BACKGROUND:Avian reoviruses (ARVs) are members of theOrthoreovirus genus; one of the 12 genera of the Reoviridaefamily. The ARVs are the cause of some important diseases inpoultry such as reovirus-induced arthritis, tenosynovitis,chronic respiratory disease, and mal-absorption syndrome.OBJECTIVES: In this study, the presence of ARVs in the Iranianbreeder flocks was investigated through reverse transcriptionpolymerasechain reaction (RT-PCR) and restriction enzymefragment length polymorphism (RFLP). METHODS: A total of800 fecal swab samples were initially collected from breederflocks (older than 45 weeks of age). They were then sent to thelaboratory in containers with PBS, and after that they werepooled and finally to 120 samples were obtained. The total RNAextracted from the pooled fecal samples were used to amplify theselected parts of the S1 (1023 bp) and S4 (437 bp) genes from theARV field isolates using RT-PCR. The positive RT-PCRamplified products were further analyzed by RFLP using fiverestriction enzymes. RESULTS: Based on the findings, 5 sampleswere positive with the S1 primer and 6 samples were with the S4one. The patterns observed after the digestion of PCR productsrevealed that the isolates of this study were identical to both theS1133 vaccine and standard strains. CONCLUSIONS: Thefindings suggested that the RT-PCR/RFLP analysis might beconsidered as a simple and rapid approach for the differentiationof ARVisolates. This study was the first molecular detection ofthe ARVs presence in the Iranian breeder flocks using the RTPCRamplification of the S1 and S4 genes and RFLP analysis.

BACKGROUND:The bacterial contamination of fertile eggs isthe most common cause of embryonic death in ostrich hatcheryunits leading to financial loss in ostrich industry. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this research was to investigate the bacterialcontamination status, with emphasis on Escherichia coli, ofostrich hatcheries and the antimicrobial resistance profile ofisolated Escherichia coli. METHODS:Atotal of 120 ostrich eggswith dead embryos, at weekly intervals, were collected fromthree ostrich hatcheries. The dead embryos were sent tolaboratory and samples were collected aseptically from differentorgans. Bacterial detection and identification were performed byusing standard bacteriological and biochemical techniques.Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by agar diskdiffusionmethod against 27 antimicrobial agents. RESULTS:Different types of bacteria were isolated from 56 eggs (46.7%).Twenty-four ostrich eggs were shown to carry E. coli. In someeggs, in addition to yolk sac, E. coli was also isolated frommeconium, liver, or heart blood which increased the total numberof E. coli isolates to 32. All E. coli isolates were susceptible totrimethoprim + sulphamethoxazole, danofloxacin, and flumequine,whereas all were resistant to carbenicillin and erythromycin.Resistance to other agents was variable. Multi-drugresistance pattern was found among all E. coli isolates andincluded 2 to 12 drugs. Thirty-two E. coli isolates generated 30different resistance profiles against 27 antimicrobial drugs.CONCLUSIONS: This was the first comprehensive reportregarding the bacterial, particularly Escherichia coli, contaminationof dead-in-shell ostrich embryos and antimicrobial resistancestatus of the Escherichia coli isolates from ostrich eggs inIran.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis causedby Leptospira interrogans. Leptospirosis results in decreasedmilk production, abortion, stillbirth, infertility and mortality,which causes financial loss in the cattle industry. OBJECTIVES:The aim of this research was to perform a serological andbacteriological study of leptospirosis in 6 industrial dairy herdsand 3 feedlots with previous records of leptospirosis in Tehransuburbs in 2011-2012. METHODS: For the purpose of this study,408 blood samples from dairy cattle and 154 blood samples fromfeedlots were collected using sterile 10ml venoject vacutainersfrom tail vein. Two months later, 118 urine samples werecollected from 20% of the two groups of serological negative andpositive animals. All serum samples were serologically tested bymicroscopic agglutination test (MAT), a standard method forserological diagnosis of leptospirosis. The serum samples weretested for antibodies against five live antigens of Leptospirainterrogans serovars: Pomona, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiaeand Canicola. Urine samples were used forbacteriological isolation of Leptospira spp. RESULTS: Serologicalresults showed that 228 (40.6%) of animals had a positivereaction against one or more serovars. The most prevalentLeptospira serovars was Pomona 118 (40.3%) and the leastprevalent was Canicola 4 (1.4%). The most prevalent titer was1:100, and the highest titer was 1:1600. Also the mostseropositive cases were observed in 3 to 4-year-old cows.Bacteriological results revealed that in 11 (9.3%) urine samplesLeptospira spp. were isolated, all taken from one feedlot farm.According to the history taken from each farm, the main riskfactors were the presence of rodents and low hygienic conditionsof the farms. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealedthat cows could have a major role in maintaining Pomona,Grippotyphosa and Hardjo serovars; indeed, they are a potentialzoonotic risk to slaughter house workers, meat inspectors,milkers and farmers.

BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV) is a vector-borneagent that is maintained within a bird-mosquito cycle. In humansand equids, infection by this agent is usually asymptomatic, orcharacterized by a mild febrile illness. However, fatal meningoencephalitisor encephalitis may occur. OBJECTIVES:The aim ofthis study was to evaluate the prevalence of WNVinfection andcorrelation of this organism with host and environmentaldeterminants in horses in Khuzestan province. METHODS: In2011-2012, serum samples of 155 horses were randomly collectedfrom 7 zones of Khuzestan province and were examined byELISAassay. RESULTS: Seroprevalence of WNVinfection was70.3% (95% CI: 63.1-77.5%). Statistical analysis showed thatage, zone, presence of lake, type of bed, time of sampling, stayingout of the stable after sunset and the method of insect control aresignificantly associated with infection (p<0.05) but sex, presenceof river, wall condition, presence of rubbish dump and history ofdisease are not significantly associated with infection (p>0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study confirm that theWNV infection exists in Khuzestan province. Considering thelocal weather conditions and the facility of vector-bornetransmission, the health authorities should take measures toprevent and control the infection.

BACKGROUND: Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused byCoxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributedworldwide. In cattle, Coxiella burnetii infections are generallyasymptomatic but can also be associated with reproductivedisorders. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to achievemolecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in dairy bovine milkfarms using Nested PCR in Qom province, Iran. METHODS:From January to February 2011 (winter) and July to September2011(summer) a total of 100 bovine bulk milk samples wereequally collected from five areas of Qom. The nested PCR assayused to screen for C. burnetii was designed from the nucleotidesequence of the com1 gene encodin a 27-kD outer membraneprotein (OMP). RESULTS: In this study, 14% (14 of 100) of bulkmilk were positive. CONCLUSIONS: These results support thehypothesis of high prevalence and endemic pattern of Q fever inQom province of Iran.

BACKGROUND:Uncontrolled application of diazinon (DZN)can cause environmental contamination and adverse healtheffects on humans or animals. OBJECTIVES:This study aimed toinvestigate the toxic effects and the level of DZN in serum andtissues of rabbits following a sub acute dermal exposure totoxicant. METHODS:Different doses of DZN were applied dailyto New Zealand rabbits through the ear skin in incremental dosesfor 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected at the beginning andthe end of each dose-week period. Tissue samples were collectedfrom brain, muscle, kidney and liver on day 28, after euthanizingthe rabbits. DZN contents of the blood and tissue samples weremeasured using a reversed phase HPLC system. RESULTS:Clinical observations indicated signs of toxicity in the animalsexposed to DZN as shown by diarrhea and body weight loss fromday twenty. The level of DZN in the blood elevated withenhancing exposure time and reached the highest level at the endof the fourth week (0.620±0.26ppm). The highest level of DZNwas found in the brain tissue (0341±0.015 ppm). CONCLUSIONS:The results of this study revealed the tissue accumulation andsubsequent toxic effects of DZN following the subacute dermalexposure to the toxicant. It suggests that the determination of thetoxicant level in the serum or tissue can be a monitoring methodfor the detection of the contamination rate.

