Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:17 Issue: 1, Winter 2023

Green synthesis of nanoparticles is an environmentally friendly method to produce nanoparticles with unique biological, physical, and chemical properties. Today, biological synthesis methods have drawn significant attention because of the drawbacks of physical and chemical synthesis, such as poisonous side effects, time and power usage, and heavy price. Among different microorganisms, cyanobacteria are suitable candidates as regenerating and stabilizing agents because of their capability to collect heavy metals from the environment and produce various bioactive compounds such as colorants and enzymes. The green synthesis of nanoparticles by cyanobacteria has captivated extensive consideration as a secure, easy, stable, economical, and environmentally friendly resolution for biomedical and veterinary applications. Meanwhile, the secondary metabolites synthesized by cyanobacteria with the ability of extracellular and extracellular metals reduction and oxidation are very noteworthy and have antibacterial, antifungal, anti-algae, anticancer, and photocatalytic activities. This study considers the properties, as well as biomedical and veterinary applications of nanoparticles generated by cyanobacteria.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important healthcare-associated pathogen that is also an emerging zoonosis. 

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in dairy cattle farms in Kebbi, North-Western Nigeria.

A total of 200 milk samples, consisting of 50 samples each from lactating cows, were collected and used. The samples were analyzed using bacterial culture and isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Suspected MRSA isolates were identified via PCR detection of the mecA gene, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

Of the two hundred milk samples examined, the prevalence of MRSA was recorded at 18% (36/200) using phenotypic and genotypic characterization methods. The susceptibility to vancomycin was observed in all isolates, and they had a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of >0.4.

This investigation showed the colonization of healthy dairy cows by multidrug-resistant MRSA.

Salmonella is known as one of the most important bacterial agents infecting both humans and animals. Salmonella Infantis has been reported as one of the 15 most prevalent serovars worldwide. Despite its clinical importance, there is little information on the molecular characteristics of S. Infantis in Iran. 

This study was conducted to characterize S. Infantis isolates collected from poultry sources in the last decade. The isolates were typified by plasmid profile and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR). 

Forty S. Infantis isolates from poultry sources were subjected to plasmid profile and ERIC-PCR characterization. We used a commercial plasmid extraction kit to extract and purify plasmid DNA which then was separated by gel electrophoresis and viewed under a UV transilluminator. For ERIC-PCR, a commercial bacterial chromosomal DNA extraction kit was used. In this study, we chose ERIC2 primer for the ERIC-PCR test. 

The plasmid profile revealed that 35% of isolates did not contain any plasmids, but the rest (65%) carried a variable number of plasmids with different molecular weights. Six plasmid profiles were found among 40 S. Infantis isolates. Using ERIC2 primer, 7 profiles were found among 40 S. Infantis isolates in ERIC-PCR. Bands with molecular weights ranging from 400 to 3000 bp were observed.

This study provided some genetic data on S. Infantis isolates recovered from poultry sources, and these data can be used for a broader epidemiological study nationwide. These findings showed that although plasmid and ERIC profiles are valuable in epidemiological studies, they have some limitations, too.

Experiments using animal models have indicated that maternal diet during the perinatal period can drastically impact the life-long susceptibility of offspring to chronic disease. This study aims to determine the impact of perinatal consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa to feed restriction on offspring heart development.  In this study, we used 25 pregnant rats. They were grouped as follows: group 1 (normal control), group 2 (70% feed restriction), group 3 (70% feed restriction and 5mg/kg body weight of H. sabdariffa administration), group 4 (70% feed restriction, and 10mg/kg body weight of H. sabdariffa administration), and group 5 (70% feed restriction and 20mg/kg body weight of H. sabdariffa administration). Dams were only allowed to nurse 8 pups. Pups were weaned and observed daily for puberty onset. Blood samples were collected to determine serum levels of creatine kinase, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde. The hearts were excised, weighed, and prepared for histological examination.  The result showed a significant increase in absolute and relative weights of the heart with alterations in the histology of the heart. There was a significant change in serum levels of creatine kinase and malondialdehyde. Maternal consumption of H. sabdariffa during pregnancy and lactation may increase the development of cardiovascular diseases in offspring during postnatal growth.

