The Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This study addresses the limited research on Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi)
infections in horses in Baghdad, Iraq, a highly contagious disease known as strangles. The
objective was to investigate the clinical, bacteriological, and molecular characteristics of
these infections. A total of 115 samples were collected from 100 racehorses, consisting of 85
nasal swabs from horses without abscesses and 30 samples (15 nasal swabs and 15 abscess
samples) from 15 horses with abscesses. The bacterium was identified based on traditional
bacteriological diagnostic methods and confirmed using PCR amplification of the seeI gene.
PCR detected a 34% infection rate. The findings demonstrated the PCR was more sensitive
than bacterial cultivation in relation to the diagnosis of strangles. Clinical signs included
fever, dyspnea, mucopurulent nasal discharge, submandibular lymph node abscessation,
dysphagia, and significant respiratory distress. This study concluded that strangles
significantly impact equine health, manifesting in moderate to severe clinical signs that can
lead to mortality in affected horses. This underscores the necessity of studying the causative
agent, S. equi, through advanced genetic methodologies to achieve accurate diagnosis and
facilitate comprehensive epidemiological research. Furthermore, investigating the seeI gene
expressed by S. equi is crucial to understanding its role in the disease process and developing
effective control measures.

Lornoxicam (LOX) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in managing
ocular inflammation. Traditional delivery methods like liquid drops are cleared rapidly and
may not provide sustained therapeutic levels, necessitating the development of an ocular gel
formulation. Mucoadhesive polymers such as hyaluronic acid (HA), hydroxypropyl
methylcellulose (HPMC), and Carbopol have been identified as suitable excipients to modify
drug release profiles. This study aims to formulate an effective ophthalmic 0.1% w/w
lornoxicam gel administered to pets for topical and continuous drug release, enhancing
therapeutic efficacy while minimizing possible side effects. Eight formulations of lornoxicam
ocular gel were developed by different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) and
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K100) with 0.5% w/v Carbopol P934. These
formulations were in vitro evaluated for viscosity, spreadability, and drug release
characteristics to the best formula G6. The formulation with optimal performance was G6
(0.5% w/v Hyaluronic acid). Ocular irritation testing was performed to assess the safety and
tolerability of the formulation using a Rattus norvegicus Domestica (domestic Norwegian
rat) model. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of the lornoxicam gel was investigated in
a domestic cat case study, demonstrating its efficacy in treating ocular inflammation
resulting from traumatic eye injury. The optimized formula G6 formulation 0.5% w/v
demonstrated appropriate viscosity and spreadability, making it suitable for ocular
administration. In vitro release, studies revealed an initial burst release of 92.5% within the
first two hours, followed by a sustained release over the subsequent 6 hours. Ocular
irritation testing using a rat model confirmed that the lornoxicam ocular gel was non￾irritating. Furthermore, the therapeutic effects of the gel were observed in domestic cats,
with notable improvements in ocular conditions, including reduced swelling, redness, and
dryness, for less than 7 days of treatment. The lornoxicam ocular gel demonstrates
promising characteristics for safe and effective treatment of ocular inflammation in
domestic cats.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed
animals, causing significant economic losses in livestock industries. The causative agent,
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), consists of seven serotypes: O, A, C, South African
Territories (SAT) 1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1. These serotypes are lack of cross-protection
even among variants of the same serotype. This study aimed to isolate and identify the SAT2
serotype from Iraqi cattle, using molecular techniques and cell culture methods. A total of
100 samples, including the tongue epithelial tissue and vesicular fluid, were collected from
suspected FMD cases in Diyala, Baghdad, Kirkuk, Babylon, and Salahaddin provinces
between July 2023 and October 2024. The RNA was extracted, and real-time quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted. Primers targeting the 3D gene were
used to detect FMDV, while specific primers targeting the 1D gene were employed for the
SAT2 serotype identification. The virus isolation was performed on secondary sheep testis
(SST) cell cultures, and then the cytopathic effects (CPE) were reported with calculating the
tissue culture infectious dose 50% (TCID50) using the Reed and Muench method. The FMDV
was detected in 85 samples (85%), among which 30 (35.3%) were positive for the SAT2
serotype. The virus isolation from five representative samples revealed characteristic CPE,
including cell rounding, degeneration, and syncytia formation. The RT-qPCR confirmed
presence of the SAT2 serotype. The TCID50 ranged from Log106.8 TCID50/mL to Log107.05
TCID50/mL. The present study successfully isolated the SAT2 serotype of the FMDV in Iraq
for the first time. It underscores the importance of molecular diagnostics and virus isolation
in surveillance and highlights the need for targeted vaccination strategies against SAT2.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging global public health problem. Rationale use
of antimicrobials can prevent the rise of this problem. The objective of this study is to
characterize the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of antibiotic usage and AMR among
veterinarians and para-veterinarians in Gaza Strip, Palestine. A cross-sectional study was
conducted through the collection of a questionnaire from 86 personnel who served as part
of a veterinary aid system, in September_ October 2022. The results show that the most
common infections treated are respiratory tract infections (18%), mastitis (17%), and
diarrhea (17%). The most frequent antibiotics used were penicillin/strepto-penicillin
(15.6%), tetracycline/oxytetracycline (15.3%), and erythromycin (5.1%). About one-third
(29.6%) of respondents relied on their previous experience when prescribing antibacterial.
Nine in ten (90.7%) believed that there is ongoing antibacterial abuse in the veterinarian
sector, and two-thirds (63.5%) believed that the use of wide-spectrum antibacterial is better
than the narrow spectrum. The large majority of participants (91.9%) considered AMR a
serious public health threat. Although most veterinarians and para-veterinarians in Gaza
Strip consider the AMR a serious problem, many of them are contributing to the
antimicrobial abuse in the veterinary sector. Targeted educational programs on responsible
antimicrobial use and AMR are highly recommended for workers in the veterinary field. This
should be implemented by regulating and monitoring the use of antimicrobials among
veterinarians as well as farmers.

