Background: Giardia and Cryptosporidium species are significant zoonotic parasites of humans and domesticated animals. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in livestock and dogs of the Magude District. Method: The flotation technique (Willis), modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) and direct and indirect immunofluorescence (DIF and IIF) techniques were applied to determine the prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium species in faecal samples of dog pups (156), goat kids (60) and calves (480) from the Magude District of Mozambique from February to September 2015. Results: Using Willis, IIF and DIF, the prevalence of Giardia in calves was 0%, 8.1%, and 6.0%; in dogs 0.6%, 8.3% and 5.7% and for goats 0% and 13.3% (IIF was not performed), respectively. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in calves using Willis, mZN, IIF and DIF was 0%, 3.8%, 4.7% and 0.4% and in dogs 0%, 0.6%, 6.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The parasite was not detected in goats. Conclusion: Results from the present study showed that IIF performed better diagnosis of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and that the mZN can be used as an alternative for Cryptosporidium because of the high cost of IIF. There is a need for identification of genotypes or subtypes of these parasites through application of molecular techniques in order to determine their zoonotic potential, and we advocate a ‘one health’ approach in the control and prevention of these parasites.

Minimising health problems and increasing yield have always been the objectives in livestock agriculture. Hence, increases in incidences of reproductive conditions in cattle farming pose a great threat to productivity and impose undesirable economic implications. This study aimed to examine the concentrations of different biochemical compounds in cows with reproductive conditions. Seventy-seven blood samples were collected from cows at different rural areas around Mafikeng, following cases of downer cow syndrome, dystocia, retained placenta, vaginal prolapse and abortion. Means of serum metabolites across the different reproductive conditions were statistically compared using Pearson’s chi-square test to determine variations of serum metabolites in cows of different breeds. In mixed breed cows, higher than normal calcium concentrations were observed in downer cow syndrome (25.25 ± 8.47) and dystocia (85.50 ± 8.46) cases. It was also observed that cholesterol concentrations were significantly low in abortion (2.52 ± 0.79), retained placenta (3.18 ± 0.61) and vaginal prolapse (2.37 ± 0.97) cases in Afrikaner cows. The study showed that Brahman (43.1%) and Afrikaner (43.1%) breeds were mostly affected by downer cow syndrome. Additionally, the occurrences of downer cow syndrome (53.9%) and abortions (60%) were mostly observed in cows of 1–3 years, in second and first parities, respectively. This study proves that concentrations of calcium, urea or blood urea nitrogen (BUN), magnesium and cholesterol are significantly altered in incidences of reproductive conditions in cows of different breeds. It is also shown that serum biochemistry is affected by reproductive conditions in cows of different ages and parity. This data serves as a tool that could be used to enhance research in animal production and reproduction.

Fasciola spp. are the causative agents of fascioliasis in humans and livestock. Before the development of control and management measures, the geographical distribution of the species and patterns of infection must be considered. Because of difficulties in the phenotypic differentiation and morphometric classification of Fasciola spp., DNA molecular markers have become more useful for fluke differentiation and description of phylogenetic patterns. This study aimed to differentiate and describe the phylogenetic background of Fasciola spp. isolated from cattle slaughtered at three abattoirs in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces of South Africa. The cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) – FHCO1 (forward: 5′-TTGGTTTTTTGGGCATCCT-3′) and FHCO1 (reverse: 5′ -AGGCCACCACCAAATAAAAGA3′) – marker was sequenced from 55 Fasciola flukes that were collected from abattoirs in catchment areas of the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. Fasciola hepatica was demonstrated to have 100% prevalence in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga (highveld), respectively, and 76% prevalence in the lowveld (Belfast area) of Mpumalanga. Two animals from the Belfast metapopulation were co-infected with both Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica. DNA sequence analysis of all the isolates demonstrated a sequence conservation of 0.472, nucleotide diversity of 0.082 and Tajima’s D of -1.100; however, it was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Twenty-two haplotypes were identified, with 18 novel haplotypes being unique to the isolates from South Africa. Within the study samples, 12 haplotypes were isolated to a few individuals, with a haplotype diversity of 0.8957 indicating high genetic diversity. Principal coordinate analysis supported the clustering and distribution of the haplotypes, with 11.38% of the variation being attributed to coordinate 2 and 55.52% to coordinate 1. The distribution of Fasciola spp. has been demonstrated to be related to the distribution of the freshwater intermediate host snails, Lymnaea spp., as well as the relative altitude of the localities in South Africa. Information provided by this study serves as preliminary evidence for further studies on the mapping of the distribution of F. gigantica and F. hepatica in South Africa, which is key in designing control programmes for fascioliasis in humans and livestock.

