Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:14 Issue: 1, Winter 2020

Escherichia coli (E.coli) is one of the most common and important causative bacterium of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in both dogs and humans.

This study aimed to identify virulence genes and a phylogenetic group of E. coli isolated from the urine of dogs suffering from UTIs.

E. coli were isolated from urine of dogs suffering from UTIs and tested for the presence of the virulence genes using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing method. On day 60 after immunization, half of the fish in each treatment was challenged intraperitoneally and the re- maining half of fish in the oral receiving bacterin groups were challenged by bath method with 1 LD50 and 1 LC50 of a Y. ruckeri local virulent isolate respectively.

Out of a total of 103 samples, 25 were found to be positive for E. coli, of these 20 (80.0%) were identified as aer, 14(56.0%) as pap, 12(48.0%) as sfa, 8(32.0%) as afa, 5(20.0%) as hly and 5(20.0%) as cnf1 genes. None of the isolates carried cnf2 genes.

The study demonstrated a high occurrence of virulence genes. The phylogenetic compar- isons of these gene sequences detected in uropathogenic E. coli isolated from dogs showed high similarity to those present in the urine of humans with urinary tract infection. Phylogenetic comparisons of the virulence genes revealed that hly, sfa , cnf1 and pap matched to group B2, afa to group A and aer to group B2 and D.

Escherichia coli (E.coli) is one of the most common and important causative bacterium of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in both dogs and humans.

This study aimed to identify virulence genes and a phylogenetic group of E. coli isolated from the urine of dogs suffering from UTIs.

E. coli were isolated from urine of dogs suffering from UTIs and tested for the presence of the virulence genes using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing method. On day 60 after immunization, half of the fish in each treatment was challenged intraperitoneally and the re- maining half of fish in the oral receiving bacterin groups were challenged by bath method with 1 LD50 and 1 LC50 of a Y. ruckeri local virulent isolate respectively.

Out of a total of 103 samples, 25 were found to be positive for E. coli, of these 20 (80.0%) were identified as aer, 14(56.0%) as pap, 12(48.0%) as sfa, 8(32.0%) as afa, 5(20.0%) as hly and 5(20.0%) as cnf1 genes. None of the isolates carried cnf2 genes.

The study demonstrated a high occurrence of virulence genes. The phylogenetic compar- isons of these gene sequences detected in uropathogenic E. coli isolated from dogs showed high similarity to those present in the urine of humans with urinary tract infection. Phylogenetic comparisons of the virulence genes revealed that hly, sfa , cnf1 and pap matched to group B2, afa to group A and aer to group B2 and D.

Equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) is a major cause of economic loss in horse industry and is well recognized as a cause of abortion, respiratory disease, neurologic disorders and death of neonatal foals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of EHV-1 in horses with clinical signs and/or history associated with this virus from four provinces of Iran (Golestan, Tehran, Khuzestan, West Azer- baijan) that have considerable horse population, followed by phylogenetic study of positive cases and compare them with herpes viruses in other parts of the world.

Blood samples and nasal swabs were taken from 150 horses from four aforementioned provinc- es. DNA of samples was extracted and used for detection in real-time PCR TaqMan assay. Finally, phyloge- netic trees were designed based on neighbor joining method.

Out of 150 sampled horses, a total of 14 (9.33%) were found to be positive for EHV-1. The results indicated that positive cases of EHV-1 from this study were clustered to herpes virus cases in other parts of the world with a noticeable similarity.

This study confirmed the presence of EHV-1 in these provinces of Iran, thus consideration should be given to preventive and control programs to prevent dissemination and outbreak of this virus.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is an oncogenic deltaretrovirus causing a persistent lifelong infection of B lymphocytes. In addition to the domestic cattle, the virus can also infect water buffaloes.

Recent investigations have demonstrated the increasing prevalence of BLV infection among cattle population in Iran. Large populations of water buffaloes are also kept in different parts of Iran for milk and meat purposes. Considering economic losses induced by BLV infection in buffalo and more importantly the role of this species in virus epidemiology, the present study has investigated the BLV infection in Iranian water buffalo population.

Seroprevalence and occurrence of BLV was investigated in water buffalo population (n=100) in Khuzestan province, Southwest Iran by ELISA and nested PCR, targeting gp51 region in the envgene.

In total, 52 samples were seropositive and represented the antibodies against BLV gp51 protein in ELISA test. Forty-seven out of 52 seropositive samples were confirmed by nested PCR.

