Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences

Trichomonas is a common protozoan that causes a sexually transmitted disease in humans called Trichomonosis and venereal and intestinal Trichomonosis in cattle and cats, respectively. This parasite also causes avian Trichomonosis, or canker, in birds' gastrointestinal tract. Three main pathogenic species (T. vaginalis, T. fetus, and T. gallina) belonging to this genus are identified and recorded in different parts of the world. However, their presence and epidemiology are still incompletely known in other parts, particularly in T. fetus in Iraq. This review aims to update information on this disease based on an electronic search of databases to document the presence and prevalence of Trichomonas spp. in humans and some animals in Iraqi cities. The findings show that the infection by T. vaginalis and T. tenax in humans and T. gallinae in birds are identified in Iraq, recording different percentage rates. However, venereal and intestinal Trichomonosis caused by T. fetus tends to be slight or absent in cattle and cats. Venereal Trichomonosis is only found in Basra and Nineveh provinces cattle, while intestinal Trichomonosis is not recorded in Iraq yet. T. hominis is recorded in central and northern areas of Iraq. In conclusion, less or absence of the infection in cattle or cats may be ascribed to animal breed, climate, less of studies, and/or other unknown factors. Thus, epidemiological and molecular studies are needed to investigate the presence and prevalence of this disease, particularly in cattle and cats of Iraq.

This study aimed to characterize and identify the genotypes of Fasciola spp. isolated from sheep, goats, and cattle in Duhok province based on the ITS1 region of rDNA. About 54 adult Fasciola flukes were individually isolated from the livers of naturally infected ruminants. After morphological identification, the genomic DNA of 54 isolated Fasciola spp. was successfully extracted, and the ITS1segment (518 bp) of rDNA was amplified. The amplicons were confirmed by gel electrophoresis and yielded mono cleared bands. Five amplicons from these samples (2 sheep, 2 cattle, and 1 goat) were selected for sequencing and then compared with NCBI-GenBank sequences for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. Sequencing analysis and the BLAST results revealed that 3/5 of the resultant sequences were F. hepatica and 2/5 were F. gigantica. The ITS1 sequences were submitted to NCBI-GenBank with accession numbers: OM920533, OM920534, OM948733, OM948683, and OM918714. Alignment analysis of the current study and GenBank ITS1 sequences showed the presence of nucleotide variations between F. hepatica and F. gigantica species (interspecific), which were enough to separate them. At the same time, they were not observed within the same species of Fasciola (intraspecific). The pairwise identity percentage of intraspecific and interspecific Fasciola isolates was 100% and 99.2-99.6%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1 sequences demonstrated that the Fasciola isolates of this study were clustered into two clades (hepatica and gigantica clades). The present study concluded that both Fasciola spp. (F. hepatica and F. gigantica) existed among the infected ruminants in Duhok province, and are closely related to intraspecific Fasciola isolates from different countries in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Nanotechnology has proposed many new effective forms of nutritional supplement ingredients due to their low toxicity and high bioavailability, among which are nano-selenium, due to their distinctive properties of small particles and increased surface area of compounds, allowing the opportunity for biological interactions. In this study, 48 laying hens, aged 47 weeks, of a rose type were used, and the experiment lasted for two months. The birds were fed two types of diets, one standard and the other a non-standard diet, represented by the use of crushed yellow corn for molting. The birds were divided into six groups 8 birds/group, with the first group receiving a standard diet, the second group receiving only yellow tops crushed, the third group receiving organic-Se 2 g/L with a standard diet, the fourth group receiving Nano-Se 0.5 ml/L with standard stalk, the fifth group receiving organic- Se with straw 2 g/L, and the sixth group receiving nano-Se with straw 0.5 ml/L. The results showed a significant rise in ovary weight, oviduct weight, number of immature and mature follicles, FSH, LH, as well as an improvement in the histological characteristics of the shell gland in the groups treated with nano and organic-Se, indicating that nano-Se plays a critical role in restoring most reproductive and histological parameters to their normal levels, close to the baseline. This study found that organic and nano-Se are crucial in improving most reproductive and physiological parameters of laying hens exposed to molting.

The dromedary camels are essential because of their multiple uses for transport, wool, meat, and milk production. Camel’s milk is considered exceptional nutrition, so it uses for therapeutic and high nutrition. Mastitis may affect camel’s milk production, cause significant economic loss, and is associated with zoonotic disease. The study aimed to detect the prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. especially M. bovis in camel’s milk using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method as a primary molecular diagnostic technique. Fifty milk samples were collected from she camels suffering from subclinical mastitis in Iraq. The result of the current study declared that 26.66% of the camel’s milk samples were positive for Mycoplasma. In contrast, the prevalence rate of Mycoplasma (M.) bovis in all the samples was 61.53%. The study concludes that Mycoplasma and especially M. bovis are considered one of the bacteria that cause subclinical mastitis in camels, and using the PCR method is regarded as a more rapid, simple, and current for detecting the Mycoplasma bacteria.

