Aim: To examine powdered infant formula (PIF) and follow-up formula (FUF) for the presence of toxigenic Clostridium difficile. Materials and Methods:A total of 100 random samples of PIF and FUF, 50 samples each, from various pharmacies and supermarkets located in Assiut city were collected during 2008-2010. Results:Our results show that 16 out of 100 (16%) examined samples of PIF and FUF were contaminated with C. difficile; 4 (8%) and 12 (24%) of the examined PIF and FUF samples tested positive for C. difficile, respectively. Only two (16.67%) isolates of C. difficile from the examined FUF were toxigenic, while the isolates from the PIF samples were not toxigenic. Conclusions:The presence of C. difficile in PIF and FUF samples suggests that there is a high potential for the transmission of C. difficile through these products. Thus, proper preparation and handling of these products is required to reduce the risk of the illnesses arising due to C. difficile.

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of coliforms, fecal coliform and Escherichia coli in both baladi and farm table eggs in both shells and contents. A total of 100 farms and baladi eggs samples (50 samples of each) were randomly collected from poultry farms, markets, supermarkets, and groceries in Assiut governorate. Eggs were microbiologically examined, and isolates were identified by biochemical and (PCR). The obtained results revealed that coliform and fecal coliform incidences were 62, 56, 54 and 32% for the farm hens' eggshell, egg content, baladi hens' eggshell and egg content, respectively. The biochemical identification of revealed 16 isolates of E. coli and these results were complementary with the molecular identification. E.coli incidence was 6, 8, 12 and 6% for the farm hens' eggshell, egg content, baladi hens' eggshell and egg content, respectively. The public health significance and hygienic control measures were discussed in this study..

Yersinia species are members of the Enterobacteriaceae. These bacteria have Gram-negative or Gram-variable, rodshaped cells. Yersinia regards as one of the most important food-borne agents along with ability to grow at room and refrigerator temperatures. There are several intestinal and extraintestinal clinical symptoms caused by these organisms, appearing through mild gastroenteritis, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and pseudo appendicitis. Yersiniosis is a zoonotic disease with a wide distribution and a known public health significance caused by Y. enterocolitica.One hundred and sixty marketable milk samples and some milk products including kareish cheese, Domiati cheese and small-scale ice cream were collected randomly from supermarkets, dairy farms, dairy shops, and street vendors, in Assiut city, Egypt. Selective CIN (Cefsulodin-Irgasan-Novobiocin) agar plates were used after enriched by phosphate buffered saline (PBS) supplemented with novobiocin and cefsulodin and incubated at 30 °C for 24 to 48 hours. The suspected colonies were identified by biochemical tests.A total of 33 isolates (20.63%) were identified as Yersinia species, representing Y. enterocolitica (47.5%), Y. pseudotuberculosis (7.5%), Y. pestis (17.5%) and Y. intermedia (10%).

A total of 300 random eggs, representing 60 samples, (30 from baladi hens, and 30 from poultry farms) were collected from different markets, poultry farms, groceries and supermarkets located in Assuit governorate, Egypt. Each egg sample composed of 5 eggs and these samples were examined for the incidence of Helicobacter species using Helicobacter pylori special peptone agar (HPSPA). The results revealed that the incidence of Helicobacter species from examined baladi hen's egg shells was 10 (33.33%), poultry farms hen's egg shells was 9 (30%) and 1(3.33%) from examined baladi hen's egg content samples. H. pylori was isolated in a percentage of 5 (16.67%) from examined baladi hen's egg shells while from poultry farms hen's egg shells was 4 (13.33%). In addition, other Helicobacter species were isolated from the examined samples as H. cinaedi in a percentage of (6.67%) from examined baladi hen's egg shells and (10%) from examined poultry farms hen's egg shells. H. felis was isolated in a percentage of (6.67%) from both examined baladi and poultry farms hen's egg shells samples and H. pullorum was isolated in a percentage of (3.33%) from examined baladi hen's egg shells. Also, it was isolated from examined baladi hen's egg contents in a percentage of (3.33%). Identification of ureC gene for H. pylori isolated from both baladi hen's egg shells and poultry farms hen's egg shells by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that 8 from 9 samples were positive for H. pylori by using (PCR) in a percentage of (88.89%).