Ashraf Mohamed Abu-Seida

Background: As a breed, Straight Egyptian Arabian horses are susceptible to many disorders that mostly affect the head, such as guttural pouch (GP) tympany and empyema. This retrospective study evaluated the findings of clinical examination, ultrasonography, endoscopy, laboratory analyses and outcome of treatment of 38 Straight Egyptian Arabian foals with GP tympany and empyema. Methods: Data from medical records of foals diagnosed with GP tympany or empyema over a 2-year period (2024–2025) were reviewed. Foals with verified GP tympany or empyema who had complete medical records and had not previously received antibiotics and/or corticosteroids met the inclusion criteria. Foals with incomplete records, unconfirmed diagnosis or concurrent diseases likely to influence the evaluated variables were excluded. Outcomes of treatment (recovery and recurrence) were compared with diagnostic features and treatment modalities. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: Out of 237 foals presented with various disorders, 38 foals had GP tympany and empyema, representing 16.03% of the total examined foals. Out of 38 foals with GP tympany and empyema, there were 29 females (77.8%) and 9 males (22.2%). The frequencies of GP tympany and empyema were significantly higher in the first month of life (47.4%) than the 8-9-month period (10.5% (( P < 0.05). Bilateral GP tympany and empyema were recorded in 30 foals (78.9%). While eight cases (21.1%) had unilateral GP tympany and/or empyema. The studied foals had GP tympany (25/38, 65.8%) or GP empyema (13/38, 34.2%). Out of 25 foals with GP tympany, five foals (20%) had complicated GP tympany with microbial infections. Ultrasonography examination of the GP tympany and empyema had a diagnostic value in 15.8% of the cases. In foals with GP tympany, endoscopy revealed distention of the afflicted GP with air, dorsal or lateral nasopharyngeal compression, and a stretched, thinning, pale mucosal lining. However, mucopurulent material and hyperemic, uneven GP mucosa were observed in one or both GPs in foals with GP empyema. Foals with uncomplicated GP tympany had normal hematology and serum chemistry. While foals with GP empyema and complicated GP tympany exhibited mild to moderate leukocytosis, neutrophilia with left shift in severe infection, hyperfibrinogenemia, mild hyperproteinemia, mild hyperglobulinemia (in chronic cases), mild hypoalbuminemia (in chronic cases), and increased serum amyloid A. Out of 38 foals with GP tympany and empyema, 18 foals (47.4%) had microbial infections. The microbial isolates were double mixed infections (50%) and triple mixed infection (50%). The most commonly isolated bacteria were α-hemolytic S. equi ssp. equi (13/18, 72.2%). Out of 36 treated foals, 33 foals (91.7%) with GP tympany and empyema recovered after 4–6 weeks of treatment by placement of a transnasal Foley catheter under the guidance of endoscopy with repeated lavage and administration of appropriate antibiotics. Three recurrent cases were successfully treated with transendoscopic laser fenestration of both GPs into pharyngeal cavity. Conclusions: Arabian foals with GP tympany and/or empyema have characteristic clinical signs and endoscopic findings and nonspecific findings of hematology and serum chemistry. Although ultrasonography is a helpful diagnostic technique for foals with GP empyema and complicated GP tympany, endoscopy remains the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of GP illness. All foals with GP empyema and complicated tympany should undergo culture and sensitivity test for a proper diagnosis and course of therapy because all cases of GP empyema and complicated cases of GP tympany have double and triple mixed microbial infections.

This research evaluated the effectiveness of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane alone versus the combined use of PRF membrane and biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) block as a scaffold for gingival mensenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) in treatment of induced vertical alveolar ridge defects. Three standardized saddle-type defects were created in 10 adult mongrel dogs. Following a 4-week recuperation period, the defects were randomly assigned to one of three groups based on the treatment protocol: group I: defects augmented with only PRF membranes loaded with GMSCs, group II: treated with a combination of PRF membranes loaded with GMSCs and BCP block, and group III: treated with PRF membranes not loaded with GMSCs in addition to BCP block. After four months of augmentation procedures, histological and histochemical examinations were done. Two dogs were excluded from the study, resulting in a total sample size of 8 mongrel dogs. The data were statistically examined. Group II had the largest amount of bone growth inside the defect. However, evidence of bone maturation was more visible in group I. The difference in bone formation inside the defect between groups I and II was not statistically significant (P = 0.3395). However, there were significant differences between groups I and III and groups II and III (P < 0.0001). Histomorphometry revealed that group II had the highest mean area percentage of bone matrix, whereas group III had the lowest mean value. In conclusion, the combination of PRF loaded with MSCs and BCP block is a promising therapy option for vertical alveolar ridge defects in the future.

