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Ornithobacterium rhinotracheal (ORT) is a Gram-negative pathogen that is one of the causes of respiratory diseases in birds. Co-infection of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheal with other pathogens can cause serious health problems in bird species and also lead to financial losses in the poultry industry. Serological methods are among the most important techniques for rapid infection diagnosis, farm monitoring, infection control and prevention. The purpose of this study was to design an ELISA test to assess the prevalence of ORT and track the amount of ORT-specific antibody in serum collected from turkeys. After immunizing three pieces of turkey and obtaining the immunization serum, antibody purification was performed using ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography methods. The purified antibodies were then used in a homemade ELISA reaction as a standard sample to determine the quantity of specific antibodies against ORT. A total of 244 serum samples were collected from turkeys slaughtered in the poultry slaughterhouse of Khuzestan province. ELISA testing revealed the significant presence of antibodies against ORT in 141 (57.78%) of the samples. The average concentration of antibodies in positive samples was 467.72 ± 124.128 micrograms per milliliter of serum, while in negative samples it was 262.97 ± 37.263 micrograms per milliliter. This study revealed the prevalence of ORT infections in Khuzestan province. Therefore, due to the lack of a reliable vaccine against O. rhinotracheal, it is necessary to implement good disease management and biosecurity measures in order to effectively control the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterococci are a part of the opportunistic pathogens, which are very important in medicine. These bacteria can cause a variety of diseases in both dogs and human. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency detection of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium in companion dogs in Ahvaz and review of risk factors including age, gender, breed and diarrheic status in animals. Also, the prevalence of virulence genes was evaluated including gelatinase (gelE) and (ccf) and antibiotic susceptibility measured in obtained samples. Sampling was performed from the rectum of the 150 dogs (36 cases diarrheic and 114 non-diarrheic). The samples were evaluated by two methods of bacterial culture and PCR. In bacterial culture, 122 isolates, suspected to Enterococcus species, were isolated and subsequently the detection of SodA gene specific to Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium was performed by PCR. Overall forty-five positive isolates were identified, which thirty four of which were Enterococcus faecalis (75.5%) and 11 were Enterococcus faecium (24.5 %). In regard to identify virulence genes (gelE and ccf), 36 out of 45 isolates were positive for virulence genes. Twenty six isolates (57.77%) had virulence genes, 5 isolates (11.11%) ccf gene and 5 other isolates (11.11%) gelE gene. In all, nine isolates (20%) had no virulence gene. Fourteen different antibiotics were used to determine antibiotic susceptibility that indicated all isolates were resistant to azithromycin, streptomycin, ampicillin and imipenem. Thereafter, the highest resistance was related to erythromycin and cephalexin (95.5%), trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (84.4%) and gentamicin (80%), respectively. Also, the highest sensitivity was related to nitrofurantoin (62.2%), penicillin G (60%) and enrofloxacin (55.5%), respectively. There was no significant relationship between risk factors such as age, gender, breed and diarrheic condition with the presence of Enterococcus in the studied dogs (P>0.05). The results showed that the prevalence of Enterococci was relatively significant (30%) in dogs of Ahvaz district. Antibiotic resistance was significant in the two species of Enterococci. Finally, because of the very high importance of antibiotic resistance, appropriate administration of antibiotics is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasmosis is one of the most important diseases in the poultry industry. mycoplasma synoviae is one of the important disease-causing factors in chickens, which causes respiratory tract infection and synovitis. and leads to significant economic losses to the poultry industry all over the world. In this study, mycoplasma infection of broiler flocks in Ahvaz slaughterhouse was investigated using molecular method. For this purpose, 200 samples of lung and trachea tissues and joint fluid of hock joint were collected from 20 broiler flocks with macroscopic symptoms and 20 samples from the mentioned parts from apparently healthy broiler chickens of each flock in the winter season. Tissue DNA extraction was performed. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect Vlha gene of mycoplasma synoviae. Of the 200 samples, 55 lungs and 45 tracheas from flocks with macroscopic symptoms and 4 lung and trachea samples from apparently healthy birds were positive. In the molecular examination of joint samples, no positive cases were observed for the presence of mycoplasma synoviae. The PCR products of positive samples were sent to Gene FanAvaran Company for sequencing. The sequence of a part of the Vlha gene of this isolate was compared with other isolates in the gene bank and it was about 99% similar to the previous Iranian isolates (IRG11/C/09, IRG6/C/08, IRG1/C/08). According to the results of the present study, mycoplasma synoviae is common among broiler flocks under investigation in Ahvaz slaughterhouse. Therefore, the policy makers of the health system of the poultry industry should prevent the economic losses caused by this disease with preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheal (ORT) is a Gram-negative pathogen that is one of the causes of respiratory diseases in birds. Co-infection of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheal with other pathogens can cause serious health problems in bird species and also lead to financial losses in the poultry industry. Serological methods are among the most important techniques for rapid infection diagnosis, farm monitoring, infection control and prevention. The purpose of this study was to design an ELISA test to assess the prevalence of ORT and track the amount of ORT-specific antibody in serum collected from turkeys. After immunizing three pieces of turkey and obtaining the immunization serum, antibody purification was performed using ion exchange chromatography and affinity chromatography methods. The purified antibodies were then used in a homemade ELISA reaction as a standard sample to determine the quantity of specific antibodies against ORT. A total of 244 serum samples were collected from turkeys slaughtered in the poultry slaughterhouse of Khuzestan province. ELISA testing revealed the significant presence of antibodies against ORT in 141 (57.78%) of the samples. The average concentration of antibodies in positive samples was 467.72 ±124.128 micrograms per milliliter of serum, while in negative samples it was 262.97 ±37.263 micrograms per milliliter. This study revealed the prevalence of ORT infections in Khuzestan province. Therefore, due to the lack of a reliable vaccine against O. rhinotracheal, it is necessary to implement good disease management and biosecurity measures in order to effectively control the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic contact dermatitis is an inflammatory skin reaction caused by direct contact with an offending substance. The aim of this study was to establish a suitable method for induction of allergic contact dermatitis in dogs for future studies. For this purpose, 1%and 2% dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) were injected with and without ethanol and olive oil or acetone and olive oil subcutaneously in the back of 8 BALB/c mice (4 equal groups). Then, based on the types and severity of the symptoms, it was decided to sensitize the dogs with only 2% DNCB. Finally, in two stages, 2% DNCB with or without dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was injected with ethanol or acetone and olive oil subcutaneously in thoracic and scapular regions of five dogs. Two percent DNCB challenge caused clinical findings including erythema, edema and skin scaling, as well as pruritus and scratching behavior in the mice. Clinical findings in dogs developed in mild severity including redness and swelling within a few days. There was a significant increase in total blood leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils and monocytes counts at seven days in dogs. Also statistical analysis showed that one week after DNCB injection, IgE expression increased significantly and this increase continued until day twenty-one. Based on the result of this study, intradermal injection of 100 μL of 2% DNCB mixture with DMSO (dissolved in a 4:1 mixture of ethanol and olive oil) was a suitable method for induction of allergic contact dermatitis in dogs. Furthermore, the scapular region was also a convenient location to prevent self-induced lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]