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A study conducted in the Faisalabad district sampled 50 cases across five IBD outbreaks, revealing an alarming 80 % infection rate among poultry. Our research focused on developing an immune complex (Antigen-antibody complex) with potential immunoprophylactic benefits to counter this formidable threat. Our study was based on producing egg yolk-derived polyclonal antibodies (IgY) targeting IBDV. Commercial layer birds were immunized with inactivated IBDV, yielding IgY antibodies extracted from their eggs exhibited substantially higher and more enduring antibody titers, with a geometric mean titer of 104. Further research involved the creation of an immune complex (ICx) where antigen was extracted from infected bursae tissues. The immunogenic response of ICx was assessed in poultry birds after a challenge with a virulent strain of IBD virus and compared to a conventional IBDV vaccine in poultry. Results revealed significantly higher and more enduring antibody titers induced by the ICx, offering enhanced protective immunity against the IBDV challenge, as evidenced by lower Bursa to bodyweight ratios in vaccinated birds.

Background: Mycoplasma synoviae is an important poultry pathogen causing heavy economic losses Worldwide. Subclinical persistence of this pathogen is the major issue to control its prevalence. Aim: This study aimed to determine the molecular and cross immunogenicity of Mycoplasma synoviae among broiler in five Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Methods: This study was conducted by collecting 434 specimen samples from 40 broiler farms and desi poultry in five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Specimen samples from the broiler birds (n=150), broiler farm environment (n= 264) and desi poultry birds (n=20) were aseptically collected and serially passaged in Modified Frey's broth. The homologous and heterologous antibody reactions were studied in rabbits. Prior to inoculation into rabbits the MS isolates were inactivated by formalin and adjuvanted with Montanide. Results: The overall turbidity prevalence in Frey's broth was observed as 109/434 (25.11%) samples and these turbidity positive samples were shifted on Frey's agar. After the appearance of classic fried egg colonies, the Biochemical confirmation was supported by production of Catalase and Phosphatase, reduction of Tetrazolium, Film and spot Assay and fermentation of Glucose for specie differentiation in avian mycoplasma. The MS prevalence percentage was recorded as 2% (9/434) through biochemical tests. The PCR results showed 0.5% MS prevalence with two field isolates (named as MS-1 and MS-2). Both MS-1 and MS-2 field isolates showed similar value (42.2) of homologous GMT titers. While the heterologous GMT for MS-1 serum against MS-2 isolate was lower (27.9) as compared to MS-2 serum against MS1 isolate (38.9). No titer was detected in control group (Group-III). Conclusion: In conclusion the results indicated the existence of MS in broiler birds and high homologous titers recorded between fields isolates which is a perpetual menace to poultry. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(10.000): 1299-1307]

Abstract The idiotype network is experimentally modified to provide protective immunity against various microbial pathogens. Both internal and non-internal image-idiotype antibodies can trigger specific immune responses to antigens. The current outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-2) has provided a great opportunity to take advantage of idiotype / anti-idiotype antibodies as a protective regimen when no approved vaccine is available on earth. The current review identifies successful applications of idiotype/ anti-idiotype antibodies in various viral diseases and highlights their importance in COVID-19 pandemics. In the absence of vaccines and targeted therapies, polyclonal idiotype/ anti-idiotype antibodies against the viral structure may be a potential approach to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Newcastle disease (ND) is an infectious and economically important disease of poultry caused by virulent avian Paramyxovirus 1 (APMV-1). For decades, live and inactivated vaccines have been used as conventional therapy in poultry, even then failure is reported due to mismatch antigenicity, presence of maternal antibodies, cold chain disruption, and uneven vaccine applications. Many experimental vaccines have been in trial for many years, but the disease is still rampant in many parts of the world. From acute onset with high mortality to mild disease in birds, Newcastle disease virus potential as a vector has been exploited for the treatment of different cancers and vaccination of humans. The objective of this review is to understand the Newcastle disease virus, immune mechanism, prevention and control strategies adapted for the Newcastle disease in poultry, and its beneficial use as a candidate vector for human vaccines and cancer therapy.

