Meta-analysis of Johne's disease in the Iranian animal population (1999-2020).

Johne's disease (JD) affects domestic and wild animals across the globe. Paratuberculosis exerts huge economic impacts on the animal industry. Despite significant economic losses, little knowledge is available on the epidemiological status of Paratuberculosis in the animal population of Iran. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence rate of this disease in the Iranian animal population with confidence interval (CI) and p-value. The search was conducted on and screened the electronic international and national databases. Thereafter, sufficient and relevant data were extracted. Data were analyzed in STATA software (version 14). Prevalence disease rates were determined using random effect models. A total of 52 articles were included in the systematic review. According to the results, the overall disease incidence rate in Iran was 20.39%. The prevalence rate of JD was 22.33% (95% CI, 18.87-25.78) in the cattle population and 25.61% (95% CI, 21.43-29.78) in sheep. This study pinpointed that cattle and sheep were the most commonly infected hosts. The highest prevalence rate of disease was 35.88% in Tehran (95% CI, 16.77-54.99), followed by 32.86% (95% CI, 25.07-40.65), and 20.10% (95% CI, 14.63-25.58) in Khorasan Razavi and Kerman, respectively. The lowest prevalence rate of JD was 2.27% in Ilam (95% CI, 0.84-3.70). Based on this result, molecular-based methods were properly compared to other diagnostic methods. This study reported Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) prevalence in dairy herds in the provinces of Iran. The infection transmission from animal sources to humans and the potential role of MAP in human disease highlight a critical need for further study on this issue.

Comparative Evaluation of Specific Antibody against Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT-6 Recombinant Antigen in Healthy Subject with Positive and Negative Skin Test.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). The laboratory diagnosis of the disease includes various bacteriologic and immunologic methods. Despite the effectiveness of many of these methods in diagnosing active TB, their high cost and time-consuming nature have led researchers to adopt more accurate and rapid screening methods based on specific antigens for M. tuberculosis. The present study aimed to measure specific antibody serum levels against the early secretory antigenic target 6 kDa (ESAT-6) recombinant protein in healthy people and compare it to TB patients. The target population included 27 TB patients and 87 healthy individuals with no clinical TB symptoms. The healthy population was divided into two groups, including positive purified protein derivative (PPD) and negative PPD (35 and 52 people, respectively), using the Tuberculin skin test. The specific antibody level against the ESAT-6 recombinant antigen and the PPD protein was measured using an indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test. The results of the study showed that the majority of the healthy population with no symptoms of clinical TB and having negative skin test results did not have antibodies against the recombinant ESAT-6 (98%) and PPD (96%) antigens. On the other hand, there was a high level of the specific antibody of the ESAT-6 recombinant and PPD antigens in TB patients (77%). It is notable that in people with positive skin test results, the level of the antibody against the ESAT-6 recombinant antigen and PPD antigen was 94%. The results demonstrated that the ELISA method based on the measurement of antibodies against the ESAT-6 recombinant antigen can be a proper diagnostic method for rapid and accurate screening of healthy from infected people.

Identification of Burkholderia mallei Isolates with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism.

Burkholderia mallei is the main cause of glanders as a dangerous contagious zoonosis disease that is mostly observed in single-hoofed animals, especially horses. Modern molecular techniques have been recently employed to improve epidemiology for identifying and searching for strains of this bacterium at different times and locations. Due to the unknown number of circulating strains and lack of preventive methods, glanders is still observed in the form of epidemics. The present study aimed to evaluate six field isolates plus two laboratory strains of Borkolderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. All the isolates and strains were microbially cultured in the glycerol nutrient and glycerol agar media. The individually grown colonies of the bacterium were used in the biochemical tests. The DNA of isolates was extracted by boiling, and the PCR-RFLP test was conducted on their genome. Finally, the bacterium was injected into guinea pigs to induce the Straus reaction. The biochemical assays (or bioassays) confirmed the isolates as Burkholderia mallei. The PCR-RFLP assay demonstrated a product for Burkholderia mallei with a length of 650 bp. Nevertheless, 250 and 400 bp were produced for Burkholderia pseudomallei. The swollen scrotum pointed to the occurrence of the Straus reaction. The PCR-RFLP is a proper differential diagnosis technique for B. mallei; moreover, it is a suitable method for differentiating between Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei. This technique can detect Burkholderia mallei in a short time with high precision and sensitivity.

