BACKGROUND: Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a DNA virus from the genus capripoxvirus. Though the morbidity rate of this virus is different among species, it involves all ages. This disease was limited to sub-Saharan Africa though it gradually spread to other African countries and the Middle East. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical and epidemiologic indices of the virus in two groups of native and Holstein cattle. METHODS: In this research, 1652 native cattle (group 1) and 1798 Holstein cattle (group 2), which were kept in 32 -unvaccinated epidemiologic units, were studied during the field investigation about the disease in Zanjan prov-ince, at first outbreak of LSD. All major symptoms, lesions, morbidity and mortality rates observed were recorded in pre-designed forms. None of the infected cattle in this study were vaccinated. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the cattle in both groups had skin nodules. The number of nodules in group 1 was significantly fewer than that in group 2 (P≤0.05). Moreover, edema in the legs was observed in 5.88% of group 1 and 37.14% of group 2. Moreover, 11.76% of group 1 and 45.71% of group 2 suffered from pneumonia and respiratory distress. The morbidity rate was 1.03% in group 1 and 1.98% in group 2, showing a significant difference (P≤0.05); while there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that native cows are more resistant to LSDV than Holstein cows.

BACKGROUND: Anaplasmosis is caused by an obligate intracellular, gram-negative microorganism, which be-longs to the family Anaplasmatacea and can be transmitted by ticks and other arthropods. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the status of Anaplasma spp. infection by microscopy and molecular methods in dromedary camels in Bushehr province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 139 blood samples were collected from dromedary camels in Bushehr province. Giemsa staining and nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to detect Anaplasma infection in the drome-dary camels. RESULTS: We found that 27 (19.4%) out of the total 139 blood samples were suspected for the presence of Ana-plasma spp. by morphological study. The PCR and nested-PCR sequencing results showed 111 (80%) and 134 (96%) samples positive for Anaplasma spp. and BLAST search in NCBI GenBank presented 100% identity with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii. CONCLUSIONS: The molecular results presented the high frequency of Candidatus Anaplasma camelii in camels, in Bushehr city.

BACKGROUND: Background: Y-U pyloroplasty is a surgical approach that is used to relieve pyloric stenosis. The study of different aspects of laparoscopic Y-U pyloroplasty instead of conventional approaches seems to be an appropriate alternative for the development of such surgeries in animals, as pyloric stenosis is an uncommon but important disease. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to describe the laparoscopic Y-U pyloroplasty in small animals as a new surgical technique, and to compare the duration of surgery, level of surgical stress, and postoperative pain of this method with the conventional Y-U pyloroplasty. It is important to note that this is the first time that laparoscopic Y-U pyloroplasty was performed in dogs. METHODS: A total of eight intact male and female mixed breed dogs were randomly divided into two groups of conventional (n=4) and laparoscopic (n=4) pyloroplasty. Operation time, blood glucose concentration, plasma cor-tisol levels, gastric emptying time, pyloric lumen, and diameter and width of pyloric ring, as well as the University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) were measured in both groups during pre and postoperative intervals. RESULTS: As a result, the mean operation time for conventional group was significantly lower than that for lapa-roscopic group (38.75±3.15 min vs. 116.25±14.34 min, p <0.05). Blood glucose concentrations in both groups elevated rapidly until 3 hours after surgery and then decreased until 24 hours. Plasma cortisol level in laparoscopic group, however, elevated rapidly until 5 hours after surgery. On the other hand, pyloric diameter and width of pyloric ring significantly increased in both groups. The UMPS in dogs undergoing conventional Y-U pyloroplasty was significantly higher than that in those undergoing laparoscopic Y-U pyloroplasty (p <0.001). Furthermore, pain and gastric emptying time decreased in all dogs. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that laparoscopic Y-U pyloroplasty is an applicable minimal invasive sur-gery that is performed through small incisions for the treatment of pyloric stenosis in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Induction of cholestasis is one of the methods of liver fibrosis which causes the development of oxidative stress, increased expression of fibrogenic markers, excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, and finally the incidence of fibrosis. Plantago ovata is known as a rich source of various secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, trypanoids, and ascorbic acid. OBJECTIVES: the present study, the expression of TGF- β as a fibrotic marker and serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) changes in cholestatic rats treated with P. ovata extract were evaluated. METHODS: In this study, 48 adult Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups of six animals each as follows: (1) healthy control group without bile duct ligation (BDL) surgery and treatment; (2–4) three healthy experimental plus P. ovata groups: rats without BDL, treated with P. ovata at dose levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively; (5) the BDL group: rats with BDL and treated with distilled water; and (6–8) the BDL plus P. ovata groups: rats with BDL and treated with P. ovata at dose levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rats were treated with P. ovata extract for 45 consecutive days (once per day). After euthanasia and serum isolation, ALP enzyme level was measured. Moreover, the rat liver was fixed in 10% formalin buffer solution. The immunohistochemical study was performed by TGF-β antibody. Data analysis was performed using the One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test and the Prism statistical program (p <0.0001). RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in the serum levels of ALP enzyme and TGF-β expression in BDL group. Treatment with P. ovata extract was able to significantly improve these changes in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that P. ovata extract probably due to its phenolic compounds and its antioxidant effect has a protective effect on the liver and subsequently improves the increased serum ALP level and also reduced TGF-β expression

BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera seeds are known for their high protein and vitamin content. Antioxidants are abundant in these seeds. Aqueous extraction was done. After that, an acute toxicity test was performed. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to see how a graded dose of M. oleifera aqueous seed extracts altered testicular pathology, gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves in Wistar rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei. METHODS: The rats were A, B, C, D, and E were randomly assigned to five groups with group E serving as the control group. The rats in Groups A to D were inoculated intra-peritoneal with 1× 106 virulent T. brucei brucei, and they were held for one week to demonstrate clinical signs before starting the extract therapy. Every day at 10:00 a.m., the rats were given treatment for five weeks with (75, 100, 125, and 150) mg/kg of M. oleifera aqueous seed extract for groups A, B, C, and D respectively. While the control group E received 0.5 mL/kg of water. For hema-tological indices, blood samples were collected every Monday between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. All of the rats were humanely sacrificed at the end of the six-week experiment, and their gonadal and extragonadal sperm stores were collected, tested, and processed for histopathology. RESULTS: After treatment, the rats' gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves (groups A to E) showed a substantial increase (213±1.1a; 221±2.1; 250±0.0c; 259±2.6d; 295±2.6e) × 106 and (115±1.1; 160±2.1; 153±0.0; 167±2.6; 120±0.6) × 106 respectively, compared to control group at P < 0.05 level. Sperm concentration of the right epididy-mis (60.0±1.1a; 90.2±2.1b; 96.5±0.0c; 98.7±2.6d; 69.4±0.6e) × 106 were significantly higher compare to the left epididymis (55.0±1.1; 69.8±2.1; 56.5±0.0; 68.3±2.6; 50.6±0.6) × 106. The PCV (%) and WBC (103/μL) levels in groups A, B, and C were significantly greater following infection than that in group E. Infection with T. brucei at weeks 2 and 3 shows poor semen characteristics, thereafter the semen quality has improved. CONCLUSIONS: Moringa oleifera aqueous seeds extract has drastically abridged the impact of trypanosomosis and enhanced the semen quality of the experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: Canine brucellosis may occur due to Brucella spp. other than Brucella canis. Brucella bacterium is transferred between dogs, ruminants, and humans. Therefore, there is a need for vaccinating the hosts of Brucella, especially dogs. OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluates the efficacy of Rev.1 against B. melitensis in experimentally infected dogs. METHODS: Twelve Brucella-negative dogs were divided into two groups of test and control. The animals in the experimental group were vaccinated with Rev.1. After vaccination, sera of the dogs were tested by the standard tube agglutination test (STAT) and Rose Bengal test (RBT). Five months following vaccination, dogs in both groups were inoculated with 3×109 CFU of B. melitensis biotype 1. Serum samples were taken after inoculating the bacteria and were examined using the STAT and RBT. The specimens of lymph nodes and reticuloendothelial organs were collected for bacteriological culture. RESULTS: After the inoculation of Brucella, the antibody titer was significantly higher in the control dogs than in the experimental group. B. melitensis biotype 1 was isolated from all the control dogs, but it was isolated from three dogs in the test group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings of the current study, we recommend further studies on the immuniza-tion of dogs with the Rev.1 vaccine along with vaccinating small ruminants.

BACKGROUND: Adenosine has many physiological roles in the brain, and in rodents, it changes food intake when applied centrally. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of central injection of the purine molecule adenosine on both food and fat intakes in neonatal chicks. METHODS: In the first trial, various doses of adenosine (an endogenous P1 receptor agonist), and its synthetic antagonist CGS-15943, were injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) to the chicks and the cumulative food intake was measured at definite time intervals. The second trial was similar to the first one, only the chicks were fed with a high-fat diet. RESULTS: Adenosine did not affect food or fat intake. Food consumption was increased 30 min after injection of CGS-15943. CGS-15943 also increased fat intake in chicks fed a high-fat diet. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that in the avian central nervous system, P1 receptors are entailed in the regulation of food and fat intake in an antagonistic manner.