This study aimed comparison the gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin, aspirin, and ethanol on the level of pathological changes, ulcers surface area, and index. Forty rats were divided into 4 groups: the control group received normal saline, the remaining were the gastric ulcer groups, the Indomethacin group 40 mg/kg, the Aspirin group100 mg/kg, and the 80% ethanol group 5 ml/kg, all doses were orally administrated one time. The result revealed the ethanol group had the largest ulcer surface area, whereas the indomethacin group had a significantly lowest ulcer index after 3 hrs., and no significant differences among the groups after 24 hrs. Gastric ulcers were in the ethanol group after 3 hours, while the gastric ulcers were approximate in treated groups after 24 hrs. Histopathological changes revealed erosions or gastric ulcers with necrosis, hemorrhage, and inflammation, as well as complete ulcer exfoliation of mucosa reaching the muscularis in the indomethacin and ethanol groups after 24 hrs. The PAS/AB stain showed intense, slight, and moderate mucus reactivity in the indomethacin, aspirin, and ethanol groups, respectively, after 3 hrs., while decreased mucus reactivity in all treated groups after 24 hrs. The COX-2 expression increased in the indomethacin and aspirin groups except in the ethanol groups. We conclude that gastric ulcer surface area was severer in the ethanol group after 3 hrs., whereas severe gastric ulcers and a decline in mucus production after 24 hrs. The indomethacin group had a modest rise in COX2 expression, which was stronger in the aspirin and weak in the ethanol groups.

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control is a national and regional responsibility. FMD outbreaks were detected in three farms in Port-Said Governorate in 2020, although animals in these farms were vaccinated with the local polyvalent inactivated vaccine. Samples from tongue epithelium and vesicular fluid were collected from these farms, where FMDV isolation was performed on BHK-21 cell culture. Viral RNA was extracted from the virus isolates, and vaccine strains were then screened for FMDV using conventional Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The substitution rates and phylogenetic relationship between the field isolate and the vaccine strains were determined using DNA sequence and bioinformatics analyses. The results illustrate that the sequence analysis for the 1D region of FMDV field isolate was serotype A Africa topotype, Genotype IV, and closely related to isolated A Africa topotype Genotype IV by Animal Health Research Institute, 2020 with nucleotide similarity ranging from 97.1% to 99.74%, and revealing genetic variation of 5.63-7.88% from previously Egyptian isolated A Africa topotype, Genotype IV in 2016 and 2018. High genetic variations were determined from the locally used vaccine strain serotype A of the Asia topotype, lineage Iran 05, in the major antigenic sites of the VP1 region with a nucleotide difference of 26.34%. Depending on these findings, the Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute produced an emergency inactivated monovalent vaccine using the newly isolated strain, and we recommended adding it to the subsequent prepared vaccine batches.

The current study was designed to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolated from canine diarrheal cases. Fecal samples were collected from 77 dogs with clinical diarrhea and 10 non-diarrheic dogs. Breed, age and sex, and clinical manifestations were recorded. Samples were plated on MacConkey and EMB agars, followed by standard isolation procedures and identification of E. coli. An antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disc diffusion method was performed against Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Trimethoprim, Gentamicin, and Streptomycin. PCR was used to determine if the isolates carry virulence intimin adherence protein (eaeA) and antimicrobial resistance genes. Body temperature, respiratory, and heart rates in dogs with diarrhea were significantly higher than in non-diarrheic dogs. PCR detected the eaeA virulence gene in 44(69.8%) of 63 isolates from diarrheic dogs. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin, and 55(87.3%), 47(74.6%), 29(46.0%), and 19(30.2%) of these were resistant to tetracycline, trimethoprim, gentamicin, and streptomycin, respectively. The frequency of antimicrobial resistance genes in the 63 isolates was 81.0, 52.4, 41.3, 33.3, 23.8 and 9.5% for CITM, tet (B), dfrA1, aac (3)-IV, aadA1 and tet (A), respectively. Overall, 6(9.4%), 16(25.4%), and 41(65.1%) were positive for one, two, three, or four resistance genes, respectively. In conclusion, the high prevalence of virulence (69.8%) and resistance 9.5-81.0% genes in E. coli isolates could be responsible for the diarrhea episodes, which may have posed therapeutic implications in affected dogs.

