Study on ovine abortion associated with Toxoplasma gondii in affected herds of Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran based on PCR detection of fetal brains and maternal serology.

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite, is one of the causative agents of ovine abortion, as reported in many countries. Different techniques are being used to detect this pathogen in infected ovine fetuses. One of the most sensitive and specific diagnostic techniques is Nested-PCR amplification of the B1 target gene of the organism. In total, 200 brain samples of aborted ovine fetuses and maternal sera submitted from different parts of Khorasan Razavi province, Iran were investigated to track the role of Toxoplasma gondii in ovine abortion by a slightly modified Nested-PCR and IFAT assays, respectively. Among all samples, 27 (13·5%) were PCR-positive and 31 (15·5%) were IFAT-positive and the Toxoplasma-induced abortion prevalence calculated was 8·8% to 18·2% with 95% confidence interval. Results show that high levels of congenital transmission may occur in 27/31(87%) of pregnancies with an excellent logical agreement (ĸ=0·9) between 2 different tests. According to the results of this study, the Nested-PCR employed in this investigation could be recommended as an applied routine test for the routine examination and confirmation of Toxoplasma gondii-induced ovine abortion.

Clinical, bacteriological and histopathological aspects of first-time pyoderma in a population of Iranian domestic dogs: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Staphylococci are the most common cause of pyoderma in dogs. AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to investigate clinical, bacteriological and histopathological aspects of bacterial skin infections in a population of Iranian domestic dogs with first-time pyoderma. METHODS: The study animals were 61 clinical cases of Iranian domestic dogs with first-time pyoderma. The diagnosis of pyoderma was based on the history, the presence of variable gross cutaneous lesions, positive findings on microscopic examination of surface cytology and histopathological findings. RESULTS: Detection of pyoderma amongst adult dogs was significantly higher than puppies (P=0.001). Large breed dogs were presented more frequently for pyoderma in comparison to small breeds (P=0.002). Bacterial species were recovered from 43 of the 61 (70.49%) studied animals. No isolates were recovered from 18 studied dogs. The most frequently recovered bacterial genus was Staphylococcus (32/43 isolates, 74.41%) including: S. epidermidis (22/43 isolates, 51.16%), S. aureus (7/43 isolates, 16.27%), and S. pseudintermedius (3/43 isolates, 6.97%). Staphylococci species resistance was most commonly seen against amoxicillin (94.11%), penicillin (83.35%), and ampicillin (76.47%). Resistant to cephalexin and cefoxitin was 5.88% and 2.94%, respectively. A total of 27 of the staphylococci isolated (84.37%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent and 19 isolates (59.37%) were resistant to three or more antimicrobial drugs. CONCLUSION: A better understanding of this microbial population is critical for clarification of the pathophysiology of bacterial skin diseases.

Experimental Tribulus terrestris poisoning in sheep: clinical, laboratory and pathological findings.

Eleven native sheep, 1-2 years old, of both sexes were randomly divided into two groups, 6 sheep being allocated to the experimental group and 5 serving as controls. The sheep in the experimental group were fed 80% Tribulus terrestris and 20% alfalfa hay and wheat straw, while the control sheep were given a mixture of 40% alfalfa hay and 60% wheat straw. Clinical signs of hepatogenous photosensitivity were observed from day 11, including reddening and crust formation on the muzzle, nose, ears and eyelids, depression, weight loss, icterus, conjunctivitis, and yellow discoloration of the urine. Laboratory findings on weekly samples indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in white blood cell count, total plasma protein and fibrinogen, total and direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations, and aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. There were no significant differences in the packed cell volume, in the neutrophil, lymphocyte or eosinophil counts, or in the serum calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium or chloride concentrations. At necropsy of the experimental animals, there were various degrees of generalized icterus and the livers were swollen and discolored by bile pigment. Histopathological examination revealed varying amounts of crystalloid material in the bile ducts and renal tubules, hepatocellular degeneration, biliary fibrosis and proliferation, renal tubular necrosis and focal necrosis of cardiac muscle.

Clinical and pathological aspects of experimental oleander (Nerium oleander) toxicosis in sheep.

Dried Nerium oleander leaves at single lethal dose of 110 mg/kg body weight were administered orally to six native male sheep. Clinical signs of toxicosis in sheep began to appear about 30 min after receiving the oleander and included decrease of the heart rate followed by cardiac pauses and tachyarrhythmias; ruminal atony, mild to moderate tympany, abdominal pain, polyuria and polakiuria. Electrocardiography revealed bradycardia, atrio-ventricular blocks, depression of S-T segments, ventricular premature beats and tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. Five sheep died within 4-12 h and one survived. At necropsy there were varying degrees of haemorrhages in different organs and gastroenteritis. Histopathological examination of tissue sections revealed myocardial degeneration and necrosis, degeneration and focal necrosis of hepatocytes, necrosis of tubular epithelium in kidneys, oedema in the lungs, and ischemic changes in the cerebrum.

Experimental kerosene poisoning in goats.

Eighteen young native male and female goats were divided into 3 equal groups. Kerosene was given to Groups 1, 2 and 3 as single doses of 10, 20 or 40 ml/kg bw respectively. Clinical signs In-Group 1 were mild behavioral changes and in Group 2 were mild to moderate bloat, coughing and behavioral changes. None of the goats of Groups 1 and 2 died. Goats of Group 3 had severe signs of poisoning and died within 4 h to 11 d after dosing with clinical signs of severe bloat, frequent coughing, vomiting, and expelling of kerosene from the mouth and nose. Star-gazing, depression, recumbency and dyspnea also occurred. Postmortem changes in Group 3 were gangrenous pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, congestion in brain and kidney, perivascular and perineuronal edema in brain tissue, and renal nephrosis.

Outbreak of osteodystrophia fibrosa in young goats.

Osteodystrophia fibrosa was diagnosed in young goats which received a dict of 60% wheat straw and 40% barley for 8 months. The ratio of calcium:phosphorus in the diet was 1:1.8. The clinical signs were bilateral and symmetrical enlargement of the face, swelling of the joints, and limb deformities. The laboratory findings showed a low level of serum calcium in all affected goats. Histopathological examination revealed marked fibrous deposition and osteoclasia in bones of the maxilla and mandible.