This study was carried out to evaluate the immunomodulating effects of, inactivated cells of Propionibacterium acnes and cell wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of the a pathogenic E. coli (INMUNAIR® 17.5) 0.5ml/ L and 1-3, 1-6 β-glucans (BETAPOLO®) 1 ml / L on the immune response of chickens to Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine. The results showed that administration of IMR before vaccination was resulted in food conversion rate (FCR) higher than after vaccination . Significantly higher NDV HI antibody titers in IMR and Betapolo medicated groups as compared with control groups which in turn induce high protection rate in challenge test .Thymus, spleen and bursal indices of control negative showed significantly lower values than vaccinated medicated and non- vaccinatedmedicated groups (P≤ 0.05).

The sensory quality attributes of coated and uncoated beef burger patties formulated with texture soy granules or vegetables (peas and carrots) were studied in comparison to that of the control ones. Incorporation of textured soy granules significantly reduced the color, marbling, appearance, flavor, tenderness, juiciness, taste and overall acceptability in comparison with either control or vegetable extended burger. Addition of peas and carrots to uncoated burger significantly reduced the binding scores in raw samples, as well as flavor and juiciness in cooked samples, however, no significant differences could be observed in the other sensory attributes in both raw and cooked products. Vegetable extended burger had the highest cooking loss percent (20.14), followed by control samples (17.83), while soy extended product had the lowest value (15.82%). Application of batter and breading to vegetable extended burger significantly improved the investigated sensory parameters in comparison with the uncoated samples. On the other hand, application of batter and breading to soy extended burger revealed no improvement in the sensory quality attributes in both raw and cooked samples. Addition of soy granules and vegetables significantly increased the moisture, ash and carbohydrate and reduced the fat content of raw burger patties. Moreover the incorporation of textured soy significantly increased the protein content.

Broiler breeder Lohmann chickens aged 39 weeks received 3 doses each 0.2 ml of the inactivated oil emulsion AI- H9N2 vaccine, at the 2nd, 7th and 15th weeks of age by subcutaneous injection. The individual HI values of the tested samples were homogenous as their SD values were lower. All breeder and progeny sera were positive (100- 66.7%) at weeks 40- 46 weeks of age. Correlation between parents and progeny HI antibody levels was 0.95. Progeny/Parents HI antibodies percentage were ranged from 54.9 to 65.2%. Correlation between parents and progeny ELISA and HI antibody levels were 0.91 and 0.60- 0.65; respectively. The detected HI antibody titres at the 3rd day of age were slightly increased than that of the 1st day titres followed by gradual decrease to be apparently negative at the 12th -21st day of age in comparison to the original levels. The tested groups for Antibodies to H9 by ELISA test were still detected to 21- 27 days of age of progeny. The half-life time of maternal antibodies expressed as loss of one HI log 2 between groups was ranged from 3.3- 7.2 days; with average 5.1- 5.6 days. Half life time by ELISA titre was in average of 8.9 days. Correlations between HI and ELISA ranged from 0.83-0.94. We concluded that both HI and ELISA tests are of the same value in detection of AI antibodies and first vaccination of broiler chicks with maternal antibodies against AI H9N2 must be done after the 6th day of age.

