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This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence, molecular characterization and pathogenicity of field infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolates. Nine isolates of IBDV were isolated from 13 naturally infected broiler flocks. Detection of IBDV antigen was carried out by agar gel precipitation test (AGPT), followed by virus isolation in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs (ECE) and finally molecularly characterized and identified using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The obtained nine strains of IBDV by RT-PCR were further classified by using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique into (4) classical, (3) variant and (2) very virulent (vv) IBDV serotype (I). The pathogenicity of the isolated IBDV strains was detected by three passages in SPF ECEs and by experimental infection of one hundred 14 days old maternally immune layer chicks. The results showed that the mortality rate of the embryos was increased by increase the number of passages till the third passage where it reached 100% for all IBDV strains and the embryos showed typical lesions of IBDV. Chicks inoculated with variant IBDV strains showed morbidity rates of 60-80 %, without mortalities. Sacrificed birds showed atrophied bursae and thymus glands and enlarged thickened proventriculus. Groups infected with classical IBDV strains showed morbidity rates 40-60,% with mortality 0-20%. The detectable lesions were muscular hemorrhages with variable bursal lesions. Inoculated chicks with vvIBDV strains showed 50-70% morbidity and mortality of rate was 30% with lesions of muscular hemorrhages, severe nephrosis with ureates in the ureters, hemorrhagic bursitis and pin point hemorrhages on the proventricular glands. Control negative non-infected group showed neither clinical signs nor mortalities along the observation period. The histopathological effect (lesion score) of IBDV strains on the bursa, spleen and thymus glands confirmed the previously mentioned results and revealed that the highest severity (score) for these organs were induced by vv IBDV strains. ef Su -Beni Veterinary Medical ِ Journal

®Aim: The effect of a specific combination of a soluble β (1-3) D-Glucan and Propionibacterium granulosum (Betamune ) was investigated on productive performance, immune response and immune dysfunction caused by cyclophosphamide (CP) in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods:Three hundred and sixty one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four groups for 5 ® weeks. Betamune supplementation of 0.25 ml / L drinking water (presence or absence) for the first 7 days of age and CP (presence or absence) subcutaneous inoculation with 4 mg / chick for the first 3 days of life was done.® Results: Treatment of broiler chicks with Betamune improved productive performance variables as compared with the blank control birds, where there were 10 points less in cumulative feed conversion ratio and significant increase (P<0.05) in final body weight, both intestinal length and diameter, and European production efficiency factor (EPEF). It also modulated the immune response, where there was non-significant improve in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titers against Newcastle disease (ND) virus vaccine and significant increase (P<0.05) in phagocytic % and phagocytic index. The lesion score after ND challenge reached only 70 in β (1-3) D-Glucan group as compared with 80 in blank control group. The ® histomorphological examination of Betamune treated chickens at 5 weeks of age revealed lymphoid hyperplasia in bursal follicles, lymphoid cells of cortical portion of thymus glands and lymphoid cells in the white pulps of spleen. CP did affect ® bird's weight and suppressed immune system. Treatment CP suppressed birds with Betamune significantly increased (P<0.05) final body weight, dressing weight %, giblets weight %, intestinal diameter, improved FCR (28 points less than ® untreated group), decreased cumulative mortality and improved EPEF. Betamune counter attacked immune dysfunction caused by CP, where there was significant increase in HI antibody titer against ND vaccine, no significant increase in ® phagocytic % and phagocytic index and improve in the lesion score after ND challenge (99 as compared to 133). Betamune supplementation reduced microscopic lesion scores associated with CP immune dysfunction. Conclusion:It could be concluded that administration of a specific combination of soluble β1.3, D-Glucan and ® Propionibacterium granulosum (Betamune ) to broiler chickens improved chicken zootechnical performance response variables, had a potent immunomodulatory effect (potentiated immune response), evoked their immune response and enhanced their vaccination effectiveness.

This study was carried out on serum samples collected from broiler breeder chicken flocks vaccinated with avian influenza (AI) H5N1 inactivated vaccine. These flocks included 23 flocks aged 13 to 47 weeks reared in close houses in 7 sites; two vaccinated breeder flocks for HI antibody monitoring by 5 weeks interval samples and 8 flocks aged 41 weeks reared in different sites with identified females and males samples. The vaccine was used in a dose of 0.2 ml at 1 day in hatchery and revaccinated with 0.5 ml at age of 18 days, 19-20 weeks and 40 weeks. Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test was carried out against homologous antigen.The study pointed out that AI H5N1 inactivated vaccine under field application induced irregular and low HI titres following the 1 st two doses ranged from log 2 0.0 to 4.15 with great variation between flocks, where samples with titre 0-2 ranged from 20 to 100%. The 3 rd dose at 19-20 weeks was essential to elevate HI titres 3.25 to 7.44 with more homogenizes flock immunity and lower percentage of titres 0-2 ( 0-20 %) and as measured by HI test. Revaccination of layer flocks at 40 weeks (fourth dose) improves flock immunity facing stress of egg production as evaluated by HI (5.52 -6.33) and lower negative percentage (5.5-11.7%). Monitoring of breeder flock every 5 weeks is essential to detect proper time of revaccination as each flock has its HI antibody curve. There was a difference in HI tit re rang log 2 0.33 to 1.2 between male and female chicks reared in the same house, but this variation not affecting flock mean.Birds at aged 41 weeks having titres < log 2 3 (Seronegative) were protected when exposed to contact with infected flock as showed no clinical signs or change in HI titres after 12 days.In conclusion the usage of homologous inactivated H5N1 vaccine in 4 doses in layer flocks was of value in improving chicken immunity to AI H5N1 wild strain circulate in our field.

BACKGROUND: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is one of the most common hematological tumors. Gene candidate studies cleared the association of single genetic variants (SNVs) to the risk and progression in CML. MicroRNA biogenesis genes disruption contributes a fundamental role in carcinogenesis. AIM: We aimed to determine the association between rs636832 and rs2740348 SNVs of AGO1 gene and GEMIN4 gene, respectively, and the risk and prognosis in CML Egyptian patients with 5 years survival estimation. METHODS: The study was conducted on 110 newly diagnosed CML patients and 110 age and sex healthy matched controls. Real-time polymerase chain reaction utilizing TaqMan probes was operated to demonstrate genetic modalities of rs636832 and rs2740348. RESULTS: No significance difference was observed between the cases and controls regarding the genotypic and allelic frequencies for both variants. On the other hand, the rs636832 GG genotype was more evident at a younger age of diagnosis and associated with the poor grades of the Sokal and Eutos scores. As well, rs2740348 CC genotype was encountered in high Eutos score levels. Regarding the response therapy, rs636832 GG genotype was overrepresented in the resistance to Imatinib while rs2740348 CC genotype was prevalent in the resistance to both Imatinib and Nilotinib. Overall survival was of no statistical significance for both variants. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that the major homozygous genotypes of both variants were associated with bad prognostic clinical scores and poor response to therapy but with no role in CML risk.