The study was conducted to investigate the effect of low metabolizable energy diets with normal or narrow metabolizable energy to crude protein ratios (ME:CP) on performance, carcass characteristics, body composition and blood parameters in broilers fed from 1 to 42 days of age. The chicks were divided into 7 groups. The birds were fed starter & grower diets. Seven experimental diets were formulated in each phase; one control and 6 tested diets. The control diet was formulated according to the NRC of poultry (1994) and the other six diets fed three different levels of low energy diets (2900, 2700 & 2500 kcal/kg; one level for each 2 groups). The first three tested groups named ''normal calorie-protein ratio” groups in which the CP decreased in proportion to the decrease in ME, keeping the normal NRC ratio. In the second three tested groups, termed “narrow calorie-protein ratio” groups, the dietary protein was kept at the NRC levels leading to ratios narrower than that of the NRC. Results showed that chicks fed low ME diets with normal energy to protein ratio had lower body weight and feed utilization efficiency than the chicks fed the control diets. While, birds fed the low ME diets with normal protein NRC-levels and narrow ratios had nearly equal weight and feed conversion to the control. The body composition and carcass characteristics were not affected by the dietary treatments. Moreover, the blood parameters had no significant variations among the groups, except for total protein, ALT and AST which had an increased response to decreased dietary energy density. In conclusion, decreasing the dietary ME level without decreasing the crude protein level was more efficient economically and had no any adverse effect on the performance. However, decreasing of dietary ME with normal ME:CP ratio resulted in decreased performance and low economic efficiency.

Preventing the transmission of disease into and between poultry farms, hatcheries, and from wildlife, or their droppings, is essential to maintain healthy productive poultry flocks. This study was designed to assess the current situation of biosecurity measures in 3 types of poultry operations; 125 small-scale commercial broiler farms (sector III), hobby poultry premises (backyards; sector IV) and hatcheries selected from Giza, Fayoum and Beni-Suef province, Egypt. A structured questionnaire survey, interviews and observation were used to collect data on farm characterization, bio-security practices and disease preventive measures in sectors and hatcheries. The respondents were farm owners, farm managers, veterinarians, and workers. It has been found that the distance between small commercial broiler farms were 48.4% [2- 5 km] while for hobby poultry keepers 66.5% [≤100 m], and hatcheries 41.6% [1-3 km] and 30.6% [7-11 km]. In small-scale broiler farms practiced all in/ all out system (89 %) as compared to hatcheries and backyards (83.3 and 46.1 %, respectively). In the most of the small commercial broiler farms, the resting period between production cycles was higher on 4-7 days (32.5%). Methods most used for disposal of daily mortalities were on landfill (45.2%) among small commercial broiler farms. Meanwhile, hobby poultry premises and hatcheries included disposal in water canals (38.5 and 33.3%, respectively). On the other hand, Hobby poultry keepers reported that veterinarians rarely inspected their premises. Mortality rate/cycle was (11.9%) in almost broiler farms. About 64.3 % of the small commercial producers practiced all the recommended vaccination of their birds against highly pathogenic diseases. In conclusion, the majority of the small-scale broiler farms and all most backyards were far from the implementation of biosecurity measures. Biosecurity situation needs a combined effort from stakeholders, poultry keeper of hobby birds (backyard) to improve biosecurity level for those sectors.

Bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is a zoonotic disease causing approximately 6% of total human deaths. Its economic losses are not only a reduction of 10-20% in milk production and weight, but also infertility and condemnation of meat. Many serological tests are applied for detection of tuberculosis. ELISA test has the highest sensitivity and specificity than the other serological tests for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Several forms of new technology were brought into the diagnostic approach to mycobacterial infection. The aim of this work was to detect bovine tuberculosis by application of different traditional tests and PCR. Tuberculin skin test was applied on 2650 cattle, only 63(2.4%) were positive. Forty eight (76.2%) of the slaughtered positive animals showed visible lesions (VL) while the other 15 (23.8%) had non-visible lesions (NVL). Bacteriological examination of 10 selected tuberculin positive samples revealed M. bovis from 6 processed samples (60%) while PCR and ELISA assays revealed positive in 8 cases (80%) and 7 cases (70%), respectively. It was concluded that PCR test is more sensitive and specific test to confirm the infection with tuberculosis.