BACKGROUND: Agama agama lizards are the most populous species of lizard in developing countries of African including Nigeria. These lizards are insectivores; they feed on insects and other arthropods, which may predispose them to different gastrointestinal parasitic infections, some of which are of zoonotic importance. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasites in Agama agama lizards trapped in and around commercial poultry houses in Gombe State, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was carried out between the months of February and December, 2017. Fresh fecal samples were collected from 200 humanly euthanized Agama agama lizards from six Local Government Areas of Gombe State. Samples were examined microscopically for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites eggs or adult worms. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 154 (77.0%) Agama agama lizards examined, comprising of 58% gastrointestinal helminthes ova and 19% coccidian oocytes. Six species of helminthes were encountered viz: Strongyluris species (25.5%), Trichuris species (13.5%), Oxyuris species (8.0%), Ascaris species (5.5%), Heterakis species (4.0%) and Capillaria species (1.5%) all belonging to the class Nematoda. Two coccidian species comprised of Eimeria (1.5%) and Isospora species (1.5%) were also encountered. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes was found to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in male (68.5%) compared to the female (45.7%) infected lizards. Coccidiosis was also higher (p> 0.05) in the male (19.4%) compared to the female (18.5%) infected lizards. Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was found to be significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the rainy season compared to the dry season of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study discovered helminthosis and coccidiosis in Agama agama lizards roaming in and around poultry pens in Gombe State. The occurrence of six helminthes and two coccidian species were recovered from infected Agama agama lizards, and prevalence rates of both parasites were significantly higher during the rainy season. Similar genus of gastrointestinal parasites detected in this study have been previously documented in man and domesticated birds. This suggests the association of Agama agama lizards in gastrointestinal parasites transmissions between susceptible hosts. Therefore, it is recommended that further studies involving molecular characterization and comparative studies of these gastrointestinal parasites in Agama agama lizards and domesticated birds should be carried out. It is also recommended that strict biosecurity should be maintained in and around commercial poultry houses to curb disease transmission by lizards or wild reptiles to birds.

BACKGROUND: Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an oncogenic deltaretrovirus causing a persistent lifelong infection of B lymphocytes. In addition to the domestic cattle, the virus can also infect water buffaloes. OBJECTIVES: Recent investigations have demonstrated the increasing prevalence of BLV infection among cattle population in Iran. Large populations of water buffaloes are also kept in different parts of Iran for milk and meat purposes. Considering economic losses induced by BLV infection in buffalo and more importantly the role of this species in virus epidemiology, the present study has investigated the BLV infection in Iranian water buffalo population. METHODS: Seroprevalence and occurrence of BLV was investigated in water buffalo population (n=100) in Khuzestan province, Southwest Iran by ELISA and nested PCR, targeting gp51 region in the envgene. RESULTS: In total, 52 samples were seropositive and represented the antibodies against BLV gp51 protein in ELISA test. Forty-seven out of 52 seropositive samples were confirmed by nested PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Such a high rate of BLV infection in water buffaloes is an alarming issue for both its eco- nomic impact due to the production losses and more importantly the epidemiological aspects in which the virus circulation among different host species will complicate the control and prevention strategies.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in poultry is one of the most important concerns in poultry. Virulence and pathogenicity of the SE isolates from Iran have not been well studied so far. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, three Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) isolates were compared with a standard SE strain (PT21) for virulence in one-day-old layer chicks. All of the isolates were supposed to be virulent because of carrying a large-sized virulence plasmid. METHODS: Fifty day-old layer chicks (LSL strain) were divided into five groups of 10 chicks and raised in separate cages until 14 days of age. All three SE isolates were cultured in brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth to reach a concentration of approximately 1010 CFU/ml. The challenged groups included three groups inoculated with three SE isolates (A20, S32, S34) and one group inoculated with SE PT21 as positive control. One group was raised as negative control without receiving any bacteria. Any mortality or morbidity observed in any group was recorded. Samples were taken from liver, jejunum and cecum at days 2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 days of age, cultured for SE isolation, colony counting and histopathological examinations. RESULTS: All challenged groups showed mild to severe diarrhea in all birds and some birds were listless especially in the first week. No signs were seen in the control group. Two mortalities occurred in challenged groups. Salmonella Enteritidis was detected in all samples until the end of experiment. The colony count showed less (100 to 1000 times less) SE in liver compared to that of cecal samples. Histopathological findings also were compatible with symptoms and bacteriological results. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that all three SE isolates were able to colonize in the digestive system of layer chicks leading to mortality or at least lower performance compared to healthy chicks