Domestic ducks have been implicated in the dissemination and evolution of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses. In this study, two H5N1 HPAI viruses belonging to clade 2.2.1 isolated in Egypt in 2007 and 2008 were analyzed for their pathogenicity in domestic Pekin ducks. Both viruses produced clinical signs and mortality, but the 2008 virus was more virulent, inducing early onset of neurological signs and killing all ducks with a mean death time (MDT) of 4.1 days. The 2007 virus killed 3/8 ducks with a MDT of 7 days. Full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to examine differences in the virus genes that might explain the differences observed in pathogenicity. The genomes differed in 49 amino acids, with most of the differences found in the hemagglutinin protein. This increase in pathogenicity in ducks observed with certain H5N1 HPAI viruses has implications for the control of the disease, since vaccinated ducks infected with highly virulent strains shed viruses for longer periods of time, perpetuating the virus in the environment and increasing the possibility of transmission to susceptible birds.

This review deals with the aetiology and the diagnosis of bovine viral abortion. While the abortion rates on beef and dairy cattle farms usually do not exceed 10%, significant economic losses because of abortion storms may be encountered. Determining the cause of abortions is usually a challenge, and it generally remains obscure in more than 50% of the necropsy submitted foetuses. Bovine viral diarrhoea virus and bovine herpesvirus-1 are the most common viruses causally associated with bovine abortions in farmed cattle globally. Rift Valley fever virus and bluetongue virus are important insect-transmitted abortogenic viruses. The geographic distribution of these two viruses is primarily dependent on the distribution of the insect vector, but direct transmission is possible. Recent global warming and subsequent insect vector expansion, coupled with the increase in international trade of animals and animal products, have been important factors in recent geographic advances of those two viruses. Bovine herpesviruses-4 and 5 in cattle, as well as other less frequent vector-borne viruses including epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus, Aino virus, Wesselsbron virus and lumpy skin disease virus, are discussed.

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Priapism is considered a rare disorder and even more rare when it occurs as a complication of COVID-19. To the best of our knowledge, only eight studies have reported priapism as a complication of COVID-19. Here, we report the case of a 66-year-old male with COVID-19 who presented with neglected priapism for three days. On local examination, penile erection was apparent in association with blackened areas on the glans penis extending to the midpenile shaft denoting penile gangrene. A clear line of demarcation was noticed at the midpenile shaft. Penile duplex was performed, showing no blood flow in both cavernosal arteries. Penile aspiration was performed, and the cavernosal blood sample showed evidence of ischemic priapism. Given the presence of penile gangrene extending to the midshaft of the penis and the poor general condition of the patient, the decision was made to perform partial penectomy and suprapubic tube placement. We recommend the establishment of a guideline for the diagnosis and prevention of thrombotic diseases in patients with COVID-19 infection as there is increasing evidence of COVID-19-related thrombotic manifestations.

Equid herpesviruses (EHVs) threaten equine health and can cause significant economic losses to the equine industry worldwide. Different equid herpesviruses, EHV‐1, EHV‐2, EHV‐4 and EHV5 are regularly detected among horse populations. In Egypt, monitoring is sporadic but EHV‐1 or EHV‐4 have been reported to circulate in the horse population. However, there is a lack of reports related to infection and health status of horses, likely due to the absence of regular diagnostic procedures. In the current study, the circulation of four infectious equid herpesviruses (EHV‐1, EHV‐2, EHV‐4 and EHV‐5) among different Arabian horse populations and donkeys residing the same farm was monitored. Different samples were collected and DNA was extracted and subjected to quantitative (q)‐PCR to detect the four equid herpesviruses using specific primers and probes. Antibody titres against EHV‐1 and EHV‐4 were tested using virus neutralization test and type‐specific ELISA. The results showed that EHV‐1, EHV‐2, EHV‐4 and EHV‐5 are endemic and can be a continuous threat for horses in the absence of vaccination programs and frequent virus reactivation. There is an urgent need for introduction of active regular surveillance measures to investigate the presence of different equid herpesviruses, and other equine viral pathogens, in various horse populations around Egypt and to establish a standardized cataloguing of equine health status.