Toxoplasma gondii is a major neglected parasitic infection occurring in settings of extreme poverty in Africa. Apart from causing reproductive failure in animals it is also a significant zoonotic concern. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of T. gondii infection in cats, chickens, goats, sheep and pigs in the southeast of South Africa, of which little is known. Sera was obtained from 601 domestic animals including 109 cats, 137 chickens, 128 goats, 121 sheep and 106 pigs managed under different production systems in different agro-ecological regions and evaluated by the Toxoreagent, a latex agglutination test for T. gondii antibody detection. Household-level and animal-level data were collected by interviewing animal owners and/or herders using a closed-ended questionnaire. The study revealed an overall farm seroprevalence of 83.33% (125/150 farms) with the highest rate of infection for the parasite found in sheep with 64.46% (78/121), followed by goats with 53.91% (69/128), pigs with 33.96% (36/106), cats with 32.11% (35/109 cats) and chickens with 33.58% (46/137). The risk factors that were found to be statistically significant (p 0.05) to different species of seropositivites were age, location, climate, animal production system, rodent control, seropositive cat, cat-feed access and cat faecal disposal. The relatively high seroprevalence of T. gondii detected in this region suggests that domestic animals may pose a substantial public health risk through the consumption of T. gondii-infected raw meat as well as via contact with cat faeces.

Pneumonic pasteurellosis is the main cause of severe respiratory tract infections in calves and causing great economic losses. The objective of this research was to study the antimicrobial susceptibility of P. multocida and M. haemolytica and detection the effect of Lysozyme and Nitric oxide; as immune parameters, on most important bacteria causing pneumonic pasteurellosis in cattle calves. A total number of 406 deep nasal swabs and blood samples were collected from 406 bovine calves suffered from respiratory manifestations. Bacteriological examination revealed that the overall prevalence of both P. multocida and M. haemolytica was of 26.6%; 18.2% for P. multocida and 8.4%for M. haemolytica. P. multocida was singly isolated from 4.9% of cases. While it was mixed with S. aureus, E. coli, Streptococcus spp., both S. aureus and E. coli, both S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. and both E. coli and Streptococcus spp. with percentages of 4%, 1.2%, 2.2%, 1.7%, 3.2% and 1.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, M. haemolytica was isolated as a single isolate from 1.7% of cases while it was mixed with S. aureus, Streptococcus spp., both S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. and both E. coli and Streptococcus spp. with percentages of 2.7%, 1.2%, 2.5% and 0.2%, respectively. The in in-vitro sensitivity testing of all isolates showed high susceptibility to Fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins. On the other hand, high resistances were obtained against tetracyclines, penicillins and aminoglycosides. On the immunological level, the data of the existing research show that all respiratory affected calves record significant elevation of nitric oxide level in compare with normal control calves. However, all infected calves elucidate significant reduction of lysozyme activity.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a good useful imaging tool for diagnosing foot lameness in equine. Seventeen donkeys of age (6–12 years), gender admitted to the clinic unit of our collage with owners complained that the animals were suffered from incurable lameness in their forelimbs. All forelimb foots were collected at the level of fetlock joint after euthanasia for performing MR imaging .The results showed that, both normal anatomy to the foot using T1-weighted image sequence and detection of different lesions involving many parts of the foot such as collateral ligaments of the DIP joint, both DDFT core and border, both navicular bone medullary cavity and cortex, articular cartilage of DIP joint, distal sesamoidean impair ligament (DSIL) and suspensory ligament of the navicular bone that could not be diagnosed by other diagnostic tools such as X- ray, ultrasound and Computed Tomography. In conclusion, Using MRI in examination of donkey foot lameness is considered as a definitive and accurate diagnostic tool for design suitable treatment regimens for all affections.

