Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Autumn 2010

This report describes the preparation of a safe and immunogenic single vaccine against capripox disease in sheep and goats using two different types of cells (primary lamb kidney and vero, a bovine turbinate cell line). This used the 0240 pox strain isolated from sheep during an outbreak. The prepared vaccine was administered subcutaneously and induced complete protection against an experimental sheep and goat pox challenge virus. For the final evaluation, the efficacy of the prepared vaccine was used in a field trial under the supervision of veterinary clinicians. This vaccine was proved to be more efficacious than the routine vaccines that are currently produced.

A five-year-old Holstein cow with a history of vaginal prolapse was admitted to the Large Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz. According to the owner, she had a 5-month history of vaginal prolapse and frequent sanguineous discharge from the vagina. Appetite was normal and its last parturition was two months ago. Clinical examination revealed a tumor like mass that attached to the vaginal roof and partly protruded through the vagina without any vaginal prolapse. After epidural anesthesia, the mass was surgically removed with some of the surrounding tissue. The dimensions of the mass were 5.2 × 4 × 3.4 cm. Macroscopically, it was relatively well circumscribed with a lobulated and ulcerated surface. In cut section, the mass was homogenously creamy in color. There were no foci of necrosis or hemorrhage. Microscopically, the growth was composed of spindle-shaped fibroblastic type tumor cells that formed interlacing and intersecting bundles. The neoplastic cells showed pleomorphism, karyomegaly and slight nuclear hyperchromatism. The mitotic index was less than five. Based on the site, biological behavior, immunohistochemistry results, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, the mass was diagnosed as a well-differentiated fibrosarcoma. This is the first report of cow vaginal fibrosarcoma from Iran.

This study was carried out to investigate the histological and anatomical description of the male genital tract in Iranian Native White Roosters (IWR). The seminiferous tubules had a dense and compact organization. An average of 12 layers of cells was seen in the seminiferous tubules epithelium. The spermatogonal cell layer showed some variation between different birds in 1-3 layers; however, the spermatocyte, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were arranged in 2, 3-4 and 3-5 layers, respectively. The testicles were oval in shape, placed on the left and right sides of midline, situated on the caudal aspect of the lungs and the ventral aspect of either the right or left kidneys, and the visceral surfaces of the left and right lobes of the liver. The epididymis was not divided into recognizable parts and was frontally attached to the corresponding testis on its dorsomedial aspect continuous with the ductus deferens. The ductuli efferentis were moderately large with pseudostratified columnar epithelium lined with three cell types, including ciliated, non-ciliated and basal cells. The connective ducts were covered with scare ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium. The epithelium of the epididymis was pseudostratified and columnar, embedded in a loose connective tissue. The proximal part of the ductus deferens was covered with pseudostratified columnar epithelium, which was continuous with simple cuboidal epithelium towards the distal portion. Anatomical studies revealed a large sac-like accessory process that consisted of two non-discrete parts in the frontoventricular region of the testes between the epididymis and the ductus deferens, which was closely related ventrally to the epididymis and laterally to the kidneys. This organ was lined with stratified cuboidal epithelium with thick clear mucosal muscle. The tunica sub mucosa was evident, and the outer layer was composed of a fibrous capsule with a well-developed vascular supply. This suggested that the role of the sac-like accessory process was as an organ to supply sperm, equivalent to the tail of the epididymis in mammals.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. This is widely distributed through Iran, where a variety of animals act as intermediate host. The immunogenic antigens (Ag) of different compartments of the hydatid cyst have been already determined. One of these compartments is the laminated layer (LL). We have extracted a protein with the MW of 24 kDa from a lysate prepared from the LL and produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against this protein. Five mAb named P3F6s, P2H4s, P1A6s, P1C3s, and P1F7s have been produced. The isotype analysis showed that P3F6s is IgG1 and the rest are IgM. P3F6s was purified from the ascitic fluid of mice injected with P3F6s hybridoma intraperitoneally. Western blot and ELISA analysis showed that this mAb could recognize the purified 24 kDa prepared from lysate of LL. Since a 24 kDa protein has been shown to be an immunogenic Ag, this protein can be used as a candidate for the development of diagnostic tests and vaccine strategies. For these aims, P3F6s can be used for the purification of this 24 kDa protein.

