The present study was carried out for studying the prevalence of equine herpes virus-1 infection among equines in different Governorates of Egypt. One hundred eighty two equines of different ages, sexes, localities and breeds showing signs of fever, respiratory manifestations, abortions, ataxia, dog sitting position, limb edema, foal depression and death were examined for the isolation of EHV-1 on both embryonated chicken eggs and baby hamster kidney (BHK) cell culture, the aborted fetuses were histologically examined for the detection of inclusion bodies. Serum samples were collected to detect immunoglobulin-G specific to EHV-1 by using ELISA. Nasopharyngeal swabs isolated virus and the aborted fetal tissues were tested by PCR using specific primers to prove the infection with EHV-1. The prevalence of EHV-1 infection in the examined animals was recorded as 4.94%. It was prevalent in Cairo, Giza, Kafr Elsheikh, Monofeia, El Sharkia Governorates. The EHV-1 was isolated on the embryo chicken eggs and the pock lesion was appeared on the chorio-allantoic membranes. The cytopathic effects were also observed in tissue cultures. The Liver of aborted fetuses showed necrosis of all hepatic tissue and activation of Kupffer cells with hemosiderin and the detection of eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies. Indirect ELISA could detect IgG in all infected equines (n=9) from which EHV-1 isolated. PCR proved the infection with EHV-1 in the aborted fetal (n=3) tissues and gave similar results by using the horses nasopharyngeal swabs isolated virus where 489 bp PCR products were detected in both. In conclusion, EHV-1 is prevalent in different Governorates in Egypt. EHV-1 infection could be diagnosed by intranuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies in the aborted fetal tissues. The indirect ELISA could diagnose EHV-1 infection in all ages and sexes groups. PCR applied on aborted fetal tissues is better for the diagnosis of EHV-1 infection than that based on the horse nasopharyngeal swabs isolated virus due to saving time and money.

Forty samples of crustaceans, 20 shrimp (local, imported, peeled and nonpeeled) and 20 local chilled samples were collected from Beni-Suef markets. Samples were evaluated by physiochemical deteriorative criteria (pH, TVBN) and bacteriological quality including APC at 35°C (mesophils), APC at 7°C (psycrotrophs), coliforms (MPN), fecal coliform (MPN), E. coli (MPN), S.aureus count and isolation and identification of specific pathogens (E. coli, and S. aurerus). All fresh and frozen seafood samples were judged as safe food from the microbiological point of view. The total mesophillic, psychrotrophic and S. aureus of all examined seafood samples lied within the standard permissible limits.

The present study was carried out on 22 cows suffering from ruminal impaction with plastic materials as foreign bodies and ten apparently healthy cows as a control group. Clinical examination included clinical signs, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate and ruminal motility were recorded prior to treatment. Hematological parameters such as hemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), erythrocyte count (RBCs), total leucocytes (WBCs) count and the glutaraldehyde test were performed. Ruminal fluid was evaluated for pH and the methylene blue reduction time (MBRT). The mean pH of rumen fluid, MBRT, total leucocytes count, and PCV were increased significantly (P<0.05). Rumen motility was significantly reduced (P<0.05) preoperative in the animals suffering from rumen impaction, but the mean value of pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature, glutaraldehyde test, haemoglobin and total erythrocyte count were non-significantly changed. On the 5th postoperative day the clinical and the laboratory parameters in the study group had largely become normalized. Six months after the procedure, 18 (81.9%) cows showed complete recovery and 4 (18.9%) animals were slaughtered within 3 months following surgery. This study concluded that the clinical and laboratory findings might be of diagnostic importance. Rumen impaction with plastic materials should be differentiated from anorexia, emaciation, ruminal hypomotility, tympany and dehydration in cows. The surgical removal of foreign body demonstrated positive effects on animal health.

