Immunological Studies on Cattle Naturally Infected with FMD Compared with the Vaccinated Cattle in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease. Despite annual mass vaccination programs in Egypt, the incidence and economic losses are high. The Samples were collected after clinical examination of animals in 2022 and divided into three groups; Group 1(G1): Fifteen samples were collected from apparently healthy cattle (control group). Twenty-five samples were collected from cattle with suspected symptoms of FMD and divided into 2 groups 15 non-vaccinated Group 2(G2) and 10 vaccinated cattle Group 3(G3). Isolation of FMDV using BHK-21 cells was done. Molecular identification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of new FMDV serotypes A and O circulating variants from G2 and G3 regarding targeting the VP1 gene. Results demonstrated that genotype O was related to East Africa-3 (EA-3) topotype. Identification of FMDV using PCR for field isolates, revealed that genotype A was related to genotype IV of the African topotype. The isolated virus on BHK-21 showed characteristic cytopathic effects (CPE). Hematological analysis showed a significant decrease in most hematological parameters with neutrophilia and lymphopenia. Serum biochemical constituents revealed a significant increase in AST, ALT, urea, creatinine, and cortisol, while a significant decrease in the total protein, albumin, and globulins in (G2). The vaccinated group showed a significant increase in serum AST and cortisol. The highest values of IL10, CRP, Troponin 1, Haptoglobin, and Complement 3 in the infected group (G2). Pathological examination revealed ulcerative dermatitis on the tongues and the coronary bands of the hoof. The heart revealed severe lymphocytic myocarditis with depletion of lymph nodes and spleen. While vaccinated (G3) revealed a significant decrease in RBC count and Hb concentration also lymphocytosis, neutropenia, and leukocytosis were founded. while the lowest values of IL10, and Haptoglobin were reported in the vaccinated one (G3). The recorded level of IgG showed a severe decrease in G2 and a high increase in G3. The pathological lesions recorded in G3 were milder than in G2. It could be concluded that the isolates in this study from both groups non-vaccinated and vaccinated were matching each other while not matching with the local vaccinal strain. The vaccinated cattle in 2022 had mild to moderate immunity against the disease

Cross Sectional, Seroprevalence Study of Peste des Petits Ruminants and the Related Risk Factors During Outbreak in Goats’ Farm in Egypt

Peste des Petits ruminants' virus (PPRV) is a notifiable transboundary and economically significant viral disease that affects goats and sheep. The current study was conducted to identify the seroprevalences of PPRV in goat farm in Marsa-Matroh province, Egypt during an outbreak in 2022. Moreover, this work aims to study the relevant risk factors directly related to the virus infection and attempt molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the circulating strain. The samples included 356 sera, 154 nasal swabs, and 10 tissue samples were collected for PPRV screening and molecular characterization. The seroprevalence percent was found of 42.69%.  It was observed that the prevalence rate, and case-fatality rate were higher under 6 months of age than in adults, and referring to sex, females had a more significant disease incidence than males. Based on phylogenetic analysis; the strains of the current study: PPR/AHRI-Matrouh1/Egy/2022 (accession number: OP881991) and PPR/AHRI-Matrouh2/Egy/2022 (accession number: OP881992) were identified as PPRV lineage IV, with 99.2% and 98.8% identity to the Ethiopian strain (Accession number MK571524) and Sudanese strain (Accession no HQ131931) respectively. An efficient PPR vaccination program with rigorous quarantine measures at the borders is advised to be implemented in the country to control the spread of the disease and avoid the entry of novel strains into the Egyptian governorates

Overview of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) situation in Egypt from 2017 to 2022

African horse sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious arthropod-borne infectious disease of Equidae. Because of its severity and quick spread, It is cosidered as a notifiable disease. The current study intended to look into the current suitation of the vector-borne African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in Egypt, determine viral seroprevelance, and assess the associated risk factors. In this context, 2739 sera and 150 spleen samples were collected from different Egyptian governorates and tested for AHSV screening. The sera were investigated for presence of antibodies against AHSV whilst spleen samples were tested for AHSV Ag and RNA detection. The obtained results revealed that all 2739 sera samples tested negative for AHSV antibodies. Furthermore, using ELISA and conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), to identify AHSV Ag and nucleic acid, the 150 tested spleen samples gave negative results with both assays. In conclusion, the recorded results indicated the absence of antibodies, antigen, and viral nucleic acid of AHSV in all tested samples which proved that there is no circulating virus in the investigated Egyptian governorates in the period from 2017 to 2022. Evenually, the effective control programs are recommended by carrying out further epidemiological investigations to understand the current situation of arboviruses in the country

Overview of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) situation in Egypt from 2017 to 2022

