Molecular characterization of a haemagglutinating and non haemagglutinating rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses from Egypt

Rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease [RVHD] is a highly contagious, peracute and acute viral disease of both wild and domestic rabbits caused by rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus [RHDV]. RHDV is considered as a haemagglutinating virus; however, there is a growing evidence for presence of non haemagglutinating RHDV strains. In this study, two RHDVs have been characterized. The two viruses were selected from ten different infected rabbit flocks. One of them had haemagglutination [HA] activity and the other one lacked HA activity. HA test was carried out on both isolates at 4[degree]C using human red blood cells [RBC] type 'O'. RT-PCR was performed on the liver samples of the ten infected rabbit flocks using specific primers targeting VP60 gene. The obtained partial VP60 gene sequences of the two selected strains were aligned with other haemagglutinating and non haemagglutinating strains of RHDV in the world, including ''RHDVa'' strains as France 99-05, France-Reu-00, Germany-Triptis and China TP. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the two strains were genetically different. Haemagglutinating strain was similar to Rainham strain which is low haemagglutinating virus while non haemagglutinating strain was similar to whn-1 strain which is non haeagglutinating virus. The study confirmed presence of non haemagglutinating RHDV in rabbits reared in Egypt and suggested that VP60 might be related to HA activity

Inactivation of avian influenza virus using commercial chemical disinfectants in small scale poultry production

Two commercial chemical disinfectants which are commonly used currently in the Egyptian markets were tested individually for effectiveness against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus [HPAIV]A/chicken/Egypt/13VIR3729/4/2013 [H5N1]., which currently hit the Egyptian poultry farms at 2013, The tested agents were sodium hypochlorite 5% available chlorine [NaOCL] and PERACLEAN 5%[registered][Peroxyacetic Acid4.9% and hydrogen peroxide 26.5%]. The test was performed in accordance to the guidelines of American environmental protection agency [EPA], using a carrier test with surfaces [coupons] designed specially to mimic the poultry house floor and made from concrete cement, [under dirty condition resembled phase two, step two of European Committee for Standardization [CEN]. At room temperature which mimic the field condition in the Egyptian poultry farms, both sodium hypochlorite with concentration [250ppm], and PERACLEAN 5%[registered]with concentration [1%], were not able to inactivate the virus after 5 minutes contact time, while inactivation was achieved within 30 minutes contact time, which proved one of the golden rules when applying a disinfectant, that was allowing the increase of contact time between the disinfectant and influenza virus

Search for aspergillus by indirect immunoflorescence in asthmatic patients

This study included 50 patients with bronchial asthma, Every patient was subjected to detailed history, clinical examination, chest plain X-ray, skin test using aspergillus fumigatus antigen, direct microscopic examination of sputum for aspergillus fumigatus, indirect lmmunofluorescence examination of sputum and simple spirometry. Incomplete combination of the criteria for the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis were observed in 1 case out of 50 asthmatic patients [2%]. The complete picture of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis were not fulfilled in any patient included in this study

Visual problems in developmental cataract

The visual problems arising from early visual deprivation as amblyopia, nystagmus, strabismus and disturbances of binocular functions are studied in fifty cases with developmental cataract

Astigmatism after extracapsular cataract extraction

Astigmatism following extracapsular cataract extraction was not studied in the literature before. An attempt was made to study the type and amount of astigmatism after extracapsular Cataract extraction. Twenty cases of cataract were operated upon using the micro-irrigation-aspiration technique adopted in Alexandria University, the same technique of incision and wound closure was used in every case. Preoperative astigmatism was measured. Postoperatively, astigmatism was measured as early as possible and then weekly for at least 6 weeks. Early post operative astigmatism was high [about 5.0 D] and was mostly of the direct type. However, it decreased gradually with time and was shifted mainly to the inverse type

Intraocular lens implantation in children

Intraocular lens implantation in children presents special problems during surgery. Maintaintaining a deep anterior chamber while introducing the lens is difficult. Peripheral anterior synechia may prevent the use of the lens. Suturing of the lens implant is necessary in certain cases to ensure good fixation. Twelve anterior chamber intraocular lenses were impainted in eyes of children who had cataract of traumatic origin. Visual results and difficulties are discussed. The overall results seemed to indicate that the use of intraocular lens produces very few complications and generally support intraocular lens implantation in children whose cataracts are traumatically induced