Basrah Journal of Veterinary Research

Chickens' general well-being and productivity depend heavily on their gut health. It describes how well the gastrointestinal system functions and the complex interactions it has with microbial communities. In order to optimize the chicken's digestive tract, this paper examines the importance of gut microbiota, highlighting the ways in which these microbes support performance, health, and resistance to disease. The intricate microbiome found in the gut is important for immunological response, digestion, and nutrient absorption. It is crucial to comprehend gut health since, even in the absence of obvious symptoms of illness, it can have a direct impact on hen performance. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, including by offering a well-balanced diet high in fiber, probiotics, and prebiotics. These elements encourage the development of advantageous bacteria, which enhances the hens' general health and performance. The chicken's digestive system depends on its gut flora. Poultry farmers can improve the well-being and output of their flocks by comprehending its function and putting prevention measures in place to keep the microbiota steady.

This study was conducted to examine uncooked meat samples collected from slaughtered animals from butchers' markets in Basra Governorate. During the period from June to August 2024, 75 samples were studied, including 50 samples of sheep meat and 25 samples of butchers' tools. Using sterile swaps, equivalent areas (2.5 CM) of meat surface or butchers' tools were rubbed evenly, and then the swaps were inoculated into a thioglycolate medium containing tubes. The cultures were transported to the lab and cultivated under anaerobic conditions for 48 hrs. at 37C using an anaerobic jar and gas bags. The presence of Clostridium perfringens bacteria was detected by microbial culture on CHROMagar and microscopic examination in addition to species-specific polymerase chain reaction using the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that C. perfringens was present in 15 total samples among the 75 samples studied (10 isolates from meat and 5 isolates from butchers' tools). Furthermore, PCR detected the cpa gene in all C. perfringens-positive samples, confirming that these isolates belong to type A of Clostridium perfringens. The results of this study indicate that the source of such contamination originates from poor sanitation of slaughterhouses and/or due to the disease of slaughtered animals. These findings necessitate imposing strict sanitation measures and public health awareness to limit C. perfringens meat contamination.

The present study aimed to identify the skin features of the local dog. After anesthesia, five adult dogs took the skin samples, and the wounds were sutured that form after collecting the sample and the samples were fixated with 10% formalin and Bouin's solution.(special stain )
in the present study, the skin consists of two layers epidermis and dermis, the epidermis is composed of epithelial cell layers comprised of four different types of cells of various studied regions. while the dermis was composed of two layers that embedded the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and a few numbers of sweet and sebaceous glands associated with hair follicles. In conclusion, The skin is a large organ covering all body joints, underlying the muscles and bones. It is characterized by a few sebaceous and sweat glands.

Formalin is one of the liquid materials handled by the laboratory in particular and manufactured in general. It is also incorrectly disposed of and likely to be scattered to the main estuaries, which may significantly affect aquatic and wild animals. The primary goal of the study was to determine the changes in body tissues, particularly the spleen. The experiment involved taking five male rats for each group, injected with a saline solution under the skin of the rats, and considered this group to be the control group, which was called group (A) . Group (B) was injected with a 2% diluted formalin solution under the skin for a week every 72 hours. The experiment on five other animals, with injections of the same substance and quantity under the skin, lasted for two weeks and was called group (C), comparing the results of the totals with some. The results of the tissue sections after routine staining (H and E) showed that the effect of formalin in group B was greater than in group C After these totals were compared with the control group A , showed atrophy of the white and red pulp in the spleen. The atrophy of the white pulmonary lymphocytes includes loss of lymphocytes in T cells , and B cells . The study revealed that exposure to formalin causes significant alterations in spleen tissue the longer the exposure period.

Poultry is infected with many external parasites, chewing lice is the most important of those parasites. It attacks poultry, especially in rural and local free farms. The infection leads to many pathological effects, including stunted growth, decreased egg production, feather loss, and others. This study aimed to survey and diagnose the chewing lice parasitizing domestic chickens and pigeons during the period from November 2023 to October 2024 in Basra Governorate. A total of 240 chickens and 240 pigeons were examined. The results showed a recording of six species of chewing lice, three were parasitic on chickens: Macanthus stramineuse, Menacanthus cornutus, Menapon gallinae. There were also three species of parasites on pigeons: Campanulotes bidentatus, Hohorstiella lata. Columbicola columbae. The total prevalence in chickens was 45.42% and in pigeons 42.92%. Monthly infection percentages and its impact on environmental factors (temperature and humidity) were recorded. Samples of chewing lice species were calculated. Triple infection was the highest rate, was 57.79% in chickens and 60.19% in pigeons. The sites of infections in birds’ bodies were observed.

