BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is the cause of a common disease in dairy herds. Early diagnosis of paratuberculosis infection can improve Johne’s disease control programs.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the sensitivity, and specificity to methods; blood serum ELISA and stool Nested-PCR for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in dairy cattle.METHODS: A commercial ELISA kit was used to perform the absorbed ELISA test, which was conducted after exposing serum samples to Mycobacterium phlei antigens to limit cross-reactions. Nested-PCR test was performed using nucleotide sequences related to specific MAP gene fragments, i.e. IS900.RESULTS: As a result of the ELISA antibodies kit, out of the total 2203 serum samples, 112 samples were positive (5.08 %) and 2091 samples were negative (94.92 %). The results of Nested-PCR tests of rectal feces showed that out of 59 cows with the positive results in serum ELISA, 47 (79.66 %) samples were positive and 12 (20.34 %) samples were negative. Moreover, out of 31 cattle with a negative result on the ELISA test, 15 (48.38%) and 16 cattle (51.62 %) had positive and negative results, respectively, on the nested PCR tests of the feces samples.CONCLUSIONS: Due to the low sensitivity of PCR compared to ELISA, the positive and negative predictive values, and the accuracy of ELISA test, as well as the high cost and time-consuming nature of PCR and the need for more and more complex facilities than ELISA, the authors concluded that ELISA is a more suitable method for screening and epidemiological studies than PCR.

In recent years, various anaesthetic agents and mixtures had been evaluated for caudal epidural analgesia in cattle with a variety of results. Caudal epidural analgesia is a routine and established technique for a variety of surgical and obstetrical procedures in cattle and might depend on the volume of local analgesic. The objective of the present work to compare between the analgesic efficacy of xylazine alone and that of Xylazine-epinephrine combination in caudal epidural analgesia through studying the clinical and behavioral changes as well as estimating degrees of ataxia, sedation and analgesia in cows throughout monitoring their efficacies pre-epidural (Minute 0) injection or post-epidural injection (Minutes 10, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180). The study was conducted on clinically healthy non-pregnant cross cows (n=20). They were classified into two equal groups. The first one received epidural injection of 0.05 mg/kg xylazine and thus was referred as Xylagr. The second group was epidurally treated through injection of combination of 0.05 mg/kg xylazine and Epinephrine and thus was referred as Xyla-Epingr. All animals were subjected for through clinical examination as well as monitoring of different degrees of ataxia, sedation and analgesia parameters. There was no statistically significant difference in the onset of analgesia between xylazine epidural injection (11.85±1.25 minutes) and xylazine with epinephrine (12.01±1.05 minutes). Epidural administration of xylazine with epinephrine produced a significantly longer duration of analgesia (161±7.62 minutes) than that produced by epidural injection xylazine alone (136.20±7.13 minutes). Administration of xylazine alone resulted in mild to moderate sedation with mild ataxia, as well as cutaneous analgesia for the perineal region while xylazine with epinephrine produced mild sedation without ataxia, as well as cutaneous analgesia for the perineal region. The study concluded the higher efficacy of xylazine-epinephrine combinations as a caudal epidural analgesic drug compared with that of xylazine alone. Xylazine-epinephrine combination has more rapid onset of recovery from signs of ataxia and sedation than xylazine alone, which make it more suitable than xylazine in cattle as an intraoperative and postoperative analgesia.

Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis responsible for considerable economic losses in livestock and health-related burden worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in communal and smallholder cattle farming in four districts of the North West province of South Africa (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts). Seven hundred and seventy blood samples from farmed animals (n = 378) and abattoir-slaughtered animals (n = 392) were collected. In addition, milk samples (n = 22) were collected from lactating farmed cows. Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT) and milk ring test (MRT) were used to detect antibodies against Brucella species. The RBT showed a seroprevalence of 2% at 95% confidence interval (CI: 1.35-3.35), CFT confirmed an overall seroprevalence of 1.95% (95% CI: 1.14-3.12) for all four districts sampled. Although the seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be low, the possibility of undetected cases of the disease could not be ruled out. Overall, the findings of this study confirmed that brucellosis is endemic in the surveyed areas of the North West province of South Africa. CONTRIBUTION: The outcome of this study will contribute to the National Brucellosis Project organised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (2016-2026) to assist in the effective implementation of the disease control measures with a view to prevent further outbreaks in the country's cattle population

