Studies on the trypanotolerance of Orma Boran X Maasai Zebu (Orma Zebu) crossbred cattle (F1 progeny) and pure-bred Maasai Zebu contemporaries were carried out in Nguruman, south western Kenya. The two groups were monitored from birth for a period of 2 years. The incidence of trypanosomosis, parasitaemia, packed cell volume (PCV), body mass and average daily mass gain were monitored. During the study period, overall trypanosomosis incidence was low (3 %). The crossbred cattle had a higher incidence of infection (61 % vs 39 %). The mean PCV and mean mass gain for the crossbred cattle was higher than that of the Maasai Zebu. The mean calf body mass at weaning (8 months) for the Orma Zebu and Maasai Zebu was 72 kg and 64 kg, respectively, while at 18 months of age their mean body mass was 164 kg and 123 kg, respectively. During the rainy season significant differences in average daily mass gains were noted (P < 0.05). The superior mass gain of the Orma Zebu observed during the rainy season, despite higher infection rates, indicate an enhanced trypanotolerance. Moreover, the better performance of the Orma Zebu is an attribute that could be exploited in the adoption of the trypanotolerance genotype, as a sustainable trypanosomosis control strategy.

During summer 2004, an outbreak of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) had beenspread among cattle as well as buffaloes in Egypt. The most striking clinical signs incattle were fever of short duration, depression, stiffness, lameness and sometimerecumbency. Young calves, unfattened bulls and dry, lean non-pregnant cows showed only mild signs while fattened calves, mature heavy bulls and high-producing dairy cows and cows at the late stages of pregnancy were severely affected and signs persisted longer. Deaths and other complications accompanied the disease such as subcutaneous emphysema was not recorded in these outbreaks. In buffaloes, the clinical signs were mild and less severe compared with that of cattle. Serological examination of paired serum samples collected from the diseased animals using serum neutralization test revealed rising of the neutralizing antibody titers for BEF virus after 3 weeks from the onset of clinical signs. Blood picture and biochemical analysis of sera of 6 diseased animals, showed anemia represented by significant decrease in RBCS, PCV% and Hb content. The leukogram showed neutrophihia and lymphopenia with normal leukocytic count. There was rise in plasma fibrinogen with drop in calcium and phosphorus values. All of these parameters were more or less improved three weeks post-recovery. Good nursing care with early treatment with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (Phenylbutazone) or administration of calcium borogluconate of lame or recumbent animals lead to rapid and prompt recovery.

Five species of ixodid ticks were found in a cross-sectional survey in which 200 sheep were examined for ticks in River Nile Province, Sudan. Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum was the predominant species (73.6 %), whereas ticks belonging to the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (14.7 %), Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi (9.1 %), Rhipicephalus simus (2 %) and Hyalomma dromedarii (0.5 %) were also found. The mean tick load was 11.2 per animal. In a subsequent longitudinal survey ticks were collected on a monthly basis from eight sentinel sheep that were introduced into the area. It was found that H. a. anatolicum almost disappeared during the hot period between April and August, whereas it's highest numbers were present in winter between November and February. It is concluded that there is only one generation of H. a. anatolicum per year, which may explain the yearround appearance of clinical cases of malignant ovine theileriosis indicating endemic instability of this disease in River Nile Province.

The challenge virus standard (CVS-11) strain of fixed rabies virus was propagatedin weaning mice brains and in suckling mice brains. It was also propagated on babyhamster kidney cell line (BHK-21) with use of diethylaminoethyl-dextran (DEAEDextran). These passages were titerated in 3-4 weeks old white Swiss mice using mouse inoculation test (MIT). The virus harvest was concentrated using zinc acetate method , inactivated by beta-propiolactone (BPL) and adjuvanted with combination of vitamin E and selenium. The prepared adjuvanted inactivated tissue culture rabies vaccine was subjected to quality control tests as safety, sterility and potency using National Institute of Health (NIH) test against reference vaccine.

