BACKGROUND: Antibacterial drug use in food producing animals, in addition to the very beneficial effects on the prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases, can lead to health risks including microbial resistance and drug residues. This survey was conducted due to the lack of information on the status of antibacterial drug use in dairy farms of Qom province. OBJECTIVES: To study the usage pattern of antibacterial drugs and compliance with public health- related measures in dairy cattle farms in Qom province. METHODS: In this study, 100 dairy herds were surveyed in three areas of Qom province including the southern part (Kahak), West (Jafar-abad and Khalajestan) and central part (Qom and the suburbs) using a questionnaire and direct interview. RESULTS: Injectable oxytetracycline, tylosin, penicillin + streptomycin were the most frequently used antibacterial products in dairy farms of Qom province (94%, 89% and 87%, respectively). A range of other antibacterial drugs showed high percentages of usage, as well. Among the 9 intramammary products, Tetranebalon®/Mastijet Forte® and Linconeocin MC® with 50% and 40% of frequency were the most commonly used products. Also, in a significant percentage of dairy farms, the milk collected from livestock treated with antibacterial drugs for mastitis (35%) or other illnesses (41%) was introduced into the milk reservoirs to be used in humans. CONCLUSIONS: In Qom province, there was an overuse of antibacterial drugs and high percentage of dairy farm units that did not follow the principles of rational drug therapy and the withdrawal times of milk and meat. This could be due to inadequate awareness of livestock workers regarding the public health implications of using these drugs and insufficient monitoring of veterinary authority in the province.

BACKGROUND: Chicken major histocompatibility complex region (MHC) is important in the productive traits, immune responses, resistance to infectious diseases and phylogenetic relationships. OBJECTIVES: This study was investigated for single nucleotide polymorphisms of MHC region related to the immune system in commercial broiler and layer chickens. METHODS: One hundred blood samples were taken from commercial broiler and layer chickens and genomic DNA was extracted by salting out method. The allelic polymorphisms were investigated in B-L, B-F and B-G loci using PCR-RFLP and MspI enzyme. RESULTS: For two commercial broiler and laying populations, in the 374 bp locus of B-L, only BB genotype was detected but in the 1048 bp locus of B-F, two genotypes of CG and GG were identified in broiler chickens. The C allele contained four bands of 515, 410, 75 and 47 bp, and the G allele with five bands of 410, 302, 213, 75 and 47 bp. In B-G (401 bp) locus, three genotypes of MM, MN and NN and two alleles of M with one band (401 bp) and N with two bands (350 and 51 bp) were identified. In total populations, the Shannon information index was calculated to be 0.45 and 0.73 in markers loci of B-F and B-G, and the fixation index values were -0.20 and 0.34, respectively. The highest observed heterozygosity index for B-F and B-G loci was 0.34 and 0.23, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the confirmation of the presence of polymorphism in two loci of the B-F (in commercial broiler population) and B-G (in commercial broiler and layer populations), these sites can be used as genetic marker in breeding programs to increase resistance to diseases.

BACKGROUND: Yersiniosis or enteric redmouth disease (ERM), caused by Yersinia ruckeri, is a serious bacterial disease in the farmed salmonids that causes economic problems in this industry. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to assess the experimental pathogenicity of Yersinia ruckeri in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). METHODS: Two hundred Rainbow trout weighting 100-120 g, challenged with different strain of Yersinia ruckeri were obtained from affected trout farms using intra peritoneal injection route at a concentration of 108 cells/ml (0.1 mL per fish) to evaluate the virulence of these isolates. Each treatment group included 10 fish in two replicates and control fish received 0.1 mL sterile normal saline (0.9% NaCl). Following the intra peritoneal challenge, macroscopic and microscopic findings were determined. The most virulent strain was then used to determine the lethal concentration (LD50) using both intra peritoneal and bath method at dilutions of 103-1010 cells/mL. RESULTS: Macroscopically, anorexia, lethargy, circular swimming near the surface, blackening of skin, exophthalmia, hyperemia and hemorrhage in different parts of body, anal prolapse, enlarged liver and spleen were observed. Microscopically, hyperemia of hepatic sinusoids and vessels, necrosis and vacuolization of hepatocytes, increase in the abundance of macrophage centers in kidney, dilatation of Bowman’s space, degeneration and necrosis of kidney tubules, severe necrosis and detachment of intestinal villi, hyperplasia and clubbing of epithelial cells of secondary lamellae, spleen cell necrosis, goblet cell hyperplasia and thickening of epidermis layer in the tongue mucosa were observed.  The LD50 of intra peritoneal injection was calculated 1.2×106cells per fish 48 h post challenge. In bath route, LD50 was obtained 5×108 Cells/ml after 96 h. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained from this study show virulence diversity of native strains.

