Epidemiological, Morphological, and Morphometric Study on Haemonchus spp. Recovered From Goats in Egypt

Goats can be infected by multiple groups of external and internal parasites. Haemonchus spp. are among abomasal parasites that can result in higher mortality and several considerable economic losses in goats. Early detection of parasites and better understanding of the major risk factors associated with infection are among the main strategies for controlling the infection. Considering this, information on hemonchosis in goats from Egypt, and the contribution of goats in the maintenance of the epidemiological foci of the disease is limited. This study investigated the prevalence of Haemonchus species among 240 abomasum samples collected during postmortem examination of goat carcasses from Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Moreover, the association of the major risk factors to describe the epidemiological pattern of the disease was explored. This study demonstrated that 16.66% of abomasa samples harbored Haemonchus species. Additionally, age, sex, and sampling season were the most significant risk factors associated with infection. Following the variable factors under study, goats aged 1 year or older were at higher risk, with an infection rate of 22.14% (31 of 140), than those younger than 1 year (9%) [p = 0.008; odds ratio (OR) = 2.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30-6.35]. The infection rate was 25% (19 of 76) in males and 12.8% (21 of 164) in females [p = 0.024; odds ratio (OR) = 2.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13-4.53]. Moreover, the exposure to infection was higher in summer (22.22%) than in winter (8.33%) (p = 0.007; odds ratio (OR) = 0.318; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.139-0.725). More importantly, three species of the parasite-Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, and Haemonchus longistipes-were identified for the first time, and the confirmation of the identification and morphological characterization of the worms was performed using light microscopy and SEM. Collectively, this study reveals interesting epidemiological, morphological, and morphometric findings associated with the occurrence of hemonchosis among goats in Egypt. This study suggests further research for exploring the major circulating species of the parasite in Egypt, which is mandatory for controlling the disease.

Nasr S. Monitoring of Carcinogenic Environmental Pollutants in raw Cows’ Milk

These investigations were conducted to detect the residues of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, and cadmium in the raw milk samples of lactating cows grazing around the Sugar Cane Factory. One hundred raw milk samples were collected from apparent healthy lactating cows during the rest and work periods of the Sugar Cane Factory. Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons residue in milk samples was performed using a gas chromatography. Lead and cadmium levels in the milk samples were determined after digestion. Results revealed that benzo(a)anthracene and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene (carcinogenic), and acenaphthylene and phenanthrene non-carcinogenic were detected only in the raw milk samples during the work period, while fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene were detected only during the rest period. However, chrysene and benzo(b) fluoranthene (carcinogenic) were detected in the milk at the rest and work periods of the Sugar Cane Factory. The highest levels of lead and cadmium were detected during the work period compared to the levels of lead and cadmium at rest. In conclusion, benzo(a)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, acenaphthylene, and phenanthrene, lead and cadmium could be detected in cows’ milk which raised around the Sugar Cane Factory. Further investigations of these pollutants must be done in water, plants, air, and soil around this factory.

The clinical importance and correlations of post-partum changes in the clinical findings, reproductive cyclicity, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidant parameters as a stress indicator in female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and their effect on milk palatability

Dramatic metabolic changes during pregnancy and post-partum period resulted in alteration of the biochemical parameters in dromedary she-camels. The current study focused on assessment of stress indicators in post-partum dromedary she-camels on days 14, 28 and 42 post-calving through monitoring the clinical findings, serum steroid hormones, serum or milk oxidant/antioxidant indicators, and milk somatic cell count (SCC) status with reference to serum lipid profile changes. The study also stated several correlations between reproductive cyclicity parameters, stress biomarkers and serum-milk oxidant/antioxidant indicators. The study was conducted on clinically healthy recently calved she-camels (n = 25). They were subjected to clinical and laboratory assays including lipid profiles, serum steroid hormones [Progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2)], serum or milk oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers [Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and cortisol], and milk SCC on days 14, 21 and 28 post-calving. The study concluded the influence of stress as a result of lactation in post-partum period in recently calved she-camels and its relationship with reproductive cyclicity as well as changes in serum steroids, lipid profiles, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidants parameters, and milk SCC that was reflected through significant elevations in serum levels of P4, E2, cortisol, MDA and glucose, and milk values of MDA, cortisol and SCC as well as significant drop in serum levels of GSH, TPs, albumins and globulins on day 14 post-calving comparing with their values particularly on day 42. The study stated variable correlation relationships between reproductive cyclicity parameters, lipid profiles, serum-milk oxidant/antioxidants parameters and milk SCC.

Monitoring antimicrobial residues in table eggs in Aswan governorate markets and their impact on egg quality and public health

Background

Organic egg is among the most common organic foods offered for sale in Egyptian markets in recent years, and consumers buy them at a higher price because they believe organic eggs are safer and have superior nutritional value than conventional eggs.

Aim

The present work aimed to monitor antimicrobial residues in brown table eggs, whether conventional or organic type, in Aswan governorate markets and assessed their physical and chemical quality and their public health hazards.

Methods

Brown table egg samples (n = 400 total) were randomly selected in the present study, in which they represented two equal groups (n = 200 each) including conventional eggs and organic eggs. Eggs were collected from different retail stores in the Aswan governorate, Egypt. Egg samples were subjected to thorough physical and chemical quality evaluation as well as an assessment of antimicrobial residues.