Such a high rate of BLV infection in water buffaloes is an alarming issue for both its eco- nomic impact due to the production losses and more importantly the epidemiological aspects in which the virus circulation among different host species will complicate the control and prevention strategies.

Gastric ulcer is one of the most common diseases in racehorses. Colic, weight loss and poor performance are some of the clinical signs. The second and third larval stages of the bot fly Gasterophilus spp live in the stomach of the horse. This parasite is often found in large numbers of horses in all of the countries.

The aim of this study was assessment of gastric ulcer in the rural horse and relation with Gasterophilus spp.

In a cross-sectional study twenty rural horses were randomly selected for endoscopic finding for gastric ulcer. Gender, age, keeping situation, type of feed, history of colic, hair coat condition, deworming plan and presence of GasterophilussSpp. were recorded in a sheet. The horses were kept fasted for 12 hours before endoscopic examination by a VET3M OLYMPUS (Japan). Sedation was done by injection of Detomidine (Detomo Vet ® ceva-Spain) 0.1ml/100kg to look for presence of gastric ulcers with grading and Gasterophilus spp. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with 95% confidence interval and P

Out of 20 horses, 13(65%) horses were mares and 7(35%) were males and Mean±2SE of age was 8.9±4. Endoscopic observation showed 9 (45%) of the horses suffered from gastric ulcer. All of the ulcers were in non-glandular part and near the margo plicatus. Overall, 4 (20%) head of the horses had Gasterophilus spp. and all of them were present in the horse with no deworming plan. Based on the results, there was no associ- ation between presence of Gasterophilus with occurrence of Gastric ulcer (P>0.05). Further study with high sample size is proposed.

There was high frequency of gastric ulcer in non-glandular portion of stomach in rural horse and there was not any association between presence of Gasterophilus and gastric ulcer.

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection in poultry is one of the most important concerns in poultry. Virulence and pathogenicity of the SE isolates from Iran have not been well studied so far.

In the present study, three Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) isolates were compared with a standard SE strain (PT21) for virulence in one-day-old layer chicks. All of the isolates were supposed to be virulent because of carrying a large-sized virulence plasmid.

Fifty day-old layer chicks (LSL strain) were divided into five groups of 10 chicks and raised in separate cages until 14 days of age. All three SE isolates were cultured in brain-heart infusion (BHI) broth to reach a concentration of approximately 1010 CFU/ml. The challenged groups included three groups inoculated with three SE isolates (A20, S32, S34) and one group inoculated with SE PT21 as positive control. One group was raised as negative control without receiving any bacteria. Any mortality or morbidity observed in any group was recorded. Samples were taken from liver, jejunum and cecum at days 2, 4, 6, 9 and 14 days of age, cultured for SE isolation, colony counting and histopathological examinations.

All challenged groups showed mild to severe diarrhea in all birds and some birds were listless especially in the first week. No signs were seen in the control group. Two mortalities occurred in challenged groups. Salmonella Enteritidis was detected in all samples until the end of experiment. The colony count showed less (100 to 1000 times less) SE in liver compared to that of cecal samples. Histopathological findings also were compatible with symptoms and bacteriological results.

We concluded that all three SE isolates were able to colonize in the digestive system of layer chicks leading to mortality or at least lower performance compared to healthy chicks

Mesobuthus eupeus is an indigenous scorpion species in Southwest Iran which is respon- sible for the majority of scorpion sting cases in Khuzestan province.

The effects of M. eupeus venom were investigated on the chief metabolic hormones in rats.

A total of 45 Albino male rats were divided into 3 equal groups: group 1 (control): 0.5 ml normal saline was administered intraperitoneally (IP); group 2 and 3: M. eupeus venom was administered with a dose of 1 and 2 mg/kg IP, respectively. Sampling was performed at 8, 24, and 48 hours after venom/ saline injection.

The levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) were significantly lower in both venom receiving groups (groups 2 and 3) than in the control group, dose-dependently, at all sampling times. There was a significant decrease in insulin level in both intoxicated groups compared to the control group at all sampling times. Glucagon, cortisol and subsequently glucose concentrations were significantly increased in both groups receiving the venom (groups 2 and 3) compared to the control group at 8 and 24 hours following envenomation.

The findings of this study indicate that M. eupeus venom can suppress the secretion of essential metabolic hormones including T3, T4, and insulin and stimulate the release of glucagon, and cor- tisol, leading to hyperglycemia.

