First isolation and identification of Vibrio vulnificus (biotype 2) from cultured beluga, huso huso in Iran

By decreasing sturgeon stocks in the Caspian Sea, rearing different sturgeon species especially Huso huso was increased in Iran. Under stress conditions the sturgeon can easily be infected by several opportunistic pathogens. In June 2011, mortality happened in 25 - 28°C water temperature, in one of the most important cultured sturgeon farms in Mazandaran province, north of Iran. The mortality rate was 15%. The first clinical signs in moribund fish were lethargy and anorexia. A total of 20 moribund fish was transferred to a central laboratory for more bacteriological examination. Clinical signs including several deep ulcers on body surface, around the head, under operculum, ulcers at the base of the pectoral fins, hemorrhage around the anus, operculum, and pale gills were observed in moribund fish. The main internal signs were hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, liquid accumulation in the intestine and diffuse visceral hemorrhage. The results of morphology and microscopic characterizations and also biochemical tests indicated that Vibrio vulnificus (biotype 2) was the etiological agent of mortality in infected fish. This study was the first report of V. vulnificus in cultured H. huso in Iran

Dietary supplementation with a specific mannan-rich yeast parietal fraction enhances the gut and skin mucosal barriers of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and reduces its susceptibility to sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)

Background: Increasing reliance on non-medicinal interventions to control sea lice in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farming industry imposes a high level of skin mucosal disturbance and indirect health issues. Dietary supplementation with yeast-based MOS products is widely used to support intestinal homeostasis across farmed species. Evidence of their effect on skin mucosa is increasing in aquatic species but it remains inconsistent and someway short of a clear contribution to sea lice management. A tank-based trial was performed to test the effect of a yeast-based MOS functional compound (sMOS) on the skin mucosal layer and its protective effects against sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis). Results: The test compound significantly increased skin mucus (+46%) and goblet cell density (+25%) after 6 weeks of dietary supplementation when positive effects on intestinal villi-length (+10.9%) and goblet cell density (+80.0%) were also documented. Following dietary supplementation, a 16.6% reduction in susceptibility to an acute standard copepodid challenge was measured alongside an earlier increase in skin lysozyme activity widely used as an index of innate immunity. Conclusion: The study provides functional evidence that the benefits of dietary sMOS reach beyond the intestine to the skin mucosa. Bolstering of the Atlantic salmon skin barrier and immune functions and the resulting lower susceptibility to sea lice has the potential to reduce the need for delousing interventions and the impact of non-medicinal interventions on the animal's health and welfare

The effect of nisin A and sodium benzoate on behavior of Listeria monosytogenes and some microbial and chemical parameters in silver carp (Hypophtalmichtys molitrix) fillet stored at 4˚C

The effect of nisin A and sodium benzoate on Listeria monocytogenes, as well as some microbial (mesophilic, psychrotrophic and lactic acid bacteria) and chemical (peroxide and TVN) in silver carp (Hypophtalmichtys molitrix) fillet during storage period (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days) at 4˚C were evaluated. For this, Listeria monocytogenes (4 logCFU/g) was inoculated to the fillets and were dipped into 2% sodium benzoate solution for 15 min and left to stand for 10 min at 4˚C. Subsequently nisin A was added to the fillet (0/15 g/kg) and samples were kept at 4˚C while packaged in vacuum condition. The results showed that, application of nisin A and sodium benzoate decrease the number of Listeria monocytogenes from 4/12 to 3/66. However, in control groups the number of bacterium was increased from 4/43 to 5/14. Moreover, the number of mesophilic bacteria in treatment and control groups was increased from 4/39 to 6/79 and 4/48 to 7/93, respectively. The number of psychrotrophic bacteria in treatment and control groups was increased from 4/16 to 6/72 and 4/34 to 7/92, respectively. The similar result was achieved for lactic acid bacteria in which the number of these bacteria was increased from 2/74 to 4/08 and 2/9 to 4/78, respectively. Moreover, different peroxide value and TVN for treatment and control groups was achieved. In conclusion, application of nisin A and sodium benzoate showed different inhibitory effects on Listeria monocytogenes in culture media and silver carp

Morphometrical study of the cat cerebellum using unbiased design-based stereology

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphometrical features of the cat cerebellum using design-based stereology. Cerebellar hemispheres from four male cats were examined. Isotropic, uniform random sections were obtained and processed for light microscopy. Cerebellar total volume (V), white (WM) and grey matter (GM) volume fractions, and the volumes of the molecular and granular layers were measured using the Cavalieri's estimator and the point counting system. Cerebellar surface area was estimated using test lines, and Purkinje cellular and nuclear volumes were analysed using the nucleator technique. The volume of the cat cerebellar hemispheres was 2.06 \ub1 0.29 cm3. The relative volume fractions of the GM and WM were 70.6 \ub1 2.6% and 29.3 \ub1 2.6%, respectively. The surface area of the cerebellar hemisphere was 68.2 \ub1 17.8 cm2. The volumes of the molecular and granular layers were estimated at 0.89 \ub1 0.16 cm3 and 0.56 \ub1 0.1 cm3, respectively. The Purkinje cell volumes were found to be ranging from 1,717 to 28,489 \ub5m3, of which cells with a perikaryon volume of 6,994 \ub5m3 had a higher incidence. The Purkinje nuclear volume was estimated at 440\u20133,561 \ub5m3, and nuclei with a volume of 1,252 \ub5m3 were the most frequently occurring ones. Our data might contribute to the veterinary comparative neuroanatomy knowledge, help develop experimental studies in this field, and possibly lead to advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous diseases in the cat

Characterization and cell viability of probiotic/prebiotics film based on duck feet gelatin: a novel poultry gelatin as a suitable matrix for probiotics

The probiotic viability, physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, and microstructure properties of synbiotic edible films (SEFs) based on duck feet gelatin (DFG) were evaluated. Four synbiotic systems were obtained by mixing four types of prebiotics, namely, dextrin, polydextrose, gum Arabic, and sago starch, with DFG to immobilize of probiotic (Lactobacillus casei ATCC). The ability of DFG to create a suitable matrix to increase probiotic viability was compared with those of other commercial gelatins in a preliminary evaluation. The DFG showed proper probiotic viability compared with other gelatins. The addition of prebiotics reduced the transparency of SEFs and increased color differentiation, uniformity, and complete coverage of probiotic cells. The estimated shelf-life of surviving bacteria in the SEFs stored at 4 and 25 °C showed that gum arabic showed the best performance and enhanced the viability of L. casei by 42% and 45%, respectively. Dextrin, polydextrose, and sago starch enhanced the viability of L. casei at 4 and 25 °C by 26% and 35%, 26% and 5%, and 20% and 5%, respectively. The prebiotics improved the physicochemical, mechanical, and barrier properties of all SEFs, except polydextrose film. The viability of L. casei can be increased with the proper selection of gelatin and prebiotics