The prevalence of Helicobacter Species in hens' eggs sold in Assiut and Qena cities, Egypt was determined.A total of 300 hens' eggs were collected from poultry farms and farmers, houses from both cities in which every 5 eggs were represented as one egg pooled sample.Each of egg shell and content was subjected to procedures of isolation of Helicobacter Species followed by PCR assay for the 16S rRNA gene for identification. The obtained results revealed that H. pylori recorded as the highest percentage of contamination (23.33%) followed by H. pullorum (20%). Contamination of egg shells (18.3%) and contents (11.6%) in farmer's houses was higher than poultry farm ones, concluding that egg shell was more subjected to contamination with Helicobacter Species than egg content. All H. pylori and H. pullorum isolates were confirmed by PCR by detection of one PCR product on agarose gel at 109 bp in case of H.pylori and at 477 bp in case of H. pullorum that corresponding to 16S rRNA region of the gene, confirming the specificity of PCR assay for identification of both strains.Regarding the in vitro susceptibility testing, it was found that both strains were sensitive to almost antibiotic used except for ceftriaxone and Sulphamethoxazole +Trimethoprim.

Aim: To examine powdered infant formula (PIF) and follow-up formula (FUF) for the presence of toxigenic Clostridium difficile. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 random samples of PIF and FUF, 50 samples each, from various pharmacies and supermarkets located in Assiut city were collected during 2008-2010. Results: Our results show that 16 out of 100 (16%) examined samples of PIF and FUF were contaminated with C. difficile; 4 (8%) and 12 (24%) of the examined PIF and FUF samples tested positive for C. difficile, respectively. Only two (16.67%) isolates of C. difficile from the examined FUF were toxigenic, while the isolates from the PIF samples were not toxigenic. Conclusions:The presence of C. difficile in PIF and FUF samples suggests that there is a high potential for the transmission of C. difficile through these products. Thus, proper preparation and handling of these products is required to reduce the risk of the illnesses arising due to C. difficile.

Aim: To examine powdered infant formula (PIF) and follow-up formula (FUF) for the presence of toxigenic Clostridium difficile. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 random samples of PIF and FUF, 50 samples each, from various pharmacies and supermarkets located in Assiut city were collected during 2008-2010. Results: Our results show that 16 out of 100 (16%) examined samples of PIF and FUF were contaminated with C. difficile; 4 (8%) and 12 (24%) of the examined PIF and FUF samples tested positive for C. difficile, respectively. Only two (16.67%) isolates of C. difficile from the examined FUF were toxigenic, while the isolates from the PIF samples were not toxigenic. Conclusions:The presence of C. difficile in PIF and FUF samples suggests that there is a high potential for the transmission of C. difficile through these products. Thus, proper preparation and handling of these products is required to reduce the risk of the illnesses arising due to C. difficile.

The incidence and levels of heavy metals; lead, cadmium and iron were estimated in water of shallow & deep wells as well as milk of cows reared on those wells in the New Valley Governorate, Egypt. All the samples were contaminated with such elements. The average levels in water were 0.19, 0.03 and 1.44, while in milk were 0.215, 0.05 and 0.73 for Pb, Cd and Fe respectively. Percentages of Pb, Cd and Fe levels exceeding permissible levels in water and milk samples were determined. Also, daily and weekly intakes were estimated and compared to standard intakes. Moreover, comparison of standard Pb, Cd and Fe daily intakes from the consumption of 200 ml milk with the estimated intakes in milk samples was done.

The incidence and levels of heavy metals; lead, cadmium and iron were estimated in water of shallow & deep wells as well as milk of cows reared on those wells in the New Valley Governorate, Egypt. All the samples were contaminated with such elements. The average levels in water were 0.19, 0.03 and 1.44, while in milk were 0.215, 0.05 and 0.73 for Pb, Cd and Fe respectively. Percentages of Pb, Cd and Fe levels exceeding permissible levels in water and milk samples were determined. Also, daily and weekly intakes were estimated and compared to standard intakes. Moreover, comparison of standard Pb, Cd and Fe daily intakes from the consumption of 200 ml milk with the estimated intakes in milk samples was done.

Food-borne diseases are of major concern worldwide. Among the predominant bacteria involved in these diseases, Campylobacter species, Salmonella species and Listeria species. Eggs have been documented to be a source of food-borne diseases. To study the extent of contamination of table eggs with some food poisoning microorganisms, a total of 300 fresh eggs representing native and foreign breeds’ eggs were randomly collected in Assiut city, Egypt. Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. and Listeria spps were detected in 6.7%, 13.3% and 6.7% in native breed eggs and in 3.3%, 6.7% and 3.3% in foreign breeds’ eggs, respectively. The isolated bacteria were identified to be Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella Kentucky, Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua. The incidence of these bacteria in eggs shells and contents were determined.

A total of 100 raw cow's milk samples were randomly collected from dairy shops and street vendors (50 samples each) in Assiut city, Egypt. Samples were examined for detection of adulteration and heat treatment. Automatic milk analyzer was used for determination of density, added water %, freezing point, fat%, S.N.F% for the detection of adulteration by addition of water and partial skimming. Also, milk samples were examined by general and specific tests for detection of inhibitory substances, as well as detection of some commercial additives and heat treatment. The results revealed adulteration of milk samples in different percentages. Street vendors’ milk samples were subjected to more adulteration than that of dairy shops. It could be concluded that milk marketed in Assiut city is produced and handled under inadequate control measures allowing greedy retailers and producers to adulterate milk to increase their gain.

A total of 100 samples of Domiati and Kareish cheese were randomly collected and examined for the detection of Cronobacter species. Detection was performed using Cronobacter Screening Broth (CSB), Chromogenic Cronobacter Isolation Agar (mDFI) followed by biochemical testing. Cronobacter species were isolated from 8% of total samples. Cronobacter sakazakii was isolated from both Kareish and Domiati cheeses, while, Cronobacter malonaticus and Cronobacter turicensis were isolated only from Kareish cheese. The identified isolates of Cronobacter sakazakii were further tested by real time PCR. The results indicate that Kareish and Domiati cheeses represent risk for humans and further attention should be paid for manufacturing and handling of such cheeses.

A total of 100 samples of Domiati and Kareish cheese were randomly collected and examined for the detection of Cronobacter species. Detection was performed using Cronobacter Screening Broth (CSB), Chromogenic Cronobacter Isolation Agar (mDFI) followed by biochemical testing. Cronobacter species were isolated from 8% of total samples. Cronobacter sakazakii was isolated from both Kareish and Domiati cheeses, while, Cronobacter malonaticus and Cronobacter turicensis were isolated only from Kareish cheese. The identified isolates of Cronobacter sakazakii were further tested by real time PCR. The results indicate that Kareish and Domiati cheeses represent risk for humans and further attention should be paid for manufacturing and handling of such cheeses.

A total of one hundred and fifty milk-based desserts samples including rice with milk, pudding, and custard (50 each) were collected from different localities in Assiut city, Egypt. The collected samples were examined for the isolation and enumeration of Bacillus cereus. The Most Probable Number technique was used for the enumeration of Bacillus cereus using tryptone soy polymyxin broth and Mannitol Egg Yolk Polymyxin (MYP) agar. The incidence of Bacillus cereus was 62%, 44% and 32% in the examined rice with milk, pudding, and custard samples, respectively. The Bacillus cereus count in most of the examined samples was in the range of 10-102 CFU/g. The public health importance of Bacillus cereus was also discussed.