A New Amphotericin B-loaded Trimethyl Chitosan Nanoparticles as a Drug Delivery System and Antifungal Activity on Candida albicans Biofilm.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is an effective antifungal agent; however, the application of AmB is associated with a number of drawbacks. Application of nanoparticles (NPs) is known to improve the efficiency of drug delivery to the target tissues, compared to the traditional methods. In this study, a novel method of NPs preparation was developed. The trimethyl chitosan (TMC) was synthesized using low molecular weight chitosan and was used for the preparation of TMC-NPs through ionic gelation method. Afterward, AmB-loaded TMC-NPs (TMC-NPs/AmB) were prepared and their drug delivery potential was testes. The TMC-NPs and TMC-NPs/AmB were characterized for their structure, particle size, Zeta potential, polydispersity index, morphology, loading efficiency, loading capacity, in vitro release profile, release kinetic, and entrapped AmB potency. The cytotoxicity and antifungal activity of TMC-NPs/AmB against Candida albicans biofilm were evaluated. The quaternization of TMC was estimated to be 36.4%. The mean particle size of TMC-NPs and TMC NPs/AmB were 210±15 and 365±10 nm, respectively, with a PDI of 0.30 and 0.4, ZP of +34±0.5 and +28±0.5 mV, respectively. Electron microscopy analysis indicated uniform spherical shapes with smooth surfaces. The TMC-NPs/AmB indicated LE of 76% and LC of 74.04 % with a potency of 110%. The release profile of TMC-NPs/AmB was best explained by the Higuchi model. The initial release after 10 h was obtained at 38%, and the rates of release after 36 and 84 h were determined at 67% and 76% respectively, which was significantly different (P<0.05) from previous time points. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (50%) of NPs/AmB and AmB were 0.65 and 1.75 µg/mL, and the MIC 80% were determined at 1.95 and 7.75 µg/mL, respectively, demonstrating a significant improvement in antifungal activity. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration for TMC-NPs/AmB and AmB were estimated at 86 and 105 µg/mL, respectively, indicating a significant reduction in cytotoxicity and the adverse effect. This study could successfully introduce a practical method to synthesize TMC-NPs. The encapsulation process was efficient and significantly improved the antifungal activity of AmB. The developed method can be applied to improve the feasibility of oral delivery while reducing the adverse effects associated with traditional methods.

Isolation and Purification of Low Molecular Weight Proteins from Culture Filtrate of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Strain C.

In the last couple of years, a number of new and rapid tests for the diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) have been developed based on the low molecular weight antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) culture supernatant. This study aimed to isolate and purify low molecular weight antigens secreted by Mtb strain C for diagnostic purpose. The secretory proteins from culture filtrate of Mtb were extracted using ammonium sulphate precipitations and sephadex-G50 gel chromatography. The obtained antigen fractions were analyzed for their protein concentrations and approximate molecular weight using Lowry method and SDS-PAGE (12.5%), respectively. DOT-ELISA and Western blot assay was performed to confirm the presence of purified low molecular weight proteins isolated from Mtb using sera from pulmonary tuberculosis patients (polyclonal antibodies). During chromatography, low molecular weight proteins were separated, that was approximately 0.7 mg/ml of the total proteins (1.662 mg/ml). The purified protein fractions in molecular weight range of 14 kDa-41kDa appeared during SDS-PAGE analysis. The chromatographic band fraction in the weight range of 30-41 kDa was identified in the TB patients&rsquo; sera using Western blotting. The low molecular weight proteins in the culture filtrate of Mtb strain C were purified using ammonium sulphate and chromatography. These fractions were confirmed using Western blotting. The obtained results might support the hypothesis that the Mtb culture filtrate antigens could be used as a rapid and sensitive assay for the detection of patients with pulmonary TB.

Preparation of immunomagnetic beads coupled with a rhodamine hydrazine immunosensor for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in bovine feces, milk, and colostrum.

