Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) was isolated, from naturally infected cattle that have a history of previous vaccination with live attenuated sheep pox virus (SPV) vaccine. The virus was isolated on chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) of specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) and identified by agar gel precipitation test (AGPT) and neutralization test using specific hyperimmune serum against LSDV and SPV. Characteristic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies was detected in trypsenized cell of infected CAM stained with H&E. Laboratory studies for characterization of isolated LSDV revealed that it was stable at a wide range of pH, but it was inactivated by exposure to 56 0C for 15 minutes. Treatment of isolated LSDV with lipid solvents (20% ethyle ether and chloroform) reduced the virus titer 3.2 and 4.4 log respectively after 24 hrs at 4 0C .On cross neutralization testcomplete neutralization of isolated LSDV was obtained with both reference LSDV and SPV antisera. Cattle vaccinated with live attenuated SPV vaccine under experimental condition found to be protected against natural field infection with LSDV.

This study was carried out on 168 sheep in a private farm at Qena province. 128 out of them were apparently healthy, 22 clinically diseased suffering from respiratory affections and 18 were died at three weeks intervals. Bacteriological examination of the samples revealed that 42 samples were positive for bacterial isolation; 6 from apparently healthy animals, 20 from clinically diseased animals and 16 from dead ones. Bacterial isolates could be identified biochemically as P. multocida and P. heamolytica. Pathogenicity tests for P. multocida isolates indicated that the isolates were pathogenic to laboratory animals. P. multocida was isolated in high percentage (15%) in comparing with P. haemolytica (10%).

This study was carried out on 180 pregnant ewes located at Ras Sedr research station - desert research center, from 2003 to 2005. Twenty five cases of abortion were recorded and examined serologically by complement fixation test (CFT). 17 (68%) out of these 25, showed positive results against Chlamydophila abortus and 3(15%) out of 20 apparently healthy pregnant ewes were serologically positive. Due to the fact that both clinical signs and pathological findings are not specific in case of chlamydial infection and also due to the fact that CFT is accompanied by false positive reactions due to cross reactivity between chlamydial species, five samples from serologically positive aborted dams were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They revealed positive results for Chlamydophila abortus at 119 bp. Therefore, PCR is proven to be reliable, rapid and specific diagnostic technique in thediagnosis of chlamydial infection.

Objective—To determine whether selection for the homozygous A136R171 genotype that confers resistance to classic scrapie infection negatively affects production traits in sheep. Animals—996 commercial lambs obtained from 2 flocks at separate locations across 3 consecutive years. Procedures—Genotyping at codon 136 and 171 was performed by use of commercially available testing or a single-nucleotide polymorphism assay. Carcass data were collected without knowledge of genotype approximately 24 hours after slaughter by an experienced grader. The model to analyze associations between prion protein (PRNP) genotype and production traits was based on genotype, breed, or both as fixed effects and days on feed as a covariate. Results—Average daily gain was significantly associated with only combined codons 136 and 171. In flock 1, weaning average daily gain was significantly greater in AA136 sheep than heterozygotes; the difference between QR171 and RR171 sheep, compared with QQ171 sheep, were not significant although QR171 and RR171 sheep had higher values. However, in flock 2, average daily gain was significantly greater in AV136 sheep than AA136 sheep and in QR171 sheep than QQ171 sheep. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggest there is an advantage for average daily gain in lambs with an arginine allele at codon 171, but there were no other genotype effects on production traits. Thus, selection for the resistant arginine allele at codon 171 to comply with USDA scrapie eradication guidelines should not be detrimental to lamb production in commercial flocks. Effects of codon 136 on average daily gain were ambiguous.