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In this manuscript, we report the proteins macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip, CAB080), major outer membrane protein (momp, CAB048), and polymorphic outer membrane protein (pmp18D, CAB776) that are expressed in different times of pregnancy in mice infected with Chlamydia abortus. Enzootic abortion of ewes (EAE) by C. abortus, an obligate intracellular pathogen, is a critical zoonotic disease-causing significant economic loss to livestock farming globally. This study was carried out for the detection and characterization of macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip, CAB080), major outer membrane protein (momp, CAB048), and polymorphic outer membrane protein (pmp18D, CAB776) using RT-qPCR. These proteins are believed to be expressed as virulence factors in C. abortus isolated from aborted ewes. BALB/c mice (pregnant and nonpregnant) were used as an animal model to be injected intraperitoneally with C. abortus culture in Vero cells since the endometrial lymphoid tissues of these animals resembles that of ewes. Also, the short duration of pregnancy in mice makes them a suitable animal model for obstetric studies. Tissue samples were taken from the mice after 10, 15, and 20 days of pregnancy to compare the expression of the genes mip, pmp18D, and ompA. Transcription level was quantified using RT-qPCR, the GAPDH transcription quantification, as a normalization signal. Abortion occurred in pregnant mice, and apparent differences between the transcriptional levels of the mip, pmp18D, and ompA genes in the samples taken during different time intervals of pregnancy were not observed (p > 0.05). The result indicated that the three bacterial genes, mip, pmp18D, and ompA, play a role as virulence factors in abortion and are differentially expressed in pregnant and nonpregnant animals. Inactivation of the genes is suggested to confirm the hypothesis.

The control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) in small ruminants is principally dependent on anthelmintic therapy, which encounters the rising problem of anthelmintic resistance (AR) development. Veterinarians reported anthelmintic failure in several sheep farms in Arbat District, Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq, which called for a systematic study about the efficacy of three commonly used drugs: albendazole, ivermectin, and levamisole.

Early detection of pregnancy is vital for appropriate reproductive management programmes to facilitate the rapid re-insemination of non-pregnant females and reduce the calving interval.

