OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of midazolam following IV and IM administration in sheep. ANIMALS 8 healthy adult rams. PROCEDURES Sheep were administered midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) by the IV route and then by the IM route 7 days later in a crossover study. Physiologic and behavioral variables were assessed and blood samples collected for determination of plasma midazolam and 1-hydroxymidazolam (primary midazolam metabolite) concentrations immediately before (baseline) and at predetermined times for 1,440 minutes after midazolam administration. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by compartmental and noncompartmental methods. RESULTS Following IV administration, midazolam was rapidly and extensively distributed and rapidly eliminated; mean ± SD apparent volume of distribution, elimination half-life, clearance, and area under the concentration-time curve were 838 ± 330 mL/kg, 0.79 ± 0.44 hours, 1,272 ± 310 mL/h/kg, and 423 ± 143 h·ng/mL, respectively. Following IM administration, midazolam was rapidly absorbed and bioavailability was high; mean ± SD maximum plasma concentration, time to maximum plasma concentration, area under the concentration-time curve, and bioavailability were 820 ± 268 ng/mL, 0.46 ± 0.26 hours, 1,396 ± 463 h·ng/mL, and 352 ± 148%, respectively. Respiratory rate was transiently decreased from baseline for 15 minutes after IV administration. Times to peak sedation and ataxia after IV administration were less than those after IM administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated midazolam was a suitable short-duration sedative for sheep, and IM administration may be a viable alternative when IV administration is not possible.

Ice cream is a delicious dairy product commonly consumed during summer in all age groups. Due to its composition, it can harbor many potent pathogens. Most ice creams become contaminated with microbes during production, transit, and preservation. Such contaminated food product can be responsible for food borne infections in children, elderly people and immune-suppressed patients. Therefore, the study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological quality of street-vended ice creams sold in different areas of Alexandria city, Egypt. One hundred street vended ice cream samples (50 packed and 50 unpacked) randomly collected samples and analyzed for total bacterial count, Enterobacteriaceae count, coliform count, enterococci count and Staphylococcus aureus. The results revealed that the mean value of total viable count, Enterobacteriaceae count, Coliform count, Enterococci count and Staphylococcus aureus in packed and unpacked ice cream samples were 1.9x103±0.3x103, 1.0x106±0.8x106; 2.1x103±0.8x103, 1.9x104±0.8x104; 1.6x103± 0.6x103, 0.8x104±0.6x104; 1.3x103±0.05x103, 7.4x104±5.5x104 and 9.1x102±2.6x102, 0.8x104±0.4x104cfu/ml, respectively. Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter sp. could be isolated and identified from the examined packed and unpacked ice cream samples. Serological identification of E.coli showed that the O111: K58: B4 is the most serotype of E.coli isolated from unpacked ice cream samples while O128: K67: B12 is the most prevalent E.coli serotype isolated from packed ice cream samples. It is recommended to launch awareness programs to minimize the contamination of ice cream products.

This study was carried out to assess the effect of storage conditions on the sensory, quality parameters and microbiological status of beef from the muscle “Semitendinosus”. The experiment was design into 4 groups of beef samples, the first was control and the others were unpacked, aerobic packed and vacuum packed chilled meat. The obtained results showed that the mean values of mesophilic counts were 6×10⁷±5×10⁶, 3×10⁷±3×10⁶, 3×10⁷±2×10⁶ and 5×10⁷±5×10⁶ CFU/g, while those of psychrophilic count were 5×10⁷±5×10⁶, 3×10⁶±3×10⁵, 4×10⁶±3×10⁵ and 7×10⁶±7×10⁵ CFU/g, whereas the mean values of coliforms MPN were 10⁵±10⁴, 10⁵±10⁴, 2×10⁴±10³ and 4×10⁷±2×10⁶ MPN/g, the mean values of fecal coliforms MPN were 2×10³±2×10², 4×10⁴±3×10³, 2×10³±10² and 10⁷±10⁶ MPN/g, the mean values of E. coli MPN were 9×10²±9×10, 6×10±6×10², 6×10³±10² and 2×10³±10² MPN/g and the mean values of Staphylococcus count were (9×10⁵±9×10⁴, 10⁶±10⁵, 2×10⁶±10⁵ and 2×10⁶±2×10⁵ CFU/g) for control, unpacked, aerobic packed and vacuum packed chilled stored beef, respectively. The unpacked meat showed increase in shelf life time till four days as the sensory evaluation become excellent till four days also, increased pH, drip, water holding capacity (WHC) and cooking loss at four days. Staphylococcus reach to unsatisfactory level. Area packed meat increase in shelf life time till six days showing excellent sensory evalution at six day, decreasd drip, water holding capacity and cooking loss and slowly increased in bacterial count. Anaerobic meat have the longest shelf life time till 10 days as vacuum packing reduce drip, WHC and cooking loss. Also decrease mesophilic, fecal coliform growth. The quality assurance of cold storage was discussed as well as the vacuum packaged chilled beef has long shelf –life time than aerobic packed and fresh meat. This attributed to that package and cold storage reduce microbiological and physio-chemical alterations in meat. The recommendations to extension of shelf life time were discussed.