A total of 100 random muscle samples of Oreochromis niloticus, Claries lazera, imported Mugil cephalus and Scomber scombrus fish (25 of each) were collected from different markets in Fayoum City for determination of lead, cadmium, copper and mercury residual levels to ascertain whether these levels exceeded the prescribed legal limits. The mean mercury level in the edible muscles tissues of fish species were ranged from below detectable level to 0.29 ppm in local fish and to 0.28 ppm in imported fish. The residual levels were not exceeded the prescribed legal limits of the European Commission Regulation (EC). The highest mean levels of cadmium were recorded in Mackerel (0.119 ± 0.060, ppm) which exceeded the permitted values stipulated by European Commission (EC). The samples in this study contained copper within of the general guideline limit for copper in food. The highest mean levels of lead were also recorded in Mackerel (0.477±0.073 ppm) which exceeded the permitted value stipulated by European Commission (EC). The results were evaluated according to International standards of WHO and EC. The provisional tolerable weekly intakes used in this study to assess the relative safety of marketed in Fayoum. The public health significance of heavy metal residues in fishes were also discussed.

This study was performed to investigate the frequency and the distribution of antimicrobial resistance and resistant genes in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) isolated from both calves and their environment. Fecal samples (n=136) were collected from calves, besides 270 environmental samples for isolation and identification of EPEC. 50 E. coli isolates comprising 6 serogroupgs were recovered and tested against 12 antimicrobials comprising 4 different groups and 3 disinfectants with characterization of resistance genes. Results revealed that E. coli was isolated in the highest percentage from diarrheic calves (68.3%) followed by apparently healthy and environment (56.7 and 56.6 %, respectively). Six serogroups of E. coli were identified from diarrheic calves with the highest percentage of O26 (27.8 %) followed by O159 and O55 (16.7 and 16.6 %, respectively). The tested isolates showed high rates of resistance to tetracycline, ampicillin, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim whereas the highest rates of susceptibility were found to enrofloxacin and neomycin. Meanwhile the highest bactericidal effect against E. coli isolates from calves and environment was exhibited by Virkon® S (80 % and 70 %, respectively) compared to 80 % and 50%, respectively for TH4+ and 60 and 70 %, respectively for iodine. E. coli isolates were found to include the following genes blaTEM, qacED1, dƒrA, tetA, and sul1. In conclusion, the high prevalence of multidrug resistant E. coli provided insights about the possibility of dairy calves to act as source of resistance genes in the environment that pose health risk for humans and animals.

Fungal diseases of poultry have become problematic as bacterial and viral diseases. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the prevalence of fungal agents in broiler chickens suffering from respiratory disorders. The prevalence rate of fungal isolation was 53.1% including mycelia fungi (42%) and yeast isolates (11.1%). Mould isolates were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus (21.7%), Aspergillus flavus (8.4%), Aspergillus niger (8.4%), Aspergillus nidulans (1.3%), Cladosporium spp. (0.4%) and Penicillium spp. (1.8%). Concerning yeast isolates, Candida spp. was the most predominant which were identified as C. albicans, C. pseudotropicalis (2.7% each), C. krusei, C. regosa (2.2% each), and C. stellatoidea (0.4%). Moreover, one Cryptococcus sp. was recovered and identified as C. neoformans (0.9%). PCR assay using oligonucleotide primer amplifying a 570 bp fragment based on ITS region gene was conducted on randomly selected 9 isolates including 6 Aspergillus spp. (A. flavus, A. niger, A. fumigates; 2 each) as well as 3 yeast isolates (two isolates of C. albicans and one isolate of C. neoformans). All tested isolates had positive reactions.

A total of 100 random muscle samples of Oreochromis niloticus, Claries lazera, imported Mugil cephalus and Scomber scombrus fish (25 of each) were collected from different markets in Fayoum City for determination of lead, cadmium, copper and mercury residual levels to ascertain whether these levels exceeded the prescribed legal limits. The mean mercury levelin the edible muscles tissues of fish species were ranged from below detectable level to 0.29 ppm in local fish and to 0.28 ppmin imported fish. The residual levels were not exceeded the prescribed legal limits of Commission Regulation (E.C). The highest mean levels of cadmium were recorded in Mackerel (0.119 ± 0.060, ppm) which exceeded the permitted values stipulated by Commission Regulation (E.C). Mostly samples in this study contained copper within of the general guideline limit for copper in food. The highest mean levels of lead were also recorded in Mackerel (0.477±0.073 ppm) which exceeded the permitted value stipulated by Commission Regulation (E.C). The results were evaluated according to International standards of WHO and EC and Provisional tolerable weekly intakes would also be used in this study to assess the relative safety of Fayoum fish markets.The public health significance of heavy metal residues in such fish was discussed.