Psychrotrophic bacteria are one of the significant microbes in chilled meat, pseudomonas is the most predominant member of this group. Pseudomonas could survive in various ecological niches. In the current study, we detect the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in meat at Mosul city retails and their antibiotics resistance profile. One hundred fifty samples from beef, mutton and chicken meat were collected aseptically and cultivated. P. aeruginosa isolates were phenotypically and genetically recognized, and their antimicrobial activity was carried out for cultured isolates. Our findings revealed that 21 (14%) of meat samples were P. aeruginosa positive with a high significant recovery rate in chicken meat 11 (22%) and beef 7 (14%) compared to mutton 3 (6%). The antimicrobial resistance level of P. aeruginosa were 100% for amoxicillin, and 66% for aztreonam. The susceptibilities were 95% for tobramycin, 90% for levofloxacin, 90% for ciprofloxacin, 90% for gentamicin, 76% for piperacillin, and 57% for meropenem. In conclusion, P. aeruginosa is likely to be more common in meat, especially in chicken. Therefore, good hygienic practices should be applied to handle and preserve meat under suitable conditions to extend its shelf life, ensure meat safety, and conserve consumer health.

Cryptosporidiosis is an opportunistic zoonotic disease considered a global public health concern. Cats are a potential host for transmitting zoonotic diseases to humans as Cryptosporidium spp. infection. The present study aimed to determine the Cryptosporidium spp in stray cats using molecular methods in Al-Qadisiyah governorate, Iraq, from September 2021 to February 2022. A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from different geographical areas. All the samples were investigated using Nested-PCR and sequencing methods to identify and characterize Cryptosporidium spp. in stray cats. The results of the molecular examination showed that 35% of the fecal samples were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. Two species have been identified, C. parvum and C. canis. In conclusion, the results showed that cats are a reservoir host for Cryptosporidium spp for human infection. For the prevention and control of Cryptosporidium spp. Cat infection should get more attention from health officials, especially when the prevalence rate is high.

The ovary contains follicles at various developmental stages. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant efficiency of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) on follicle growth in induced aging ovaries. Juvenile female mice (n=24) were allocated into four groups (n=6, each); the control group received distilled water, and the induced aging group (T1) received D-galactose (300 mg/kg). The co-administrated group (T2) was treated with α-LA (300 mg/kg) and D-galactose (100 mg/kg), while the fourth group (T3) was treated with α-LA (100 mg/kg). At the end of treatments (8 weeks), animals were sacrificed, and ovaries were processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunostaining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). PCNA was detectable in oocytes but only in granulosa cells of activated follicles. The D-galactose treatment successfully induced ovarian aging as the proportion of primordial and growing follicles was significantly reduced accompanied by massively increased atretic follicles. Additionally, only numerous PCNA positively stained follicles were recognized. The co-administrated α-LA moderately rescued the characteristics of ovarian aging. Mice treated with α-LA demonstrated a substantial increase in the population of atretic follicles, antral follicles, and PCNA positively stained follicles. There was no change in oocyte size at any follicle growth stage among groups. In conclusion, α-LA moderately rescued the detrimental impacts of induced ovarian aging. For the first time, the expression of PCNA was linked with ovarian aging, where PCNA-staining has been recognized as a valuable tool to evaluate the proliferative activity of the granulosa cells.

Cryptosporidiosis is a critical gastrointestinal disease in calves. This study examined 150 fecal samples of diarrheic calves collected from the eastern region of Saudi Arabia for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum using the Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) method, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The performance of these methods was assessed using diagnostic accuracy tests. The present study identified C. parvum oocysts in fecal samples by modified Ziehl-Neelsen 40/150; 26.66%, ELIZA 60/150; 40%, and PCR 78/150; 52% methods, respectively. The microscopic method revealed higher specificity 65.27% than the ELIZA 51.38%, while the ELIZA showed higher sensitivity 32.05% than MZN method 19.23%. However, MZN and ELIZA methods were unsatisfactory diagnostic tools compared with the PCR as the area under the curve values in Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis were less than 0.6. Furthermore, using the kappa analysis test revealed no agreement between MZN and ELISA methods compared with PCR at P<0.05.