Ticks (Acari; Ixodidae) are the second most important vector for transmission of pathogens to humans, livestock, and wildlife. Ticks as vectors for viruses have been reported many times over the last 100 years. Tick-borne viruses (TBVs) belong to two orders (Bunyavirales and Mononegavirales) containing nine families (Bunyaviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Asfarviridae, Orthomyxovirida, Reoviridae, Flaviviridae, Phenuviridae, Nyamiviridae, and Nairoviridae). Among these TBVs, some are very pathogenic, causing huge mortality, and hence, deserve to be covered under the umbrella of one health. About 38 viral species are being transmitted by

Over the last decade, the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) CRISPR/Cas9 system has been used by biologists in various fields. In plant biology, the technology is being utilised to manufacture transgenic plants resistant to different diseases. In Pakistan, the Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) (a begomovirus) affects cotton plants causing significant loss to the economy of this agriculturally based country. In the present study, we use the CRISPR/Cas9 system in Nicotiana benthamiana Domin (a model plant) to develop resistance against CLCuV. An interesting facet of the study was the comparison of two constructs (pHSE401 and pKSE401) with regards to their efficacy in the virus inhibition. The pKSE401 vector contained a Cas9 nuclease and two guide RNAs (gRNAs), one targeting the Replication associated protein (Rep) gene and the other targeted the βC1 gene of the Betasatellite. The vector pHSE401 had only one sgRNA that targeted the (Rep) gene. Both genes that are intended to be targeted play important roles in the replication of CLCuV. Plants infiltrated with pKSE401 exhibited a delay in the development of the symptoms of the disease and showed lower virus titres. Our proposed multiplexing approach gave efficient results of the resistance in the model plants, and the results in this communication may be extended to the CRISPR/Cas9 based editing of cotton plants.

The present study aimed to evaluate the immunopotentiating effect of plant-derived soyasaponin and its immunogenicity in chickens challenged with Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Soyasaponin was extracted from soybean seeds and detected using the phytochemical tests, followed by quantification through the dry-weight method. One-day-old broiler chicks (n = 90) were divided into 3 groups, named as A, B, and C. Group A birds were orally administrated with soyasaponin (5 mg/kg), followed by immunization with inactivated ND vaccine intramuscularly (IM), whereas group B birds were vaccinated with inactivated ND vaccine alone. Group C birds were kept unvaccinated. A booster dose on day 21 was also administered IM to group A and B birds. At day 35, all 3 groups were challenged with NDV. To determine the immunogenicity potential of soyasaponin, antibody titer was measured using the hemagglutination inhibition test before and after the NDV challenge. Histochemical examination was performed to determine the pathological changes associated with NDV infection. Foam formation and hemolytic activity confirmed the presence of saponin in soya bean extract. Group A birds showed a higher antibody response compared with group B and C birds. The disease challenge study showed that soyasaponin-adjuvanted NDV vaccine provided complete protection to group A birds against ND. Moreover, no side effects of soyasaponin were observed on the growth performance of birds during the experiment. Therefore, we can conclude that soyasaponin is a potential immunogenic agent and therefore could be a promising candidate to launch a protective humoral response against ND in chickens.

SUMMARY: The microflora within a chicken's gastrointestinal tract (GIT) has extensive bacterial diversity and may be a good source for the isolation of effective probiotic candidates. The resistance of desi chickens to various biotic and abiotic stresses is related to the presence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in their digestive system. In this study, LAB were isolated and cultured from the caecum contents of desi chickens and identified based on their phenotypic characters and rDNA gene sequences. The aggregation capability of the isolated Lactobacillus species was tested and those strains showing strong aggregation were further tested to see if they were better able to withstand the stress of GIT digestive conditions. The results demonstrated significant variation in aggregation ability and GIT stress tolerance. The autoaggregation potential of the strains was not correlated with their cell surface hydrophobicity but was found to be linked to coaggregation ability with pathogens. No potentially harmful enzymatic activities were observed in the poultry-derived LAB strains and the ones with good aggregation potential were susceptible to most common antibiotics. This study proved that native chickens can be a good source for isolating potentially effective probiotic LAB species. Furthermore, the aggregation potential among Lactobacillus species was highly strain specific and did not correlate with their ability to survive the stresses of digestion in the GIT.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which belongs to the genus Coronaviridae with its high mutation rate. From the current perspective, we discuss the current status of COVID-19, new challenges, and potential interventions to control the pandemic in developing counties such as Pakistan.