Free radicals (FRs), also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), are usually established in the body when adequate oxygen depletion occurs. Oxidative stress and the establishment of FRs in the body are mainly caused by high metabolic activity, the need for rapid growth, inadequate flock management, exposure to viral and bacterial microorganisms, and adverse environmental conditions. Furthermore, FRs can also be produced during the activity of phagocytes when they depend on the action of ROS to kill the engulfed pathogen. FRs have very adverse effects on all cells, particularly the cells of the immune system. They are extremely erratic and reactive molecules that directly harm DNA, cellular proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates within cells. Antioxidants are substances that can eliminate and neutralize FRs within the body and free the body from the oxidative stress that occurs due to the accumulation of FRs. Many vitamins and minerals support the activity and effect of the immune system in fighting against microbes and cancer, which mostly depend on their antioxidant elements to diminish the negative impact of FRs in the body. Examples are vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, selenium, glycine, cofactors of glutathione peroxidase, manganese, essential oils, and phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Use of antibiotics without following standard guidelines is routine practice in developing countries which is giving rise to genetic divergence and increased drug resistance. The current study analyzed genetic divergence and drug resistance by S. aureus and therapeutic efficacy of novel antibiotic combinations. The study revealed that 42.30% (minimum 20%-maximum 70%) of milk samples are positive for S. aureus. Study also revealed seven SNPs in the S. aureus nuc gene (c.53A>G, c.61A>G, c.73T>C, c.93C>A, c.217C>T, c.280T>C, and c.331T>A). Local isolates Staph-2 and Staph-3 were closely related to Bos taurus nuc gene (bovine S. aureus), while Staph-1 was closely related to Homo sapiens (human S. aureus) indicating shifting of host. Change of two amino acids and staphylococcal nuclease conserved domain was observed in all local isolates of S. aureus. The isoelectric points predicted by protParam of Staph-1, Staph-2, and Staph-3 proteins were 9.30, 9.20, and 9.20, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of S. aureus presented highest resistance against penicillin (46.67%) and glycopeptide (43.33%). When a single antibiotic regimen was adopted in a field trial, the highest efficacy was reported in the case of oxytetracycline (80%) while lowest was presented by azithromycin. Among antibiotics' combined regimen, the highest efficacy (80%) was presented by gentamicin with oxytetracycline: cefotaxime with vancomycin; and ciprofloxacin with vancomycin. The current study concluded rising percentages of S. aureus from dairy milk, proofs of genetic host shifts, and altered responses of in on field therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), H5N1, was detected for the first time in peafowls in Kirkuk province, Iraq in 2015. Genetic analysis of the Kirkuk H5N1 indicated molecular markers for avian-type receptors. The Kirkuk H5N1 hemagglutinin gene had an infrequent amino acid cleavage site (SPQREKRRKRGLF), and neuraminidase genes showed sensitive molecular markers for antiviral drugs. Additionally, the phylogenetic analysis found that the Kirkuk H5N1 belonged to subclade 2.3.2.1c. Our results showed that the 2015 H5N1 from the Iraqi city of Kirkuk exhibited new genetic characterization and was different from the 2006 H5N1 isolate from Iraq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is a disease caused by fowl adenovirus (FAdV), categorized under the Adenoviridae family. FAdVs are distributed globally but have not been documented in Iraq since 1979. This study reports the disease occurrence in 89 broiler farms in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, North Iraq, from April 2013 to April 2021. Infected birds' ages ranged between two days and four weeks. Clinically, birds were lethargic, huddling with ruffled feathers, lacked appetite, and showed yellowish mucoid droppings. The gross lesions included enlarged mottled liver, pale to icteric skin, swollen and pale kidneys, and hemorrhage on the skeletal muscle. Also, histopathological examinations revealed large intranuclear inclusion bodies in hepatocytes, degeneration and congestion of liver sinusoids, degeneration of renal tubules, interstitial tissue infiltrated with inflammatory cells, and necrotizing pancreatitis. PCR was used to detect the virus by amplification of partial 1300 bp hexon gene. The amplified fragments were confirmed by sequencing. The study results indicate that avian adenovirus is enzootic in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Two different subgroups circulate in Kurdistan. The FAdV/Kurdistan/2013, FAdV/Kurdistan/2020, and FAdV/Kurdistan/2021 belong to the FAdV-E subgroup. On the other hand, the FAdV/Kurdistan/2015 belongs to the FAdV-D subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is an economically important zoonotic disease that is endemic in different parts of Iraq. An outbreak of abortion occurred in sheep and goats in Sharazor subdistrict, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq and Brucella infection was suspected to be the cause. Between November 1, 2014, and January 31, 2015, 47 tissue and vaginal swab samples were collected from 17 herds. Samples from each herd were mixed together to make 17 pooled samples. The Brucella genus-specific primer Bruc was used to amplify the 223 bp amplicon of bcsp31 gene. Fifteen of the 17 samples (88%) were positive for Brucella genus. Thereafter, five samples were randomly selected to identify the species by designing four sets of Brucella-species-specific primers. Sequencing of the Outer Membrane Protein 2 (omp2) gene was performed and the sequences were aligned with others in the GenBank databases. The results showed that the omp2 gene of the five isolates from Sharazor had 99-100% similarities with Brucella melitensis bv. 2 that was isolated from United States (accession number CP007789) and B. melitensis strain 20236 (accession # CP008750) isolated from human in China. The amino acid sequences of the omp2a gene in the five isolates were similar with other isolates in GenBank with the exception of B. suis bv. 2 (accession # CP007720). This study reported the occurrence of B. melitensis for the first time in Sharazor subdistrict, Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq, using molecular techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of drenching Awassi lambs with three aromatic essential oils from sage (Salvia officinalis L.), clove (Syzygium aromaticum L.), and laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) was investigated on meat chemical and physical characteristics, and oxidative and deterioration measurements. Twenty-four Awassi lambs, five to six months old, were divided into four groups. A concentrated diet was provided to the lambs at a rate of 3% of the body weight. The treatments were as follows: T1 was served as the untreated control, while T2, T3, and T4 were drenched with oils of sage, clove, and laurel, respectively. Drenching was carried out using water-soluble capsules containing 500 mg oil/capsule/day. Treatments lasted 90 days. At the end of the treatment period, the animals were fasted overnight and slaughtered. The carcasses were cleaned and kept at 4°C for 24 h. The longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was then separated and preserved in a plastic bag for three preservation periods: no freezing and 30 days and 60 days freezing at −18°C. Several physical, fat, and protein stability analyses of meat were done after the preservation periods. The results indicated no significant effect of drenching Awassi lambs with different aromatic essential oils on the meat’s physical and chemical characteristics. However, these oils, especially clove oil, affected fat and protein stability with increasing preservation period by freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]