Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of bovine viral diarrhea virus in dairy herds of Fars province, Iran

Bovine viral diarrhea virus [BVDV] is one of the most important viral pathogens of cattle worldwide. The aim of present study was to determine the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of BVDV infection in dairy herds of Fars province, Iran. For initial screening, a total of 400 blood samples were collected from 12 industrial dairy herds with previous history of diarrhea, abortion or birth of weak calves and analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] on buffy coat. In the next step, blood samples and also ear notch biopsies were collected from 100 cattle of infected farms three weeks later which were subsequently tested by antigen capture ELISA [ACE], RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry [IHC]. The results of nested RT-PCR were successful in 16 out of 400 buffy coat samples [4%] in the initial screening. Also, 8 out of 100 samples [8%] were positive by all practiced tests including RT-PCR, ACE and IHC on buffy coat, serum and skin samples, respectively. Immunoreactivity for bovine BVDV antigen as brown, coarsely to finely granular was observed within the cytoplasm of epidermic epithelial cells, hair follicles and subcutaneous stromal cells. Genetic sequence analyses showed both genotypes, BVDV-1 and BVDV-2. The new isolates were identified as BVDV1-FarsA, BVDV1-FarsB and BVDV2-FarsA in the phylogenetic tree. Since both genotypes of the virus are present in the region, our findings emphasize the importance of monitoring BVDV infection in cattle and suggest detection and elimination of PI animals for controlling and eradication of BVDV in Fars province

Giant hydronephrosis and secondary pyelonephritis induced by Salmonella dublin in a Holstein calf

Hydronephrosis occurs as a congenital or an acquired condition following obstruction of the urinary tract. In this study, a four month old male Holstein calf with emaciation, growth retardation and a poor dry scruffy hair coat was examined because of remarkable distention of right abdomen. At necropsy, right kidney was hydronephrotic as a very big fluid-filled round pelvis with the presence of multilocular cysts bulged from the cortical surface. With sectioning, more than 10 L of bloody fluid poured out from this sac. Microscopic examination showed severe atrophy of cortical tissue and fibrosis of the medulla. Also, the dilated pelvis was composed of fibrinous exudate and necrosis of epithelium associated with multifocal aggregations of neutrophils and bacterial microcolonies. In a culture and serotyping of isolated bacteria, Salmonella dublin was determined. In conclusion, S. dublin induced pyelonephritis secondary to congenital giant hydronephrosis is the first report in cattle in the world

Congenital arthrogryposis associated with musculoskeletal defects in three newborn goats

Arthrogryposis as a congenital malformation that refers to the fixed flexion of one or more joints as a result of stiffness or limited movements of multiple joints, change of posture and limb function due to permanent contracture of joints and wasting of muscles that usually occur at early stage of gestation. This report describes congenital arthrogryposis associated with musculoskeletal defects in three newborn goats. Both front and hindlimbs joints were characteristically flexed towards the anterior portion of the body. In addition, ankylosis, reduced muscle mass of limbs and rigidly fixed hindlimbs, lordosis, kyphosis and brachygnathia were observed. There was no definitive evidence of etiology of arthrogryposis, however, it seemed to be infectious, inherited or due to toxic plants. Since there is no recorded history about the mothers of the kids and the limited information available, causes of these defects cannot be determined

Probable occurrence of black leg in a sucker dairy calf: the necessity of providing sufficient maternal antibody in endemic regions

Black leg has been reported in a variety of animals, but is of the most importance in cattle and sheep. A 20 days old Holstein dairy calf was examined because of anorexia and lameness from 2 days ago. The calf was depressed, tachypneic, tachycardic, and had a body temperature of 38.5°C. Both hind limbs proximal to the tarsal joint were markedly swollen, firm and painful. No crepitation was noted on palpation. The calf had bruxism, stiffness of gait and unwillingness to move. At necropsy, massive necrosis of thigh muscles which caused dark discolorated tissue with metallic sheen, large amount of thin sanguineous exuda and abundant gas bubbles were evident in the underlying tissues. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive degeneration and coagulative necrosis of muscle fibers and supported a diagnosis of black leg. No vaccination against Clostridium chauvoei was applied in the herd and the calf did not receive notable maternal antibody. Providing sufficient maternal antibody or early vaccination of the susceptible newborn calves should be considered in the endemic regions

Ultrastructural study of naturally occuring ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in Fars province, Iran

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma [OPA] was studied in the lungs of 15 naturally-affected sheep [9 with classical and 6 atypical lesions] by transmission electron microscopy. Two lung samples from normal sheep were used to develop the ultrastructural criteria. Pathologic lesions consisted of focal-multifocal to coalescent nodules or masses in the cranioventral or diaphragmatic lobes. Ultrastructural characteristics of tumor cells in the alveoli and bronchioles allowed categorization of these cells into three groups; neoplastic alveolar type [AT] II cells in the alveoli contained numerous cytoplasmic lamellar bodies, well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and glycogen particles; neoplastic clara cells in the bronchioles contained apical electron-dense granules and well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum; undifferentiated tumor cells in the alveoli and bronchioles lacked characteristic lamellar bodies or electron-dense granules. Neither complete virions nor viral inclusions were seen in the neoplastic cells. In the present study, there were no ultrastructural differences in the neoplastic cells between classical and atypical forms. It seems that type II pneumocytes and clara cells are the origin of the neoplasia in the alveoli and bronchioles, respectively

