A. N. Al Khalaf helminthes , Egret , Egretta alba , Saudi ArabiaExamination of the alimentary tracts of 9 Great Egret (Egretta alba) found freshly died in their inland places around Al-Qassim area during migration season in September and October revealed infection by 6 species of helminths. The extracted parasites were include two cestode worms, three nematodes and one acanthocephala. They were identified as Uniciuna species, Choano-taenia, Subulura species, Contrac-aecum species, Syphacia species and Polymorphus species. None of any examined carcass appears free from infection. The rate of distribution of the parasite in the examined birds was varied between 66.6%, 11.1%, 44.4%, 44.4%, 66.6% and 2.2 % for the previous parasites respectively. The rate of Parasite burden for each species was moderate to low, as it was 3.4, 2.0, 2.65, 3.25, 5.16 and 4.5 from the previous parasites respectively. None of these parasites was published previously in Saudi Arabia as infect this type of Egret. Their morphological characters and their distribution were described in detail

Introduction: There is still lack of morphological and phylogenetic information on the pathogenic nematode of the camel Haemonchus longistipes. In the present study, this parasite was isolated in Saudi Arabia and described. Material and Methods: The abomasa of two Arabian camels were collected from a slaughterhouse in Abha province and examined for nematode infection. Worms were described morphologically and morphometrically by electron microscopy. Multiple sequence alignment and the phylogenetic tree of the parasite were constructed from maximum likelihood analysis of its ITS-2 rDNA sequences. Results: These nematodes had a slender body terminating anteriorly at a conspicuous dorsal lancet. A pair of lateral cervical papillae distant from the anterior end was observed. The buccal aperture was hexagonal and surrounded by two amphids, six externo-labial papillae, and four cephalic papillae. Males terminated posteriorly at a bursa supported by spicules and lateral and dorsal rays. Females were linguiform and knobbed morphotypes with distinct ovijectors and a dorsal rim covering the anal pore. The taxonomy was confirmed by the morphology and number of the longitudinal cuticular ridges in a 43–46 range. The sequence alignment and phylogeny revealed 92% homology with H. longistipes (AJ577461.1), and the sequence was deposited into GenBank. Conclusion: The present study describes H. longistipes morphologically and molecularly which facilitates further discrimination of this species worldwide.

Objective: This study aimed to inspect the occurrence of Haemoproteus tinnunculi (H. tinnunculi) in falcons from the central area of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 100 falcons species, including 55 Falco cherrug, 22 Falco peregrinus, 13 Falco pelegrinoides, and 10 Falco rusticolus, were collected from November 2018 to April 2019 and examined for H. tinnunculi by microscopic examination and nested PCR, targeting a cytochrome b (cytb) gene. Results: The prevalence was 1% by microscopic examination. The prevalence rate of H. tinnunculi was 1% by the microscopic method and 3% by PCR. Only F. cherrug was infected. In the sequence and phylogenetic analyses, the two cytb H. tinnunculi sequences were 100% identical and closely related to the Lithuanian isolate with 99.35% identity. Conclusions: This study presents the first report of molecular detection and characterization of H. tinnunculai in F. cherrug from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(4.000): 626-632]

Objective: This study aimed to examine the occurrence of Caryospora (C.) neofalconis in falcons from the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Materials and methods: Fecal samples (n = 149) from 149 healthy falcons including 56 saker falcons (Falco cherrug), 13 lanner falcons (F. biarmicus), 18 peregrine falcons (F. peregrinus), 40 Barbary falcons (F. pelegrinoides), and 22 gyrfalcons (F. rusticolus) were collected between October 2018 and May 2019. The fecal samples were examined for the presence of C. neofalconis by microscopic examination followed by confirmation by polymerase chain reaction targeting 18S rRNA genes and their phylogenetic analyses. Results: The overall prevalence of C. neofalconis in the falcons was recorded as 10.7% (16/149) by microscopic examination. The highest prevalence was found in F. peregrinus (6/18, 33.3%), followed by F. rusticolus (3/22, 13.6%), F. cherrug (5/56, 8.9 %) and F. pelegrinoides (2/40, 5.0%). There was no C. neofalconis infection observed in F. biamicus. The 18S rRNA gene could be ampli¬fied in eight samples. The phylogenetic analysis of two C. neofalconis isolates exhibited a close relationship with the Mexican isolate (KT03081) with a 99.7% identity. Conclusions: To our knowledge, based on the microscopic and molecular analysis, this is the first report of C. neofalconis in F. cherrug, F. rusticolus, F. pelegrinoides, and F. peregrinus from the central region of the KSA and it emphasize the value of adopting preventive measures to limit the spread of C. neofalconis. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(3.000): 530-536]

