The study was conducted from September 2018 to April 2019, A total of 350chicken samples were examined from different areas of the Basrah province for thediagnosis of ectoparasites and 154 chickens were infected with ectoparasites. Fourspecies of lice were isolated, which were Menacanthus cornutus, Menacanthusstramineus, Menacanthus pallidulus, Menapon gallinae and one species of mitewhich was Dermanyssus gallinae. The experimental study was carried out toeliminate the ectoparasites where 24 chickens were purchased and placed in the fieldof the faculty of agriculture. The chickens were divided into 3 groups. First group wasthe control group and the second group was infected with ectoparasites and the thirdgroup was infected with ectoparasites which was sprayed with garlic extract at aconcentration of 10%. Ten days later, the blood parameters were measured for thethree groups where the blood parameters of the group treated with garlic extract wereclose to the blood parameters of the control groupand show significant different(P<0.05).INTRODUCTION

The present study aims to isolate and identify Escherichia coli from fecal samples of farmanimals and human, also, it aims to molecular detection of shigatoxin and intimin genes inisolates. A total of (264) fecal samples and swabs were collected from different parts of Basrahin the period extending from September 2018 to January 2019. These samples were composed of(85) samples from cows, (94) samples from humanand (85) samples from sheep. Differenttechniques were used in this study to detect the presence of E. coli; these techniques includedconventional microbiological assays and molecular techniques (amplification of uidA gene byusing polymerase chain reaction).The results of these techniques indicated 50 (18.9%) were E. coli from the tested samples.These isolates were subjected to PCR to detect Shiga toxins and intimin genes (stx1, stx2, andeaeA). The results of PCR confirmed all (50) isolates were harbor at least one virulence gene.Out of 50 isolates 20 (40%) carried stx2 gene alone, the percentages of the carrier were (66.7 %,41.7% and 23.5%) from human, sheep and cattle samples, respectively. The genes (stx1 andstx2) were detected together in 9/50 (18%), represent (52.9%) of cattle isolates. The intimin gene(eaeA) alone was detected in 2/50 (4%), represent (11.8%) of cattle isolates. (28%) of isolatesharbor (stx2 and eaeA) genes, the isolates belong to human and sheep isolates (33.3%) and(45.8%), respectively. Presence of the genes (stx1, stx2, and eaeA) were discovered in (10%)of isolates, (11.8%) of cattle and (12.5%) of sheep.  The isolates were resistant to ampicillin, tetracycline (92%, 74%), respectively. However, theisolates were susceptible to imipenem, gentamycin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, andcefotaxime with a ratio of 100%, 92%, 78%, 68%, and 58%, respectively.

The study was conducted to investigate the Seroprevalence of Glanders in south part or Iraq. Eight hundred (800) local and different horse breeds aged from (1.8–25) years old and from both sexes was examine during the period started from a15.oct. 2020 to 20 April 2021.  The 184 serum samples were drained from suspected horses to examined by using double antigen multispecies Eliza of Burkholderia mallei. Results show that only 4 (2.17%) horses give a positive result with the Elisa test in Maysan governorate. Whereas negative horses for glanders included 180 (97.82%) in the south of Iraq, and that Basrah and Thi-Qar governorates were negatively against glanders. Such favorable result help for equestrian regions and horse breeding. It has been concluded that, although a very low infection rate was indicated in maysan governorate, However, Glanders could be re-emerging compared with other south governorates (Basrah and Thi-Qar) which being free. Moreover, Basrah and Thi-Qar governorates can be used as free areas

Nineveh is one of the main governorates of Iraq for sheep ranching. However, in recent years, E.coli has caused many problems and diseases in sheep. Therefore, the current study was conducted to isolate E.coli from sheep and their surrounding environment in two types of breeding systems (open and closed) and to study the effect of the breeding system on the rates of its isolation. During the period from 1 Feb to 30 Apr 2022, 380 samples from milk, skin swabs, oral swabs from lambs, water, dry fodder, feces, bedding and green grass were collected. Eight flocks of sheep classified into two groups open and closed breeding system. Standard microbiological methods were done using Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB), MacConkey and Brilliance agars cultures. Then, the isolates were confirmed using biochemical tests. Molecular confirmation of E.coli was performed using specific primers uidA gene. The current study showed that out of 240 samples, 130 samples from open breeding system at a rate of 54.2% and out of 140 samples, 90 samples from closed breeding system at a rate of 64.3%, were positive for the bacterial isolation and PCR assay. The high isolation rate of E.coli from the sheep closed breeding system, indicates the lack of hygiene procedures application with regard to flocks health, as well as the sanitary procedures followed in animal housing. Close monitoring of food animal production is essential and that it could reduce the potential public health risks in both animal and human medicines.                       

