Helicobacter microorganisms are considered one of the important zoonotic microorganisms with public health hazard leading to gastric ulcer which may progress to gastric cancer. This study was designed to elucidate whether raw milk and soft cheese can act as a source of Helicobacter infection to man. Moreover, investigation was carried out to determine the incidence rate of H. pylori and H. heilmannii among children suffering from gastric diseases. H. pylori was isolated from 20% and 6% of the examined milk from dairy farms and dairy shops, respectively. H. heilmannii was isolated from 2% of farm milk. H. pylori and H. heilmannii were isolated from 26% and 8 % of the examined children, respectively. In conclusion, milk may act as a vehicle of H. pylori and H. heilmannii and pose a health hazard to man. It is recommended to begin treatment early in patients with gastritis to accelerate healing and prevents ulcer production.

Brucellosis in Egypt is still one of the most serious problems facing animal production. This study aimed at detection of brucellosis in animals and man in New Valley Governorate. Serum samples of cattle, sheep, goats and camels were examined by Rose Bengal plate test, buffered acidified plate antigen test, tube agglutination test and Rivanol test. Serological examination of blood samples revealed that the prevalence of brucellosis among cattle, sheep and goat by using RBPT, BAPAT, TAT and RT was (10.56%, 7.78%, 7.22% and 7.22%),(3.89%, 2.78%, 2.22% and 2.22%), (7%, 7%, 6% and 6%). Brucellosis could not be detected in El-Rashda and El-Owinat. The infection was higher in female than males. The infection rate of brucellosis was studied in different ages. Brucellosis could not be detected in camels. The results of human screening by using RBPT, TAT & RT revealed a prevalence of brucellosis with rates of 8.18%, 7.27% and 5.45%, respectively. The majority of human cases occurred in butchers, veterinary attendants, housewives, veterinarians, children and farmers. The prevalence was higher in females (9.09%, 9.09% & 5.45%) than males (7.27%, 5.45% & 5.45%). The human age–wise was found maximum at age group 21-40 years (11.11%, 9.52% & 6.35%) followed by age 6-20 years (8.33%, 8.33% & 8.33%) then age 41-60 years (5.56%, 5.56% & 5,56%) and could not be detected at age group >60years. All human cases were detected in rural areas.

Brucellosis in Egypt is still one of the most serious problems facing animal production. This study aimed at detection of brucellosis in animals and man in New Valley Governorate. Serum samples of cattle, sheep, goats and camels were examined by Rose Bengal plate test, buffered acidified plate antigen test, tube agglutination test and Rivanol test. Serological examination of blood samples revealed that the prevalence of brucellosis among cattle, sheep and goat by using RBPT, BAPAT, TAT and RT was (10.56%, 7.78%, 7.22% and 7.22%),(3.89%, 2.78%, 2.22% and 2.22%), (7%, 7%, 6% and 6%). Brucellosis could not be detected in El-Rashda and El-Owinat. The infection was higher in female than males. The infection rate of brucellosis was studied in different ages. Brucellosis could not be detected in camels. The results of human screening by using RBPT, TAT & RT revealed a prevalence of brucellosis with rates of 8.18%, 7.27% and 5.45%, respectively. The majority of human cases occurred in butchers, veterinary attendants, housewives, veterinarians, children and farmers. The prevalence was higher in females (9.09%, 9.09% & 5.45%) than males (7.27%, 5.45% & 5.45%). The human age–wise was found maximum at age group 21-40 years (11.11%, 9.52% & 6.35%) followed by age 6-20 years (8.33%, 8.33% & 8.33%) then age 41-60 years (5.56%, 5.56% & 5,56%) and could not be detected at age group >60years. All human cases were detected in rural areas.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of lead (Pb) on reproduction and fertility in Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats were divided into four groups (10 rats each) and every group contained 5 male and 5 female rats. Group (1), male and female rats were fed on a diet containing 300 mg lead acetate/kg diet. Group (2), the female rats were fed on a diet containing lead acetate while the male rats fed on normal diet. Group (3), the male rats were fed on a diet containing lead acetate while the female rats fed on normal diet. Group (4), served as control. After three months, the fertility test was made and the offspring were counted then weighted at the end of experiment. Three months later, rats in all groups were weighted then sacrificed and specimens from testes, epididymis, ovaries and fallopian tubes were taken for histopathology. Serum samples were collected for determination of sex hormones. In lead acetate treated groups there were a significant decrease in the total body weight as well as testes and ovaries. The number of offspring was significantly decreased. The mean levels of testosterone, progesterone and estrogen in lead acetate treated group were significantly decreased when compared with control group. Histopathological examination of the testes of male rats treated with lead acetate revealed vascular changes in the form of congestion and edema, testicular degeneration, fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration in the interstitial tissue. Lesions in female rats treated with lead acetate revealed vascular and degenerative changes in the ovaries and metaplasia of the epithelial lining of the fallopian tubes. It was concluded that lead toxicity induced adverse effects on the fertility and reproduction of rats.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of lead (Pb) on reproduction and fertility in Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats were divided into four groups (10 rats each) and every group contained 5 male and 5 female rats. Group (1), male and female rats were fed on a diet containing 300 mg lead acetate/kg diet. Group (2), the female rats were fed on a diet containing lead acetate while the male rats fed on normal diet. Group (3), the male rats were fed on a diet containing lead acetate while the female rats fed on normal diet. Group (4), served as control. After three months, the fertility test was made and the offspring were counted then weighted at the end of experiment. Three months later, rats in all groups were weighted then sacrificed and specimens from testes, epididymis, ovaries and fallopian tubes were taken for histopathology. Serum samples were collected for determination of sex hormones. In lead acetate treated groups there were a significant decrease in the total body weight as well as testes and ovaries. The number of offspring was significantly decreased. The mean levels of testosterone, progesterone and estrogen in lead acetate treated group were significantly decreased when compared with control group. Histopathological examination of the testes of male rats treated with lead acetate revealed vascular changes in the form of congestion and edema, testicular degeneration, fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration in the interstitial tissue. Lesions in female rats treated with lead acetate revealed vascular and degenerative changes in the ovaries and metaplasia of the epithelial lining of the fallopian tubes. It was concluded that lead toxicity induced adverse effects on the fertility and reproduction of rats.

