Background and Aim: Aspergillus flavus causes human and animal diseases through either inhalation of fungal spores or ingestion of mycotoxins as aflatoxins produced in human and animal feed as secondary metabolites. This study was aimed to detect the incidence of A. flavus and its aflatoxins in human sputum and milk powder samples and explore the efficacy of pure propolis (PP) and propolis nanoemulsion (PNE) as natural decontaminants against fungal growth and its released aflatoxins. Materials and Methods: A. flavus was isolated by mycological culture and identified macroscopically and microscopically. Coconut agar medium and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were used to qualitatively detect aflatoxins in the isolated strains. Toxins were extracted from toxigenic strains by the fast extraction technique. The quantitative detection of toxin types was explored by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). PNE was prepared by a novel method using natural components and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Zetasizer, and transmission electron microscopy. The effects of PP and PNE on A. flavus growth and its toxin were determined by the well-diffusion method and HPLC. Results: The mycological culture showed that 30.9% and 29.2% of sputum and milk powder samples were positive for A. flavus, respectively. TLC confirmed the production of 61.8% and 63.2% aflatoxin by the isolated strains in sputum and milk powder, respectively. PP and PNE showed antifungal activity on A. flavus growth with mean±standard error (SE) inhibition zones of 27.55±3.98 and 39.133±5.32 mm, respectively. HPLC revealed positive contamination of toxin extracts with AFB1, AFB2, and AFG2 at 0.57±0.026, 0.28±0.043, and 0.1±0.05 mg/L, respectively. After treatment with PP and PNE, a significant decrease in AFB1, AFB2, and AFG2 concentrations was observed. Conclusion: This study suggested using propolis and its nanoformulation as antifungal and antitoxins in human medicine and the food industry to increase the food safety level and stop food spoilage.

Background and Aim: Aspergillus fumigatus is a zoonotic fungus that causes several diseases in humans ranging from allergic reaction to fatal disseminated invasive infection, especially in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of invasive A. fumigatus in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Assiut University Hospital, highlight the factors associated with their infection, and determine the antifungal effect of thyme nano-emulsion (TNE) and carvacrol nano-emulsion (CNE) on isolated A. fumigatus strains. Materials and Methods: Mycological culture method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used in the identification of A. fumigatus in 630 blood samples collected from 210 patients. TNE and CNE at five concentrations (1%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) and average sizes of 90.3 and 75.6 nm, respectively, were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Their effect on A. fumigatus isolate growth was evaluated by the well-diffusion method and SEM, which was used for the detection of the degenerative effect of A. fumigatus ultrastructure. Results: A. fumigatus was detected in 54 of 210 (25.7%) patients in the ICU. Advanced age and chronic diseases were considered important risk factors for invasive aspergillosis, especially in patients with more than 1 clinical disease. TNE and CNE showed an inhibitory effect on A. fumigatus isolates, which significantly increased with high concentrations. The respective values for TNE at concentrations of 6% and 8% were 6±0.41 mm and 15±0.67 mm. CNE completely inhibited A. fumigatus growth at concentrations of 4%, 6%, and 8%, while mean inhibition zones of 22±0.68 mm and 30±0.32 mm appeared at concentrations of 1% and 2%. SEM demonstrated degenerative changes in A. fumigatus structure. Conclusion: TNE and CNE can be used in bioactive treatments against A. fumigatus, and additional studies are required to determine the safe and effective doses and best method for application in human and veterinary medicine.

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus species causes several diseases in humans with infection recurrence in some cases. Handling of food under unhygienic conditions resulted in transmission of pathogens to food leading to risks for consumers' health. This work studies the possible role of humans in transmission of human pathogens to food products. In this study, we focused on the presence of antimicrobial resistance Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae found in respiratory patients and in some meat products. We detected the risk factors for patient's infection and examined the antibacterial effect of oregano oil nanoemulsion (ONE) at different concentrations against the multi-drug resistance strains of streptococci. Materials and Methods: Microbiological culture and polymerase chain reaction were used to identify S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae in 120 throat swab samples and 200 meat products. The disk diffusion method was used for investigating the prevalence of resistance against 10 antimicrobials that are commonly used in the treatment of humans and animals. ONE at four concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0%) with an average particle size of 45.4 nm was identified using transmission electron microscopy. The effect of ONE on Streptococcus species isolates was examined using the well diffusion method. Risk factors for human infection were detected using statistical analysis. Results: S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae were detected in 14 (11.7%), 9 (7.5%), and 7 (5.8%), respectively, of 120 throat swabs of patients. These bacteria were also detected in 11 (5.5%), 8 (4%), and 6 (3%), respectively, of 200 meat products samples. Beef luncheon had the highest infection rate for the three species of streptococci. The majority of these isolates showed resistance to antimicrobials such as tetracycline and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. ONE had an inhibitory effect on the growth of S. pyogenes, S. mitis, and S. pneumoniae, and its effect was significantly increased at a high concentration (3%), with a mean inhibition zone of 36.45±0.302 mm. Very young and old patients, those with chronic diseases, and those exposed to the infection several times were most susceptible to infection. Conclusion: ONE may be used as a therapeutic agent at safe and specific doses, and also in the food industry, to prevent the spoilage of food and protect human health.

