An outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was recorded in Kalubia province, Egypt in 2006, affecting a large population of migratory goats and sheep over a huge geographical area. Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory investigations were performed. Diseased animals showed pyrexia, erosive stomatitis, enteritis and bronchopneumonia. Clinical manifestations were more severe in goats. The overall morbidity, cumulative mortality and case fatality rates were 26.1%, 10.5% and 40.2%, respectively, and were significantly higher in young animals. Post-mortem examination showed emaciation, congested mucous membranes, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, haemorrhagic necrosis of the abomasal and intestinal mucosa, pleurisy and lung consolidation. Forty oculonasal swabs and 243 serum samples from diseased animals were tested for PPR antigen and antibodies using immunocapture and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), respectively. PPR antigen was detected in 30/40 (75%) of the swabs. PPR virus was identified in inoculated Vero cells using immunocapture ELISA and fluorescent antibody technique (FAT); 33/40 (82.5%) and 36/40 (90%) samples were positive, respectively. Of 243 sera, 154 (63.4%) contained PPR antibodies. Circulation of PPR among the migratory sheep and goat flocks was demonstrated. Strict serosurveillance and monitoring of PPR with vaccination of migratory flocks at borders is required for effective control of the disease.

No abstract

Aim: Newcastle disease is still one of the major threats for poultry industry allover the world. Therefore, attempt was made in this study to use the SYBR Green I real-time PCR with melting curves analysis as for detection and differentiation of NDV strains in suspected infected birds. Materials and Methods:Two sets of primers were used to amplify matrix and fusion genes in samples collected from suspectly infected birds (chickens and pigeons). Melting curve analysis in conjunction with real time PCR was conducted for identifying different pathotypes of the isolated NDVs. Clinical samples were propagated on specific pathogen free ECE and tested for MDT and ICIP. In addition, the results were in good agreement with both virus isolation and biological pathotyping (MDT and ICIP). The assay offers an attractive alternative method for the diagnosis of NDV that can be easily applied in laboratory diagnosis as a screening test for the detection and differentiation of NDV infections. Conclusion:As was shown by the successful rapid detection and pathotyping of 15 NDV strains in clinical samples representing velogenic and lentogenic NDV strains, and the agreement with the results of virus isolation , biological pathotyping and pathogenicity indices. The results of this report suggests that the described SybrGreen I real-time RT-PCR assay in conjunction with Melting curve analysis used as a rapid, specific and simple diagnostic tools for detection and pathotyping of different NDVs in clinically infected birds.

No abstract

A B S T R A C TThis work aimed to study quail susceptibility to Newcastle disease virus (NDV); their role in disease transmission and their immune response to ND vaccine. Forty percent (4/10) of quail were susceptible to experimental infection with virulent NDV with signs of loss of appetite, weakness, diarrhea and nervous symptoms then death. Chickens group housed in contact with infected quail and chickens group experimentally infected with NDV were suffering from typical NDV infection 15 days post contact infection and 3 days post experimental infection, respectively. Post mortem examination of dead birds revealed hemorrhagic lesions of the intestinal tracts and proventriculus; and NDV was recovered from tracheal and intestinal samples and identified by HI test using NDV-Specific antiserum. Birds vaccinated with inactivated NDV vaccine exhibited detectable antibody titers (2 log2) by the 1st week post vaccination (WPV) to reach their peaks by the 3rd WPV (6 log2 in quails and 7 log2 in chickens). These antibody titers were able to protect quail and chickens against challenge with virulent NDV recording 100% protection rates in comparison to non-vaccinated birds showing 70% and 100% mortality in quails and chickens, respectively. Being susceptible for NDV, quail have a role in transmission of NDV to chickens, so they should be vaccinated for their protection and prevent their role in NDV transmission to chickens.