[ serological survey on strangles disease in horses of some areas in Khuzestan province by ELISA]

Background: strangles is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. The bacteria typically infect the upper respiratory system and lymph nodes of the head and neck in equidae

Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of strangles and association of this infection with host age and geographical determinants in horses in Khuzestan province

Methods: serum samples from 184 horses were randomly collected in Ahvaz, Shoushtar, Baghmalek, Shoush, Abadan, Ramhormoz and Dezfool cities and were examined by ELISA assay. Also, 85 swab samples were randomly taken from nasal swab of horse and evaluated for Streptococcus equi subspecies equi by bacterial culture

Results: seroprevalence rate of strangle was 37.5% [95% CI: 30.5-44.5%]. Logistic regression mshowed that the odds of infection between the age based on year and disease was 1.1 [95% mCI: 1.04-1.17] [p<0.001], and with increase of 1 year-old, odds of infection increase 10%. Relative frequency of infection in male and female horses was 32.73 and 39.53%, respectively [p>0.05] and odds of infection in female compared with male horses was 1.34 [95% CI: 0.69-2.61]. Prevalence rate in horses with and without history of respiratory disease was 94.1% and 31.74%, respectively [p<0.001]. The odds of infection in horses with history of respiratory disease compared with healthy horses was 34.42 [95%CI: 4.45-266.37]. Prevalence rate in Ahvaz, Shoushtar, Baghmalek, Shoush, Abadan, Ramhormoz and Dezfool was 33.3%, 34.62%, 5.26%, 69.23%, 13.04, 22.22% and 75%, respectively [p<0.001]. Geographical location explained 29.6% of infection's fluctuations. No isolate of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi was obtained in culture of nasal swab samples

Conclusions: this study determined that seroprevalence of strangles should be deleted in khuzestan province is high and Prevention and control measurements should be considered by health authorities

[Study on the frequency of various forms of p-wave in Khuzestan river buffalo]

The study of electrocardiographic parameters of buffalo in comparison to other large animals is very scanty. Electrocardiography is a very important tool to diagnose cardiac diseases. In this case, standardization of ECG of each species of animal or even each breed should be carried out. This is due to the fact that ECG parameters are related to many factors such as size, breed, sex, etc. In this study, which has been carried out for the first time on Khozestan buffaloes, variable forms of P-waves of this animal was determined. One hundred buffaloes were divided into two age and two sex groups. In this study a base apex lead was used to record ECG for studying prevalence of different forms of P wave and data analysed using chi- square method. P wave configuration varied from simple positive, notched positive, biphasic or either +/- or -/+. Statistical study showed that +/- form of P wave was significant in two sexes. Concomitant presence of simple positive, notched positive and +/- forms were statistically significant between the two sex groups [p<0.05]. Differences of various forms of P wave with or without concomitant presence in age groups were not significant. The findings of this study, like other studies showed that if base- apex lead system is used in buffalo, the frequency of simple positive P wave will be higher compared to its other forms

[Effect of pantoprazole on the rate of immunoglobulin absorption in newborn calves]

Newborn calves are agammaglobulinemic due to not receiving maternal immunoglobulin [Ig] in the uterus, and gain immunity immediately after birth through colostrum intake. Abomasum produces more acid within 24 hours after birth, leading to an increase of the probability of colostrum globulin destruction. The aim of the present study was to find if blocking acid secretion through proton pump inhibitors might prevent the destruction of colostrum immunoglobulins. Fifteen newly-born male Holstein calves were divided into five equal groups, including three control groups and two test groups. The calves were fed colostrum and milk at zero, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 hours after birth using an esophageal tube as follows: Control groups: A- calves were fed milk for 24 hours after birth, then colostrum for 72 hours; B- calves were fed milk for 48 hours after birth, then colostrum for 72 hours; C- calves were fed colostrum for 72 hours after birth. Test groups: A] pantoprazole was injected intravenously every 24 hours [2 mg/kg] and the calves were fed milk for 24 hours after birth and then colostrum for the next 72 hours. B] pantoprazole was injected intravenously every 24 hours [2 mg/kg], and the calves were fed milk for 48 hours after birth and then colostrum for 72 hours. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels were measured using ELISA. The results did not show any significant differences in Ig blood concentrations in the control and test groups. Therefore, it is assumed that the high pH of abomasum has no significant effect on Ig intake

[Survey on equine infectious anemia in Ahvaz]

Equine infectious anemia [EIA] is a contagious disease that is clinically characterized by recurrent episodes of fever, hemolytic anemia, icterus, depression, edema and chronic weight loss. The disease is associated with a persistent viral infection. The virus of EIA is a member of the Retroviridae family. The aim of this study was to determine the status of EIA in horses in Ahvaz. One hundred horses were selected and after history taking [i.e. age, sex and history of disease] blood sampling done. The samples were tested through Coggin's test using AGID commercial kit. The results showed, all animals were seronegative

[Prevalence of different abomasal ulcers in buffalos of Ahvaz: an abbatorial survey]

Abomasal ulcer is a digestive disorder in domestic ruminants. There are several forms of ulcers which produce different clinical signs. For determination of lesion prevalence, abomasa of 200 buffaloes were examined grossly and in some cases, histopathologically. One hundred and twenty seven examined abomasa [63.5%] had ulcerative lesions. All ulcers [except in 2 cases] were classified as type 1. This type of lesion was sub-classified to 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, based on its severity. Eighty six abomasa [43%] had minimal mucosal defects which were sub-classified as type 1a. Deeper injuries, type 1b, were observed in 62 [31%] abomasa. Type 1c and 1d were seen in 19 [9.5%] and 18 [9%] abomasa, respectively. The most of abomasa had several kinds of ulcers. While types 1a and 1b mainly occurred in the pyloric region, type 1d was mainly shown in the fundic region. The frequency for type 1c ulcer occurrence was the same in both regions. Frequency of abomasal ulcer, did not show any sex or age dependency