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Background: Neurological conditions constitute approximately 10% of feline cases referred to veterinary clinics. Such cases often present manifestations of central nervous system (CNS) damage, including inflammatory lesions, neoplastic growth and structural and cellular transformations. Objectives: This study aimed at identifying histopathological changes in the CNS of cats that had succumbed to neurological symptoms. Methods: Microscopic evaluation of different sections within the CNS was conducted on 20 cats that had either died naturally or were euthanized due to neurological signs. After performing a necropsy, we examined the CNS tissues and conducted PCR testing to screen for possible viral infections, including feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Results: The majority of cases showed characteristic histopathologic lesions, notably mononuclear and suppurative meningoencephalitis, perivascular cuffing, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), granulomatous meningoencephalitis, acute neuronal necrosis, liquefactive necrosis, epididymitis, thrombosis and demyelination. Among the 20 cats studied, 12 tested positive for FIP by PCR analysis, while 5 cats exhibited positive results for FIV. Also, FeLV PCR tests displayed positive results in 4 cats. No evidence of feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) was observed. Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind conducted in Iran. Based on the results, the most prevalent viral agents infecting cats' CNS were FIP, FIV and FeLV. The investigation revealed no evidence of FSE in cats with neurological signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Allergies impact nearly 30% of the world's population, with fungi being remarkable contributors to allergic sensitivity. Exposure to fungi allergens can trigger allergic reactions and severe asthma has been linked to hypersensitivity to fungi such as Aspergillus and Alternaria spp. Alternaria alternata, a common allergen in respiratory allergic diseases, releases proteases that initiate Th2 responses, causing inflammatory cytokine production. Given the anti-inflammatory properties of Pomegranate Seed Oil (PSO) and the potential of Nano-emulsions (NEs) to enhance drug delivery, this study investigates the impact of PSO-loaded NEs on TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression in A549 cells sensitized with A. alternata extract (ALT). Methods: A. alternata (ATCC 6663) was cultured and processed to obtain a cytosolic extract, with protein content measured using the Bradford method. Using a Soxhlet apparatus, PSO was extracted from cleaned, dried seeds and analyzed by gas chromatography. Alginate nanospheres containing PSO were prepared through a modified water-in-oil emulsification method and characterized for particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential. A549 cells were cultured and treated with various ALT, PSO, and PSO-loaded NEs combinations. Following treatment, RNA was extracted, and real-time RTPCR was conducted to analyze TLR2 and TLR4 gene expression. Results: All treatment groups showed an increase in TLR2 gene expression compared to the control, with the ALT combined with PSO (P+ALT) causing the highest increase at 4.82-fold. Free PSO (P) and free NEs (NP) resulted in 3.92-fold and 2.93-fold increases, respectively, while the ALT and PSOloaded NEs (NP+ALT) led to 2.26-fold and 2.50-fold increases. For TLR4 gene expression, the ALT treatment increased expression by 2.29-fold, but treatments containing PSO (P, P+ALT, NP+ALT) reduced TLR4 expression, with P+ALT and NP+ALT causing 0.45-fold and 0.61-fold decreases. Conclusion: The study confirms that herbal extracts like PSO selectively upregulate TLR2 and downregulate TLR4, suggesting targeted therapeutic potential in inflammation and immune modulation. PSO-loaded NEs demonstrated superior anti-inflammatory effects, supporting their development for treating inflammatory diseases and warranting further research into their molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK or "pink eye") is the most common infectious ocular disease in cattle worldwide. In addition to Moraxella bovis as the principal causative agent, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (BHV-1) and Mycoplasma species probably act as risk factors for IBK. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the detection of Mycoplasma sp., bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), and bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) in the conjunctival sac of the eye and IBK. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect Mycoplasma sp., BHV-1, and BVDV in samples collected from IBK-affected and healthy eyes. Results: Based on the PCR results, Mycoplasma sp. was detected in 63.6% and 47.2% of IBK-affected and healthy eyes, respectively. BHV-1 was detected in 59.1% and 36.1% of affected and healthy eyes, respectively. BVDV was detected in 65.9% and 58.3% of affected and healthy eyes, respectively. BHV-1 was the only agent significantly (P<0.05) associated with IBK lesions (isolated from 59.1% of affected vs 36.1% of healthy eyes). Conclusion: Based on the study results, BHV-1 may be a risk factor in the pathogenesis of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis, and mechanisms other than immune depression might be involved in its pathogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance to synthetic antifungals has become one of the leading public health challenges around the world. Accordingly, novel antifungal products like