Backgrounds: Subclinical ketosis can cause greater economic loss due to a lack of clinical symptoms. Objectives: The present study was aimed to design a chemical method for measuring serum ketone bodies in the affected subclinical cows. Methods: Acetoacetate concentrations were measured using a nitroprusside reaction and b-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) which was oxidized to acetoacetate using nanosilver particles to determine its concentration. Recovery tests were done for different concentrations of betahydroxy butyrate in bovine pooled serum. Results: Actoacetate levels were in range of 0.1-6 mM, and the values for BHBA were found to be in the range of 0.125-3 mM. Conclusions: It was concluded that this technique can be considered as a simple method for measuring ketone bodies in biological fluids. Backgrounds: Subclinical ketosis can cause greater economic loss due to a lack of clinical symptoms. Objectives: The present study was aimed to design a chemical method for measuring serum ketone bodies in the affected subclinical cows. Methods: Acetoacetate concentrations were measured using a nitroprusside reaction and b-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) which was oxidized to acetoacetate using nanosilver particles to determine its concentration. Recovery tests were done for different concentrations of betahydroxy butyrate in bovine pooled serum. Results: Actoacetate levels were in range of 0.1-6 mM, and the values for BHBA were found to be in the range of 0.125-3 mM. Conclusions: It was concluded that this technique can be considered as a simple method for measuring ketone bodies in biological fluids.

BACKGROUNDS: Uterine infection is a amajor problem in reproductive management. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to find out the common pathological condition of cattle and buffaloes' uteri in the Ahwaz region and, also to compare uterilesions. METHODS: One hundred and thirty eight cattle and 101 buffalo uteri were examined for macroscopic lesions, opening them through the cervix to the apex of the animals' horns. The prepared tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin, eosin, and Giemsa staining. Standard bacteriorogical works, were used for the isolation and identification of aerobes and anaerobes. RESULTS: Depending on the severity of the lesions, endometritis was scored from mild (level 1) to severe (level 4). Level 1 including 39 cows (19.69%) and 36 buffaloes (28.8%); Level 2 including 37 cows (18.68%) and 28 buffaloes (22.4%); Level 3 including 23 cows (11.61%) and 22 buffaloes(17.6%); and, Level 4 including 17 cows (8.58%) and 5 buffaloes (4%). Other lesions consisted of acute metritis: (cows=4.54%), buffalo=0.8%); chronic metritis (cows= 2.02%) and buffaloes=2.4%; granulomatous metritis cow (0.5%) and buffalo (0.8%); perimetritis (cows (3.3%) and buffaloes (1.6%); pyometra: (cow 0.5%) and buffalo (0.8%); external cysts: (buffalo 0.8%); and, haemangioma: (cow (0.5%) and buffalo (0.8%). No significant correlation was found among the lesions, except for acute metritis, (p=0.475). CONCLUTIONS: Conducting a clinical and paraclinical study on fertile animals in the Ahwaz region is highly recommended to reduce the economic losses due to uterine infection.

BACKGROUNDS: Occurrence of resistance against antiparasitic drugs has made it essential for researchers to find new sources for antiparasitic drugs. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the efficiency of alcoholic extract of worm wood (Artemisia absinthium) on Syphasia parasite. METHODS: Artemisia absinthium extract was examined on 3 groups of mice at 2.5%, 5% and 10% concentrations. A group of positive control received pyrantel pamoate, while negative control group was treated by a solution containing no extract. Mice were treated orally 28 days after infection by Syphacia eggs. The efficacy of treatment was determined by Syphacia eggs in the feces. RESULTS: In groups that received either 5% or 10% concentrations of A. absinthium extract or pyrantel pamoate, microscopic examinations of the feces demonstrated no Syphacia eggs. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained from the present study showed that the alcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium may lead to a decline in the number of Syphacia eggs in the feces with minimal side effects. The extract of this plant can probably be used as a suitable alternative in the treatment of some parasitic diseases.

Background: The use of IgYs in a variety of methods in different areas of research, diagnostics, medical application and biotechnology should be considered widely. Objectives: Development of antibodies against extra cellular domain of influenza M2 (M2e) protein in egg yolk of laying hens. Methods: A Fusion construct harboring C-terminal of bovine heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and influenza M2e coding genes was injected to laying hens. Serum and egg yolk antibodies were screened for the presence of anti-M2e antibodies by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Anti-M2e antibodies were detected in egg yolks and sera of injected hens from 13 and 7 days post injection (PI), with the peak titer detected on 41 and 35 days PI, respectively. Conclusions: Anti-M2e IgY titers could be an index for expression potential of pcDNA3.1-M2e-HspC-terminal construct in laying hens. This construct could be considered as a promising tool in production of anti-M2e polyclonal, monospecific IgY antibodies. Such anti-M2e antibodies could be exploited for influenza diagnostic and therapeutic measures.