The re-emergence of virulent strains of the Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) leads to significant economic losses of poultry industry in Pakistan during last few years. This disease causes the infection of bursa, which leads to major immune losses. A total number of 30 samples from five IBD outbreaks during the period of 2019-20 were collected from different areas of Faisalabad district, Pakistan and assayed by targeting the IBD virus VP2 region through RT-PCR. Among all the outbreaks, almost 80% of poultry birds were found positive for the IBDV. The bursa tissues were collected from the infected birds and histopathological examination of samples revealed severe lymphocytic depletion, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and necrosis of the bursa of Fabricius (BF). Positive samples were subjected to re-isolation and molecular characterization of IBDV. The Pakistan IBDV genes were subjected to DNA sequencing to determine the virus nucleotide sequences. The sequences of 100 Serotype-I IBDVs showing nearest homology were compared and identified with the study sequence. The construction of the phylogenetic tree for nucleotide sequences was accomplished by the neighbor-joining method in MEGA-6 with reference strains. The VP2 segment reassortment of IBDVs carrying segment A were identified as one important type of circulating strains in Pakistan. The findings indicated the molecular features of the Pakistan IBDV strains playing a role in the evolution of new strains of the virus, which will contribute to the vaccine selection and effective prevention of the disease.

ABSTRACT Despite extensive vaccination approaches, Newcastle disease (ND) remains a permanent threat to the poultry industry worldwide. Besides vaccination, there is a burgeoning demand for new antivirals for use in interventions to control ND. One strategy is to strengthen the host innate immunity via host-derived innate immune proteins. Type I interferons define one of the first lines of innate immune defense against viral infections. Chicken interferon alpha (chIFN-α) is one of the potent cytokines that trigger antiviral responses. In the current study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of natural chIFN-α administered via oral and intramuscular (i.m.) routes against ND in broiler chickens. Our results showed that the level of protection against ND in response to chIFN-α therapy was dependent on the route and dose of IFN administration. A better therapeutic effect was observed in chickens treated with chIFN-α via the oral route than in those treated via the i.m. route. Regardless of the administration route, double-dose chIFN-α (2,000-U) treatments provided better protection than single-dose (1,000-U) treatments. However, complete protection against ND was achieved in birds treated with repeated doses of chIFN-α via the oral route. Histopathology of trachea, proventriculus, spleen, and liver showed a significant improvement in ND-induced degenerative changes in double-dose IFN-treatment groups compared to single-dose groups. Results of the hemagglutination test demonstrated a decrease in ND virus (NDV) titer in IFN-treated groups. Also, double doses of chIFN-α via oral route resulted in early recovery in weight gain. We propose that chIFN-α therapy via oral route could be an important therapeutic tool to control NDV infection in chicken. IMPORTANCE Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important contagious disease of wild and domestic birds worldwide. The disease causes severe economic losses in terms of production due to high mortality and morbidity in nonvaccinated chickens. Despite extensive vaccination approaches, Newcastle disease (ND) remains a permanent threat to the poultry industry worldwide. In the current study, we used natural chicken IFN-α as an innate immune modulator to counteract ND in chickens. We report that chIFN-α is effective in protecting the chickens against ND and also prevents shedding of the virus, which can then prevent further spread of the disease. We propose that in addition to vaccination, chIFN-α therapy could be an effective option for controlling ND in areas of endemicity.

