Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Isolation and Identification of Very Virulent Strains of Marek’s Disease Virus from MDVVaccinated Flocks in Egypt197205794710.21608/zvjz.2017.7947ENMohammed A.LebdahSamir A.NassifAbeer M.ShaheinYara F.H.El-BasreyJournal Article20180607Marek’s disease is still a major problem among Egyptian poultry flocks, despite the intensive vaccination programs against the disease. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of MDV infection among forty-four flocks of breeders and layers with ages ranged from 4-20 months. Feather follicle specimens were collected during 2012-2015 from 44 vaccinated chicken flocks showing emaciation and visceral tumors. The samples were tested by PCR using three pairs of primers. Nineteen flocks were positive for MDV using primers targeting the UL 19 gene with a percentage of 43.2%. Three flocks were shown to be positive by primers targeting the meq and 132 bp tandem repeat genes with a percentage of 6.8%. Inoculation of duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) and chick embryo fibroblast (CEF) showed CPE in the form of plaques formation within 5-14 days post inoculation. Sequencing of meq and 132 tandem repeat genes of the 3 samples revealed that the isolated strains exhibited 99% homology with the very virulent European, Chinese, American, Indian and Egyptian MDV isolates. In conclusion, although the availability of MDV vaccines especially HVT vaccine which is used in the examined flocks in the present study, the disease was recorded. Thus, indicating that HVT vaccines are unable to protect completely against more virulent strains. Therefore, there is a need to develop a new strategy and types of vaccination to be able to protect against new strains of virus.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Prevalence of Chlamydophila psittaci in some Wild and Pet Birds206217793910.21608/zvjz.2017.7939ENAhmed M.HegazyAvian and Rabbit Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptMohamed A.El-sisiAvian and Rabbit Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptOlaHassaninAvian and Rabbit Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptHala M.N.TolbaAvian and Rabbit Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptHeba ABazThe Veterinary Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptJournal Article20180607Chlamydophila psittaci is one of the most important, zoonotic pathogen of birds causing chlamydiosis. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of infection by Cp. psittaci and to determine the genotype in birds at potential risk of exposure to this pathogen. In total four species of wild birds (50 native and 40 migratory quails, 30 doves and 25 tree sparrows) and four species of pet birds, (20 Budgerigars,10 cockatiels, 3 finches, 5 love birds) were examined for the presense of Chlamydophila psittaci using impression smears stained with Giemsa stain, smears from yolk sacs were stained with Gimenez stain and PCR . The results were (80%- 100%) , (85%-100%) and (80%-100%) in pet birds followed by wild birds (64%-85%) , (76%- 95%) and (80%-90%), respectivelly The pathogencity of three isolates by intratracheal route with 106 TCID/ml in 15 days old chickens and quails was done and showed that the more pathogenic strain for chickens and quails was the pet birds strain. The observed clinical signs were respiratory signs, conjunctivitis, and diarrhea, While the pathological changes were congestion in liver, lung, spleen, and pericarditis while mild clinical and pathological changes were observed post infection by tree sparrows and migratory quails isolates. The partial ompA gene sequence of isolated Cp. psittaci strain was placed in genotype A of Cp. psittaci which had the highest identity (91.9-94%) with previously similar described strains of genotype A. Pet and wild birds were the major reservoir for Cp. psittaci which shed in their excreta and expose human and native birds to high zoonotic riskZagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Studies on Tetracycline Hydrochloride in Rabbits218227794510.21608/zvjz.2017.7945ENElsayed A.Abdel AzizPharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptMohammed H.KhairyPharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptSameh M.El-NabtityPharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptEslam E.HamedCentral Lab, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptBayan A.SaffafPharmacology Department, Veterinary Medicine, Hama University, SyriaJournal Article20180607Tetracycline is one of the most important groups of antibiotics that have harmful effects on the consumers, therefore the public health safety against its residues represents a significant issue. This study aimed to estimate the effect of tetracycline hydrochloride on some hematological parameters, kidneys function tests