Comparative craniometric measurements of two Canid species in Egypt: the Egyptian red fox and the Egyptian Baladi dog

High-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) image series from 413 canid and 18 felid skulls

Computed tomography (CT) is a non-invasive, three-dimensional imaging tool used in medical imaging, forensic science, industry and engineering, anthropology, and archaeology. The current study used high-resolution medical CT scanning of 431 animal skulls, including 399 dog skulls from 152 breeds, 14 cat skulls from 9 breeds, 14 skulls from 8 wild canid species (gray wolf, golden jackal, coyote, maned wolf, bush dog, red fox, Fennec fox, bat-eared fox), and 4 skulls from 4 wild felid species (wildcat, leopard, serval, caracal). This comprehensive and unique collection of CT image series of skulls can provide a solid foundation not only for comparative anatomical and evolutionary studies but also for the advancement of veterinary education, virtual surgery planning, and the facilitation of training in sophisticated machine learning methodologies.

Epidemiological, and molecular investigation of Canine parvovirus-2 infection in Egypt

IMPORTANCE

Canine parvovirus enteritis (CPE) is a contagious viral disease of dogs caused by the canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. CPV-2 has a high global evolutionary rate. Molecular characterization of CPV-2 and understanding its epidemiology are essential for controlling CPV-2 infections.

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the risk factors and survival outcomes of dogs infected with CPV-2. Molecular characterization of CPV-2 genotypes circulating in Egypt was performed to determine the evolution of CPV-2 nationally and globally.

METHODS

An age-matched case-control study was conducted on 47 control and 47 CPV-infected dogs. Conditional logistic regression analysis examined the association between the potential risk factors and CPE in dogs. Survival analysis was performed to determine the survival pattern of the infected dogs. Thirteen fecal samples from infected dogs were collected to confirm the CPV genotype by CPV-2 VP2 gene sequencing, assembly of nucleotide sequences, and phylogenic analysis.

RESULTS

Unvaccinated and roamer dogs had eight and 2.3 times higher risks of CPV infection than vaccinated dogs and non-roamer dogs, respectively. The risk of death from CPE was high among dogs without routine visits to veterinary clinics and among non-roamer dogs. Molecular characterization of CPV-2 confirmed its genotype identity and relationship with the CPV-2 c and b clade types.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study highlights the potential factors for CPE control, especially vaccination and preventing dogs from roaming freely outside houses. Isolated CPV genotypes are closely related to southern Asian genotypes, suggesting a substantial opportunity for global transmission.

Breed-Specific Skull Morphology Reveals Insights into Canine Optic Chiasm Positioning and Orbital Structure through 3D CT Scan Analysis

This study's CT scan-based morphometric analysis of 50 adult dogs explored the relationship between skull shape variations (determined by the skull index, SI), optic chiasm, optic canals, and orbital shape. Dogs were classified as brachycephalic (SI ≥ 59), mesocephalic (SI ≥ 51 but <59), and dolichocephalic (SI < 51). No significant age or weight differences were observed. Skull lengths (brachycephalic: 11.39 ± 1.76 cm, mesocephalic: 15.00 ± 2.96 cm, dolichocephalic: 17.96 ± 3.44 cm) and facial lengths (brachycephalic: 3.63 ± 1.00 cm, mesocephalic: 6.46 ± 1.55 cm, dolichocephalic: 8.23 ± 1.03 cm) varied significantly, with shorter orbital depths (brachycephalic: 2.58 ± 0.42 cm, mesocephalic: 3.19 ± 0.65 cm, dolichocephalic: 3.61 ± 0.77 cm) in brachycephalic dogs. The optic chiasm-to-inion horizontal length ratio to cranial horizontal length positively correlated with the SI (r = 0.883, p < 0.001), while the ratio to neurocranial length showed no SI correlation (range: 55.5-75.0). Brachycephalic breeds had a significantly wider optic canal angle (93.74 ± 16.00°), along with broader lacrimal-zygomatic and zygomatic frontal process angles. These findings highlight the zygomatic bone's role in influencing breed-specific orbital variations by connecting the face to the neurocranium, projecting the orbital rim outward and forward with facial shortening.

Seroprevalence and risk factors analysis of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in cattle of Beheira, Egypt

Introduction

Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii are closely related obligate intracellular protozoan parasites. They are considered to be the major causes of infectious abortions and congenital abnormalities in livestock worldwide resulting in huge economic losses. Currently, there are no reports on the prevalence of neosporosis or toxoplasmosis in cattle in Beheira, Egypt's most important region for cattle industry.

Methods

The current study investigated the presence of anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies in apparent healthy cattle from eight localities representing the whole area of Beheira. A total of 358 plasma samples were randomly collected from 6 dairy and 10 beef farms and analyzed by commercially available ELISAs. Production type (dairy versus beef), sex (female vs male), age (< 3 years, 3-5, and > 5 years old), breed (mixed vs Holstein vs Colombian Zebu), and location (various locations) were assessed as risk factors for N. caninum and T. gondii infections.

Results and discussion

Of the samples, 88 (24.6%) and 19 (5.3%) were positive for anti-N. caninum and anti-T. gondii antibodies, respectively, and mixed infection was detected in 7. Of the 16 herds, 6 dairy and 7 beef herds were positive for antibodies to N. caninum. Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 4, and 5 of dairy and beef herds, respectively. Production type (dairy) and, therewith, sex (female), age (aged over 5 years), and location were considered as risk factors for N. caninum infection. No factors statistically associated with T. gondii infection were identified. Overall, this study provided the first serological detection of N. caninum and T. gondii infections in cattle from Beheira, demonstrating the endemicity of both parasites in the main cattle rearing region of Egypt. This study also confirmed earlier reports of N. caninum being more present in dairy cattle than in beef cattle. Routine monitoring of N. caninum and T. gondii infections and the implementation of control strategies are urgently needed.