Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Summer and Autumn 2012

Mold infection is one of the most important problems in aquaculture. Recently، administration of some chemicals such as malachite green in order to control mold infections has been limited in aquaculture. In the current decade، researchers have been more focused on using herbal extracts and essential oils in aquaculture. In this study، Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of a new combination of four essential oils (Eucalyptus globulus، Mentha piperita، Salvia officinalis and Thymus vulgaris) were determined by serial dilution method. LC50 of the combined essential oils for 48 and 96 hours were then determined on Oncorhynchus mykiss fingerlings. MIC and MFC of combined essential oils were 0. 025μl/ml and 0. 050μl/ml for F. solani and 0. 018μl/ml and 0. 035μl/ml for S. parasitica، which was lower compared to malachite green. It was also 0. 060μl/ml and 0. 300μl/ml for F. solani and 0. 045μl/ml and 0. 120μl/ml for S. parasitica respectively (p)

Brain development of the Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (A. gueldenstaedtii) was described from days 1 to 36، post-hatch (dph) in this study. Larvae were euthanized، and serial sections of specimens were examined. Our ontogenical study was determined to concentrate on important parts of the brain containing forebrain، midbrain and hindbrain. The primary observation of the telencephalon was in 1-week-old specimens. The size of the forebrain remained relatively steady and did not demonstrate considerable changes، as compared to the other parts of brain. The diencephalon changes were noticeable in 3-week-old A. gueldenstaedtii. 2 major parts of mesencephalon، (tegmental portion and optic tectum) were detected during 4 weeks of development. As in other chondrosteans، the cerebellum appeared highly developed. Medulla oblongata appeared larger in 1-week-old specimens than in 4-week-old specimens.

Tropical fasciolosis caused by infection with Fasciola gigantica is regarded as one of the most important single helminthes infections of ruminants in Asia and Africa. Fasciolosis diagnosis، due to low sensitivity of coprological diagnostic method has been challenging for a long period. To evaluate the usefulness of ELISA for diagnosis of anti – Fasciola gigantica antibodies in parasitized sheep، crude، as well as excretory-secretory (E/S) antigens were examined with 50 positive and 45 negative serum samples. Results were compared with liver inspection in slaughterhouse. The cut off values were determined in 0. 469 and 0. 516 for crude and E/S antigen respectively. We found 82% of sensitivity، 95. 6 of specificity، 95. 3% positive predictive value and 83 % negative predictive value using crude antigen. We have also found 92% of sensitivity، 93% specificity، 93. 8% positive predictive value and 91. 4 % negative predictive value using E/S antigen. We concluded that ELISA، specially using E/S antigen، is a good tool for serodiagnosis of Fasciola gigantica infection in sheep herds.

Nosema apis is an obligate intracellular parasite belonging to phylum Microsporidia. This para site is known as main causative agent of nosemosis in honeybees especially in the European honeybee (Apis mellifera). Nosemosis can cause queen supersedure, reduction of honey yield and dwindling the population of honeybees. A total number of 54 apiaries were randomly sampled from April to July 2011 and April to July 2012 in North Khorasan province, Iran. Collected samples were examined for infection to N.apis. In the collected bees from 30 apiaries, any Nosema infection was not observed in spring 2011, while of 24 apiaries sampled in spring 2012, 12 (50%) apiaries were infected with N. apis. The seasonal rainfall of spring in 2012 in the study area was 53% higher than the same period of last year. It was concluded that there has been a direct relationship between rainfall and frequency of N. apis infection in apiaries of North Khorasan province.

Clinical observations and gross pathological studies have been performed in field cases in order to determine the effect of cleavers (Galium aparine) seeds upon the productive traits and the health of broiler chickens. A negative impact upon productive traits (feedconversion ratio، growth rates and equalization) has been observed. The results of our studies allowed assuming that the health of broiler chickens was influenced by the mechanical ileus due to deposition and accumulation of weed seeds in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens.

As there is no data available on parasite infection of pigeons (Columba livia) in the region, the present study was carried out on domestic pigeons in Mashhad city in the north-east of Iran. Three hundred specimens were examined for the presence of ecto and endoparasites. A total of 300 pigeons, %21.6(n=65) and %15.3(n=46) were infected with nematodes and cestodes respectively whereas no trematodes were found. The helminths and their prevalence were Nematoda: Ascaridia columbae (20.37%), Capillaria bursata (3.7%), Capillaria caudinfillata (1.85%), Eulimdana clava (2.7%), Gongylonema spp (0.9), Cestoda: Choanotaenia infundibulum (11.11%), Raillietina echinobothrida (6.48%). Six different species of ectoparasites: Columbicloa columbae (42.8%), Pseudolynchia canariensis (16.1%), Menocanthus stramineus (10.7%), Menopon gallinae (7.1%), Lipeurus caponis (5.3%), Argas reflexus (3.5%) and 2 haemoparasites species Haemoproteus columbae (50%) and Leucocytozoon spp. (2%) were identified. Further studies are recommended in assessing the effects of the parasites on the pigeons’ health and production.

Polydipsia/polyuria syndrome is not a common manifestation in birds. Hyperglycemia was found on plasma chemistry in an African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus)، which was presented with polyphagia and self mutilation symptoms. Radiography demonstrated signs of mild renalomegaly، air sac involvement which proved to be due to mycoplasma spp. infection on bactriological examination. The polydipsia، polyphagia and polyuria were treated successfully by insulin regime but self mutilation around the neck was to be most consistent sign for 45 days since the bird presented to our Faculty’s clinic. The exact origin of the Polydipsia/polyuria and mild hyperglycemia remains unclear but the history of long time topical cortone therapy might be involved.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumor of epidermal cells in which the cells show differentiation to keratinocytes and is common in the horses، cattle، cats and dogs but is uncommon in the sheep. This communication describes a case of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a 5-year-old ewe. The tumor mass located on lumbar back and histological evaluation of biopsy sample revealed features of active SCC including atypical squamous cells with pleomorphism and hyperchromatism and atypical mitotic figures with dyskeratotic cells.