Results

The results reported that organic eggs were cleaner and had a better odor, less blood, and meat spots, but smaller with more shell cracks than conventional eggs. Chemical analysis of some nutrient contents in the egg yolk revealed significantly higher nutritive values of organic eggs than that of conventional ones as the organic eggs contain significantly higher levels of vitamin A and vitamin D/D3 and significantly lower values of cholesterol, calcium, magnesium, and zinc than those in conventional eggs. Disc diffusion assay has been used for monitoring antimicrobial residues in egg samples. The results have shown that all examined organic eggs were free from antimicrobial residues, while 12% and 8% of conventional egg yolk and white were positive for antimicrobial residues, respectively.

Conclusion

The study concludes the higher nutritive value of organic eggs compared with the conventional type because of their significantly higher contents of vitamins A and D and their significantly lower contents of cholesterol. Moreover, organic eggs were free from antimicrobial residues which maximizes their public health benefits..

Comparative study between efficacy of dexamethasone-prostaglandin-receptal combination and mechanical correction in uterine torsion cases in Egyptian buffalo-cows (Bubalus bubalis)

BACKGROUND

According to reports, the majority of domesticated species exhibited uterine torsion. It was occasionally noted as a cause of dystocia in buffaloes. The uterus might twist more frequently late in pregnancy because of certain animal traits. The current research monitored the clinical findings and laboratory assays associated with uterine torsion cases in pregnant buffalo-cows through comparing between normal labored buffalo-cows (Norm-Lab^gr; n = 20), mechanically corrected uterine torsed animals without medicament interference (UtrTors^gr; n = 160), and mechanically corrected uterine torsed animals with medicament interference (UtrTors-Med^gr; n = 40) through focusing on placental characterization, calves body weight, milk constituents and milk somatic cell count (SCC) in normal labored buffaloes and uterine torsed ones. Through clinical and laboratory investigations of these buffaloes (N = 220) had been conducted 3 times; 7 h pre-calving and post calving (Post uterine correction) i.e. 48 and 96 h. Uterine torsion prevalence parameters, placental characterization, calves body weight, milk constituents and milk somatic cell counts were evaluated in normal labored buffaloes and uterine torsed ones.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded pre-calving remarkable variations in clinical findings, leukogram picture, calf birth weight and some placental characterization parameters between Norm-Lab^gr and each of UtrTors^gr and UtrTors-Med^gr whereas these variations disappeared post-partum as a result to either only mechanical correction or mechanical correction plus medicaments interference. No pre-or post-calving significant changes between UtrTors^gr and UtrTors-Med^gr except for the abnormal clinical findings were more representative in UtrTors-Med^gr than those in UtrTors^gr particularly pre-calving. The applied pre-calving therapeutic regimen including dexamethasone-prostaglandin-receptal combination had a powerful potential efficacy that induced vaginal delivery of calves in UtrTors-Med^gr as well as prepartum mechanical correction of torsed uterus approved higher efficacy in UtrTors^gr. The applied prepartum mechanical correction of torsed uterus and/or pre-calving therapeutic regimen as well as subsequent post-calving, post uterine correction applied medicament treatment accelerated rapid recovery of affected buffalo-cows through achieving rapid restoring of their physiological parameters. Buffalo-cow's milk composition, milk pH and milk SCC were not affected whereas no significant variations were reported between Norm-Lab^gr, UtrTors^gr and UtrTors-Med^gr.

Correlation of Primary Tumor Metabolic Parameters with Clinical, Histopathological and Molecular Characteristics in Breast Cancer Patients at Preoperative Staging FDG-PET/CT Study

Introduction:

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the correlation of primary (1ry)tumor metabolic activity parameters maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumor SUVmax/liver average SUV ratio (TLR) in initial staging 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography / computerized tomography (PET/CT) scan with clinical, histopathological and molecular characteristics of breast cancer (BC) patients.

Material and Methods:

Initial staging PET/CT was performed in 40 cases with different stages of BC in the supine position. Tumor FDG uptake was qualitatively evaluated and quantitatively assessed using SUVmax and TLR.

Results:

Forty female patients with newly diagnosed BC were enrolled in our study, age range from 31-78 (mean 50.5 +/- SD11.7). All the 1ry tumors were detected with mean SUVmax 10.8(+/-SD 7.9). The mean /median SUVmax values of 1ry tumor was higher in premenopausal, stage III& IV, Estrogen Receptors negative(ER-), Progesteron Receptors negative(PR-), Her2neu positive patients, high nuclear grade (GIII), in triple negative molecular subgroup (TN), positive axillary nodal (ALNs)metastases, and (P value = 0.003, 0.017, 0.113, 0.089 0.01,0.002, 0.007 & 0.016 respectively). The mean/median TLR values was higher in premenopausal and Her2neu positive, GIII, TN molecular subtype patients, stage III& IV and in patients with positive ALNs, ER- &PR - patients (P value = 0.002, 0.0476, 0.005, 0.018, 0.039 and 0.022, 0.095 & 0.129 respectively). SUVmax of the 1ry lesion and TLR were moderately negatively correlated with the age of the patients (P value = 0.005 and 0.008 respectively), also they were moderately positively correlated with the size of the1ry tumor (P value = 0.019 and 0.036 respectively).

Conclusion:

The SUVmax of the 1ry tumor and TLR values had similar significant associations with different prognostic factors in BC