Backgrounds: In endurance riding, the exercitation ability of horses during long periods and distances wre evaluated. Objectives: investigating the causes of elimination among participated horses in the 2013-2014 national endurance rides. Methods: by being present at four competition courses. Results: out of 176 horses, 74 (%42) were eliminated and the data of 23 horses (%13) as a control group was collected. Lameness was the highest cause of elimination, with 29 (%39.2) horses. High heart rate was in the second stage, by assigning 13 (%17.55) horses. Elimination because of illegal cases had been the next major reason, which allocated up to 12 horses (%16.2). Metabolic disorders, flutter, excessive exhaustion and dehydration, had 7(%9.5), 10(%13.5), 1(%1.35) and 2(%2.7) cases respectively. Significant correlation was found between the gender and the occurrence of flutter, so that 8 of 10 cases (%80) of the flutter cases were among males. As the distance was rising, the number of elimination because of metabolic disorders had increased too, that means there was significant relationship between these recent parameters. There were significant correlations between preservation method and metabolic disorders and dehydration. As the league progressed, the number of total elimination was enhancing too, but the difference between elimination because of illegal reasons and flutter was noticeable; each of them had opposite process. Significantly, both serum calcium concentration (mg/dl) means of all eliminated blood samples (10.10±0.37) and the control group (11.19±0.17) have been higher than serum calcium concentration of the group eliminated due to flutter (9.41±0.34) (P<0.05). Significantly, the mean of serum total protein concentration (g/dl) of the group which was eliminated because of the flutter incidence (7.87±0.11) has been higher than all eliminated samples (7.75±0.11) and the control group (6.61±0.16). Conclusions: The results of the indurance competition in this research in our country are alike with international data in other countries.

BACKGROUND: Recently chitosan nanoparticles have been applied as an immunostimulant and adjuvant in biomedical fields. OBJECTIVES: In this study the adjuvant effects of nanochitosan, derived from shrimp shell's chithin, on immunogenicity of Aeromonas hydrophila vaccine in common carp were evaluated. METHODS: Totally 300 juvenile common carp (51±5.6 g, Mean ±SD) were randomly divided into four groups each contained three subgroups with 25 fishes. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were immunized intraperitoneally with A. hydrophila vaccine. No adjuvant used in group 1, but nanochitosan and freund adjuvant were used with vaccine in groups 2 and 3 respectively. Group 4 (Control) injected with normal saline instead of vaccine. Fish were immunised at days zero and 14 and fishes were reared in the same situation for 6 weeks. Serum samples were taken every other weeks and immunological parameters including WBC, serum lysozyme and bactericidal activity, serum complement activity, NBT reduction activity, total protein and globulin levels and anti A.hydrophila antibody titer were compared among the groups. At the end of experiment all groups were challenged with LD50 concentration of A. hydrophila and mortality recorded for ten days. RESULTS: WBC, serum lysozyme and complement activity, NBT activity, globulin level and anti A.hydrophila antibody titer were increased in nanochitosan and freund groups compare to control group (P<0.05). Serum bactericidal activity and serum albumin level showed no significant change among the groups (P>0.05). Challenge mortality decreased in immunised groups compare to control. CONCLUSIONS: Nonochitosan posses proper adjuvant effects which is comparable with freund adjuvant and can be a good candidate as an alternative to current adjuvant in fish vaccines.

BACKGROUNDS: Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite, which is widely prevalent in sheep throughout the world. Parasite infection can occur pre- or post-natally. Congenital ovine toxoplasmosis occurs following a primary infection in a pregnant ewe and leads to abortion and stillbirth of the fetus causing important economical losses to sheep industry. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of T. gondii DNA in brain samples from fetuses of slaughtered ewes in Khorramabad, west of Iran. METHODS: In total, 60 brain samples of ovine fetuses were collected. Examined fetuses were categorized in three age groups (4 months). Fifty grams of each sample was homogenized by mortar and pestle. DNA extraction was performed using a DNA isolation kit (MBST, Iran). A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which targets the repeated element (RE) of the organism was used for tissue samples. Brain samples were considered T. gondii-positive if the expected band size (529 bp) appeared. RESULTS: T. gondii was detected in 4 out of 60 (6·7%) examined fetuses. No case was recorded in the age group

BACKGROUND: Replacement of natural materials with syntheticdrugs in order to increase production and safety. OBJECTIVE: The purposeof this study was to investigate the effect of feed supplemented with ginger (Zingiberofficinale) extract on the growth, biochemical and hemato-immunologicalparameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). METHODS: Fishwith an average body weight 14.1±0.2 g were fed diet for 8 weeks with 0.5% and1% ginger extract and with unsupplemented commercial diet as the control. Bloodsamples were collected from caudal vein from apparently healthy fish at the endof trial. Growth (weight gain, specific growth ratio and condition factor),hematological (RBC,WBC, Hb, Hct, monocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil),Biochemical (glucose, total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol, albumin, AST,ALT, LDH and ALP) and immunological (lysozym activity, ACH50,IgM, and SOD)parameters were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that there wereno significant differences (p>0.05) in growth, hematological, biochemicaland metabolic enzymes between fish fed control and ginger extractsupplementation. The lowest level of cortisol was observed in 0.5% gingerextract (p<0.05). Lysozyme activity was significantly increased in 0.5%ginger extract fed fish (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggestthat by using 0.5% ginger extract there will be an improvement in growth andimmune function of rainbow trout

