Clostridium perfringens beta toxin is only produced by types B and C and plays an important role in many human and animal diseases, causing fatal conditions that originate in the intestines. We compared the expression of C. perfringens type B vaccine strain recombinant beta toxin gene in the Escherichia coli strains RosettaTM(DE3) and BL21(DE3). The beta toxin gene was extracted from pJETβ and ligated with pET22b(+). pET22β was transformed into E. coli strains BL21(DE3) and RosettaTM(DE3). Recombinant protein was expressed as a soluble protein after isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) induction in strain RosettaTM(DE3) but not in BL21(DE3). Expression was optimised by growing recombinant cells at 37 °C and at an induction of 0.5 mM, 1 mM, 1.5 mM IPTG. Expression was evaluated using sodium dodecyl sulfate Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The recombinant protein was purified via Ni-NTA and was analysed using western blot. We concluded that E. coli strain RosettaTM(DE3) can enhance the expression of C. perfringens recombinant beta toxin. Keywords: C. perfringens beta toxin (CPB); expression; RosettaTM; BL21

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.

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.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of discharged waste effluent into water sources on heavy metals content in water, sediment and fish. A pilot study was carried out during the period from (March to May 2014). Samples were collected from water, sediment and fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from five fish farms and River Nile in Beni-Suef governorate to estimate Lead, Cadmium, Zinc and Copper. The results revealed a significant increase in Pb and Cd in water, sediment and fish samples collected from fish farms and these metals were within the permissible limits in River Nile samples. Zn and Cu in all samples of water and muscle of (farms and River Nile) were lower than permissible limits of WHO. The results of this study indicate that high levels of some heavy metals present in fish collected from the fish farms in Beni-Suef governorate are not accepted as food for human purposes.

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.

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

The present study was carried out in six provinces in both Egypt and Libya throughout the period from January to October 2014. These areas were (Beni-Suef, Ismailia, and Matrouh district) in Egypt and (Tripoli, Zliten, and Zawia district) in Libya. To assess the hygienic quality of underground water sources intended for animal and human drinking and detect the source of pollution. The physicochemical parameters as pH, alkalinity (mg/l), electrical conductivity (μS/cm), total hardness (mg/l), hardness Ca+2 (mg/l), hardness Mg+2 (mg/l), ammonia (mg/l), nitrite (NO2-) (mg/l), nitrate (NO3-) (mg/l) and some heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn and Mn) in the underground water were determined. A total of 60 water samples of the underground water were collected from dug wells. Samples were investigated for assessment the physicochemical quality of water destined for human and/or livestock consumption using appropriate instruments for the estimation of metals in the underground water using atomic absorption spectrometer. It has been revealed that a significant increase in mean values of alkalinity (P<0.001) in Ismailia district, Egypt and Zawia district, Libya. Meanwhile, the total hardness showed a significant increase in Tripoli, Zliten and Zawia districts of Libya (367.8±23.73, 345±17.20 and 330±20.19 mg/l, respectively). Mean values of lead (Pb) were higher in Tripoli and Zliten districts, Libya and Matrouh and Ismailia districts, Egypt (0.03±0.1, 0.02±0.3, 0.02±0.07 and 0.02±0.04, respectively). Meanwhile, mean values of cadmium (Cd) were the highest in the three Libyan districts (0.24± 0.003, 0.22±0.07 and 0.012±0.006 mg/l, respectively). In conclusion, the absence of unified system to monitor physicochemical parameters in ground water in the studied areas represented an important task in the evaluation of such water sources and subsequently causing an environmental risk for both animals and humans health.

Parasitic helminths of pigeons and turkeys are worldwide spread causing mortalities and considerable economic losses. Accordingly, intestinal tracts of omestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and domestic turkeys (Meleagris allopavo) were examined in Beni-Suef province, Egypt to detect their helminth fauna. A total of 740 intestinal samples from pigeons and 100 from turkeys were investigated during the period from June 2015 to May 2016. The overall prevalence of recovered helminths was 11.76% (87/740) in pigeons. The recovered species were identified as two trematodes, 5 cestodes and 4 nematodes. Digeneans were Brachylaima cribbi (1/740; 0.14%) and unidentified Brachylaima sp. (0.14%). Cestodal species were identified as Raillietina echinobothrida (33/740; 4.46%), Raillietina cesticillus (7/740; 0.95%), Raillietina tetragona (7/740; 0.95%), Cotugnia digonopora (5/740; 0.68%) and Hymenolepis carioca (2/740; 0.27%). Among cestodes, R. echinobothrida was the most predominant one. Recovered nematodal species were Ascaridia columbae (22/740; 3%), Subulura brumpti (6/740; 0.81%), Heterakis gallinarum (3/740; 0.41%) and Capillaria spp. (2/740; 0.27%). Ascaridia dissimilis was the only helminth species detected in turkeys (6/100; 6%). The highest prevalence of infection was seen in winter and summer. Tapeworms and round worms were highly prevalent at the summer. The recorded trematodal infection was found in winter. To the best of author's knowledge, adult Brachylaima spp. was first recorded from pigeons in Egypt. Veterinarians and workers of poultry industry must be aware towards the potential role of arthropods as vectors of such helminths among both domestic and wild birds.

Antimicrobial resistant Salmonella are among the leading causes of foodborne infections. Our aim was to determine Salmonella contamination during cattle slaughter in South African rural abattoirs (n = 23) and environmental samples. Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance patterns of the Salmonella isolates were determined. Samples of cattle faeces (n = 400), carcass sponges (n = 100), intestinal contents (n = 62), hides (n = 67), and water from the abattoirs (n = 75) were investigated for Salmonella species using microbiological techniques and species-specific polymerase chain reaction targeting the invA gene. In total 92 Salmonella species isolates were recovered. The Salmonella mean frequency of occurrence on hides, carcasses, and intestinal contents was 35.37% (n = 81). Eleven faecal samples (2.75%) tested positive for Salmonella. The predominant serovar was Salmonella Enteritidis. Diverse serovars that were identified on carcasses were not necessarily found on the hides and intestinal contents. The inconsistent occurrence of the diverse Salmonella serovars on hides, carcasses, and intestinal contents implies that in addition to carriage on hides and in intestinal contents, other external factors also play an important role regarding carcass contamination. The 92 Salmonella were serotyped and tested for susceptibility towards the following antimicrobials: ampicillin, cefotaxime, enrofloxacin, kanamycin, and oxytetracycline using the disk diffusion method. Most Salmonella (n = 66; 71.7%) isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial with highest resistance observed towards oxytetracycline (51.90%), which highlights the need for strict hygiene during slaughter and prudent antimicrobial use during animal production. In conclusion, cattle slaughtered in South African rural abattoirs harbour diverse Salmonella serovars that are resistant to antimicrobials, which could be a public health risk. The findings should assist policymakers with improving implementation of hygienic slaughter of cattle in rural abattoirs, which is paramount from socioeconomic, public health, and epidemiological standpoints. Keywords: Salmonella; Cattle; Rural abattoirs; slaughter; Multidrug resistance; Environmental samples