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Bovine cysticercosis is categorized as a serious parasitic zoonotic infestation. The infection is mainly caused by the tapeworm Taenia saginata , which infects cattle and humans. The larval stage, Cysticercus bovis (C. bovis) , is found in the skeletal and cardiac muscles of infected cattle. Despite its potential public health concern, few studies have been conducted on cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt. This study investigates the prevalence, epidemiology, and impact of cardiac cysticercosis in Upper Egypt, emphasizing how histopathological changes in cardiac muscle and physiological parameters might be associated with the infection. From December 2022 to October 2023, a total of 941 animals from Assiut province, Upper Egypt, were slaughtered and their cardiac muscles were examined for the presence of C. bovis . Cysts were classified as viable or degenerated through macroscopic inspection. The overall prevalence of C. bovis infected hearts made up 10.8% of the total examined. The highest prevalence rate was in the summer season followed by spring; winter had the lowest infections. The histopathological examination of infected tissues revealed immune cell infiltration around Cysticercus-infected areas. Additionally, Bax immunostaining demonstrated the apoptotic effect of cysticercosis. Regarding the measured physiological parameters, there were non-significant changes in plasma levels of total protein and albumin in cattle infected with cysticercosis compared with control animals. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) combined with a significant increase in lipid peroxide (Malondialdehyde) (MDA), troponin T, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in infected animals. The present work documented a set of epidemiological and pathological findings, revealing that C. bovis is a potentially harmful parasite and can cause significant health problems in both cattle and humans.

Fish are a source of high-quality protein with low cholesterol, but they are susceptible to parasitic infections, which have a significant impact on aquaculture, in addition to their zoonotic potential. The present study estimated parasitic infections and evaluated the diversity of zoonotic parasites in freshwater Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. A total of 300 samples were randomly collected from the Assiut Governorate. These fish were examined for both ectoparasites and endoparasites, followed by the experimental infection of mice with encysted metacercariae (EMC) for the retrieval of the adult worms. The overall prevalence of the variable parasites was 82% (246 of 300). Both ecto- and endoparasites were detected in 41% (123 of 300) of the examined fish. The identified ectoparasites were Gyrodactylus , Dactylogrus , Cichlidogyrus , Trichodina and Icthyophthirius multifiliis , in 5%, 4%, 22%, 6% and 4% of the fish, respectively. The endoparasites were trematodes (Orientocreadium batrachoides 3%), nematodes ( Contracaecum . 2%), acanthocephala ( Acanthosentis tilapiae 25%) and protozoa that included Isospora and Eimeria spp., in 1% and 8% of fish, respectively. Myxobolus was detected in 2% of the examined fish. The overall prevalence of encysted metacercariae (EMC) was 95% (285 of 300), while infection with macroscopic EMC had a prevalence of 37% and microscopic EMC had a prevalence of 58%. The adult worms recovered from the experimental infections were Prohemistomum vivax and Mesostephanus spp., which belong to the family Cyathocotylidae . Collectively, these findings reflect the relatively high occurrence of parasites among the studied fish, confirming the necessity of strict measures to control infection.

The study aimed to investigate the mastitis' emerging causative agents and their antimicrobial sensitivity, in addition to the hematological, biochemical indicators, oxidative biomarkers, acute phase protein (APP), and inflammatory cytokine changes in dairy farms in Gamasa, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. One hundred Holstein Friesian dairy cattle with clinical and subclinical mastitis were investigated and were allocated into three groups based on a thorough clinical examination. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were found responsible for the clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy farms, respectively. Multiple drug resistance (MDR) was detected in 100%, and 94.74% of E. coli and S. aureus isolates, respectively. Significantly low RBCs count, Hb, and PCV values were detected in mastitic cows compared with both subclinical mastitic and control groups; moreover, WBCs, lymphocytes, and neutrophil counts were significantly diminished in mastitic cows compared to the controls. Significantly higher levels of AST, LDH, total protein, and globulin were noticed in both mastitic and subclinical mastitic cows. The haptoglobin, fibrinogen, amyloid A, ceruloplasmin, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were statistically increased in mastitic cows compared to the controls. Higher MDA levels and reduction of TAC and catalase were identified in all the mastitic cases compared to the controls. Overall, the findings suggested potential public health hazards due to antimicrobial resistance emergence. Meanwhile, the APP and cytokines, along with antioxidant markers can be used as early indicators of mastitis.