The bovine sector represents an important part of the animal resources in Egypt, as it plays important role in supplying humans with a considerable part of their daily needs of animal-derived proteins via their milk and meat. However, such animal species can be exposed during their life to a wide range of digestive disorders, which affect animal performance and productivity. Ultrasonography plays an essential role in the accurate and rapid diagnosis of several diseases affecting cattle and buffaloes. In this review, we will highlight the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of digestive disorders in cattle and buffaloes.

Liver is budget-friendly and full of nutrients including protein, and micronutrients as vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, copper, and iron. Liver appeared as the most affected organ among offal of slaughtered animals. This work had studied the pathological lesions in a total of 85200 different slaughtered animals in many providence abattoirs in Suez Canal region through year 2021. The direct economic loss from organs condemnation (Kg) was also assessed. In 2021, a total of 4200, 64800 and 16200 camels, cattle, and sheep respectively were slaughtered for domestic consumption. The percent of liver lesions from camels, cattle, and sheep were 1.04%, 3.62%, and 2.85 respectively. The total economic losses due to the liver condemnation of camel, cattle and sheep were 31680 LE (2023 $), 1313760 LE (83893 $) and 138600 LE (8851 $) respectively. The total economic loss due to liver condemnation reached 1484040 LE (94766 $). The results of the current study made clear the need for the creation of an efficient program to combat Egypt's meat-related social problems.

Bovine anaplasmosis is one of the most important diseases that threaten livestock production worldwide especially in developing countries, in cattle mainly caused by obligate intra-erythrocytic Anaplasma marginale. A. marginale is transmitted biologically by ticks (Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus). Bovine anaplasmosis causes mild to severe clinical signs ranging from anorexia, fever, anemia, and respiratory manifestations to icterus and death. Molecular detection is the best method for Anaplasma diagnosis because of its ability to detect sub-clinical and carrier hosts. This study investigated the occurrence of A. marginale infection among cattle in the Qena governorate utilizing a molecular assay based the msp5 gene. A total of 100 whole blood samples were collected randomly from apparently healthy and diseased cattle. Such cattle were examined clinically, and their samples were included for microscopic examination. PCR screening of the tested cattle showed 23% (23/100) as a positive rate. While 6 samples from 100 (6%) showed A. marginale parasite in the microscopic examination. Several risk factors were analyzed in the current study, higher incidence rates were detected in animals less than 2 years than older than 2 years, Holstein-Friesian breeds than crossbreeds and in animals kept in small farms than in the mass farming system. Clinical and hematological variables were also investigated in several infected and non-infected cattle based on PCR reactivity. Fever, anorexia, respiratory manifestations, enlarged lymph nodes, pale or icteric mucous membranes and digestive disorders were reported in infected cattle (n= 23) but not in non-infected animals (n=77). Consistently, hematological variables in infected cattle (n = 10) revealed significantly lower RBCs count and hemoglobin content than those in the non-infected group (n=20) indicating hemolytic anemia. This study shows the high prevalence of A. marginale in cattle in Qena governorate associated with health hazards and multi-risk factors, so frequent usage of acaricides, regular examination of cattle, and successful chemoprophylaxis are recommended.

