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Faecal samples from the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis jayakari Thomas) were collected from the Ibex Reserve in central Saudi Arabia. Eimerian oocysts, which are believed to represent a new species described here as Eimeria tamimi sp. n., were detected in 40 out of 93 samples. Oocysts were fully sporulated in 24-48 hours at 25 ± 2 °C. Sporulated oocysts of E. tamimi sp. n. were ovoid, measuring 35-42 × 19-25 μm (39 × 23 μm), a length/width ratio 1.5-2 (1.7). Oocyst wall was bilayered and measured 1.5 μm in thickness. Micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules were not present. Sporocysts are elongate, measuring 12-18 × 9-12 μm (15 × 10 μm), with a length/width ratio 1.1-1.8 (1.5) prominent Stieda bodies and sporocyst residuum. Experimental infection of two clinically healthy rock hyraxes with sporulated oocysts of E. tamimi sp. n. resulted in shedding unsporulated oocysts 5-10 days post infection. Partial sequences of 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rDNA) and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (COI) regions were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rDNA using maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods revealed that E. tamimi sp. n. grouped with Eimeria quokka Barker, O'

Purpose: To identify some natural molecules (inhibitors) against avian coccidia (Eimeria tenella) through molecular docking in order to find the candidate drugs for poultry industry. Methods: The natural compounds, 6’-de-O-acetylcupacinoside, apigenin, artemisinin, cupacinoside, quercetin and rutin, were screened on the basis of previous research data. These biomolecules were selected as potent inhibitors based on extant literature on calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) in Eimeria tenella. Results: All the compounds showed good interactions with 6’-de-O-acetylcupacinoside. Based on docking studies, quercetin produced the best interaction, with a binding energy of -7.04 kcal/mol, when compared to the other compounds. Conclusions: Based on these in silico results, the screened compounds have great potential for use against E. tenella. In particular, the results suggest that quercetin may be beneficial in the control of avian coccidia through its strong inhibitory potential on CDPKs of E. tenella.

Urine from domestic animals has traditionally been used to treat multiple human diseases. Rock hyrax hyraceum (RHH) is a dark brown resin-like substance made up of accumulated feces and urine of rock hyraxes, used in traditional African medicine to treat snake and scorpion bites, as well as colic, hysteria, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease. As there is no scientific backing for the utilization of hyrax hyraceum, there is an urgent need to establish its safety as a medicine. Furthermore, toxicity evaluation facilitates the identification of factors for clinical surveillance of the potential side effects, as well as the estimation of a preliminary hygienic dose level and dosing frequency range for human clinical trials. The safety of RHH was assessed by administering 2.5 and 5 gm/kg doses of hyraceum crystals dissolved in de-ionized water and administered to rats orally. We evaluated the acute toxicity profile, as well as the effect of RHH on liver and kidney function and histopathological investigations. The results of this investigation showed that consuming RHH does not have any hazardous effects on liver and kidney function and histopathological investigations. Drinking RHH did not cause toxicity. These findings are consistent with those of previous studies of drinking cows and camel urine. We encourage more research on hyraceum composition in relation to rock hyrax habitat areas and eating patterns, as we believe it will help us understand why people practice drinking hyraceum as a medicine.