Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale is a relatively recently discovered bacterium of the rRNA superfamily V. It is of worldwide distribution in commercial poultry, in which it is associated with respiratory diseases, and it is also found in wild birds. Airsacculitis and pneumonia are the most common features of infection with O. rhinotracheale. These signs can be induced by aerosol in intra-tracheal or intra-thoracic administration of the organism, and can be aggravated by other factors, such as respiratory viruses, bacteria or climatic conditions. Osteitis, meningitis and joint-infections, which can be induced by intravenous application, have been associated with O. rhinotracheale, but it remains uncertain whether the organism should be regarded as a primary pathogen. The infection can be transmitted horizontally by aerosol, as well as vertically through eggs, which probably accounts for its rapid and worldwide spread.Although O. rhinotracheale is dif® cult to identify, some commercial identi® cation systems have been found to be suitable, although the media used in such systems will not always support its growth. A PCR assay was also found to be suitable for identi® cation purposes. Twelve serotypes can be distinguished within the species O. rhinotracheale, of which serotype A is the most prevalent. Genetic investigation has revealed that more species or subspecies probably exist within the genus Ornithobacterium.

Emergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in Egypt in mid-February 2006 caused significant losses for the poultry industry and constituted a potential threat to public health. Since late 2007, there has been increasing evidence that stable lineages of H5N1 viruses are being established in chickens and humans in Egypt. The virus has been detected in wild, feral and zoo birds and recently was found in donkeys and pigs. Most of the outbreaks in poultry and humans occurred in the highly populated Nile delta. The temporal pattern of the virus has changed since 2009 with outbreaks now occurring in the warmer months of the year. Challenges to control of endemic disease in Egypt are discussed. For the foreseeable future, unless a global collaboration exists, HPAI H5N1 virus in Egypt will continue to compromise the poultry industry, endanger public health and pose a serious pandemic threat.

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SUMMARYLivestock-associated methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(LA-MRSA) have been isolated from a number of livestock species and persons involved in animal production. We investigated the prevalence of LA-MRSA in fattening turkeys and people living on farms that house fattening turkeys. Eighteen (90%) of 20 investigated flocks were positive for MRSA, and on 12 of the farms 22 (37·3%) of 59 persons sampled were positive for MRSA. People with frequent access to the stables were more likely to be positive for MRSA. In most flocks MRSA that could be assigned to clonal complex (CC) 398 were detected. In five flocks MRSA ofspa-type t002 that is not related to CC398 were identified. Moreover, other methicillin-resistantStaphylococcusspp. were detected on 11 farms and in eight people working on the farms.

Investigations for detection and differentiation of nine avian poxviruses (APVs) were carried out by the use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) combined with restriction enzyme analysis (REA) and further nucleotide sequence analysis. With one primer set, which framed a region within the fowl poxvirus 4b core protein gene, we were able to detect APV-specific DNA from 19 tested strains and isolates belonging to five defined Avipoxvirus species and four previously undefined isolated species. PCR results revealed no recognizable differences in size of amplified fragments among the different APVs. REA of PCR products with MseI and EcoRV allowed us to differentiate most of the tested avipox species. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the amplified fragments showed a nucleotide similarity of 72%-100% among the different species. Phylogenetic analysis documented five distinguishable sequence clusters in accordance with results obtained by REA. PCR in combination with REA and sequencing of the amplified fragments is a rapid and effective diagnostic system, and it is a new approach to refine epidemiologic studies of APV infections.