BACKGROUND: Gallibacterium anatis is a recently defined genus, which is a member of the Pasteurellaceae family. This advantageous pathogen is frequently found as part of the normal microflora of the upper respiratory tract and lower genital tract of the healthy poultry. Provided with appropriate conditions, it leads to various diseases, such as salpingitis, peritonitis, and loss of egg production with mortality in layer flocks. According to previous studies, multiple antibiotic resistance has been observed among G. anatis isolates, which can impose high costs on layer flocks. Due to the lack of the pathognomonic symptoms in the conflicts caused by this bacterium,  not enough comprehensive research has been conducted to date on the condition of this disease in Iran.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the infection rates of this bacterium via PCR.METHODS: 295 tracheal swabs were collected from 10-layer flocks. Subsequently, the suspected colonies were isolated and identified with morphological features, differential cultivation, and PCR.RESULTS: 43.72 % of the samples were positive.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that laying farms in Iran were infected with Gallibacterium anatis; thus, certain measures should be taken to control the factors reducing the production of layer flocks.

BACKGROUND: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes are two important pyogenic bacteria that cause many annual economic losses worldwide. Currently, antibiotic resistance of these bacteria is on the rise. Early detection of infection with these bacteria is important for controlling the infections caused by these two bacteria.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the contamination of cattle cutaneous abscesses with  Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes in five large cattle farms around Tehran and propose an accurate method for a rapid detection of these two bacteria.METHODS: Out of 60 cows involved in cutaneous abscesses in the summer of 2018, sterile sampling was performed to diagnose the bacterial agent that caused the abscess. Bacteriological examination of the samples was performed using standard biochemical reactions and polymerase chain reaction using specific primers.RESULTS: Of the 60 samples studied, 25 % (15.60) were isolated as Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and 20 % (12.60) as Trueperella pyogenes. In 55 % of the samples (33.60), both bacteria were present simultaneously. All the samples detected using biochemical reactions were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction.CONCLUSIONS: Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes are the main causes of cutaneous abscess in cattle farms around Tehran. Because the accurate diagnosis of the cause of abscesses is very important for effective treatment, polymerase chain reaction, based on 16S-23S rDNA and 16S rRNA, can be used to rapidly and accurately detect these bacteria in the early stages of the infection.

BACKGROUND: Impingement of the dorsal spinous processes is a common cause of pain and poor performance in sport horses.OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of impingement in dorsal spinous processes and the correlation between the occurrence of this complication and certain parameters, such as age, height, weight, discipline, breed, neck length, and clinical signs.METHODS: In this study, radiographic examination of the spine of 50 horses were performed. The information about height, weight, discipline, breed, neck length, and clinical signs were also collected. Radiographic grading was based on the degree of the changes in inter spinous spaces and their densities (0-4 degrees). The clinical examinations were carried out to evaluate the pain in the spine. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the correlation between the collected data.RESULTS: The highest incidence of impingement was seen in the middle thoracic area. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of impingement and age and the breed of the studied horses. There was no correlation between the incidence of impingement and sex, height, neck length, and weight of the studied horses.  Increased radiographic grade often leads to an increase in the severity of clinical signs. A higher grade of radiographic sign in each horse was indicative of more involved inter spinous spaces.CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, Grade 3 and 4 had high specificity with clinical signs; therefore, preparation of a radiograph of the spine before purchasing a horse could be highly recommended.