Avian coccidiosis remains one of the major parasitic diseases that threaten the global poultry industry. Since prevention is superior to treatment, this study focuses on eliminating the infection outside the host. To determine their effect on the viability of Eimeria tenella oocysts in vitro, allicin and alcoholic garlic extract, which are natural, less toxic, and inexpensive products, were compared to KOH 5% (chemical disinfectant) using an in vitro culture system. Three concentrations of allicin (45, 90, and 180 mg/mL) and alcoholic garlic extract (90, 180, and 360 mg/mL, were used. Subsequently, destructive and sporulation-inhibiting effects on Eimeria oocysts were detected using light and electron microscopy. Young chickens were infected with treated sporulated oocysts to determine their effect on infectivity. After 7 days pi, the percentage of excreted oocysts (oocyst shedding) was determined, and the chickens were slaughtered for histopathological examination of the cecal tissues. Under an electron microscope, allicin at a concentration of 180 mg/mL and alcoholic garlic extract at a concentration of 360 mg/mL demonstrate a high oocysticidal activity with severe destruction of the oocyst wall and the appearance of pores. In addition, both concentrations directly affected the infectivity of sporulated oocysts by reducing the shedding of oocysts and the pathological lesions of infected young chickens. We concluded that the ability of Allicin and alcoholic garlic extract to eliminate Eimeria oocysts makes them superior to chemical disinfectants as a disinfectant.

The present study used Litchi chinensis peel extract to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). This technique is eco-friendly and can be performed in a single step; thus, it has attracted great attention for NPs biosynthesis. Herein, we biosynthesized AgNPs with L. chinensis peel extract and examined their anticoccidial activity in rabbit hepatic coccidiosis induced by E. stiedae infection. Thirty-five rabbits were allocated into seven groups: a healthy group (G1), an infected control group (G2), four groups infected before treatment with 10 mg/kg L. chinensis peel extract-biosynthesized AgNPs (G3, G5) or 50 mg/kg amprolium (G4, G6), and rabbits infected after two weeks of pretreatment with 10 mg/kg L. chinensis eel extract-biosynthesized AgNPs (G7). In this study, both pre-and post-treatment with AgNPs produced a substantial reduction in fecal oocyst output, liver enzyme levels, and histopathological hepatic lesions relative to the infected group. In conclusion, L. chinensis peel extract-prepared AgNPs should be considered harmless and efficient in the cure of hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits.

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic zoonotic disease with a worldwide distribution. Its effects can be critical in immunocompromised patients. However, there is a limited availability of effective, low-toxicity drugs against this disease, particularly in its chronic form. The present study evaluated the effect of propolis and wheat germ oil (WGO) as safe, natural products to reduce Toxoplasma cysts in experimentally infected mice. For the experiment, five groups (10 mice per group) were examined: Group 1: negative control (noninfected, nontreated); Group 2: positive control (infected, nontreated); Group 3: infected and treated with WGO at a dose of 0.2 mg/1.5 mL per kg body weight/day; Group 4: infected and treated with 0.1 mL propolis extract/day; and Group 5: infected and treated with a combination of WGO and propolis at the same doses as Group 3 and 4. After the mice were sacrificed, liver and lung specimens underwent histopathological examination, and the parasite burden was investigated by parasitological methods and quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Notably, the results showed a substantial decrease in parasitic burden in Group 5 compared to the control group. These results were further confirmed by molecular analysis and quantification of the DNA concentration of the Toxoplasma P29 gene after treatment in all tested samples. Furthermore, the combination of propolis and WGO restored all histopathological changes in the liver and lungs. Taken together, these findings provide remarkably promising evidence of the effects of the combination of WGO and propolis against chronic toxoplasmosis in mice.

