Efficacy of conventional disinfectants on isolated Streptococcus iniae from diseased rainbow trout in laboratory and culture tank conditions

The efficacy of different disinfectants (formalin, acetic acid, citric acid, chlorhexidine, sodium iodide, potassium permanganate, sodium hypochlorite and cetrimide-c) was examined on Streptococcus iniae, isolated from diseased fish of Fars province over the years 2002-2004. In laboratory condition, minimum bactericidal concentration of disinfectants after 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes were evaluated. Disinfectants were also tested under natural conditions with addition of a known concentration of bacterial suspension into water. An effective concentration of each disinfectant that had been determined in the first part of this study was added to the culture tanks and water samples were collected after 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes to evaluate streptococcus isolation. A 3-5ppm concentration of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite were powerful disinfectants against S. iniae. Acetic acid and citric acid were efficient in a concentration ranging between 350-500ppm showing very weak disinfectant activity against S. iniae. Results of tank tests showed that a bio-film is formed in the tanks may have significant effect on lowering the efficiency of disinfectants, thus most disinfectants were only effective at a higher concentration. Generally, sodium iodide and sodium hypochlorite were more efficient against S. iniae in tank condition than other disinfectants

Ultrastructural and molecular characteristics of Setaria species based on sequence analysis of genomic and mitochondrial gene markers in cattle (Bos taurus) and buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) from Iran

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThe aim of the present study was to investigate the ultrastructural characteristics and genetic diversity of Setaria parasites from cattle (n=696) and buffalo (n= 522) from Khuzestan province of Iran and to compare them with available data from other countries/regions by sequences analysis of the 12S Rdna and the mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (cox1) genes. Based on SEM (Scanning Electron Micrographs) and light microscopy, all the isolated worms were identified as Setaria labiatopapillosa. Our results showed that 12.3% of cattle were infected with Setaria spp., while no infection was found in buffaloes. The maximal prevalence was observed in cattle younger than one year old. The prevalence rate was not influenced by the season of the year or gender. Comparison of the obtained sequences from Setaria with sequences of Setaria spp. from GenBank confirmed that all samples belong to the species S. labiatopapillosa. The phylogenetic tree constructed using cox1 and 12S rDNA genes of several other filarial nematodes showed that the Khuzestan isolates share a common branch with S. labiatopapillosa from other regions. Intra-specific variation was observed in 12S rDNA but not in cox1. In conclusion, our results indicating that S. labiatopapillosa is the main species involved in the spread of setarial infection in south-west of Iran and the identified worms corresponded mostly to worms that reported previously throughout other continents

Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus on growth performance, gut microbial flora and digestive enzymes activities in Tor grypus (Karaman, 1971)

In this study, two main probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus) were isolated from the intestine of Tor grypus and their effects on growth performance, gut microbial flora and digestive enzymes activities (i.e., α-amylase, lipase, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and alkaline phosphatase) of Tor grypus (Karaman, 1971) were determined. Juveniles of T. grypus (n=480, weighing 45±10 g) were randomly divided into 4 equal groups (with 3 replications) and fed on diets containing 5×10^7 cfu g^-1 of L. plantarum (G1), L. bulgaricus (G2), L. casei (G3) and a control diet (without probiotic) for 60 continuous days. Results showed that probiotic supplementations had generally significant effects on growth performance (p<0.05). The G2 group had the best effect on specific growth rate (SGR) and feed utilization efficiency in T. grypus. The digestive enzyme activities, on day 30 after feeding, significantly increased in G1 when compared with those in the control group (p<0.05). Significant changes in bacterial intestinal flora were observed in all probiotic groups compared with the control (p<0.05). Our results indicated that supplementation of isolated bacteria from the intestine of T. grypus (i.e., G2) can efficiently improve growth performance, intestinal microbiota and some digestive enzyme activities in juvenile T. grypus. Therefore, it can be isolated and used as a growth enhancer just like the commercial probiotics

