ABSTRACT
Background: avian infectious bronchitis [IB], with avian infectious bronchitis virus [IBV] as the causing agent, is a ubiquitous endemic disease of the chicken with devastating effects on its industry. A viral membrane surface protein called S not only induces neutralizing antibodies but also plays an important role in virus binding and entry to host cells. Technically, S1 protein gene sequencing also helps greatly in IBV genotyping
Objectives: the aim of this study was to characterize Iranian IBV based on S2 gene
Methods: after RT-PCR amplification, the S2 gene of nine Iranian IBV isolates were sequenced and then compared with reference strains
Results: the isolates were classified into genotype I as Massachusetts like IB Vs, genotype VII which clustered into two branches, VIIa [IS-1494 like IB viruses], and VIIb, and was related to QX- like viruses and Genotype VIII as 793/B like IBVs
Conclusions: as far as we know, this is the first S2-based classification study on Iranian IBV isolates providing a firm experimental basis to correlate with genotypic characterization
ABSTRACT
Background:Infectious bronchitis is a highly contagious disease which may cause poor weight gain and low feed efficiency in infected chickens. There are a large number of reported serotypes/genotypes, which makes the control of the disease more difficult through vaccination. However, there are only a few amino acid differences in the S1 protein of vaccine and wild type strains which are responsible for protection
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare IBV variants isolated from commercial chicken flocks in Iran with currently used vaccine strains
Methods: The partial S1 gene of the spike protein, covering a hypervariable and constant regions, was amplified and sequenced using conventional RTPCR
Results: Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences revealed that eight of total nine isolates were divergence at least 21.8% from vaccinal Massachusetts serotypes, and six of nine isolates were divergence at least 22.7% from 4/91, and none of the nine isolates were similar to Dutch-type, D274,vaccine serotypes
Conclusions: These findings are essential for continuous surveillance disease control strategies and monitoring of variants, and thus emphasize on the importance of improving the vaccination program in Iran
ABSTRACT
Background: H9N2 avian influenza viruses [AIV] A have become panzootic in Eurasia over the last decade and have caused several human infections in Iran since 1998 and inactivated vaccine has been used in chickens to control the disease
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze H9N2 viruses that have infected broiler in Tehran Province, Iran between 1998 and 2008 based on Matrix gene
Methods: The complete coding region of Matrix [M] gene from 8 of H9N2 subtype isolated from chicken flocks in Tehran Province during 1998-2007 was amplified and sequenced
Results: Sequence analysis and phylogenetic studies of H9N2 viruses on the basis of data of viruses in this study and other selected strains available in the GenBank were conducted and determined variations among these sequences at different levels. Sequence analysis revealed a large number of similar substitution mutations and close evolutionary relation among sequences of M gene. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all our isolates belonged to the G1-like sublineage. In this study, it was determined that Iran's isolates have been in two separate branches and have the most similarity with Pakistan, United Arab Emirate and occupied Palestine's isolates
Conclusions: The available evidence indicates that M genes of H9N2 circulating in Iran during the past years were not well conserved. Our finding emphasizes the importance of reinforcing AIV surveillance
ABSTRACT
Newcastle disease virus [NDV] is the causative agent of the Newcastle disease [ND], a highly contagious disease in birds that causes significant economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. ND is endemic in Iran and outbreaks are reported regularly in commercial poultry flocks and different species of birds. The current study was carried out to characterize NDV based on phosphorprotein [P] gene from recent outbreaks in Iran, 2010-2012. The P gene fragment of NDV isolates of five chickens, 1 ostrich, and 1 Pigeon paramyxovirus-1 was obtained by RT-PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences revealed that chicken and ostrich NDV isolates were closely related and placed in the genotype VII and Pigeon Paramyxovirus-1 was located in the genotype V. This is the first report of Phosphoprotein gene sequences of NDV strains isolated in Iran. This study will help us to understand the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of Newcastle disease virus in Iran
Subject(s)
Phosphoproteins , PhylogenyABSTRACT