Arsenic trichloride (AsCl₃) is a highly toxic inorganic compound that adversely affects multiple organ systems, including the liver, kidneys, and brain. As a widespread environmental pollutant, arsenic poses significant health risks to both humans and animals, particularly poultry. Young birds, such as duck chicks, are especially vulnerable due to their developing physiological systems. Chronic arsenic exposure in poultry can lead to metabolic disturbances, organ damage, and impaired immune function, ultimately affecting growth, survival, and response to veterinary interventions.
This study determined the median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of arsenic trichloride in duck chicks, which was established at 6.53 mg/kg. Additionally, the research evaluated the impact of arsenic exposure on anesthesia induced by xylazine (5 mg/kg) and ketamine (20 mg/kg). Arsenic exposure at doses of 4 and 8 mg/kg significantly prolonged the duration of anesthesia compared to lower doses (0 and 2 mg/kg), while the onset of anesthesia became significantly more rapid at 8 mg/kg. The percentage of birds exhibiting anesthesia also increased in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that arsenic exposure alters drug metabolism and neurophysiological responses, which could complicate bird anesthetic management.
Understanding the effects of arsenic toxicity on anesthetic response is crucial for veterinary professionals working with poultry. This study emphasizes the need to consider environmental toxicant exposure when administering bird anesthetic agents to ensure safe and effective anesthesia. Additionally, monitoring arsenic contamination in poultry farming is essential to prevent long-term health consequences, optimize veterinary anesthesia protocols, and safeguard food safety

Abstract

Background:
Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, high number of mortalities around the world was reported. Post infection, the immune system is activated in abnormal manner leads to an excessive release of cytokines and interleukins implicated in eliminating the viruses including CTLA-4. Such responses sometimes cause autoimmune disease including Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Aim of study: The study aimed to analyse gene expression of CTLA4 in patients diagnosed with RA post Covid-19 infection.
Methods: Blood samples were collected from 61 RA patients diagnosed post Covid-19 patients RAI, and 40 control (C) experienced at least one Covid-19 infection. RNA was extracted and used to prepare cDNA from each sample to analyse the cellular expression of CTLA-4 using relative gene expression .
Results: The study involved 61 patients, 17 of them were vaccinated without prior Covid-19 infection (RAV) as well as 44 that were diagnosed with RA following their recovery from Covid-19 (RAI).The results showed significant increase in CTLA-4 gene expression only in RAI samples. However, a decrease in RAV sample compared to control was noticed
Conclusion:
COVID-19 seems to have an important role in the development of the RA disease, as during its occurrence immuno-changes disorders can happen, one of obvious influences of which is the significant changes in the gene expression of CTLA-4 gene, which in turn could be involved in the development of the RA.

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli are the most common strains of E. coli that animals and humans are exposed to. It can be classified into six pathogenic groups, regarding their antibiotic resistance ability and the presence of virulence genes. Most of them are located on mobile genetic elements such as plasmids. Thus, this study aimed to identify the plasmid DNA patterns from E. coli isolated from dogs and humans each of which has diarrhoea. In order to search for similarities between the plasmids distributed among them, plasmid patterns as bands on agarose gel and plasmid incompatibility replicons detection were applied. A multiplex PCR-based method was used to detect the presence of the most common plasmid replicons (B/O, FIA, FIB, I1 and Frep). The results showed that almost all E. coli isolates contain plasmids. The IncF (FIA and FIB) replicons were the most prevalent Inc (60%) among human isolates. In contrast, the dominant Inc replicon in dog isolate was Frep followed by FIB and FIA in rates reached 35% and 25% respectively. Whereas, the 1I replicon was the least common in both sources. The dual plasmids Inc Frep+FIB and Frep+FIA were found to be the shared types. In contrast, one of the triple Incs patterns (FIB+Ferp+B/O) was common among dog and human isolates. This pattern’s similarity indicates the bacterial transmitted ability and triggered a preliminary idea about the possibility of plasmid transmission between E. coli from different hosts.