BACKGROUND: Different breeds of horses have distinct andspecific metabolic profiles which reflect the health status of horses. OBJECTIVES:The present study was performed to determine the circulating metabolicbiomarkers and their correlations in Darehshori horses. METHODS: Bloodsamples were taken from 56 Darehshori horses (5 to 7 years old). They weredivided into 2 groups containing 26 non-pregnant and non-lactating mares and 30stallions. Sera were separated and assayed for glucose, insulin,beta-hydroxybutiric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglycerideand high, low and very low density lipoproteins. RESULTS: Serum concentrationof beta-hydroxybutiric acid in stallions was significantly higher than inmares. The remaining metabolic biomarkers showed no significant differencesbetween the two studied groups. There were negative and non- significantcorrelations between insulin and glucose in both sexes. Insulin was negativelycorrelated with cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low densitylipoproteins in studied groups. The negative relationships were seen amongglucose and cholesterol, triglyceride and high, low and very low densitylipoproteins in mares and stallions. In both groups, non-esterified fatty acidand beta-hydroxybutiric acid were negatively correlated with serum lipidprofile. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study provided ageneral pattern for normal values of metabolic profile biomarkers innon-pregnant mares and stallions of Darehshori horses. These values also helpveterinarians to diagnose metabolic abnormalities of this breed. However,season, age, management, nutritional and different physiological states mayalter the values of these biomarkers and in interpreting the changes, theseconditions should be considered

BACKGROUND: Metabolic bone disease is a common disease in the pet reptiles. Early diagnosis of this disease has an important role in the treatment and prevention from complications. Since metabolic bone diseases causes bone density to decrease, it is assumed the CT scan can be used as a suitable method to diagnosis early changes in the bone density. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was providing a range of cortical and trabecular Hounsfield Numbers of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae in the healthy green iguana by the aid of computed tomography which can be used as a reference. METHODS: Twelve healthy green iguanas were included in this study and based on the body length were divided into three groups. Complete information about maintenance including maintaining environment and nutrition conditions were recorded in questionnaires designed for this study. Lateral and dorsoventral radiographs were obtained using digital radiology to confirm the health of the skeletal system. To achieve CT plans, the animals were restricted by warping method. After obtaining topogram, with the aid of Osteo Protocol, cross sectional images were acquired from random thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. CT images were subsequently evaluated in Syngo MMWP VE40A Medical Software. The results were analyzed using SPSS statistic software. RESULTS: According to statistic results, the mean Hounsfield Number of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae were presented due to the body length of the green iguana. Since the cortical bone density of lumbar vertebrae in all three groups  varied meaningfully and  only variable “body length” was considered influential on cortical mineral bone density of lumbar vertebrae. Cortical bone density of lumbar vertebrae can be used as a reference for detecting the early bone density changes in green iguana.             CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography can be an excellent alternative for early detection of the MBD in pet green iguanas.

BACKGROUND: Ambient temperature has a significant effect on the thyroid gland function. Thyroid gland can be assessed by ultrasonography and measurement of thyroid hormones. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this survey was normal ultrasonographic findings of thyroid gland in cat in warm (July) and cold (February) seasons. METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 native, adult healthy cats. Thyroid hormones including T3 and T4 were measured in each cat before ultrasonography. After finding thyroid gland, echogenesity, length, width and height of each lobe (right and left) were measured. RESULTS: Both thyroid lobes were scanable and symmetrical on each side. In sagittal plane it had a fusiform shape and in transverse plane it appeared as an oval or roughly triangular structure. The thyroid parenchyma was homogenously echogenic. The echogenecity of the gland was more than the neck muscles and no difference was seen between cold and warm seasons. Dimensions of each lobe were slightly larger in cold season than warm season. The differences in width and volume were significant (p<0.05) but the differences were not significant in length and height (p>0.05). The mean of the length, width, height and volume of both lobes were in normal range for cat with the same weight. Total means of length, width, height (mm) and volume (cm3) of both lobes were 17.2, 2.6, 2.7, and 0.07 in two seasons respectively. Also, the difference was significant in concentration of T3 and T4 hormones between cold and warm seasons, so that thyroid hormone concentrations were higher in cold season than warm season (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the reduction in air temperature has an extraordinary effect on increasing thyroid gland size and thyroid hormone concentrations in native adult cats in Ahvaz district. This effect can be due to the influence of cold in the increase of body metabolism and thyroid gland function.