Female genital tracts of six to eight years Baladi cows (n=30) were collected from Belevia abattoir of Beni-Suef province during the period from March 2016 to May 2016 to investigate ovarian abnormalities and uterine changes in cattle based on histopathology. Prevalence rates of granulosa cell tumors were 26.67% and 38.89% in right and left ovaries, respectively. Follicular cysts could be detected in both ovaries with percentages of 50.0% and 44.44%, respectively. The most predominant pathological lesions in ovarian medulla were hyalinosis of blood vessels and mononuclear cell infiltration. The main uterine pathological alterations were endometritis associated with degenerative changes and necrosis in the endometrial linings in most cases (n=25), endometriosis (n=13). Variable degrees of congestion from moderate (n=25) to highly congested (n=5) were elucidated. Perivascular cuffing (n=2) and perivascular fibrosis (n=3) of uterine blood vessels could be detected. Immunohistochemically, granulosa cell tumors were positive to vimentin and negative to inhibin.

Parasitic helminths of pigeons and turkeys are worldwide spread causing mortalities and considerable economic losses. Accordingly, intestinal tracts of omestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and domestic turkeys (Meleagris allopavo) were examined in Beni-Suef province, Egypt to detect their helminth fauna. A total of 740 intestinal samples from pigeons and 100 from turkeys were investigated during the period from June 2015 to May 2016. The overall prevalence of recovered helminths was 11.76% (87/740) in pigeons. The recovered species were identified as two trematodes, 5 cestodes and 4 nematodes. Digeneans were Brachylaima cribbi (1/740; 0.14%) and unidentified Brachylaima sp. (0.14%). Cestodal species were identified as Raillietina echinobothrida (33/740; 4.46%), Raillietina cesticillus (7/740; 0.95%), Raillietina tetragona (7/740; 0.95%), Cotugnia digonopora (5/740; 0.68%) and Hymenolepis carioca (2/740; 0.27%). Among cestodes, R. echinobothrida was the most predominant one. Recovered nematodal species were Ascaridia columbae (22/740; 3%), Subulura brumpti (6/740; 0.81%), Heterakis gallinarum (3/740; 0.41%) and Capillaria spp. (2/740; 0.27%). Ascaridia dissimilis was the only helminth species detected in turkeys (6/100; 6%). The highest prevalence of infection was seen in winter and summer. Tapeworms and round worms were highly prevalent at the summer. The recorded trematodal infection was found in winter. To the best of author's knowledge, adult Brachylaima spp. was first recorded from pigeons in Egypt. Veterinarians and workers of poultry industry must be aware towards the potential role of arthropods as vectors of such helminths among both domestic and wild birds.

Antimicrobial resistant Salmonella are among the leading causes of foodborne infections. Our aim was to determine Salmonella contamination during cattle slaughter in South African rural abattoirs (n = 23) and environmental samples. Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance patterns of the Salmonella isolates were determined. Samples of cattle faeces (n = 400), carcass sponges (n = 100), intestinal contents (n = 62), hides (n = 67), and water from the abattoirs (n = 75) were investigated for Salmonella species using microbiological techniques and species-specific polymerase chain reaction targeting the invA gene. In total 92 Salmonella species isolates were recovered. The Salmonella mean frequency of occurrence on hides, carcasses, and intestinal contents was 35.37% (n = 81). Eleven faecal samples (2.75%) tested positive for Salmonella. The predominant serovar was Salmonella Enteritidis. Diverse serovars that were identified on carcasses were not necessarily found on the hides and intestinal contents. The inconsistent occurrence of the diverse Salmonella serovars on hides, carcasses, and intestinal contents implies that in addition to carriage on hides and in intestinal contents, other external factors also play an important role regarding carcass contamination. The 92 Salmonella were serotyped and tested for susceptibility towards the following antimicrobials: ampicillin, cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, kanamycin, and oxytetracycline using the disk diffusion method. Most Salmonella (n = 66; 71.7%) isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial with highest resistance observed towards oxytetracycline (51.90%), which highlights the need for strict hygiene during slaughter and prudent antimicrobial use during animal production. In conclusion, cattle slaughtered in South African rural abattoirs harbour diverse Salmonella serovars that are resistant to antimicrobials, which could be a public health risk. The findings should assist policymakers with improving implementation of hygienic slaughter of cattle in rural abattoirs, which is paramount from socioeconomic, public health, and epidemiological standpoints. Keywords: Salmonella; Cattle; Rural abattoirs; slaughter; Multidrug resistance; Environmental samples

