A5.2 year-old Holstein cow was presented with lameness andabnormal weight bearing in a slaughterhouse. Widening of theperiople and swelling of the heel area in the lateral claw was morepermanent than the medial claw. Vertical fissure (VF) involvingthe coronary band to the middle of the dorsal wall of the medialhind claw was observed. It was also extended to the bearingsurface in the inner surface of the claw wall. White line disease 2(WLD2) was seen in the length of VF on the bearing surface. Thehorn of the bulb apex of the lateral hind claw was hypertrophic.There was a groove in the footpad between the apex and base ofthe bulb too. Grosspathologically, the digital bones showed awide range of bone changes such as new bone formation, pedalosteolysis and bony ankylosis. The hind leg was amputated at thetarsus immediately after slaughter. The lower limbs of lame cowswere examined and the type and distribution of digital lesionswere tabulated. An x-ray machine was used in this study to takeradiographic images. The radiographic images taken from theinvolved digits of the affected case depicted a quite wide rangeof radiographic signs. After the first review of the X-ray film,samples were selected for further procedures throughputrefaction. Laminitis may have affected this case at someprevious time. Routine trimming seems to have prevented thepremature culling in the cows with claw lesion.

BACKGROUND: The H9N2 subtype of avian influenzaviruses (AIVs) has been isolated in multiple avian species inmany European, Asian, African and American countries. Sincethe first outbreak of H9N2 virus in Iran in 1998, this virus haswidely circulated throughout the country, resulting in majoreconomic losses in chicken flocks. Several amino acids in thevirus ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex including the nucleoprotein(NP) and polymerase (PB2, PB1 and PA) proteins areassociated with host range and virulence. OBJECTIVES: Our aimwas to understand the molecular characterization of RNPcomplex proteins of Iranian H9N2 subtype isolates. METHODS:The full length nucleotide sequences of RNP complex genes oftwo strains designated as Ck/IR/ZMT-101/98 and Ck/IR/EBGV-88/10 were amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: The phylogeneticanalysis revealed that both strains were located indifferent sub-lineages. However, based on the genetic similarities,PB1, PAand NP genes of Ck/IR/EBGV-88/10 strain had aclose relationship with a H7N3 subtype strain, isolated fromPakistan. Most positions of RNP proteins contained amino acidstypical of avian determinants of host range. The results showedthat the Iranian RNP complex genes have undergone geneticreassortment. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous AIV monitoring inpoultry industry would help to obtain more information aboutgenetic variation of H9N2 viruses and possible emergence ofvirulent and/or pandemic viruses.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding serum biochemicalprofile can reflect cardiovascular performance in animals.Although studies have evaluated the inter-relationship amongcardiovascular biomarkers in animals and human beings, thereare no reports of such a probable relationship in camelids.OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to provide dataon the correlations among cardiovascular biomarkers indifferent ages of clinically healthy male dromedary camels toprovide a basis for assessing cardiac muscle healthiness in thisspecies. METHODS: Thirty clinically healthy dromedary camels(Camelus dromedarius) were selected and divided into four agegroups including 1-3 (n=7), 4-6 (n=7), 7-9 (n=8), and above 10(n=8) years old. Blood samples were collected and sera wereseparated. Serum concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy),cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-myocardial specificisoenzymes (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanineaminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)were evaluated. RESULTS: The results of the present studyshowed that there were significant correlations among cTnI andCK-MB (r=-0.853; p=0.015) and Hcy (r=0.916; p=0.004) in the4 to 6-years-old group of clinically healthy male dromedarycamels. LDH was significantly correlated with CK-MB in the 7to 9-year-old group (r=-0.710; p=0.045). There were nosignificant correlations among different factors of 1-3 and above10-year-old groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The data providedhere is the first report on cardiac health assessment parameters indromedary camels. Moreover, the data is valuable in camelracing clubs, when an overall cardiac health and fitness is to beassessed. The correlation reported here might also be helpful foreasier analysis of cardiac health status in dromedary camels. Thedata may be useful for assessing suspected cases of myocardialdiseases and its changes maybe of prognostic value.

Anaplasma platys, previously known as Ehrlichia platys,which causes infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, has notbeen extensively studied in Southeast Asia. Recent reports in theregion have been limited to ticks and dogs in Thailand, and toticks in the Philippines. In this report, DNAfragments of A. platyswere molecularly detected in a dog in the Philippines. Apitbullpuppy exhibited pancytopenia (WBC: 3.5 x103/μL, PCV:11.5%, RBC: 1.2 x106/μL, HGB: 3.7 g/dL, platelet count: 24x103/μL), hepatitis, elevated alanine amino transferase (127u/L), and splenomegaly. Inclusion bodies in the platelets werealso seen in the blood smears of this case. A. platys sequencesobtained in the present study revealed 100% homology with A.platys previously detected in a Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick inthe country. This study documents the first reported case of A.platys infection in dogs in the Philippines, and adds knowledgeto the current vector-borne disease epidemiology in SoutheastAsia.

