The objective of this study was to assess the extent of parasitological contamination of soil irrigated with wastewater. Samples were randomly collected including soil, and water samples from which soils were watered. Samples were taken from different locations in Sharkia governorate, in the east of Nile Delta, Egypt. Such locations were irrigated from water canals, namely El-Ganabia, Sherwida, El-mahmodyia, El-Senety, and Saft Zerek. The samples were collected monthly during September 2021 to September 2022. More than half of the collected samples (60.7%) tested significantly positive for parasite contamination. The largest proportion of pollution was found in areas near the El-Senety Canal with a rate of infection (80%), whereas soil samples near the Moias Canal area had significantly the lowest (40%). 40.8% of positive samples had one parasite species, whereas 37.9% and 11.5% of positive samples were infected with parasites.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is an acute, highly contagious, and immunosuppressive disease of chickens resulting in global economic losses to the poultry industry despite extensive vaccination. The emergence of very virulent IBDVs in global epizootics, including those from Egypt, demonstrates how occasionally occurring genetic changes lead to simultaneous evolution of distinct IBDV strains across the world. Upon phylogenetic analysis of Egyptian IBDVs, virus strains from chickens and turkey (n= 146) were clustered within genogroup 3, whereas, twenty nine isolates were closely related to vaccinal strains in genogroup 1. Regarding to sequences from wild birds (cattle egret and green winged teal) were clustered within G1a (n=2) and G3a (n=1) subgen groups. The highest IBDV percentages during 2013-2022 was in 2020 (n=71; 20%) and in Behera Province (n= 54; 15.3%) followed by Sharkia Province (n= 51; 14.4%). The data revealed the characteristic molecular traits of IBDVs circulating in Egypt between 2013 and 2022, which will help in development of effective vaccines subsequently disease prevention. In addition to, it offers helpful insights for carrying out further surveys that are required to increase the understanding of IBDV prevalence in wild migratory and free-living birds.

The current study was carried to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chicks in Dakhalia province. Besides, the effects of carvacol and thymol essential oils (EO), as a continuous drinking water treatment for protection against Campylobacter jejuni challenge in commercial broiler chickens were assessed. Four hundred and fifty samples were collected from 50 healthy bird, 100 freshly dead birds and 100 diseased birds. Out of 450 examined samples, 22.44 % (101̸450) were positive for Campylobacter jejuni. These isolates were sensitive for neomycin, amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. Random assignment of 180 one-day old chicks into 6 groups (30 birds/group in 3 replicates) arranged as follows: G1 as non-challenged group, G2 was challenged with C. jejuni while G3, and G4 were challenged with C. jejuni and continuously supplemented with carvacol and thymol, respectively, in drinking water from day 7. G5 was challenged with C. jejuni and had the two essential oils continuously in drinking water from day 7. G6 was challenged with Campylobacter jejuni and treated with neomycin (15 mg/kg B.W). Our results showed that the combination of essential oils was more effective in mitigating the devastating effects of Campylobacter jejuni challenge in broilers than using one EO alone. Growth performance represented by body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p<0.05) improved. Campylobacter jejuni shedding was reduced in the challenged treated groups. Also, the biochemical profile was improved. In addition, the level of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly down regulated in the challenged-treated group. In conclusion, it is highly recommended to use carvacol and thymol EO either alone or in a combination to improve the body performance and to protect broilers against Campylobacter jejuni.

A crucial control point for good hygiene is the process of cleaning and disinfecting the slaughterhouse, the animals, the environment, and the hands of the workers. It is a crucial phase in the biosecurity process. By counting the aerobic bacteria, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, salmonella, moulds, and yeasts, the current study was designed to assess the abattoir's contamination and its effects. A total of 120 samples were collected, including swabs from the floor, wall, workers' hands, animals' skin, and the outside of the carcass (20 samples/each). Results of aerobic plate count clarified that the highest mean value was recorded in the abattoirs' floors and walls (1.48x106±2.29x105, 9.54x105 ±1.44x105 respectively), which were then followed by the skin, hands of workers and the outer surfaces of the carcass (5.71x104±1.26x104, 5.39x104±1.15x104, 4.50x104 ±1.68x104 respectively). After using disinfectants, chloroxylenol was the most effective disinfection across all tested samples, with the best reduction percentage. The highest mean value of staphylococcus count was recorded in the hands of workers (1.95x105±1.03x105) had the greatest staphylococcus count, followed by the outer surface of the carcass and the skin (6.66x104 ±2.47x104, 6.47x104±1.22x104 respectively). The highest mean value of coliforms count was recorded on the outer surface of the carcasses 43.45±10.61 MPN/cm2, followed by the skin and the hands of the workers (33.90±8.27, 28.90±11.57 MPN/cm2 respectively. Several spp of coliforms were detected such as Citrobacter diversus, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and Klebsiella pneumonia. Staph. aureus was reported depending on coagulase test, the incidence of infection was higher in Carcass than in hands and skin. Moreover, Salmonella incidence was higher in the hands followed by carcass. The abattoir's air samples had high mean value of mould 25.93±2.83 compared to yeast 17.80±3.58 (cfu/plate/minute). Regarding mould, H2O2 showed the best reduction rate followed by chlorine. While regarding yeast, chlorine was the best followed by chloroxylenol. Results of microbiological examination of the collected samples reflected a clear state of contamination in abattoirs environment and the effect of disinfectants.

