Antimicrobials (AM) are used for growth promotion and therapy in pig production. Its misuse has led to the development of resistant organisms. We evaluated Escherichia coli virulence genes, and compared phenotypic–genotypic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of faecal E. coli from pigs receiving routine farm treatment without antimicrobial agents against pigs treated routinely with AM over 70 days. Recovered E. coli were tested for AMR using disk diffusion and polymerase chain reaction. Virulence genes were detected in 24.8% of isolates from antimicrobial group and 43.5% from non-antimicrobial group (p = 0.002). The proportion of virulence genes heat-stable enterotoxins a b (STa, STb), enteroaggregative heat stable enterotoxin 1 [EAST1] and Shiga toxin type 2e [Stx2e]) were 18.1%, 0.0%, 78.7% and 3.0% for antimicrobial group and 14.8%, 8.5%, 85.1% and 12.7% for non-antimicrobial groups, respectively. Resistance to oxytetracycline was most common (p = 0.03) in samples collected between days 10 and 21. Resistance shifted to amoxicillin on days 56–70, and trimethoprim resistance was observed throughout. Seventeen phenotypic AMR combinations were observed and eight were multidrug resistant. At least one tetracycline resistance gene was found in 63.9% of the isolates. tet (A) (23.3%) was most common in the antimicrobial group, whereas tet (B) (43.5%) was prevalent in the non-antimicrobial group. Usage or non-usage of antimicrobial agents in growing pigs does not preclude virulence genes development and other complex factors may be involved as previously described. Heavily used AM correspond to the degree of resistance and tetracycline resistance genes were detected during the growth phase.

Pigs are kept by farmers as a source of livelihood and food. Unfortunately, helminthiasis and other internal parasites are major setbacks to profitable pig production in Africa. There is a lack of information on the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal helminths and parasites plaguing resource-poor pig farmers in the Free State. Knowledge of these endemic parasites can be used as baseline data to help design future intervention plans. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the types of gastrointestinal helminths and parasites prevalent in smallholder pigs reared in the central Free State Province. Faecal samples were randomly collected from 77 pigs and parasitologically analysed. Quantification was done using the McMaster counting technique. Farming system, age, gender and health status were the risk factors considered. The study was conducted between January and March 2016. Overall, results showed that 61 samples (79.2%) tested positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasites, which were observed as single or mixed infections. Amongst the positive samples, 44.5% were infected with Ascaris suum, 50.6% with Trichuris suis, 26.0% and 72.7% were infected with Oesophagostomum dentatum and coccidia, respectively. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the rate of infection in the intensive and semi-intensive systems and between the dewormed and non-dewormed pigs. Piglets and female pigs recorded a higher prevalence in their categories. Pigs excreted mostly low (eggs per gram [EPG] ≤ 100) to moderate (EPG > 100 < 500) levels of helminth eggs. It is concluded that different species of gastrointestinal parasites are present in most pigs reared by smallholder farmers in this study area.

The objective of this study was to detect the influence of age, breed and season on sexual behaviour, testosterone concentrations and scrotal circumference in Egyptian rams. The study was carried out at agricultural research center belonging to Minia University, Shosha village, Samalut city, El-Minia. Ten crossbred and five adult Ossimi rams were used during this study. Every ram was allowed to breed two ewes to evaluate its sexual behaviour for a twenty minutes test. Blood samples were collected three times per season at two weeks interval from each ram during the period of experiment to measure testosterone concentrations. Also, scrotal circumference was measured at the same frequency and time interval as blood samples. Sexual behaviour was better in old rams than young ones (p<0.01), but it was not affected by breed or season (p>0.05). Serum testosterone level was higher at autumn (7.13±02.9 ng/ml) than at winter (5.54±0.29 ng/ml) in crossbred rams (p<0.01), while in Ossimi rams, higher level was obtained in spring (8.24±.39 ng/ml) than in summer (3.99±0.40 ng/ml). Mean scrotal circumference was higher in older rams (30.20±1.20 cm) than younger rams (22.53±1.27 cm). There was no significant difference for measures of scrotal circumference between crossbred rams (30.86±1.09 cm) and Ossimi rams (30.93±1.06 cm). Season had no significant effect on scrotal circumference in crossbred rams, whereas in Ossimi rams the effect of season was significantly obvious with the highest and lowest values were recorded in spring (31.0±1.05 cm) and winter (30.60±1.17 cm) respectively. It could be concluded from this study that the age of rams had a great influence on their sexual behaviour and scrotal circumference, while the effect of breed and season on sexual behaviour and scrotal circumference was not clear.

