Background:To study chlorhexidine digluconate disinfectant effects on planktonic growth and biofilm formation in some bacterial field isolates from animals. Objectives: The current study investigated chlorhexidine digluconate effects on planktonic growth and biofilm formation in some field isolates of veterinary bacterial pathogens. Materials and Methods: Forty clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Salmonella serotypes, Staphylococcus. aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae (10 isolates for each) were examined for chlorhexidine digluconate effects on biofilm formation and planktonic growth using microtiter plates. In all of the examined strains in the presence of chlorhexidine digluconate, biofilm development and planktonic growth were affected at the same concentrations of the disinfectant. Results: Chlorhexidine digluconate inhibited the planktonic growth of different bacterial species at sub-MICs. But they were able to induce biofilm development of the E. coli, Salmonella spp., S. aureus and Str. agalactiae strains. Conclusions: Bacterial resistance against chlorhexidine is increasing. Sub-MIC doses of chlorhexidine digluconate can stimulate the formation of biofilm strains.

Background:Resistance toward quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) is widespread among a diverse range of microorganisms and is facilitated by several mechanisms such as biofilm formation.Objectives:In this study, the effects of benzalkonium chloride on planktonic growth and biofilm formation by some field isolates of animal bacterial pathogens were investigated.Materials and Methods:Forty clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Salmonella serotypes, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae (10 isolates of each) were examined for effects of benzalkonium chloride on biofilm formation and planktonic growth using microtiter plates. For all the examined strains in the presence of benzalkonium chloride, biofilm development and planktonic growth were affected at the same concentrations of disinfectant.Results:The means of strains growth increase after the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) were significant in all the bacteria (except for E. coli in 1/32 and S. agalactiae in of 1/8 MIC). Biofilm formation increased with decrease of antiseptics concentration; a significant increase was found in all the samples. The most turbidity related to S. aureus and the least to Salmonella.Conclusions:Bacterial resistance against quaternary ammonium compounds is increasing which can increase the bacterial biofilm formation.

The percentages of anemia, parasitemia and leucocyte changes were investigated in bovine theileriosis in the Northwest of Iran. The hematological values in 91 cows with theileriosis were compared with 19 healthy ones. The disease was confirmed by the presence of parasites in the peripheral blood smear test. Five mLs of blood from the jugular vein was collected and mixed with EDTA. Hematological parameters and parasitemia were assessed by current laboratory methods. The mean for hematocrit (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), total leucocytes counts (WBC) and erythrocyte count (RBCs) were 22.1%, 6.8 mg/dL, 7075/μL and 4x106/μL, respectively. Mean total protein, absolute lymphocyte, neutrophil, eosiniphil counts, MCV, MCH and MCHC were 6.4 g/dL, 3898, 2746, 136/μL, 55.5 fl, 16.7 Pg and 30.5 g/dL, respectively. Mean concentrations for PCV, Hb, RBCs, and MCHC were significantly (p<0.05) lower and MCV was higher than the control group. To determine the severity of anemia in theileriosis, PCV was classified into cows without anemia (>24%), mild (20-23.99%), moderate (12-19.99%) and severe anemia (<11.99%). Therefore, the frequency and percentage of infected cows were 44 (48.4%), 14 (15.3%), 23 (25.3%) and 10 cases (11%), respectively (p<0.01). The percentages of parasitemia among 4 groups (1.23, 3.86, 9.64 and 34.2%, respectively) were also significantly (p<0.01) different. Among the indices under study, mean RBCs and Hb showed significant differences (p<0.01) in all types of anemia. The types of anemia were varied from normocytic hypochromic to macrocytic hypochromic. Negative correlations were found (p<0.01) between parasitemia/PCV (r=-0.74), parasitemia/Hb (r=-0.64) and parasitemia/RBCs (r=-0.63). It is concluded that anemia would be the main clinical sign in theileriosis. Type of anemia varied based on the severity of the anemia. Hematocrit, Hb, RBCs MCV and MCHC are the main indices affected in theileriosis. The majority of the infected cows were affected by moderate anemia except for 11%, in that they showed severe anemia with 34.2% parasitemia. Thus, the assessment of RBCs indices will lead to the prognosis and appropriate treatment strategies

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Background: Poultry meat has high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids that can cause off-flavors, off-odors, and reduce meat quality and shelf life. Replacement of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) with chemical additives are highly considered, which reduces the potential risk of using poultry meat. Objectives: The current study aimed at determining the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of hogweed (Heracleum persicum) and anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) on broiler meat quality, immune responses, and intestinal microflora and morphology. Methods: The current study was conducted on 400 male Ross 308 chickens divided into five treatment groups, based on a completely randomized design with four replicates of 20 broilers. The control group was not fed any feed additives, whereas the other groups received 100 mg/kg of probiotics (Primalac ®), 200 mg/kg of hogweed extract, 200 mg/kg of anise extract, and 200 mg/kg of oxytetracycline, respectively. On day 35 of chicken breeding, the immune responses were investigated. At the end of chicken breeding, meat quality was analyzed. Also, the jejunal and ileal contents were investigated in terms of intestinal morphology and microflora. Results: The findings indicated that the highest immune response belonged to the anise extract treatment. The best meat quality belonged to treatments with hogweed and anise extracts (P < 0.05). Also, the lowest number of harmful intestinal bacteria belonged to hogweed extract treatment (P < 0.05). Morphological characteristics of the intestine improved under the effects of hogweed and anise extract treatments (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, inclusion of 200 mg/kg of hogweed and anise extracts in broiler diet is suggested to improve meat quality, immune responses, and intestinal morphology as well as reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the ileum.