first study of bovine immunodeficiency virus [BIV] and bovine viral diarrhea virus [BVDV] co- infection in industrial herds of cattle in two provinces of Iran

BIV is a well-known bovine immunosup-pressive cause, but its pathogenesis has not been well characterized. It seems that it is possible that cofactors such as co- infection with other bovine viral pathogens may play a role in enhancing the pathogenesis of BIV infection; BVDV also has immunosuppressive effects. The aim of this study was determination of possible correlation between BIV and BVDV infections. Blood samples were randomly collected from a total of 1800 cattle in dairy industrial farms in Isfahan and Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari provinces of Iran. First BIV or BVDV positive sera were screened by ELISA, and then samples were analyzed to detect BIV proviral DNA or BVDV RNA, using PCR. Out of 1800 blood samples, 19 [1.06%] samples were BVDV positive, while BIV positive samples were 10 [0.55%]. Nine [0.5%] samples contained both BIV and BVDV genomes and were positive in ELISA, while one of the samples [0.05%] was only BIV positive. In this study, there was a statistically significant relationship between BIV status and BVDV infection using Chi square and Pearson's correlation coefficient test [p=0, r=0.65]

[Virulence genes of verotoxigenic E. coli isolated from raw milk and unpasturized cheese]

Verotoxigenic strains of E. coli mostly contain one or both of stx1 and stx2 genes. Both of these genes play a role in pathogenicity of the bacteria. These strains cause bloody diarrhea, uremic haemolytic syndrome and purpura thrombocytopenia. Because of a high probability of the presence of verotoxigenic strains of E. coli in various foods, especially milk and cheese, and due to the importance of these strains to human health, we aimed to determine the presence of verotoxigenic strains of E. coli in unpasteurized milk and cheese by PCR. In this study, 200 samples of raw milk and 80 samples of unpasteurized cheese were collected, and verotoxigenic E. coli were isolated using selective media. PCR was used to determine some virulence genes including stx1, stx2, eaeA and hlyA. Thirty-eight and 14 E. coli samples were isolated from raw milk and unpasteurized cheese, respectively. The isolates were examined by PCR in order to find the O157:H7 specific DNA and stx1, stx2, eae and hlyA genes. Two out of 38 isolates originating from raw milk were typed as O157:H7, both of them containing stx2, eaeA and hlyA genes. Another isolate, which was not O157:H7, also contained the stx2 gene. No isolates possessed the stx1 gene. None of the isolates originating from unpasteurized cheese samples contained any of the virulence genes

[Identification and diagnosis of salmonalla serotypes in cow's faecal samples by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]]

To detect Salmonella serotypes of the cow's faecal samples by means of ompC gene. Experimental study. Two hundred feacal samples [50 samples from Khorasan province, 20 samples from Zanjan province, 30 samples from Amin Abad Institute, 30 samples from Mard abad Veterinary Clinic and 70 samples from farms around Tehran province] and 25 samples from Shahr-e-kord. The samples were tested by PCR in parallel with conventional culture and serogrouping methods. PCR was carried out after enrichment of faecal samples in selenite- F broth, DNA was extracted by rapid boiling method. PCR was done and products electrophoresed on a 1.5% agarose gel and visualized by UV transilluminator after staining with ethidium bromide. Visible band at expected size [159 bp] was defined as a positive response. Descriptive study. Results showed that in all of 25 isolates and 14[7%] out of 200 faecal samples, target gene [ompC gene with 159 bp size] was observed. Among them only one sample [0.5%] was both PCR and culture positive. According to the results of this study PCR assay with enrichment broth processing method is useful for rapid identification of Salmonella serotypes for in faecal samples

Abattoir survey of bovine pyelonephritis

In order to investigate the prevalence and detection of etiological agents of pyelonephritis in Shahrekord abattoir, 404 kidneys of slaughtered cattle [207 female and 197 male] were inspected. Kidney samples, which had gross changes were obtained for histological examination. Urine and renal tissue samples were also collected aseptically for microbiological examination. In histological examination pyelonephritis were observed in 3 cases [0.74%], one of which occurred in a 7-year-old cow and the others in bulls less than 2-year-old. In microbiological examination E. coil was isolated from urine and renal tissues in 2 cases and Staphylococcus aureus isolated only from renal tissue in the other case

serological survey for detection of avian infectious bronchitis virus antibodies in domestic village chickens in Esfahan, central Iran

Infectious bronchitis [1B] is a very contagious disease caused by a coronavirus [IBV]. In chickens, the virus affects the respiratory, reproductive, and urinary systems. This study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of anti-IBV antibodies in domestic village chickens. Serum samples of 300 domestic village chickens from Esfahan [centeral Iran] were collected and examined for the presence of anti-lBV antibodies by commercial ELISA kits. The results showed that 85.3% of the domestic village chickens had high titers of anti-IBV antibody without any clinical signs. It was concluded that the rate of IBV infection in these chickens is very high that could be a potential hazard for commercial poultry