This report describes the histological and immunohistochemical features of a small intestinal tumor that resembled a human gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GISTs) in a seven-year-old male cross-breed dog. This was unique because of the expression of desmin by the tumor. Grossly, the white-gray tumor measured 8.0 × 4.0 × 6.5 cm and was 760 gram in weight. It was cystic and enveloped the jejunum. Histopathologically, long spindle-shaped cells were arranged densely in the interwoven pattern. The tumor cells had a low rate of mitosis, were pleomorphic, and were positive for vimentin,? -smooth muscle actin, desmin, S100 and C-KIT and negative for CD34 on immunohistochemistry. The expression of desmin in the cytoplasm of this tumor cells is a rare event in these types of tumors.

The Turkmen horse is one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world. There is no information with regards to the normal echocardiographic parameters of this horse regarding to cardiac diseases. Pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler echocardiography was performed on 42 clinically normal 3- to 15-year-old racing Turkmen horses. There were 26 stallions and 16 mares. The left ventricular isovolumetric contraction time, pre-ejection period (PEP), and the left ventricular ejection time (LVET), were measured, and the values of the left ventricular total electromechanical systole (LVTES) and the PEP-to-LVET ratio were calculated. The most suitable window for the measurement of the aforementioned indices in PW Doppler echocardiography was the left parasternal window using the five-chamber apical view. The following values were acquired in PW Doppler echocardiography: PEP = 0.088 ± 0.018 s; LVET = 0.445 ± 0.031 s; LVTES = 0.533 ± 0.032 s; and PEP-to-LVET = 0.199 ± 0.046. These measurements can be used in the future as standard and reference values for the evaluation of cardiovascular disorders in the Turkmen horse.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is a retrovirus responsible for lymphoproliferative disorders in cattle. Although infections of BLV in animals are well known, little is known about its capacity to infect humans. This study investigated the presence of anti-BLV antibodies and BLV proviruses in human and cattle samples. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-BLV antibodies while nested PCR was employed to identify BLV provirus sequences. The overall prevalence of anti-BLV antibodies in human and cattle samples were 12.50% and 16.73%, respectively. When using ELISA as a reference test, sensitivity and specificity for nested PCR were 0.625 and 0.970, respectively. The predictive value of a positive test was 0.862 and the predictive value of a negative test was 0.897. The percentage of cattle correctly classified by nested PCR assay was 89.1%. Nested PCR and Southern blot analysis, using primers specific for BLV gag sequences, revealed that BLV proviruses were detectable in cattle and human samples. Our results highlight the risk of human exposure to BLV and the need for further investigations to determine whether BLV infection poses a health hazard for humans.

Cardiac arrhythmias, caused by disorders in the generation and transmission of cardiac impulses, is included among the heart disorders that cause inefficient blood circulation. The most commonly-used method for diagnosing this disorder is electrocardiography. In this study, we aimed to identify and diagnose different types of arrhythmia prevalent among the seemingly-healthy horses of Sanandaj City, with particular regard to breeds specific to this region. The researcher took electrocardiograms of 50 horses in Base-Apex, including Kurdish purebreds (n = 4), Arab purebreds (n = 20), and hybrid horses (n = 26; 35 male and 15 female overall). The results of the electrocardiograms showed arrhythmias in 16 (32%) out of all the horses in this study. Of these, 23% of the stallions, 10% of mares, 40% of the Kurdish purebreds, 8% of the Arab purebreds, and 26% of hybrid horses suffered from arrhythmias. Different types of arrhythmia diagnosed included sinus arrhythmia (10%), sinus tachycardia (8%), wandering pacemaker (8%), and first degree atrioventricular block (6%). The frequencies of arrhythmia in horses found in this study were similar to the results of other researchers. It is important to distinguish between physiological and pathological arrhythmias in horses after diagnosis, since arrhythmias can have a great impact on exercise performance.

The DRB3 gene is a highly polymorphic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene and plays an important role in variability of immune responsiveness and disease resistance. In the present study, the MHC class II DRB3 gene in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) populations from Northwest regions of Iran was investigated through PCR-SSCP. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected from 50 buffaloes. A 284 bp segment of exon 2 of BuLa-DRB3 was amplified by standard PCR, using locus-specific primers. The PCR products were subjected to a non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. A number of 11 different SSCP patterns indicating allelic variation were identified. The three most frequent patterns 1, 4 and 10 accounted for 58% of the total patterns. Results indicated that exon 2 of the BuLA-DRB3 gene is highly polymorphic among the examined animals.