as well as liver and breast muscle enzymes with special reference to the supposed withdrawal time of this drug in different rabbits’ tissues (kidney, liver and muscles), following oral dose of tetracycline using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Tetracycline was administrated to eighteen rabbits directly into the stomach at a dose of 35 mg/kg BW once daily for five successive days. Samples were collected on the 1 st , 3 rd, 7th , 14th , 21st and 28th days after the last oral dose. The results revealed that, tetracycline caused a significant increase in the uric acid, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities with no significant changes in the hematological parameters when compared with the control group. The residues remained in the liver and kidney for 7 days, while in muscles for 3 days only after the last oral dose of the drug. In conclusion, the disturbances in the biological parameters occurred by tetracycline administration in rabbits was transient and returned to normal after 7 days of last treatment. The withdrawal time of tetracycline was 14 days from the rabbit's tissues.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Pathological Study on the Role of Thymoquinone in Experimentally Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats228237794810.21608/zvjz.2017.7948ENNaif A.Al-GabriAbdel-MoneimAliEl-SayedAL-AttarMohammedHamedJournal Article20180607Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. In traditional and modern medicines, Nigella sativa extract, thymoquinone (TQ) has several benefits. Here, we examined the counter effects of TQ in ALI induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tissue sections and serum samples were collected from the following groups of rats: i) none treated control, ii) TQ only, iii) intratracheally (I.T) installed with LPS 200 µg/rat once, iv) TQ protected received intraperitoneally (I.P) 1 mg/rat for one week. Samples were subjected to histopathology, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and electron microscopy. TQ-treated rats revealed reduction in peribronchial, perivascular and interstitial inflammatory edema, thickening of interalveolar septa, inflammatory exudates in the lumens of airways and alveoli, hypertrophied smooth muscles of pulmonary blood vessels and airways and hyperplasia of bronchial associated lymphoid tissue (BALT). Electron microscopy revealed highly activated pneumocyte with vacuolated cytoplasm in TQ-treated group. Immunomodulators, IL1ᵦ and TNFα showed lower levels in TQ-treated group. Meanwhile, NF-κB was absent according to immunohistochemistry. It could be concluded that TQ restores lung architecture and reduces inflammatory Immunomodulators in ALI.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical, Economic Evaluation and IL6 Gene Expression in Growing Rabbits Fed Diets Supplemented with Zinc Nanoparticles238249794910.21608/zvjz.2017.7949ENFardos A.M.HassanAnimal Wealth Development Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptRaniaMahmoudIman E.El-ArabyJournal Article20180607Zinc nanoparticles showed a great potential as mineral feed supplements in animals than the conventional sources. However, this potential has not been applied in rabbit nutrition. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary nano-zinc oxide on the growth performance, serum biochemical, economic parameters and gene expression of interleukin-6 in growing rabbits. A total of 120 male, five-week-old New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits were randomly distributed into four equal groups. The control group (Z0) was fed on a basal diet with zinc free premix; the other three experimental groups received the basal diet supplemented with 60 mg zinc oxide/kg diet (Z1), 60 mg nano-zinc oxide/kg diet (Z2) and 30 mg nano-zinc oxide/kg diet (Z3), respectively. The results revealed that rabbits in the groups Z2 and Z3 had higher body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, serum total protein, globulin, IgG and SOD when compared with those of groups Z0 and Z1 (P<0.001). In addition, growth hormone level was higher in Z3 group than in the other groups, whereas no significant differences were recorded among the treated groups in respect to serum TSH concentration (P>0.05). Hepatic and serum zinc contents were high in Z2 and Z3 groups, but the copper contents were decreased. Rabbits of group Z3 yielded the highest gross margin with the lowest expenses to produce 1 kg of live weight compared with the others. The production of IL6 in spleen was increased in Z3 group than that in the other groups. Thus, it can be concluded that nano-zinc oxide at a concentration of 30 mg/kg diet may be used instead of the traditional zinc sources in rabbit diets.