Detecting Döhle body inclusions in cat neutrophils is one of the most relevant toxic changes with clinical significance. It is necessary to study pre-analytical factors such as temperature and blood storage time on the formation of these toxic changes.

The present study sought to investigate the impact of blood storage time and temperature on Döhle or Döhle-like inclusions in cat neutrophils.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood samples were obtained from 8 cats without evidence of Döhle inclusions on fresh blood smears (T0). Samples were stored at room temperature (RT) and 4°C as routine storage temperatures of samples in the laboratory. Smears were prepared 2 (T2), 4 (T4), 8 (T8), and 24 (T24) hours following the blood draw for each storage condition. Döhle or Döhle-like inclusions were assessed on each smear randomly selected.

The percentages of neutrophils with Döhle or Döhle-like inclusions in T8 and T24 increased significantly at RT and 4°C, respectively (P<0.001) compared to T0. The smears prepared from blood samples stored at RT contained more neutrophils with Döhle or Döhle-like inclusions than 4°C. A significant difference was not found in the percentages of neutrophils with these inclusions between the two temperatures at any storage times.

The development of Döhle body-like in cat neutrophils occurs when the analysis is delayed, especially at higher storage temperatures. This condition may affect diagnosis and clinical decisions. Therefore, the blood smears should be prepared as soon as the blood is drawn to reduce pre-analytical changes.

European pond turtle is one of the two species of freshwater turtles in Iran. Regarding clinical examinations and diagnostic imaging techniques, it is necessary to have complete anatomical information on this turtle.

This study provided complete morphometric and normal two-dimensional computerized tomographic scanning information of the vertebrae of European pond turtles.

Ten European pond turtles were used in this study. Computerized tomography (CT) scans were taken from each anesthetized turtle. Then, morphometric parameters were measured in the CT scans of the vertebral column.

Atlas was the shortest of the cervical vertebrae, and the eighth cervical vertebra was shorter than the previous vertebrae. The articular surface of the caudal articular processes of the eighth cervical vertebra was bent, and these surfaces were almost vertical. Transverse process width had remained constant in the cervical vertebrae. The transverse process was not observed in the dorsal vertebrae. The first dorsal vertebra had a different shape than others.

The particular shape of the last two cervical vertebrae, especially the arched shape of the eight vertebrae. The seventh and eighth cervical vertebrae have the largest transverse distance between caudal articular processes that seem necessary for cervical motion. The limited space of the caudal cervical vertebrae inside the shell chamber can be the reason for the reduction in the length of these vertebrae. The absence of a spinous process in the seventh and eighth cervical vertebrae of the neck may be related to their specific position in the neck retraction.

Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound widely used in industry and medical fields such as Anatomy and Pathology. Exposure to this chemical negatively affects the skin, mucous membrane, and respiratory system. It can pass through the blood-brain barrier, potentially causing neurotoxicity. According to studies, formaldehyde might be involved in memory impairment and the cognitive decline process in Alzheimer disease (AD).

This study aimed to simulate chronic occupational formaldehyde exposure in rats and study its impacts on passive avoidance conditioning and anxiety.

Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 6 rats each. After an adaptation period, the rats were exposed to 1, 2, and 3 ppm formaldehyde vapor in an exposure chamber, 6 hours per day for 7 days. The control group was exposed to saline. After the exposure period, a shuttle box for passive avoidance conditioning and an elevated plus-maze test for assessing anxiety levels were performed. The data were analyzed by 1-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range test for group comparison in SPSS and SAS software. 

In the shuttle box test, formaldehyde dose-dependently decreased escape-through latency and increased the percentage of dark compartment entries (P<0.0001). In the elevated plus maze test, the percentage of time spent in open arms decreased by increasing the dosage (P<0.0001).

Based on these findings, formaldehyde exposure can negatively alter brain function and cause memory impairment and anxiety.