Broiler chickens are frequently infected with Escherichia coli (E.coli), which often results in disease and high economic losses. Poultry of all ages are susceptible to infections with E.coli, but the most affected are birds of 4-5 weeks. In our study Serotypes O78 and O187 were chosen as they were the most prevalent isolated serotypes from diseased broiler chicken with respiratory affections specially CRD, one hundred chicks of different ages, sex and breeds (cobb, native, sasso) were used in this study. The samples were collected from privately owned poultry farms at EL Mina, Fayoum, Giza and Beni-Suef governorates, all sampled chicks showed clinical signs characteristic for E. coli affections including respiratory distress with or without diarrhea, Swabs from internal organs of 60 diseased chicks were subjected to bacterial examination. Out of 53 oxidase negative strains, 40 E. coli isolates were recovered, other Enterobacteriaceae including, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Out of 40 E.coli isolates, E. coli O78 was the most predominant serotype isolated (23) with an incidence of 57.5 % followed by E. coli O187 (12) isolates with an incidence of 30 % and E. coli O115 (5) isolates at percentage of 12.5%, The pre-prepared vaccine against E.coli serotype O used in this study was designed vaccine as it contains an E. coli strain that has been genetically-modified by the deletion of the aroA gene responsible for the biosynthesis of amino acids in the virulent E. coli parent strain (The GMO is named aroA- PTA-5094). The aroA gene-deleted vaccine can trigger a protective immunity in poultry against infection and disease from wild, virulent E. coli bacteria found in the environment. However, because the aroA gene is deleted, the live vaccine bacterium becomes a-virulent and unable to form a self-sustaining population since the vaccine strain has lost the capability to synthesize the amino acids necessary for its survival. The E. coli vaccine dosages were calculated according to a titer of 5.0x106 cfu per dose, one hundred one day old chicks were divided into 5 groups each one 20chicks,group 1, control negative and groups 4 and 5 control positive for serotype O78 and serotype O178 ,while group 2 vaccinated at one day and challenged with E.coli O78 at age of 25 day old, also group 3 vaccinated at 5 day old and challenged with E.coli O178 at age of 25 day old, Two findings, the average lesion scores of air sacs in the groups 4 and 5,four and 3 birds died in the positive control at two days post challenge with E. coli O78 and O178 respectively. The birds were found to have acute, severe septicemia and E. coli could be isolated from the livers. The mortality and morbidity rates of the birds vaccinated with E. coli aroA-live vaccine was great better significant difference from the positive control group showing no mortalities and low pathological picture. There were significant differences in the FCR among the 3 groups significantly less than those of the positive control groups; the body weight was higher in vaccinated groups. Our conclusion, vaccination improves health and FCR and ABW of broiler chicks

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis vaccine was prepared from a local field isolate. Vaccination of sheep with 50g PLD toxoid and 10 mg bacterin adjuvanted with Montanide oil improved the levels of immune responses of sheep. In many countries, inactivated C. pseudotuberculosis adjuvant vaccines have been used for prevention and control of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep. However, the efficacy was variable. The aim of the present study was directed to prepare and evaluate the potency of an inactivated C. pseudotuberculosis vaccine using Montanide ISA206. Sheep were vaccinated with 1st dose of 2ml containing 10 mg bacterin and 50g toxoid and Montanide ISA 206 oil adjuvant and boostered with the same dose 15 days Apart. Evaluation of post vaccinal cellular immune response with lymphocyte proliferation assay and humoral immune response using ELISA was carried out. Cell mediated immune response of vaccinated sheep reached its peak 0.445 by 1st week post the second vaccination. The level of humoral immune response showed optical density of 1.005 by 1st week post the second vaccination. Challenge test was done in all sheep four weeks after the second dose of vaccination. Three sheep from vaccinated and three sheep from non-vaccinated groups were slaughtered and necropsied 150 days post challenge. The results revealed 75% protection percentage against challenge while unvaccinated challenged sheep showed 9% protection. Statistical analysis indicated that the vaccine assessed a significant level of cellular and humoral immunity.

Information regarding the use of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of udder and teat affections is scarce in ruminant. The present study was conducted on 30 cows, 20 ewes and 45 does. The surgical affections of udder and teats were recorded in 10 cows, 5 ewes and 15 does. In normal udder, glandular parenchyma on ultrasonographic examination appeared as homogenous and hyperechoic with anechoic alveoli, the milk appeared with high pitched anechoic large areas. While in the teat skin echoed strongly, the middle layer less echogenic than skin in a homogenous, uniform pattern and the teat canal represented by extending area between the two hyper-echoic lines forming anechoic lumen. In multiple abscesses, the glandular parenchyma of udder appeared as multiple hyper-echoic areas surrounded by hypo-echoic margin. In case of super numerary teats, presence of hypo-echoic to an-echoic areas separated by hyper-echoic septa due to each teat had separated milk cisternae. In case of complete teat obstruction, presence of hyper-echoic obstructive mass which present in teat canal. In conclusion, ultrasonography is a good tool for differential diagnosis of different udder and teat affections.