The Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol was studied in buffalo calves following single intravenous and intramuscular administration of 20 mg kg-1 b.wt. Florfenicol concentration in both serum and urine were determined by microbiological assay using Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) as test organism. After intravenous injection the serum florfenicol concentration time course obeys two-compartment open model with distribution (t0.5 ()) and elimination (t0.5 ()) half lives of 0.381 ± 0.004 and 2.89 + 0.263 h., respectively. Total body clearance (CLB) and steady state volume of distribution (Vdss) were 3.6 ± 0.30 ml kg-1 min-1 and 1.70 ± 0.010 l kg-1., respectively. After intramuscular administration the observed mean peak serum concentration (Cmax) was 2.32 ± 0.052 3g ml-1 achieved after maximum time (Tmax) of one hour postinjection. The systemic bioavailability after intramuscular administration was 27.43 % and the plasma protein binding was 13.5 %.

The efficacy of an amitraz / cypermethrin pour-on preparation (1 % w/v each) was tested against natural tick infestations of buffaloes, eland and blesbok in three separate trials. The eland were also treated with a 0.02 % abamectin (w/v) acaricidal pour-on preparation. The amitraz / cypermethrin pour-on was effective against Amblyomma hebraeum, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Hyalomma marginatum rufipes on the buffaloes. Both acaricides were effective against R. appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus in the eland. The amitraz / cypermethrin acaricide was effective against R. (Boophilus) decoloratus in the blesbok. Ticks can cause damage to the skins, secondary infections, abscesses, anaemia, loss of condition, tick toxicosis and act as vectors of infectious diseases. Introduction of hosts and / or ticks from endemic to non-endemic areas because of translocation of game, may lead to severe losses. The pouron acaricides tested were effective against natural tick infestations and should always be used according to the manufacturer's instructions and efficacy claims.

A penta-dog inactivated cell culture vaccine was prepared to protect dogs against canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus1, 2 and rabies virus. The potency of this vaccine was compared with that of single inactivated vaccines prepared against each disease, in different groups of susceptible dogs. It was found that the protective dose of penta-dog vaccine (2ml) including the protective amounts of the five viral proteins resulted in full protection of vaccinated dogs against the challenge with virulent strain of the used viruses showing no antagonizing effect between each other with and no adverse postvaccinal reaction. So, the prepared inactivated cell culture penta-dog vaccine is a safe and potent vaccine for dogs which resulted in saving time, cost, and effort stress factors on animals and providing good immune statues.

An investigation on certain bacterial contaminants of Mortadella produced by three Palestinian factories has been carried out. One sample (2units) was taken monthly (June/1999-may/2000) from each of three local factories (A, B&C). The lowest viable bacterial count recorded was 1x 103 CFU/g. in sample No. C1, while the highest count was 3x107 CFU/g. in sample No. B5. Some bacterial strains were isolated during the course of this study by using specific isolation media. They were identified and distributed as: Salmonella spp. (40%) (S. typhi, 6 strains, S. arizonae, 4 strains and S. infantis, 2 strains), Eschirichia spp. (50%) (E. coli, 8 strains and E. coli O157:H7, 7 strains), anaerobic Streptococcus parvulus (3.3%) (One strain) and Clostridum spp. (6.7%) (Cl. baratii, one strain and Cl. botulinum, 2 strains). Three samples (A1, C3 and B10) were mix contaminated; two pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated from each. All investigated samples were negative for Yersinia spp. and Campylobacter spp. The scientific and medical importance was discussed.

In this study, two methods for determination of formalin amount were applied on samples of inactivated vaccines representing local or foreign companies. The first method; matching method was conducted by using phenyl hydrazine while in the other method is; spectrophotometry phloroglucinol was used. Spectrophotometrical method was found more sensitive and more accurate than the matching one. At the same time, the spectrophotometry method could be used for determination of formalin in all inactivated vaccines either bacterial or viral vaccines.

