OBJECTIVE To identify whether age, sex, or breed is associated with crown height of the left and right maxillary first molar tooth (M1) measured on CT images, to develop a mathematical model to determine age of horses by use of M1 crown height, and to determine the correlation between M1 crown height measured on radiographic and CT images. SAMPLE CT (n = 735) and radiographic images (35) of the heads of horses. PROCEDURES Crown height of left and right M1 was digitally measured on axial CT views. Height was measured on a lateral radiographic image when available. Linear regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with crown height. Half the data set was subsequently used to generate a regression model to predict age on the basis of M1 crown height, and the other half was used to validate accuracy of the predictions. RESULTS M1 crown height decreased with increasing age, but the rate of decrease slowed with increasing age. Height also differed by sex and breed. The model most accurately reflected age of horses < 10 years old, although age was overestimated by a mean of 0.1 years. The correlation between radiographic and CT crown height of M1 was 0.91; the mean for radiographic measurements was 2.5 mm greater than for CT measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE M1 crown height can be used to predict age of horses. Results for CT images correlated well with those for radiographic images. Studies are needed to develop a comparable model with results for radiographic images.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the major trans-boundary animal diseases in East Africa causing economic loss to farmers and other stakeholders in the livestock industry. Foot-and-mouth disease occurs widely in both Uganda and Tanzania with annual outbreaks recorded. With the recent introduction of the Progressive Control Pathway for FMD control (PCP-FMD) in eastern Africa, knowledge of the spatial and temporal distribution of FMD at the border area between Uganda and Tanzania is helpful in framing engagement with the initial stages of the PCP. Retrospective data collected between 2011 and 2016 from four districts located along the border areas of Uganda and Tanzania, recorded 23 and 59 FMD outbreaks, respectively, for the entire study period. Analysis showed that 46% of the 82 recorded outbreaks occurred in 20% of sub-counties and wards immediately neighbouring the Uganda–Tanzania border and 69.5% of the outbreaks occurred during the dry months. While the serotypes of the FMD virus responsible for most outbreaks reported in this region were not known, previous research reported South African Territory (SAT) 1, SAT 2 and O to be the serotypes in circulation. The results from this study provide evidence of the endemic status of FMD on the Uganda–Tanzania border and emphasise that the border area should be given due consideration during FMD control drives and that cross-border coordination should be prioritised. With the limited data on circulating serotypes in this area, there is a need for more vigilance on FMD case detection, laboratory diagnostic confirmation and provision of more complete documentation of outbreaks. This work further recommends more studies on cross-border livestock movement coupled with phylogenetics in order to understand the spread of the FMD in the border area.

This study was carried out on twelve Holstein dairy cows. Five cows were clinically healthy and considered as control; three cows with left displacement of abomasum (LDA) and four cows with right displacement of abomasum (LDA). Diagnosis of DA based on clinical examinations and confirmed by ultrasonography. The Hb, PCV%, total leucocytic count, neutrophils and abomasal fluid pH were significantly increased (P<0.05) in RDA compared to control. Serum biochemical analysis showed significant reductions of sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium in LDA and RDA and significant increases (P < 0.05) in glucose and total proteins in RDA compared to the control. Moreover, there were significant increases (P<0.001) in ALT, AST, LDH, CPK, urea and creatinine in LDA and RDA compared to control. In conclusion, abomasal displacement produces alterations in the clinical, hematological and biochemical picture compared to control healthy cow and these alterations may vary according to the type of displacement