Nanoparticles are increasingly exposed to ecosystems and people due to their large-scale manufacture and usage. The use of nanomaterials has increased their discharge into the aquatic environment.

This research evaluated the protective effect of Spirulina platensis against liver damage and oxidative stress in grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) after exposure to Iron oxide nanoparticles.

Juvenile grey mullets were randomly classified into 12 equal groups: Group 0, 96h control group; Group 1, 60 days control group; Group 2, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) at 15mg/kg for 96h; Group 3, IONPs at 15mg/kg for 60 days; Group 4, S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 96h; Group 5, S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 60 days, Group 6, IONPs at 15mg/kg+S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 96h; Group 7, IONPs at 15mg/kg+S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 60 days; Group 8, IONPs at 15mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 96h; Group 9, IONPs at 15mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by S. platensis at 300mg/kg for 60 days; Group 10, S. platensis at 300mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by IONPs at 15mg/kg for 96h; Group 11, S. platensis at 300mg/kg (for 2 weeks) followed by IONPs at 15mg/kg for 60 days. At the end of the experiment, samples of the liver were extracted and subjected to analyses to measure reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA)

MDA levels in the liver were shown to have dramatically risen in the current investigation, but antioxidant SOD and GSH activity in the IONPs-treated group had significantly reduced compared to the controls. When compared to fish solely treated with IONPs, S. platensis treatment dramatically reduced liver MDA and CAT activity and raised SOD and GSH.

All prior metrics significantly improved when IONPs-induced liver damage in fish was prevented by spirulina. By scavenging free radicals, reducing inflammation, and restoring endogenous antioxidant defense systems, S. platensis therapy has a protective effect in the liver of grey mullet against damage and oxidative stress in the IONPs.

In recent years, rainbow trout roe has become a valuable and popular product among consumers. In this study, the quality and health status of this product were studied during the salting and refrigeration process.

This study aimed to compare the effects of salting rainbow trout roe on its shelf life, volatile nitrogen, and changes in fatty acid profile during refrigerated storage.

After the first wash, we grouped the fish roe into the raw roe (control group) and the salted roe (1.5% pure salt). The groups were kept in the refrigerator for 0, 15, and 30 days and analyzed for chemical, microbial, organoleptic, and fatty acids.

The results showed that salt content affected the fatty acid profile during the salting of the fish roe, but no significant differences were observed between the two treatments. Total bacterial counts increased during refrigerated storage, but the salted fish roe had lower total bacterial counts than the raw roe. Total volatile basic nitrogen in raw roe increased from 5.97 to 30.00 mg/kg and in salted roes from 6.05 to 23.18 mg/kg.

Salting (1.5%) fish roe is a good way to increase its shelf life while preserving its high quality. After salting, the amount of fatty acid decreased, but no change was observed during storage.

Hepatic lipidosis and hernia are problems that can occur in pet birds due to different causes. Aspergillosis is also an important disease of pet birds. This article reports an interesting case which, to our knowledge, is the first one in Iran. A 7-year-old male common mynah was presented to the clinic of avian diseases at the University of Tehran, Tehran City, Iran, with a history of severe dyspnea, anorexia, feeding with a high-energy diet, and recently been in the northern parts of Iran. Unfortunately, the bird died. Necropsy was done to diagnose the cause of death. Tissue samples from abdominal viscera, lungs, and air sacs were collected and fixed in 10% buffered formalin and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Bacterial cultures from the liver and bone marrow were performed on blood and MacConkey agars. In the external carcass examination, the abdominal swelling, hernia, and yellow discoloration under the skin were obvious. At necropsy, the liver was enlarged with yellowish discoloration. There was also a high amount of fat around the abdominal viscera. Microscopically, fatty change, hepatocellular necrosis, and hemorrhages were seen in the liver. There were also vegetative forms of Aspergillus on the lung’s parenchyma and air sacs. No bacterial growth was observed. Pet birds are usually restricted to a cage by minimal contact with other birds; thus, diseases related to management are common among these birds. So keeping in suitable conditions with an appropriate, balanced diet is important for their health.