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a method for detecting Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) bacteria in bovine fecal, milk, and colostrum samples using immunomagnetic beads (IMB) and a rhodamine hydrazone immunosensor. Immunomagnetic beads were prepared by using purified antibodies from hyperimmunized sera that were coupled to Fe nanoparticles with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethyl (dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-N-hydroxy succinimide (NHS) as linkers. Rhodamine hydrazone particles were synthesized and coupled to IgY anti-MAP antibodies using DTPA or EDC-NHS linkers. Separation efficiency of the IMB was tested on bovine fecal, milk, and colostrum samples experimentally contaminated with MAP. The studied methods were evaluated on their ability to detect MAP and separate bacteria in complex mediums. The ELISA results indicated 95% efficacy in antibody coupling to IMB, with the DTPA-IMB method being more efficient than the EDC-NHS-IMB method. By using the DTPA-IMB method, MAP bacteria were successfully recovered from fecal, milk, and colostrum samples. The DTPA-IMB method used in combination with the rhodamine hydrazone immunosensor had a limit of detection equal to 30 and 30,000 MAP cells/mL using chromogenic and fluorescent properties, respectively. Combining the DTPA-IMB separation method with the rhodamine hydrazone immunosensor provides a fast, sensitive, and cost-beneficial method for detecting MAP in bovine feces, milk, and colostrum.

Evaluation of Heating and Irradiation Methods for Production of Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.

Tuberculin skin test, also known as the tuberculin or purified protein derivative (PPD) test, is an extensively applied diagnostic test for the detection of primary infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The production of PPD is accompanied by some difficulties that require a series of modifications in the production and purification processes. The present study aimed to determine the facilitation level of the manufacturing process by modifying evaluation methods for the production of PPD tuberculin. Mtb strains were cultured in Lowenstein-Jensen media, and the cultured strains were inoculated into the Dorset-Henley liquid medium by the biphasic medium of potato-Dorset-Henley. After incubation, flasks containing cultured strain were selected for bacterial inactivation, and the optimal gamma radiation dose(s) was determined. Tuberculoproteins were precipitated by ammonium sulfate (AS) and Trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Protein concentration was determined using the Bradford and Kjeldahl protein assay methods. Finally, the lymphocyte transformation test and potency test were performed. Based on the results, the Dorset-Henley liquid medium is suitable for the massive growth of the bacterium. The transferal of Mtb from solid to liquid medium was directly carried out without intermediate culture. It was found that during tuberculoprotein production, heating at 100&deg;C for 3 h would be safe for killing mycobacterium. Furthermore, the simultaneous use of heating and gamma irradiation (8 kGgy) killed all of the mycobacteria, while doses of 1, 1.5, and 7 kGy decreased a significant number of bacterial cells. The results also indicated that the concentration of tuberculoprotein extracted by TCA precipitation method was higher than that obtained by AS precipitation. The tuberculoproteins which were produced by these two methods in the lymphocyte transformation test were not significantly different in terms of potency (P&gt;0.05). Moreover, due to the high volume of produced protein, the protein measurement was more efficiently carried out by the Kjeldahl method, compared to the Bradford method. Finally, the results of the present study demonstrated that in addition to the novel approach of gamma irradiation, optimum methods are efficient and applicable in the production of PPD tuberculin.

Comparison of Cattle Serum Antibody Responses to Five Different Mycobacterial Antigens in an ELISA System.

The presence of common zoonosis diseases caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), such as Johne's and Crohn's diseases, poses a public health threat and economic losses to Iranian livestock. Therefore, the early detection of mycobacteria is of paramount importance. In this regard, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a new, simple to use, rapid, and useful diagnostic tool. This study was performed to evaluate different crude antigens obtained from Mycobacterium species using an indirect ELISA test to identify the mycobacterial infection in infected livestock. Five different strains of Mycobacteria including M. tuberculosis, M. phlei, M. bovis, M. aviumsubspecies paratuberculosis, and M. bovis AN5 were cultured. The crude antigens in the samples were precipitated with trichloroacetic acid 4%. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of crude antigens isolated from different Mycobacterium species was reported. The total level of protein was determined by the Lowry protein assay. After the crude antigen preparation, the ELISA test was performed and the results were compared with the purified protein derivative skin test. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 25. All five strains were detected in more than 92% of healthy animals. The highest sensitivity of ELISA tests was in M. bovis AN5 antigen which was greater than 83%. The highest diagnostic specificity and efficiency of assays were in M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis which was 95.83% and over 83%, respectively. Regarding the results, M. avium subspecies paratuberculosis and M. bovis AN5 antigens were promising candidates for the design of diagnostic ELISA due to their sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency.

