RESUMO
Listeriosis is a disease that is induced by infection with the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Much is still unknown about the pathogenesis of encephalitic listeriosis. We aimed to identify the contribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), epithelial cadherin (E-cadherin), S100, and acute-phase proteins (APPs) in pathogenesis, clinical and preclinical diagnosis of natural cases of encephalitic listeriosis. Of 1,325 Ossimi sheep, 64 were suspected of having listeriosis from 2018 to 2020. Prospective cohort evaluation of clinical and postmortem findings was performed, in addition to bacterial isolation, the measurement of APPs in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of GFAP, S100, and E-cadherin. Infected sheep showed nervous symptoms ranging from neck stretching to complete paralysis. APPs were significantly increased in the CSF of both clinically and preclinically diseased animals; however, serum APPs were only significantly increased in clinically diseased animals. Histopathological evaluation revealed microabscesses, meningoencephalitis, and perivascular cuffing of the brainstem of infected sheep. Immunohistochemical investigations revealed strong expression of GFAP and S100 in necrotic areas and negative expression of E-cadherin. The measurement of CSF APPs could be useful in the preclinical diagnosis of sheep listeriosis. GFAP and S100 proteins could be involved in the pathogenesis of listeriosis; however, E-cadherin does not appear to be involved.
RESUMO
Species of Theileria, Babesia, and Anaplasma are Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) that are prevalent throughout the world, particularly in the tropical and subtropical regions. Associated diseases of Theileriosis, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis, respectively, represents a major threat to livestock production in many countries. TBPs have a high prevalence in different geographical locations in Egypt. Foot and mouth disease (FMD) and Lumpy skin disease (LSD) are considered endemic bovine viral diseases in Egypt. Our clinical observations during the epidemics of LSD and FMD viruses showed higher prevalence rates for the TBPs. To investigate this correlation, a total of 670 samples from cattle and buffalo were collected during the summers of 2017 and 2018 distributed throughout ranches and smallholders in two geographical locations in Egypt. Two farms with a recent clinical outbreak of LSD with a total of 270 animals, while the other location included three farms with a recent FMD outbreak with a combined 400 cattle. Examined animals were classified mainly according to age, gender, species, breed (native versus crossbred), and the presence of ticks. Whole blood samples were collected for TBPs and viral (LSD and FMD) examinations, while tissue specimens were collected for detection of FMD and LSD viruses by real-time PCR. Our results confirmed significantly higher prevalence rates for the TBPs in LSD-positive than LSD-negative animals, while no significant difference could be detected for the prevalence rate of the TBPs in the FMD positive and negative groups. The prevalence of Babesia and Theileria was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cross-breeds than native cattle. Infections with Anaplasma and co-infections with Babesia-Anaplasma and Theileria-Anaplasma were significantly higher in native than cross-breeds cattle. The intensity of parasitic infection (parasitemia) has a significant difference in the positive groups for the two viruses compared to the negative groups. These results collectively confirming the enhancing role of LSD on the prevalence rate of the haemoprotozoal infections leading to more serious outcomes to the livestock infections, and therefore the control of haemoprotozoal infections should be implemented as a part of viral epidemics control.
RESUMO
Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is one of the most fatal and contagious diseases of goats. To date, the occurrence of CCPP in Egypt has not been reported. During the period from 2017 to 2018, 200 goats and 400 sheep from Matrouh Governorate (Al Alamein and El Hammam cities) were suspected to have CCPP; animals were examined to confirm the presence of CCPP infection as well as the epidemiological status, clinical features, and molecular and histopathologic characteristics of lung tissues. Additionally, a treatment trial was performed to assess the efficacy of anti-mycoplasma therapy in the treatment of clinical cases of this disease. The occurrence of CCPP was 32.5% and 5% in goats and sheep, respectively, while case fatality was 30% and 8% in goats and sheep, respectively. The clinical forms of CCPP in both sheep and goats varied from per-acute to acute or chronic cases. Histopathological analysis of lung tissues from dead cases (either sheep or goats) revealed different stages of broncho- and pleuropneumonia ranging from per-acute to acute or chronic stages. Lung tissues showed severe congestion of interalveolar capillaries, flooding of alveoli and bronchi with a fibrinous exudate, a high degree of pleural thickening, and multifocal areas of necrosis that were sometimes sequestered in the fibrous capsule. Isolation of Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) was confirmed in all dead cases by agar and broth culture methods and polymerase chain reaction. The treatment trial revealed that the marbofloxacin and spiramycin groups had a higher cure rate (70%) than the oxytetracycline group (40%) and a lower fatality rate (30%) than the oxytetracycline group (60%). Conclusively, infection with CCPP in goats and sheep is considered to be novel for Mccp in Egypt, where this species is considered to be the main pathogen in goats, not in sheep. Additionally, it could be concluded that treatment may be effective only if given early. Further comprehensive surveys are required to investigate the risk of CCPP in goats and sheep in all Egyptian governorates.
