Incidence of Mycobacteria spp. in shrimp in Iraq

This study was designed to determine the incidence of in shrimp. Totally, 162 Shrimp samples (every sample was batch of 3 shrimp) were collected from Basra Governorate (24 fresh samples) and (30 frozen samples) from Baghdad. The samples were cultured on special media for mycobacteria (Lowenstein – jensen medium) and incubated at 25 oC for 8 weeks. Diagnosis of Mycobacteria species was based on rate of growth, colonies morphology, direct microscopic examination stained by acid-fast stain. The results revealed growth of bacterial isolates during 2-6 weeks that morphologically resemble mycobacterial colonies. Microscopically, acid-fast Ziehl-Neelsen staining bacteria showed red bacilli. Also, the results revealed 11 (20.3%) isolates out of 54 samples. The isolates were 9 (16.6%) of fresh samples and 2 (3.7%) from frozen samples. This is the first record of the occurrence of acid- fast bacterial infection in species of shrimp in Iraq

Protection of mice against experimental infection wild Brucella abortus strain by vaccination via oral and intraperitoneal routes with Brucella abortus RB51

The study was designed to detect the effect of an oral and intraperitoneal (I/P) immunization of mice with B. Abortus RB51 to protect mice against a wild strain of B. abortus I/P challenge infection. Three groups of mice were used in this study. The first group (1st G) immunized with 108 *2 CFU of B. Abortus RB51 intraperitoneally (I/P). The second group (2nd G) immunized orally with 108 *2 CFU dose (Ten minutes prior immunization, all mice were drenched with 0.2 ml of 10% sodium bicarbonate to neutralize gastric acidity). Whereas, the third group (3rdgroup) inoculated with 0.2 ml phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and acted as the control group. The results indicated that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in antibody titer at 5th week in the I/P group and in the 3rd week in oral group, while there was no significance between the two route through all the periods. However, after the challenge, the antibody titer raised to 0.84±0.11 and 1.14±0.11 in the two route and control group in 3rd and 7th day post challenge respectively. The Ab titer reached 1.44±0.11 in the I/P route and remain at 1.14±0.11 in oral and control at 10th day/post-challenge. The oral inoculation gave a mild infection, which was cleared at 5th week after infection, and it induced a humoral response. However, I/P challenge gave moderate infection, which was cleared at 6th week after infection. Wild B. Abortus was isolated at a lowest level after the challenge from internal organs, in animals immunized I/P compared with the other two groups. In conclusion, I/P and oral immunization were able to give protection against the virulent wild strain B. abortus in mice. Besides, the probability of these mice in transmitting the vaccine to other animals was low and vaccine was safety in pregnant vaccinated mice

An outbreak of hemorrhagic septicemia in a vaccinated herd of domestic water buffalo in Thi Qar province, Iraq: Clinical and pathological observations

An outbreak of hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) with a 100% morbidity and 27.5% mortality was reported in a herd of domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) at Qar / the south west of Iraq. This herd was vaccinated against the disease 45 days prior to transportation into Thi Qar province. The disease was diagnosed based on clinical signs (fever, nasal and ocular mucus discharges, profuse salivation, dyspnea, abnormal respiratory sounds “rales” and restlessness). Pasteurella multocida was isolated from the lungs of dead animals. The postmortem examination revealed edematous swelling of the neck, brisket and sub-mandibular regions; frothy exudate in congested trachea; widely distributed petechial hemorrhages; blood-tinged fluid in the thoracic and abdominal cavities, in addition, to enlargement and hyperemia of kidney. Histopathologically, there were distention of alveolar spaces and inter-alveolar connective tissue septa by inflammatory exudate consisting mainly of fibrin, edematous fluid, RBCs and inflammatory cells particularly polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). In addition, the bronchial and bronchiolar lumens were filled with mucinous exudate and inflammatory cells. Thickening of pleura was also observed due to the pleuritis as indicated by the presence of sub-mesothelial fibrinous exudate, inflammatory cells and blood vessels congestion

Prevalence and phylogenetic characterization of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from processed meat marketed in Egypt

Because of its high case fatality rate, listeriosis locates among the most frequent causes of death due to food-borne illness. In this study, a total of 150 processed meat samples were collected from Giza Governorate, Egypt. Phenotypic and genotypic identification of Listeria monocytogenes was performed using PCR incorporating listeriolysin O virulence gene hlyA followed by DNA sequence analysis. L. monocytogenes was confirmed in 4% of each of beef burger, minced meat, and luncheon samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the six Egyptian isolates have high homology with Colombian isolate (EF030606), except one Egyptian isolate which showed high homology with Indian isolate (EU840690). The public health significance of these pathogens as well as recommended sanitary measures were discussed