BACKGROUND: Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria is an area that has rapidly expanded over the recent years. It is one of the new methods of improving probiotics stability, through which the biological agents are protected with an enclosed coating to release the active agents within the coating at a controlled rate in time and under special conditions.OBJECTIVES: The present study the aims to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum microencapsulation with chitosan/alginate microparticles on the oxidative response of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus).METHODS: Herein, 240 pieces of Nile tilapia, with an average weight of 15.56±0.02 g, were randomly divided into four groups as follows: group1 or control with a diet without probiotics, groups 2, 3, and 4 respectively with a diet containing 108 Log CFU/g of unencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, a diet containing microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum, and with feed containing alginate with chitosan without the presence of bacteria. They were fed for 60 days at the rate of 2 % of body weight twice a day.RESULTS: The activity level of oxidative enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes of the Nile tilapia fish were investigated. The findings revealed that oxidative enzymes, biochemical factors, and liver enzymes were positively affected in the groups with microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum (P<0.05). The three enzymes of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were higher in the micro-encapsulated probiotic group compared to the two groups of probiotics and alginate with chitosan without the presence of bacteria, and all the three groups performed better compared to the control (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: Microencapsulation of probiotics maximizes the efficiency of probiotics in reducing oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that resistance to antibiotics is increasing, and because of their wide range of negative impacts on the environment and humans, also accumulative effects in fish meat and hazards for humans, there have been numerous studies conducted using medicinal plants as a healthier alternative to antibiotics.OBJECTIVES: This study examined the antibacterial effect of two native medicinal herbs (oregano and echinacea mixed essential oil) on Lactococcus garvieae compared with some commercial antibiotics used in fish farms.METHODS: The antibacterial activities against a fish bacterial pathogen (Lactococcus garvieae) were tested using the disk diffusion method, followed by the determination of minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBC) concentrations via sequential dilution of essential oil by Broth Micro Dilution method.RESULTS: The results showed antimicrobial activities of mentioned mixed essential oil with MIC ≥ 6.25 μL/mL and MBC ≥ 12.5 μL/mL. Also, the measurements of the diameter of inhibitory zones are consistent with the results of MIC and MBC, indicating the positive effect of this plant mix oil Lactococcus garvieae. However, the Lactococcus garvieae was more sensitive to Enrofloxacin (NFX 5), and Sulfamethoxazole &amp; Trimethoprim (SXT) (P<0.05), but the combination of Oregano and Echinacea essential oils performed better than Florfenicol (FF) despite the weaker effects against mentioned two antibiotics.CONCLUSIONS: The results approved the antibacterial activity of the mixed essential oil of oregano and Echinacea against Lactococcus garvieae on the laboratory scale. Using these compounds as a possible substitute for antibiotic compounds requires more clinical studies.

BACKGROUND: Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BHV-1) belongs to the  Alpha herpesviral family. The virus is the cause of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Bovine Abortion. In the initial infection, the virus proliferates excessively. Moreover, shedding the virus leads to conditions in the latent phase of the disease. Infectious Bovine Vulvovaginit (IPV ) is the genital form of the disease that represents a genital infection and transmits via pustules and mucopurulent secretions. Exposure to the virus in genital mucosa leads to IPV infection through mating or artificial insemination and the diseases that can be transmitted to healthy livestock by frozen sperm during artificial insemination.OBJECTIVES: Viral contamination of the semen is one of the routes to spread the disease among dairy cattle. Therefore, we investigated the presence of the virus in domestic and frozen imported semen consumed in industrial dairy cattle farms.METHODS: In the present study, 140 frozen straws were collected. After melting each straw, 200 µl of obtained semen was used for DNA extraction, which was done directly on the semen samples and via a Genome Extraction Kit. Subsequently, to ensure the accuracy of the extraction, the PCR technique was done using PRM-1 gene primer. Tracking the viral genome was done using the PCR technique and known primers.RESULTS: In total, one out of 140 samples was found to be virally contaminated, and IBR contamination was confirmed by repeating all the steps and determining the gene sequence.CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to further investigate the possibility that contamination can be transmitted via frozen semen, given that even one out of 140 samples is contaminated, and the importance of the disease.

BACKGROUND: Intensive aquaculture and commercialization production are believed to be needed for improving fish health status and probiotics are candidates to achieve this goal. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we utilized Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus pentosus as autochthonous food supplementation for biochemical investigation in rainbow trout. METHODS: In the current study, 240 juvenile rainbow trout with an average weight of 15 ± 2 g were randomly divided into four groups with three replications. Group 1, 2, and 3 were fed with 108 CFU/g of L. plantarum, L. pentosus, and the combination of these two probiotics, respectively. The control group was fed with the normal diet, for 60 days (2 % of body weight, 3times per day). Samples were taken at days 0 and 60 and biochemical parameters and hepatic enzymes activity were then investigated. RESULTS: Most biochemical factors had positive changes in the fish fed with probiotics, particularly in L. plantarum group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the results exhibited a significant decrease in ALP level in the probiotic groups, particularly in L. pentosus group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, AST enzyme activity in plantarum+pentosus group was higher than that in the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicated the effectiveness of food supplementation with probiotics in fish diet with the preference of probiotic to improve the biochemical factors and hepatic enzymes activity of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

