Effects of different phylotypes of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens with colibacillosis on heterophils functional activities: an in vitro study.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is a major cause of colibacillosis and is associated with economic losses to the poultry production worldwide. Heterophils are the first line of immune defense of the avian host against invasive pathogens. In this study, APEC isolates from chickens with colibacillosis were assigned to phylogenetic groups and immunological activities of heterophils against these groups were examined. A total of 92 APEC isolates was obtained from 106 samples of diverse organs collected from chickens with colibacillosis from different farms in West Azerbaijan province, Iran. Isolates were assigned to phylogenetic groups based on the Clermont triplex PCR method, and immunological activities (including phagocytosis, respiratory burst and bacterial killing) of heterophils against these groups were examined. As results, the frequency of A, B1, B2 and D groups were 35.87, 44.57, 5.43 and 14.13%, respectively. In addition, opsonized Escherichia coli isolates belonging to B1 group significantly enhanced the level of respiratory burst (0.52 ± 0.02%) while the killing level of them was significantly lower than the other groups (29.40 ± 5.09%). There was no significant difference in phagocytic activity of heterophils against the phylogenetic groups. In conclusion, incomplete immune responses to B1 phylogenetic group maybe a principal cause of mortality by colibacillosis caused by this group. It is suggested to study heterophilic immune reaction against E. coli phylogenetic group for development of effective prevention strategy.

Ectoparasites and Endoparasites of New Zealand White Rabbits from North West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Rabbits contain several parasites that can be harmful to their health as well as human being's health due to the probability of causing parasitic zoonosis. The present research was designed to study ectoparasites and endoparasites of New Zealand White rabbits in North West of Iran and potential risks of parasitic zoonosis for researchers and owners. METHODS: Totally, 50 rabbits were purchased from rabbit sellers and breeders in suburbs of Urmia and Tabriz between Jul and Dec 2016. The rabbits were assessed for ectoparasites by hair brushing, skin scraping, acetate tape preparation and othic swabs. They were euthanized and inspected for helminths and protozoa infection. Faecal sampling was carried out directly from recti and the oocysts or cysts were isolated using sedimentation and floatation techniques and the sporulated oocyst were identified based on morphological. RESULTS: The following parasites, with their respective prevalence; Nematoda: Passalurus ambigus 54%, Trichostrongylus retortaeformis 42%, Nematodirus leporis 32%, Cestoda: Cysticercus pisiformis 26%, Protozoa: Eimeria steidae 44%, E. magna 30%, E. media 12% and Arthropoda: Sarcoptes scabiei 18% and Cheyletiella parasitivorax 38%. No significant difference was recorded in infection rate between male and female rabbits. CONCLUSION: Both domestic and wild rabbits are a potential source of human parasitic zoonosis, and strict hygienic practices are recommended during and after handling rabbits or in case of exposure to their feces.

Comparison Therapeutic Effects of Ciprofloxacin, Silver Nanoparticles and Their Combination in the Treatment of Pseudomonas keratitis in Rabbit: An Experimental Study.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common causes of keratitis. The current study was done to evaluate the therapeutic effects of antibacterial combinations with Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and Ciprofloxacin in experimental Pseudomonas keratitis. Sixty four New Zealand rabbits were prepared. All rabbits were randomly categorized into eight groups (each group containing eight rabbits): Control +, Control -, Ciprofloxacin, Ag-NPs, Ciprofloxacin plus Betamethasone, Ag-NPs plus Betamethasone, Ciprofloxacin plus Ag-NPs, and Ciprofloxacin plus Ag-NPs plus Betamethasone. Twelve hours after bacterial inoculation into the cornea, the eyes were examined daily to evaluate the number of days of ocular discharge and blepharospasm. Also, after 108 and 204 h, first grading of corneal opacity was done and then four rabbits of each groups were euthanized for bacterial count. The results showed that the means of days of blepharospasm, ocular discharge, and bacterial counts (log CFU mL-1) were significantly different in the treatment groups at 108 and 204 h (P <0.0005, ANOVA). According to Tukey's test, Ciprofloxacin plus Ag-NPs plus Betamethasone group was significantly less than Control +, Ag-NPs, and Ag-NPs plus Betamethasone groups for these variables (P < 0.05). The mean rank of opacity scores was significantly different between treatment groups (P = 0.01, Kruskal-Wallis). Mann-Whitney U-test revealed that Ciprofloxacin plus Ag-NPs plus Betamethasone group had significantly better score than Control +, Ag-NPs, and Ag-NPs plus Betamethasone groups (P < 0.05). It seems Ag-NPs can be an appropriate adjuvant for Ciprofloxacin, but due to the results they can't be an alternative for Ciprofloxacin to treat Pseudomonas keratitis.