BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial agents can alter physiological status and immunity system of the host, and use of hematological indices are the appropriate marker for monitoring them. OBJECTIVES: The present study intended assessment of changed hematological indices of rainbow trout challenged with streptococcosis/lactococcosis agents following oral administration of florfenicol. METHODS: The purchased fish (55±7.5 g) were examined through a randomized blocks design in the replicated 6 treatments consisting of without/with the infectious challenge of each pathogen separately and without/with medicated feeding in 15 mg/kg-1 BW for 10 consecutive days. Doses of Streptococcus iniae (2.87×107 CFU/ml) and Lactococcus garvieae (6.8×105 CFU/ml) equal to 30% of LD50 values were applied in the main experiment. At the end of trial, blood was sampled via caudal vein. Measurement of hematocrit and hemoglobin has been accomplished according to standard methods, and the number of blood cells was counted by hematocytometer. RESULTS: Findings pointed out PVC%, Hb value and RBCs count of groups that received the drug were reduced significantly than control (p < /em><0.05). 10-day administration of flornfeicol in the mentioned dosage could cut down lymphocytes statistically (p < /em><0.05). On the other hand, monocytes, neutrophils, and other blood cells were enhanced following administration of therapeutical dosage (p < /em><0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that oral consumption of florfenicol could improve innate immunity, especially through enhancement of hematocytes. However, due to reduced frequency of blood lymphocytes, and as the problem of anemia in fish following drug consumption is still observed, it is recommended that in case of reduction of losses and improvement of clinical symptoms, the lowest FDA-suggested levels of the antibiotic for treatment should be used.

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases widely occur through bacteria such as Salmonella spp. in different hosts such as domestic animals and human. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to isolate Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria from poultry feces and in vitro assessment of antimicrobial effects of 9 species of Zagros native medicinal plants. METHODS: Ethanol extracts of jooshir, shallots, Iranian eremurus, artichokes, sheng, amaranth, sorrel, oregano and harmel were extracted through rotary vacuum system. Furthermore, 12 strains of Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated from poultry feces in Sistan region. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of plant extracts were determined through micro dilution method. Sensitivity of different strains to antibiotics was tested through standard Kirby-Bauer diffusion disk methods. RESULTS: Salmonella Typhimurium strains are resistant to Penicillin (100%), Ampicillin (100%), Tetracycline (16.6%), Amikacin (8.3%) and Oxacillin (75.0%). Results of the antimicrobial assay have shown that extracts of amaranth, jooshir and artichokes had the highest MIC against Salmonella Typhimurium. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the current study showed that according to the antibiotic resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from poultry, antibiotic treatment, in particular with penicillin, ampicillin and oxacillin with the bacterium resistance of 75 to 100% would not be effective. In contrast, using plant ethanol extracts especially jooshir, amaranth and artichokes could be recommended as an alternative to conventional antibiotic treatments.

BACKGROUND: Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a group of genes which codes for binding of antigenic peptides and presenting them to T cells. MHC molecules polymorphism is associated with presenting different antigens, immune and autoimmune responses. One of the most important dog MHC genes is DRB1. The association between this gene and its alleles with Atopic Dermatitis has been reported. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the association between canine Atopic Dermatitis and DLA-DRB1 alleles has been evaluated using HRM (High Resolution Melting) genotyping method. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 20 dogs with Atopic Dermatitis and 20 healthy dogs. Frequency of different DRB1 genotypes, as well as heterozygosity and homozygosity of alleles were analyzed using HRM. Their associations with Atopic Dermatitis were evaluated by statistical analysis. RESULTS: Based on the HRM analysis, genotypes were grouped in 9 types (A-I). Statistical analysis showed that the presence of type D allele in the exon II of DLA-DRB1 gene increases the risk of Atopic Dermatitis (Odd ratio=0.206 and p < /em>=0.064). A significantly increased risk of Atopic Dermatitis in heterozygous samples was also observed (Odd=0.158 and p < /em>=0.090). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that some alleles of DLA-DRB1 gene can play a role in the sensitivity or resistance to Atopic Dermatitis in dogs.