Avian mycoplasmosis is an important risk for commercial poultry production leading to enormous losses in terms of disease and productivity. The main causative agents are Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae. To study the variable degree of resistance to commonly prescribed and used antibiotics in mycoplasmosis, a total of 115 samples including tissue specimen and swabs were collected from chronic respiratory disease (CRD) cases of broiler and layer birds and their contaminated farm environment. The samples were directly passaged into the Brain Heart Infusion broth (supplemented with 10 % horse serum, NAD, cysteine, penicillin and thallium acetate). Positive samples were transferred to Brain Heart Infusion agar (Difco) for the isolation of Mycoplasma spp. while negative samples were declared after the third passage. Of the samples, 61.5% were found positive for Mycoplasma spp., which were recovered mostly after second passage. Out of total culture positive cases, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) was identified in 62% cases and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) in 38%, as confirmed through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using specific primers. The MG and MS isolates showed variable degrees of sensitivity against the commercially available drug of choice, tylosin. The highest Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of enrofloxacin (112.38±4.34 µg/ml) was recorded against MG, followed by tetracyclin (91.58±4.66µl/ml), gentamicin (54.33±2.98 µg/ml), spiromicin (52.23±3.99 µg/ml) and tylosin (52.58±2.69 µg/ml). The highest MIC for enrofloxacin (168.24 ±3.82 µg/ml) was recorded against MS followed by tetracyclin (115.48±2.62 µg/ml), spiromicin (95.96 ±2.17 µg/ml), tylosin (84.84±2.56 µg/ml) and gentamicin (46.4±2.18 µg/ml). Multiplex PCR is a time tested tool for the molecular diagnosis and confirmation of Mycoplasma species. Key words: avian mycoplasmosis; chronic respiratory distress; minimum inhibitory concertation; multiplex polymerase chain reaction POJAVNOST, MOLEKULARNA IDENTIFIKACIJA IN UGOTAVLJANJE ODPORNOSTI NA ANTIBIOTIKE MIKOBAKTERIJ Mycoplasma gallisepticum in Mycoplasma synoviae IZOLIRANIH IZ KOKOŠI S KRONIČNIMI DIHALNIMI OBOLENJI IN IZ NJIHOVEGA BIVALNEGA OKOLJA Povzetek: Ptičja mikoplazmoza je resno težava v perutninski proizvodnji, ki vodi v velike izgube zaradi obolevanja perutnine in posledično povzroča ekonomske izgube. Glavni povzročitelji mikoplazmoz so Mycoplasma gallisepticum in Mycoplasma synoviae. Za preučevanje spremenljive stopnje odpornosti na običajno predpisane in uporabljene antibiotike pri mikoplazmozi je bilo odvzetih skupno 115 vzorcev, vključno z vzorci tkiva in brisom, pitovnih piščancev, nesnic s kroničnimi boleznimi dihal (CRD) in iz njihovega bivalnega okolja. Vzorci so bili preneseni v tekoče gojišče BHI (iz angl. Brain Heart Infusion), z dodatkom 10 % konjskega seruma, NAD, cisteina, penicilina in talijevega acetata. Pozitivne vzorce smo prenesli v agar BHI (Difco) za izolacijo Mycoplasma spp. Vzorci so bili določeni kot negativni po tretji pasaži. Med vzorci je bilo 61,5 % pozitivnih na prisotnost Mycoplasma spp., ki smo jih večinoma ugotovili po drugi pasaži. Od vseh pozitivnih primerov je bila ugotovljena Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) v 62 % primerov, Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) pa v 38 %, kar je bilo potrjeno z verižno reakcijo s polimerazo (PCR) z uporabo specifičnih primerjev. Izolati MG in MS so pokazali spremenljivo stopnjo občutljivosti na komercialno dostopno zdravilo tilozin. Minimalna zaviralna koncentracija (MIC) pri MG je bila najvišja pri enrofloksacinu (112,38 ± 4,34 µg/ml), sledili pa so tetraciklin (91,58 ± 4,66 µl/ ml), gentamicin (54,33 ± 2,98 µg/ml), spiromicin (52,23 ± 3,99 µg/ml) in tilozin (52,58 ± 2,69 µg/ml). Najvišjo MIC proti MS smo ravno takougotovili pri enrofloksacinu (168,24 ± 3,82 µg/ml), ki so mu sledili tetraciklin (115,48 ± 2,62 µg/ml), spiromicin (95,96 ± 2,17 µg/ml), tilozin (84,84 ± 2,56 µg/ml) in gentamicin (46,4 ± 2,18 µg/ml). Ključne besede: ptičja mikoplazmoza; kronična bolezen dihal; minimalna zaviralna koncentracija; mnogokranta PCR reakcija

