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Background: Bison (Bison bison) and cattle (Bos taurus) are closely related (can interbreed) and they also share many parasites. Cattle are commonly infected with one or more of the eight named Sarcocystis species: Sarcocystis hirsuta, S. cruzi, S. hominis, S. bovifelis, S. heydorni, S. bovini, S. sigmoideus and S. rommeli. Among these, the full life-cycle is known only for S. cruzi. Sarcocystis cruzi (transmitted via canids) is recognized as the most pathogenic Sarcocystis species, causing abortion, low milk yield and poor body growth. It has been experimentally cross-transmitted from cattle to bison and vice versa. Methods: We tested 200 bison tongues from three commercial sources (farms) (Nebraska #141; South Dakota #36; New Jersey and Pennsylvania #23). Frozen tongues were purchased and examined for Sarcocystis infection using light microscopy, histology and quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting 18S ribosomal DNA (18S rRNA) of S. cruzi. Lesions associated with degenerating sarcocysts were studied. The intensity of Sarcocystis infection in histological sections was quantitated. Results: Sarcocystis cruzi-like infections were detected in 129 of 141 (91.5%) tongues from Nebraska, 36 of 36 (100%) tongues from South Dakota and two of 23 (8.6%) tongues from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Sarcocysts were detected in histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin in 167 of 200 samples. Light microscopy examination revealed that the sarcocysts had thin walls (< 1 µm thick) and appeared to be S. cruzi. However, in two samples, sarcocysts had thicker walls measuring up to 2.3 µm wide and 154 µm long and the sarcocyst wall was not striated; these two samples could not be characterized further. In three tongues, degenerating sarcocysts were recognized; two of these were associated with thick-walled sarcocysts. Molecularly, S. cruzi from bison was identical to that in cattle. Conclusions: In the present study of bison tongues, S. cruzi was the only species identified in bison using both molecular and morphological methods. An unidentified species of Sarcocystis found in two bison samples needs further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the proven zoonotic potential of the intestinal protozoan Blastocystis sp., a fast-growing number of surveys are being conducted to identify potential animal reservoirs for transmission of the parasite. Nevertheless, few epidemiological studies have been conducted on farmed animals in Egypt. Therefore, a total of 1089 fecal samples were collected from herbivores (sheep, goats, camels, horses, and rabbits) in six Egyptian governorates (Dakahlia, Gharbia, Kafr El Sheikh, Giza, Aswan, and Sharqia). Samples were screened for the presence of Blastocystis sp. by real-time PCR followed by sequencing of positive PCR products and phylogenetic analysis for subtyping of the isolates. Overall, Blastocystis sp. was identified in 37.6% of the samples, with significant differences in frequency between animal groups (sheep, 65.5%; camels, 62.2%; goats, 36.0%; rabbits, 10.1%; horses, 3.3%). Mixed infections were reported in 35.7% of the Blastocystis sp.-positive samples. A wide range of subtypes (STs) with varying frequency were identified from single infections in ruminants including sheep (ST1–ST3, ST5, ST10, ST14, ST21, ST24, ST26, and ST40), goats (ST1, ST3, ST5, ST10, ST26, ST40, ST43, and ST44), and camels (ST3, ST10, ST21, ST24–ST26, ST30, and ST44). Most of them overlapped across these animal groups, highlighting their adaptation to ruminant hosts. In other herbivores, only three and two STs were evidenced in rabbits (ST1–ST3) and horses (ST3 and ST44), respectively. The greater occurrence and wider genetic diversity of parasite isolates among ruminants, in contrast to other herbivores, strongly suggested that dietary habits likely played a significant role in influencing both the colonization rates of Blastocystis sp. and ST preference. Of all the isolates subtyped herein, 66.3% were reported as potentially zoonotic, emphasizing the significant role these animal groups may play in transmitting the parasite to humans. These findings also expand our knowledge on the prevalence, genetic diversity, host specificity, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brucellosis is a popular, zoonotic disease that has detrimental implications on human, animal, and economic health. This study compared the efficiency and effectiveness of various serological tests for the seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle in four Egyptian governorates, including the buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) assay, Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA), and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). A total of 240 sera samples were collected from asymptomatic cattle from Cairo (n = 58), Ismailia (n = 62), Beni Suif (n = 60), and Fayom (n = 60) in Egypt. According to PABA, RBT, i-ELISA, and c-ELISA assay results, the overall prevalence of brucellosis was 141 (58.75%), 141 (58.75%), 169 (70.4%), and 160 (66.66%), respectively. i-ELISA as the gold standard: the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of RBT were evaluated as 99, 70 and 59%, respectively with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 95 to 100%, 60 to 79% and 52 to 65%. While considering c-ELISA as the gold standard: the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of RBT were evaluated as 100, 81 and 59%, respectively with a 95% CI of 97 to 100%, 72 to 