BACEKGROUND: Toxoplasmosisis one of the most important zoonotic diseases in Iran and the world. OBJCTIVES: Due to the high consumption of lamb meat and the high frequency of Toxoplasma infection in sheep in Iran, the aim of study was to determine frequency of Toxoplasma infection in the slaughtered sheep of Mashhad area. METHODS: In order to do this study, from summer 2015 to spring 2016, 25 blood and 25 heart muscle samples were seasonally collected from Torghabae slaughterhouse in Mashhad area. The samples were transferred to parasitology laboratory. First, the blood samples were centrifuged and the serum samples were isolated, then a portion of the heart muscles sample was taken for PCR examination. The sera and muscles samples were kept at -20 ºC in freezer until examination time. The sera samples were examined to detect antibody against T.gondii by ELISA method. DNA of heart muscle was extracted by commercial extraction kit and was examined to detect Toxoplasma DNA by nested –PCR. RESULTS: In the present study, of 100 sampled sheep, only 1 (1%) of the serum samples was seropositive, while 22 (22%) of the DNA samples were PCR positive. In this study, the highest frequency of Toxoplsma PCR-Positive was seen in spring and the lowest in summer in sheep. Also, the result of this study showed that the agreement between the molecular and EISA method was “fair”. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the high frequency of Toxoplasma infection in heart muscle of sheep, it seems that the risk of transmission of Toxoplasma infection from sheep meat is high.

BACKGROUND: Balance in the amount of minerals in the aquatic animal’s diet is very important. Phosphorus is one of the most important minerals in fish and aquatic animal’s nutrition. Phosphorus is important not only for the proper growth and fish health, but also for excessive phosphorus excretion that may cause water pollution and algal bloom. OBJECTIVE: In this study the effects of adding monoammonium phosphate in the diet of fish (Cyprinus carpio Koi) and its comparison with monocalcium phosphate were investigated. METHODS: 650 koi fish weighing 17 g were distributed in 15 tanks (5 treatments - each in three replicates) and mono-ammonium phosphate-fed diets at three levels (0.75, 1.5 and 3% of the diet), monocalcium phosphate in one level (3% of the diet) and a control group (no phosphorus supplementation) were fed for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Growth indices and feed conversion ratio in fish fed 3% monoammonium phosphate showed the best results. The control group showed the lowest weight gain and the highest feed conversion ratio. Blood phosphorus was also significantly correlated with increasing monoammonium phosphate. The highest level of calcium in the blood was observed in the group fed monocalcium phosphate (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the improvement of growth and nutrition indices, adding 1.5 to 3% monoammonium phosphate in the diet of koi fish was suggested.

BACKGROUND: Arrhythmias play an important role in reducing the performance of racing horse. There are no studies that maintained the same condition for all horses, and in previous studies, the conditions for all horses were not the same. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of arrhythmias during exercise include warm-up and trotting. METHODS: This study was carried out on 30 sport horses. Modified base-apex has been used for electrocardiogram recording. Electrocardiogram was taken by telemetry device in all conditions, all horses were examined in the electric lounge. Warm-up period was 10 minutes and consequently 10 minutes trotting was done, and ECG was recorded during exercise. RESULTS: 18 horses had SVPCs during warm-up and 9 showed SVPCs during trotting; also, 4 horses showed VPCs during trotting. AVB II happened in one horse during warm-up. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of SVPCs and VPCs during rest is abnormal, but it is common during physical activity. To better understand the importance of these arrhythmias more studies are needed.

BACKGROUND: The Schirmer tear test (STT) is widely used in both human and veterinary ophthalmology. Two types of STTs have been developed: STT I and STT II. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this research was to determine the reference value for measuring tear production of the Caspian horse by using the Schirmer tear test strip. METHODS: Twenty apparently healthy male and female Caspian horses, aged between 2 and 15 years old and weighing between 192±32 Kg were selected. After physical examination and reviewing the horse's health history and assuring their health, the Schirmer tear test was performed. To produce a higher volume of tears in horses, compared to other animal species, we used the Schirmer tear strip (Schirmer‐ Eickemeyer®, Germany), for 30 seconds instead of one minute in the lower conjunctival sac. In this study, we investigated the effect of age and gender on tear production in the Caspian horse, as well as the comparison between the left and right eyes tear production. RESULTS: The study shows that the results of STT I in the study animals illustrated the mean±SD STT I value was 23.38±3.6 mm/min (range, 15–30 mm/30s). Based on the results of this study, the variants of age and gender had no significant effects on the STT1 results in the Caspian horses. No significant difference was noted between the amount of tear production in the left and right eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the importance of rapid diagnosis of dry eye syndrome and preventing its subsequent disorders such as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, the results of this study can be used as the reference value in the future to measure the amount of moisture of caspian horses of the Caspian horse.

