Abstract: BACKGROUND: The middle ear ossicles have a fundamental role in the transmission of sound to the inner ear and therefore it will lead to sound understanding. There is no anatomical and morphometrical research performed on this organ in 91 to 117-day-old Makouei sheep fetuses. OBJECTIVES: Morphological and morphometrical study of middle ear ossicles in Makouei sheep fetuses. METHODS: For this study 8 sheep fetuses at the age of 91 to 117 days were collected from Urmia slaughter-house, then the heads were cut and the middle ear ossicles were obtained from the tympanic bulla and each of the ossicles were assessed anatomically by means of stereomicroscope.Then factors such as shape, dimensions and processes of each of the ossicles were measured. RESULTS: Anatomical results showed that the tympanic cavity contains three middle ear ossicles; respectively Malleus, Incus and Stapes. Rostral process of malleus wasn’t found but in the same place, there was a osseous lamina between the head and muscular process of the malleus that continues to the tympanic ring. Lenticular bone and muscular process of incus weren’t found. There was a distinctive surface at the junction of the head and caudal crus of stapes for the stapedius muscle insertion. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, anatomical findinges of ossicles are similar to the other animals but there are some differences in these fetuses that can be useful for study of evolution and creation process and diagnosis of anomalies. For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test were used, and the value of P<0.05 was considered as the criterion for statistical significance.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the use of biofloc has been considerable as a culture method to protect water quality and reduce the cost of food in the environment cultured shrimp. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of biofloc on water quality, growth performance and survival of Litopenaeus vannamei post larvae reared with no water exchange. METHODS: Post larvae with weight of 7.48 ± 0.85 mg and length of 9.23 ± 0.49 mm were reared in fifteen tanks with volume of 40-L and stocking density of 10 PL/L. Different levels of biofloc were added to tanks’ water as food sources: B0 (100% concentrate); B75 (75% biofloc +25% concentrate); B50 (50% biofloc +50% concentrate); B25 (25% biofloc +75% concentrate) and B100 (100% biofloc). The experiment was carried out for twenty=eight days. Results: Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) level was lower in B25 than other treatments (P<0.05). The levels of Nitrate (mg NO3–N L−1) were significantly lower in B25 and B50 in 28 days of the experiment than in other treatments (P<0.05). At the end of the experiment, results showed that shrimp growth and survival were higher in B25 (301.23± 32.20 g and 81.56%, respectively) than in other treatments (P<0.05). The concentration of TSS tended to increase in the treatments during the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study suggest that replacement of 25% biofloc (B25) with food concentrate can improve growth performance and water quality of the cultured shrimp.