Identification of Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria by Line Probe Assay and Determination of Drug Resistance Patterns of Isolates in Iranian Patients.

The potentially pathogenic Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging nowadays which result in pulmonary and non-pulmonary infections in human. This group of bacteria consists of at least 200 different species. While the pulmonary disease is the most common form of NTM infections, NTM can cause diffused infections as well as extrapulmonary infections in every organ, such as bone marrow, skin, eye, and brain. The NTM cause tuberculosis-like infections, therefore, correct identification of these Mycobacteria is necessary to avoid faulty treatment. Different species of NTM isolates were identified from clinical specimens using phenotypic methods and Line Probe Assay. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration for selected antibiotics was obtained by the broth micro-dilution method. Totally, 42 NTM isolates were identified in this study. Moreover, the frequency of NTM between all positive mycobacterium cultures was estimated at 12%. The most common Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria included Mycolicibacterium fortuitum (30.9%), Mycobacterium abscessus (7.1%), and Mycobacterium chelonae (2.3%), whereas Mycobacterium simiae (40.4%), Mycobacterium kansasii (16.6%), and Mycobacterium avium complex (2.3%) were the most recurring among the Slowly Growing Mycobacteria. Amikacin, clarithromycin, and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics against isolated NTM. The NTM isolates are frequently being separated from Iranian patients, and are mostly resistant to the wide spectrum of antibiotics. Correct identification and determination of antibiotic susceptibility can be helpful in the healing process of the patients who suffer from non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections.

Production of MPT-64 recombinant protein from virulent strain of Mycobacterium bovis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a zoonotic infectious disease common to humans and animals which has been caused by a rod shaped, acid fast bacterium, called Mycobacterium bovis. The rapid and sensitive detection is a great challenge for TB diagnosis. The virulent strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) have 16 different regions of difference (RD) in their genome which encode some important antigens. The major protein of M. bovis 64 (MPT-64) is one of the main immune-stimulating antigens which are encode by RD-2 region. The aim of the present study was cloning, expression and purification of MPT-64 as a protein antigen of M. bovis in a prokaryotic system for the usage in the future diagnostic studies. In this experimental study, the mpt-64 gene with 687 bp has been proliferated from M. bovis whole genome by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The PCR product has been digested by BamHI and HindIII restriction enzymes and cloned into pQE-30 plasmid. The recombinant protein has been expressed in the Escherichia coli M15 with induction by isopropyl-ß-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The expressed protein was analyzed on SDS-PAGE, and purified with Nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) column. Finally, its biological properties were confirmed in Western blotting method using specific antibodies. Data showed the successful cloning of mpt-64 gene (as a 687 bp segment) in expression vector. The MPT-64 recombinant protein was ideally expressed and purified as a 24 kDa protein. The result of this study indicated that MPT-64 recombinant protein (24 kDa) has been successfully expressed and purified in a prokaryotic system, so this protein could be used for differential diagnosis of pathogenic and non-pathogenic Mycobacterium, in suspected BTB cases.

