Spatio-temporal history of H9N2 viruses in Iran and neighbor countries by Bayesian analysis and molecular characterization

Objective: To delineate the H9N2 influenza virus circulation within Iran and its neighboring countries, the potential source of the epidemic in these countries, and its date of origin.Methods: We obtained all hemagglutinin(HA) and neuraminidase(NA) nucleotide sequences of influenza H9N2 available up to December 25, 2020 from Iran and its neighboring countries(i.e., Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Iraq). We also performed a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method to infer the evolutionary dynamic and the most recent common ancestor for the HA and NA sequences.Results: H9N2 epidemic may have started in Iran and Pakistan much earlier than the other investigated countries in the region, and an ongoing bidirectional dispersion of the virus between the investigated countries was also observed. The mean time of the most recent common ancestor of H9N2 viruses was 1988 for HA, and 1992 for NA.Conclusions: Strains from investigated countries rooted in Pakistan and Iran. Regular surveillance of H9N2 viruses, especially in the live bird markets, enhancing the biosecurity of poultry industry and screening newly arriving immigrants and tourists from neighboring countries at border should be considered to control spread of the virus. Furthermore, surveillance of viral molecular evolution should be initiated for effective prevention of epidemic and pandemic spreads.

Molecular detection of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma ovis in sheep and goat in west highland pasture of Iran

Objective:To determine the prevalence of Anaplasma marginale(A.marginale) and Anaplasma ovis from sheep and goat in different highland pasture in west of Iran.Methods:From July 2015 to October 2015,370 blood samples of sheep and goat were collected from different regions in Hamedan province,Iran.The DNA extracted from blood and subsequently,16 S r RNA and MSP4 genes were analyzed by nested-PCR,semi nested-PCR and RFLP methods.Results:In the PCR assessment,overall 27.5%(102/370) of sheep and goat were positive for Anaplasma ovis and A.marginale infection,which was lower than reports from tropical and subtropical regions of Iran.Statistical analysis(the Chi-square test) did not show any significant relation between infection and variables such as location,tick infestation age and sex(P > 0.05).No significant correlation between the altitude and the Anaplasma species infection was found(Mann–Whitney test:P > 0.05).However,Anaplasma infection in goat significantly is more than the sheep(P = 0.008).Conclusions:The ecological changes affect the frequency and distribution of Anaplasma species.Furthermore,our results indicate that sheep as potential reservoirs of A.marginale.

Effect of virgin olive oil nanoemulsion combined with ajowan(Carum copticum)essential oil on the quality of lamb loins stored under chilled condition

This survey was conducted to evaluate the impact of virgin olive oil nanoemulsion(ONE) combined with ajowan(Carum copticum) essential oil(AEO) on quality of lamb loin under refrigerated condition. The treatments were control, ONE, ONE + 1% AEO, and ONE + 2% AEO. The treatments caused a delay in growth of mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria during chilled storage. The increasing rate of total volatile nitrogen content, lipid and protein oxidation, metmyoglobin formation, and color deterioration was more retarded in treatment groups. The treatments including ONE + 1% AEO and ONE + 2% AEO were more efficient than ONE alone to delay microbial flora growth, slow down oxidative processes, and improve color in the loins. According to the results of microbial, chemical, and sensory parameters, shelflife of lamb loins was 4 days in control, 8 days in ONE, and at least 16 days in ONE + 1% AEO and ONE + 2% AEO groups. In conclusion, combination of ONE and AEO is appropriate as natural preservative to extend the shelflife of lamb loins stored under chilled condition.

Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in animals in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To review the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among animal population of Iran.Methods:Data were systematically gathered from 1 January 2000 to 1 January 2020 in the Islamic Republic of Iran from the following electronic databases:Pub Med,Springer,Google Scholar,Science Direct,Scopus,Web of Science,Magiran,and Scientific Information Database(SID).According to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses(PRISMA)and inclusion criteria,88 eligible studies were obtained.Results:The pooled prevalence of cryptosporidiosis using random and fixed effects model according to heterogeneity among animals was as follows:rodents 18.8%(95%CI 12.6%-25.0%),camels 17.1%(95%CI 8.6%-25.7%),cattle 16.8%(95%CI 13.4%-20.1%),goats 14.1%(95%CI 5.2%-23.0%),horses 12.2%(95%CI 8.3%-16.2%),birds 10.5%(95%CI 7.6%-13.4%),sheep 9.9%(95%CI 2.4%-4.9%),cats 8.8%(95%CI 4.8%-12.8%)and dogs 3.7%(95%CI 7.0%-12.8%).Conclusions:Cryptosporidiosis has been reported and present in a wide range of animals in Iran over the years and has a high prevalence in most of these species.

