Microbiology
Deepthi Balam; Ratnamma Doddamane; Ramani Pushpa Rn; Shrikrishna Isloor; Veeregowda Bm
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 16 April 2024
Abstract
Since decades, Newcastle disease (ND) has become endemic in the poultry population of the Indian subcontinent. ND is a highly contagious disease of poultry and other avian species. However, the genetic nature of ND viruses circulating ...
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Since decades, Newcastle disease (ND) has become endemic in the poultry population of the Indian subcontinent. ND is a highly contagious disease of poultry and other avian species. However, the genetic nature of ND viruses circulating in the rock pigeons is unraveled. The present investigation is a part of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) surveillance in wild birds. Two velogenic NDV strains could be isolated from apparently healthy rock pigeons, thus establishing the status of carrier/ reservoir host. The fusion protein cleavage site in the fusion protein has multiple basic amino acid (RRRKRF) motifs similar to velogenic isolates. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete fusion gene sequences confirmed that the isolates belong to NDV sub genotype XIII 2.2. Further analysis revealed several amino acid substitutions in the hypervariable region, heptad repeat regions and neutralizing epitopes of the fusion protein and heptad repeat regions and antigenic sites of the Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase (HN) protein that are critical for fusion. A unique D170A substitution in the neutralizing epitope is identified that is critical for structure and function of the fusion protein. Mutations within the virulence determinants including fusion (F) and HN, elucidate continuous evolution of the viruses among the rock pigeons. Accidental spillover of these mutated viruses into commercial poultry operations may result in disease outbreaks with economic breakdown.
Abdolrasoul Malekpour; Farhad Rahmanifar
Volume 12, Issue 2 , June 2021, , Pages 167-173
Abstract
Histomorphometry and use of the fast free of acrylamide clearing tissue (FACT) protocol were studied on the sciatic nerve in chicken (Gallus domesticus). In the first part of the study, the sciatic nerves of 20 chickens of four age groups (7, 14, 26 and 40 days) were studied (n=5 birds per age class). ...
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Histomorphometry and use of the fast free of acrylamide clearing tissue (FACT) protocol were studied on the sciatic nerve in chicken (Gallus domesticus). In the first part of the study, the sciatic nerves of 20 chickens of four age groups (7, 14, 26 and 40 days) were studied (n=5 birds per age class). Their sciatic nerve samples were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson's trichrome and were histomorphometrically evaluated. In the second part of the study, FACT protocol was applied on the sciatic nerve of a 26 days old chicken. After clearing of 1.00 mm-thick sciatic nerve sections, they were immunolabelled using Hoechst for nuclei staining and recorded by a Z-stack motorized fluorescent microscope. In the conventional histo-morphometry, the epineurium, perineurium and endoneurium were thicker and the nerve bundle diameter was bigger in the left sciatic nerve of chicken of all age groups compared to the right sciatic nerve. On the contrary, the axon diameter and the myelinated nerve fiber diameter were bigger, the myelin sheath was thicker, the nodes of Ranvier intervals were higher and the density of myelinated nerve fibers was also higher in the right sciatic nerve compared to the left one. In conclusion, histomorphometric parameters in the left and right sciatic nerve during chicken growth were significantly different. Furthermore, the FACT protocol could be used for the 3D imaging of the chicken sciatic nerve and its immunostained evaluation.
Microbiology
Siavash Maktabi; Masoud Ghorbanpoor; Masomeh Hossaini; Amirabbas Motavalibashi
Volume 10, Issue 1 , March 2019, , Pages 37-42
Abstract
Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are the main causes of gastrointestinal diseases in humans even in industrialized countries affecting public health. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the occurrence and antibiotic resistance of C. jejuni and C. coli in chicken meat, beef, mutton and water ...
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Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli are the main causes of gastrointestinal diseases in humans even in industrialized countries affecting public health. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the occurrence and antibiotic resistance of C. jejuni and C. coli in chicken meat, beef, mutton and water buffalo meat slaughtered in Ahvaz city, Iran. A total of 380 samples including chicken meat from industrial abattoirs (n = 150), chicken meat from traditional abattoirs (n = 50), fresh packed chicken meat from local markets (n = 30) and beef, mutton and water buffalo meat from industrial abattoirs (50 samples for each meat) in Ahvaz,were collected and tested for the presence of Campylobacter spp. The procedure was one-step enrichment in Preston enrichment broth followed by plating on supplemented blood agar for 24 hr under microaerophilic conditions at 42 ˚C. Suspected colonies were tested by polymerase chain reaction assay and susceptibility of the confirmed isolates to various antibiotics was investigated by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Overall, 32 samples (8.40%) were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. Mutton was the most contaminated meat (24%), while fresh packed chicken meat were not contaminated. Among the 32 isolates, 40.60%, 34.40%, 21.90%, and 15.60% were resistant to tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, and streptomycin, respectively. Moreover, a high number of multi-antibiotic resistant Campylobacter spp. was determined. Since foods of animal origin are the most sources of Campylobacter infection, the presence of resistant strains to antibiotics is a potential risk to public health.