naturally occurring molecules can be one of the potential ways to reach efficient curative approaches to control candidiasis. This work evaluated the effect of menthol on cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), biofilm formation, growth, and ergosterol content of Candida glabrata , a yeast with a high resistance against antifungal agents. Disc diffusion method (susceptibility to synthetic antifungals), broth micro-dilution method (Susceptibility to menthol), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction assay (biofilm formation), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique (ergosterol content), and adherence to n -hexadecane (CSH) were employed to determine the influence of menthol against C. glabrata isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of menthol versus C. glabrata was 1250–5000 µg/mL (mean ± SD: 3375 ± 1375 µg/mL). The mean rate of C. glabrata biofilm formation was decreased up to 97.67%, 81.15%, 71.21%, 63.72%, 47.53%, 26.31%, and 0.051% at 625, 1250, 2500, 5000, 10   000, 20   000, and 40   000 µg/mL concentrations, respectively. The percentages of CSH were significant in groups treated with MIC/2 (17.51 ± 5.52%) and MIC/4 (26 ± 5.87%) concentrations of menthol. Also, the percentage changes in membrane ergosterol were 15.97%, 45.34%, and 73.40% at 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/mL concentrations of menthol, respectively, in comparison with untreated control. The results showed the menthol impact versus sessile and planktonic C. glabrata cells, and the interference with ergosterol content, CSH, and biofilm formation, which made it a potent natural antifungal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is a highly contagious, infectious respiratory disease that is caused by Gallid Herpesvirus-1 (GaHV-1, namely ILTV) mainly affecting pullets and laying hens. The disease has not been reported in broilers and backyard chicken in Iran, previously. The present study aimed to identify ILTV strains in outbreaks with severe respiratory clinical signs that occurred in Semnan province (Iran) in broiler farms and backyard chicken farms during June 2019 and March 2020. For this purpose, specimens were investigated from twentyeight broiler farms with severe respiratory symptoms and a mortality rate of 5.5-29% and 2 backyard flocks. The presence of ILTV was assessed by histopathology, conventional PCR targeting of ICP4 gene fragment, and sequencing analysis. Comparison of detected genotypes with strains from Iran and neighboring countries demonstrated the high homology of detected isolated with field strains from Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of oral abscess caused by Paenibacillus cineris in a pet Burmese python. Microbiological and nucleic acid sequencing showed high similarity to the reference strain P. cineris (113XG30) isolated in China. Although Paenibacillus spp. are environmental bacteria, we highlight the importance of careful consideration of such unusual organisms in exotic reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trueperella pyogenes is a species of commensal bacteria which is present on the upper respiratory, urogenital and gastrointestinal mucosae of cattle. This species is able to cause pyogenic infections and health risks, alone or in association with other pyogenic bacteria. However, systemic disease with abortion and death in water buffalo has not yet been documented. Here, we isolated a strain of T. pyogenes, from a pregnant water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) with metritis and pneumonia, which finally caused abortion and death in the affected host. Thereafter, the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance of the isolate were investigated. Single PCR method confirmed the presence of the well-known virulence genes of T. pyogenes including plo, nanH, nanP, cbpA, fimA, fimC, fimE and fimG genes. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that this isolate was resistant against Tetracycline, Erythromycin and Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. Furthermore, using Box-PCR method, it was determined that DNA fingerprint pattern of this isolate was different from that of a control strain (T. pyogenes ATCC 19411). The results of the present study indicated that T. pyogenes can cause a systemic lethal disease in water buffalo. However, it seems that host and environmental conditions may also contribute to such infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a buffalo with pneumonia, metritis, abortion and death caused by T. pyogenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Candidiasis infection caused by Candida albicans has been known as a major problem in patients with immune disorders. The objective of this study was to genotype the C. albicans isolates obtained from oral cavity of patients with positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV(+)) with or/and without oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC)., Materials and Methods: A total of 100 C. albicans isolates from Iranian HIV(+)patients were genotyped using specific PCR primers of the 25S rDNA and RPS genes., Results: The frequencies of genotypes A, B and C which were achieved using 25S rDNA , were 66, 24 and 10 percent, respectively. In addition, genotypes D and E were not found in this study. Each C. albicans genotype was further classified into four subtypes (types 2, 3, 2/3 and 3/4) by PCR amplification targeting RPS sequence., Conclusion: In general, genotype A3 constituted the majority of understudy clinical isolates obtained from oral cavity of Iranian HIV(+) patients.