The nematode, Haemonchus contortus, is responsible for major economic losses in the livestock industry. The management of parasites such as H. contortus has been through the use of synthetic parasiticides. This has resulted in the presence of residues in meat and milk, which affects food safety. The development of resistance to available anthelmintics coupled with their high cost has further complicated matters. This has led to the investigation of alternative methods to manage nematodes, including the use of plants and plant extracts as a potential source of novel anthelmintics. Acetone extracts were prepared from 15 South African plant species and their anthelmintic activity determined using the egg hatch assay (EHA). The leaf extract of Cleome gynandra had the best inhibitory activity (68% ± 3%) at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL, followed by the stem extract of Maerua angolensis (65% ± 5%). The extracts had a relatively low toxicity on Vero cells determined by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cellular assay.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Ca soap of palm oil fatty acids (CSFA), as a protected fat, on milk composition and the performance of both ewes and lambs. Thirty-three crossbred ewes aged 2-3 years and weighed 41-44 kg were allocated in three unequal groups for A, B &C (10, 12 &11 ewes, respectively). Group A was fed a diet free from protected fat and kept as a control. Group B was fed a diet containing 4 % fat and group C was given a diet containing 8 % fat. The ewes were in the last month of pregnancy and the experiment extended till the end of late lactation (4.5 months). Milk composition was tested, and body change in ewes and nursing lambs was traced. Moreover, the effect of fat addition on dry matter intake of ewes was analyzed. Results revealed a decrease in dry matter intake in the late gestation and an increase in early lactation, with no significant differences in the late lactation. The effect followed the amount of fat added. There was no effect on ewe’s body weight change or lamb’s growth rate from birth to weaning. On milk composition, there was an increase in fat %, higher in group B and total solids%, while percentage of protein was decreased. Concerning fat supplementation, no effect on lactose, urea milk nitrogen, and somatic cell counts was detected. There was a decreased level of solids-not-fat in group B, while group C showed no detectable alterations. In conclusion CSFA supplementation was effective to increase the fat % and yield in milk of sheep especially at the rate of 4% of addition.

Secreted proteins are reported to induce cell-mediated immunity characterised by the production of interferon-gamma (IFN)-γ. In this study three open reading frames (ORFs) (Erum8060, Erum7760, Erum5000) encoding secreted proteins were selected from the Ehrlichia ruminantium (Welgevonden) genome sequence using bioinformatics tools to determine whether they induce a cellular immune response in vitro with mononuclear cells from needle and tick infected animals. The whole recombinant protein of the three ORFs as well as four adjacent fragments of the Erum5000 protein (Erum5000A, Erum5000B, Erum5000C, Erum5000D) were successfully expressed in a bacterial expression system which was confirmed by immunoblots using anti-His antibodies and sheep sera. These recombinant proteins were assayed with immune sheep and cattle peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), spleen and lymph node (LN) cells to determine whether they induce recall cellular immune responses in vitro. Significant proliferative responses and IFN-γ production were evident for all recombinant proteins, especially Erum5000A, in both ruminant species tested. Thus overlapping peptides spanning Erum5000A were synthesised and peptides that induce proliferation of memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and production of IFN-γ were identified. These results illustrate that a Th1 type immune response was elicited and these recombinant proteins and peptides may therefore be promising candidates for development of a heartwater vaccine.