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga Toxin Producing E. coli from Retail Meat and Humans250261795010.21608/zvjz.2017.7950ENHebaAhmedZoonoses Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig UniversityEwan T.MacLeodRasha M.El BayomiRasha A.MohsenArwa H.NassarJournal Article20180607A total of 550 meat samples (300 minced beef and 250 chicken meat) marketed in Zagazig City, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, as well as 150 human stool samples were examined for Shiga toxin producing E. coli. Results revealed that the isolation rates of E. coli O157:H7 versus non- O157 were 1.7% versus 2.3% in minced beef, 0.8% versus 2% in chicken meat and 0.7% versus 2.7% in human stools. Other identified serotypes were including O111:H8 (25%), O26:H11 (20.8%), O55:H7 (16.7%) and O113:H21 (4.2%). Virulence associated genes were identified in E. coli serotypes, stx1 and stx2 were characterized in 16.7% and 62.5% of the isolates, while, eaeA and hlyA genes were identified in 50% and 70.8% of the examined serotypes, respectively. Genotyping of E. coli O157:H7 serotype from different sources using Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) fingerprinting revealed heterogenicity of the isolates, however, human and minced beef isolates were grouped in the same cluster indicating potential transmission of infection from contaminated beef to human consumers. In conclusion, ERIC-PCR is a highly discriminatory, reliable and cost-effective tool for tracing sources of infection with bacteria. Public health education and application of strict hygienic measures during slaughtering, transportation and preparation of meat are essential to minimize the risk of contamination and transmission of infection to consumers.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Paratyphoid Salmonellae isolated from Poultry in Delta Area- Egypt262272795110.21608/zvjz.2017.7951ENMohamed A.LebdahAmal A.M.Eid0000-0003-4183-4899Soad A.NasefEnas M.HamadJournal Article20180607The present work aimed to isolate and characterize Salmonellae from chickens, ducks, quails and turkeys in five Egyptian Governorates. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the detection of common virulence genes. A total of 265 flock samples (150 chickens, 60 ducks, 30 quails and 25 turkeys) were collected from Dakahlia, Kafrelsheik, Damietta, Sharkia and Gharbia Governorates. Birds were subjected to either clinical and/or post-mortem examination, in adittion to isolation and identification of salmonellae from internal organs including liver, lung, spleen, caecum and unabsorbed yolk sac. Biochmeical and serological identification of the isolates was done. Twenty eight birds (10.6%) were found positive for Salmonella isolation. The number and percentage of positive chickens, ducks, quails and turkeys were 16 (10.7%), 7 (11.7%), 3 (10%) and 2 (8%), respectively. Salmonella Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Kentucky, S. Paratyphi A, S. Molade, S. Heidelberg, S. Infantis and S. Apeyeme were isolated from chickens. While S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Paratyphi A, S. Kentucky, S. Inganda and S. Bargny were isolated from ducks. While, S. Virchow, S. Tamale and S. Typhimurium were isolated from Quails and S. Wingrove, finally, S. Kentucky were isolated from turkeys. Molecular characterization of common virulence genes Salmonella outer proteins (sopB), Plasmid encoded virulence gene (spvC), salmonella enterotoxin (stn) and bacterial colonization factor (bcfC) showed the presence of stn and bcfC genes in all isolates, while, sopB and Spv genes were present in 64.3% and 10.7%, respectively. It is concluded that salmonellae with common virulence genes were widely spread among domestic birds in Delta areas, Egypt, resulting in economic and public health problems which require the application of strictly biosecurity measures in poultry rearing.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Enhancement of Antimicrobial Sensitivity of Salmonella and Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Chickens Using Silver Nanoparticles in Assiut Governorate273282795210.21608/zvjz.2017.7952ENMoemenMohamedPoultry Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptFatma M.MohamedWaleed A.El-SaidJournal Article20180607Before the era of complete resistance to antibiotics due to their extensive use in poultry farms, new strategies were discovered, one of them was the use of nanoparticles to enhance the action of antibiotics. Therefore, this study was carried out to find out the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) either separately or in combination with antibiotics. The obtained data showed the antibacterial activity of AgNPs against the tested Escherichia coli and Salmonella strains with MIC level of 0.85 µg/mL. Synergistic effects of AgNPs with antibiotics against E. coli revealed two-fold drop in MIC of ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin. Meanwhile, there