A 16-month-old Holstein heifer with a history of anorexia and respiratory distress was referred to the Veterinary Research and Teaching Hospital of Tehran University. Heart and lung sounds were inaudible on the left side but greatly increased on the right side. On electrocardiography (ECG), decreased amplitudes of ECG parameters were observed. Ultrasonography results revealed a pleural effusion with fibrin deposition. After the removal of 30 liters of pleural fluid, the amplitudes of the P, QRS, and T complexes increased markedly, and heart and lung sounds on the left side gradually increased. Archanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from bacteriological cultures of the pleural fluid. According to the clinical and paraclinical findings, cardiac displacement due to pleural effusion was diagnosed.

A 16-month-old Holstein heifer with a history of anorexia and respiratory distress was referred to the Veterinary Research and Teaching Hospital of Tehran University. Heart and lung sounds were inaudible on the left side but greatly increased on the right side. On electrocardiography (ECG), decreased amplitudes of ECG parameters were observed. Ultrasonography results revealed a pleural effusion with fibrin deposition. After the removal of 30 liters of pleural fluid, the amplitudes of the P, QRS, and T complexes increased markedly, and heart and lung sounds on the left side gradually increased. Archanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from bacteriological cultures of the pleural fluid. According to the clinical and paraclinical findings, cardiac displacement due to pleural effusion was diagnosed.

The purpose of this study was to survey infections with Salmonella spp. in poultry flocks in the vicinity of Tehran and to determine the most frequent serogroups and serotypes implicated. Twenty-eight samples of pullet, layer, and broiler flocks were randomly collected (n=1463), including freshly dropped feces from live birds or visceral organs from dead birds. In most flocks, 60 samples were taken and 10 fecal samples of each were pooled. Standard cultural methods were used for Salmonella spp. isolation. The slide agglutination or tube agglutination tests were performed using Salmonella somatic O poly A-S antisera, and different somatic O monovalent or flagellar H monovalent antisera. Thirty-one Salmonella isolates were recovered from 1,463 samples. Nine broiler flocks out of 14 (64.2%) and one layer flock out of 11 (9%) were positive for Salmonella spp. but all pullet flocks were negative. One isolate was obtained from the layer flock and the other 30 Salmonella isolates were obtained from broiler flocks. The slide agglutination test determined that all isolates belonged to one of the serogroups from A to S. The frequency of serogroups among 30 broiler isolates was found to be 76.6% and 13.3% for groups C and D, respectively. Three (10%) of the broiler isolates and one layer isolate did not belong to any of the A to D serogroups. All group D isolates were found to be Salmonella enteritidis. This study showed a high incidence of Salmonella in broilers. Infection of broilers with Salmonella spp. poses a high risk to public health.

The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect of long-term low-dose administration of mercury (Hg) on thyroid function in sheep. In this experiment, 10 clinically healthy, adult, male Iranian sheep, aged approximately 1 year, were randomly allocated into the control (n=5) and mercury (Hg-)-treated (n=5) groups. Both groups were kept under identical conditions in terms of food and environment. The treatment group received mercuric chloride (5 mg/kg/day) orally for eight weeks. Blood samples were drawn between the hours of 0800 and 0900 from both groups on days 0, 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70. Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring the levels of the serum thyroid hormones, including triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), free T3 (FT3), free T4 (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Hepatic function was evaluated in both groups by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST),? -glutamyltransferase (GGT) and total bilirubin (TBIL). Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Serum T3 (from day 28 onwards) and serum T4, FT3, FT4 and TSH (from day 14 onwards) decreased in the Hg-treated group (p<0.05). Serum ALT, AST and GGT increased from days 42, 56 and 70, respectively, when compared to the control group (p<0.05). The concentrations of total protein and albumin decreased on day 70 and total bilirubin (TBIL), BUN and Cr levels increased on day 70 when compared to the control group (p<0.05). It was concluded that chronic administration of Hg may expose sheep to the risk of hypothyroidism.