Objective: Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic infection in Saudi Arabia, including Jazan Province, and epidemiological reports about this disease are limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding brucellosis among the general population of Jazan Province, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted using a pretested questionnaire that assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward Brucellosis. The calculated sample size was 384, and 1,055 participants were included representing various genders, ages, and levels of education. Data were collected between March and April 2022 and analyzed using descriptive, chi-square, and t-test analyses. Results: Only 50% of the included participants have heard about Brucellosis. Among those who had heard about Brucellosis, 70% had a good knowledge about Brucellosis and that was significantly associated with male gender, being healthcare workers (HCWs), and having a higher level of education. Participants who directly involved in animal care represented 9%, and attitudes and practices regarding brucellosis were varied from average to unsatisfactory. This variation was significantly affected by the level of knowledge. Conclusion: About 50% of the general population of Jazan Province had never heard about Brucellosis, in a region found prevalent for this disease. Good knowledge was recorded in 70% of those who were aware of Brucellosis, which was significantly associated with the male sex, job as being HCW, and having a higher level of education. These results necessitate public awareness campaign activities to improve knowledge and practices, especially among women, the younger generation, and individuals with limited educational backgrounds. This action could reduce the burden of the disease. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(4.000): 761-769]

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the cause of death of large number of camels during an outbreak in Saudi Arabia.Material and methods: History was taken from the camel owners and breeders. Besides, clinical and post-mortem (PM) examinations were conducted. In this study, ten locations were surveyed and all camels were examined. Wheat bran was suspected as the source of the havoc. For establishing this assumption, a feeding trial was conducted with three camels, six mice, one rabbit and four of each chickens and ducklings using the incriminated wheat bran. Samples were collected from the suspicious wheat bran and the afflected animals, and were sent to international reference laboratories for diagnosis. The clinical signs elicited by the feeding trial were compared with the signs recorded in the outbreak.Results: The body temperature of the affected camels ranged from 36.4◦C to 41.9◦C. The clinical signs included hyper-excitability, muscle tremors, in-coordination of the hind quarters, sternal or lateral recumbence, inability to stand, and death. PM examination revealed no remarkable pathological changes in internal organs but the rumens were full of gases, and showed hyperemia and petechial hemorrhages. Within a period of twelve days from the onset of the crisis, 2,800 of the affected camels died. The clinical signs showed by the two camels in the feeding trial were similar to those observed in field outbreak. The tentative diagnosis of toxicosis, which was made based on the clinical signs was confirmed by the reference laboratories. Salinomycin (300 to 400 mg/Kg feed), Aluminium (230 ppm), Aspergillus clavatus and A. flavus were detected in the incriminated wheat bran. Conclusion: Salinomycin causes heavy mortalities in one-humped camels in the affected areas. Owners and breeders are adviced to avoid feeding low quality feed to their camels. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(2.000): 214-221]

Trypanosomiasis in camels is a worldwide major clinical problem. The objective of this review was to present analysis of comprehensive studies on camel trypansomiasis in the Gulf region through meta-analytical investigation. This meta-analysis was conducted according to the rules of PRISMA. Data were extracted after complete search; then finally eligible articles were identified. Using comprehensive meta-analysis software program, the data were analyzed. The results of meta-analysis were effect size, confidence intervals (CI), heterogeneity, and publication bias. Out of 11837 camels in 19 accepted studies, 3179 were proved to be infected with T. evansi (26.85 %). At random, and fixed effects, the Z-value of -6.724 (P-value = 0.000) -30.349 (P-value = 0.000) was recorded, respectively. The Q-value (917.361), I-squared (98.038), and P- value (0.000) are the final heterogeneity variables. Additionally, the Tau-squared is 0.632 with a 0.403 Standard Error. Egger’s linear regression test for asymmetry did not indicate publication bias, Intercept (-4.95), 95% confidence interval (from -9.54 to -0.35), t-value (2.27), and df = 17.00. The 1-tailed P-value (recommended) is 0.018, and the 2-tailed P-value is 0.036.  The outcome of Kendall’s tau with continuity correction (-0.29240), with a 1-tailed P-value (recommended) of 0.040 and 2 -tailed P-value of 0.080. Duval and Tweedie’s trim-and-fill method (no studies trimmed) resulted in an adjusted correlation from 0.32702 to 0.34658 (95% CI). In conclusion, the present results indicate that camel trypanosomiasis is a common infection in Gulf countries. Therefore, strict prevention and control policies should be formulated.

Objective: The human gut microbiota is crucial to maintaining health and preventing diseases. The general population‘s knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding microbiota composition and the factors affecting it remain poorly understood in Saudi Arabia. The present cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the general population in the Jazan Province of Saudi Arabia regarding the gut microbiota and its main influencing factors. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was employed, utilizing a validated self-administered online questionnaire to collect data from participants aged 18 years and older. The study population excluded nonresidents of the Jazan region, individuals below 18, and those who declined to participate. Nonrandomized convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from the Jazan Province, targeting the general population. Results: One thousand one hundred twenty-six participants completed the survey, resulting in a response rate of 93%. Most participants (50.4%) had average microbiota knowledge, 14.7% demonstrated good understanding, and 34.9% had poor knowledge. Regarding probiotics, the findings indicated that 76.4% of participants exhibited insufficient knowledge, 21.1% had average knowledge, and 2.5% displayed good knowledge. Most participants (65.7%) held a neutral attitude toward antibiotics and probiotics. Conclusion: This study highlights a significant gap in understanding probiotics among the general population in the Jazan Region. Comprehensive education and awareness campaigns are urgently needed to promote a better understanding of microbiota composition, its significance for health, and the potential benefits of probiotics. Effective public health initiatives should be developed to provide accurate and up-to-date probiotic information, fostering positive health outcomes. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(4.000): 773-781]