BACKGROUND: Backyard poultry are at risk of exposure to various viral contagious diseases such as Newcastle (ND) and Avian Influenza (AI). These diseases, in addition to the backyard poultry infection have an influence on villagers’ livelihoods. Also, backyard poultry plays an important role in circulation and survival of these viruses in environment and are considered as a risk factor for the poultry industry. OBJECTIVES: Studying the prevalence level of ND and Influenza H9N2 diseases in backyard chickens in Iran, in 2014-2015. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for two years (2014-2015) in backyard chickens with mortalities suspected of infection with ND or AI H9N2 viruses. Each mortality report was considered as one outbreak. For detection of possible ND or influenza virus infection tracheal and lung tissue samples were investigated by RT-PCR reaction test. Results were analyzed statistically by SPSS software. RESULTS: Overall, 121 outbreaks of Newcastle or influenza (H9N2) disease with 25.936 cases of death from 17 provinces were reported in two years. of  these, 54 outbreaks (44/6 %) were caused by H9N2 influenza virus, 58 (47/9 %) by velogenic ND virus and 9 (7/4 %) outbreaks were caused by influenza and Newcastle concurrent infection. Hotspot ratio in 2015 was significantly higher than in 2014. In comparison with Newcastle disease alone or concurrent ND and influenza outbreaks, the highest mean mortality rate was observed in H9N2 outbreaks. Outbreaks were reported in all seasons but the rate of occurrence in the months of June and July was significantly higher than the rest of the year. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results ND and H9N2 influenza virus infections are widely distributed in backyard chickens of villages in Iran. So, for implementation of control strategies, education of villagers, vaccination and annual surveillance of backyard poultry seem necessary.

BACKGROUND: It is possible for Sex reversal of eggs with female embryo using anti-aromatase agents, and the hatchlings have an improved performance. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to survey the effect of in ovo injection of 0.1 mL Nettle (Urtica dioica) and mushroom extracts and Fadrozole hydrochloride as anti-aromatase agents  on sex differentiation of broiler chickens. METHODS: 366 fertile eggs from Ross 308 strain broiler breeders were divided into 4 groups. At the beginning of the fifth day of incubation in ovo injection operation was carried out. A control group was injected with 0.1 mL distilled water. The hatched chickens were then reared in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 6 replicates for 42 days. RESULTS: In ovo injection of 0.1 mL of fadrozole hydrochloride, mushroom and nettle extracts led to 100, 66.67 and 37.5 percent sex reversal, respectively (p < /em><0.05). During the whole of the experimental period, daily feed intake and daily weight gain of chickens of fadrozole hydrochloride and mushroom extract groups were higher than those on the control and nettle extract (p < /em><0.05). Fadrozole hydrochloride reduced levels of serum triglyceride and VLDL (p < /em> <0.05), but there was no significant difference in cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (p < /em>> 0.05). White blood cells and hematocrit percentage were not affected by experimental treatments (p < /em>> 0.05). Compared with other treatments, in ovo injection of mushroom extract caused a significant increase in the number and average diameter of muscle fibers (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study confirm the significant anti-aramatogenic properties of the mushroom extract and the positive effect of in ovo injection of  mushroom extract on the sexes reversal and improvement in performance of broiler chickens.

BACKGROUND: Bovine tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis is an important disease that has negative effects on public health and entails economic loss. Traditional controlling programs for cattle  focus on test and slaughter strategy, and false positive is one of the disadvantages associated with tuberculin skin test. To overcome this limitation, proteins with high specificity have to be utilized. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to clone and express virulent protein CFP-10 from Mycobacterium bovis AN5. METHODS: Full-length genes of cfp-10 were amplified by PCR technique. In parallel, pET23a(+) and PCR products were double digested by EcoRI and HindIII. Ligation was performed at 16˚C followed by transformation into competence E. coli DH5α. After being identified with sequencing, the cloned vector was transformed into E. coli BL21. Induction was performed by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). Urea 8M was used to dissolve the expressed protein in the inclusion body form. Recombinant protein was purified by Nickle-Resin, and urea was eliminated by decreasing the gradient. RESULTS: The CFP-10 gene clone was proved by sequencing method. The CFP-10, as a 10 KDa protein, was confirmed by Western blotting using monoclonal antibodies. Based on the results, the recombinant protein was successfully cloned and expressed. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that cfp-10 gene was successfully cloned and expressed in prokaryotic system, indicating that this recombinant protein could be utilized in diagnostic kits against bovine tuberculosis in the future.