Mixed metal oxide nanoparticles inhibit growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into THP-1 cells.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Humans have been in a constant battle with tuberculosis (TB). Currently, overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the spread of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR), leading to antibiotic ineffectiveness at controlling the spread of TB infection in host cells and especially macrophages. Additionally, the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has developed methods to evade the immune system and survive. With the discovery of nanoparticle (NP)-based drugs, it is necessary to research their anti-mycobacterial properties and bactericidal mechanisms. In this study, we synthesized mixed metal oxide NPs and tested their ability to inhibit Mtb growth into macrophages and investigated the cytotoxic effects of NPs in THP-1 cells. METHODS: Silver (Ag) NPs and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs were synthesized by chemical reduction and chemical deposition in aqueous solution, and the diffraction light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible light-absorption spectra were used to identify NP properties. Ag and ZnO NPs were mixed together at a ratio of 8ZnO/2Ag and diluted into Löwenstein-Jensen medium followed by the addition of bacteria and incubation for 28days at 37°C. The toxicity of NPs to THP-1 cells was assessed by MTT test, and macrophages were infected with Mtb for 4h at 37°C under 5% CO2. RESULTS: Nano-sized particles were estimated at ∼30-80nm, and the initial concentration of Ag NPs and ZnO NPs were estimated at ∼20ppm and ∼60ppm. The minimal inhibitory concentration ratio of 8ZnO/2Ag NPs against Mtb was detected at ∼1/32 of the initial concentration. Ag NPs in the range of concentrations exhibited no anti-Mtb effects, whereas ZnO NPs showed potent antibacterial activity at ∼1/128 of the initial concentration. ZnO NPs at all concentrations showed cytotoxic activity, whereas 100% of THP-1 cells remained viable in the presence of Ag NPs at ∼1/32 and ∼1/64 of the initial concentrations. However, at ratios of 8ZnO/2Ag, ∼39.94% of the cells at ∼1/16 of the initial concentration remained viable, with 100% of THP-1 cells at ∼1/32 of the initial concentration remaining viable. CONCLUSION: Although Ag NPs exhibited low cytotoxicity, they were unable to inhibit Mtb growth in vitro. ZnO NPs exhibited strong anti-Mtb activity and inhibited bacterial growth, but exhibited high cytotoxicity to human macrophage cells. By mixing Ag and ZnO NPs at a ratio of 8ZnO/2Ag, we acquired a mixture that exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Mtb and no cytotoxic effects on THP-1 cells, resulting in inhibition of both in vitro and ex vivo Mtb growth Figs. 1-3, Tables 1-3.

Interferon-γ assay, a high-sensitivity, specific and appropriate method for detection of bovine tuberculosis in cattle.

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is an important zoonotic disease that is caused by Mycobacterium bovis. Eradication efforts in developed countries have reduced the prevalence of this disease significantly. TB can be difficult to diagnose based only on the clinical signs; therefore, it is usually diagnosed in the field with the tuberculin skin test and diagnostic blood tests, including the lymphocyte proliferation assay, the interferon (IFN)-γ assay, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The aim of this study was to compare the tuberculin and IFN-γ tests. A total of 110 animals were evaluated by tuberculin skin test (TST) and IFN-γ assay; the culture was selected as a gold standard. The animals were selected randomly from 700 cattle on dairy farms, aged 3-5years and suspected of having TB. Ten cattle were positive using the TST and nine were positive by IFN-γ assay. All nine positive samples in the IFN-γ assay were positive in culture too. The observed errors in IFN-γ assay were less due to laboratorial tools. It is suggested that all positive samples in TST are also positive by IFN-γ too.

Serum protein profiles in domestic pigeons naturally infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium.

BACKGROUND: Avian tuberculosis is an important disease affecting all species of birds and is most often caused by Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium genavense. Blood proteins are important diagnostic constituents in gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, and infectious diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare serum protein profiles of domestic pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica) infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA), with healthy pigeons. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 80 pigeons with clinical signs of tuberculosis, all kept in the same loft. All birds were necropsied and cultured for mycobacteriosis; positive cultures were typed for MAA by PCR reactions targeting 16S rRNA, IS901 and IS1245. The concentration of total serum proteins was determined by the biuret method and spectrophotometry. Individual protein fractions were analyzed by cellulose acetate electrophoresis and extrapolated based on total protein concentration. For statistical analysis, the infected birds were compared with healthy pigeons. RESULTS: A total of 37 pigeons with culture results positive for MAA were selected and allocated to 2 groups, a culture-positive group with macroscopic lesions of tuberculosis and another without macroscopic lesions. Six protein fractions were identified: prealbumin, albumin, alpha-1, alpha-2, and beta globulins and gamma globulins. Concentrations of total protein, beta globulins and gamma globulins were statistically significantly higher in the infected pigeons when compared with the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups of birds with or without macroscopic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Statistically significant differences in total protein, and beta and gamma globulin concentrations in all infected pigeons suggest that serum protein electrophoresis represents a nonspecific but valuable indicator for tuberculosis in pigeons.

