BACKGROUND: Herbal immunostimulants have numerous potential benefits in comparison to vaccines and drugs like antibiotics in aquaculture. OBJECTIVES: In this study, effects of administration of Echinacea purpurea in oral and intra peritoneal routs on some hematological and immunological parameters of the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were investigated. METHODS: A total of 240 healthy juvenile grass carp were randomly divided into four equal groups in triplicates. Group 1 received 400 mg/kg b.w. Echinacea in intra peritoneal injection. Group 2  received 0.5% Echinacea in their daily food. Group 3 and 4 were considered as injection control and oral control, respectively. Fish were bled on day 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 of study. Sera samples were assayed for immunological parameters: lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity, complement activity and NBT reduction assay. Blood samples were also used for hematological parameters: (PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC and Leukocyte differentiated count). RESULTS: Results showed that serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity as well as complement and NBT reduction activity were significantly higher in i.p. treatment than the control group (p<0.05), while in oral treatment bactericidal and NBT reduction activity increased significantly on days 30 and 40 (p<0.05). Hematological assay shows no significant differences in PCV, Hb and RBC values at each sampling period in oral and injection compared to controls (p>0.05) but WBC count and  rate of heterophils showed an increase in injection treatment group compared with the control (p<0.05). Mortality rate after challenged with A. hydrophila decreased in Echinacea treated treatments. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that administration of E. purperea stimulates some nonspecific immune responses in grass carp and therefore it can be recommended as an herbal immunostimulant in fish.

BACKGROUND: Annexins (including annexin A1 and annexin A2) are important proteins which have some roles in organisms such as intracellular signal conduction, membrane cellular skeletal connection, cellular proliferation and differentiation, especially inhibitory function in inflammation processing. Pasteurella multocida is the most common bacterial pathogen and has high prevalence in pneumonia. Objectives: This study was aimed to determine experimentally annexin A1 and annexin A2 in the serum of calves affected by Pasteurella multocida pneumonia. Methods: In this research, 10 male calves (2 - 4 months) were allocated to two equal groups, one group as the case: 300 ml in dilution 2×109 CFU Pasteurella multocida bacteria and the other as control group: 300 ml normal saline inoculated by special lavage catheter through oral to trachea. Clinical scores were recorded based on available tables. In treatment group, about 18 to 24 hours after inoculation and synchronous with observation clinical signs changes, bronchoalveolar lavage for cytology and bacteriology examination were done of fluids results from washing. Blood sampling was taken from calves jugular vein in both groups then blood serums were examined by using ELISA kits. Results: The rates of annexin A1 and annexin A2  in blood serum of treatment group showed significant increase (using independent t test) compared to control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: It seems these annexins (annexin A1 and annexin A2) can be used as important biomarkers in blood serum to diagnose inflammation processes such as pneumonia.

Introduction and objective: Salmonella spp. are zoonotic pathogens have been infected a wide range of domestic and wild animals. Opportunistic wild carnivores such as Golden jackal (Canis aureus) which stray in high numbers around the rural areas can act as potential sources of salmonella spp in humans and wild &amp; domestic animals in North Iran.The object of this survey was to examine the Salmonella spp infection including the antibiotic-resistant pattern in golden jackals in Golestan and Mazandaran Province.Material and Methods: Between 2013 and 2015, fecal samples of 50 road-killed Golden jackals (Canis aureus), were collected and analyzed for Salmonella contamination by classical microbiological culture methods and PCR followed by serotyping and determining of antibiotic resistant pattern.Results: 5 Salmonella belonging to 2 serotypes: S typhymurium (3/5) and S arizona (2/5) were isolated by culturing and PCR. The rate of Salmonella contamination was similar between females and males and higher incidence detected in jackals under 2 years old.Conclusion: 10% Salmonella infection of sampled golden jackals highlights the neglected role of this species in zoonotic diseases dissemination and posing a great threat to human health in rural areas of Golestan and Mazandaran Provinces.The epidemiological study on role of wild animals in the spread of salmonella and developing strategy for salmonellosis prevention and control seems necessary.