An approach to increase the efficiency of the poultry industry is to supplement the feed
additives in diets to enhance growth rates, optimize egg production, mitigate disease
prevalence, and improve feed utilization. This review specifically concentrates on different
types of feed additives that could be added to poultry diets to improve performance and
health. Primary constituents of poultry diets incorporate cereal grains, predominantly corn,
along with wheat, barley, sorghum, and other grains. Additionally, a predominant protein
source, e.g. soybean meal, is utilized, although alternative protein sources, both of animal
and plant origin, exist. Beyond these components, the feed nutritional quality is influenced
by factors such as method of feed, microbial contamination, the presence of antinutritional
substances, digestibility, palatability, and intestinal health. A variety of feed additives are
available to address these considerations. Particularly, the commercialization of feed
additives requires approval through rigorous scientific evaluation, ensuring their lack of
adverse effects on human and animal health, as well as the environment. Several feed
ingredients formulated in poultry diets show antinutritional properties, limiting their
applicability. To fulfil energy requirements and enhance poultry health, it is necessary to
develop commercially viable alternatives to existing feed resources, emphasizing safety and
cost-effectiveness. The use of feed additives in poultry can be valuable because they allow
maximizing overall performance and an improvement in digestibility, the health of poultry.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between the biofilm formation in ‎Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the protein concentration ins it, as well as to determine the ‎resistance of this bacterium to antibiotics. A total of 108 urine samples were collected ‎from suspected urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs, conducting general urine ‎examination (GUE) to detect the infection, isolation, and identification the bacteria based ‎on traditional diagnostic tests, the VITEK-2 system, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ‎targeting the 16S rRNA gene. The study involved determining the antibiotic susceptibility ‎of the isolates against ten antibiotics, determination of the biofilm layer by the tube ‎method and Congo red method, evaluation of the strength of biofilm by microtiter plate, ‎and detection of the biofilm protein concentration by Bradford method. The total number ‎of P. aeruginosa isolates was 6/108 (5.5%), among which the isolates that produced the ‎biofilm were 5/6 (83.33%). These isolates were confirmed by the VITEK-2 assay ‎followed by the PCR and sequencing of the amplicon that validated the identity of the ‎isolates, with 99% similarity to P. aeruginosa reference sequences, and the sequences ‎were deposited in NCBI GenBank (accession numbers PP979721.1–PP979726.1). ‎Analysis showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.998) between the biofilm formation ‎and the protein concentration. All isolates demonstrated 100% resistance to amikacin, ‎trimethoprim, cefotaxime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, cephalexin, and ‎lincomycin, and 33% were resistant to gentamicin, while 100% were sensitive to ‎ciprofloxacin. In conclusion, these findings underscore a significant correlation between ‎biofilm formation and protein concentration. The knowledge of bacterial ability to form ‎biofilms and their antibiotic resistance pattern is important to improve veterinary ‎practices and prescription of the appropriate antibiotic in the context of UTIs in dogs‎‎‎.‎

The combined use of probiotics and vaccines offers a potential strategy to enhance ‎poultry health and reduce dependence on antibiotics. However, the metabolic impact of ‎such interactions in broiler breeder chickens remains insufficiently explored. This study ‎aimed to evaluate the effects of Batcinel‑К® (Bacillus subtilis BIM‑B 454 D) and the ‎inactivated Salmonella vaccine CEVAC SET‑K® on lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism, ‎renal indices, and mineral status in broiler breeder chickens. Three hundred Ross 308 ‎chicks were distributed into six equal groups: control (no treatment), probiotic only, ‎vaccine only, and three combined probiotic + vaccine regimens: Regimen A (four ‎probiotic cycles 1–35 days + vaccination at 42 and 98 days + booster probiotic 91–98 ‎days), Regimen B (four probiotic cycles 1–35 days + recurrent 3-day probiotic dosing ‎‎42–91 days + vaccination 42 and 98 days), and Regimen C (two probiotic cycles 1–21 ‎days + intermittent 2-day probiotic dosing 42–91 days + single vaccination 98 days). ‎Serum collected at 56, 63, and 112 days was analyzed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, ‎glucose, uric acid, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. At 112 days, ‎Regimen A produced a significant decline in total cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.05), ‎accompanied by reduced uric acid and creatinine at 63–112 days. Glucose concentrations ‎increased significantly in all probiotic groups, while magnesium was elevated in ‎Regimen A at 112 days. Supplementation with Batcinel‑К® particularly when applied ‎under Regimen A in combination with CEVAC SET-K®, improved lipid metabolism and ‎mineral status in broiler breeders. Structured probiotic–vaccine programs may ‎therefore enhance metabolic resilience and overall flock performance