BACKGROUND: Serological survey of NDV infection from LBMs would give a good picture of Newcastle disease ecology in a country.OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the seroprevalence of Newcastle disease in live bird markets, bird parks, and zoos in Iran.METHODS: From July to December 2016, blood samples were collected from different bird species in each unit. The serum samples were evaluated via Hemagglutination inhibition test. The seropositive sample was considered a serum with antibody titer 4 or more (1.16) in HI, and units with at least one seropositive bird were considered as the contaminated unit. In this study, the serum samples were taken from various bird species (N=2292) selected from 127 bird markets, bird parks, and zoos distributed in 22 Iranian provinces.RESULTS: Among the 127 sampled units, 70 (55.12 %) were found to be seropositive. In addition, among the 2292 sampled birds, the number of seropositive birds were found to be 495. Among different bird species, the highest sero-positive prevalence belonged to chickens and turkeys with 38.7 % and 32.89 %, respectively.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested a high prevalence of Newcastle disease in the live bird markets, bird parks, and consequently, across our country. Given the importance of this infectious disease, it is essential to apply appropriate controlling measures, including continuous surveillances of circulating viruses and vaccination programs with conventional vaccines, such as heat-resistant vaccines. On account of the important role of rural poultry and wild birds in Newcastle disease distribution, controlling the disease in rural poultry and continuous surveillance in both can prevent the spread of NDV, particularly to the commercial poultry.

BACKGROUND: Neosporosis is a disease caused by the protozoan Neospora caninum, which is characterized by abortion in cattle and neuromuscular paralysis of various organs, particularly the hind limbs of dogs. The diagnosis of neosporosis is often made by serological molecular tests.OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the presence of N. caninum oocysts in the feces of dogs. METHODS: A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from indoor and outdoor dogs during 2018-2019 around Tabriz. Information about age, location, and history of antiparasitic treatment of the dogs were recorded in a questionnaire. Primarily, fecal samples were examined microscopically for Neospora ocysts. After breaking the collected oocysts through freeze-thaw and sonication, DNA contents of the oocysts were extracted and analyzed via PCR.RESULTS: In a light microscopic study, oocysts were observed in 45 (45 %) of the fecal samples. In the PCR study, 21 of the 45 cases tested positive for Neospora infection (21 %). All the positive cases of infection were observed in molecular examination in dogs older than one year. The positive cases were observed in 2 % of the domestic dogs, 8 % of the stray dogs, 6 % of the kennel dogs, and 5 % of the rural dogs. Furthermore, 19 % of the infected dogs had no history of antiparasitic treatment; only 2% had a history of antiparasitic treatment. The results of statistical analysis showed that the rate of infection in dogs around Tabriz with Neospora caninum was significantly (P<0.05) related to the animal's living environment and history of antiparasitic treatment. However, this rate was found to have no significant relationships with the age of the animals.CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high rate of infection with Neospora caninum in dogs in Tabriz, it is necessary to apply preventive methods in traditional and industrial farms around this city and use rapid diagnosis methods in them.

BACKGROUND: On account of the importance of iodine in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, different levels of dietary iodine can affect the occurrence of ascites syndrome in broilers.OBJECTIVES: The current research aimed to investigate the effects of different sources and levels of iodine on performance, carcass traits, ascites mortality, thyroid hormones, and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens under cold stress condition.METHODS: This experiment was performed using 375 one-day-old male broiler chickens in a completely randomized design with five treatments, five replications, and 15 birds per replication. To induce ascites, the room temperature was reduced to 15 °C from 14 days and this temperature was maintained until the end of the period. The experimental treatments included: control treatment (basal diet with iodine at the recommended level, 1.25 ppm), basal diet + potassium iodide (KI) with iodine levels (6.25 and 3.75 ppm), and basal diet + calcium iodate [Ca(IO3)2. H2O] with iodine levels (6.25 and 3.75 ppm).RESULTS: The effect of the treatments on the performance indices was not significant throughout the experiment. The lowest percentage of ascites mortality, heart weight, and triiodothyronine (T3) were observed in the treatment (6.25 ppm), which was significantly different from the control treatment (P<0.05). The lowest ratio of right ventricle to total ventricles (RV/TV) was related to potassium iodide treatment (6.25 ppm), which indicated tendency (P<0.10). Chickens receiving higher levels of iodine (6.25 ppm) had higher thyroxine than those receiving lower levels (3.75 ppm) (P<0.05) and showed a lower ratio of triiodothyronine to thyroxine compared to those (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS: The results of this experiment implied that the use of higher levels of dietary iodine (6.25 ppm), especially as potassium iodide, reduces broiler’s ascites mortality under cold stress conditions.

