Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus was first identified in Saudi Arabia in late 2012 (Zaki, van Boheemen, Bestebroer, Osterhaus, & Fouchier, 2012). Since that time, there are reports of human cases, not only in Saudi Arabia but also in other countries in the Arabian Gulf area, such as UAE, Qatar and Oman. As of now, there are 2,468 MERS-CoV human cases reported from 27 countries around the world (WHO, 2019) with a case fatality rate of 34%(WHO, 2019). Dromedary camels are the main animal reservoir for MERS-CoV (Hemida et al., 2014). Camel to human transmission was reported in many cases (Azhar, El-Kafrawy, et al., 2014; Azhar, Hashem, et al., 2014). Dromedary camels shed the virus, especially in their nasal secretions (Hemida et al., 2014). However, there is a discrepancy about the shedding of the virus in the body secretions of dromedary camels such as urine and milk. MERS-CoV has not been isolated from urine, faeces nor milk of dromedaries, and recent studies showed that no viral nucleic acids were detected in the urine of positive MERS-CoV camels (Farag et al., 2019). It was shown that MERS-CoV can still be detected and survived in the camel milk for a prolonged time under experimental conditions (van Doremalen, Bushmaker, Karesh, & Munster, 2014). One study reported the detection of MERS-CoV-RNAs in the milk of some positive animals. This highlights the potential of a possible shedding of the virus in the milk of the infected animals (Reusken et al., 2014). However, this may be hampered by the milk collection technique and the possibility of faecal contamination to the camel udder

We conducted a retrospective review of psychiatric consultations for hospitalized patients with Lassa fever in southern Nigeria. Ten (8.8%) of 113 patients had psychiatric consultations. Delirium was the most common psychiatric manifestation complicating Lassa fever. Findings suggest that psychiatric intervention could improve overall outcomes of Lassa fever.

Background and Aim: Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) is a recently discovered respiratory virus in chickens. Avian metapneumovirus has been linked to respiratory syndromes, reproductive failure in affected chickens and turkeys, swollen head syndrome in chickens, and rhinotracheitis in turkeys. Wild birds are considered potential reservoirs of aMPV, particularly aMPV-C. However, little is known about the prevalence of aMPV in Saudi Arabia. Considering the relevance of backyard chickens in the transmission and sustainability of certain avian viral diseases, this study aimed to assess aMPV exposure in backyard chickens and wild birds circulating near selected locations. Materials and Methods: We collected 368 serum samples from unvaccinated backyard chickens in ten locations in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, we collected 78 serum samples from species of free-ranging birds belonging to the Columbidae family, such as pigeons and doves, captured from the same areas. Using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, we tested the sera of domestic backyard chickens and wild birds for antibodies against aMPV. Results: Our results showed that 74/368 birds were positive for aMPV-related antibodies. Conversely, none of the tested wild birds seroconverted to aMPV. Conclusion: The antibody titers detected in the backyard chickens suggested recent exposure to aMPV. Considering these results, further large-scale serological and molecular studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of aMPV in these birds and characterize the circulating strains of aMPV in this region. Keywords: antibodies, chickens, pigeons, Saudi Arabia.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) has been frequently reported in chickens worldwide, including in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia (ERS). Several IBV outbreaks were recently reported in chickens despite the massive use of various vaccines. Based on partial sequencing of the S1 gene, at least three genotypes were reported (CK/CH/LDL/97I, IS/720/99, and IS/Variant2/98) in the ERS with no available homologous vaccines. Herein, we tried to evaluate the protection provided by some selected commercial-available vaccines against these three genotypes. We divided the experimental chickens into eight groups. Representative isolates from these genotypes were inoculated into three groups of broiler chickens vaccinated with the H-120 vaccine at the age of 1 day and boosted with the 4/91 vaccine at the age of 14 days (challenged groups). One group of chickens had received the same protocol of IBV vaccines but was kept without infection to serve as a vaccine control group. The three isolates were inoculated into three other similar but unvaccinated groups of broiler chickens (infected groups). Group eight chickens were neither vaccinated nor infected and used as a negative control group. Evaluation of the protection induced by the tested vaccination schedule was assessed by several criteria, including the ability to reduce the severe clinical signs caused by IBV infection, changes in the body temperature of various groups of chickens, the reduction in the magnitude of IBV-induced lesions, and the reduction in the viral loads in tracheas of a different group of chicken. Monitoring the immune status of chickens was also recorded based on the hemagglutination inhibition antibodies in sera of various groups of chickens. Our results show clinical and tracheal protection against IBV/IS/Variant2/98-like and IBV/IS/720/99-like strains. Moderate protection was observed in the IBV/CK/CH/LDL/97I-like pressure. The kidneys of the challenged groups of chickens showed minimal or no gross lesions compared with the infected groups, even in those chickens challenged with the IBV/CK/CH/LDL/97I-like strain. In conclusion, this is the first study to perform the protectotyping of some IBV strains from Saudi Arabia. It demonstrated the proficiency of the investigated vaccination schedule in control of infection of broiler chickens with IBV/IS/Variant2/98 and IBV/IS/720/99 strains. It is highly recommended to introduce the homologous IBV/CK/CH/LDL/97I-based vaccine to the vaccination protocols of chickens in the ERS to match the circulating strains and ensure better protection.