This study aimed to investigate the role of a low dose of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs) with chitosan scaffold (ChSc) on the progress of the cutaneous wound healing process in male Albino rats. A full-thickness cutaneous wound with a circular shape with a diameter of about 2 cm was induced on the dorsum of thirty-six Albino male rats, divided into four groups: the first group, the wounds were left without treatment as a control group. In the second group, the wounds were covered by freeze-dried ChSc. While in the third group, the wounds were treated through injection of the HUCB-MSCs intradermally, and in the fourth group, the ChSc seeded with HUCB-MSCs were used together to treat the wounds. The progress of wound healing was monitored by histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical assays for all experimental groups at 3, 8, and 21 postoperative days. Both ChSc and the low dose of HUCB-MSCs alone performed moderate healing progress. The (HUCB-MSCs) ChSc group exhibited an increased healing rate more than the other groups and reported an appropriate collagen deposition without scarring signs, effective mast cell regulation, and well vascularization. In conclusion, the fourth group (the HUCB-MSCs with ChSc) improved the healing process, revealing the highest healing rate and performance without complications.

Evaluation of the wound age and vitality is a persistent problem for forensic examinations to determine when injuries occurred and whether during the antemortem or post-mortem period. This study aimed to use the inflammatory cells and mediators as a target marker to determine wound age in antemortem or post-mortem samples in rats. Wound skin samples (n=39) were collected from antemortem groups aged 30, 60, 180, and 360 min and post-mortem groups within the same periods with control samples (unwounded group). Immunohistochemical staining examined all tissue samples for two inflammatory cell markers (CD15, CD68) and 2 inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNF-α). The results showed that CD15-positive neutrophils were expressed in all time intervals of antemortem, and the expression gradually increased from 30 to 360 min. The CD68-positive macrophages began at 30 minutes and reached the highest level at 360 minutes in the antemortem wound. Because of the negative expression of CD15 and CD68 in all post-mortem groups, they could be a marker for comparing the vital and non-vital wounds. Furthermore, the Immunoreactivity results showed that the IL-6 and TNF-α were negatively expressed in unwounded skin samples. In addition, the periods after the induced wound produced a rise in the expression area of both markers in antemortem wounds. In this study, IL-6 and TNF-α expressions were negative or low in areas far from wound margin, unwounded specimens, and post-mortem wounds. CD15, CD68, IL-6, and TNF-α may be valuable markers for assessing wound age and vitality.

Subclinical mastitis in cattle is a pathological condition that causes a financial burden on the dairy industry. In addition, it puts the public sector at risk when pathogens of animal origin are present in unpasteurized milk and dairy products that may enter the human food chain and cause serious illnesses. Our study aimed to determine the percentage of pathogenic Escherichia coli causing subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Mosul city by confirming the existence of Stx1 and Stx2 genes. Eighty milk samples were obtained from cows suffering from subclinical mastitis using sterile procedures from November 2018 to October 2019. Escherichia coli was isolated, characterized, and confirmed using culture and PCR. According to our research, the percentage of pathogenic Escherichia coli in milk samples was 36.3% (29/80). Moreover, molecular screening for a specific Escherichia coli gene revealed that all isolates 100% carried the uidA gene. PCR revealed that 27/29 (93.1%) isolates had both Stx1 + Stx2 genes, and all the isolates 100% possessed the Stx2 gene. No significant relationship was found between the percentage of pathogenic E. coli and the seasons. Even though there were more isolates in the winter than in the summer, this increase was not statistically significant. This study's findings may help pay attention to one of the leading causes of subclinical mastitis, which is beneficial to the private sector to control the disease.

Cestodes or tapeworms (Class Cestoda, phylum Platyhelminthes) are widespread parasites of birds, as they cause various damages, which may lead to the death of their hosts, especially when the infection is severe. The Black Francolin belongs to the Phasianidae family of pheasants and, in the order Galliformes, the gallinaceous birds, and it is called Francolinus francolinus. Considering it as a local bird in Asia, it was referred to as the black partridge. The current study was conducted from January to October 2019 to determine the cestoda infections within F. francolinus. Thirty-five birds from F. francolinus were examined for the presence of cestoda, of which 17 birds (48.57%) were infected with cestoda parasites. Molecular diagnosis based on sequences of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene regions was performed to confirm the diagnosis of this cestoda. This revealed a close identification of up to 93.44-100% for COI gene regions with other cestoda species obtained from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis supported the placement of this species within three families, Davaineidae, Taeniidae, and Hymenolepididae, with close relationships to the previously described species of Raillietina sp., R. mahnerti, R. hymenolepidoides, Ophryocotyloides dasi, Rodentolepis nana and Hydatigera parva based on the COI gene regions. This is the first study in Iraq to diagnose Cestoda in birds by molecular methods, where five species of cestoda parasitic on F. francolinus were recorded for the first time in Iraq.