Immunology
Masoud Reza Seyfi Abad Shapouri; Mohammad Rashno; Pezhman Mahmoodi; Mahshid Ariya
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 67-72
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are invaluable molecules which have several advantages over polyclonal immunoglobulins (Igs) including consistency and higher specificity and hence can be used in biological researches, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The present study was conducted to produce monoclonal ...
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Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are invaluable molecules which have several advantages over polyclonal immunoglobulins (Igs) including consistency and higher specificity and hence can be used in biological researches, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The present study was conducted to produce monoclonal antibody against chicken IgG.TheIgG molecules were purified from chicken serum and used as antigens to immunize several mice. Thereafter, a well-immunized mouse was chosen and used for fusion process. After production of hybridoma cells, several rounds of cloning were carried out and produced MAbs were examined by various immunological assays including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western and dot blotting. Assessment of grown hybridomas indicated that only one clone (5B8) has produced desired MAb against chicken IgG. Meanwhile, using an indirect ELISA, it was shown that this MAb successfully recognizes chicken IgG molecules attached to influenza virus nucleoprotein. Evaluation of cross reactivity of MAb 5B8 with several avian serum samples revealed that this molecule specifically identifies chicken antibody molecules. However, it also recognized turkey antibodies with less affinity. In addition to research applications like isolation and purification of chicken and turkey IgG molecules, such a MAb can be applied to design and development of various immunoassays (e.g. ELISA) in these avian species.
Poultry
Ramezan Ali Jafari; Hossein Motamedi; Elham Maleki; Reza Ghanbarpour; Mansoor Mayahi
Volume 7, Issue 3 , September 2016, , Pages 227-233
Abstract
This study was conducted to reveal the phylogenetic background, to detect the genes encoding TEM, SHV and CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL), and to analyze their distribution in phylo-groups of 150 Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens in Ahvaz (Southwest of Iran). Seventy- ...
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This study was conducted to reveal the phylogenetic background, to detect the genes encoding TEM, SHV and CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL), and to analyze their distribution in phylo-groups of 150 Escherichia coli isolates from broiler chickens in Ahvaz (Southwest of Iran). Seventy- five cloacal swabs from healthy birds (fecal isolates), and 75 heart blood samples from birds with colibacillosis (septicemic isolates) were obtained. All isolates were phylotyped and screened for ESBL genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The fecal isolates belonged to four main phylo-groups, including 41 isolates (54.67%) to A, 9 (12.00%) to B1, 5 (6.67%) to B2, and 20 (26.67%) to D. Of septicemic isolates, 37 isolates (49.33%) were classified as phylotype A, 5 (6.67%) as B1, 10 (13.33%) as B2, and 23 (30.67%) as D. In molecular analysis, a total of 72 isolates (35 fecal and 37 septicemic) were identified to harbor ESBL genes, which were distributed in phylo-groups A, B1, B2, and D. Regardless of the type of isolate, blaCTX-M-15 gene was the most common genotype, followed by blaTEM and blaSHV genes. This study suggests that broiler chickens in Iran are infected to ESBL genes- harboring Escherichia coli strains which may be spread to the food chain through fecal contamination of carcasses during slaughtering.
Uma Kanta Mishra
Volume 4, Issue 3 , September 2013, , Pages 137-144
Abstract
Age related cytochemical changes of thymic endocrine cells were studied in 78 day old chicks at five day interval to age of day 60 employing a panel of cytochemical stains. Methenamine silver revealed cell morphology including cell processes distinctly while diamine silver revealed a stronger argentaffinity ...
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Age related cytochemical changes of thymic endocrine cells were studied in 78 day old chicks at five day interval to age of day 60 employing a panel of cytochemical stains. Methenamine silver revealed cell morphology including cell processes distinctly while diamine silver revealed a stronger argentaffinity in these cells. The cells had greater affinity for diamine silver compared to methenamine silver (Argentaffin), followed by formaldehyde induced auto-fluorescence, argyrophilia, lead hematoxylin and HCl-toluidine. The chromaffin reaction was the weakest. Cytochemically, three different endocrine cell populations i.e. argentaffin cells, argyrophilic cells and amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation series (APUD)/chromaffin cells, formed the resident population of thymic endocrine cells. Occurrence of numerous serotonin storing cells, moderately frequent APUD cells, and fewer chromaffin as well as mast cells suggests for a conspicuous reservoir of amine storing cells in thymus. Morphologically argentaffin cells were of four types i.e. the peripherally granulated spherical cells (Type-I), densely granulated oval cells (Type-II), pyramidal argentaffin cells (Type-III) and diffusely granulated elongated cells (Type-IV). The type-II argentaffin cells were most frequent in the medulla followed by the type-I cells and the type-III cells. The type-IV cells were least in frequency. The age related changes in frequency of these cells are also discussed.
Mohammad Tabatabaei; Aram Mokarizadeh; Nasim Foad-Marashi
Volume 2, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 183-188
Abstract
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are food-borne pathogens primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated ground beef and are an important food safety concern worldwide. STEC has been found to produce a family of related cytotoxins known as Shiga toxins (Stxs). Shiga toxins have ...
