فهرست مطالب حمیدرضا موسویان

Canine distemper (CD) is the dogs’ most contagious and lethal viral disease. Despite the widespread use of vaccines to control CD, the prevalence of the CD virus (CDV) has increased at an alarming rate in recent years. 

To identify the genotypes responsible for the neurological and non-neurological clinical forms of CD and to investigate the presence of the virus in the neurological and non-neurological forms of the disease. 

In this descriptive-analytical study, the samples were collected from 70 CD suspected unvaccinated dogs with clinical signs of distemper. All cases were tested with rapid tests and separated into 3 groups based on clinical signs and symptoms. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), respiratory secretion, and fecal samples of allall 70 cases were examined for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). After sequencing the hemagglutinin gene (H gene), phylogenetic analysis of the gene isolated from CDVs was carried out using MEGA software, version 7. 

The RT-PCR results showed that the respiratory secretion sample in the non-neurological CDV group (85%) and the neurological CDV group (80%) had the highest level of virus contamination. However, in the non-neurological CDV group, the CSF sample (40%) had a high level of infection. In neurotic groups, cases older than 12 months showed the highest percentage of distemper contamination, and in the non-neurologic CDV group, those between 3 and 6 months were more involved. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the H gene revealed the CDV as a member of the endemic Arctic-like genetic lineage. 

The genotypic examination of the hemagglutinin gene of the distemper virus reveals that the recent isolates of neurologic and non-neurologic clinical forms of CDV in Iran are similar. In positive rapid test cases, the PCR test of respiratory secretions for virus detection ranks with the highest sensitivity. In neurologic cases with negative rapid test results, PCR of CSF had the highest sensitivity, so it may serve as a diagnostic criterion.

Obesity is a major problem in horses, unfortunately many times underrated by owners. Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is one of the obesity complications that can cause laminitis, hypertension, subfertility, and so on. Insulin dysregulation (ID) is the main feature of EMS that results from insulin resistance.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of feeding management in obesity and EMS occur-rence.

Five hundred seventy horses were evaluated in this study. They were divided into the groups based on age, gender, breed, exercise activity, and feeding type. Glucose and insulin were measured using an AutoAna-lyzer device and ELISA kit, respectively.

Out of 570 horses, 2% had EMS while 14% were fat but obesity occurrence was higher in horses grazed in pasture (25%) compared to the horses that had not access to pasture (9%).

Results showed that prevalence of EMS under different feeding strategies is significantly dif-ferent. For the prevention of this important welfare issue, feeding management and routine exercise are the best ways.

Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent inherited genetic disease of cats, predominantly affecting Persians and Persian-related cats. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) in Persian cats in Iran, and also to assess the relationships between PKD and gender, age as well as clinical and paracilinical manifestations. Sonographic screening examination was performed on all healthy and unhealthy Persian and Persian-related cats referred to Small Animal Hospital of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, from April 2014 to May 2015. Cats were classified as positive when at least one anechoic cavity was found in at least one kidney. Of 76 Persian and Persian-related cats submitted for PKD ultrasound screening, 36.8% were found to have the disease and 63.2% were negative. Therefore, the prevalence of PKD was estimated 36.8% in Persian and Persian related cats in Tehran, Iran, which is approximately similar to prevalence in other parts of the world. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between PKD and age, as in affected cats the detection probability of renal cysts in sonography was increased in older animals. For each year increase in age, the detection probability of PKD in sonography was increased about 2.62 times. The prevalence of the PKD amongst Persian cats in Iran is relatively high, and insufficient attention to incidence and prevalence of PKD especially in breeding programs, would spread the disease throughout in Persian cats.

A 3-year-old, 300 kg body weight Caspian pony stallion has been referred to large animal clinic of faculty of Specialized Veterinary Sciences of Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University with urinary incontinence, tenesmus, hematuria, general weakness, dehydration and disquiet. After physical examination and transvaginal ultrasonography, a hyperechoic mass was observed in the bladder. The patient was prepared for cystotomy from ventral midline celiotomy approach. The bladder was incised and a relatively large (type II) and rigid urolith was found. It was removed gently from mucosa and sent it to laboratory. Based on laboratory analysis, the composition of urolith included 50% Calcium oxalate, 30% Calcium and 5% Ammonium was reported. After 10 days and appropriate postoperative care, signs of recovery were observed. The correct diagnosis of urolithiasis with early and standard surgical intervention may prevent urinary blockage and problems in Caspian Miniature horses.

Theileria lestoquardi and Theileria ovis are the causative agents of ovine theileriosis in Iran. The disease severity and the outcomes of these two species are completely different. Theileria lestoquardi unlike Theileria ovis, causes a severe disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate called ovine and caprine malignant theileriosis. The pathogenicity aspects of T.lestoquardi are poorly understood. Many studies have investigated the pathogen molecules of Theileria annulata and Theileria parva involved in both host cell transformation and proliferation. Tash (Theileria annulata schizont) pathogens proteins in theileria annulata are secrotome proteins, synthesized in schizont stage, located to parasite and host cell nucleus and are related to parasite pathogenicity. In the present study, multiple primers were designed based on Tash genes and the presence of Tash-like sequence in Theileria lestoquardi and Theileria ovis genomes were assessed. A 420 bp nucleotide sequene in T.Lestoquardi which was very similar to TashHN in theileria annulata was identified. This is the first report of a Theilerial lestoquardi sequence that would appear related to pathogenecity of malignant theileriosis in sheep.