No abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and H5N8 have become endemic among domestic poultry in Egypt since 2006 and 2016, respectively. In parallel, the low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 virus has been endemic since 2010. Despite the continuous circulation of these subtypes for several years, no natural reassortant has been detected so far among the domestic poultry population in Egypt. In this study, the HPAI (H5N2) virus was isolated from a commercial duck farm, giving evidence of the emergence of the first natural reassortment event in domestic poultry in Egypt. The virus was derived as a result of genetic reassortment between avian influenza viruses of H5N8 and H9N2 subtypes circulating in Egypt. The exchange of the neuraminidase segment and high number of acquired mutations might be associated with an alteration in the biological propensities of this virus.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus (A/H5N1) of clade 2.2.1 is endemic in poultry in Egypt where the highest number of human infections worldwide was reported. During the last 12 years the Egyptian A/H5N1 evolved into several genotypes. In 2007-2014 vaccinated poultry suffered from antigenic drift variants of clade 2.2.1.1 and in 2014/2015 an unprecedented upsurge of A/H5N1 clade 2.2.1.2 occurred in poultry and humans. Factors contributing to the endemicity or re-emergence of A/H5N1 in poultry in Egypt remain unclear. Here, three potential factors were studied: climatic factors (temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed), biological fitness in vitro, and pathogenicity in domestic Pekin and Muscovy ducks. Statistical analyses using negative binomial regression models indicated that ambient temperature in winter months influenced the spread of A/H5N1 in different geographic areas analyzed in this study. In vitro, at 4 and 56°C 2.2.1.1 and recent 2.2.1.2 viruses were more stable than other viruses used in this study. Further, Pekin ducks were more resistant than Muscovy ducks and the viruses were excreted for up to 2 weeks post-infection assuming a strong role as a reservoir. Taken together, ambient temperature in winter months potentially contributes to increasing outbreaks in some regions in Egypt. Heat stability of clade 2.2.1.1 and recent 2.2.1.2 viruses probably favors their persistence at elevated temperatures. Importantly, asymptomatically infected Pekin ducks may play an important role in the spread of avian and human-like A/H5N1 in Egypt. Therefore, control measures including targeted surveillance and culling of silently infected Pekin ducks should be considered.

Background: Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been identified from more than 100 different species of wild birds around the globe. Wild migratory birds can act as potential spreaders for AIVs to domestic birds between different countries. Egypt is situated on important migratory flyways for wild birds between different continents. While much is known about circulation of zoonotic potential H5N1 and H9N2 AIVs in domestic poultry in Egypt, little is known about the pivotal role of migratory birds in the maintenance and transmission of the viruses in Egypt.

Background and Aim: Raoultella ornithinolytica is one of the emerging gram-negative bacteria, which associated with foodborne illness. Researches affirmed that distinguish between R. ornithinolytica and Klebsiella oxytoca are difficult, as they are phylogenetic related. The evolution of multidrug resistance of Raoultella strains gained more concern for recognition of the pathogen which supports in controlling the disease and minify its threat. This study sought to find a reliable tool for the identification of Raoultella ornithinolytica, isolated from chicken product samples, and assessed the resistance profile of R. ornithinolytica using antibiogram sensitivity tests. Materials and Methods: Forty samples of chicken products were collected between January and September 2019 from different markets in Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. The products included nuggets, strips, burgers, luncheon meats, pane, frankfurters, and minced chicken meat. The samples were transferred to the Reference Laboratory. The samples were subjected to isolation, biochemical reaction testing, phenotypic system analytical profile index (API) E20, and a detection of antimicrobial susceptibility test. Phenotypic identification was confirmed through matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Results: Thirty-three bacterial isolates (82.50%) out of 40 samples were isolated into pure cultures from the chicken samples. Three isolates (9.09%) were positive for R. ornithinolytica, while 30 isolates (90.91%) exhibited growth characters for different pathogens (Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, R. ornithinolytica, and Klebsiella pneumoniae). The isolates of R. ornithinolytica were resistant to five types of antibiotics and sensitive to two types of antibiotics. Conclusion: This study reported the first case of R. ornithinolytica found in chicken products in Egypt. Phenotypic system API 20E and MALDI-TOF MS were found to be reliable tools for confirming the diagnosis of R. ornithinolytica. As it provides rapid identification with high sensitivity and specificity for R. ornithinolytica, which often do not require a molecular procedure for confirmation.