BACKGROUND: Infectious and noninfectious causes of lameness result in economic losses in the dairy industry. Digital dermatitis (DD), interdigital necrobacillosis (IDNB) and heel erosion (HE) are considered as the most important infectious causes of lameness. OBJECTIVES: Current study was done in order to evaluate annual incidence of infectious causes of lameness in four different dairy farms in Charmahal &amp; Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Khorasan Razavi and Mazandaran provinces of Iran. METHODS: Records of 71896 hoof trimming and inspections during 2012-2013 on 10100 dairy cows were recorded and analyzed. All information was recorded by professional hoof trimmers and veterinarians during study. RESULTS: Heel erosions (HE) were recorded between 0-13, DD between 0-145 and IDNB between 0-47 cases in each month in different dairy farms that were significantly different. Digital dermatitis (DD) in spring (8.62 percent), IDNB in winter (2.79 percent) and HE in spring (0.68 percent) show the highest seasonal incidence; however, seasonal incidence of infectious causes of lameness were significantly different. Total incidence of 19.18 and 17.45 percent were recorded in 2012 and 2013 that was significantly different for DD. Distribution of infectious lesions were different among different dairy farms as annual incidence of DD was recorded as 32.97 and 30.1 in farm 3 and 0.93 and 0.68 in farm 2 in 2012 and 2013 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present survey showed that overall, 20 percent incidence of infectious lesions plays a very important role in financial losses of large dairy farms and needs special attention.

BACKGROUND: Thyme extract has the antimicrobial and antioxidant components that can be useful for the broilers under heat stress condition. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Thymus vulgaris extract in comparison with some common feed additives on performance, blood biochemical parameters and antibody response in broiler chickens under heat stress conditions. METHODS: This study was conducted using 192 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) in a completely randomized design with 8 treatments in 4 replicates and 6 chicks per replicate. Treatments were as follows: 1) basal diet + standard temperature conditions (positive control); 2) basal diet + heat stress conditions (negative control); 3) negative control + 200 mg virginiamycin; 4) negative control + 150 mg Protoxin probiotic, 5) negative control + 250 mg vitamin C, 6) negative control + 250 mg vitamin E, 7) negative control + 250 mg thyme extract, and 8) negative control +500 mg thyme extract per kg diet. RESULTS: Dietary thyme extract at the rate of 500 mg/kg as well as probiotic and vitamin E increased (P<0.05) body weight gain (2202, 2183 and 2199, respectively) and improved feed conversion (1.65, 1.74 and 1.66, respectively) compared with negative control group (body weight gain 1960 g and feed conversion ratio 1.96). Moreover, 500 mg/kg dietary thyme extract, probiotic and vitamin C reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein during heat stress conditions (P<0.05). All dietary supplements groups significantly increased antibody titers against red blood cells as compared with negative control. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the results of the present study suggest that thyme extract at the level of 500 mg/kg of diet can be recommended as an alternative to the common feed additives to improve growth performance and health benefits of the heat-stressed broilers.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus Group A is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis as it is isolated from 30 to 50% of infant diarrhea from humans and other animals. G genotype of the virus is determined by gene sequence of a surface protein of the virus (VP7), one of the most important factors in inducing immunity against the virus which acts very specific to each genotype. OBJECTIVES: In the present study the presence of common bovine rotavirus genotypes A was examined in human rotavirus population. METHODS: A total of 100 stool samples from children under 2 years of age in Tehran and Varamin were collected and to track the presence of rotavirus A, were evaluated using ELISA method. Positive samples were isolated and cultured on the MA-104 cell line after several passages. The positive samples (49 samples) were determined to be the G type using semi-nested RT-PCR and primers specific for bovine common genotype. RESULTS: From 100 samples, 49 were positive in ELISA. Eight samples in the first semi nested RT-PCR showed the desired rotavirus bands and in the second round, the results were positive for the presence of bovine VP7 in two samples taken from Varamin, in one sample, G6, and in another sample, two genotypes of VP7, G6 and G8 were detected, indicating infection with at least two strains of human rotavirus reassortant. Six of the ELISA selected positive samples that were taken to the cell line MA104, showed effects of cell damage (CPE) after 4-5 consecutive passages, demonstrating proliferation of the rotaviruses of this study and so, their viability was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate reassortment between bovine and human rotaviruses and show that in case of occurrence of bovine and human rotavirus infection and the emergence of new human type, due to reassortment strain differences in protein immunogen it is possible to overcome due to lack of maternal immunity in the human population and low efficiency of current vaccines and, ultimately, epidemic and considerable losses may occur. Hence, more research is warranted.