BACKGROUNDS: Different susceptibility rates of pathogenic bacteria to antimicrobial agents are considered major factors in the choice of drugs and the success of treatments. Concerns have been raised regarding the emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic bacteria that may result in unpredictable antimicrobial susceptibilities and therapy failure. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1,000 bacterial isolates to five antibacterial agents commonly used in the Iranian poultry industry. METHODS: From July 2008 to June 2009, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 1,000 bacterial isolates to five antibacterial agents was tested. These agents that are commonly used in the Iranian poultry industry include colistin, doxycycline, enrofloxacin, florfenicol, and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprime. The data were provided by 19 laboratories in eight Iranian provinces. RESULTS: The bacterial species belonged mainly to Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Of all tested samples, 55.5% were resistant to colistin, 61.5% to doxycycline, 41.5% to enrofloxacin, 34.5% to florfenicol, and 65.5% to sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprime. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this survey represent the high frequency of resistance to antimicrobial agents commonly used in the Iranian poultry industry. They also highlight the need for the implementation of a national monitoring program for antimicrobial resistance and for a rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

BACKGROUNDS: Optimization of microbial compositions and load in live food during the process of bioencapsulation is one of the most important concerns in aquaculture, as it can promote the growth and feeding parameters of fish larvae. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the growth and feeding performance of Persian sturgeon larvae fed with bioencapsulated D. magna with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. METHODS: D. magna were bioencapsulated with S. cerevisiae at three concentrations of 5, 5.30 and 5.48 Log CFU ml-1 for 10 hours. P. sturgeon larvae were fed using enriched D. magna at 30 percent of their body weight, six times a day. Controlled treatment was fed on unbioencapsulated D. magna. RESULTS: The results indicated that the S. cerevisiae promoted the growth and feeding parameters in P. sturgeon larvae. The final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) in experimental treatments had significant difference in comparison with control treatment (p

BACKGROUNDS: Gyrodactylus is a small monogenean ectoparasite that lives on the skin and fins of most of the world's fish species. Gyrodactylus appears to be one of the most prevalent parasites found in ornamental fish, especially in Cyprinids. Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are a popular ornamental fish that are highly contaminated by Gyrodcatylus. OBJECTIVES: The present study is aimed to identify morphological and molecular character-istics of the Gyrodactylus parasite on gold fish. METHODS: The morphological identification of Gyrodactylus specimens was performed using the measurements and drawings of opisthaptoral hard parts of the parasites. The molecular species description was based on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of partial sequence of the 5.8S region of ribosomal RNA, and a partial sequence of the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of ribosomal RNA. The nucleotide sequences of the PCR products were compared with corresponding sequencing registered in GenBank. RESULTS: Based on the morphometric analysis and sequencing, the Gyrodactylus specimens were described as Gyrodactylus gurleyi. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of molecular techniques with morphological analysis seems to be the best approach for the identification of Gyrodactylus speices.

Encephalomalacia is softening or loss of brain tissue following cerebral infarction; cerebral ischemia infection, craniocerebral trauma or other injuries. Cholangiocarcinomas are malignant neoplasms of biliary epithelium, which usually arise from the intrahepatic ducts. A budgerigar was presented with a history of ataxia, decreased activity, neck weakness and weight loss. Supportive care was attempted, but the bird did not improve and euthanasia was elected. At necropsy, the liver was pale and large. There were two symmetrical pale areas on the cortical surface of cerebrum. Representative specimens from all tissues were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). In gray matter of cerebral tissue, there were small clear vacuoles of varied size that formed in the cytoplasm of neuron cell bodies. Proliferation of capillaries was seen. The fluid-filled clear spaces were in the white matter especially in peduncles. There were a few thromboses in the vessels and neuronal necrosis of cerebrum. Neoplastic tissue was limited to the liver. There were numerous epithelial lined ducts with an associated dense fibrous stroma. Cholangiocarcinoma and encephalomalacia were confirmed based on the macroscopic and microscopic evidences. It seems that chronic exposure to a mycotoxin and vitamin E deficiency are probable causes of encephalpmalacia and cholangiocarcinoma in this bird.

BACKGROUND: Gallstones are concretions that form in the biliary system. There are two major types of gallstones (pigment and cholesterol), which seem to form due to distinctly different pathogenic mechanisms. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and chemical composition of gallstones in goats. Bacteriologic analysis and pathological findings were reviewed. METHODS: The study was carried out on 411 goats at Juneghan abattoir in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province of Iran. RESULTS: Gallstones were found in the gallbladder of 5 goats (1.2%). Biliary calculi were more frequent in adult goats (p

BACKGROUND: Fat replacers are ingredients that can replace fat in many foods, therefore,many consumers have limited their dietry intake of fat and calories due to diet and health concerns. OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the effect of modified starch on some physico-chemical and sensory properties of low fat Hamburger. METHODS: In this research, modified starch potato, tapioca (Acetylated distarch adipate) and waxy maize (Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate) at 0.5, 1.5 and 3% levels were used as the fat replacers. The amount of fat was reduced from 20% to 10% in control. Physical (cooking losses), chemical (e.g. moisture, protein, fat, ash) and sensory characteristic were assessed compared with control one. RESULTS: Results showed that moisture content in samples containing starch was decreased and there was a significant difference between samples containing starch and the control (p