Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract This study provided a comprehensive analysis of 145 urinary bladder stone cases diagnosed in dogs and cats over a 5-year period at a private veterinary hospital. The aim was to evaluate demographic patterns, urolith composition, and species-specific trends to enhance understanding and improve management of urolithiasis in companion animals. A retrospective study was conducted on clinical records, including patient demographics (species, breed, age, sex), urolith composition, and stone size. Chemical composition of uroliths was determined using qualitative chemical analysis. Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant associations between patient demographics and urolith composition. Of the 145 cases, 80 were dogs (55.17%) and 65 were cats (44.82%). In dogs, calcium oxalate stones predominated (65.00%) followed by struvite stones (30.00%) and mixed compositions (5.00%). Conversely, cats exhibited a higher prevalence of struvite stones (55.00%), with calcium oxalate accounting for 40.00% and mixed stones for 5.00%. Larger stones (10.00 - 20.00 mm) were more common in female dogs, while cats generally presented with fewer and smaller stones. No statistically significant temporal trend in urolith composition was observed for either species during the study period. Stone color distribution varied by species including cream and brown stones being most common in dogs and cats, respectively. This study established baseline epidemiological data on urolithiasis for this region, revealing significant species-specific differences in stone composition. The high prevalence of calcium oxalate in dogs and struvite in cats highlighted the need for tailored clinical management and provides a crucial benchmark for future regional and global comparative studies.

Abstract Fowl adenovirus (FAdV) is a DNA virus causing significant diseases, like inclusion body hepatitis, hydropericardium-hepatitis syndrome (HHS), and gizzard erosion. These diseases lead to severe economic losses in the poultry industry. Recent increases in HHS outbreaks in Iran, particularly among broilers, prompted this study to analyze FAdV isolates in Kashan, Iran. In December 2021, a high-mortality HHS outbreak in a Kashan broiler flock led to liver and heart samples being sent for analysis. Histopathological investigations revealed mononuclear hepatitis and intra-nuclear viral inclusion bodies in hepatocytes. Polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the presence of FAdV-4 (accession number: PP856395), showing 99.99% identity with strains from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, and the United States. These findings highlight the genetic similarity and potential common origin of FAdV-4 strains. This study emphasizes the need for heightened biosecurity measures and effective vaccination strategies to mitigate the spread of FAdV-4. The confirmed presence of FAdV-4 in central Iran poses a significant threat to the poultry industry, necessitating prompt action to prevent substantial economic losses.

Abstract Infecting to Melissococcus plutonius, the primary cause of the European foulbrood (EFB) disease, can be followed by infecting to the secondary bacteria, such as Enterococcus faecalis and Brevibacillus laterosporus. The aim of this research was to diagnose EFB disease by tracking the causes of the disease in apiaries all over Iran. From 260 apiaries, honey bee samples were randomly collected. After samples preparation, the genomic DNA was extracted and specific primers were selected for interested bacteria. Using the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for E. faecalis and B. laterosporus and nested-PCR method for M. plutonius, the target fragments were amplified. Desired standard bacteria and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Results showed that out of 260 samples from apiaries, 74 and three samples were positive for E. faecalis and B. laterosporus bacteria, respectively. Also, the results of nested-PCR showed that 58 samples were positive, of which only 12 samples were positive in the evaluation of E. faecalis. Results demonstrated that the highest and the least levels of the infection for M. plutonius and E. faecalis were in the south and east of the country, respectively. Results indicated that sometimes due to the excessive growth of secondary bacteria, the main bacteria can be removed from the environment. Also, findings proposed that those provinces with higher number of populations, followed by higher amount of air pollution, had more infected samples than others.

Abstract Infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia or canine anaplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by Anaplasma platys. In Mexico, cases of human infection have been reported. The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency of A. platys infection in the municipality of Veracruz, Mexico, by nested polymerase chain reaction method. A total of 100 blood samples from dogs living in the municipality were collected and analyzed between March and June 2022. A descriptive analysis of blood samples for hemoparasites frequencies was performed with the free online software VassarStats. The evaluated variables were sex, street access, usage of ticks control methods, and living environment. The free online software WinEpi software was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI: 95.00%). Out of 100 analyzed blood samples, 27 were confirmed positive for A. platys. The only risk factor found was the absence of tick prevention methods (OR = 9.81; 95.00% CI: 23.00 - 44.50). In conclusion, the frequency of A. platys was 27.00% and no risk factors were identified.

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in sheep and their products pose a risk to public health. The aim of this study was to identify the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in sheep in Veracruz State, Mexico. The study was cross-sectional and it was carried out in thirteen municipalities distributed in three regions of Veracruz State. A total of 414 blood samples were collected from four districts of Veracruz State and analyzed for T. gondii antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total seroprevalence was 35.90% (149/414; 95.00% CI = 31.40-40.80). Seroprevalence by the municipality was 10.50% to 85.70% and for the district was 28.80% to 47.80%, respectively. Age, breed and productive status were identified as risk factors associated with T. gondii infection significantly. The infection by T. gondii is widely present in the districts of the Veracruz State with a high seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection.

Abstract Ehrlichiosis is a zoonotic disease which has been reported from some regions of Iran. This study was aimed to determine the presence and prevalence of ehrlichiosis in suspected dogs referred to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran using polymerase chain reaction(PCR). Blood samples were collected from 98 suspected dogs with at least one of the five following findings: thrombocytopenia, anemia (hematocrit < 37.00%), gastrointestinal signs and respiratory and/or central nervous system diseases. Complete blood count was performed for each sample. After genomic DNA extraction, PCR assay was carried out using a commercial PCR kit. The results showed that only three out of 98 samples (3.06%) were positive for ehrlichiosis. There was no significant difference in hematological parameters between infected and non-infected cases. These results emphasize that ehrlichiosis has a low prevalence among examined cases in southern Iran. Further serological and molecular studies are needed to clarify the epidemiological feature of this infection in different areas of Iran.