Anthrax, a neglected zoonotic disease that is transmitted by a spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, has reached endemic proportions in the Western Province of Zambia. Transmission of anthrax from the environment as well as between cattle has been observed to be partly because of entrenched beliefs, perceptions and traditional practices among cattle farmers in the known outbreak areas. This study was aimed at exploring lay perceptions, beliefs and practices that influence anthrax transmission in cattle of the Western Province. A mixed-methods study was conducted from August to December 2015. Quantitative data were collected using a cross-sectional survey. Qualitative data were generated by interviewing professional staff and community members. Five focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis of interview data was performed using NVivo software. The findings suggested that cattle anthrax was biologically as well as culturally maintained. Cattle farmers were reluctant to have their livestock vaccinated against anthrax because of perceived low efficacy of the vaccine. Also, the cattle farmers did not trust professional staff and their technical interventions. Popular cultural practices that involved exchange of animals between herds contributed to uncontrolled cattle movements between herds and subsequent transmission of anthrax. These findings imply the need for professional staff to be culturally competent in handling socio-cultural issues that are known to be barriers for disease control in animals. There is a need to develop a policy framework that will foster integrated control of anthrax across disciplines.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and non-O157 are food-borne pathogens and contaminants of foods of animal origin. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of virulence and integrase genes in STEC isolates from diarrhoeic calves in Fars Province, Iran. Five hundred and forty diarrheic neonatal calves were randomly selected for sampling. Rectal swabs were collected and cultured for isolation and identification of E. coli following standard methods. The isolates were analysed for the presence of class 1 integrons and bacterial virulence factors using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of 540 diarrhoeic faecal samples, 312 (57.7%) harboured E. coli and 71 (22.7%) of them were identified as STEC: 41(69.5%) carried the stx2 gene, 21 (35.6%) carried the stx1 gene and 3 (5%) carried both. Twenty-six (44%) of the isolates showed the eaegene. Among the STEC isolates examined for susceptibility to eight antimicrobial agents, erythromycin and penicillin (96.8%) resistance were most commonly observed, followed by resistances to ampicillin (71.8%), tetracycline (62.5%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (39%). Integrons were detected by PCR in 36% of the STEC tested isolates, 57 (89%) of which showed resistance to at least three antimicrobial agents. Our findings should raise awareness about antibiotic resistance in diarrhoeic calves in Fars Province, Iran. Class 1 integrons facilitate the emergence and dissemination of multidrug-resistance (MDR) among STEC strains recovered from food animals.

The present study was conducted to study the immunomodulatory effect of combined of extract of propionobacterium and E.coli lipopolysaccharide (inmunair 17.5) to enhance the immune response of rabbits to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) vaccine. Forty New Zealand rabbits aged 2 months with average weight 1.5-2 kgs were divided into 4 equal groups. Group (1) was vaccinated with RHDV vaccine and the immunomodulator, group (2) was only vaccinated with RHDV vaccine, group (3) was received the immunomodulator only and the last group was kept as non-vaccinated, no-treated control. The results revealed that three days oral administration of the immunomodulator under test at time of RHDV vaccination had an improving effect on both humoral and cell mediated immune response of rabbits to RHDV vaccine. Results obtained by challenge test come in harmony with serological test

Bovine tuberculosis; caused by Mycobacterium bovis,is a zoonotic diseasecausing approximately 6% of total human deaths. Its economic losses are not only a reduction of 10-20% in milk production and weight, but also infertility and condemnation of meat.Many serological tests are applied for detection of tuberculosis. ELISA test has the highest sensitivity and specificity than the other serological tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Several forms of new technology were brought into the diagnostic approach to mycobacterial infection. The aim of this work was to detect bovine tuberculosis by application of different serological tests. Tuberculin skin test was applied on 2650 cattle, only 63(2.4%) were positive. Forty eight (76.2%) of the slaughtered positive animals showed visible lesions (VL) while the other 15 (23.8%) had non-visible lesions (NVL). The bacteriological examination of the 63 samples revealed isolation ofM. bovis from 47 processed samples (74.6%). The results of the immunoassay test have detected 27 out of the tuberculin positive cattle, while the ELISA has detected 34 out of the positive reactor cattle. It was concluded that immunoassay and ELISA tests act as complementary tests for tuberculin skin test especially in anergic cattle.