This study aimed to replace liquid foot pan in the poultry farm, with a novel model that is used more effectively in biosecurity program convenient with the workers in Egyptian farms that avoid foot pan. This novel model dry foot pan, semiliquid (wet) foot pan and floor mat that enabled the disinfectants to be worked for a longer time. In the present study authors are looking for a durable footbath, stable, fast, easily applied and log acting in the reduction of salmonellae. The efficacy of powder disinfectant (calcium hypochlorite powder, Halamid, Staldren, Virkon S and paraformaldehyde) were tested against salmonellae in a novel form of foot pan dry, semi-liquid and floor mat models. The disinfectants were diluted by calcium carbonate or sodium chloride powder in the dry form, surfactant in the semiliquid form and use of the sponge as a mat in the third form. Daily measurement of the active principle of the tested disinfectants and the log reduction of the Salmonellae were done. The dry form and semi liquid form of the Calcium hypochlorite was successfully effective for 10 days in dry form and 9 days in semiliquid form. However, Halamid and Staldren were successfully effective in dry form for 14 days and 17 days respectively, semiliquid form was worked for 21 day and 3 days and floor mat was effective for 21 days and 3 days respectively. Paraformaldehyde powder was also effective for 6 days in the dry form, but in the semiliquid form was effective for 10 days, floor mat was effective for 12 days. 5% Virkon S could be effective for 3 days in the dry form and semi-liquid form but only 2 days in the floor mat form.

A total of 247 intestinal samples from freshly dead broiler and layer chickens were collected from 150 farms in Giza, Sharkia, Qalubia, El-Behera, Daqahlia and Cairo governorates in different seasons. These samples showed different degrees of intestinal lesions from apparently normal to sever necrosis with ulcerations. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 138 samples with incidence of 55.9%. The incidence of NE was higher in spring and summer than winter and autumn. According to polymerase chain reaction and intradermal injection of guinea pig all isolates were Clostridium perfringens type A. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity tests made for 15 isolates and most of the examined isolates were highly sensitive to amoxicillin, ampicillin, florfenicol, penicillin and metronidazole. Three isolates showed resistance to most of antibiotics were used. Effect of piperazine salt on antibiotic resistance of C. perfringens isolate was studied in this work.

The objective was to determine the accuracy of color Doppler ultrasound for diagnosis of early pregnancy in buffaloes based on the evaluation of corpus luteum blood flow (CLBF) on days 20 and 21 after mating. Local Egyptian buffaloes, (n=12) during 3rd and 4th lactational season were kept in the farm of Animal Reproduction Research Institute (ARRI). The animals were divided into two groups, group A (n=6) was mated naturally by a fertile bull during late estrus phase and group B (n=6) was left. Animals underwent grayscale ultrasonography (US) to locate the CL , then color flow Doppler and power Doppler were activated to evaluate CLBF and pulsed wave Doppler to evaluate uterine blood flow on days 1,5,10,12,14,16,18,19,20,21,23,25,27,30 after mating, using a portable, battery operated color Doppler and B-mode ultrasound scanner equipped with a 10-5MHz, rectal transducer (M-turbo, Fujifilm sonosite, USA). Based on subjective (visual) and objective (Doppler parameters) corpus luteum blood flow (CLBF) evaluation. Animals in group A were classified as pregnant or non- pregnant on day 20 and day 21 after mating depending on CLBF. Blinded from results of the previous diagnosis, we performed a final pregnancy diagnosis using US to visualize the fetal heartbeat on day 30 after mating. Blood samples were collected from jugular vein after examination to determine by ELIZA kits, serum estradiol and progesterone concentration. The final pregnancy outcome on day 30 was retrospectively compared with the CLBF on days 20 and 21 diagnoses and then classified as true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the CLBF-d20-21 test were calculated using specific equations. The CLBF decreased markedly on days 20-21 in case of non-mated group (CL regression), while it remained constant or slightly increased in case of pregnant animals. Moreover the uterine blood flow markedly increased in case of non-mated group during the same period.