A total of 200 samples of chicken products collected randomly from Quesna and El-Bagour in Menoufia governorate. The collected samples were represented by chicken breast, thigh, gizzard and liver (50 of each) and subjected to bacteriological examination for detection of Helicobacter species particularly, Helicobacter pylori. Further, the effect of L. rhamnosus culture to control such serious pathogen contaminating chicken products was studied. Helicobacter spp detected in 4%, 6%, 12% and 20% of breast, thigh, gizzard and liver, respectively and H. pylori represent 4%, 4% 6% and 10% from this examined samples, respectively. H. pylori inoculated chicken fillet (1×106 /g) which are not treated with  Lactobacillus rhamnosus (control +ve) showed increase  in  prevalence  of H. pylori 1.0×106, 1.3×106, 1.9×106 and 2.4×106 at zero time, 1st day, 2nd day and 3rd day, respectively.  While chicken fillets treated with L. rhamnosus (1x106 /g) Effect on prevalence of H. pylori inoculated into chicken fillets with a reduction percent of  35%, 52% and 69%  but  L. rhamnosus (1x107 /g) showed remarkable reduction of H. pylori prevalence  with a reduction percent of  54%, 67% and 81% at 1st day, 2nd day and 3rd day, respectively. L. rhamnosus effected on virulence genes of H. pylori isolated from treated chicken fillet as L. rhamnosus (1x106/g) destructed cagA gene and L. rhamnosus (1x107/g) destructed cagA and vacA genes so using of Lactobacillus rhamnosus culture as a method of control has a good effect on prevalence of H. pylori and its virulence genes in chicken fillets and L. rhamnosus (1x107 /g) more effective than L. rhamnosus (1x106 /g).Â

Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is still a threatening zoonotic disease with periodic reemergence in several countries. Egypt is endemic with RVF and uses an inactivated vaccine for control of the disease. Routine testing of the tissue culture adapted seed virus (ZH501-TC), to assess the effect of nucleotide mutations, is essential for the purpose of vaccine production. At the present work we have analyzed partial nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of amplified 745 bp product of M segment Gn ectodomain and checked virulence in mice. Allocation of ZH501-TC strain at the A designated lineage with the virulent parental RVFV isolated in 1977, ZH501 Egy Sh 77 indicates its genomic stability after passaging in tissue culture cells for vaccine preparation. Here we denoted a new missense nucleotide mutation A1312G corresponding to the amino acid mutation N371S, in current study the ZH501-TC  strain (MZ218760) compared to the parental virulent RVFV isolate ZH501 Egy Sh 77 ( previous sequence ) . That mutation enhanced ß sheet formation in ZH501-TC 367AQYASAYCS375 motif which might increase virus antigenicity. In addition, we have confirmed the presence of two sites of nucleotides substitutions; C1033T and A1206C, corresponding to two amino acids changes; T287I and S336R. Our study declared the false notion of the presence of one missense nucleotide mutation; A1252G corresponding to the amino acid mutation K351R, and two other silent nucleotide substitutions; T1257A and G1258C at the strain ZH501-VSVRI. Although we found these mutations, the virulence of the ZH501-TC strain was still present as approved by mice pathogenicity test.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland caused in dairy cows due to bacterial infections causing high economic losses. Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus-PCR (ERIC-PCR) is an effective genotyping tool for tracing the infection by different bacteria. One hundred milk samples were collected (50 from clinical mastitis and 50 from subclinical mastitis) from different dairy farms at different regions of El-Gharbia Governorate in Egypt. The samples were examined bacteriologically for the isolation and identification of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Corynebacterium bovis. Antibiotic sensitivity testing for the isolates and genotyping by ERIC-PCR were performed. Our results showed that the prevalence of K. pneumoniae was 41% from total samples and C. bovis strains was18% from subclinical mastitis milk samples. All the examined isolates were multi drug resistant with higher resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefotaxime for K. pneumoniae and to penicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline for C. bovis. Discriminatory index of ERIC-PCR was 0.984 and 1 for K. pneumoniae and C. bovis isolates, respectively. The dendrogram analysis for K. pneumoniae showed three clusters and two separate isolates, while for C. bovis 1 cluster with 2 sub clusters and three separate isolates were observed. It was concluded that ERIC-PCR is proven to be effective genotyping technique with high discriminatory index and is a good epidemiological tool for mastitis in cows as there was a genetic relatedness between strains collected from different regions at El-Gharbia Government in Egypt. This indicated the possibility of infection transmission between these regions and necessitates the need to increase control measures.