Abstract Advances in Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR associated system (CRISPR/Cas9) has dramatically reshaped our ability to edit genomes. The scientific community is using CRISPR/Cas9 for various biotechnological and medical purposes. One of its most important uses is developing potential therapeutic strategies against diseases. CRISPR/Cas9 based approaches have been increasingly applied to the treatment of human diseases like cancer, genetic, immunological and neurological disorders and viral diseases. These strategies using CRISPR/Cas9 are not only therapy oriented but can also be used for disease modeling as well, which in turn can lead to the improved understanding of mechanisms of various infectious and genetic diseases. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9 system can also be used as programmable antibiotics to kill the bacteria sequence specifically and therefore can bypass multidrug resistance. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9 based gene drive may also hold the potential to limit the spread of vector borne diseases. This bacterial and archaeal adaptive immune system might be a therapeutic answer to previous incurable diseases, of course rigorous testing is required to corroborate these claims. In this review, we provide an insight about the recent developments using CRISPR/Cas9 against various diseases with respect to disease modeling and treatment, and what future perspectives should be noted while using this technology.

Abstract ᅟ The foreign antigen that enters into the body is detected by the immune system through antigen presenting cells leading to the production of antibodies. The use of anti-idiotype antibodies is a new way to excite the immune response that identifies and eliminates the foreign antigens entered into the body. These Anti-idiotype antibodies have the ability to decrease the non-specific binding of the antigenic protein epitopes because of high specificity for the antigenic determinants. The anti-idiotype antibodies attach to the paratope of idiotype antibody and stimulate a precise immune reaction same as that of external antigen. The anti-idiotype antibodies are the peerless therapeutic candidate as they mimic the antigenic structure and potentiate antibody and cell-mediated immunity. Even in the absence of foreign antigen, these anti-idiotype antibodies have the potential to provide long-lasting immunity. The present review is about immune regulations by anti-idiotype antibodies with some success therapeutic stories. The previous research analysis is evidence of anti-idiotype antibodies as an excellent candidate for the development of both human and animal vaccines although it has some gaps that are needed to be addressed.

Neonatal sepsis is common; particularly in preterm babies. However, it is uncommon for neonatal sepsis to present as localized liver abscess. Since 1930, less than 150 cases of liver abscess have been reported in the literature. The majority of initially reported cases were in term babies; while over the past two decades an increasing incidence in preterm babies has been reported. This is most likely due to increasing survival of preterm babies and associated increased use of invasive procedures (umbilical venous catheterization, and central venous lines) and the use of total parenteral nutrition. Apart from high index of clinical suspicion, an ultrasound (US) scan and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen are required to confirm the diagnosis of liver abscess in a sick newborn baby.

To ascertain Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), Early NMR (ENMR), Late NMR (LNMR), Corrected NMR (cNMR), and causes of neonatal mortality in a major tertiary care private maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) set up in Saudi Arabia. This was a retrospective analysis of hospital data. We ascertained 1-year data (from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017) from the electronic patient medical records database as well as the annual reports of four tertiary care labor and delivery rooms and NICU’s of Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group (HMG). We obtained the total number of deliveries and neonatal outcomes and calculated overall NMR, ENMR, and LNMR rates per 1000 live births and stratified them by Sociodemographic Index (SDI). We analyzed the data using Microsoft Excel. The electronic patient records included data on 14,339 deliveries and 14,543 births (including twins and multiple births). We observed a total of 51 neonatal deaths (30: early, 21: late) resulting in NMR of 3.5/1000, ENMR of 2.06/1000, and LNMR of 1.44/1000. The deaths due to futility were 24 (47%), giving a cNMR of 1.8/1000. We found complications of extreme prematurity and congenital anomalies incompatible with life as the two major causes of death in our dataset. There was no death due to perinatal asphyxia. The NMR and cNMR were comparable to the most recent global, regional, and national data. The cNMR of a select population with high SDI served by a major private tertiary care set up was lower than the NMR of the global high SDI group. The high incidence of major and futile congenital anomalies warrants further study.