BACKGROUND: FMD is one of the most important animal health problems in the world and is ranked at the top of the list A of potentially epidemic infectious diseases of livestock (OIE). FMD virus infects a wide range of domestic and wild cloven hooved animals and causes clinical signs. The disease is mild zoonotic and 70 wild mammal species from 20 animal families are susceptible to infection. Also, birds are mentioned as transferring agent of FMD virus in several references. OBJECTIVES: The motivation of this study was due to observation of a significant presence of pigeons in FMD involved farms in the epidemic of serotype O2016 in the first months of 2016. METHODS: After hunting of six pigeons gathering food in FMD involved farms, their blood samples were collected. In the laboratory, FMDV genome was traced by RT-PCR with aphtovirus universal primers and final product was sequenced. RESULTS: The 328 bp band indicating a positive result was observed in electrophoresis of all samples. These results were also confirmed in repeated experiments. Then the RT-PCR products were sequenced in both directions. Alignment and BLAST results indicated more than 97% identity of virus from samples with FMD registered viruses in Genebank, demonstrating the presence of FMD virus genome in the blood of the pigeons. CONCLUSIONS: This result indicates FMD virus genome viremia in the blood of pigeons. It is worth noting that pigeons’ infection is very important because this species is a free flight bird and has the possibility of transmitting the virus over long distances, thereby causing new epidemics. Finally, it is necessary for further studies to investigate the possible presence of clinical signs in the pigeons, the possibility of shedding, routs and virus titers of shedding from any of the possible ways.

AbstractBACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal nematodes causing digestive problems, anemia and weight loss in sheep and goat. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to introduce FAMACHA test and usage of it for early detection of infected animals with gastrointestinal nematodes (especially Haemonchus contortus) to reducing of treated sheep population with anthelmintic drug and selection of resistant animals. METHODS: In this study 120 Ghezel sheep breed lambs were used in age of 4 to 6 months. The lambs were chosen randomly from 6 different grazing flocks with 20 lambs in each of them. Sampling and FAMACHA test scoring was carried out in 2014. Blood samples was collected for calculating of packed cell volume percent and fecal sampling was collected for counting of egg per each grams of fecal and body weight was investigate. The sampling was carried out 2 times with a week apart. RESULTS: Results showed that the effects of FAMACHA, flocks and interaction between them on parasite eggs per gram of fecal was significant (p<0.01) and also the effect of FAMACHA on the percentage of packed cells volume was significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the FAMACHA test scoring could be used as a synergetic and alternative method to early diagnosis of infestation to blood sucking nematodes and prevention of new cases of drug resistant and selection of resistant animals in Iran.Key words: FAMACHA test, Haemonchus contorts parasite, Haemonchosis, sheep

Back grounds: Thyroid hormons have an important role in regulation of metabolism of protein and energy metabolism in animals , particularly in ruminents.Objectives: In this study it was investigated the histopathology of thyroid glands and hormonal changes of T3 and T4 in water buffalo in Ahvaz, IRAN.Methods: The thyroid gland tissues and blood samples were collected from 89 slaughtered buffaloes ( 66 females, 23 males). thyroid glands were selected and cut in to small pieces for standard histological processing, then the samples were stained with ( H &amp; E) procedure and microscopically evaluated. Serum T3 and T4 concentration were measured by elisa methods. The data analyzed by the use of T- test. Results: The results showed that) 31% (of thyroid glands have pathological lesions. The lesions respectively includes; focal hyperplasia ( 31.5 %), metaplasia ( 2.2 %), and chronic thyroiditis ( 1.1%). Also the results showed that) 30.3%( female and )52.2 %( male buffaloes have pathological lesions.We found that T4 concentration of normal buffaloes without thyroid gland lesions was significantly higher than the other buffaloes ( P= 0.02).Conclusions: This study showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between T3,T4 concenterations in buffaloes with thyroid gland lesions ( r = 0.4 , P<0.05), while this correlation was weak between normal buffaloes ( r = 0.1, P>0.05).

BACKGROUND: The rearing of large body size and high ability to twinning by genetic selection and nutritional strategies is expanding. However, lambs’ performance and decreased losses related to the multiple-bearing around lambing can affect the efficiency of multi-bearing. Recognition and control of changes in metabolic factors priparturient have vital importance. Pre-lambing and immediately after lambing could be considered as the most important and critical period of ewe life which affects heath and performance of ewes and lambs. Objectives: This experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of protected methionine supplementation during pre-lambing period on metabolic factors of twin-bearing ewes through priparturient period and their lambs as well. Methods: Sixteen pregnant Afshari ewes weighting 91.5 ± 5.3 kg and  117 ± 1.5 days of pregnancy were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments containing no methionine supplementation and 3gr/kg DM of protected methionine. They were individually fed total mixed ration twice a day. Dry matter intake was recorded daily; the blood samples were drawn on days -30, -15, +1 and +30 related to lambing; ewes’ BWs were measured on days -40, -20, -10, +1, +10 and +20 related to lambing; lambs were weighted on days of birth, +15, +30 and +60. Results: The BW of lambs of ewes supplemented with protected methionine was greater than the control group (p<0.05), protected methionine affected pre-lambing blood urea and albumin concentration (p<0.05), plasma cholesterol was higher in control group (p<0.05) and total protein and albumin tended to be significant (p<0.1) and other blood factors were not influenced by treatments. Conclusions: These results show that blood metabolites are influenced as animals approach  the lambing time. In addition, rumen protected methionine resulted in improved birth weight of multi-bearing ewes’ lambs and caused improved blood metabolites related to N, considering the interaction between time and treatment.