To date, there is limited data about the genetic relationship of Escherichia coli between wild birds and cattle because these birds act as silent vectors for many zoonotic bacteria. This study aimed to elucidate the role of rooming wild birds in the vicinity of cattle farm in transmission of the same pathogenic E. coli variants, identifying their virulence, resistance traits and genetic similarities of fimH virulence gene. About 240 faecal/cloacal swabs were collected from both species and examined bacteriologically. Escherichia coli was yielded in 45.8% and 32.5%, respectively, of examined cattle and wild birds. The most prevalent detected E. coli serovar was O26. High tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance were recorded; however, gentamycin and ciprofloxacin exhibited the highest sensitivity rates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conserved genotypic resistance (tetA and blaCTX-M) and virulence attributes (fimH, stx1, eaeA and ompA) of E. coli isolates were discussed in detail. The fimH gene revealed 100% sequence similarity when comparing with different E. coli isolates globally and locally. Finally, a close genetic association of E. coli with both wild birds and cattle was detected, thus strengthening its role in the dissemination of the infection via environment. Prevention and conservative policy should be carried as E. coli constitute enormous significant zoonotic risks to livestock and animal workers. Also, further studies to the whole genome sequencing of fimH, other virulence and resistance genes of E. coli are recommended trying to limit the possibilities of co-infection and transfer among different species. CONTRIBUTION: The current study recorded updated data about the critical infectious role of wild birds to livestock, including cattle farms in Egypt. It also delivered some recommendations for good hygienic practices in cattle farms which must be implemented for handling animal manure.

Brucellosis is an important bacterial zoonosis responsible for considerable economic losses in livestock and health-related burden worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis in communal and smallholder cattle farming in four districts of the North West province of South Africa (Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts). Seven hundred and seventy blood samples from farmed animals (n = 378) and abattoir-slaughtered animals (n = 392) were collected. In addition, milk samples (n = 22) were collected from lactating farmed cows. Rose Bengal test (RBT), complement fixation test (CFT) and milk ring test (MRT) were used to detect antibodies against Brucella species. The RBT showed a seroprevalence of 2% at 95% confidence interval (CI: 1.35–3.35), CFT confirmed an overall seroprevalence of 1.95% (95% CI: 1.14–3.12) for all four districts sampled. Although the seroprevalence of brucellosis was found to be low, the possibility of undetected cases of the disease could not be ruled out. Overall, the findings of this study confirmed that brucellosis is endemic in the surveyed areas of the North West province of South Africa. Contribution: The outcome of this study will contribute to the National Brucellosis Project organised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (2016–2026) to assist in the effective implementation of the disease control measures with a view to prevent further outbreaks in the country’s cattle population.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the etiological agent of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL), which is the most prevalent neoplastic disease of cattle worldwide. Few studies have been conducted on BLV detection in Egypt, and it is unknown whether BLV is prevalent in some areas. BLV seroprevalence has never been identified in Beheira province. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to determine the seroprevalence of BLV among cattle in Beheira. A total of 368 cattle plasma samples (219 dairy and 149 beef) from 6 dairy farms, 1 beef farm, and 9 slaughterhouses in eight districts covering most geographical areas of Beheira were investigated using a commercial ELISA for the detection of anti-gp51 antibodies. Data were analyzed, and the risk factors associated with BLV infection were evaluated. Out of the whole samples, 44 (11.9%) tested positive for BLV, and the seroprevalence rates in dairy and beef cattle were 31/219 (14.2%) and 13/149 (8.7%), respectively. Cattle breed had a significant risk factor on BLV seroprevalence, as in Holstein cattle, it was 21.65% (OR= 3.1, p <0.004) higher than mixed local breed (8.20%) in dairy cattle. However, Colombian cattle showed the highest seroprevalence (19.15%) among tested beef cattle breeds.  Additionally, neither age nor farming system had a potential risk on BLV seroprevalence in the tested dairy or beef cattle (p > 0.1). It is concluded that BLV infection is widespread among cattle in Beheira province's various localities, with a potential risk for cattle of foreign breeds to contract the BLV infection.

A primiparous Jersey cow was brought in lateral recumbency with the history of straining and past occurrence of antepartum prolapse a week before. Vaginal examination revealed incomplete two finger cervical dilatation with a very thin cervical rim. Cervicotomy was performed to remove the live male fetus and the animal recovered uneventfully.