ABSTRACT The immunoprophylactic potential of anti-idiotype (anti-id) foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) antigen (Ag) was evaluated in the calves. The idiotype antibodies (Ab1) were produced in experimental goats by injecting inactivated FMD virus. The Fab (fragment antigen binding) of Ab1 was injected into the layer birds to raise anti-id antibodies (Ab2). The Ab2 was purified from egg yolks. The Fab component of Ab2 was emulsified in Montanide (1:1) and used as a surrogate of FMD virus. The immune response to Montanide adjuvanted monovalent and trivalent anti-id FMD virus antigen was determined in mice. The comparative immune potentiation potentials of Montanide adjuvanted trivalent anti-id FMD virus antigen and trivalent FMD vaccine were determined in mice and calves. Montanide adjuvanted monovalent anti-id FMD virus antigens produced mean Ab titers of 78.80%, 81.30%, and 81.20% for serotypes A, Asia 1, and O, respectively, at 45 days postimmunization (p.i.) in mice. Montanide adjuvanted trivalent anti-id FMD Ag in mice produced the highest Ab titer, 81.60%, at day 45 compared to the 77.50% titer measured for Montanide adjuvanted FMD vaccine at day 45 p.i. A slow decrease of 1% to 2% was recorded for the Ab titer of Montanide adjuvanted trivalent anti-id FMD virus antigen in mice at day 60. In calves, the titer corresponding to the immune response seen with Montanide adjuvanted trivalent anti-id FMD virus antigen (80%) was persistent whereas the titer of Montanide adjuvanted FMD vaccine decreased to 74% at day 60 p.i. Anti-id FMD virus antigen induced a strong and persistent immunogenic response in terms of Ab titer compared to the inactivated virus vaccine. Anti-id FMD virus antigen may serve as a surrogate of FMD virus vaccine. IMPORTANCE Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious viral disease of animals. Multiple serotypes and antigenic variation in the viral genome are probably the factors that reduce control of the disease. Currently, the vaccines employed against FMD use killed virus. The inactivation or killing of the virus makes it less immunogenic and reduces its immunoprophylactic potential. To cope with this situation, the present study was designed, anti-idiotype FMD virus antigen was prepared, and the immunogenic potential of the antigen was compared to that of commercial killed-virus vaccines. The overall results showed that a persistent and strong immune response occurred with anti-idiotype FMD virus antigen. Thus, anti-idiotype FMD virus antigen may serve as a potential surrogate of FMD virus vaccines.

Background Use of traditional methods for determining meat spoilage is quite laborious and time consuming. Therefore, alternative approaches are needed that can predict the spoilage of meat in a rapid, non-invasive and more elaborative way. In this regard, the spectroscopic techniques have shown their potential for predicting the microbial spoilage of meat-based products. Consequently, the present work was aimed to demonstrate the competence of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to detect spoilage in chicken fillets stored under aerobic refrigerated conditions. Methods This study was conducted under controlled randomized design (CRD). Chicken samples were stored for 8 days at 4 + 0.5 °C and FTIR spectra were collected at regular intervals (after every 2 days) directly from the sample surface using attenuated total reflectance during the study period. Additionally, total plate count (TPC), Entetobacteriaceae count, pH, CTn (Color transmittance number) color analysis, TVBN (total volatile basic nitrogen) contents, and shear force values were also measured through traditional approaches. FTIR spectral data were interpreted through principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square (PLS) regression and compared with results of traditional methods for precise estimation of spoilage. Results Results of TPC (3.04–8.20 CFU/cm2), Entetobacteriaceae counts (2.39–6.33 CFU/cm2), pH (4.65–7.05), color (57.00–142.00 CTn), TVBN values (6.72–33.60 mg/100 g) and shear force values (8.99–39.23) were measured through traditional methods and compared with FTIR spectral data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied on data obtained through microbial and quality analyses and results revealed significant changes (P