Backgrounds: Unhygienic poultry feedstuffs can lead to nutrient losses and detrimental effect on poultry production and public health. Objectives: This study was to investigate the fungal contamination of poultry feed and its ingredients in broiler farms in Torbat Heydarieh, Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. Methods: A total of 240 poultry feed samples comprising three different feeds were collected and examined using dilution plating technique. Preparations of all samples from successive dilutions were prepared; and then 0.1 ml of each dilution was cultured on the surface of Potato Dextrose Agar supplemented with Chloramphenicol and was incubated at 27 °C for 7 days. Fungal colony counting was performed based on CFU/gr. The fungi were identified by gross and microscopic features. Statistical analysis of the data were done using SPSS software version 21. Results: In examined samples, fungal contamination was detected in 205 samples (85/14 %) out of 240 samples. The corn (32/5%) was most contaminated feed, followed by soybean (29/16%) and finished feed (23/75%). The predominant fungi isolated were Fusarium spp. (41/3 %), Penicillium spp. (37/9%), Cladosporium spp. (21.3 %), Paecilomyces spp. (17.1%), Aspergillus fumigatus (13/3 %), Aspergillus niger (12.9%) and Yeast spp. (12.9 %). Frequency of toxin -forming fungi was significantly higher than the non- toxin -forming fungi (P<0/001). The mean total count of fungi was estimated 2/9 × 105 CFU/gr.Conclusions: The findings of this research showed the high prevalence of fungal contamination as well as high frequency of toxin -forming fungi. Therefore, the feed raw materials are important vehicles for introduction of fungal organisms into poultry feed and fungal growth reduces the nutritional value of feeds. It should be considered to plan a program in order to control, limit and delete of the fungi from feeds.

BACKROUND: The use of feed withdrawal method for molt induction can be caused physiological stress and negatively affected the immunological response of hens. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to survey of hormonal changes and immunological response in hens fed by alfalfa molt diet during the molt period. METHODS: In this experiment 108 Hy-line (W36) laying hens aged 74 weeks in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 6 replicates were used. The using treatments for 12 days molt period were included: 1- control group fed with layer ration (FF), 2- feed withdrawal group (FW), 3- group fed with 90% alfalfa and 10% layer ration (A90). Performance of birds was monitored for 12 weeks after the end of the molting period. RESULTS: Total circulating leukocyte were generally lower in FW hens group compared with the other groups during the initial stage of molt (P<0.05). On d 3 and 6 of molt, heterophil to lymphocyte ratio were incresed in molted hens and FW hens had higher levels than other groups. On d 3 of molt, plasma corticosterone was generally incresed in molted hens and FW hen higher level than A90 hens (P<0.05). Plasma T3 was significantly decreased in molted hens than nonmolted hens during the molt period (P<0.05). Plasma T4 was significantly increased in molted hens than nonmolted hens during the molt period (P<0.05). On d 6 and 9 of molt, concentrations of T4 were higher in FW hens than in the A90 hens (P<0.05). Date of reentry and days return to 50% and 80% egg production were significantly lower in A90 groups than in the FW groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that, A90 diet can limit physiological stress and improve the performance of immunological response that accompany feed withdrawal method during an induced molt.

Background: Candidiasis is a fungal infection that is often caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans) and in a few cases caused by other Candida species. Infection of gastrointestinal tracts including mouth, esophagus and stomach, as well as enteritis and diarrhea are the most common form of the disease in cattle. Clinical findings: In January 2015 reduction in milk production and severe watery diarrhea were observed in a dairy farm located in Varamin city Tehran, Iran. So that 57.1% of cows with high milk production efficiency and 40% of cows with low milk production efficiency involved severe watery diarrhea. Laboratory tests: in clinical examination of affected animals vital signs such as number of breathing, heart rate, as well as the quality and number of ruminal movements were quite normal. No unusual sings were seen in CBC pattern of affected animals. In stool samples of affected animals no viruses or bacteria were detected while specimens were positive for yeast contamination RapID commercial kits used to identify the genus and species of yeast and C. famata was diagnosed as the cause of diarrhea. Final evaluation: Reports of diarrhea caused by fungal pathogens in animals is very low and Candida species, especially C. albicans and C. glabrata are known as the main causes of fungal diarrhea in animals .This study is the first repot about occurrence of C. famata diarrhea in adult cattle. So that C.famata could be considered as one of the potential causes of diarrhea in cattle.