BackgroundThe highly pathogenic H5N1 is a major avian pathogen that crosses species barriers and seriously affects humans as well as some mammals. It mutates in an intensified manner and is considered a potential candidate for the possible next pandemic with all the catastrophic consequences.MethodsNasal swabs were collected from donkeys suffered from respiratory distress. The virus was isolated from the pooled nasal swabs in specific pathogen free embryonated chicken eggs (SPF-ECE). Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing of both haemagglutingin and neuraminidase were performed. H5 seroconversion was screened using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay on 105 donkey serum samples.ResultsWe demonstrated that H5N1 jumped from poultry to another mammalian host; donkeys. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the virus clustered within the lineage of H5N1 from Egypt, closely related to 2009 isolates. It harboured few genetic changes compared to the closely related viruses from avian and humans. The neuraminidase lacks oseltamivir resistant mutations. Interestingly, HI screening for antibodies to H5 haemagglutinins in donkeys revealed high exposure rate.ConclusionsThese findings extend the host range of the H5N1 influenza virus, possess implications for influenza virus epidemiology and highlight the need for the systematic surveillance of H5N1 in animals in the vicinity of backyard poultry units especially in endemic areas.

In this study, the enteric parasites of zoo animals and zookeepers in Beni-Suef governorate, Egypt were investigated. Fecal samples from thirteen animal species were examined by floatation and formol ether sedimentation techniques. Zoo animals were classified into non-human primates, carnivores and herbivorous animals. The examination of non-human primates revealed the presence of Trichuris trichura eggs, Giardia intestinals and Entamoeba histolytica cysts. In carnivores, Toxoascaris leonina eggs and Isospora felis oocysts were the most predominant findings. In herbivore wild animals, gastrointestinal nematode (GIT) eggs and Eimeria species oocysts were present. Larval identification by fecal culture of (GIT) eggs demonstrated the presence of Haemonchus contortus and Strongyloid papillosus larvae. Examination of zookeepers and one lab worker revealed the presence of Giardia intestinals and Entamoeba histolytica cysts. In conclusion, infection with Giardia intestinals and Entamoeba histolytica in both of human and nonhuman primates suggests the zoonotic transmission in the zoo.

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The present study was conducting aiming to throw the light on the retinal structure on the level of both light and electron microscope. Eyeballs of 35 adult clinically healthy goats of both sexes were collected from Beni-Suef abattoir. The eyeballs were clinically examined before they were dissected and fixed in 10% buffed neutral formalin and in Bouin's solution for 24 hours. The specimens were then processed for light and transmission electron microscope. The retina (pars optica retinae) of the goats extends rostrally to cover the ciliary body as pars ciliaris retinae and the iris as the pars iridis retinae. Pars optica retinae and pars iridis retinae form the light non sensitive parts of the retina, while the sensitive part except at the transition zone; the ora serrata and the optic disc, appeared to be formed of ten layers, named from outward to inward as, retinal pigmented epithelium, rods and cones layer (photoreceptor cell layer), external limiting membrane, outer nuclear layer (cell bodies and nuclei of the photoreceptor cells), outer plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer (contained the horizontal, bipolar, Muller and amacrine cells), inner plexiform layer, ganglionic cell layer, nerve fiber cell layer (unmyelinated nerve fibers) and internal limiting membrane.

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