Canine Distemper [CD] is a lethal systemic disease affecting a wide variety of terrestrial carnivores. This study was performed to survey epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the canine distemper virus [CDV] strains circulating in Iran. In this study, 19 CDV-suspected unvaccinated dogs from Northeast and center of Iran were analyzed for presence of CDV nucleoprotein [NP] gene using Nested-PCR during 2008- 2011. Different biological samples of 14 dogs were positive. The phylogenetic analysis based on partial NP gene sequences indicated the presence of two major clusters that are clearly different from vaccine strains in Iran. One cluster belongs to the European group and the other one to the Arctic group. Due to a lack of phylogenetic analysis on CDV in countries bordering Iran, except Turkey, the ancestor of Iranian sequences specially Iranian Arctic sequences could not be definitely identified. This study is the first report on phylogenetic analysis of CDV from domestic dogs in Iran
Subject(s)
Animals , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Phylogeny , GenesABSTRACT
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributed worldwide. In cattle, Coxiella burnetii infections are generally asymptomatic but can also be associated with reproductive disorders. The aim of this study was to achieve molecular detection of Coxiella burnetii in dairy bovine milk farms using Nested PCR in Qom province, Iran. From January to February 2011 [winter] and July to September 2011[summer] a total of 100 bovine bulk milk samples were equally collected from five areas of Qom. The nested PCR assay used to screen for C. burnetii was designed from the nucleotide sequence of the com1 gene encodin a 27-kD outer membrane protein [OMP]. In this study, 14% [14 of 100] of bulk milk were positive. These results support the hypothesis of high prevalence and endemic pattern of Q fever in Qom province of Iran
ABSTRACT
Infectious bronchitis is an acute, highly contagious, viral disease of poultry with worldwide distribution, and is continuously evolving through point mutation and recombination of their genome; subsequently the emergence of IBV variants complicates disease control. To investigate genetic characterization of new IBV variants isolated from commercial chicken flocks in Iran collected between 2009 and 2010. The partial S1 gene of the spike protein, covering a hypervariable and constant regions, was amplified and sequenced using conventional RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four viruses designated as Razi-HKM891, Razi-HKM892, Razi-HKM893 and Razi-HKM894. Deduced amino acid sequence comparison with other IBV genotypes, published in the GenBank database, indicated that the isolates Razi-HKM891 and Razi-HKM894 were placed into the pathogenic 793/B serotype. However, the isolates Razi-HKM892 and Razi-HKM893 were different with previously described isolates in Iran. The Razi-HKM893 is closely related to recently published isolates from countries in Middle East and likely indigenous to Iran. These findings is essential for improving the disease control strategies and thus emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance of the disease and of sharing the information to the global scientific community, which would help to fill the epidemiological gaps in the regions and to validate the robustness of diagnostic screening
ABSTRACT
Avian influenza [AI] viruses have been isolated from a wide diversity of free-living avian species representing several orders. Since 1998, H9N2 AI outbreaks have been one of the major problems in Iranian poultry industry. In 2006, H5N1 was reported in swans in the north of Iran first, but until now there has been no official report from commercial flocks in Iran. The aim of this study was Molecular Surveillance of Avian Influenza in Bird Parks of Tehran, Iran. In this study, 100 fecal samples from different avian species of Public and Bird Parks [The avian species included Pigeon, Duck, Swan, Parrot, Crow and Sparrow] were collected in Tehran, in the central region of Iran during November and December 2009. RNA extraction and RT-PCR have been done according the WHO Instruction for detection of Influenza Type A. In 14% of samples genetic materials [RNA] were detected. Species including duck and sparrow were positive. This is the first report of AIV detection in this these species in Iran. Due to emergence of new H1N1 influenza and bird flu throughout the world and in regional countries, surveillance programs for monitoring the spread of these viruses need to be redesigned. Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further virological [subtype] and epidemiological [Phylogenic Study] information about circulating viruses
ABSTRACT