The current study aimed to describe the normal cross sectional anatomy, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography of fetlock joint in adult camel from both sexes. The study was carried out on twelve fetlock joints of fresh cadavers from three camels. The case history of these camels indicated that they were grossly normal with no orthopedic disorders. The cadaveric fetlock joints (n=12) were scanned using CT scanner and a 1 Tesla MRI scanner, injected with colored latex and sectioned into transverse, dorsal and sagittal slices. Cross anatomical sections were correlated with their corresponding CT and MR images for evaluation of the normal relevant anatomical structures which appeared with different signal intensities on CT and MRI scans. The current study revealed that all major soft tissues in fetlock joint of camel were clearly visualized on both CT and MR images, except the short and cruciate sesamoidean ligaments which could not be identified on both CT and MR images. The anatomical sections with the corresponding CT and MR images obtained in this study could be used as a reference for diagnosis and interpretation of clinical diseases in fetlock joint of camel.

Butorphanol is a synthetic opioid commonly used for epidural anesthesia in human either alone or in combination with bupivacaine but not in goat. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of epidural butorphanol either alone or in combination with bupivacaine. Fifteen adult apparently healthy goats were randomized into three equal groups to receive a lumbosacral epidural injection of bupivacaine 0.5 % (0.5 mg/kg), butorphanol 1% (0.08 mg/kg) or their combination (bupivacaine 0.25 mg/kg and butorphanol 0.04 mg/kg). Animals were observed for incoordination of hind limbs, perineal pin prick and sedation at 10 minutes interval. Heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were assessed every 15 minutes. Epidural butorphanol resulted into significantly (P <0.05) rapid analgesia (9.8 ± 1.1 Min) than the butorphanol– bupivacaine combination (12.8 ± 0.84 Min) and bupivacaine (16.6 ± 0.55). Butorphanolbupivacaine combination provoked significant ((P < 0.05) prolonged intense analgesia (208 ± 8.36 Min) compared to either bupivacaine (112 ± 8.37) or butorphanol (166 ± 5.48 Min). Ataxia accompanied administration of bupivacaine either alone or in combination with butorphanol, while sedation was observed in animals received butorphanol alone or combined with bupivacaine. No significant changes were observed in heart rate, respiratory rate or rectal temperature. The epidural administration of butorphanol-bupivacaine combination promoted longer-lasting analgesia in goats without motor disturbances compared to bupivacaine alone. This combination might prove useful clinically to provide analgesia in goats for long-duration perineal obstetrical or surgical procedures.

The aim of the present study was to compare the microbiological quality and safety of chicken products collected from a poultry processing plant and from the retail market. The collected samples represented 120 chicken product samples (mortadella, frankfurters, burgers, nuggets, fillet and fajita); 60 samples were collected from a poultry processing plant and 60 samples were from retail markets. For assessing the microbiological quality of these products, total bacterial count (TBC), most probable number (MPN) of coliforms and total mold and yeasts were determined. While, for evaluating the safety of collected products, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes were investigated. As well as, sensory evaluation of collected products was carried out. It was found that the bacterial counts in samples collected from processing plants were lower than corresponding samples collected from retail market. For instance, the obtained mean values of TBC in processing plant samples were 1x10, 4x102, 2x10, 2x10, 3x10 and 6x10 CFU/g in case of chicken mortadella, chicken frank, chicken nuggets, chicken burger, chicken fillet and chicken fajita, respectively. While for retail market samples, TBC mean values were 2x10, 2x10, 3x10, 3x10, 4x10 and 3x10 CFU/g in chicken mortadella, chicken frank, chicken nuggets, chicken burger, chicken fillet and chicken fajita, respectively. It was evident that most of examined chicken product samples either from processing plant or retail markets were contaminated with investigated foodborne pathogens, namely; Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, in addition to contamination with mold and yeasts. In conclusion, the rate of contamination of chicken products from retail markets was higher than corresponding products obtained from processing plant, which is attributed to contamination of chicken products through bad handling during transportation, storage and marketing, as well as growth of contaminants as a result of improper storage conditions including temperature and humidity.