88% and 52 to 65%, respectively. In conclusion, both ELISA tests were proven to be superior serological tests than PABA and RBPT, and they may be suggested for use in Egypt in screening cattle for brucellosis. A national campaign to control and prevent brucellosis should also get underway to lower its incidence. To do this, veterinary practitioners and cattle owners should exert more effort to inform the public about the economic effects and zoonotic potential of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work applied three Brucella vaccination protocols in adult Brucella-free ewes. Serum and blood samples were collected from each group at time points 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 60 days post-vaccination. In addition, the humoral immune response was assessed by the Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT) every week for 16 weeks. Also, cell-mediated immunity was evaluated. Additionally, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were assessed. The results indicated that the cellular immune responses induced by the B. abortus RB51 vaccine with a dose of 3.4x1010 provide a protective immune response near the effect produced by the B. melitensis Rev. 1 vaccine. Moreover, the IL-6 was expressed significantly less in the RB51-vaccinated group with a dose of 1.7x1010 CFU (1 ml subcutaneously), greater in the Rev. 1-vaccinated group with a dose of 1.6x 109 CFU (1 ml subcutaneously), and highest expression in the RB51-vaccinated group with a dose of 3.4x1010 CFU (2 ml subcutaneously). Also, the expression of TNF-α was lowest in the group vaccinated with RB51 vaccine with a dose of 1.7x1010 CFU, with greater abundance in the group vaccinated with Rev. 1 vaccine and highest expression in the group vaccinated with RB51 vaccine with a dose of 3.4x1010 CFU. These findings imply that the RB51 vaccine, given to sheep with a dose of 3.4x1010 CFU, may trigger protective immune responses and be applied in the field to control brucellosis in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Up to now, there has been limited information regarding the circulation of pathogenic Listeria species in poultry and their contact handlers. The present study was, therefore, planned to evaluate the potential existence of Listeria spp. in different poultry species and their products as well as their contact workers at Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt and to address the antimicrobial profile of Listeria isolates using classical microbiological techniques and multiplex PCR targeting three virulence-associated genes (iap, hlyA, and actA). The study included cloacal swabs from different poultry species (n =200), poultry carcasses (n = 25), poultry products (25 samples each of chicken luncheon and frozen chicken breast fillets), chicken eggs (n = 50) and stool specimens from the contact workers (n = 25). Findings showed that 60 samples out of 350 (17.14%) were found to be positive to Listeria spp., which were identified as follow: L. innocua (28.3%), L. ivanovii (28.3%), L. monocytogenes (15%) and L. grayi (15%), L. seeligeri (10%) and L. welshimeri (3.3%). L. monocytogenes showed high resistance to nalidixic acid (100%) followed by neomycin (85.1%), streptomycin (80%), cefotaxime (65%) and penicillin g (58.3%). Results could likely suggest that poultry and poultry products had a significant role in dissemination and transmission of virulent and multidrug resistant L. monocytogenes which represent a potential risk particularly in the absence of strict hygienic practices and preventive measures. A constant monitoring of pathogenic L. monocytogenes is thus urgently needed to avoid the dissemination of such pathogenic strains in food production chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis into humans varies according to species/genotypes of the pathogens. Although infections with both parasites are recorded in Egypt, few data are available on the distribution of Cryptosporidium species and G. duodenalis genotypes. The present study assessed the occurrence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in Egyptian children. Methods: In the present study, 585 fecal specimens were collected from children eight years old and younger in three provinces (El-Dakahlia, El-Gharbia and Damietta) during March 2015 to April 2016. PCR-RFLP analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene and sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene were used to detect and subtype Cryptosporidium spp., respectively, whereas PCR and sequence analyses of the triose phosphate isomerase, glutamate dehydrogenase and β-giardin genes were used to detect and genotype Giardia duodenalis. Results: The overall infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 1.4% and 11.3%, respectively. The Cryptosporidium species identified included C. hominis and C. parvum, each with three subtype families. The C. hominis subtypes were IbA6G3 (n = 2), IdA17 (n = 1), IdA24 (n = 1) and IfA14G1R5 (n = 1), while C. parvum subtypes were IIdA20G1 (n = 1), IIaA15G2R1 (n = 1), and IIcA5G3a (n = 1). The G. duodenalis identified included both assemblages A (n = 31) and B (n = 34). All G. duodenalis assemblage A belonged to the anthroponotic sub-assemblage AII, while a high genetic heterogeneity was seen within assemblage B. Conclusions: Data from this study are useful in our understanding of the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in Egypt and the potential importance of anthroponotic transmission in the epidemiology of both pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]