The current work was conducted to unveil the current situation for the infection by Theileria annulata in cattle in Al-Hilla City, Iraq. A total of 225 blood samples (200 from suspected infected animals and 25 from clinically healthy animals as a control group) were collected. These samples were subjected to a direct slide-smearing for detection using a microscope and DNA sequencing, targeting the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene of 10 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. The thin smear findings of the 200 suspected cases revealed that 63 (31.5%) were infected with Theileria spp., while 115 (57.5%) cases had no Theileria but other blood parasites; however, only 22 (11%) suspected cases showed no presence of any parasites. Unsurprisingly, the 25 blood samples from the control group demonstrated no presence of any blood parasite. Moreover, the DNA sequencing demonstrated that the Theileria spp. belonged to T. annulata species, and these sequences were nucleotide-based similar to Gene-Bank isolates from Tunisia (ON035604, ON035605, ON035606, ON035607, ON035608, ON035609, ON035610, ON035611, ON035612, and ON035613). The present study outcomes indicate that theileriosis is the dominant parasitic infection in cattle in Al-Hilla City and is highly caused by Theileria annulata.

This research work was conducted as well as the determination of the resistance to antibiotics of these isolated species of E. coli in Nineveh governorate to assess the incidence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in different fish farms and local fish markets. The total number of fish samples used in the present study was 153, including 75 samples from various fish farms and 78 samples from different local markets in Mosul. The current study showed that the percentage of E. coli isolated from fish farms was 24% (18/75) and 35.9% (28/78) from local markets. While it showed a positive result for E. coli with serotype (O157:H7) with a percentage was 9.3 and 14.1% from both farmed fish and market fish samples, respectively. Additionally, all E. coli positive isolates possess the specific uidA gene, which was detected using the PCR technique. The highest sensitivity of E. coli bacteria to the antibiotic’s ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, and gentamicin was 96, 94, and 86%, respectively. At the same time, the highest percentage of resistance of E. coli to the antibiotics cephalothin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and amoxicillin was 100, 64, 64, and 62%, respectively. To reduce health risks to consumers, these results provide useful basic information for the proper management of these environments in order to prevent fecal contamination in fish farms and the fish sold in local markets.

Toxoplasmosis has been associated with economic and public health concerns due to abortion in humans and animals. Detection for the presence of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sera of 174 healthy sheep (IgG) and sera of 89 aborted women (IgG, IgM, and IgG avidity) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and T. gondii in 59 sheep milk samples identified by PCR. The primary risk factors for sheep and women seropositive samples were also analyzed. Relatively higher seroprevalence of T. gondii, 62.6%, was recorded in sheep than 57.3% in aborted women. The IgM/IgG antibody responses in aborted women were 42.7%, 41.6%, 15.7%, and 0% for IgM -ve/IgG -ve (negative toxoplasmosis), IgM -ve/IgG +ve (chronic toxoplasmosis), IgM +ve/IgG +ve (maternal infection) and IgM +ve/IgG -ve (acute infection), respectively. IgM and IgG-positive samples showed a low avidity rate 14.3%, denoting acute maternal infection, while a much higher rate 78.6%, denoting chronic maternal infection. Molecular investigation of T. gondii in sheep milk samples revealed that 28.8% were positive by PCR at 470-bp. The respectable significant association between many risk factors and the seroprevalence of T. gondii in humans and sheep was recorded. The current study indicates elevated toxoplasmosis antibodies in sheep and aborted women from El-Beheira and Alexandria governorates, Egypt Additionally, it demonstrates a correlation between age, mutton intake, miscarriage, cat exposure, drinking water source, and breeding practices with seropositivity to T. gondii. These results largely confirm the need for greater in-depth toxoplasmosis epidemiological research and public health education initiatives.

our study aimed study aimed to detect and investigate the safety profile of flurbiprofen and evaluate the analgesic effects of the tail immersion and writhing tests, as well as its interaction with lipoic acid as an analgesic for visceral pain in mice. The up-and-down manner described by Dixon was utilized to determine the median lethal dose (LD50) and the median analgesic dose (ED50), the safety criteria were calculated, mathematical equations were applied, and the interaction between flurbiprofen and alpha-lipoic acid was evaluated using the writhing test. The LD50 of oral flurbiprofen was 1147.4 mg/kg, and the ED50 of oral flurbiprofen was 8.6 mg/kg using the tail immersion test. The therapeutic index was 133, and the standard safety margin was 35%. The highest analgesia time was one h after dosing, which faded after 24 h. Administration of flurbiprofen 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg had an analgesic effect in a dose-dependent manner. Flurbiprofen relieved visceral pain when dosed at 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, with analgesic efficacies of 53, 56, and 65%, respectively. The simultaneous administration of flurbiprofen and alpha-lipoic acid had a synergistic analgesic effect on visceral pain. From our results, we conclude that flurbiprofen has a wide range of safety and is an effective analgesic for peripheral and visceral pain. The synergistic effect between flurbiprofen and alpha-lipoic acid may have clinical benefits, including reducing the dose of flurbiprofen when used together.