BACKGROUND: Ammonia accumulation in warm-water fish pond can lead to mortality or reduction in growth and body immune indices.OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic sub-lethal unionized ammonia (NH3) on growth indices and gill and kidney histopathology l, after a 30 – day trial in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).METHODS: Herein, 180 fish with an average weight of 4.5±0.5 g were divided into six tanks. Two groups, including one control group and one treatment group (with three replicates for each one), were considered. The treatment fish were exposed to 0.1 mg/l on un-ionized ammonia (NH3) for 30 consecutive days. Following one -month, ammonia exposure growth indices and histological analysis of gill and kidney were investigated.RESULTS: The results showed that exposure to 0.1 mg/l of NH3 led to a significant reduction in growth indices. Additionally, edema and epithelial lifting with hyperplasia in the second lamella were detected in the gill of the treatment group. The kidney was characterized by focal renal tubules degeneration and necrosis, congestion, and increase in the melano-macrophage centers.CONCLUSIONS: Although chronic exposure to 0.1 mg/l of unionized ammonia was not found to cause mortality in common carp, it could have some side effects, such as a decline in growth indices and histopathological effects in kidney and gill tissues. Thus, for higher production, sublethal levels of ammonia should also be taken into account in common carp ponds.

BACKGROUND: Ovine theileriosis is an important hemoprotozoal disease of sheep and goats in tropical and subtropical regions which causes high economic loss in the livestock industry. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was the differential detection of Theileria species in sheep using PCR method. METHODS: Two hundred blood samples of sheep were investigated in order to differentially diagnose Theileria species. DNA was extracted from blood samples and DNA samples were amplified using specific primers designed for 18S rRNA, TamS1 and TaSp genes. RESULTS: In this study, from 200 examined samples, 42 samples (21%) were infected by Theileria spp. and none of them were infected by Babesia spp. Moreover, from these 42 positive samples, 24 samples (57.1%) were only infected by T. ovis. 12 samples (28.5%) were only infected by T. lestoquardi, 2 samples (4.7%) were only infected by T. annulata and 4 samples (9.5%) were simultaneously infected by T. lestoquardi and T. ovis. The results of nucleotide sequencing showed that PCR product of 18S rRNA from T. lestoquardi has 99 and 95% similarity with T. annulata and T. ovis respectively. T. lestoquardi and T. annulata showed 86% similarity. Also TaSp gene of T. ovis in comparison with T. annulata and T. lestoquardi showed 96 and 86% similarity, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study could be shown that the two genes (TamS1 and TaSp) from examined three genes could be used for Theileria species specific diagnosis by PCR.

BACKGROUND: Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is widely used as a food flavoring. The essential oil of this plant has antimicrobial effects on some foodborne pathogens. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of basil essence on the microbial and sensory properties of traditional Iranian white cheese during the period. METHODS: Cheese samples were prepared from local producers with concentrations of 0, 150 and 250 ppm of basil essential oil. On day 0, 15, 30, 60 and 90, the cheese samples were tested for the number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, and also on the 90th ripening day for the sensory characteristics. RESULTS: The results of microbial assays showed that concentrations of 150 and 250 ppm of basil essential oil had a significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on aerobic mesophilic bacteria in the 60 and 90 days of ripening; meanwhile, the significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on the population of coliforms was observed on days 30, 60 and 90. Moreover, the concentration of 150 ppm of basil essential oil on day 90 and the concentration of 250 ppm on days 30, 60 and 90 demonstrated a significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect on the population of Staphylococcus aureus. Sensory evaluation revealed that concentrations of the essential oil had no significant effect on the sensory properties of the samples. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that the above concentrations of basil essential oil can be used as a natural preservative in Iranian traditional White cheese.

BACKGROUND: Parasite effects on biometric characteristics of common carp, C. carpio from Anzali Wetland. OBJECTIVES: Identifying parasites in C. carpio and evaluating their effects on biometric characteristics of fish. METHODS: A total of 78 individuals were collected on the seasonal basis (from spring through winter 2016) from the wetland, transported to the laboratory and after biometry, dissected to recover parasites. Cestodes and trematodes were stained with alum carmine and nematodes were cleared with glycerin alcohol, then their prevalence, abundance and mean intensity were determined. RESULTS: Thirteen parasite species including Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina sp., Epistilis sp., Gyrodactylus sp., Dactylogyrus extensus,  Diplozoon nipponicum, Diplostomum spathaceum, Posthodiplostomum cuticola, Asymphlodora sp., Caryophyllaeus fimbericeps, Raphidascaris acus, Pseudocapillaria tomentosa and Lernea cyprinacea were identified. Epistylis sp., P. cuticola, Asymphlodora sp. and P. tomentosa are reported for the first time from C. carpio in Anzali Wetland. The average weight in healthy and infected fish were recorded to be from 23.68 ± 3.54g to 686.73 ± 100.28 g, and from 32.47 ± 4.51 to 633.62g ± 64.64 g respectively. The condition factor in healthy and infected fish was from 1.09 ± 0.50 to 1.17±0.03, and from 1.24 ± 0.13 through 1.19 ± 0.03 respectively. It was also true for gonadosomatic index which was recorded in healthy and infected fish from 0.45 ± 0.16 through 3.56 ± 3.54, and from 1.78±0.67 through 2.74 ± 0.62. The instantaneous growth rate was 1.25 in healthy  2+ and 1+ year old individuals, and 0.72 in 3+ and 2+ year olds, while it was 0.94 and 0.65 in the same-aged infected fish, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Parasites could induce some negative influences on the biometric characteristics of infected fish, decreasing their growth rate. So that, it is necessary to monitor the parasite communities continuously in the native and commercially important fish species in Anzali Wetland to protect them and prevent introducing infected fish into the adjacent fish farms.

