There are at least six Lyssavirus species that have been isolated in Africa, which include classical rabies virus, Lagos bat virus, Mokola virus, Duvenhage virus, Shimoni bat virus and Ikoma lyssavirus. In this retrospective study, an analysis of the antigenic reactivity patterns of lyssaviruses in South Africa against a panel of 15 anti-nucleoprotein monoclonal antibodies was undertaken. A total of 624 brain specimens, collected between 2005 and 2009, confirmed as containing lyssavirus antigen by direct fluorescent antibody test, were subjected to antigenic differentiation. The lyssaviruses were differentiated into two species, namely rabies virus (99.5%) and Mokola virus (0.5%). Furthermore, rabies virus was further delineated into two common rabies biotypes in South Africa: canid and mongoose. Initially, it was found that the canid rabies biotype had two reactivity patterns; differential staining was observed with just one monoclonal antibody. This difference was likely to have been an artefact related to sample quality, as passage in cell culture restored staining. Mongoose rabies viruses were more heterogeneous, with seven antigenic reactivity patterns detected. Although Mokola viruses were identified in this study, prevalence and reservoir host species are yet to be established. These data demonstrate the usefulness of monoclonal antibody typing panels in lyssavirus surveillance with reference to emergence of new species or spread of rabies biotypes to new geographic zones.

This study describes the isolation, serotyping and genotyping of 54 infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) cases predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal and compared to several isolates from other South African provinces between 2011 and 2012 and several historic isolates. The results indicate the division of isolates into two different genotypes of IBV within the province, Massachusetts (Mass)-like and QX-like. The IBV Mass-like genotype was the most prevalent and was detected in 79% of the full spike protein S1 gene sequences. Variation up to 22.3% was detected within local Mass-type strains, supporting the hypothesis that multiple IBV serotypes may co-circulate in the same region simultaneously. Additionally, more conservation was observed amongst Mass serotypes versus QX-like serotypes, implying that vaccine use can influence the variability within the IBV population; this is deduced from the fact that the only live vaccine registered for use in South Africa at the time of the study was of Mass origin and no QX-like vaccines were available for use. This study offers the first published consolidation of IBV isolates from an area of South Africa and identifies variation within the IBV population of the broiler flock within the study area over a 2-year period.

Haemoparasite infections are among the most economically important cattle diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study investigated the occurrence of haemoparasites in 295 indigenous cattle from five villages (Mswakini, Lake Manyara, Naitolia, Makuyuni and Nanja) of the Monduli district, a wildlife-domestic animal-human interface area in northern Tanzania. The data showed that the overall occurrence of haemoparasites in the sampled cattle was 12.5% (95% CI: 8.7% – 16.3%), involving single and mixed infections with Theileria parva, Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, Trypanosoma vivax and Trypanosoma brucei. The highest haemoparasite occurrence was recorded in Lake Manyara (18.3%; 95% CI: 8.5% – 28.1%), and the lowest was recorded in Nanja (6.5%; 95% CI: 0.4% – 12.6%). This preliminary study, furthermore, provided evidence of the possible arthropod vectors (ticks and tsetse flies) that may be involved in the transmission of haemoparasites to cattle in the Monduli district. It is envisaged that this survey will stimulate more studies to determine the prevalence of haemoparasites in livestock by using more sensitive molecular techniques.

A 4-year-old Rahmani breed ewe was presented for surgery to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, South Valley University, Egypt with enlargement and protrusion of the eye ball, blepharitis and congestion of the conjunctiva. On examination, a cyst 2.5 cm x 3.5 cm in diameter containing sandy fluid was detected in the perioptic nerve fat. Histopathological examination revealed that the epithelial lining of the conjunctiva was necrotic and severely infiltrated by neutrophils. The underlying connective tissue was oedematous, hyperaemic and severely infiltrated by neutrophils. Desquamation of the corneal epithelium was seen, together with oedema of the stroma. The tissue surrounding the cyst was compressed and the lacrimal glands revealed pressure atrophy. The muscular tissue was atrophied and infiltrated by fat cells. The cyst wall was lined with white scolices protruding from the inner wall. Based on the gross and histopathological characteristics of the cyst observed, the cyst was diagnosed as Coenurus cerebralis. This is the first report of orbital coenurosis in a sheep.

The present research was carried out with an objective to improve the diagnostic tools for detection of antibodies against Trypanosoma evansi infection using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sheep. In this study standardized the Indirect ELISA for detection of T. evansi in sheep. The optimum concentration of antigen, test sera and conjugate were determined as 5µg per well, 1:10 and 1: 4000 dilutions, respectively. 464 serum samples were collected from sheep in different parts of the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh for screening of T. evansi infection. Out of 464 serum samples 46 (9.91%) were found positive by indirect ELISA.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Chinese propolis dietary supplementations on serum total calcium, phosphorus, albumin, globulin and total protein of broilers exposed to chronic heat stress. Whereas heat stressed broilers fed with basal diets (controls) and supplemented with Propolis (250 mg/kg/day) or with Propolis (500 mg/kg/day) or with Propolis (750 mg/kg/day) were exposed to 38.0±1.4°C. Serum biochemical markers, serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), albumin, globulin and total protein were assessed at the end of the experimental period. Serum concentrations of total proteins, albumin, globulins, calcium, phosphorus, were not significantly altered compared to the controls. Dietary supplementations of low dose of propolis not significantly increase the serum total protein concentration, total globulin, Ca: P ratio and serum calcium concentration, while, reduced the serum phosphorus level and the albumin: globulin ratio. But, the higher doses had a conversely effect.

