28 and 42, two quails from each cage were randomly selected and killed by cervical dislocation for histopathological and histomorphometrical studies. Results and discussion: In the present study, we determined whether an Actinomycetales species which had previously been shown to enhance treatment of asthma and sweet-itch (Stanford and Stanford, 2012), could affect the development of antibodies in sera of chickens. FI and FCR were not affected by different doses of T. inchonensis supplementation. The high dose in feed tended to give higher BWG than the control group (Table 2). Interferones were so named due to their anti-viral properties. They consist of two classes: Type I interferons (IFN-α and IFN-β ) that have well-defined anti-viral activity, and type II interferon or IFN-γ which plays a vital role in macrophage activation and modulation of the immune system, in addition to its anti-viral activity (Wigley and Kaiser, 2003). There was a significant difference in the measurement of IL-4 and INF-α in the serum of different experimental groups on days 7 and 42. In the measurement of IgA, the high dose recipient group, had significant differences in day 42 concerning other two groups. T. inchonensis caused a statistically significant difference in antibody titer against Newcastle disease at 42 days of age in low dose group. At microscopically examination, there was no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiac toxicity and neurotoxicity or other side effects in liver, kidney, heart and brain, respectively (Fig 4-5). The histomorphometrical measurement results of different parts of small intestine and lymphoid tissue of caecal tonsil are shown in Tables 6-8 and figure 6. T. inchonensis treatments, affected (p< 0. 05) lengh and thickness of villi, crypt depth, crypt number and number of goblet cells. Conclusion: According to macroscopic and immunological findings, it can be concluded that supplementation of T. inchonensis can improve intestinal morphology and immune responses in Japanese quail.