In the first time, avian Influenza [AI] infection, subtype H9N2, was isolated from chicken in 1988 in Qazvin province and since then has become endemic in Iran. Waterfowls, such as wild ducks, are natural reservoirs for all types of influenza A viruses and cause virus circulation in environment and poultry population. In 2006, Iranian Veterinary Organization confirmed that 135 dead swans in Gilan province were positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of domestic ducks in avian influenza virus circulation [subtypes: H5, H7 and H9] in Gilan province during 2010-2011 through molecular surveillance techniques. 550 cloacal swabs from Mallard and Pekin ducks were tested in rural areas of Shaft and Fouman cities. Meanwhile a breeding farm in Gilan was tested by RT-PCR assay for detection of AI virus subtypes [H5, H7 and H9] according to OIE protocols. We did not detect AI viral RNA in 550 samples which were tested for type A and subtypes H5 and H7. While waterfowls could have a crucial role in emergence of new influenza virus strains, no AI viral RNA mentioned subtypes was detected for the mentioned subtypes. These findings could be due to restrict control programs following 2006 AI outbreak in the mentioned region. However, surveillance programs for monitoring AI viruses need to be continuously performed
Subject(s)
Animals , Influenza A virus , Ducks/virology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Malta fever is a zoonosis that it's causative agent is Brucella species. Although the disease is rarely fatal, but in natural epidemics or probable biologic wars, it's rapid and proper indiscrimination will scathe medical supplies drastically. Drawbacks of traditional diagnostic methods are time consuming, less accurate, less sensitive and contain false positive results. So the aim of this study is to design the PCR method for rapid detection of the organism. Genus specific bcsp target gene was selected for primer designing using Primer express v3.0 software. Specificity of the PCR tests was determined using reactions containing various bacterial negative control genomes. For evaluation of sensitivity and limit of detection, the PCR products were cloned in pTZ57R/T plasmid and used from their serial dilutions. Electrophoresis of bcsp gene PCR product showed a single 150 bp band for B.abortus and B.melitensis. PCR tests using negative control bacterial genomes were not showed detectable bands after gel agarose electrophoresis. The cloning processes were confirmed by PCR and sequencing. This method can be used for genus detection of the pathogen Brucella. and, it reduces time and cost needed for the organisms detection
Subject(s)
Polymerase Chain Reaction , Brucella , Brucella abortus , Brucella melitensisABSTRACT
Three hundred and sixty male day- old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments in order to evaluate the effect of propolis as growth promoter on the performance and the immune response of the broiler chicks to the ND vaccine. Each treatment contained three replicates of 30 chicks. Dietary treatments were as follow: Acorn - soy meal diet [control diet].Control diet + 3000 ppm [starter] and 2000 ppm [grower and finisher] propolis.Control diet + 6000 ppm [starter] and 4000 ppm [grower and finisher] propolis. Control diet + 100 ppm virginiamycine.The chick performance was evaluated by recording the body weight gain, feed intake, feed conservation ratio, and productive efficiency index at 21 and 42 days of age. Prior to the administration of ND vaccine [day 17] and 10 days post-vaccination, the blood sample was taken for HI test. The chicks fed diet supplemented with virginiamycin showed higher BWG, FI, PEI when compared with other treatments. However, those chick provided with dietary treatment 2 [3000 and 2000 ppm] had lower FCR. Propolis had no effect on antibody titer against ND vaccine. In this experiment propolis don't act as an immunostimulant, but appeared to be promising a potential growth promoter
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Chickens , Weight Gain , Animal Feed , VirginiamycinABSTRACT
Many Iranian families manage to keep pets at home. Examining psychological consequences and personality traits of pet owners is important. The aim of this study was to examine mental health status and personality traits of pet owners. In this descriptive study, 612 pet owners [143 cat owners, 162 dog owners, 155 bird owners and 152 other pet owners] were asked to complete General Health Questionnaire [GHQ] and IPIP Personality Scale from January to December 2006. Bird owners had the highest [234 cases [38.3%]] and other pet owners had the lowest [129 cases [42.3%]] mental health problems. In general, 188 cases [30.7%] of all groups had mental health problems. 122 cases [20%] of them had somatic compliance, 182 cases [29.7%] had anxiety, 149 cases [24.3%] had social dysfunction and 84 cases [13.7%] had depression. Bird owners had significant high level of social dysfunction than other pet owners. With respect to personality traits, dog owners had low level of agreeableness and openness to experience than other groups. Other pet owners had high level of emotional stability than other groups. Contrary to other countries, it seems that having a pet in home enhances the probability of mental disorders in Iran. It is possible that lower mental health persons were keeping pets in Iran. In personality perspectives, dog owners are more disagreeable people and other pet owners are more emotionally stable ones