Reappearance of lumpy skin disease [LSD] in Egypt [with one table and 11 figures]

During late summer and autumn, 2005, outbreaks of Lumpy skin disease [LSD] were observed in different Egyptian governorates. So, this study was carried out to explore some epidemiological and clinical aspects of the disease in these recent outbreaks. Three private farms at Salheia and Gharbia governorate in addition to 200 individual animals belonging to farmers in different villages at different governorate were used in this study. In the first farm out of the examined 833 Friesian cattle, 500 contracted the disease; 25 of them were died representing a morbidity rate 60.02%, mortality rate 3% and case fatality rate of 5%. In the second farm out of the examined 20 Friesian cattle, 10 contracted the disease; two of them were died representing a morbidity rate 50%, mortality rate 10% and case fatality rate of 20%. Whereas in the third farm out of the examined 70 Holstein cattle, 3 of them contracted the disease representing a morbidity rate of 4.28% whereas no fatality was recorded in this farm. The occurrence of the disease in late summer, 2005 indicating the role of biting insect in the disease transmission. The expansion of the outbreaks through autumn months suggest other modes of transmission rather than the insect as the needles that used in vaccination and medication in addition to the role of direct contact. Concerning the clinical findings that observed in these outbreaks, infected animals showed, pyrexia, anorexia, nasal discharge, salivation, depressions, external lymphadenopathy, dysgalactia, appearance of skin nodules of varying size which may cover the whole of the animal's body. These nodules might disappear spontaneously within 3 to 4 weeks or gathered to form large lumps that increase in the thickness of the skin at the coalesced lesions. Some lumps were opened and sloughed leaving ulcer in the detached area in some cases. Lesions are often found in the mouth and upper respiratory tract. Edema of legs, brisket, head regions and scrotum in males was observed. Lameness and recumbency was observed in cases with severe edema. It was complicated with respiratory manifestation, pneumonia, hemorrhagic enteritis, dehydration and later recumbency followed by death. Abortion was reported in one Holstein cattle in the fifth month. Postmortem findings observed in dead Friesian cattle were in the form of skin nodules in different part of skin; these nodules involve all skin thickness, subcutis and muscles in some cases, superficial lymph node enlargement. Similar nodules were observed in upper respiratory tract, lungs and digestive system

Motile aeromonas septicaemia and other aeromonad infection encountered in coloured fish

Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria and Aeromonas salmonicida showed a percentage of infection 15.92%. 4.3% and 16.72% respectively in present study. The clinical signs and pathological alteration associated with these bacterial infection of fish, fin and tail rot, haemorrhagic septicemia and ulcerative disease were recorded. Induction of experimental infection by these isolates to determine their pathogenicity to Tilapia sp, Catfish, Angelfish, GuppyFish, Veiltailgoldfish and Swordtailfish were undertaken

Infection of coloured fish by staphylococcus epidermidis

Staphylococcus epidermidis showed 14.4% the percentage of infection in coloured fish. The clinical signs and pathological alteration associated with these bacterial infection were in form of ascitic fluid in abdominal muscle wall, eye damage-exophthalmia and ulcers. Induction of experimental infection by these isolates to determine their pathogenicity to Tilapia sp, Catfish, Guppyfish and Veiltailgoldfish were undertaken

Pseudomonas septicaemia encountered in some ornamental fishes

The present study found that the infection rate of Pseudomonas septicaemia rate was 8.56% and 4.89% respectively, which was mainly caused by Pseudomonas fluorescence and Pseudomonas anguilliseptica. The clinical signs and pathological alterations associated with these bacterial infections, of fish were represented as fin and tail rot, haemorrhagic septicemia and ulcerative lesions. Induction of experimental infection by such isolates to determine their pathogenicity to Tilapia, Catfish, Angelfish and Swordtailfish were undertaken. Also, the biogram of both bacterial isolates was carried out, and revealed that Pseudomonas fluorescence was more sensitive to Enrofloxacine, Streptomycin, Doxycycline, Tobramycin and Tetra-cycline.While Pseudomonas anguilliseptica more sensitive to Neomycin, Oxytetracycline and refamycin

Studies on lumpy skin disease

Agar gel immuno-precipitation test was used for diagnosis of lumpy skin disease [LSD] and resulted in reliable results. Skin biopsies obtained from acute cases were used as antigens. Although, infection of the CAM of embryonated chicken eggs enhanced virus growth, it is not the best laboratory method for disease diagnosis. The fluorescent antibody technique was found to be a quick and a reliable diagnostic method of suspected samples. In case of experimental infection of steers with LSD virus, the humeral neutralizing antibodies showed titers of > 1.7 after inoculation when compared with control steers

Effect of seasons on the prevalence of antibodies of peste des petits ruminates [PPR] virus in sheep and goats

A total of 852 sera samples were collected from sheep and goats periodically at 3-week intervals for a period of one year. The sera samples were examined by serum neutralization test [SNT] for antibodies to PPR virus during the four seasons of the year. The results revealed that in winter 52.5%, 61.5% and 15.9% of mixed breed sheep, Barki sheep and goats, respectively, have antibodies for PPR virus. In spring the positive percentages were 40%, 44.75% and 19.31%. In summer they were 30%, 25% and 4.54%, and in autumn the percentages were 18.75%, 31.66%, and 7.57% for the two sheep breeds and goats, respectively. It could be concluded that PPR virus neutralizing antibodies prevail in winter and spring than in summer and autumn

Studies on the prevalence of antibodies for Peste des Petits Ruminants [PPR] and Rinderpest [RP] virus in sheep and goats sera

A total of 182 sera samples were collected from two sheep breeds [mixed and Barki sheep] as well as goats raised under arid conditions and examined by serum neutralization test [SNT] for neutralizing antibodies of PPR and RP viruses. The results showed that at 1: 4 serum dilution, 29.41% of mixed breed sheep, 29.82% of Barki sheep and 29.82% of goats sera contained antibodies to PPR virus, while 2.9%, 12.28% of the two sheep breeds, respectively, and 7% of goats sera had antibodies to RP virus. It could be concluded that the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies to PPR virus is equal in sheep and goats. There is no significant difference between the two sheep breeds tested for PPR virus antibodies, but RP virus antibodies is higher in the sera of Barki sheep than that of the mixed breed sheep and the antibodies for PPR virus in the two sheep breeds are more prevalent than in goats

outbreak of peste des petits ruminants [PPR] in sheep and its economic impact in Egypt

PPR was recorded for the first time in sheep in Egypt. The history, the clinical signs, P.M. findings, epidemiology, virus isolation, detection of viral antigen and antibodies by ELISA test, the economic impact and method of control were discussed