The current study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of Eimeria species among 75 diarrheic calves in Assiut Governorate. Oocysts of Eimeria spp. were found in 46.7% (35/75) of the examined fecal samples from diarrheic calves using light microscope and 88% (22/25) by using PCR. Very high significant difference of Eimeria infection was recorded in calves 3-6 months of age, 73.3% (22/30) and 1 week-3 months of age 28.9% (13/45). The prevalence of Eimeria spp. in calves with diarrhea showed the highest rate in summer (69.2%), followed by winter (36.4%), autumn (25%) and spring (7.7%). Eight species of Eimeria were isolated by parasitological examination. The prevalence of Eimeria spp. was E. zuernii (51.4%) followed by E. bovis (31.4%), E. alabamensis (31.4%), E. cylindrica (25.7%), E. subspherica (14.3%), E. canadensis (11.4%), E. ellipsoidalis (5.7%) and E. auburnensis (2.9%). Single infection of Eimeria spp. was found in 48.6% of the infected calves, whereas mixed infection involved two, three or four Eimeria spp. was observed in 51.4% of the infected calves. In conclusion, season and age of the calves were the most significant aspects connected with the possibility of infection with coccidiosis The PCR is a more reliable, sensitive and less time-consuming approach for diagnosis of Eimeria.

Introduction: Camel trade in Egypt depends mainly on importation. Seemingly healthy imported camels are responsible for the ingress of serious diseases into Egypt. A striking example of this concerning public health globally is the Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) which causes case fatalities of over 34%. Here, we determined the seroepidemiological situation of the MERS-CoV in imported camels and their traders in Upper Egypt. Methodology: Sera of sixty-three dromedaries and twenty-eight camel traders were recruited (January 2015-December 2016). The age, gender, and sampling locality of each sampled camel and human were obtained. Semi-quantitative anti-MERS-CoV IgG ELISAs which utilize the purified spike protein domain S1 antigen of MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV S1) were used to detect specific IgG antibodies against the virus. Results: The data showed that 58.73% of imported camels and 25% of traders had antibodies specific to MERS-CoV. Interestingly, like seroreactive camels, all seropositive humans were apparently healthy without any history of developing severe respiratory disease in the 14 days prior to sampling. Having specific antibodies among the examined camel sera was significantly different (P < 0.0001) in relation to various sampling localities, gender and age groups. In contrast, the seropositivity rate of MERS-CoV IgG in humans did not differ significantly by any of the studied factors. Conclusions: The current study provides the first serological evidence of occupational exposure of humans to MERS-CoV in Africa. Additionally, it reports that imported camels could be implicated in introducing MERS-CoV into Egypt. Accordingly, application of strict control measures to camel importation is a priority.

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A total of 552 serum samples of sheep, goats and cattle from different localities at Assiut governorate, Egypt were screened for qualitative analysis of the BTV antibodies using a commercial competitive ELISA (cELISA) kit. The results showed an overall percentage of BTV positive sheep, goats and cattle serum samples were 41.86%, 24% and 85.42% respectively. A highest percentage of seropositivity was found in Arab El-Awamer farm (100%), followed by Abnoub(63. 64%), Sedfa(11. 43%), veterinary teaching hospital (11.11%), Aboteeg (3.57%) and Bani zeed el akrad (0%) respectively. From examined sera all over the four years from 2012 to 2015 indicates prevalence of BTV antibodies by (62. 69%) during the non hot months and (10%) during the hot months, Female ruminants were more susceptible to the infection (61.29%) than male(21.67%). The association between sex and prevalence of BT disease among ruminants observed in table (4). The results showed that the prevalence of BT was higher in female (61.29%) than male (21.67%). In conclusion, this study confirms the presence of blue tongue infection in Assiut Governorate, and cELISA were found to be sensitive and effective for screening of BTV group specific antibodies. The disease should be notifying its presence in Egypt since it was free from this disease and more studies should be attempets to estimate the serotype of blue tongue virus.

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