Morphopathological study of naturally occurring ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in sheep in Fars province, Iran

Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma [OPA] is a contagious and transmissible lung cancer of sheep resembling human bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma. In the present study, lungs of 9400 sheep slaughtered in Fars province, Iran were examined morphopathologically. The OPA was diagnosed in the lungs of 21 [0.22%] out of 9400 sheep. Frequency of involvement of different lobes in the affected lungs was included apical lobe [62%], cardiac lobe [33%], middle lobe [33%], diaphragmatic lobe [62%] and accessory lobe [5%]. In 12 sheep, the classical form observed as firm, white to grayish coalescing masses mostly in the cranio-ventral lobes associated with wet cut surface and frothy fluid in the airways. In 9 sheep, atypical lesions observed as small clearly demarcated nodules mostly in diaphragmatic lobes associated with dry cut surface and minor fluid in the airways. Histopathological changes were almost similar in the two forms. They consisted of an acinar or papillary growth of neoplastic cells in the alveoli and polypoid proliferation of bronchiolar epithelium. There were variable amounts of connective tissue, myxomatous foci and infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells in the interstitial tissue of the affected alveoli. No metastatic lesion was observed in the lymph nodes. The findings of this study show that atypical and classical forms represent different stages or manifestations of a single disease spectrum

Pathological study of the uterine tubes in non-pregnant camels [Camelus dromedarius] slaughtered in Yazd province, Iran

This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of uterine tubes abnormalities in dromedary camels. The uterine tubes of genital tracts of 96 slaughtered non-pregnant camels were examined grossly and microscopically. The pathological changes observed were salpingitis [2.08%], uterine tube duplication [1.04%], accessory uterine tubes [1.04%], segmental aplasia and hydrosalpinx with cystic hyperplasia of the uterine tubes, ovary and uterus [1.04%]. The effects of these abnormalities on fertility of these camels were not detected because the history of their reproduction was not available. In the present study, for the first time, uterine tube duplication, accessory uterine tubes and simultaneous occurrence of cystic changes in uterine tubes, ovary and uterus were reported in dromedary camel

[Cytological comparative study of the uterus and uterine cervical mucusae between swab and aspiration methods in cows]

Objective: Comparing cytological findings of the uterus and cervix mucusae in two methods [swab and aspiration] in cows during oestrus cycle

Design: Comparative descriptive survey

Animals: A total of 120 cows

Procedure:A total of 120 genital systems of slauthered cows were selected. All the genital systems were contained uterine horns and cervix. In according to the physical appearances, genital samples were divided into estrus, metestrus, diestrus, proestrus, anestrus, post parturition and ovarian cysts. Genital smears were prepaired from uterine horns and cervix by swab and aspiration methods. The smears were stained with Giemsa stain and examined by a microscope

Statistical analysis: The data were analysed statistically using one way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The differenc between the means were statistically estimated by Duncan's test

Results: There were no significant differences in the percentage of large vacuolated epithelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes of cervical and uterine mucusae by swab and aspiration methods[P>0/05]. There was a significant difference in the percentage of epithelial cells in the smears obtained from cervix and uterus in swab and aspiration methods. So that the percentage of epithelial cells in swab method were more than aspiration methods [P<0.05]. Comparison of the cervix and uterus cells in swab and aspiration methods in the estrus cycle showed that the average number of neutrophils in estrus were lower than other stages. The average percentage of neutrophils in other stages of estrus were lower than 5%. In the cases with ovarian cyst and postpartum period, the average percentages of neutrophils were more than 5% which can be a sign of inflammatory reaction

Conclusion: With respect to cytological studies, there were no significant differences between the samples which had been taken of the uterine horns and uterine cervix. For uterine cytology, aspiration method proved to be better than swab method

Histopathologic and bacteriologic survey of nocardial pyothorax in a cat

A two year old male Iranian cat was presented to the pathology department of veterinary school of Shiraz University with lethargy anorexia progressive weight loss and severe acute respiratory signs and death. In autopsy thoracic cavity was full of a brown yellow blood tinged creamy like exudates. Sulphur granules were not observed. Thickening of pleura and pericardium associated with fibrino purulent exudates was observed. In histopathologic examination chronic pleuritis and pericarditis, chronic interstitial pneumonia and atelectasis were observed. Gram positive and acid fast organisms with branching filamentous bacilli were found by bacteriological studies of the thoracic exudates but no bacteria were recovered aerobically or anaerobically. A diagnosis of nocardial pyothorax was made on the basis of pathologic findings and bacteriologic examination of the thoracic exudates