Comprehensive studies in blood values t have been somewhat reported in wildlife animals but this study is the first one in Iranian red sheep.

The present study was aimed to reveal alterations of some biochemical and hematological parameters in Iranian red sheep (Ovis. Orientalis gmelini) in the Zanjan province (Sorkhabad protected  area), Iran.

Blood samples were obtained from 52 clinically and para-clinically healthy Iranian red sheep with different age (under 2 years, 31 sheep and over 2 years, 21 sheep) and sex (37 male and 15 female). Thereafter, some hematological parameters such as RBC, PCV, Hb, MCH, MCV, MCHC, WBC, Differen- tial leukocyte count along with biochemical parameters (T3, T4, glucose, total protein, albumin, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglyceride, creatinine, urea, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, CK) were analyzed.

The results indicated significant alterations (p<0.01) of T3, T4, phosphorous, magnesium, GGT and ALP in both sex and age groups, significant alterations in glucose and creatinine only in sex group and significant changes based on age in cholesterol, HDL and LDL. No significant changes were observed in the other parameters.

In Iranian red sheep, some parameters of serum biochemistry indicate significant chang- es based on gender and age that should be considered in laboratory tests of animal health. Meanwhile, fur- ther research should be performed in this regard.

Diagnosis and prognosis of inflammatory conditions based on acute phase proteins (APPs) level in blood has been exploited for a long time in human medicine and their changes in SARA condition is considered in veterinary medicine.

To evaluate the variations of serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp) as main acute phase proteins in cow with normal pH or cows that experienced rumen pH ≤5.8 during first days after parturition.

A total of 106 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly selected after parturition in two different seasons of winter and summer 2017. Cows were divided into 2 groups as normal cows with pH >5.8 or rumen pH ≤5.8. Ruminal fluid samples were collected through stomach tube for rumen pH and blood samples were taken from the coccygeal vein of cows concurrently once per day at days 4, 11 and 18 post-partum. SAA and Hp were determined in blood samples. The PROC MIXED of SAS (2003) was used for all determined variables with repeated measures. BCS, parity and milk yield were included as fixed and cows as random effect. The significant level was declared at P≤0.05, and tendency toward significance was considered at 0.05<P≤0.10 by the Tukey test. Correlation between rumen pH and APPs were surveyed using PROC CORRELATION of SAS (2003).

The results of experiment showed that rumen pH was lower (P<0.05) in summer samples than winter (6.33 vs. 6.46). Rumen pH was lower (P<0.0001) in cows composed by subjects with rumen pH ≤5.8 than pH >5.8. For all examined cows, SAA concentration was greater in winter than summer (P<0.001), as well as at day 4 than days 11 and 18 after calving (P<0.05).Also, Hp concentration was greater for winter samples than summer (P<0.05), and at day 18 than days 4 and 11 after calving (333.33 vs. 299.3 and 300.1 respectively) (P<0.05). SAA and Hp concentrations were not affected by rumen pH. There was no significant correlation between rumen pH and APPs concentrations in both groups of pH ≤5.8 and pH >5.8.

Results showed that rumen pH ≤5.8 seems not to stimulate the APPs production

Neurotransmitters (NTS) are endogenous chemicals secreted from neural terminals into the synaptic cleft of the chemical neurons in order to affect their receptors. NTS play vital physiological role as stimulatory, inhibitory or modulatory compounds.

This review was aimed to summarize the roles of the most important NTS which regulate food intake in the avian species.

Over 40 neurotransmitters are known as regulatory agents that control ingestion behavior in mammals and birds. Acetylcholine (Ach), epinephrine (EP), norepinephrine (NEP), histamine, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), glycine, serotonin and glutamate have been identified as the mediatory agents about regulation of feeding behavior in birds. Based on the molecular weight and the type of efficacy, NTS have been categorized into the two main groups including “the small molecular weight fast-effective NTS and the large molecular wieght slow-effective neuropeptides. Various physiological functions have been presented for NTS and it seems many other unknown effects and even possible interactions among them are still questionable. Appetite control, mediatory role of ingestion behavior and regulation of food intake have recently been highlighted among various roles of NTS in chicken.

Food intake regulation is a complex physiologic process that is under the control of the central and environmental signals. Considering of the involvement of feeding behavior in other major physiological processes such as the growth, immunity and production, it is necessary to realize the role of different mediators which are affecting and modulating food intake in avian species.