A crossover blinded trial was used to assess the efficacy of a hydrolysed soya diet in managing cats with chronic, idiopathic gastrointestinal disorders. A commercial feline prescription diet was used for comparison. Cats that fulfilled the selection criteria were recruited and assigned randomly to one of two groups. Group 1 was fed the hydrolysed soya diet (n=5) and group 2 (n=5) received the comparison diet. Duodenal and colonic endoscopic biopsies were collected from all cats for histopathological assessment. A good response to dietary manipulation was indicated by cessation of presenting signs. Cats failing to improve after feeding the initial diet were switched to the other diet. Seven out of ten cats significantly improved while on the test diet while three cats responded well to the comparison diet but this difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). These results suggest that a hydrolysed soya-based diet can be effective in the management of cats with chronic gastrointestinal signs.

Imported (Saba) and local (Tilapia nilotica and Nile perch) flitted fish (60 samples) were analyzed for aerobic colony count (ACC), total coliform count and for presence of Listeria monocytogenes to detect their quality. Imported flitted fish samples were lower in aerobic colony count, coliform count and also in listeria monocytogenes incidence. Aerobic colony count (ACC) was 3.3±7.7x106cfu/g in imported (Saba) filleted fish, 1.8±4.0x107and1.8±5.0x107 cfu/g in local filleted Tilapia nilotica and Nile perch, respectively. Coliforms counts were 1.3±2.8x102, 4.3±8.4x102 and 5.1±3.2x102 cfu/g in imported (Saba) filleted, local filleted Tilapia nilotica and Nile perch, respectively. The overall incidence of Listeria monocytogenes was 6.7% in imported flitted fish samples, 23.3% in local flitted fish samples (26.7% in flitted Tilapia nilotica samples and 20% in Nile perch samples), which was identified by conventional PCR reaction.

This study was conducted to investigate the pathogenesis of columnaris disease in African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Flavobacterium columnare infections were detected in 33 (22.9%) fish out of 144 fish collected and examined over a year, in Assiut, Egypt. The present study demonstrated that parasitic infestation increases the susceptibility of fish to columnaris disease and plays an important role in initiation of natural infection. A reproducible model of experimental infection was developed to help studying the pathogenesis using immersion with either skin or gill scarification of challenged fish. Fish challenged through immersion with scarification developed severe signs of infections and showed mortalities, while fish challenged without scarification did not develop typical signs of infection and survived until the end of the experiment. F. columnare strain SK8FC isolated from skin of naturally infected fish was used throughout the challenge study. The invasion of F. columnare was enhanced by either skin or gill abrasion. Clinical signs and mortalities were more severe and rapidly developed in the gill-scarified group than in skin sacrificed group. Immunohistochemistry staining and histopathology studies were conducted to investigate the target organs, the distribution of the bacterium, and the pathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the skin and gills were the main organs of F. columnare localization and the main organs expressing histopathological alterations. Skin and gill tissues were more strongly stained for F. columnare in scarified groups than in non-scarified group.

This study was conducted to investigate the pathogenesis of columnaris disease in African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Flavobacterium columnare infections were detected in 33 (22.9%) fish out of 144 fish collected and examined over a year, in Assiut, Egypt. The present study demonstrated that parasitic infestation increases the susceptibility of fish to columnaris disease and plays an important role in initiation of natural infection. A reproducible model of experimental infection was developed to help studying the pathogenesis using immersion with either skin or gill scarification of challenged fish. Fish challenged through immersion with scarification developed severe signs of infections and showed mortalities, while fish challenged without scarification did not develop typical signs of infection and survived until the end of the experiment. F. columnare strain SK8FC isolated from skin of naturally infected fish was used throughout the challenge study. The invasion of F. columnare was enhanced by either skin or gill abrasion. Clinical signs and mortalities were more severe and rapidly developed in the gill-scarified group than in skin sacrificed group. Immunohistochemistry staining and histopathology studies were conducted to investigate the target organs, the distribution of the bacterium, and the pathological changes. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the skin and gills were the main organs of F. columnare localization and the main organs expressing histopathological alterations. Skin and gill tissues were more strongly stained for F. columnare in scarified groups than in non-scarified group.