Chicken anemia virus (CAV) is the causative agent of chicken infectious anemia CIA). Studying CAV isolates in Egypt and their genetic diversity and its potential role in vaccination failure recently noticed in broiler flocks, is lacking in Egypt. So, the present study aimed to characterize CAV isolate-collected from a commercial broiler flock suffered from severe anemia and high mortality based on sequence and phylogenetic analysis of partial VP1 gene as well as to study pathogenicity and immunosuppressive potential in one day-old SPF chicks. The CAV isolate proved to be positive by PCR. The PCR product was sequenced and submitted to the gene bank under the accession number KX171350 and the CAV strain was designated as CLEVB-Zag2. Phylogenetic analysis at the nucleotide and amino acids level classify CLEVB-Zag2 CAV under group III (genotype III) of CAVs. On the other hand, the CLEVB-Zag2 CAV was found to be highly pathogenic for the experimentally inoculated SPF- chicks showing depression, severe anemia in almost all chicks in two infected groups beginning at the 7th day post infection (PI) and reached the peak of severity at the 14th day (hematocrit value, hemoglobin conc. and RBCs counts) are significantly reduced in chicks of the infected group. Blue wings were observed in few chicks in each infected group at the 14th day PI. Macroscopic lesions consisting of subcutaneous and muscular hemorrhages are observed with pale bone marrow, significant atrophy of thymus, spleen and bursa, hepatomegally with mottled liver and paleness of the carcasses were detected 7 days PI Those findings were evident and increased in severity until the day 14 PI. Concerning the CLEVB-Zag2 CAV, it was found to be highly immunosuppressive in the infected SPFchicks vaccinated with a commercial potent inactivated H5N1 vaccine as manifested by a significant reduction (protection 50%). The variance in the titer of the shieded challenge H5N1 virus was 1.45 log10 and the mean HI titer at the 4th week post vaccination was 1.5 log2 compared with the non-infected vaccinated group where these values were 90%, 2.35 log10 and 5.3 log2; respectively. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the CLEVB-Zag2 CAV isolate is highly pathogenic and immunosuppressive.

This study aimed to evaluate intramuscularly administered ketamine, intravenously administered ketamine and intravenously administered propofol in diazepam premedicated goats. Nine native female goats divided into three groups (each of 3 goats) were premedicated with diazepam 1 mg/kg intramuscularly. Goats of group I were treated with ketamine (8 mg/kg) intravenously, while those of group II treated with ketamine (10 mg/kg) intramuscularly, and group III injected with propofol (5 mg/kg) intravenously. The mean anesthetic onset, anesthetic duration, and total recovery period were calculated. The mean heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT) and biochemical parameters also were recorded. Satisfactory anesthesia and immobilization (smooth induction, and smooth recovery) needed for surgical interventions of short duration were achieved in all groups. The induction was good and smooth in groups I and III. The quality of recovery was good in groups III and I and recovery is longer in group II. In conclusion, this study indicates that the 3 regimens are associated with acceptable anesthetic characteristics; Propofol IV is superior to ketamine because it provides uneventful onset and recovery which are more rapid than ketamine IV or ketamine IM, so reduces anaesthetic risk while administration of ketamine intravenously is superior to its administration intramuscularly

Newcastle Disease virus (NDV) and Avian Influenza virus (AI) are represent a great negative significant causing severe economic losses and increased mortalities worldwide. Newcastle disease (ND) and Avian Influenza (AI) vaccination were targeting to lower the losses from mortality, reduce the viral load in the environment as well as eradication of positive cases. Many immunostimulants had been used to improve the immune response of vaccinated chickens. The current study was designed to compare the effect of different immunostimulants on chick's immune response to bivalent ND with AI-H5N1 oil vaccine. One hundred and ten, 1- day old Baladi chicks, At the 1st day of life (0 day) 10 birds were sacrificed to obtained individual blood samples for serum to determine maternal antibodies (MDAbs) to both AI and ND. Rest of birds (100 chicks) were divided into 5 equal groups (1-5); each 20 chicks. All chicken groups were vaccinated against ND with eye drop instillation of HB1 vaccine. While, at the 9th day birds of the groups 1-3 and 5 were given H5N1 vaccine by S.C injection, birds of group 4 were lifted as non AI vaccinated control. The used immune stimulants under test were given to groups 1, 2, and 3 as follows Lector, Superimmune and Imuvral; respectively. All the groups were subjected to daily observation with recording of feed intake, weekly body weight gain and total FCR, Weekly serum samples were collected, for serological examination, and the results showed high antibody titers, low mortality rates and better body performance in the groups treated with immunostimulants than the other groups which were not treated with the immunostimulants

Duck Hepatitis virus (DHV) causes great economic losses in waterfowl industry worldwide. 3D gene, lies in the P3 segment of the picornavirus genome, is highly conserved and is a non-structural polyprotein gene, its encoding protein contains a conserved domain termed RNA-dependentRNA polymerase which participates in the synthesis of virus RNA during virus replication. The current work describes the surveillance of DHV in 20 commercial duck farms in Egypt with a history of high mortality in 3 to 15 day-old young ducklings from 2014 to 2016. Clinical samples were examined by Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction assays followed by partial sequence analysis of the 3D gene of the positive samples. Histopathological examination of the liver from selected samples was also conducted. The overall positive rate was 50% (n = 10/20). All duck breeds (Pekin, Muscovy and Mallard) used in the study were found to be susceptible to the disease. Histopathological findings of the liver samples showed pronounced lesions including hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis. Also, apoptosis were observed and bile duct hyperplasia, together with varying degrees of inflammatory cell response and haemorrhage. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the Egyptian strains cluster in the DHAV serotype 1 with Asian viruses and distant from the vaccine strains used in Egypt.