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• Ovine anaplasmosis is a tick borne disease, mainly affecting small ruminants and causes economic losses in Egypt. • The prevalence of Anaplasma ovis was highly significant in elder ewe particularly in animals infested with ticks. • The analysis of A. ovis msp4 sequences revealed two different genotypes classified in the old world sub-cluster with other Egyptian isolates. Anaplasma ovis is the most common etiologic agent of ovine anaplasmosis, mainly transmitted by ticks. The present study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence of A. ovis in sheep from Egypt and assessed the associated risk factors. The study was conducted, between January and December 2020, in four governorates situated in Northern Egypt. Blood samples from 355 asymptomatic sheep were collected and examined by the use of PCR specific to A. ovis. Diversity analysis and phylogenetic study based on partial msp4 gene sequence were performed on revealed A. ovis DNA. Overall, the molecular prevalence rate of A. ovis was 15.5% and the highest rate was observed in Kafr ElSheikh governorate (16.8%). Statistical analysis revealed that A. ovis infection was significantly related to sheep gender and to tick infestation. The risk factors that were found to be associated with A. ovis infection in exposed sheep were: female sex (OR=2.6, 95%CI: 1.13–6.12), and infestation with ticks (OR=2.1, 95%CI: 1.11–3.79). The analysis of A. ovis msp4 sequences revealed two different genotypes classified in the Old World sub-cluster with other Egyptian isolates. Investigation on prevalence, risk factors and genetic variability of A. ovis in sheep reported in this study is important for the implementation of control programs. Further studies are needed to determine the vectors and reservoirs of A. ovis in Egyptian small ruminants and to identify the real economic impact of A. ovis infection on the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Brucellosis remains a threat to the cattle and sheep industry in Egypt. • Detection of B. abortus from unvaccinated cattle and sheep. • PCR is a better alternative to bacteriological methods for diagnosing brucellosis. • Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses showed that two distinct B. abortus strains are circulating among cattle and sheep. • Sex and age are considered as risk factor for brucellosis in cattle and sheep. Brucellosis is one of the most economically significant infectious diseases in Egypt. The study aimed to assess the seroprevalence by indirect ELISA by examining serum samples from 720 cattle and 320 sheep and detection and characterization of Brucella spp. from 24 clinical samples (placenta) by bacterial culture (BC) and PCR targeting bcsp31 gene. The seroprevalence was 16.7% and 16.25% in cattle and sheep, respectively. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between the seroprevalence of brucellosis and sex at the level of cattle and age at the sheep level, where seroprevalence was 18.7% in female cattle and 22% in sheep > 2 years. Likewise, seroprevalence was significantly (P < 0.05) different among locations for cattle. Of the 24 clinical samples tested by BC, B. abortus was isolated and identified in 100% of clinical samples. Using PCR, all Brucella strains were positive (100%) regarding bcsp31 gene. Nucleotide analyses of seven bcsp31 sequences of the identified strains revealed 99.3–100% identity, with one nucleotide divergence. These results provide an insight into the brucellosis, particularly with the detection of B. abortus from sheep, therefore, further wide epidemiological studies are needed to develop appropriate prevention and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the individual fecal culture (IFC), fecal PCR (FPCR), and serum ELISA for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infections in sheep from four governorates in Egypt, using a latent class model (LCM) fitted within a Bayesian framework. Furthermore, the within-governorate prevalence of MAP infection in sheep was estimated as a secondary objective. Fecal and blood samples were collected from 370 sheep in four Egyptian governorates. Fecal samples were analyzed by IFC and RT-PCR based on ISMav2 gene, while ELISA was performed on serum samples. The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the three diagnostic tests were estimated using a three-tests-four-populations Bayesian LCM to obtain posterior estimates [medians and 95% Bayesian credible intervals (95% BCI)] for each parameter. The median Se estimates (95% BCI) for IFC, FPCR, and serum ELISA were 31.8% (22.8–41.4), 49.7% (31.8–79.9), and 61.2% (39.8–81.4), respectively. The median Sp estimates (95% BCI) for IFC, FPCR, and serum ELISA were 97.7% (96.1–98.9), 97.7% (95.6–99.5), and 98.4% (96.9–99.3), respectively. The median within-governorate paratuberculosis prevalence (95% BCI) was 5.2% (1.1–13.6), 8.4% (2.9–17.7), 9.4% (3.0–20.7), and 18.2% (10.5–29.5) for the Gharbia, Menoufia, Qalyubia, and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates, respectively. In conclusion, at a ratio of the optical density (OD) sample/OD positive control threshold of > 45%, ELISA showed the highest Se among the three tests and comparable Sp to IFC and FPCR. The test ELISA evaluated in this study is an interesting alternative for detecting MAP in sheep due to its higher Se, lower cost, and shorter turnaround laboratory time compared to IFC and FPCR. • Serum ELISA had the highest sensitivity (61.2%) compared to fecal PCR (49.7%) and culture (31.8%) for MAP detection. • Serum ELISA showed comparable specificity (98.4%) to both fecal culture and PCR (97.7%). • Kafr El-Sheikh governorate had the highest median within-governorate paratuberculosis prevalence (18.2%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]