BACKGROUND: Herpes virus infections are ubiquitous in equine populations worldwide, among them equine herpes virus 4 (EHV-4) is one of the major cause of economic losses in equine industry. Infection with equine herpes virus 4 (EHV4) is well recognized as a cause of respiratory disease. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of prevalence of the EHV4 in horses with clinical signs or history associated with these viruses from four provinces of Iran using the most sensitive method, Real Time PCR Taqman assay. METHODES: Blood samples and nasal swabs were taken from 150 horses with clinical signs or history associated with these viruses from four provinces (Tehran, Golestan, West Azarbaijan and Khuzestan) of Iran. DNA of samples extracted then were used for detection by Real Time PCR. RESULTS: From 150 sampled horses, a total of 18 (12%) were found to be positive for EHV-4. A total of 7 (4.6%) blood samples and 11 (7.3%) nasal swab samples were found to be positive for EHV-4. Out of 47 sampled horses from Golestan province, 45 sampled horses from Khuzestan province, 37 sampled horses from Tehran province and 21 sampled horses from West Azarbaijan, 6 (12.76%), 3 (6.6%), 5 (13.5%) and 4 (19.04%) were positive for EHV-4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This survey confirm the presence of EHV-4 in these provinces of Iran thus consideration should be given to preventive and control programs to dissemination of these viruses.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli is a particularly complex species that is grouped into pathotypes of partly zoonotic intestinal pathogenic E. coli and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Strains belonging to ExPEC are able to cause various clinical signs in hosts and due to similar genetic determinants, these hosts may act as a source of infection for each other. OBJECTIVES: Recent reports of outbreaks of human urinary tract infections (UTIs) have stimulated interest in the potential that E. coli from animals has to cause human UTIs via the food supply especially poultry meat, so we aimed to assess the genetic relationships between strains from these two hosts. METHODS: A total  of  260  E. coli  isolates  were  obtained  from human  UTI’s (160 strains) and  poultry colibacillosis cases (100 strains)  and  phylogenetic  grouping  was  done  based  on  the Triplex-PCR  method and virulence genotyping was carried out using a modified Tetraplex-PCR detecting hly, iucD, papEF and sfa/focDE genes. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of results demonstrated that prevalence of B2 &amp; D phylogroups in human UTI’s (77%) and D &amp; A groups in poultry strains (66%) are higher than others, considerably. Statistical analysis showed that distribution of A phylogroup within poultry isolates versus human and B2 phylogroup within human isolates versus poultry ones were higher, significantly. It was shown that iucD is noticeablymore prevalent in poultry strains rather than human isolates,. Also, sfa/focDE gene was significantly more distributed in human strains than poultry isolates. CONCLUSIONS: In sum, despite the minor genetic differences between isolates from both hosts, our results showed that there are major genetic similarities in E. coli isolates from human UTI and poultry colibacillosis cases in the region and these two hosts can play an important role as infection source for the other one.   ________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND: Antibacterial drugs have long been used for prevention and treatment of poultry diseases but their misuse or overuse can make adverse effects on public health including occurrence of drug residues in poultry products. OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency and status of antibacterial drug consumption in broiler production farms in Qum province. METHODS: In the present survey, Qum province was divided into six regions (north, west, southwest, south, southeast and east) and in total 138 broiler production units (59%) were studied by direct interview using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The present study showed that the most frequently used antimicrobial drugs in broiler farms were  sulfamethoxazole+trimethoprim (93.4%) followed by enrofloxacin (60.0%), colistin (49.7 %), furazolidone (42.0 %), oxytetracycline (17.5 %), and chloramphenicol (14.6 %). Mean antibacterial consumption rate during a 42-48 day production period was 3.0± 0.37 times per farm. A notable finding in this survey was the high percentage of banned drug usage such as furazolidone and chloramphenicol, indicating the ignorance or unawareness of poultrymen regarding the potential hazards of these drugs on public health. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to widespread and frequent usage of antibacterial drugs in broiler farms, all-out actions are needed to be taken in educational, research and administrative fields of veterinary and animal production sectors for rational and responsible use of these drugs in poultry industry.

BACKGROUND: Canine infestation of ectoparasites is of medical and veterinary importance worldwide and in Iran due to transmission of pathogen agents. OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed to determine prevalence and species diversity of ectoparasites in dogs of Gilanegharb suburb of Kermanshah province, Iran. METHODS: A total of 138 dogs (93 sheepdogs and 45 watchdogs) were randomly selected and examined from March 2012 to May 2013. The body surface was investigated for ixodid ticks and removed along with the mouthparts. The mites were also removed directly from the skin and/or using skin scraping and then digested. Fleas and lice were collected from body surface of examined dogs and identified. RESULTS: The results indicated that 65 sheepdogs (47.11%) and 43 watchdogs (31.16%) were infested with ectoparasites. There was a significant difference between prevalence and sex in dogs aged less than one-year-old (p≤0.05). The maximum and minimum ixodid ticks infestations were respectively for Rhipicephalus sanguineus (35.36%) and H. marginatum marginatum (3.06%). Tick indices (number of tick per each animal) were 2.13 with the highest body distribution in ear (24.82%) of R. sanguineus (p≤0.05). The frequency of ixodid tick infestation was significantly higher in spring (33.82%) than other seasons. Thirty five dogs (25.14%) out of all examined dogs were infested with Sarcoptes scabiei (15.33%), Demodex canis (9.81%), Ctenocephaloides canis (6.52%), Pulex irritans (3.62%), and Trichodectes canis (4.35%). CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the current study, it was concluded that there was species diversity in dogs’ ectoparasites fauna which can be transmitted to humans and served as the carrier for spreading the infective agents in the region.