Background: The eastern Mediterranean region is comprised of 22 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Since our Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010), the region has faced unrest as a result of revolutions, wars, and the so-called Arab uprisings. The objective of this study was to present the burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors in the eastern Mediterranean region as of 2013. Methods: GBD 2013 includes an annual assessment covering 188 countries from 1990 to 2013. The study covers 306 diseases and injuries, 1233 sequelae, and 79 risk factors. Our GBD 2013 analyses included the addition of new data through updated systematic reviews and through the contribution of unpublished data sources from collaborators, an updated version of modelling software, and several improvements in our methods. In this systematic analysis, we use data from GBD 2013 to analyse the burden of disease and injuries in the eastern Mediterranean region specifically. Findings: The leading cause of death in the region in 2013 was ischaemic heart disease (90·3 deaths per 100 000 people), which increased by 17·2% since 1990. However, diarrhoeal diseases were the leading cause of death in Somalia (186·7 deaths per 100 000 people) in 2013, which decreased by 26·9% since 1990. The leading cause of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) was ischaemic heart disease for males and lower respiratory infection for females. High blood pressure was the leading risk factor for DALYs in 2013, with an increase of 83·3% since 1990. Risk factors for DALYs varied by country. In low-income countries, childhood wasting was the leading cause of DALYs in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Yemen, whereas unsafe sex was the leading cause in Djibouti. Non-communicable risk factors were the leading cause of DALYs in high-income and middle-income countries in the region. DALY risk factors varied by age, with child and maternal malnutrition affecting the younger age groups (aged 28 days to 4 years), whereas high bodyweight and systolic blood pressure affected older people (aged 60–80 years). The proportion of DALYs attributed to high body-mass index increased from 3·7% to 7·5% between 1990 and 2013. Burden of mental health problems and drug use increased. Most increases in DALYs, especially from non-communicable diseases, were due to population growth. The crises in Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Syria have resulted in a reduction in life expectancy; life expectancy in Syria would have been 5 years higher than that recorded for females and 6 years higher for males had the crisis not occurred. Interpretation: Our study shows that the eastern Mediterranean region is going through a crucial health phase. The Arab uprisings and the wars that followed, coupled with ageing and population growth, will have a major impact on the region's health and resources. The region has historically seen improvements in life expectancy and other health indicators, even under stress. However, the current situation will cause deteriorating health conditions for many countries and for many years and will have an impact on the region and the rest of the world. Based on our findings, we call for increased investment in health in the region in addition to reducing the conflicts. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tickborne disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV; genus Banyangvirus, family Phenuiviridae, order Bunyavirales). The disease is prevalent in East Asia [...]

Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) is a vector-borne viral disease caused by the RNA virus which belongs to the genus Ephemerovirus and the family Rhabdoviridae. To evaluate the effect of the risk factors like the breed of cattle and buffaloes, age, sex, lactation, housing and region on the bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV) prevalence, ELISA and virus neutralisation (VN) tests (n = 600) were performed for the BEFV prevalence. The seroprevalence in cattle was 45.6% and 42% by ELISA and VN, respectively (P = 0.001). The breed-wise seropositive ratio was (55-64%) in cattle and (22.5-18.3%) in buffaloes by VN and ELISA. The sex-wise prevalence was (40-49.4%) in females and (35.8-46%) in males by VN and ELISA in cattle and a similar prevalence was reported in buffaloes. The age-wise prevalence in bovines by ELISA was 5.33, 22.66 and 17.66% in the age group < 1 year, 1-3 years and > 3 years, respectively. The disease prevalence was higher in the age group of 1-3 years. The prevalence was higher during the 3rd lactation in bovines. The region-wise prevalence was higher in the 07 districts while lower (18-21%) in Rawalpindi District by VN and ELISA, respectively (P = 0.001). Commercial dairy farms of cattle showed a higher disease prevalence (52% and 44%) than non-commercial farms (38% and 36%) by ELISA and VN, respectively (P = 0.227). Exotic cows showed higher disease prevalence (76.67% and 70%) by ELISA and VN. The mortality in bovines was 5% (7.7% and 2.3%) in the cattle and buffaloes. The case fatality of BEFV in bovines was 12.25%. There was a significant effect of the risk factors like the breed, age, sex, lactation, housing and region on the BEFV prevalence. This is the first comprehensive study of BEFV in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]