BACKGROUND: Bordetella bronchiseptica is a gram negative pathogen of the respiratory tract in dogs, pigs, cats, horses, laboratory animals and human beings. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was detection of Bordetella bronchiseptica in oropharynx region of pet and kenneled dogs by PCR and culture and evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates in Iran. METHODS: The samples were collected by sterile swabs from oropharynx region of 62 pet dogs (including 31 dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 31 dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs) and 62 kenneled dogs (including 31 dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 31 dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs). Bordetella bronchiseptica was detected by PCR and culture and antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates were evaluated. RESULTS: Based on the PCR results, Bordetella bronchiseptica was detected in 16.1% of pet dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs, 9.6% of pet dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs, 22.5% of kenneled dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 16.1% of kenneled dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs. On bacterial culture, Bordetella bronchiseptica was isolated from 3.2% pet dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs, 3.2% kenneled dogs with clinical respiratory disease signs and 6.4% kenneled dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs, none of the pet dogs without clinical respiratory disease signs was positive on bacterial culture. The isolates tested by the agar dilution method were susceptible to tetracycline, enrofloxacin, co-trimoxazole and doxycycline, moderately susceptible to ceftriaxone and resistant to ampicillin. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the high prevalence of Bordetella bronchiseptica infection in dogs in Iran. Bordetella bronchiseptica can infect the people who have contact with the affected pet dogs and those kept in overcrowded shelters.

BACKGROUND: Estrus synchronization is a valuable tool in ewe reproductive management. OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the efficiency and determine the best time of eCG injection in short-term synchronization program based on GnRH-PGF 2α in Shal ewes during the breeding season. METHODS: One hundred and sixty non-pregnant Shal ewes, aged 2-6 years old were selected and randomly stratified to four equal groups. 25µg Alarelin acetate (GnRH analogue) and 75µg D-cloprostenol (PGF 2α analogue) were injected to all ewes, on days 0 and 5, respectively. The first group (control) did not receive any other treatment. Groups 2 to 4 received 400 IU of eCG, 48 hours before, 24 hours before and concurrent with PGF2α, respectively. Ewes were exposed to fertile rams during 96 hours post PGF2α injection. Blood serum progesterone concentrations were measured just before PGF2α injection and 10 days later. RESULTS: No difference was observed in the first serum progesterone evaluation among experimental groups (P>0.05). However, progesterone had significantly higher concentrations 10 days after PGF 2α injection in groups 2 and 3 in comparison with groups 1 and 4 (P<0.05). Simultaneous use of eCG with PGF2α led to a higher estrus response in comparison with other groups (P<0.05). During the first day after PGF2α, a higher percentage of ewes in group 2 and 3 exhibited estrus compared with groups 1 and 4 (P<0.05). Conversely, estrus expression was higher 24-48 hours after prostaglandin injection in groups 1 and 4 than the other two (P<0.05). Thus, the interval to estrus was earlier in group 2 and 3 than groups 1 and 4 (P<0.05). No significant differences were detected in terms of conception rate, lambing rate, prolificacy and fecundity among study groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of eCG in different times (48 and 24 hours before and concurrent with PGF2α) in short-term synchronization program based on GnRH-PGF2α during the breeding season can be effective on estrus indices. Regarding the diversity of sheep's masses in Iran, it seems that acceptable results may be achieved when eCG is used concurrently with PGF2α in short-term protocol.

BACKGROUND: Heavy metals and metalloids are among the most stable and resistant to decomposition elements that, in the presence of high concentrations in aquatic tissues, threaten their own and human health. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the composition and order of the elements accumulation in the edible muscle tissue of pike from Siah Darvishan River as one of the most valuable and economical fish and also to evaluate its health for human nutrition. METHODS: In the present study, concentration of eleven elements (As, Fe, Hg, Zn, Pb, Se, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni) in the muscle tissue of 25 pike (Esox lucius) collected with the Cast net in the summer of 2016 from Siah Darvishan River, Guilan province, Iran were surveyed by Varian Atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS: The lowest and highest mean accumulation of elements were obtained as follows: Zinc 25.89 - 28.80, Iron 21.85 - 24.26, Copper 6.78 - 8.15, Manganese 1.77 - 2.12, Lead 0.68 - 0.73, Selenium 0.59 - 0.62, Arsenic 0.53 - 0.62, Cadmium 0.38 - 0.41, Nickel 0.24 - 0.28, Chromium 0.17 - 0.19 and Mercury 0.087 - 0.098 microgram per gram dry weight, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, mean concentrations of all elements in the muscle tissue of pike, except the four elements Manganese (1.956 ± 0.178), Lead (0.698 ± 0.028), Arsenic (0.572 ± 0.044) and Cadmium (0.393 ± 0.018) were observed to be lower than explained threshold limit value (TLV) of FAO/WHO international standard.