Background: Colisepticemia is an acute fatal disease in farm animal neonates. Clinical finding of septicemia is non-specific and cannot be differentiate from signs of non-infectious disease or disease with local infection such as diarrhea. Object: Evaluation of clinical signs variations in calves with experimental septicemia with Escherichia coli O111:H8. Methods: Colisepticemia were experimentally induced in ten Holstein bull calves after an adaptation period. Vital signs and 7 clinical criteria were recorded from 24h before septicemia until 48h after that. Blood culture was performed and treatment was done based on antibiogram from 24h after challenge. Results: Changes of suckling reflex and shock were not significant. Changes of appetite, dehydration, behavior, standing ability, total score from 24h before the challenge to 24h after treatment were significant(P

BACKGROUND: Dew claws of ruminants are rudimentary of 2 and 5 digits and usually do not  have  functional action. Most studies about the dew claws were done on the diseases and shape-abnormality. OBJECTIVES: Because  no comprehensive study has been done on the normal features of dew claws, especially in the water buffalo which is an important animal in  Khouzestan, this study was performed on anatomy and radiology of the dew claws in the water buffalo and cow. METHODS: 136 dew claws from 11 water buffaloes and 6 cows were examined morphologically, morphometrically, and radiologically and their similarities and differences were clarified. RESULTS: Morphologic result showed that the dew claws were prismatic in shape; their bases were attached to skin at the level of the palmar or plantar surfaces of the fetlock joints. They had two bony ossicles in most cases as proximal and distal ones, but the ossicles in lateral dew claws of thoracic limb in the water buffalo were 3 in number. Proximal ossicles of the water buffalo were dumbbell-shaped, and were irregular or drop-shaped in the cow. Distal ossicles were nearly similar to the third phalanges of the main claws which were pyramid-shaped in water buffalo and triangle-shaped in the cow. Morphometrically, the measurements of the hoof and bony structures of the dew claws in the water buffalo were muchgreater than those of the cows. CONCLUSIONS: Although dew claws in both animals morphologically shared some similarities, there were morpho- metrically significant differences between the dew claws of the water buffalo and the cow. Being larger than the structures in the water buffalo may provide better adaption in static and dynamic of the animal in soft and swamp grounds. Radiologically, the best view for examination of dew claws and their elements was oblique view.

BACKGROUND: Caseous lymphadenitis, caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is one of the most important diseases of sheep and goats, causing considerable losses for herd owners. Phospholipase D (PLD) is a potent exotoxin produced by C. pseudotuberculosis and it has been considered as the major virulence factor for this bacterium, possibly contributing to the spread of the bacteria from the initial site of infection to secondary sites within the host. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important candidates for the development of vaccines because they are usually able to promote both humoral and cellular immune responses in mammals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the cloning and expression of the PLD and HSP60 genes of C. pseudotuberculosis, used subsequently to evaluate the protectivity of these recombinant proteins for vaccine development against this bacterium. METHODS: PLD and HSP60 genes were cloned into pMAL-c2X vector and recombinant plasmids construct was transformed to DH5 strain of E. coli. Expression of the proteins was shown by SDS-PAGE and accuracy of the cloned genes was confirmed by nucleotide sequence analysis. RESULTS: The transformed E. coli strain DH5 expressed PLD and HSP60 proteins effectively. The expressed fusion protein was found almost entirely in the soluble form. CONCLUSIONS: In the following studies the immunogenicity and protectivity of these recombinant proteins against C. pseudotuberculosis infections can be assessed.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans that is associated with Gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastritis and gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori is transmitted through food and water and fecal-oral and oral-oral routes and colonized in the stomach and intestines of humans and several animal species including dogs and cats, and therefore the possibility of transmission of infection from animals to humans exists. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans, related and unrelated to dogs and cats in Ahvaz, as well as its relationship with host and environmental factors. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 356 volunteers, including 147 related and 209 unrelated individuals with  dogs and cats and evaluated by ELISA. RESULTS: Apparent and real seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection were 58.4% (95% CI: 53.3 – 63.3 percent) and 44.53% (95% CI: 39.33 – 49.73 percent), respectively. The apparent prevalence in related and unrelated individuals with the dogs and cats were 72.1% (95% CI: 64.8-79.4 percent) and 48.8% (95% CI: 42-55.6 percent), respectively (p<0.001). The risk of infection in related individuals compared with unrelated was 2.71 (95% CI: 1.73 – 4.26) (p<0.001). This study showed that exposure to cats and dogs, education, history of gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders and marital status are significantly correlated with infection. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that contact with dogs and cats can be a risk factor for Helicobacter pylori infection in humans and preventive and control measures should be considered by health authorities.