The aim of the current study is to detect the presence of some virulence genes of Escherichia (E.) coli in fish. A total of 46 strains of E. coli were previously isolated from 153 fish samples, including 28 and 18 isolate of E. coli from local markets and fish farms, respectively, in Nineveh Governorate from November 2021 to January 2022. The results of the study show that all isolates of E. coli possessed the uidA gene with a molecular weight of 623 bp. In addition, they show that 88.9% (16/18) isolates from farmed fish samples possessed the Stx1 gene with a molecular weight of 347 bp, while 72.2% (13/18) of them carried the Stx2 gene with a molecular weight of 589 bp. Also, the study unveils that 89.3 % (25/28) isolated from the market fish samples possessed the Stx1 gene with a molecular weight of 347 bp and 85.7% (24/28) isolates carried the Stx2 gene with a molecular weight of 589 bp. The rfb gene is not detected in this study, neither in farm fish nor in the samples from the local fish markets using the PCR technique. Likewise, it shows that E. coli isolated from fish possessed the Stx1 and Stx2 genes, which are major causative agents of food poisoning for consumers. Finally, the study gives important information about the application of health conditions on fish farms and fish markets to prevent contamination and reduce infections by foodborne pathogens that cause food poisoning for humans.

According to their toxicity, toxic heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper, zinc, and lead are believed to be the most harmful to humans, fish, and the environment. Because their levels are rising due to human activities endangering aquatic species and people, the current study sought to ascertain the level of toxic heavy metals in five catfish parts (skin, liver, muscles, gills, and ovaries). In the northern part of the Shatt Al-Arab, catfish samples were collected in March 2022. ICP-MS was used to detect target metal levels. According to the results, arsenic accumulated in the skin and muscles at a rate of 0.22 and 0.21ppm, respectively. In contrast, the levels of arsenic in the various body parts are not statistically different. Additionally, cadmium showed no noticeable variances in the studied body parts. Furthermore, the liver had the most significant copper accumulation 18.72ppm. Furthermore, mercury accumulation in various body parts was shown to vary statistically, with the highest levels in muscles 0.66ppm. In addition, zinc was accumulated in the body parts in the following sequence: gills, ovaries, liver, skin, and muscles, respectively, while in the following sequence: muscles, skin, gills, liver, and ovaries respectively in the lead. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in the quantity of zirconium that accumulated. According to the current study, the catfish’s body parts did not accumulate toxic heavy metals at high rates. This may be due to study area the environment and the mechanisms of treating these types of metals by catfish.

Gastrointestinal parasites, such as helminths and protozoa, are abundant parasitic agents of livestock, particularly ruminants. The current study aims to determine the prevalence rate of parasitic infections in large ruminate animals slaughtered in the mechanical abattoir in Alexandria governorate, Egypt. The prevalence was identified through the records of parasitic infections detected in the fecal matter of large ruminate animals in addition to the recorded postmortem examination findings. Three hundred sixty-four slaughtered large ruminant animals were selected, labeled, and subjected to fecal sampling and postmortem examination. Each fecal sample was tested by three different techniques; the formalin-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen hot-stained, and saturated saline flotation to diagnose all parasite types. One hundred thirty positive cases (35.71%) were determined during the fecal sample examination, and 76 cases (20.87%) were found in postmortem examination. Formalin-ether processing of fecal samples yielded the highest number of pathogens; Entamoeba species were detected in 98 fecal samples (26.69%), and Fasciola species eggs were detected in 14 samples (3.84%). The postmortem examination revealed Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica in 13 animals (3.57%), mixed lung and liver hydatid cysts in 32 animals (8.79%), whereas liver hydatid cysts only were identified in 15 animals (4.12%). Finally, Sarcocystosis infection was detected in 3.57%. In conclusion, the parasitic infections of large ruminant animals are a leading cause of pathogenicity in large animals, leading to economic losses. Prevention and control measures must be implemented by mechanical abattoirs according to the hazard analysis critical control point system.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera and Amblycera) are permanent, obligate, and host-specific ectoparasites commonly found in birds. This study detects the types of chewing lice on living migratory birds. 436 birds were detected in Razzaza Lake that included lice and were captured during migration from October 2021 to February 2022 like Anas strepera, Anas crecca, Anas platyrhynchos, and Anas clypeata. The lice were soaked in 70% of ethyl alcohol and three species were found on 48 (10.98%) of four different bird species; Columbicola columbae, Campanulotes bidentatus, and Menacanthus camelinus. A new species is the M. camelinus that was found among new types of birds; A. platyrhynchos and A. clypeata, recording 1(2.04%). The prevalence sex of the infested birds and the lice species was A. strepera; 13(27.08%), 13(26.53%), A. crecca; 3(0.80%), 3(6.12%), A. platyrhynchos; 31(8.27%), 31(63.27%), A. clypeata; 1(0.27%), 2(4.08%), respectively. The Natural History Research Center and Museum at Baghdad University confirmed the parasite and type of birds. Migratory birds are one of the infectious resources for local and domestic birds that should be treated continuously to prevent pathogen transmission and preservation of bird flocks. The insecticide should be used on all bird flocks to prevent the completion concerning the stages of the cycle of life.