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Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are food-borne pathogens primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated ground beef and are an important food safety concern worldwide. STEC has been found to produce a family of related cytotoxins known as Shiga toxins (Stxs). Shiga toxins have been classified into two major classes, Stx1 and Stx2. A single strains of STEC can produce Stx1, Stx2 (or its variants) or both. The aims of this project were to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of STEC isolates from chicken flocks in Northwest of Iran. A total of 350 fecal samples from 28 broiler farms were screened for the presence of STEC by conventional culture methods and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All samples were initially subjected to phenotypical analysis using the Sorbitol MacConkey agar plate for the detection of the sorbitol negative E. coli, and then for genotypic analysis, by multiplex PCR for detection of stx1and stx2 genes. STEC were isolated from 14 (4 %) chicken fecal samples. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of STEC from poultry in Iran. To conclude, this work revealed the presence STEC strains harboring stx1 and stx2 gene in healthy chicken fecal samples in Northwest of Iran suggesting they can play as an important potential source of contamination for people working on broiler farms or are in contact with chicken carcasses at meat processing plants.
Saleh Tabatabaei; Roozali Batavani; Esmail Ayen
Volume 2, Issue 2 , June 2011, , Pages 103-111
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probable effects of the vitamin E addition in different levels to the extender of chicken semen on spermatozoa quality during storage of semen at 4°C for 0, 3, 6, 10 and 24 hours. Eight young Ross broiler breeder strain 308 roosters were used in this ...
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probable effects of the vitamin E addition in different levels to the extender of chicken semen on spermatozoa quality during storage of semen at 4°C for 0, 3, 6, 10 and 24 hours. Eight young Ross broiler breeder strain 308 roosters were used in this experiment. The collected semen from all roosters was mixed together and diluted with modified a Ringer’s solution. The diluted pooled semen was divided into 5 treatments (T). T1 was a control group without any vitamin E addition. For T2 to T5 groups 0.5 %, 1 %, 2 % and 3 % vitamin E (w/v), were added respectively. Treatments were evaluated for sperm motility, sperm viability and probable morphological defects after 0, 3, 6, 10 and 24 hours of incubation at 4°C. The evaluations of spermatozoa immediately after semen collection, were revealed no significant differences among values of treatment groups, whereas after incubating the treatments for different spans of time, the sperm progressive motility and viability rates for groups supplemented with vitamin E were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the control group. In addition, morphological defect rates of chicken spermatozoa in the groups supplemented with different levels of vitamin E were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that in control group. According to the results of this study we conclude that, the most excellent level of vitamin E for supplementation to the extended semen of chicken in order to improve the sperm motility and viability plus to reduce the morphological defect rates of the spermatozoa up to 24 hours storage time at 4°C is 2 % (w/v).
Moloy Kumar Bhar; Bakul Kumar Datta; Pabitra Hridoy Patra; Jeevan Ranjan Dash; Tapas Kumar Sar; Animesh Kumar Chakraborty; Tapan Kumar Mandal
Volume 1, Issue 3 , December 2010, , Pages 150-156
Abstract
Fifteen broiler chickens (COBB 400) of 42 days of age weighing 1.8 to 2.0 kg were equally divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 5 birds. Hepatopathy was induced by oral administration of paracetamol while nephropathy was induced by intravenous administration of uranyl nitrate. Kinetic study was investigated ...
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Fifteen broiler chickens (COBB 400) of 42 days of age weighing 1.8 to 2.0 kg were equally divided into 3 groups, each consisting of 5 birds. Hepatopathy was induced by oral administration of paracetamol while nephropathy was induced by intravenous administration of uranyl nitrate. Kinetic study was investigated in healthy, hepatopathic and nephropathic birds following single oral administration of amoxicillin at 40 mg kg-1. Blood samples were collected at different time schedule. Plasma concentrations of amoxicillin in healthy, hepatopathic and nephropathic birds were 41.90 ± 5.59, 9.93 ± 0.76 and 38.75 ± 6.08 μg ml-1, respectively at 1 hr; 15.34 ± 1.99, 18.57 ± 1.66 and 67.40 ± 2.62 μg ml-1, respectively at 4 hr and 2.03 ± 0.28, 15.54 ± 0.82 and 30.63 ± 1.58 μg ml-1, respectively at 24 hr. Maximum plasma concentration was detected at 1 hr in healthy birds (41.90 ± 5.59 μg ml-1 ), at 8 hr in hepatopathic birds (23.51 ± 1.64 μg ml-1) and at 4 hr in nephropathic birds (67.40 ± 2.62 μg ml-1). The drug could not be detected in plasma beyond 24 hr in healthy, 72 hr in both hepatopathic and nephropathic birds. The concentration of amoxicillin was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in most of the samples of hepatopathic and nephropathic birds compared to healthy birds. Significant higher values (P < 0.01) of t1/2 K, AUC, and MRT and lower values of K and ClB in the hepatopathic and nephropathic birds in comparison to healthy birds were observed.