Heads of sheep ( n = 600) and goats ( n = 800) slaughtered at Al-Aziziah Abattoir in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were inspected for the presence of O. ovis larvae (L). Heads were split along the longitudinal axes, and larvae (L1, L2, and L3) were gathered. The infestation rate was significantly higher in goats (44.5%; 356/800) than that in sheep (22.3%; 134/600). Out of the 151 collected larvae from sheep, 0% were L1, 1.3% were L2, and 98.7% were L3. Out of the total of 468 larvae from goats, 0% were L1, 1.2% were L2, and 98.8% were L3. The infestation rate was significantly higher in males than that in females. Myiasis-causing larvae collected from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were authenticated as O. ovis , according to morphological characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a partial fragment (600 bp) of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I ( mtCOI ) gene further confirmed the species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial mtCOI gene sequence demonstrated that 23 unique sequences showed high similarity based on nucleotide pairs of O. ovis accessions retrieved from GenBank.

Sarcocystis (S.) spp. are intracellular protozoan parasites that infect birds and animals, resulting in substantial commercial losses. Sarcocystis spp. have an indirect life cycle; canines and felines are known to act as final hosts, and numerous domestic and wild animals act as intermediate hosts. The presence of sarcocysts in camel meat may diminish its commercial quality. There is limited knowledge regarding the taxonomy and diagnosis of Sarcocystis spp. that infect camels in Saudi Arabia. In this study, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed S. cameli and S. camelicanis ( camelicanis ) in Camelus (C.) dromedarius . This is the first report of S. camelicanis in Saudi Arabia and is considered a significant finding. Based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COX1) sequences, two samples of Sarcocystis spp. isolated from C. dromedarius in Riyadh and Dammam were grouped with S. levinei hosted by Bubalus bubalis in India, S. rangi hosted by Rangifer tarandus in Norway, S. miescheriana hosted by Sus scrofa in Italy and S. fayeri hosted by Equus caballus in Canada. The sequences obtained in this study have been deposited in GenBank., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results

Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrophilic bacterium, which causes widespread zoonosis in the natural environment, and mainly affects goat, sheep, and cattle herds. Recently, we predicted that it can be transmitted through food. It causes listeriosis, a severe infectious disease, which occurs with food contaminated with the pathogenic bacterium. Anti-inflammatory factors are important to treat the dangers of chronic inflammation associated with chronic diseases. Natural foodstuffs have made and are continuing to make vital contributions to the search for new antilisterial agents. The use of natural products in association with silver nanoparticles has drawn attention because of its easy, nonpathogenic, eco-friendly, and economical protocol. Hence, we aimed to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using Garcinia mangostana peel extract, which was found to be a good source for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, their formation being confirmed by color change and stability in solution, and investigated the antilisterial activity of these nanoparticles in a murine model of L. monocytogenes infection. A total of 28 mice were divided into four groups-healthy control, infected, infected mice treated with green Ag-NPs biosynthesized with G. mangostana (5 mg/mL), and infected mice pretreated with Ag-NPs. From our results, oral treatment with Ag-NPs biosynthesized with G. mangostana peel extract resulted in a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, and increased the levels of the antiapoptotic protein, compared with the untreated mice. These results indicate that G. mangostana may provide therapeutic value against L. monocytogenes -induced oxidative stress and histopathological alterations, and that these effects may be related to antiapoptotic and antioxidant activities.

Sarcocystosis is induced by species of Sarcocystis , which is an intracellular protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa. The diversity and importance of Sarcocystis species in sheep and goats in Saudi Arabia are poorly understood. In this study, the tongue, esophagus, heart, diaphragm, and skeletal muscles were collected from 230 sheep and 84 goats, and the tissues were examined for the presence of Sarcocystis species by macroscopic examination and light microscopy. Microscopic Sarcocystis species cysts were found in both sheep and goats. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed S. tenella in sheep and S. capracanis in goats. Sarcocystis species were confirmed for the first time in Saudi Arabian sheep and goats by molecular testing. S. capracanis was most closely related to S. tenella, with the COX1 sequences sharing 91.7% identity. A phylogenetic analysis produced similar results and indicated that the Sarcocystis isolates were within a group of Sarcocystis species in which dogs were the final host. Finally, the Sarcocystis species cysts from sheep and goats could be grouped together, indicating that they were strongly related.