Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of bovine picobirnaviruses causing calf diarrhea, in Iran.

Picobirnavirus (PBV) is an enteropathogen virus causing diarrhea as an opportunistic virus in its vertebrate host. There is no information about human or animal PBVs in Iran. The aim of the present study was the investigation of the epidemiology of bovine PBV in the broad geographical area of Iran. Four hundred and eighty-five stool samples of up to 1 month old diarrheic calves were collected from 14 provinces and were tested with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Five samples were positive in PAGE assay (1.00%) and all of them were amplified using GI specific primers in RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of one of the amplicons (strain Nazaktabar-14) revealed a low relationship to bovine PBV sequences and more identity to PBV isolates from other hosts. The structural alignment of the deduced amino acids of the partially sequenced RdRp gene of the Nazaktabar-14 strain showed high conservation. Sequences obtained from other amplicons showed a high mutation rate and further analysis of one of them showed that, despite the potential of forming deleterious mutations, most of the point mutations occurred in the RdRp gene of PBVs may be a silent mutation. There is little information about the molecular epidemiology of bovine PBVs. This study was the first report on the occurrence of PBVs in Iran and the first study on the molecular epidemiology of bovine PBV in the Middle East, revealing its low frequency as a diarrhea causative agent.

In vivo evaluation of toxicity and antiviral activity of polyrhodanine nanoparticles by using the chicken embryo model.

Evaluation of the potential cytotoxicity of polyrhodanine nanoparticles is an important factor for its biological applications. In current study, for the first time histopathological and biochemical analysis of polyrhodanine besides of its antiviral activity against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were examined on chicken embryo model. Polyrhodanine was synthesized by the chemical oxidative polymerization method. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Different doses of polyrhodanine nanoparticles were injected into the albumen in 4-day-old embryonic eggs for groups: (0.1ppm, 1ppm, 10ppm and 100ppm), while the Control group received only normal saline. The gross examination of chicks revealed no abnormality. No pathological changes were detected in microscopical examination of the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, bursa of Fabricius and central nervous system tissues. Blood serum biochemical indices showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. Interestingly, polyrhodanine nanoparticles showed strong antiviral activity against NDV in ovo. These preliminary findings suggest that polyrhodanine nanoparticles without any toxicity effect could be utilized in controlling Newcastle disease in chickens.

The Effect of Stevia on the Chicken Embryo Heart.

BACKGROUND: Stevioside is one of the most important food additives that has become well known for its sweetness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Stevioside on the heart. METHODS: 4-day-old embryonated chickens eggs were inoculated with Stevioside and kept until hatching. Shortly after, the heart tissue samples were taken to examine organ Oxidative stresses by measuring Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, ferric reducing /antioxidant power (FRAP) and cupric ion reducing assay (CUPRIC). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in glutathione level, lipid peroxidation, FRAP, and cupric assay. CONCLUSION: It was suggested that stevioside did not cause marked damages to heart tissues in chicken embryo model.

Genotyping and determining the distribution of prevalent G and P types of group A bovine rotaviruses between 2010 and 2012 in Iran.

Determination and distribution of the G and P genotypes of group A bovine rotavirus was investigated on 386 fecal samples collected from calves with diarrhea using a semi-nested RT-PCR typing assay. Samples were collected from 11 provinces of Iran during 2010-2012. The provinces divided into 5 different groups based on geographical distance and climates. One hundred and nine samples (28.2%) were confirmed positive for rotavirus group A using ELISA. 75 positive samples were selected randomly and subjected to typing assay. G10 (50.6%) and P[11] (64%) were detected more than G6 (21.3%) and P[5] (9.3%). No any G8 and P[1] were observed. Of the 75 samples analyzed by RT-PCR in each geographical areas named as the south of Alborz mountain ranges area, the north-east area, the central area, the north-west area and the south-east area, number of samples with G10 genotype were 19, 9, 9, 0 and 1; G6 were 8, 0, 3, 5 and 0; P[11] were 25, 7, 11, 5 and 0 and finally P[5] were 5, 0, 2, 0 and 0 in each area, respectively. The most common VP7/VP4 combinations were G10P[11] (40%), G6P[11] (12%), G6P[5] (5.3%) and G10P[5] (2.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of one strain showed high identity with strain B223. Since the identification of G and P genotypes and their diversity is fundamental to development and use of effective vaccines, we determined the most prevalence G and P genotypes of bovine rotavirus group A (BRVA) in a broad area of Iran.