A total of (120) sample of ready to eat (RTE) meat;(20) each of cooked luncheon, frankfurter, hot dog, pasterma, shawrma and smoked luncheon were collected from different shops and grocery stores in Beni-Suef City. To be examined for their microbial load for aerobic plate count (APC), most probable number (MPN) of coliforms, fecal coliforms and E.coli as well as Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci were enumerated. Additionally E.coli, salmonella and Listeria were isolated and identified biochemically. Aerobic plate count (APC) had the highest mean value in shawerma (1×107 ± 5×106CFU/g), shawerma also showed the highest most probable number (MPN) of coliforms and fecal coliforms (11 and 6 CFU/g) mean while pasterma was the highest contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (3×104 CFU/g) and the highest count of enterococci was detected in hot dog (3×105 CFU/g). On the other hand each of E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria species were failed to be detected in any of the examined samples. The public health significance as well as the recommendations to produce safe and high quality ready to eat (RTE) meat products were mentioned.

A total of 1317 samples were collected; 1164 serum samples, 122 milk samples, 24 lymph nodes and 7 aborted foeti from buffaloes in 10 Governorates from farms and villages in Upper Egypt. The serological tests used for the diagnosis of brucellosis on blood sera were the Rose Bengal plate (RBT) , Buffered acidified plate antigentest (BABAT), EDTA modifiedstandard tube agglutination test (MSAT), Revanol test (RT). On the other hand, the milk ring test (MRT) was performed on buffalo-cow's milk. Suspected colonies were stained with Gram, s stain and Modified ZeilNeelson stain. The isolated Brucella organisms on antibiotic free Brucella agar medium were subjected to the following tests for biochemical identification tests as CO2requirement, H2S production, Urease activity, growth in the presence of dyes,The indirect solid phase ELISA technique was carried out according to serum and milk samples.Agar gel immune diffusion test (AGID) and PCR applied on isolated Brucella strains. The results of the serological tests wereRose Bengal test 34.7%, BAPA (37%), Revanol test (28.2%),modified SAT (23.7%), indirect ELISAwere (32.3%) and AGPT (33.8%)in this study.Brucellaorganisms from lymph nodes of slaughtered buffaloes by culturing method showed that 3 (13.64%) isolates(2) of B. melitensisbiovar 3 and (1)B. abortusbiovar1. The isolated strain from aborted foeti was one isolate (14.29%) typed as B.melitensisbiovar 3. isolated only from Beni-Suef.By milk ring test (MRT) milk samples were 10 (8.20%) of B. melitensis biotype 3. A multiplex was format that will allow the rapid identification of Brucella spp., B. abortus, and B.melitensis in a single test within 2 to 3 h. B. melitensis was identified at 731bp and B. abortus identified at 498bp. Finally, we made measures of the control program for eradication of brucellosis in buffaloes by a reasonable system of compensation, Veterinarians for field work and state laboratories capable of serological techniques.Also, information technology solutions and further logistic means as animal identification techniques are in any governorates in Egypt.

The present study aimed to ellucidate the prenatal developmental stages of the submandibular salivary gland of the New-Zealand rabbits. To conduct that, twenty New-Zealand rabbit fetuses ranged from 11 to 30 days-old were used. The head region of fetuses and gland specimens were fixed, processed and stained with histological stains to be examined by light microscope. The submandibular primordia was firstly seen at the 12th day of the prenatal life as bilateral invaginated epithelial buds from the linguo-gingival groove. At 15 days-old , such buds continued deep down growth forming cord-like structure ended by compact bulges that forming the future primitive acini. At 17 days, such cords were branched off forming the future primary ducts. Canalization of the ducts appeared at 18 days. At 22 days, the primitive capsule initiated around the gland and the lobulation was recognized. At 25 days, the capsule became well developed, the duct system was completed and the parenchyma occupied by serous adenomeres surrounded by myoepithelial cells. At the full term, the submandibular gland became fully developed and became typically compound tubulo-acinar nature, the parenchyma showed seromucoidadenomeres. Strong positive PAS reaction was noticed in the striated ducts, while the cytoplasm of the acinar cells reacted weakly