Peroxidase labeled immunoglobulins to camelpox virus (CPV) were prepared for use in various techniques of ELISA. Ten rabbits and three goats were inoculated with a mixture of camelpox virusand Freund’s adjuvant. Sera were pooled separately on the 10th day post the last inoculation and immunoglobulins were precipitated using saturated ammonium sulphate. The globulins were 2.8 g/dl and 2.5 g/dl for rabbits and goats respectively and used for peroxidase conjugation. The peroxidase labeled immunoglobulins were titrated and evaluated using direct solid phase ELISA, double antibody sandwich ELISA and dot immunoblot ELISA. The prepared conjugates gave specific and clear positive reactions till the dilution of 2000 and 1500 for rabbits and goats immunoglobulins respectively. The prepared labeled immunoglobulins could be successfully used in detection of camel pox viral antigen of local virulent and standard vaccinal strain of the virus using various ELISA techniques.

Considerable difficulties are associated with the isolation of Yersinia enterocolitica from food particularly milk and milk products. Most methods are time consuming require enrichment steps and are unable to differentiate pathogenic isolates from non pathogenic ones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in milk by both polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional culturing methods. Fifty milk samples were collected from Shami goats in North Sinai governorate. Two primers (DG26 and DG63) were used in PCR and the size of the PCR-product was 440bp. The results obtained by PCR technique were in good agreement with that obtained by conventional culturing method. Five samples (10%) were positive by PCR while 4 samples were positive by conventional culturing method. Interestingly, PCR results are obtained within few hours. Moreover, it solved the problem of interpretation of classical biochemical and serological typing in one step without necessity of using additional examinations. This makes diagnosis in food control laboratories much faster and more efficient.

Beef longissimus dorsi steaks were treated with 10, 25, and 50-kGy gamma irradiation and weekly examined during refrigeration storage at 5ºC to evaluate the changes in their organoleptic, bacteriological, chemical and nutritional quality characteristics as well as deterioration criteria. The signs of spoilage became apparent after 17 days of refrigeration storage in control untreated samples compared with 52 days for 10 kGy treated samples; however, samples treated with 25 or 50 kGy remained without signs of spoilage until the end of storage period (4 months). A characteristic burnt flavor was distinguished in irradiated beef samples, which was intensified with high irradiation dose, but decreased during storage. High doses of irradiation especially 50 kGy resulted in a brownish color of meat surface. Moreover, gamma irradiation resulted in high thiobarbituric acid values after treatments and during storage due to lipid oxidation. Thiamin content of beef was severely reduced and the reduction was dependant on the irradiation dose. Riboflavin was also affected by irradiation, but it was much stable than thiamin. The proximate chemical composition of beef was slightly affected by irradiation.

Resistance to trypanocidal drugs has been detected in various African countries and is a serious impediment to the control of livestock trypanosomosis. To determine whether drug resistant trypanosome strains are present in the Zambézia Province of Mozambique a study was initiated. To assess the effect of the farming system and the drug-use regimen on the development of drug resistance, trypanosome isolates were collected from cattle from subsistence and commercial livestock production systems. The susceptibility of seven isolates against isometamidium chloride, diminazene aceturate and homidium chloride was tested in mice using a multiple-dose test. In four of the seven isolates high levels of drug resistance to diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride were detected. In most cases the observed levels of drug resistance correlated with the drug-use practices in the particular livestock production system.

Ingestion of the plant Nolletia gariepina was confirmed as the cause of acute mortalities in cattle in the Kuruman area of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The aim of this trial was to investigate the toxic effects of this plant with respect to clinical signs, pathophysiology and pathology using the sheep as a model. At dosages of 1.5 g dried, milled plant material/kg body mass there were no detectable abnormal findings, while at dosages of 2.8-3.0 g/kg most of the animals died acutely. In subacutely affected sheep, depression, inappetance, teeth grinding, tachycardia, weak ruminal movements and recumbency were noticed. The most prominent pathophysiological changes observed, included a sharp rise in non-protein nitrogen substances in the plasma, remarkable decline in glomerular filtration rate, increase in sodium and potassium excretion, and a rise in urine gamma glutamyltransferase activity. Macroscopically a severe nephrosis was present in all the animals. The most important findings detected histologically were necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubular epithelium and large numbers of protein casts in the lumens.

The present study was carried out to investigate the skin irritation potential of oregano oil in rabbits. A volume of 0.5 ml of test article was applied to intact and abraded skins, respectively, for 24 h in 6 healthy male New Zealand White rabbits. Parameters measured during 72 h observation period were mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and local irritation. Treatment-related toxic symptoms, as evidenced by anorexia and decreased locomotor activity, were observed in all rabbits tested. Two rabbits out of the 6 total died on day 2 after the application of test article due to treatment-related toxicity.