The present study aimed to describe the normal cross sectional anatomy and magnetic resonance imaging of pastern and coffin joints in dromedary camel. This study was conducted on twelve distal limbs (fore and hind) of fresh cadavers from three adult camels of both sexes. The specimens appeared normal without orthopedic disorders. Twelve distal limbs were scanned using a 1 Tesla MRI scanner and then injected with colored latex to be sectioned into sagittal, dorsal and transverse slices. Cross anatomical sections were matched with their corresponding MR images for identification and evaluation of the clinically relevant anatomical structures that appeared with different signal intensities on MRI scans. The present study showed that all major soft tissues in pastern and coffin joints of camel were clearly depicted on MR images, however, the palmar/plantar ligaments of pastern joint and ligaments of navicular cartilage could not be identified on MR images. The annotated cross anatomical sections with the corresponding MR images could be used as a normal reference for interpretation of some clinical diseases in pastern and coffin joints of camel.

Reports on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs in South Africa are non-existent. This study investigated the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in 481 dogs visiting four rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa. Dogs were screened for Campylobacter spp. by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between sex, clinic, breed and age and the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in dogs. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. was 41.50% (95% confidence interval [CI], 37.39% – 46.04%). Campylobacter jejuni, C. upsaliensis and C. coli were detected in 29.31% (95% CI, 25.42% – 33.54%), 13.10% (95% CI, 10.37% – 16.42%) and 5.41% (95% CI, 3.71% – 7.82%) of dogs, respectively. Dogs carrying more than one species of Campylobacter spp. accounted for 6.23% (95% CI, 4.40% – 8.78%). Campylobacter upsaliensis and C. jejuni were detected in 3.74% (95% CI, 2.37% – 5.86%), whereas C. coli and C. jejuni were found in 2.49% (95% CI, 1.42% – 4.34%) of dogs. Age and clinic were the risk factors significantly associated with Campylobacter spp. occurrence, while age, breed and clinic were predictors of C. jejuni carriage. Furthermore, age was the only risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of carrying C. upsaliensis. The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. C. jejuni and C. upsaliensis increased significantly as dogs grew older. In addition, the odds of carrying Campylobacter spp. were higher in the Staffordshire bull terrier breed compared to crossbreed dogs. In conclusion, this study shows that dogs visiting rural community veterinary clinics in South Africa are reservoirs of Campylobacter spp. and may be potential sources of Campylobacter spp. for humans living in close proximity of the dog populations under study.

The effective control of tsetse flies (Diptera; Glossinidae), the biological vectors of trypanosome parasites that cause human African trypanosomosis and African animal trypanosomosis throughout sub-Saharan Africa, is crucial for the development of productive livestock systems. The degree of genetic isolation of the targeted populations, which indicate reinvasion potential from uncontrolled areas, will be critical to establish a control strategy. Molecular and morphometrics markers were used to assess the degree of genetic isolation between seemingly fragmented populations of Glossina brevipalpis Newstead and Glossina austeni Newstead present in South Africa. These populations were also compared with flies from adjacent areas in Mozambique and Eswatini. For the molecular markers, deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted, a r16S2 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and the PCR product sequenced. Nine landmarks were used for the morphometrics study as defined by vein intersections in the right wings of female flies. Generalised Procrustes analyses and regression on centroid size were used to determine the Cartesian coordinates for comparison between populations. Both methods indicated an absence of significant barriers to gene flow between the G. brevipalpis and G. austeni populations of South Africa and southern Mozambique. Sustainable control can only be achieved if implemented following an area-wide management approach against the entire G. brevipalpis and G. austeni populations of South Africa and southern Mozambique. Limited gene flow detected between the G. austeni population from Eswatini and that of South Africa or Mozambique may imply that these two populations are in the proses of becoming isolated.

E. coli infections in avian species are an economic threat to the poultry industry worldwide. The spread of MDR bacteria has been recognized as an increasing problem in the veterinary and medical fields. The current study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial patterns of avian Pathogenic E. coli isolated from broiler chickens. Results of in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that E. coli isolates were more sensitive to imipenem only (72.4%). On the other hand, they were highly resistant to most of used antimicrobials including ciprofloxacin (95.9%), amikacin (94.9%), cefotaxime sodium (92.9%), gentamicin (89.9%), cefotriaxone (89.9%), topramycin (87.8%), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprime (85.7%), ceftazidim (84.7%). Also, they were resistant to cefoprazone (79.9%), doxycycline (72.4%) and amoxycillin/clavulinic acid (69.4%). All the tested isolates of E. coli (100%) were multi drug resistant (MDR). PCR was applied on 15 MDR E. coli isolates to determine 4 genes responsible for antibiotic resistance included ampC, blaCTX, blaSHV and tetA (A). The results revealed that that ampC and blaCTX genes were the most prevalent found in all isolates (100%) while tetA (A) and blaSHV genes were harbored in 14 isolates (93.3%).