BACKGROUND: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, especially Aspergillus spp, on grains and animal feeds. The most important mycotoxins are aflatoxins, including aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in the feed ingredients of livestock and poultry and to evaluate the effect of the season and spatial variation on aflatoxin contamination. METHODS: Ninety-three feedstock samples were collected from three major factories in Kermanshah province, Iran, during four seasons. The samples were analyzed by HPLC, and values for aflatoxins were determined. The sum of the aflatoxins was determined as the total for each sample. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 23 using general linear model (GLM) based on complete block design (samples and seasons). RESULTS: Six out of 93 samples were positive for aflatoxin B1. Positive samples were mainly related to cold seasons. Moreover, no significant difference was found between the positive samples in terms of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, G2, and total). CONCLUSIONS: The aflatoxin B1 levels in animal feed were found higher during rainy seasons compared to the summer season. The aflatoxin B1, carried over from feed to livestock and poultry products in different seasons, may cause high contamination in livestock and poultry products at levels over the tolerance limit. Therefore, continuous surveillance of aflatoxins is required in animal feeds to reduce animal and consequently human exposure

Background: Salmonella is one of the most important zoonotic agents known to infect humans and a wide range of animals, including poultry. Salmonella Infantis has been one of the 15 most frequently isolated serovars throughout the world. Despite its clinical importance, little is known about the molecular characteristics of S. Infantis strains from Iran. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was mainly to type a number of S. Infantis isolates obtained from Iranian poultry flocks in the last decade by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). METHODS: Forty five Salmonella Infantis isolates, mostly from poultry origin, were subjected to PFGE according to protocol of the CDC PulseNet. RESULTS: PFGE revealed 27 pulsotypes and eight clusters among 45 isolates based on the number of observed bands among the pulsotypes. The distribution of 45 isolates among the 27 pulsotypes was variable and included from one to nine isolates. One pulsotype included nine (20%) isolates. The genotypic similarity among 45 isolates was more than 90%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the value of PFGE in determining the genotypic similarity among S. Infantis isolates. The high genotypic similarity shown by PFGE among the S. Infantis isolates of this study suggested that the majority of S. Infantis isolates studied may have descended from a common ancestor that has differed little and is responsible for the contamination of poultry flocks and possibly humans as well

Background: Salmonellosis is increasingly recognized as a worldwide public health concern. Salmonella Infantis can infect both humans and animals, including poultry. It has been one of the most reported isolated serovars from different parts of the world. Although some research has been carried out on the pathogenesis of S. Infantis, little scientific understanding of its pathogenesis is available.Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the virulence genes of S. Infantis recovered from different sources of poultry in Iran.Methods: Six virulence genes of 54 S. Infantis strains originated from broiler feces, poultry processing, and broiler carcasses were examined. Gene-specific polymerase chain reactions were designed and employed to detect the presence or absence of 6 important virulence genes (sopB, sopE, sitC, pefA, sipA, and spvC) in 54 S. Infantis isolates.Results: In this study, sopE, sitC, pefA, sipA, and sopB virulence genes were detected in 51(94.4%), 49(90.7%), 26(48.1%), 15(27.7%), and 5(9.2%) isolates, respectively. The spvC gene was not detected in any of the isolates. Conclusion: In the present study, a remarkably identical profile was found on virulence genes’ presence in isolates recovered from broiler feces and poultry processing plant sources, that is a public health concern. However, more S. Infantis isolates from various poultry sources, and human origin should be examined and analyzed. The findings of this survey can help the health researchers better understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of S. Infantis in Iran.

Background: The H9N2 subtype of influenza A viruses is considered to be widespread in poultry industry. Adamantane is a group of antiviral agents which is effective both in prevention and treatment of influenza A virus infections. These drugs inhibit M2 protein ion channel which has role on viral replication. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study is to evaluate M gene of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) of H9N2 subtype in order to find adamantane drug resistance mutations. METHODS: Over 100 suspected samples were collected from different geographical regions of Iran during 2012-2013. Samples were injected via allantoic sac of 9-11 day-old chicken embryos. A total of 11 out of 100 were AIV. The H9N2 subtype was confirmed by specific RT-PCR. The RT-PCR was conducted for full length M gene. PCR amplified products were purified and then conducted for commercial direct sequencing. Finally, sequences were checked for possible sites of adamantane resistance mutations. RESULTS: Overall, 8 out of 11 viruses harbored the adamantane resistance-associated mutations. Of which, four viruses were isolated in 2013 and four viruses in 2012. Two different resistance-associated mutations were observed during different years. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provided clear evidence concerning resistance AIVs of H9N2 subtype that were circulating in Iranian poultry sector. This concern is always present as M segment might be introduced into human influenza viruses by reassortment phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: The H9N2 subtype of avian influenzaviruses (AIVs) has been isolated in multiple avian species inmany European, Asian, African and American countries. Sincethe first outbreak of H9N2 virus in Iran in 1998, this virus haswidely circulated throughout the country, resulting in majoreconomic losses in chicken flocks. Several amino acids in thevirus ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex including the nucleoprotein(NP) and polymerase (PB2, PB1 and PA) proteins areassociated with host range and virulence. OBJECTIVES: Our aimwas to understand the molecular characterization of RNPcomplex proteins of Iranian H9N2 subtype isolates. METHODS:The full length nucleotide sequences of RNP complex genes oftwo strains designated as Ck/IR/ZMT-101/98 and Ck/IR/EBGV-88/10 were amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: The phylogeneticanalysis revealed that both strains were located indifferent sub-lineages. However, based on the genetic similarities,PB1, PAand NP genes of Ck/IR/EBGV-88/10 strain had aclose relationship with a H7N3 subtype strain, isolated fromPakistan. Most positions of RNP proteins contained amino acidstypical of avian determinants of host range. The results showedthat the Iranian RNP complex genes have undergone geneticreassortment. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous AIV monitoring inpoultry industry would help to obtain more information aboutgenetic variation of H9N2 viruses and possible emergence ofvirulent and/or pandemic viruses.