The effect of diethyl aminoethyl (DEAE) dextran on the infectivity titre of sheep pox virus (SPV) was studied with different concentrations (25, 50, 75, 100 μg/ml) of DEAE-dextran on Vero cell culture. It was found that 25 and 50μg/ml were not toxic. The same concentrations were used with sheep pox virus inoculum showing that the best virus titre (106.3 TCID50/ml) reached with the use of 25μg/ml DEAE-dextran after 10 passages. The enhanced viral fluid was tested in-vivo, by vaccination of susceptible lambs and challenge of them with the virulent sheep pox virus. These lambs showed complete protection against the disease. The SP neutralizing antibody indices (NI) were estimated in the collected serum samples post vaccination and challenge; confirmed that 25μg of DEAE-dextran/ml virus-inoculum induced an increase in neutralizing antibodies in comparison with those induced by currently used sheep pox vaccine.

Freshwater snails collected from ditch like ponds near the River Nile in Beni-Suef Governorate during three climatically differed periods. Lymnaea cailliaudi, Biomphalaria alexandarina, Bulinus truncatus, Lanistes carinatus, Cleopatra bulimoids,Physa acuta, Viviparus viviparus, Melania tuberclata and Bivalves species were included. The total number of collected snails in December 2008, March 2009 and July 2009 were 1321, 1370 and 1211 respectively, with larger number in March than in July or December due to optimal climatic conditions in Marsh for most of collected snails. The recorded survival longevity in the laboratory was more than 90 days for Lymnaea cailliaudi, two months for Lanistes carinatus, while in Melania tuberclata, was about three weeks but only two to three days for Bivalves. Cercariae shedding observed from Lymnaea, Lanistes and Biomphalaria species beside stylet cecariae from Lymnaea and Lanistes snails, also rediae and sporocysts were found in crushed snails in all periods of collections with little difference between these periods, about 14% of crushed Lymnaea were containing rediae. Aquatic insects and their larvae were found especially water bug Sphaerodema sp. found predating snails or their eggs, also the mature insect still alive in the breeding container all over the period of the experiment more than three months. Culex larvae attacked egg masses of the snails, estacosa predated the snails while Telapia nilotica fishes showed low affinity to predate such snails. The oleo-gum resin Myrrh (Commiphora molmol) in the concentration of 0. 5gm/1 litre water killed 90 % of the exposed snails after 72 hours.

This study was carried out to determine the immunomodulating effect of β-glucans and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) on the immune response of chickens to Newcastle disease vaccine. The results showed that birds received β-glucans and MOS having higher average body weights values and significantly higher ND HI antibody titer than the other non medicated groups. Thymus, spleen and bursal indices of control negative showed significantly lower values than vaccinated medicated and non-medicated groups. Both total and differential leukocytic and lymphocytic counts showed significantly higher in medicated group than other groups. Liver function test showed lower AST and ALT in medicated group than other groups. Results of challenge test with NDV confirmed that MOS and B glucans immunostimulant improved protection rate by 15% in medicated than non- medicated ones. In conclusion MOS and B glucans can be given to chicken to improve both body weight and protection against VV NDV challenge that predominated in Egypt.

Four groups of one-day-old SPF chicks were inoculated with the four IBV variants at 1 day old to study the virulence of these isolates. The results at 2 weeks post infection (PI) revealed that all isolates were able to induce serological resposne postinfection, respiratory distress and depression. 20% and 100% mortalities were recorded with isolates 4 and 23; respectively. Assessment of pathogenicity index and pathotyping (at the end of observation period “2wk-PI”), categorized the 4 tested isoaltes (4, 16,18, 23) into three isoaltes of high virulence (4, 18 and 23), and one isolate of intermediate virulence (16). About 50% reduction in body weight was recorded with the four IBV isolates 2 wk PI. Kidney lesions were nephritis-nephrosis with urate deposition in ureters, while microscopic lesions were associated with increase in the amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). Tracheal lesions recorded as increase the amount of mucin, while microscopic lesions were edema of mucosa and inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. The regime of administering the infectious bronchitis (IB) live commercial H120 vaccine at 1 day old SPF chicks, and the heterologous challenge with four variants (serotypes) at 4 weeks of age, was found to be poorly effective in protecting the respiratory tract of SPF chickens with protection percentages of 8.1%, 55%, 10.5% and 12.6% corresponding to field isolates of IBV 4, 16, 18 and 23; respectively. Protection was measured by assessing ciliary activity of the tracheal epithelium following challenge. It is suggested that the use of the live IB-H120 vaccine will not always broaden the protection against challenge with IB multiple serotypes isolated from Egypt. Therefore it is necessary to develop a new IB vaccines, either locally prepared or imported to overcome any new IB serotype that were emerged, through modifying vaccination strategies to make them appropriate to the field situation.