A total of 165 cows, 19 buffaloes, 192 sheep and 118 goats were examined for detection of Mycoplasma mastitis. The results revealed that 114 (69.59%) and 6 (31.57%) were clinically mastitic cows and buffaloes respectively while 51 (30.9%) and 13 (68.42%) were apparently healthy cows and buffaloes respectively. On examining the apparently healthy cows and buffaloes, 67 (32.84%) and 18 (34.61%) were subclinically mastitic cows and buffaloes respectively. Mycoplasmas were isolated in percentages of 8.9%, 5.5% from subclinically mastitic cows and buffaloes respectively and in percentages of 12.97%, 12.5% from clinically mastitic cows and buffaloes respectively. M. bovis was isolated from 8 (32%) and M. bovigenitalium from 7 (28%) and 10 (40%) unidentified Mycoplasma. Isolation of Mycoplasma from udder tissue in cows and buffaloes were in a percentage of 28.5% in cows while no Mycoplasma isolates were obtained from buffaloes' udder tissues. Application of PCR technique on these isolates and some of the negative samples was positive 100%. On the other hand, the results revealed that 82 of 192 (42.7%) and 43 of 118 (36.44) of the examined sheep and goats respectively were clinically mastitic. Isolation of Mycoplasma was from 11 (13.41%) and 17 (39.53%) of the examined sheep and goat respectively. Identification of these isolates revealed 8 (29%) M. agalactiae isolates and 20 (71%) unidentified Mycoplasma spp. Application of PCR technique on traditionally identified M. agalactiae isolates revealed negative results on using M. agalactiae specific primer while positive results were obtained for the same 8 isolates (100%) on using M. bovis specific primer.

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.

The current investigation studied an outbreak of lumpy skin disease of cattle in Beni-Suef and Al-Fayium governorates from March up to September 2006. Epidemiological data over a total of 5500 cattle from all ages, breeds and sexes were investigated. Prevalence of lumpy skin antibodies was screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that revealed high exposure rates; 57% and 51.42% in Beni-Suef and Al Fayium governorates respectively Virus isolation was conducted on chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of specific pathogen free embryonated chicken egg (SPF-ECE) and MDBK cell culture. The virus identity was confirmed by passive haemagglutination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the infected CAM and MDBK cell culture. Experimental infection of rabbits was successful, demonstrating their possible roles in the epidemiological process of the disease.

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.

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.

Canine distemper virus (CDV)-specific immune response was measured in different dog populations. Three groups of vaccinated or wild-type virus exposed dogs were tested: dogs with a known vaccination history, dogs without a known vaccination history (shelter dogs), and dogs with potential exposure to wild-type CDV. The use of a T-cell proliferation assay demonstrated a detectable CDV-specific T-cell response from both spleen and blood lymphocytes of dogs. Qualitatively, antibody assays [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and neutralization assay] predicted the presence of a T-cell response well, although quantitatively neither antibody assays nor the T-cell assay correlated well with each other. An interesting finding from our study was that half of the dogs in shelters were not vaccinated (potentially posing a public veterinary health problem) and that antibody levels in dogs living in an environment with endemic CDV were lower than in vaccinated animals.

A clinical field trial was performed to determine the effectiveness of an autogenous Salmonella Typhimurium bacterin compared with a commercial live S. Choleraesuis vaccine in pigs. The association between Salmonella shedding and weight gain was also investigated. Nine cohorts of weaned pigs, (330 to 350 pigs per cohort), were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (injection with S. Typhimurium bacterin, vaccination via water with S. Choleraesuis vaccine, or a control group receiving no vaccine). In each cohort, the average daily gain was calculated for a selected pen throughout the production stage. Pen (pooled) fecal samples were collected bi-weekly and cultured. The odds of Salmonella shedding in both vaccinated groups was higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). The prevalence of Salmonella shedding declined overall as pigs aged (P = 0.04). However, the control pigs showed the smallest decrease in Salmonella shedding over the entire production stage, while prevalence of Salmonella shedding in the vaccinated groups decreased twice as much as the control group over the entire production stage. Salmonella Typhimurium var. Copenhagen DT104, S. Cerro, and S. Agona, which had been isolated on the study farm previously, were recovered from pigs in this study. Shedding of S. Typhimurium var. Copenhagen decreased over time in both vaccine treatment groups. On the other hand, S. Cerro shedding rate was lower in the control pigs compared with vaccinated pigs and S. Agona could be recovered only from the samples collected from S. Choleraesuis vaccinated pigs. The pigs from pens with a higher Salmonella recovery rate experienced slower growth compared with pigs from pens where Salmonella was not isolated. This latter finding indicates that there might be an economic incentive for producers to try to control endemic salmonellosis if effective programs could be developed.