Detection of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in pet animals and its antibiotic resistance in Alexandria governorate

Benefits of having a dog or cat as a pet varies between owners according to the purpose, however, the limit between benefit and harm is sensitive because close contact between pets and humans may involuntarily represent harm for humans. Doga and cats have been proposed as possible reservoir of virulent Escherichia coli strains that may cause enteric and extra-intestinal infections in humans. In this study, we aimed to detect diarrheagenic Escherichia coli [DEC] in dogs and cats and their antibiotic resistant pattern[s]. Samples were collected from 70 dogs and cats from different veterinary clinics and hospitals in Alexandria. These animals suffered from diarrhea and other symptoms as fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, loss of appetite, muscle aches and bloating. Forty E. coli isolates were detected by culturing and biochemical tests, and were subjected to antimicrobial disc diffusion susceptibility test by using 10 different antibiotic discs, which are the most commonly used in pet animal clinics. Antibiotic resistance for individual antibiotics ranged from 5 to 98% with multiple resistances to 2 or more antibiotics detected in 15 [21%] samples. PCR for detection of virulent genes of E. coli; VT2e and eaeA genes as well as the antibiotic resistance blaTEM gene was performed. The VT2e and eaeA genes were found in E. coli isolates, from dogs and cats. These results collectively indicate that pet animals can harbor the Enteropathogenic [EPEC] and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli [ETEC] causing diarrhea at different ages with possible active transmission to contact human. Further, the high and multiple antibiotic resistance level can pose therapeutic challenges in contact humans. It is fundamental that veterinarians recommend preventive measures to pet owners towards the establishment of a long-term preventive programme against antibiotic resistant E. coli

Molecular study on foot and mouth disease virus in Beheira governorate, Egypt during 2014

Foot and mouth disease [FMD] is the most contagious disease of mammals and has a great potential for causing severe economic loss in susceptible cloven-hoofed animals. Egypt has a long history of occurrence of FMDV outbreaks, as the country is dependent on importion of live animals and meat from many countries all over the world. The present study was designed for detection, isolation and molecular characterization of FMDV circulationg among different regions in Beheira governorate. Thirty-eight tissue samples were collected from clinically diseased cattle and buffalo from different localities of Beheira governorate. Direct detection of FMDV using ELISA revealed that 84.2% of the samples were possitive. Molecular characterization showed that 24 samples [75%] were possitive for serotype O and eight samples [25%] were positive for serotype SAT2. This indicates the predominance of serotype O FMDV in Beheira, Egypt

In vitro evaluation of bovine turbinate cells and Sarcocystis falcatula Proliferation in response to serum-free Medium and other media supplements

A serum-free medium [SFM] was evaluated for the growth of bovine turbinate [BT] cells used for the production of Sarcocystis falcatula merozoites. Serum free cultures used to propagate S. falcatula were compared to cultures maintained in media supplemented with fetal calf serum [FCS] or horse serum [HS]. Serum free cultures were more effective and very promising than the others in supporting the proliferation of S. falcatula merozoites. However, the serum free cultures were unable to adequately support BT cell proliferation compared to the serum-supplemented cultures. No significant differences were seen between cultures supplemented with HS or FCS used for the production of S. falcatula merozoites or BT cells. The rate of BT cell proliferation in response to SFM and different media supplements was assessed in a 96-well plate format using methylene blue staining assay. This technique was superior to manual counting method and allowed quick and accurate quantitative comparison between the response of proliferating BT cells to different growth conditions