The haematochemical, histopathological and immunological studies were carried out on chicks experimentally infected with the low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) (A/Turkey/CA/209092/02) H5N2. Eighty SPF one day old chicks were serologically negative for specific antibodies against avian influenza virus. The birds were devided into 2 groups, birds in the 1st group were inoculated with the virus via the intraocular and intranasal routs, while the other group was kept as non-infected control. Five birds were sacrificed from both groups at 5, 7, 10, 15, and 21 days post inoculation. Sera and heparinized blood as well as tissue specimens from lung, liver, spleen, trachea, small intestine and bursa of Fabricius were collected. Estimation of haemagglutination inhibition antibodies response against AI, liver and kidney function tests, rate of proliferation of T-lymphocyte were conducted. The experimentally infected birds showed general signs of illness with 80% morbidity and 6 % mortality. There was an increase in aniline aminotransferase (ALT) and asparate aminotransferase (AST) enzymes which reflected liver damage. High urea and creatinine values were also detected in sera of infected birds which proved kidney dysfunction. There was no significant proliferation of T-lymphocyte among examined groups. Very low haemagglutinating inhibiting (HI) antibodies was detected in infected birds. Histopathological examination displayed conspicuous depletion and necrosis of the lymphocytic aggregation in the organs of the haemobiotic system (Bursa of Fabricius, spleen and thymus). Such finding may decipher the low sero-conversion as well as the unproliferation of T-lymphocyte. The necrobiotic changes in liver and kidney sections in addition to congestion and edema elucidate the increased parameters in their functions. Also, the epithelial hyperplasia of the tracheal mucosa and the sloughing in the lining mucosal epithelium are indicative for the epithelio-tropism of the AI virus.

A total of fifty liver sandwiches served by street vendors and restaurants with different hygienic practices (25 of each), were collected from Giza Governorate. The levels of lead and aluminium residues were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean values of lead residues in cooked liver sandwiches served by each of street vendors and restaurants were 1.68±0.51 and 0.73±0.2 mg/kg; respectively; as well as, it was constituted 6.2±2.1 and 4.3±1.1 mg/kg for aluminum residues, respectively. The levels of lead and aluminum residues in liver sandwiches served by street vendors were high as compared to that detected in restaurants. The sources of contamination with such elements (lead and aluminium) as well as the public health importance were discussed. The suggestive measures to avoid the contamination with such elements in cooked food were recommended.

The present study has been carried out to investigate the effect of three neurotransmitters (Glutamate, L-Arginine and GABA) on some aspects of the reproductive performance of mature male Albino rats. For this purpose, a total of 100 mature male Albino rats were used. Rats were divided into 4 comparable groups; the first consists of 10 rats, was left as control. The second was administered glutamate 10 mg/ kg, the third group was injected by L- Arginine 20 mg/ kg while the fourth was injected by GABA 1 mg / rat. The results showed that administration of glutamate was concomitant with increase in synthesis and release of pituitary LH causing increase in its serum level as well as decrease serum level of testosterone. On the other hand, prolonged L-Arginine administration led to remarkable elevation in both pituitary and serum LH and significant decrease of serum testosterone. While, GABA administration led to remarkable decrease in pituitary and serum LH with significant decrease in serum testosterone level.