This study aims to determine the character and phylogenetics of the β-lactamase Temoneira (blaTEM) gene in Escherichia coli isolated from the reproductive tract of Bali cattle with repeat breeder cases. This study was conducted in June 2021 that used 16 female Bali cattle with repeat breeder cases to take their reproductive tract fluid using a plastic sheet gun. Isolation of Escherichia coli, using Eosin Methylene Blue Agar was identified by biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility test on E. coli samples was carried out by disc diffusion method. The screening test for the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase was done using the double-disk approximation test method. Characterization of the blaTEM gene in E coli, using the PCR method and sequences of the blaTEM gene, were phylogenetically analyzed. The results showed that 4 E. coli isolates were obtained from 16 samples of reproductive tract fluid. The sensitivity test to antibiotics of 4 isolated samples of E. coli showed that 50% were resistant to penicillin and cefotaxime. Samples of E. coli resistant to penicillin and cefotaxime showed synergy results in the double-disk approximation test. The PCR results showed that the samples of E coli encoded the blaTEM gene which was located at the 560 bp position on gel electrophoresis. The phylogenetic tree analysis found that the blaTEM gene encoded by E. coli was related to E. coli encoding the blaTEM-206 gene. The character blaTEM gene in samples of E. coli showed the character of blaTEM-206 gene of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli. Escherichia coli from the reproductive tract of Bali cattle showed the character of E. coli S2.2-EK pEC-S2.2 blaTEM gene for class A broad-spectrum B-lactamase TEM-206 with a high degree of kinship.

Iraqi Sulaymaniyah is a treasure land of wildlife, especially avian species. Most of this treasure is not discovered, and even the guidance map is not completed yet. The geographical area of Sulaymaniyah is suitable for many types of wildlife animals, including Chukar partridges, locally known as Khasa Kaw. The Chukar partridge is present in many countries in the Middle East region, but there is a subspecies in the northern of Iraq. The Sulaymaniyah nature is a natural habitat for this fantastic bird, seen in the valleys and around water springs throughout the region. Also, Chukar partridges are used as game birds and raised as pets or for fighting between the males. Unfortunately, there is no detailed scientific study on this bird, even though it is one of the most common and beloved birds. This article provides information on the history of the bird, its life cycle, behavior, taxonomy, distribution, sex, and age determination of Chukar partridges. It also mentions the most common diseases of chukar partridge and its natural predators.

This study aimed to investigate the dose-dependent and time-dependent effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONPs) on reproduction in male rats. Following their synthesis, the physicochemical properties of MIONPs were determined. Sixty-four adult male rats, aged 90 days were randomly assigned to control (C), orally administered with distilled water, and three treated groups, orally administered with 1, 5, 10 mg/kg/day of MIONPs solution (TL, TM, and TH groups, respectively), for 28 days. Each group was allocated to two subgroups, sacrificed after 14 and 28 days of treatment. After each period, the males were weighed and sacrificed. Decreased body weight and genital organ weights were shown in TM and TH groups, at both experimental periods, compared with control in a dose-dependent manner. The serum concentration of GnRH, FSH, LH, and testosterone increased in the TL group and decreased in TM and TH groups compared with control in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. At both periods, the lowest expression levels of pituitary FSHβ and LHβ genes and testicular inh-α and LHR genes were recorded in TM and TH groups, and the highest levels were expressed in the TL group. The testis sections of TL males, showed normal architecture, but those from TM and TH groups showed degenerative and necrotic changes, reduced germinal epithelium, vacuolation, and decreased number of spermatocytes apparent. It is concluded that a low dose of MIONPS has a beneficial effect, whereas moderate or high doses have pathological effects on male reproduction.