Comparison of drrA and drrB Efflux pump genes expression in drug-susceptible and -resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from tuberculosis patients in Iran

Background: Among different resistance mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), efflux pumps may have a role in drug-resistance property of MTB. So, the aim of this study was to compare the relative overexpression of two important efflux pump genes, drrA and drrB, among MTB isolates from TB patients. Methods: A total of 37 clinical isolates of confirmed MTB isolates were analyzed. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed using the conventional proportional method. Real-time semiquantitative PCR profiling of the efflux pump genes of drrA and drrB was performed for clinical isolates. The receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis for differentiation of resistant from susceptible isolates on the basis of efflux pump expression fold changes was also performed. Results: According to DST, 16 rifampin (RIF) monoresistant, 3 isoniazid (INH) monoresistant, 5 multidrug-resistant (MDR) and 13 pan-susceptible isolates of MTB were evaluated for gene expression. The highest values of drrA and drrB gene expression fold changes were seen in MDR isolates, which were significant in comparison with susceptible isolates and H37Rv reference strain. By using comparative ROC analysis, the obtained cutoff point for drrA and drrB gene overexpression was the folds of >1.6 and >2.3, respectively. Conclusion: The results of the present study confirm the role of DrrA-DrrB efflux pump in antibiotic resistance in clinical MTB isolates. As the large number of efflux pumps are located in the cell envelope of MTB, we cannot correlate a single efflux pump overexpression to the drug-resistance phenotype, unless all the pumps simultaneously investigated

Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of Theileria equi in Iranian dromedaries

Considering the importance of Theileria equi infection in horse breeding industry and marketing, in the present study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of T. equi among dromedaries in central Iran, where a considerable number of camels and horses are raised and equine theileriosis is quite prevalent. For this purpose, a total of 161 blood samples from camels were examined in terms of T. equi infection, using parasitological and molecular methods. For molecular detection of T. equi, primers targeting the 18S rRNA gene were selected. Microscopic examination revealed that 0.6% of camels were positive for the intraerythrocytic stage of Theileria species, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method detected T. equi in 7 (4.3%) out of 161 camels. Sequences of 18S rRNAs from all the isolates showed more than 99% homology to each other and T. equi isolates in the GenBank. With respect to the single-nucleotide substitution in 18S rRNA gene of the studied camels, three different genotypes were identified and submitted to the GenBank. Considering the homology between 18S rRNA sequences of T. equi in the studied samples and those available in the GenBank, the phylogenetic tree formed three distinct, but highly-related clusters. In this study, age, gender, and locality were not determined as risk factors for T. equi infection in camels. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that T. equi is present among Iranian camels

Effect of crocin on inhibitory avoidance memory, balance and explorative behaviours following cisplatin administration in rat

Background: A lot of studies indicate that cancer chemotherapy results in memory and motor impairment immediately following therapy. On the other side, crocin as the chemical constituent isolated from the Saffron is effective on memory and motor impairement. In this study, the effect of crocin on memory and motor impairment induced by cisplatin injection was studied in adult male rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, male Wistar rats (n=50) were divided into 5 groups: Control, Sham, Cisplatin (2 mg/kg/week for 21 days), Crocin (30 mg/kg for 21 days) and Cisplatin+Crocin. Sham group was administrated with Saline. Then, inhibitory avoidance memory, balance and exploratory behaviors were assessed by shuttle box, rotarod and open field apparatus, respectively. Results: Crocin improved memory impairment induced by cisplatin (P&lt;0.01). Cisplatin also impaired balance in rotarod test. Rearing frequency and total distance traveled in open field test were significantly decreased (P&lt;0.001 and P&lt;0.05, respectively) compared to Control group. Conclusion: We conclude that crocin injection following the use of anticancer drugs (e.g. cisplatin) might have a protective effect against the cisplatin-induced impairement in cognitive function, balance and explorative behavior