Glanders outbreak at Tehran Zoo, Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In December 2010 four, lions and one tiger died at the Tehran zoo. Out of all samples, Burkholderia mallei (causative agent of Glanders) was isolated just from ulcer sample of the tiger which was imported to Iran from Russia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One nasal swab from a tiger and fifteen blood samples with anticoagulant belonging to one tiger and fourteen lions (four dead lions and eleven live lions) were collected and were inoculated directly onto the selective media. The isolate was identified by morphological and biochemical and API BBL tests and PCR using specific primers (Bma- IS407-flip). The standard (Razi Type Culture Collection RTCC: 2375) and tiger isolates were inoculated into 2 guinea pigs. All residue solipeds and carnivores were checked by Malleination test and Complement Fixation (CF) Test respectively. RESULTS: One isolate of B. mallei was isolated from tiger's nasal swab. Both of B.mallei strains were recovered from inoculated animals. All of solipeds were negative by malleination test, however, 11 lions including 4 dead and 7 live lions out of 14 lions were positive in CF test for Glanders and all were put down by the authorities. CONCLUSION: Active surveillance of Glanders is essential for solipeds, especially it's more important while being used to feed valuable carnivores like lions and tigers. Therefore, a reliable test like malleination must be carried out twice (first before transferring and one month after quarantine). Both test results should be negative for use for feeding.

Expression and Purification of Recombinant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (TB) Antigens, ESAT-6, CFP-10 and ESAT- 6/CFP-10 and Their Diagnosis Potential for Detection of TB Patients.

BACKGROUND: One of the most widely used methods to detect tuberculosis (TB) infection is the tuberculin skin test (TST). The completion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) genome sequence has led to identification of several antigens that can be utilized for accurate diagnosis and control of TB. The aim of this study was to purify the recombinant M. tuberculosis antigens for the evaluation of their potential in TB diagnosis. METHODS: The recombinant secretory antigens, ESAT-6, CFP-10 and ESAT-6/CFP-10 were produced by PCR and cloning methods. To investigate antigen specific responses of these recombinant antigens in detection of TB, ex vivo enzyme linked immunospot (ELISPOT) test in 30 clinically diagnosed TB patients was evaluated. RESULTS: The selected M. tuberculosis antigens were cloned, expressed and purified in Escherichia coli (BL21). ELISPOT assay for detection of TB showed the sensitivity of 93, 90 and 100% for recombinant ESAT-6, CFP-10 and ESAT-6/CFP-10 proteins respectively, which is significantly higher than conventional TST. CONCLUSION: The recombinant antigens of ESAT-6, CFP-10 and ESAT-6/CFP-10 can be used as an accurate means of detecting TB in Iran.

Outbreak of avian mycobacteriosis in flocks of domestic pigeons: An epidemiological approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pigeons are extensively kept for homing and racing purposes in Iran. The main objective of this study was to investigate dissemination of M. avium subsp. avium (MAA) in pigeon aviaries in Tabriz, North-western Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Postmortem pathologic specimens from thirty-nine out of 140 birds collected from private flocks (n=3), were subjected to bacterial culture out of which 3-4 mycobacterial isolates were recovered. RESULTS: Applying a five-PCR diagnostic algorithm targeting short but definitive stretches of 16S rRNA and RV0577 genes, IS6110, IS901 and IS1245 genomic loci, proved all the isolates were MAA. They were either IS901+/IS1245+(n=22) or IS901+/IS1245- (n=12). When four healthy cattle sensitized against Mycobacterium bovis AN5 and Mycobacterium avium D4 were tuberculinated, the results confirmed the observed skin reactions against bovine tuberculin in animals sensitized with M. avium were large enough to complicate test interpretation. CONCLUSION: We believe the extent of such epidemiological impact deserves further investigation if progress in control of bovine tuberculosis is intended.