Cryptosporidium parvum is an opportunistic intracellular parasite that causes disease in animal populations such as calves and goats. It is also a significant zoonotic disease globally, causing mild to severe human diarrhea. In immunocompromised animals, calves and lambs, and immunocompromised humans such as AIDS patients, an infection can be life-threatening as no effective treatments are currently available to control infection. The effects of Cryptosporidium parvum antigen (CPA) on dendritic cells (DCs) were investigated. This study examined cytokine secretion and cell surface marker expression on DCs exposed to CPA. Cytokine production in CD4+ cells co-cultured with CPA primed DCs in the presence of anti-CD3 was also measured. CPA induced a significant increase in the production of interleukin (IL)-12p40, IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α by DCs and enhanced the expression of the cell surface markers TLR4, CD80, CD86, and MHC11. CPA primed DC co-cultured in the presence of anti-CD3 with CD4+ T-cells inhibited the secretion of Th2-associated cytokines, notably IL-5 and IL-13, with no effects on the secretions of interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-2, IL-17, and IL-10. These findings support studies in the literature that CPA can induce the full maturation of DCs that subsequently initiate Th1 immune responses critical to the resolution of C. parvum infection.

The state of the peripheral blood reflects on bone marrow activity. Therefore, we need to know the normal red bone marrow, and it can be a reference for those interested in hematology. Calves of apparently healthy local breeds were used to examine the state of the bone marrow, take a sample of peripheral blood before slaughter, and then a bone marrow biopsy that was immediately after slaughter. The calves that showed typical values for the parameters of red blood cells and total and differential white blood cells were included in the study. The result of bone marrow smears for nine normal calves appeared to have a faint coloration of granulated myelocytic than erythroid cells. As well as the myeloid was less than the erythroid, and that M: E ratio was 0.91±0.03. The erythroid series, Rubriblast, and Rubricyte were present as the most common progenitor red cell, including basophilic, polychromic, and normochromic cytoplasm, metarubricyte as a reduced nucleus. The myeloid series: Myeloblast, myelocyte was the most common progenitor white cells with granulation as basophilic, eosinophilic and neutrophilic within their cytoplasm, metamyelocyte with shrunken nuclei and band cell with horseshoe nucleus. They rarely found the megakaryocyte, enormous multinucleate cell.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of PRP and dextrose PRL in stifle joint arthritis in rabbits. Sixteen healthy adult male rabbits were allocated into groups A (n=8) and B (n=8). After induction of arthritis in all experimental animals, the animals of group A were treated with intra-articular injection of PRP, while the animals of group B were treated with dextrose PRL. Pain scoring was evaluated by the Simple Descriptive Pain scale at 0d, 6d, 13d, and 19d, while radiographic scoring was examined by Kellgren and Lawrence grading system at pre-induction, post-induction, and post-treatment. The hematological parameters, including PLT, HB, WBC, PCV, RBC, monocytes, and lymphocytes, were assessed in blood samples at 0d, 6d, 13d, and 19d. We observed that Pain scoring showed a significantly lower (P<0.05) value in group A than in group B at 13d and 19d. Radiographic scoring was significantly lower (P<0.05) in group A than the group B during post-treatment. However, during the pre- and post-monoiodoacetate (MIA) induction, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in radiographic scoring between both groups. The PLT concentration was increased, and monocyte was decreased in the group A animals than the group B animals at 13d and 19d (P<0.05), while WBC, RBC, PCV, HB, and lymphocyte concentration showed no significant difference (P>0.05) between both groups. In conclusion, the application of PRP is an effective method for treating stifle joint arthritis compared to the dextrose PRL in the rabbit model.

Estragole is a volatile terpenoid molecule found in various plants or components, frequently in very high concentrations. It has been demonstrated to increase animal health and output performance effectively. Estragole has been shown to possess antioxidant properties both in vitro and in vivo. These properties include the ability to raise GSH and GPx levels, as well as the ability to suppress toxic materials and maintain cellular redox status, MDA activity, and MPO activity. In addition, it produces anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects via the production/release of cytokines, substance P, bradykinin, histamine, serotonin, cytokines, and nitric oxide (NO), and it induces a substantial leukocyte migration. Further, Estragole gives protection against bacteria and viruses. The objective of this review was to briefly discuss the natural sources of Estragole, its chemistry, its extraction, its bioavailability, absorption, distribution, toxicity, and carcinogenicity, and its biomedical effects in vivo or in vitro are discussed in this review. The market for Estragole, as well as its regulatory framework also explained in this study.