The current experience was carried out to evaluated the impacts of Zinc and VitD3 on the thyroid gland, and testicular functions as well as bone tissue architecture in rats with zinc deficiency, forty juvenile rats were used, and Zinc deficiency was induction within a dose of 30 mg/kg of 1,10 phenanthroline dissolved in 0.5 ml of DMSO. Rats were distributed into four groups: group I. Rats served as control without zinc deficiency, was received 1ml of saline, group II with zinc deficiency considered as positive control, was received 1ml of saline, group III with deficiency, was treated with zinc 20mg /kg , group IV with Zn deficient, was treated with Vit D3 at a dose of 500 IU/kg, all groups treated orally for 30 days consecutive, our findings indicating that zinc deficiency caused to elevated TSH and T4 while lowered T3 values, markedly decreased in testosterone, FSH and LH, whereas histopathological alteration in bone its representing by loss of trabecular mass and atrophy of the osteoblast were observable, while the administration of zinc and Vit D led to improvement thyroid and sexual hormones as well osteoblast activity. In Conclusion zinc deficiency causing harmful impacts on thyroid gland, spermatogenesis and bone mineralization, while the administration of zinc and Vitamin D results in improvement hormone levels and restoration of the histopathological changes in the bone.

The aime of this research to detected prevalence rate of infection with Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep in different regions of Ninavah Province, Iraq. 100 sheep fecal samples were collected. that are younger than a month to more than 6 months. All samples have been tested by using direct methods, 1% Lugol's iodine, flotation method by using sugar solution and modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining to investigate for oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. The study showed the total prevalence rate of infection with Cryptosporidium spp. in sheep was 52%. There is no significant differences (p <0.05) in prevalence rates among animals aged less than 6 months and animals more than 6 months. The results were showed difference significantly between infection rate in male and female, 81.2% (45\55), 15.6 % (7\45) respectively. As well as, Cryptosporidium infection was significantly influenced by several potential risk components such as breeding of animals, consistency of feces, herd size, keeping with other animals, bedding type, and occurring of pregnancy in animals

Ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in broiler chicken feed poses significant risks to animal health and food safety. This study aimed to assess OTA contamination levels in broiler feed samples collected from broiler farms in Duhok Governorate, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, over four years (2020–2023). A total of 292 feed samples were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify OTA concentrations. The results revealed a high prevalence of OTA contamination across all years, with 86.8%, 93.8%, 100%, and 96.9% of samples testing positive in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. The mean OTA concentration showed a declining trend, from 2.615 µg/kg in 2020 to 0.8396 µg/kg in 2023. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA confirmed a significant reduction in OTA levels over the years (p < 0.05), indicating improvements in feed safety management. However, variability in OTA concentrations remained high, emphasizing the need for stringent monitoring and preventive measures. The persistence of OTA in poultry feed highlights potential risks for animal health and its possible transfer to poultry products, raising public health concerns. These findings highlight the necessity of continuous surveillance, improved storage practices, and effective detoxification strategies to mitigate OTA contamination in broiler feed. Future studies should employ HPLC for more accurate OTA quantification, as ELISA, while efficient, may cross-react with other metabolites.

Ovine hemotropic Mycoplasma (Ohm)are zoonotic pathogens that are emerging and are responsible for severe hemolytic anemia and substantial financial losses. The purpose of this study was to use the conventional polymerase chain reaction (C-PCR) method to molecularly detect Ovine hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. in infected sheep in Nineveh Province, Iraq. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis of Ohm spp. diagnosed in this study was investigated. Sheep from various regions of Nineveh province were collected to provide a total of 241 blood samples (3 ml). Results revealed that the infection rates of Mycoplasma ovis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haematovis were 52.6% and 23.2%, respectively, using C-PCR with a primer specific to the species. Four 16S rRNA gene sequences were extracted from sheep blood for individual sequencing analysis. The NCBI GenBank contains the sequences of Ohm under the accession numbers PV273224 and PV273225 (Mycoplasma ovis) and PV273226 and PV273227 (Candidatus Mycoplasma haematovis). These sequences were identical (100%) to those associated with Mycoplasma ovis found in the following databases: NCBI GenBank (GU230142 and AF338268 in the United States), MH379799 in Brazil, MF377458 in Turkey, JF931138 in Japan, MW547439 in Poland, ON202709 in Germany, and EU828582 in Switzerland. Additionally, OQ310852 was identified in Egypt as Candidatus Mycoplasma haematovis. Mycoplasma ovis and Candidatus M. haemovis, two ovine hemotropic mycoplasmas, were first detected in sheep in the Nineveh province in this study. It was observed that they are ubiquitous, and this discovery may prove advantageous for future research and strategic management of this mycoplasma species in the study region.

