The aim of this study was to determine the presence of toxin genes in Clostridium perfringens isolated from 200minced meat samples using molecular typing. For this purpose, after isolation of Clostridium perfringens using conventional culture method and confirmation by specific 16Srd NA gene PCR, alpha (cpa), beta (cpb), beta 2 (cpb2),epsilon (etx), iota (iA) and enterotoxin (cpe) genes were investigated by multiplex PCR.Out of 200 minced meat samples, 25 (12.5%) were determined as contaminated with C. perfringens and m-PCR results demonstrated that, out of these 25 isolates, 18 (81 %) possessed only the cpa gene (type A), while 4 (18 %) carried the cpa and cpb2 toxin genes (type A-cpb2+). Furthermore, the results showed1 isolate (4 %) as type B, 1 isolate (4 %) as type D and 1 isolate (4 %) as type E. This study reports the first cpb2 positive type B of C. perfringens in minced meat. Our results also indicate that C. perfringens type A is the most common type in minced meat.

The principle aims of this study were to evaluate clinical, hematological, microbiological and macro and micro pathological effects of tulathromycin on small ruminants infectious pneumonia (IP) and to determine the side effects of the drug in the injected site. For this purpose, all ruminants (10 sheep and 9 goats) with signs of IP were assembled in the Khorasan-E-Razavi Province Veterinary Organization research centre. Also, all of these animals were free of internal parasite infestations and free of hydrated cysts in the lung tissue. Before tularthromycin injection, samples were taken as nasopharyngeal swabs for culturing Pasteurella spp. and Mycoplasma spp. and performing the Cell Blood Count (CBC) for blood. Each animal was injected at the dose of 2.5 mg/Kg subcutaneously. In 24-, 48- and 72-hours after injection, body temperature (BT), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), ruminal contraction rate (RCR), lung sounds (LS) and nasal discharges (ND) were recorded between 9-12 pm. Meanwhile on day 1 and day 3, the blood sampling was repeated and on day 3 nasopharyngeal swabs were repeated. Furthermore, 9 sheep and goats were killed on day 9 and the remainders were killed on the day 15 following injection and post-mortem inspections were conducted on lungs. From cases with lung lesions, a sample was taken for histopathological examination. The data showed that: A) The mean difference of BT, RR and HR of 0-, 24-, 48-, and 72-hrs after Tulathromycin injection was significantly different (p< 0.05). B) The mean difference of No. WBC and % neutrophils of 0-, 24-, 48-, 72-hrs was significant (p< 0.05). C) Pasteurella spp. was isolated from all sheep and goats before injection while this organism was cultured in only 2 of the animals on day 3 after tulathromycin injection (p< 0.05). D) Mycoplasma spp. was cultured from 57.9% of the small ruminants and the results were identical in the second culturing with the exception of one animal. Mycoplasma spp. was cultured from 57.9% of the small ruminants and the results were identical in the second culturing with the exception of one animal. E) 50% and 44.4% of the sheep and goats that were killed on the 9th and 15th days post-injection showed various pulmonary lesions including apical lob consolidation, apical lob consolidation plus adhesion, bronchopneumonia plus observed pleurisy. On the basis of this investigation Tulathromycin has not had any antibacterial effect on Mycoplasma spp.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of a sustained-release multi-trace element ruminal bolus on sex ratio, the reproductive performance and lambs growth of Afshari ewes. Eighty Afshari cycling ewes during breeding season were used in the trial. The animals were synchronized using CIDR for 14 days and assigned into 4 groups including: group 1 (n=20) received a single Ferrobloc bolus four weeks prior to CIDR insertion following 400 IU eCG on CIDR removal, group 2 (n=20) received two boluses four weeks prior to CIDR insertion following 400 IU eCG on CIDR removal, group 3 (n=20) received only 400 IU eCG on CIDR removal and group 4 (n=20; control) received no bolus and no eCG. Growth traits were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS. Number of observations (lambing rate, litter size, barren rate and the male / female lamb rate) in different groups was compared using the Chi-Square test. Results showed that ruminal bolus can play an indirect role in skewing sex ratio toward male offsprings. Given 1 or 2 sustained-release multi-trace element ruminal boluses four weeks before synchronization programme using eCG, causes the pregnancy of all ewes. Of the four treatments tested, the 2 boluses+eCG showed superiority on reproductive performancein terms of lambing rate (150%) and litter size (150%) in Iranian Afshari ewes during breeding season. Also, bolus supplementation enhances lamb body weight at birth up to 60 days of age.