The highly pathogenic H5N1 is a major avian pathogen that intensively affects the poultry industry in Egypt, even in spite of the adoption of vaccination strategy. The virus is currently panzootic in Egyptian poultry populations and crosses species barriers to humans and animals. In February 2014, 15 horses at El-Fath center, Assiut, Egypt, started to show mild fever, dullness, restlessness, slight nasal discharge and cough. Two weeks later one of these horses died and another one became recumbent. This was associated with the spread of avian influenza cases in the backyard birds in the same area. Serum samples were collected from the diseased horses and from birds in the same area and examined by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay for detection of viral antibodies. At the same time, nasal swabs from horses and tracheal swabs from birds collected and examined by rapid antigen detection and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for detection of the virus. Serum samples of horses showed positive titer with HI in 13 out of the 14 diseased horses and the highest titer was 6-log2 in the recumbent one. Meanwhile, the result of HI for birds serum samples (450) were negative for 425 samples, which indicate absence of previous vaccination or infection, while the remaining 25 samples were from balady chickens showing HI titer 6-log2±0. 84 and those birds were previously vaccinated 4 weeks before collecting the serum. Avian influenza H5N1 virus could not be detected by using rapid antigen detection strips in the nasal swabs taken from the diseased horses, but could be detected in birds in 102/150 with antigen capture immune-assay (AC-EIA) common antigen type A, 95/150 with (AC-EIA) H5, 0/150 with (AC-EIA) H7 and 0/150 with (AC-EIA) H9 of examined samples. By qRT-PCR, H5N1 virus could be detected only in the nasal swab of the recumbent horse, and in 138/150 tracheal bird swab. In conclusion, Assiut city in Egypt is a disease endemic area where the probability of intimate contact between infected backyard birds and horses is high. Therefore, the disease may be transmitted to these horses from aerosol exposure of infected birds' droppings or contaminated feeds and water or because of direct contact with infected birds. However, the moderate severity of the H5N1 in equine may be responsible for the recovery of most of the diseased horses without further complications.

Kikuyu poisoning occurs sporadically in South Africa. It is of major economic importance, as valuable dairy cows are often poisoned by it, and once affected, the mortality rate is high. Pennisetum clandestinum samples were collected during eight outbreaks of kikuyu poisoning in cattle in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa from 2008 to 2010. The kikuyu grass samples were submitted specifically for the isolation and molecular identification of Fusarium species, as it was recently suggested that mycotoxins synthesised by Fusarium torulosum could be the cause of this intoxication. Ninety-four Fusarium isolates were retrieved from the grass samples, of which 72 were members of the Fusarium incarnatum/Fusarium equiseti species complex based on morphology and phylogenetic analyses of the translation elongation factor 1α sequence data. The South African isolates from kikuyu identified as members of the F. incarnatum/F. equiseti species complex grouped together in six separate clades. The other isolates were Fusarium culmorum (n = 3), Fusarium redolens (n = 4) and Fusarium oxysporum (n = 15). Although F. torulosum could not be isolated from P. clandestinum collected during kikuyu poisoning outbreaks in South Africa, the mycotoxicosis theory is still highly plausible.

Liver is involved in several vital functions such as synthesis, secretion, storage, metabolism of plasma proteins, detoxification of ammonia to urea. Digestion of liver tissue with collagenase to separate hepatocytes was done by non perfusion technique. The activity of enzyme Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) as a marker for assessing the integrity of cell membrane, concentration of albumin, urea and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in the supernatant of hepatocyte culture were used as markers of functionality of hepatocytes. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of thermal stress on caprine hepatocytes culture on all the above mentioned parameters at different time intervals. At first, caprine hepatocyte culture was optimized at 37°C. After optimization, the hepatocytes culture was subjected to three different temperatures i.e. 37°C, 40°C and 42°C in different CO2 incubators under controlled humidified conditions. The culture was performed in 6 well plastic culture dishes. Supernatant was harvested at 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively from the hepatocyte cultured plates for estimation of the different mentioned parameters. It was observed that LDH activity at 37°C was greater at 48 hours and decreased by 72 hours of culture, when hepatocytes culture incubated at 40 and 42°C, activity of LDH temporally increased significantly (P<0.01) by 48 hours and was maintained till 72 hours, there was a significant increase in the concentration of albumin (P<0.01) and urea (P<0.05) at 72 hours of incubation at 37°C, whereas at 40°C and 42°C decrease in the secretion of urea and albumin was observed. Least Square Mean concentration of hepatocytes TGF-β was significantly greater (P<0.01) at 42°C when compared with LSM value at 37°C.The net effect observed was that when caprine hepatocytes were subjected to hyperthermic conditions, the function of hepatocytes decreased and TGF β secretion was significantly greater at 40°C and 42°C, indicating that caprine hepatocytes suffered from thermal stress over a period of 48-72 hours of incubation at temperatures higher than 37oC. It was also reflected by the significant decrease in the viability the cells at 42°C post 48 hours of incubation.

Two dogs were presented with history of regurgitation. Both dogs were diagnosed with focal myasthenia gravis (FMG). Thoracic radiography was consisted with megaesophagus. Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) antibody titer was positive. Both dogs were treated with pyridostigmine bromide as sole treatment. One case rapidly resolved with the recovery of the esophagus, while the other case even the AChRs antibody titer was normalized after 60 days but the clinical remission was occurred after long time. This report suggested that clinical signs of FMG were resolved, but we can’t predict the time required, additionally, pyridostigmine bromide might be effective for palliation of symptoms.