A highly mutated RNA virus known as feline Kalisi virus (FCV) is commonly found in domestic cats. However, its potential for transmission to humans is minimal. FCV has significant genetic and antigenic diversity in cat populations. Severe acute systemic FCV infection (VS-FCV) manifests itself as lingual ulcers for upper respiratory tract diseases, gingivitis, alopecia, skin, mouth, ear problems, and claudication syndrome. Other symptoms include necrosis of the pancreas, liver, and spleen, bronchointerstitial pneumonia, and subcutaneous edema that contribute to the high mortality rate of infected cats. The diagnosis of FC virus is carried out using two techniques: reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and virus isolation. The frequency of antibodies is usually high in cat populations due to vaccination and symptomatic diseases. Therefore, the presence of certain antibodies does not always indicate the presence of a prolonged infection. The mainstay of FCV treatment is supportive care, although there are no authorized antiviral drugs specifically designed for the virus. However, drugs such as misuripine and nitazoxanide have proven their antiviral effectiveness in the laboratory. The types of vaccines available include inactivated and modified vaccines. Vaccination is necessary for the prevention of FCV virus. Preventing the spread of FCV requires proper hygiene and effective disinfection, especially in versatile environments.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae is an evolved pathogenic strain that is more resistant and more virulent than classical pneumoniae (cKp). Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacillus of the Enterobacteriaceae family that is usually grouped with non-motile, lactose-fermenting. hv-K. pneumoniae is a fascinating bacterium that can be a natural inhabitant of human and animals, a very efficient pathogen capable of causing several community or hospital-acquired infections or an opportunistic multidrug-resistant strain. hv-K. pneumoniae has worldwide dissemination and is usually found in the environment and commensal flora of humans and other animal species. It includes several strains such as ST23\K1, ST86\K2 and ST29\K54, the most important of which are widespread around the world, especially in Asian countries. hv-K. pneumoniae is responsible for pneumonia, septicemia, and urinary tract and soft-tissue infections, but it is most famous for its role in community-acquired liver abscesses in Asia. In addition to its clinical relevance, hv-K. pneumoniae is also intensively studied in the course of basic and applied research, being of interest to a vast range of scientists from microbiologists. This interest is mostly due to its capability to acquire drug resistance and express hypervirulence. hv-K. pneumoniae is a very efficient biofilm producer and is involved in nosocomial tuberculosis outbreaks as a clinical co-pathogen. Furthermore, it is now one of the most important antimicrobial resistance threats. However, for the most part, the ability to infect almost all types of immunocompromised hosts and to acquire extreme antimicrobial resistance is the most fascinating characteristic. We conclusion prevalence of multidrug-resistant hv-K. pneumoniae in hospitals is quite high and its emergence is rapid according to studies and research. According to this study, it was shown that there are some strains such as 23 that are resistant to multiple drugs, which were the most prevalent compared to others, especially in some countries of the world, such as Taiwan, China, India, and others. The studies also showed that there is a strain such as ST11 that is resistant to most antibiotics KPC, SHV, and ESBL compared to others in some countries, especially in China and Iran. This means that there is a high affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics compared to other antibiotics.

Feline leukemia virus is a highly infectious virus among cats, spread primarily via saliva, mutual grooming and aggressive behaviors. This virus cause disorders of hematopoiesis, immune suppression, anemia lymphomas and leukemias. Blood samples were obtained from a client owned 4 years male cat presented to a veterinary private clinic in Baghdad governorate for checking and tested by using the anigen FIV/FeLV rapid kits (manufactured by Bionote, validated from OIE reference laboratories, republic of Korea) to detect FeLV antigen (94% sensitivity of FeLV Ag, 99% specificity) and by blood sample analysis. The result was positive for the leukemic antigen. This is the first confirmatory diagnosis of FeLV in iraq.