Between July and September 2017, samples collected from six unvaccinated chickens in Namibia were shown to be positive for infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) by RT-PCR. Partial sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 and VP2 genes from six viruses revealed that they all belong to the very virulent pathotype (Genogroup 3) and are genetically very similar to IBDVs identified in neighbouring Zambia. This is the first molecular characterisation of IBDV in Namibia and has implications on the control and management of the disease in the country.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most common and costly disease affecting beef cattle calves in the world. The objectives of this study were to put a high light on epidemiology of P. multocida and M. haemolytica as important causes of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in Egypt Governorates; Giza, El-Fayoum, BeniSuef, Assiut and Sohag. A total number of 406 deep nasal swabs and blood samples were collected from 406 bovine calves suffered from respiratory manifestations reared in different Governorates in Egypt. Bacteriological examination was achieved and isolation of P. multocida and M. haemolytica were attained. The overall prevalence of both P. multocida and M. haemolytica was of 26.6%; 18.2% for P. multocida and 8.4%for M. haemolytica. EL-Fayoum Governorate showed the highest prevalences while Beni-Suef Governorate showed the lowest prevalences. P. multocida was singly isolated from 4.9% of cases. While it was mixed with S. aureus, E. coli, Streptococcus spp., both S. aureus and E. coli, both S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. and both E. coli and Streptococcus spp. with percentages of 4%, 1.2%, 2.2%, 1.7%, 3.2% and 1.0%, respectively. Meanwhile, M. haemolytica was isolated as a single isolate from 1.7% of cases while it was mixed with S.aureus, Streptococcus spp., both S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. and both E. coli and Streptococcus spp. with percentages of 2.7%, 1.2%, 2.5% and 0.2%, respectively. In conclusion respiratory manifestations are very important disorders in bovine calves. P. multocida and M. haemolytica are the most common bacteria causing infection.

Commercial broiler chickens are frequently infected with Ecoli serotypes in form of collibacillosis which characterized as an initial respiratory infection (air sacculitis) followed by generalized septicemia, perihepatitis and pericarditis. The present work aimed to study the ability of E.coli O125 previuosly isolated and identified from diseased broilers suffered from pericarditis , airsacculitis and perihapatitis to induce a disease and The current study aimed to determine the pathogenicity of E. coli serogroup O125 in broiler chicks, a trial of prevention and treatment using probiotic ( Guardyazin-m) or antibiotic (Cipronate20%). The chicks were divided into seven groups including control negative, orally infected , subcutenously infected , probiotic treated group, and finally antibiotic treated group. The clinical signs, mortality, performance parameters and postmortem examination as well as the pathological changes in liver and intestine were recorded. The probiotic group gave the best results in controlling infection by E. coli O125 followed by antibiotic. In conclusion, the E. coli O125 serogroup was pathogenic to chicks when experimentally inoculated, so particular attention must be directed toward E. coli O125 as a pathogen infecting bird. Also probiotics was of great value in protection against the E. coli infection and improve the performance parameters of chicks . Its effect on feed consumption , weekly body weight gain and feed conversion rate (FCR) was determined.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of food-borne disease worldwide and food poisoning. This study reports the effect of nisin (0, 10 and 12.5 ppm) against Staphylococcus aureus in manufactured kareish cheese. Nisin was effective in reducing S. aureus count in cheese; a reduction of S. aureus count was observed from the 2nd day of storage period. S. aureus in kareish cheese decreased gradually from 4x108 to (8×107, 6.5×107, 5.8×107 CFU/gm.) in the 1st week till reached at the end of storage period of the 4th week to (4 ×104, 1.1×103, 1×102 CFU/gm.) for cheese containing (0, 10 and 12.5 ppm) of nisin, respectively during manufacture and storage for a month in the refrigerator at 4 ˚C. The data obtained in this study suggested that the use of nisin-containing cheese can be an effective method of controlling the growth and multiplication of S. aureus in cheese.