Seventy-five rats were used to determine the toxic effects of difenoconazole (D) fungicide on haematological, some biochemical parameters and thyroid hormones in adult albino rats of both sexes, as well as possible inhibition of adverse effects by using vitamin E and/or vitamin C as antioxidant drugs. Rats were classified into five groups each of 15 rats. Group (1) served without treatment as negative control, group (2) treated with 1/10 of the LD50 of D (140.3 mg/kg B.wt.), in alternative days for 30 days and cessation of D for further 15 days as a withdrawal period, group (3) treated with vit. E (24 mg/ kg B.wt.) combined with the same dose of D, intubation every other day, group (4) administered vit. C (200 mg/ kg B.wt.) daily per os combined with the same dose of D in alternative days, group (5) taken vit. E, vit. C and D. Vitamins were given daily from the beginning of experiment till the end and at withdrawal period. Samples were collected at 15 and 30 days during D exposure and at the end of withdrawal period. Using analysis of variance, R.B.Cs. count, PCV % and Hb content significantly decreased than negative controls allover the experimental period in D- treated groups, however vit. C alone or combined with vit. E produced gradual improvement in haematological parameters. Marked elevation in W.B.Cs. count and lymphocytes, accompanied by neutropenia were observed in all groups compared to negative controls allover the experiment period. Total protein, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly reduced in all D-administered groups compared to negative controls. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, cholesterol and low density lipoprotein showed higher levels in all D-treated groups in comparison to negative controls, meanwhile, administration of vit. E and/or vit. C produces gradual improvement in these parameters. Thyroid hormonal analysis indicated significant decrease in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in all D- treated groups, whereas their levels returned to normal in groups given vit. C alone or combined with vit. E at the withdrawal period. In conclusion, these results indicated that D fungicide exposure caused overt disorders in haematological and biochemical parameters as well as thyroid function. These effects could be ameliorated by using vit. E and vit. C as antioxidant drugs. Vit. E and vit. C when combined together produce best results in all tested parameters, however vit. C alone has rapid response than vit. E especially in haematological picture and thyroid function.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a disease of cattle, primarily in Africa and Madagascar and rarely in the Middle East. It is caused by a capripoxvirus that belongs to the family Poxviridae. The disease is of economic importance in endemic areas. Effective control of LSD requires accurate and rapid laboratory techniques to confirm a tentative clinical diagnosis. Comparative studies on different diagnostic tests used at different stages of the disease have not been done. The aim of this study was to compare several of these tests. Six seronegative bulls, between 11 and 20 months of age, were infected intravenously and kept in an insect-free facility. The course of the infection was monitored. During a 3-month period blood samples and skin biopsies were collected for virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Skin biopsies were also examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The incubation period in infected animals varied from 4-5 days. The length of the viraemic period did not correlate with the severity of clinical disease. Viraemia was detected from 1-12 days using virus isolation and from 4-11 days using the PCR, which is longer than has previously been reported. Virus was isolated from skin biopsies until Day 39 post infection (p.i.) and PCR could demonstrate viral DNA until Day 92 p.i. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained skin biopsies detected LSD virus only in one of the four bulls that developed skin lesions until Day 33 p.i. The PCR was a fast and sensitive method to demonstrate viral DNA in blood and skin samples. It could detect viral nucleic acid in skin lesions 53 days longer than virus isolation. Virus isolation from blood and skin samples was sensitive and reliable, but as a single test it may be too time-consuming to use although this depends on how rapidly the diagnosis must be confirmed. In conclusion, this study showed the PCR to be superior in detecting LSD virus from blood and skin samples. However, virus isolation is still required when the infectivity of the LSD virus is to be determined. Indexed by Sabinet Online

Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a common viral disease of wild and captive psittacine birds characterized by symmetric feather loss and beak deformities. The causative agent, beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), is a small, circular single-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the genus Circovirus. BFDV can be detected by PCR or the use of haemagglutination (HA) and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays that detect antigen and antibodies respectively. Erythrocytes from a limited number of psittacine species of Australian origin can be used in these tests. In South Africa, the high cost of these birds makes them difficult to obtain for experimental purposes. Investigation into the use of erythrocytes from African Grey parrots and Brown-headed parrots yielded positive results showing the haemagglutinating activity of their erythrocytes with purified BFDV obtained from confirmed clinical cases of the disease. The HA activity was further confirmed by the demonstration of HI using BFDV antiserum from three different African Grey parrots previously exposed to the virus and not showing clinical signs of the disease.

The concentration of organochlorines (OCs) such as organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were measured in adipose tissue collected from 14 male hippopotami at Mfuwe in the southern part of the Luangwa National Park, Zambia. The samples contained low levels of OCs, and the concentrations of OCs were comparable to or lower than reported for wild herbivores studied in other parts of the world.

A survey conducted in five villages in a resource-poor farming community in Qwa-Qwa, using the rapid rural appraisal technique and a questionnaire survey, showed that a significant proportion of the farmers (84 %) use traditional or alternative methods to control ectoparasites, while 16 % use commercial acaricides (c2 = 7.1; P < 0.05). Alternative control methods included the use of used engine oil, household disinfectant and paraffin. Killing of ticks was the main reason for control (40 %), with disease control being second (20 %). Other reasons given for controlling ticks were to prevent damage to teats, to provide animals with a clean appearance and to protect hides. Some 40 % of farmers were aware of the effects of ticks on their animals. There is a need for farmer education that will provide information on integrated tick management and its advantages over absolute reliance on commercial acaricides.