Fowl and turkey pox viruses were analyzed for their heterogeneity on the basis of protein profile, western blotting, PCR analysis and restriction endonuclease analysis. On the protein level, only a single band with a WM of 115KDa was seen with turkey pox virus but not with the fowl strain, and a band reacted at 10KDa with Turkey but not fowl pox virus in western blotting analysis other protein profiles were nearly the similar. PCR amplification of the lateral terminal repeat (LTR) region of both viruses confirmed a single band migrating about 900 bp with both strains and restriction digestion proved the homology between both strains.

In 9 weeks field study, a total of 14100 (Ross broiler breeders) 51 weeks-old chickens fed on the same ration, placed in 2 houses (6600 female + 450 male / house). Birds of house 1 were treated with antimycotoxin adsorbent aluminum silicate (G-V-tox®) 5 kgm/ ton, while those of house 2 were kept as non treated controls. Productivity and reproductivety parameters were calculated for comparison. Treated flock showed improved average egg production (Average 62.2%/week) compared with non treated (Average 61.7%/week), but all still lower than farm stander (Average 76.4%/week). Marked improvement was in the 1st 3 weeks (51-53) of treatment only. Total 9 weeks production declined was 5.5% and 8.4% in control and silicate treated flock; with weekly average of 0.61, and 0.93; respectively. Control flock was slower in decline of production (0.61%/week) than treated flock (0.93%/week). Average weekly egg production and hatching eggs/ hen in treated flock was lower than standard and higher than non treated. Hatchery parameters of treated were improved in treated at the first 3 weeks post treatment. The fertility was higher in aluminum silicate treated group (77.2%), than the untreated one (72.19%). The hatchability was in silicate treated (63.66%) versus (62.25%) in the untreated control. Culls % in hatched chicks was 1.91% in treated flock and lower than in non treated (2.85%). Difference percentage between fertility and hatchability of G.V. tox treated chickens was (10.84%) higher than untreated control (16%). The number of marketable chicks l100 was also improved in treated than non treated. In conclusion, our field study cleared that administration of Silicate in ration for treatment of broiler breeders resulted in an improved production and hatchery performance as compared with non medicated control. However; it did not restore it to the farm stander. Consequently the results indicated that we still in need for more effective products to be used to control mycotoxins in breeder chicken.

A study was performed on fifty normal goats for radiographic (only 20 animals), and sonographic (the all 50 animals) investigations. Radiographic results revealed that, both kidneys had bean shaped and smooth contour. The right kidney position was constant due to its relation with the liver, while, the left kidney was mobile and its position varied according to the degree of fullness of the rumen due to its long mesentery. The sonographic results revealed the position, shape, dimensions and echogenicity of kidneys, by using 3.5/5.0 MHz curved transducer and 6.0/8.0 MHz linear transducer. The renal capsule was represented by a very fine echogenic lines around the kidney that couldn’t be distinguished from the peri-renal fat. The cortex was more echogenic than the medulla and had uniform finely granular hypoehoic pattern. The corticomedullary junction was slightly more echogenic than the cortex due to the presence of the arcuate arteries. The medulla was observed as hypoechoic area interrupted by bright echogenic lines representing the recesses and interlobular arteries that gave the appearance of typical medullary pyramids. The dimensions of the right kidney were 5.32 ± 0.12, 2.79 ± 0.07, 0.64 ± 0.01, 1.52 ± 0.03, 2.74 ± 0.09, 1.27 ± 0.06, 1.25 ± 0.05, and 1.72 ± 0.09; and the dimensions of the left kidney were 5.34 ± 0.12, 2.80 ± 0.07, 0.65 ± 0.01, 1.55 ± 0.03, 2.76 ± 0.09, 1.26 ± 0.06, 1.28 ± 0.05, and 1.73 ± 0.1, for the length, width, cortical thickness, medullary thickness, depth, diameter of renal sinus, diameter of renal parenchyma, and circumference of renal pyramids respectively.