African horse sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious arthropod-borne infectious disease of Equidae. Because of its severity and quick spread, It is cosidered as a notifiable disease. The current study intended to look into the current suitation of the vector-borne African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in Egypt, determine viral seroprevelance, and assess the associated risk factors. In this context, 2739 sera and 150 spleen samples were collected from different Egyptian governorates and tested for AHSV screening. The sera were investigated for presence of antibodies against AHSV whilst spleen samples were tested for AHSV Ag and RNA detection. The obtained results revealed that all 2739 sera samples tested negative for AHSV antibodies. Furthermore, using ELISA and conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), to identify AHSV Ag and nucleic acid, the 150 tested spleen samples gave negative results with both assays. In conclusion, the recorded results indicated the absence of antibodies, antigen, and viral nucleic acid of AHSV in all tested samples which proved that there is no circulating virus in the investigated Egyptian governorates in the period from 2017 to 2022. Evenually, the effective control programs are recommended by carrying out further epidemiological investigations to understand the current situation of arboviruses in the country

A longitudinal study of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in dromedary camels

Abstract Background Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was identified in humans in 2012. Since then, 2605 cases and 937 associated deaths have been reported globally. Camels are the natural host for MERS-CoV and camel to human transmission has been documented. The relationship between MERS-CoV shedding and presence of neutralizing antibodies in camels is critical to inform surveillance and control, including future deployment of camel vaccines. However, it remains poorly understood. The longitudinal study conducted in a closed camel herd in Egypt between December 2019 and March 2020 helped to characterize the kinetics of MERS-CoV neutralizing antibodies and its relation with viral shedding. Results During the 100-day longitudinal study, 27 out of 54 camels (50%) consistently tested negative for presence of antibodies against MERS-CoV, 19 (35.2%) tested positive and 8 (14.8%) had both, positive and negative test results. Fourteen events that could be interpreted as serological indication of probable infection (two seroconversions and twelve instances of positive camels more than doubling their optical density ratio (OD ratio) in consecutive samples) were identified. Observed times between the identified events provided strong evidence (p = 0.002) against the null hypothesis that they occurred with constant rate during the study, as opposed to clustering at certain points in time. A generalized additive model showed that optical density ratio (OD ratio) is positively associated with being an adult and varies across individual camels and days, peaking at around days 20 and 90 of the study. Despite serological indication of probable virus circulation and intense repeated sampling, none of the tested nasal swab samples were positive for MERS-CoV RNA, suggesting that, if the identified serological responses are the result of virus circulation, the virus may be present in nasal tissue of infected camels during a very narrow time window. Conclusions Longitudinal testing of a closed camel herd with past history of MERS-CoV infection is compatible with the virus continuing to circulate in the herd despite lack of contact with other camels. It is likely that episodes of MERS-CoV infection in camels can take place with minimal presence of the virus in their nasal tissues, which has important implications for future surveillance and control of MERS-CoV in camel herds and prevention of its zoonotic transmission

Global variation in postoperative mortality and complications after cancer surgery: a multicentre, prospective cohort study in 82 countries

© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licenseBackground: 80% of individuals with cancer will require a surgical procedure, yet little comparative data exist on early outcomes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared postoperative outcomes in breast, colorectal, and gastric cancer surgery in hospitals worldwide, focusing on the effect of disease stage and complications on postoperative mortality. Methods: This was a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for primary breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer requiring a skin incision done under general or neuraxial anaesthesia. The primary outcome was death or major complication within 30 days of surgery. Multilevel logistic regression determined relationships within three-level nested models of patients within hospitals and countries. Hospital-level infrastructure effects were explored with three-way mediation analyses. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03471494. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and Jan 31, 2019, we enrolled 15 958 patients from 428 hospitals in 82 countries (high income 9106 patients, 31 countries; upper-middle income 2721 patients, 23 countries; or lower-middle income 4131 patients, 28 countries). Patients in LMICs presented with more advanced disease compared with patients in high-income countries. 30-day mortality was higher for gastric cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (adjusted odds ratio 3·72, 95% CI 1·70–8·16) and for colorectal cancer in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (4·59, 2·39–8·80) and upper-middle-income countries (2·06, 1·11–3·83). No difference in 30-day mortality was seen in breast cancer. The proportion of patients who died after a major complication was greatest in low-income or lower-middle-income countries (6·15, 3·26–11·59) and upper-middle-income countries (3·89, 2·08–7·29). Postoperative death after complications was partly explained by patient factors (60%) and partly by hospital or country (40%). The absence of consistently available postoperative care facilities was associated with seven to 10 more deaths per 100 major complications in LMICs. Cancer stage alone explained little of the early variation in mortality or postoperative complications. Interpretation: Higher levels of mortality after cancer surgery in LMICs was not fully explained by later presentation of disease. The capacity to rescue patients from surgical complications is a tangible opportunity for meaningful intervention. Early death after cancer surgery might be reduced by policies focusing on strengthening perioperative care systems to detect and intervene in common complications. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Global Health Research Unit

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licenseBackground: Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide. Methods: A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study—a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital. Findings: Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·85 [95% CI 2·58–5·75]; p<0·0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63·0% vs 82·7%; OR 0·35 [0·23–0·53]; p<0·0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer. Interpretation: Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised. Funding: National Institute for Health and Care Research