This work aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and factors associated with infection in aborted women and meat of some slaughtered ruminants in Sohag city as a source of human infection. Ninety blood samples and 90 placenta tissue were collected from aborted women admitted to governmental hospitals in Sohag city. Animals' samples included 96 meat samples (48 sheep and 48 cattle) slaughtered in Sohag city abattoir. ELISA and n PCR (Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction) were used to detect T. gondii infection in aborted women samples. Data was collected from aborted women through a standard form. While Latex agglutination test and microscopical examination were used in meat samples examination. Also, mice inoculation was used to evaluate the effect of meat freezing on the viability of T. gondii. Results indicated that 35.6% of aborted women serum represented positive results with ELISA and the majority possesses IgG (30%), 3.33% had IgM and 2.22% had both IgM and IgG. n PCR was used for detection of T. gondii in blood and placenta tissue of seropositve cases; T. gondii was detected in four and 25 of blood and placenta tissue of aborted women, respectively. Owing to factors associated with infection; aborted women from rural communities, those eating undercooked meat and who ignore periodical hand washing more susceptible to infection (P <0.01). 45.8% and 31.3% of sheep and cattle meat (mutton and beef) were positive for T. gondii, respectively. Viability of T. gondii was lost after meat freezing at-20ºC for ten days. Strict implementation of supervision plan to eliminated infection in animals, food and human is important for preventing the risk of zoonotic transmission and human infection with T. gondii.

Background and Aim: Antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes serious diseases in humans, especially when circulated in their food. This study was designed to detect the presence of E. coli O157:H7 using the fliC H7 gene in some milk products as kareish cheese, labena, and yoghurt sold in Sohag city, Egypt, and among diarrheal patients admitted to governmental hospitals in Sohag and also to highlight the risk factors associated with their infection. In addition, the antimicrobial resistance and the effect of chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) and silver nanoparticles (SNP) on E. coli O157:H7 isolates obtained from both milk products and patients were investigated. Materials and Methods: Microbiological culture methods and polymerase chain reaction were used for detecting E. coli O157:H7 in 150 milk products and 150 stool samples. Resistance against some antimicrobials that were used in the treatment of animals and humans was investigated using the disk diffusion technique. CNP and SNP at two concentrations (30 and 60 μg/mL) and average sizes of 25.1 and 26.5 nm, respectively, were identified by transmission electron microscopy. Their effect on E. coli O157:H7 isolates was examined using the well diffusion method. Risk factors for infection were investigated using statistical analysis. Results: There were 11.3% and 14.7% of milk products and stool samples positive for E. coli O157:H7, respectively. These isolates exhibited high antimicrobial resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and gentamycin. CNP and SNP demonstrated inhibitory effects on E. coli O157:H7 growth, which significantly increased at high concentrations (60 μg/mL), with mean inhibition zones of 31.941±3.749 and 30.681±3.871 mm for CNP in milk products and patient isolates, respectively. The respective values for SNP were 33.588±3.675 mm and 32.500±2.444 mm, indicating a higher bactericidal effect than that of CNP. Regarding risk factors for infection, both young and elderly subjects and those in contact with infected persons and/or having chronic diseases were infected. Conclusion: CNP and SNP are suitable for both medical and agricultural applications for disease control and enhancement of food quality.

This study aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii in quail samples collected from different houses in Sohag Governorate by histopathological examination and determine the seroprevalence of IgM and IgG in aborted women using ELISA test. The results revealed that 10% of quail samples were positive for Toxoplasma gondii, 48.9 % of aborted women were seropositive for IgM (5.4%), IgG (38%) and both IgM and IgG (5.4%). Higher infection rate was reported in age group ranging from18 to 20 years, in women with first time of abortion and in women live in rural areas. This study highlights on the role of quail as a source of Toxoplasma infection for human.

L isteria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen which is considered as a ubiquitous in nature and can be isolated from the environmental sources, including water, soil, sewage, vegetables, and food (Soni et al., 2015). The main route of infection by L. monocytogenes is through ingestion of contaminated food, such as unpasteurized milk, milk products and raw unwashed vegetables (Rawool et al., 2016).L. monocytogenes causing several outbreaks after the consumption of milk and dairy products especially ice cream (Shamloo et al., 2019). Ice cream is considered one of the most dairy products that predominates interest of popu-

Parasitic infections retarded growth rate, decrease milk and meat production, abortion, and mortality which leading to huge economic losses in addition to its zoonotic impacts. Slaughterhouses used to monitor the infectious disease among food animals and play an important role in eliminating various diseases and prevent the transmission of infectious and zoonotic diseases to humans. The study aimed to identify the protozoan and uncommon nematodes larvae that affect cattle in New-Valley Governorate, Egypt. All slaughtered cattle's slaughtered at El-Kharga abattoir were inspected for the presence of Theileria spp., Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), and Ascarid larvae during the period from July 2017 to the end of November 2018. Eighty livers and twenty spleens were examined by tissue impression smear stained with Giemsa stain to detect the prevalence of the parasites that embedded in the liver and spleen tissue, the prevalence of Theileria spp. was 62.5% in liver samples and 60 % in spleen samples, while prevalence of T. gondii was (10%) in the spleen. However, the percentage of T.gondii in the liver was 1.25%. Five percent of examined cattle's have been infected by Ascarid larva, which was found mainly in spleen. More education programs to farmers, veterinarians and improved public awareness are recommended. Broad spectrum anthelmintic must be applied to the animals' pasture. Future molecular biological studies are recommended to find out if the Theileria spp., Toxoplasma spp. and Ascarid larvae encountered in New-Valley cattle are pathogenic human genotypes will represent a serious health problem especially for populations who comes in contact with cattle.