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food borne pathogen with a high case fatality rate. Among 13 different serotypes of this bacterium, 4 serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b) were considered as the main cause of listeriosis outbreaks. The aim of this study is to identify the major serotypes and virulence genes in Listeria monocytegenes isolated from chicken carcasses which were collected from different supermarkets and butcheries in Mashhad. Among the 80 isolated Listeria spp., most of them were identified as L. monocytogenes (36 out of 80). Most of the L. monocytogenes isolates belonged to serogroup llb (52.77%) which contains 1/2b and 3b serotypes. The second and third major serogroups were IVa (27.77%) and IIa (16.66%). Serogroup IVb (2.77%) which contains 4b serotype was the fourth major isolate. In order to differentiate serotype 1/2a and 3a from 1/2c, amplification of flaA gene was used. L. monocytogenesis isolates were also examined for the presence of inlC, inlJ and hlyA virulence genes. 26 out of 36 isolates were positive for inlC, and inlJ, whereas hlyA gene was detected in 32 isolates. Chicken carcasses may act as a source of infectious listeriosis for humans living in this area.

Probiotics have shown beneficial effects on growth parameters of various food animals. In this research, the growth promoting effects of a multi-strain probiotic was investigated on common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Accordingly, 200 fish (6-7g) were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups. The first group received placebo and was served as the negative control. The second group received the prebiotic Fermacto at 3g/kg diet and was considered as the positive control. The remaining 2 groups received a multi-strain probiotic (PTX) at 75 and 150mg/kg feed, respectively. The body weights and lengths of all fish were measured at the end of the experiment (day 45). The amounts of protein, fat, ash and dry matter of fish meat were analyzed in all experimental groups (n= 6 each). The probiotic, at 75mg/kg feed, significantly increased the body weights and lengths, as well as the condition factor. Consistently, the feed conversion rate was lower in PTX treated groups. The percentage of meat fat was significantly lower in groups receiving either the probiotic at 150mg/kg feed, or Fermacto, compared to the control. The fish receiving PTX at 150mg/kg feed showed significantly higher amounts of meat protein. The levels of meat ash and meat dry matter were not statistically different compared to the control group. The present study suggests that PTX, at 75mg/kg feed, is effective in improving the growth and feed conversion rates of common carps

Colibacillosis is of the most common infectious bacterial diseases of poultry.A total of 170 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from broiler and layer flocks implicated with colibacillosis between 2011 and 2014 were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Among 150 E. coli isolates from typical lesions of local and systemic colibacillosis, 54 (31.8%), 37 (21.7%), 36 (21.2%) and 43 (25.3%) isolates determined as belonged to groups A, B1, B2 and D, respectively. The distribution of phylogenetic types for 20 isolates, obtained from apparently healthy birds as controls, were 9 (45%), 5 (25%), 1 (5%) and 5 (25%) for A, B1, B2 and D, respectively. Overall, the phylogenetic Determination revealed the B2 groups as predominant isolates in diseased birds, whereas the A group was apparently predominant in healthy birds. Results of this study represent genotypic diversity among different manifestations of avian colibacillosis.

Fleas are the most common and important external parasites worldwide and also serves as vectors of various pathogens for humans and animals. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Pulex irritants in sheep herds and residential areas of villages in Kurdsitan Province, Iran. A total of 2,900 sheep were randomly selected from 48 flocks and 630 residential areas of 18 villages from November 2011 to October 2012. The collected fleas were identified by key fleas. Results revealed that 259 (8.93%) sheep from 31 flocks (65.51%) and 31 (4.92%) residential areas were infested with P. irritants. Of 1323 P. irritants, 503/1323 (38.02%) and 820/1323 (61.98%) were male and female, respectively. Of these, 950 (72%) were from animals and 373 (28%) were from residential areas. The highest infection rate was found in age group less than one year (30.93%, 29/92). The body distribution of all collected flea was found to be from back part of the body (100%). Seasonal distribution of P. irritants in examined animals had significant difference. Geographical distribution of P. irritants indicated that the highest infection rate was found in Marab region (6.03%). The highest flea infestation was also found in summer (41.8%) with a total number of 450 fleas out of 1323 (34.01%). From the results of this study, it was concluded that P. irritants was a prevalent flea in sheep and residential areas in the region and may serve as an important vector for pathogenic agents.