The present research was designed to evaluate the protective effect of crude alkaloid extract of Matricaria chamomilla L. (MC) against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced convulsions in chicks. A total of seventy-two chicks were randomly divided into six groups each one consisting of 12 chicks. The first group was considered to be a negative group that received subcutaneous injection of normal saline, the second group (positive control) received subcutaneous injection of PTZ (90 mg/kg), and the third group received sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) orally for six days. The other groups (fourth, fifth and sixth) were treated with single intraperitoneal injection of crude alkaloids extract of MC (20, 40, 80 mg/kg) respectively. After 30 minutes of the treatment, the groups (third to sixth) received PTZ and observed the convulsion signs for the next 30 minutes. At the end of the experiment, various biochemical parameters were assessed including, brain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, serum catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-isoprostane, and some electrolytes (potassium K+, sodium Na+, chloride Cl-, ionized calcium iCa2+, total calcium TCa2+), pH, and glucose levels in serum. The results indicated that the group treated with crude alkaloids extract at higher dose (80 mg/kg) showed a significant increase in CAT and significantly decreased in 8-isoprostane, and an increase in Na+ ions concentration in serum. It was concluded that pretreatment of crude alkaloids extract (80 mg/kg) of MC offers anticonvulsant activity by reducing the mortality rate induced by PTZ, as well as it plays an important role in inhibiting oxidative stress.

Glanders caused by Burkholderia mallei infected mainly the Equidae and it is really fatal zoonosis. It was known since ancient times. The horses, mules, and donkeys can get infection by skin abrasion, and during direct contact between animals or with water instruments, also the bacterium can be found in the soil. Since the disease was eradicated from most of the developed world, Glanders is endemic in several countries surrounding Iraq and other related regions of the middle east. Regardless a limited space of Glanders free regions when they're no cases of Glanders can be detected by sensitive and specific tests, the disease can appears as reemerge infection in those places, and that interfere with control, monitoring and strategies for prevention, so the reviewing of disease with special interest on Iraq and surrounding countries have an important.

The goal of this study was to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in pet dogs and cats during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Iraq. Serum samples were collected from 180 animals, including 96 dogs and 84 cats. All animals included in this study were owned animals from a household with at least one COVID-19 patient. Serum samples from dogs and cats were screened for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using the commercial ELISA assay (ID Screen® SARS-CoV-2 Double Antigen Multi-species) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The seroprevalences for SARS-CoV-2 was 7.3% for dogs and 8.3% for cats but this difference was not significant. Also, no significant different in seropositivity between age groups, sex and breeds of pet animals.  All positive animals did not show any clinical signs when contact with human SARS-CoV2 positive cases, suggesting that dogs and cats are likely asymptomatic carriers of SARS-CoV-2.

This case was recorded in Basra province, southern Iraq, in February 2018. A case of a pregnant camel was reported in the last days of pregnancy, according to the owner of the animal and the date of the case. As soon as the case was received at the veterinary consulting clinic at the College of Veterinary Medicine - University of Basra, the camel was suffering from labor contractions for two days, without the appearance of fetal fluids or a fetal sac (water bag). The animal was manually examined vaginally, and it was found that there was a twisting of the uterus (uterine torsion) in a counterclockwise direction of 180 degrees. The decision was made by the specialists that a cesarean section should be performed. A cesarean section was performed and a dead fetus was extracted. The necessary dealings were taken after the operation and instructions were given to the owner to take care of the animal and to complete the required treatments.

The aims of the study were to determine incidence ratio of brucellosis in aborted ewes in Anbar governorate using real time PCR technique and bacterial culture and evaluating the efficiency of bacterial culture. 50 samples of stomach contents of an aborted fetus and vaginal swabs from aborted ewes were collected. The incidence ratio of brucellosis in ewes in Anbar governorate were 72% in PCR test However in bacterial culture were 46%. The positive prediction value and Negative prediction value and Sensitivity and Specificity of bacterial culture were (100%, 51.8 %,63%,100%) respectively when use Real time PCR as an assessment test. Conclusions: Anbar province is endemic with brucellosis, especially in sheep. The Real Time PCR is a fast, easy and accurate test in detecting even small numbers of bacteria in a sample, Significant superiority of polymerase chain reaction technology over bacterial culture.

The study's objective is to evaluate the enhanced effect of Ghrelin (GRE) on sperm analysis and the antioxidant system in male rats after inducing hyperthyroidism by L–thyroxin. The rats (50 males) were split into five groups. The first group consisted of 10 male rats that were given normal saline for 30 days S.C and set as a control group. While the second group (positive group) was 10 male rats with hyperthyroidism were given normal saline for 30 days S.C, the third group was 10 male rats with hyperthyroidism were given Ghrelin at a dose of (0.5nmol/100μl saline) for 30 days S.C, and the fourth group was male 10 rats with hyperthyroidism were given Ghrelin (1nmol/100μl saline) for 30 days S.C. The fifth group consisted of 10 hyperthyroid male rats that were given Ghrelin at a dose of (2nmol/100μl saline) for 30 days S.C. The results show a significant (P≤0.05) decrease in all parameters of sperm analysis, the number of births and antioxidative system in hyperthyroid group compared to control group. While, all treated groups with GRE (0.5, 1 and 2 nmol) shows enhance effect in sperm analysis, the number of births and antioxidant system compared to the hyperthyroid group.