Diet composition of the Pharaoh eagle owl, Bubo ascalaphus, across agricultural and natural areas in Saudi Arabia.

The diet of the Pharaoh eagle owl, Bubo ascalaphus, inhabiting agricultural and natural areas in Saudi Arabia, was studied. Pellet analysis for B. ascalaphus in the agricultural area contained a high percentage (61.3%) of the house mouse, Mus musculus, while pellets collected from natural habitats were void of M. musculus, however, with a high proportion of wild rodents (Meriones crassus (28.6%) and Jaculus loftusi (41.6%). This suggests the importance of this owl as a biological control agent in agricultural areas.

Morphological aspects and pathological impacts of cystic echinococcosis in liver of slaughtered sheep and host-parasite relationship / [Aspectos morfológicos e impactos patológicos da equinococose cística no fígado de ovelhas abatidas e relação hospedeiro-parasita]

ABSTRACT Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasite-borne disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus belonging to family Taeniidae, is an endemic disease, distributed worldwide as a neglected parasite with socioeconomic repercussions. It causes severe alterations in liver of infected host, and it could be fatal if untreated. The main objective of the present study is to measure and evaluate the condition of hydatidosis in slaughtered sheep in Al Baha region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 601 slaughtered sheep in Al Baha abattoirs were examined for hydatidosis during the year 2020. Various organs were examined for the presence of parasite cysts, and the cyst contents were examined by light microscopy. Also, liver sections infected with cysts were examined for pathological alterations and host-parasite interactions. Forty-two animals were infected (6.09%) with the highest prevalence during summer. During gross examination, it was observed that the sheep liver is the most affected organ by the disease. The liver contained multiple cysts with varying sizes, filled with clear to slightly turbid fluid containing protoscoleces. Detailed sections of the infected liver revealed significant fibrosis around the central vein, portal vein congestion, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and necrosis. Sections through hydatid cysts showed the presence of three surrounding layers with a laminar membrane bordering the cyst lined by a germinal epithelium surrounding several brood capsules with many protoscolesces inside supported by a set of rostellar hooklets. Considerable efforts should be spent to control the transmission of parasitic cysts and inhibit the incorrect disposal of infected meat from slaughterhouses. Also, more focus should be done on epidemiological and control programs of these parasites.

RESUMO A equinococose cística (EC) é uma doença transmitida por parasitas causada pelo estágio larval do Echinococcus granulosus, pertencente à família Taeniidae, é uma doença endêmica, distribuída mundialmente como um parasita negligenciado com repercussões socioeconômicas. Ela causa alterações graves no fígado do hospedeiro infectado e pode ser fatal se não for tratada. O principal objetivo do presente estudo é medir e avaliar a condição da hidatidose em ovelhas abatidas na região de Al Baha, na Arábia Saudita. Um total de 601 ovelhas abatidas em matadouros de Al Baha foram examinadas quanto à hidatidose durante o ano de 2020. Vários órgãos foram examinados quanto à presença de cistos de parasitas, e o conteúdo dos cistos foi examinado por microscopia de luz. Além disso, seções de fígado infectadas com cistos foram examinadas quanto a alterações patológicas e interações hospedeiro-parasita. Quarenta e dois animais foram infectados (6,09%), com a maior prevalência durante o verão. Durante o exame macroscópico, observou-se que o fígado das ovelhas é o órgão mais afetado pela doença. O fígado continha vários cistos de tamanhos variados, preenchidos com fluido claro a levemente turvo contendo protocistos. Seções detalhadas do fígado infectado revelaram fibrose significativa ao redor da veia central, congestão da veia porta, infiltração de células inflamatórias e necrose. As seções através dos cistos hidáticos mostraram a presença de três camadas circundantes, com uma membrana laminar que margeia o cisto, revestida por um epitélio germinativo que envolve várias cápsulas de cria com muitos protoscolescentes em seu interior, sustentados por um conjunto de ganchos rostelares. Esforços consideráveis devem ser despendidos para controlar a transmissão de cistos parasitários e inibir o descarte incorreto de carne infectada em abatedouros. Além disso, deve-se dar mais atenção aos programas epidemiológicos e de controle desses parasitas.

Isolation, diversity, and biotechnological potential of rhizo- and endophytic bacteria associated with mangrove plants from Saudi Arabia.

Marine bacteria have been exceptional sources of halotolerant enzymes since decades. The aim of the present study was to isolate bacteria producing hydrolytic enzymes from seven different mangroves collected from the coastal area of Thuwal, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and to further screen them for other enzymatic and antifungal activities. We have isolated 46 different rhizo- and endophytic bacteria from the soil, roots, and leaves of the mangroves using different enzymatic media. These bacterial strains were capable of producing industrially important enzymes (cellulase, protease, lipase, and amylase). The bacteria were screened further for antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens. Finally, these bacterial strains were identified on the basis of the16S rDNA sequence. Taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis revealed 95.9-100% sequence identity to type strains of related species. The dominant phylum was Gammaproteobacteria (γ-Proteobacteria), which comprised 10 different genera - Erwinia, Vibrio, Psychrobacter, Aidingimonas, Marinobacter, Chromohalobacter, Halomonas, Microbulbifer, and Alteromonas. Firmicutes was the second dominant phylum, which contained only the genus Bacillus. Similarly, only Isoptericola belonged to Actinobacteria. Further these enzyme-producing bacteria were tested for the production of other enzymes. Most of the active strains showed cellulytic and lipolytic activities. Several were also active against fungal pathogens. Our results demonstrated that the mangroves represent an important source of potentially active bacteria producing enzymes and antifungal metabolites (bioactive products). These bacteria are a source of novel halophilic enzymes and antibiotics that can find industrial and medicinal use.