Reformulation of traditional Iranian food(Doeeneh)using probiotics:Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.lactis BB-12,Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5,Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG,and inulin and its effect on diabetic and non-diabetic rats

Objectives:The purposes of this study were to produce novel formulations of Doeeneh using three probiotic strains and different inulin ratios and to investigate the survival of probiotics.Likewise,the effect of Doeeneh on the biological properties of non-diabetic and diabetic rats was also evaluated.Materials and Methods:Doeeneh,composed of milk and wheat bulgur,was enriched with different proportions of inulin and fermented by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.lactis BB-12(B),Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5(A),Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus LGG(R),and their co-cultures.The physicochemical and sensory properties and probiotics viability were investigated for 14 d.Diabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate(150 mg/kg i.p.).Changes in weight and blood glucose were measured weekly,and food and water consumption were measured daily;total cholesterol and triglycerides were measured after 35 d by a biochemical kit.Results:The increased proportion of high-degree of polymerization inulin decreased pH and increased acidity.However,a higher concentration of inulin applied to Doeeneh resulted in a slower decrease in pH value.This result can show the buffering effect of inulin in Doeeneh as well;changes in pH were slow over time due to the presence of the buffering compounds.Therefore,the probiotics’survival was in the standard range even in the inulin-free sample.Likewise,the Doeeneh sample containing 5%inulin(SABR3)considerably reduced the levels of blood glucose,total cholesterol,and triglyceride in diabetic rats.Moreover,the diabetic rats fed Doeeneh demonstrated less weight loss and food/water intake than the control.Conclusions:Traditional foods and their preparation methods are a suitable target for the development of health-oriented products,and functional food with nutraceutical capabilities can be designed and produced based on them.

Predicting cutaneous leishmaniasis using SARIMA and Markov switching models in Isfahan, Iran: A time-series study

Objective:To determine the potential effect of environment variables on cutaneous leishmaniasis occurrence using time-series models and compare the predictive ability of seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average(SARIMA)models and Markov switching model(MSM).Methods:This descriptive study employed yearly and monthly data of 49364 parasitologically-confirmed cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province,located in the center of Iran from January 2000 to December 2019.The data were provided by the leishmaniasis national surveillance system,the meteorological organization of Isfahan province,and Iranian Space Agency for vegetation information.The SARIMA and MSM models were implemented to examine the environmental factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis epidemics.Results:The minimum relative humidity,maximum relative humidity,minimum wind speed,and maximum wind speed were significantly associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis epidemics in different lags(P<0.05).Comparing SARIMA and MSM,Akaikes information criterion(AIC),and mean absolute percentage error(MAPE)in MSM were much smaller than SARIMA models(MSM:AIC=0.95,MAPE=3.5%;SARIMA:AIC=158.93,MAPE:11.45%).Conclusions:SARIMA and MSM can be a useful tool for predicting cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province.Since cutaneous leishmaniasis falls into one of two states of epidemic and non-epidemic,the use of MSM(dynamic)is recommended,which can provide more information compared to models that use a single distribution for all observations(Box-Jenkins SARIMA model).

Inhibition of E. coli and bio-preservation of ground beef by Lactobacillus,black pepper extract and EDTA

The objectives of present study were to evaluate the potential of Lactobacillus reuteri or Lactobacillus casei combined with black pepper extract(BPE)and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid(EDTA)for controlling the growth of E.coli O157:H7 and improving the chemical,microbiological and sensory quality of ground beef stored at 10℃ for 12 days.The in vitro results indicated that the combination of L.casei with BPE and EDTA had the most potent antibacterial effect against E.coli and resulted in 2.7 log CFU/ml reduction.In ground beef,the combination of L.reuteri or L.casei with BPE and EDTA decreased E.coli and aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts up to 1 and 1.6 log CFU/g,respectively.Meanwhile,this combination significantly reduced the lipid oxidation rate(up to 60%)and improved odor and overall acceptability scores of ground beef.It was concluded that the combination of L.casei with BPE and EDTA could be used in ground beef to control microbial proliferation,retard lipid oxidation,and improve sensory quality.

Antibacterial,antioxidative and sensory properties of Ziziphora clinopodioides–Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil nanoencapsulated using sodium alginate in raw lamb burger patties

This study was aimed to encapsulate Ziziphora clinopodioides –Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (Z-REO) using sodium alginate (NaAlg) and to evaluate its performance on antimicrobial and antioxidative activities and sensory attributes in lamb burger patties during cold storage for 12 days.GC-MS analysis of Z-REO indicated carvacrol (21.5%) and thymol (16.9%) were the major components.SEM images showed the formation of encapsulated particles.The presence of encapsulated Z-REO in NaAlg was proved based on the increase in band intensity of FTIR spectra.By increasing mass ratios of NaAlg:Z-REO from 1:1 to 2:1,and 4:1,encapsulation efficiency was increased.Average zeta-potential values (mV) of the mass ratios 4:1 and 2:1 were −48.67 and −44.83,indicating the stability of encapsulated particles.The average size of particles ranged from 159.14 nm to 256.14 nm.The results showed that the encapsulated nanoparticles could markedly decrease the growth of inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus and delay the lipid oxidation of lamb patties compared to the control samples and in samples with free Z-REO.Furthermore,nanoparticles efficiently decreased discoloration and off-odor development in the patties.Therefore,NaAlg-Z-REO nanoparticles could efficiently reduce bacterial growth and oxidative or sensory deterioration of lamb patties during storage.