Food safety is a crucial global public health issue. Food-borne diseases are mostly due to lack of knowledge about food processing, storage, and handling practices. Consumer’s behavior towards food safety should be considered during implementation of control measures to eliminate potential hazards and keep the products quality. Syrian cheeses such as Akawi, Halloumi, and Mudaffara are nowadays commonly produced and sold in Egyptian markets, with high acceptability from the Egyptian consumer’s side. The present cross-sectional study was designed using a structural questionnaire to estimate the consumer familiarity and consumption rates of such products. Meanwhile, evaluating the consumers Knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) among Syrian cheeses safety, quality, purchasing and storage parameters. The study was conducted online by 407 Egyptian citizens from different districts in Greater Cairo governorates. The questionnaire included thirty questions divided into 4 sections: sociodemographic questions; Syrian cheese general consumption data base; the consumer’s Attitude and Practice; and the knowledge level toward the products. Most of the responders were females (66%), with age range 20-40 years (76%), university graduates (64%) and work in public health field (57%). 51% of the responders consume Syrian cheese, while 70% prefer the Egyptian cheese. 47.8% used to consume Syrian cheese indirectly in food recipes. About 31% of the Egyptian consumers often considered Syrian cheese as a high-quality product and 64.2% select the products on flavor basis. Only 5% of the responders suffered after Syrian cheese consumption and 3% have allergy from cheeses. Regarding safety and quality of Syrian cheeses, 47% of the responders have good knowledge about the necessity of cold storage of cheese. Although the shelf life of soft cheese is one month, however only 8% knew that, and 67.5% used to keep Syrian cheese in refrigerator till consumption regardless to the shelf life. 64.4% of responders accepted the addition of chemical preservatives to cheese but within the acceptable limits, and at the same time 92% preferred the natural ones. Most of responders have a good knowledge level about: the incidence of food poisoning from cheese (77.3%), food poisoning symptoms (87.8%), and the main causative agent of such cases (53%).

Buffalo reproductive performance and sustained productivity measures remain inadequately studied. This study aimed to investigate the influences of calving age, parity, and calf gender on specific indicators, including days in milk (DIM), daily milk yield (DMY), total milk yield (TMY), and 270-days milk yield (270-DMY), alongside reproductive and economic parameters. Analyzing 2112 buffalo cow datasets from 1994-2022, acquired from five distinct farms associated with Egypt's Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI) in Kafr El-Sheikh province, notable findings emerged. There was a marked influence of calving age and parity order on the milk yields, with buffaloes aged 8-10 years exhibiting peak yields. A significant uptrend was observed in milk yield metrics from the initial to the seventh parity. Notably, reproductive durations, including days open, calving intervals, and dry periods, peaked during the first parity. Economic evaluations revealed that first parity buffaloes recorded the least production expenditures. In contrast, seventh lactation buffaloes were the most profitable. A noteworthy observation was that buffalo calving less than six years demonstrated reduced production costs. Net profit showed the peak within the age of less than 6 to 8 years before tapering off. Contrarily, calf gender remained inconsequential across the studied parameters. The study highlights the importance of integrating production, reproductive, and economic determinants in buffalo breeding optimization strategies.

Even though a wide variety of antimicrobial medications have been discovered and developed, multidrug resistance still poses a severe threat to public health and is continuously increasing mortality. Recently, a lot of research has focused on developing solutions to these problems. In this paper, we demonstrated how various antibiotics can be combined with antimicrobial substances like LAB and plant extracts to provide synergistic effects if each therapy concentrates on a different target or signalling pathway and acts via a different mechanism. MDR bacteria were isolated from chicken organs using standard methods, and they were confirmed using 16S RNA. In Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, 100 different samples of chicken organs (including the breast, drumstick, liver, wings, skin, intestine, pins, giblets, heart, and legs) were taken at random from six different sites. Bacillus was the associated pathogenic bacteria obtained from the isolated chicken organs and was confirmed using molecular, biochemical, and microbiological techniques. The most efficient extracts that proved to have bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties against the highly resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria were found to be the Lactobacillus plantarum EMCC1027. The LAB applied in the study has excellent antibacterial properties and can be used as a safe substitute for antibiotics to inhibit the growth of the food-borne pathogens.