was three-fold drop in MIC of gentamicin, cefotaxime and neomycin. Significant finding was observed in the case of the synergism of AgNPs with amoxicillin and gentamicin, the examined E. coli O2 resistant to amoxicillin and gentamicin became sensitive when the antibiotics were combined with AgNPs. It could be concluded that AgNPs can be easily produced by Rosemary aqueous extracts as low-cost, eco-friendly method for generating AgNPs. New generations of bactericidal compounds containing AgNPs could be successfully used in poultry farms for prevention and treating E. coli infectionsZagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Influence of Platelets Rich Plasma on Repair of Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Rupture in Donkeys (An Experimental Study)283291795310.21608/zvjz.2017.7953ENMohamed T.SamyMohamed S.A.OmarFathy D.Elseddawy0000-0003-0076-0678EslamEisaMohamed M.M.MetwallyJournal Article20180607This study was planned to prospectively evaluate the influence of platelets rich plasma (PRP) on the restoration of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in donkeys. Eighteen apparently clinically healthy male donkeys of 3-6 years old, weighing 150-200 kg, were used. The animals were classified into two equal groups; control group and PRP group. One cm transection of the full thickness of middle portion of the SDFT was made in all animals. First, all animals were subjected to sedation via xylazine HCl injection in a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight then the animals were deeply narcotized with chloral hydrate 10% in a dose of 5 gm/50 kg body weight. A linear skin incision in the palmar aspect of the right fore limb at the mid cannon region was performed in all operated animals. The animals in PRP group were subjected to intratendinous injections of 4 mL PRP with weekly interval (day 0, w1, w2, w3) under the guidance of ultrasonography. Representative tendon specimens from all animals were collected 30, 60, and 90 days post operation (PO) for histopathological examination. The obtained clinical and histopathological results reveled that PRP application improved the healing of SDFT compared to the control group, through increasing and acceleration of angiogenesis, fibrogenesis, collagen deposition and remodeling in the injured tendon matrices.Zagazig University, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineZagazig Veterinary Journal1110-145845320170901Effects of Different Zinc Sources on Performance, Bio Distribution of Minerals and Expression of Genes Related to Metabolism of Broiler Chickens292304795410.21608/zvjz.2017.7954ENDoaaIbrahimNutrition and Clinical Nutrition Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, 44511, EgyptHaytham A.AliShefaa A.M.El-MandrawyJournal Article20180607Different sources of Zinc (Zn) were compared to assess their possible effects on performance, nutrients retention, mineral distribution and some serum parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 200 one-day old Ross 308 chicks were divided into in equal four dietary treatments groups with five replicates each of ten chicks. The experimental groups were given the basal diet (inorganic ZnO), basal diet supplemented with organic Zn (Zn methionine), nano-ZnO and Znmix (organic Zn and nano-ZnO) at a concentration of 50 mg/kg of diet. After 42 days of feeding trial, the group supplemented with nano-ZnO exhibited the best final body weight and feed conversion ratio (2380 g/bird and 1.69, respectively). Nano-ZnO and Zn-mix supplementation significantly increased crude fat retention (86.70 and 86.75%, respectively). All sources of supplemented Zn other than inorganic ZnO significantly increased (P<0.05) Zn retention especially in the group supplemented with nano-ZnO (41.8%). Organic Zn and/or nano-ZnO sources supplemented to broiler diets significantly increased (P<0.05) iron and copper contents in the hepatic tissue and Zn content in the tibia. The mean of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and very low density lipoprotien were significantly reduced (P<0.05) by dietary supplementation of organic Zn and/or nano-ZnO. The activity of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased (P<0.05), while Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity was significantly increased (P<0.05) by addition nano-ZnO or Zn-mix. Dietary Zn-mix and nano-ZnO positively affected mRNA expression of insulin like growth factor-1 and growth hormone genes in broilers when compared to the inorganic ZnO source. The present findings prospected that replacing traditional inorganic ZnO source with nano-ZnO or combining nano-ZnO and Zn methionine at applied concentration, promoted the growth of broilers, enhanced Zn up take and antioxidant status without negative effect on selected minerals distribution in tissues.