Wound healing is a complicated process, so it’s critical to identify efficient ways to hasten recovery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have demonstrated potential in improving cutaneous wound healing in a variety of species. But little is known about their combined effects, especially in dogs. Therefore, this study determined how topical infiltration of PRP and ZnO NPs ointment, both separately and in combination, affect the healing of dogs’ cutaneous wounds. Thirty-six full skin wounds were induced in the chest of six adult mongrel dogs. These wounds were randomly divided into six equal groups (6 wounds each) according to treatment protocol: group 1 served as a control and the wounds were dressed daily with normal saline only, group 2: the wounds were dressed daily with lanolin only, group 3: the wounds were infiltrated once with PRP, group 4: the wounds were treated with PRP single infiltration combined with lanolin ointment daily dressing, group 5: the wounds were dressed daily with ZnO NPs ointment, and group 6: the wounds were infiltrated once with PRP and daily dressed with ZnO NPs ointment. Wound healing progress was monitored; epithelialization, wound contraction, and overall healing were assessed. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and the concentration of platelets derived growth factor beta (PDGFβ) were measured on wound fluid. Gene expression of matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotien (MEPE), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were also evaluated on skin biopsies at day 0, 5, 10 and 20. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and staining of collagen bundles were performed on skin biopsies at 5, 10 and 20 days of wound induction. All data were statistically analyzed. There was a significant interaction between the group and time across all parameters ( P < 0.001). The PRP–ZnO NPs group consistently has a great effect on wound size reduction, contraction, healing, epithelialization, and antioxidant activity, along with higher MEPE and PDGFβ expression and arranged parallel collagen bundles, indicating enhanced regeneration. While PRP alone showed the strongest TGF-β increase and anti-inflammatory effect (lowest TNF-α). PRP–ZnO NPs provided the best overall balance between regeneration and inflammation control. All treatments surpassed the control and lanolin groups, which showed minimal improvement. PRP–Lanolin and ZnO NPs offered moderate benefits but were less effective than PRP–ZnO NPs or PRP. ZnO NPs and PRP work together to improve skin wound healing in dogs; PRP promotes regenerative signaling, while ZnO NPs reduce oxidative stress and microbial load.

Background: Camel brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the genus Brucella and has significant economic and public health effects worldwide, particularly in areas where camels play a significant role in the pastoral economy. This review describes the epidemiological aspects of camel brucellosis and its impact on human health. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases to locate studies on camel brucellosis for recognizing its epidemiological aspects and impact on human health. The search included 274 documents. Results: The disease results in reduced milk output, reproductive failures, arthritis, and financial losses for farmers. The seroprevalence of camel brucellosis across the camel-rearing countries is alarming and ranges between 0.4 and 37.5%. Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are the most affected countries with camel brucellosis. Three species were isolated from diseased camels, including B. abortus , B. melitensis , and B. suis. The potential risk factors of camel brucellosis include age, body condition, gender, physiological status and breed of the camel, herd size, contact with cattle and small ruminants, management, history of abortion, locality, and season. Accurate diagnosis of camel brucellosis is essential for effective management of the disease. Serodiagnosis is still one of the most used techniques for identifying the affected animals. Conclusions: A one health strategy is required from the governments, animal health professionals, and other stakeholders to combat the disease. This strategy includes enhancing veterinary care, increasing public and herders awareness toward the zoonotic importance of the disease as well as value of biosecurity procedures, and putting in place efficient immunization programs aimed at high-risk groups. Due to the socioeconomic impact of camel brucellosis, it is crucial to understand its epidemiology and potential risk factors to implement effective control strategies.

Background: Several biomaterials have been employed for direct pulp capping (DPC) with varying degrees of success. This study evaluated the pulp response following DPC with a new material developed from glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitors (Tideglusib) and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methods: Class V cavities with pulp exposure were conducted on 56 teeth in two adult male mongrel dogs. Based on the evaluation periods, these teeth were divided into two major groups at random (28 teeth/dog each). Groups A and B underwent histopathology evaluations three and eight weeks following DPC, respectively. Depending on the capping material used, each main group was further divided into two equal subgroups (14 teeth each). ProRoot white MTA was applied directly to the exposed vital pulps in subgroup 1. While subgroup 2’s exposed pulps were immediately capped with resorbable collagen that had been soaked in a freshly made 50 nM Tideglusib drug solution. Glass ionomer filling was then used to seal the access cavities. Every specimen underwent histological evaluation and was scored according to the number of inflammatory cells, the disorganization of the pulp tissue, and the formation of calcific bridges. All data were statistically examined. Results: In both groups A and B, subgroup 2 showed a statistically significant increase in the number of inflammatory cells and pulp tissue disorganization compared to subgroup 1 (P < 0.05). In both groups A and B, there was no statistically significant difference in the formation of new hard tissue between subgroups 1 and 2 (P = 0.157). Conclusion: When used as direct vital pulp capping materials in a dog model, Tideglusib causes more soft tissue disorganization and an inflammatory response inside the pulp cavity than ProRoot white MTA.

Cutaneous wounds in dogs, whether resulting from trauma or surgical procedures, present considerable healing challenges. These challenges include risks of infection, prolonged recovery times, delayed granulation, excessive inflammation, and impaired tissue regeneration. This preliminary study was carried out on eight clinical cases of dogs (five males and three females) with cutaneous wounds of varying severity. These wounds are located at the lateral abdomen (n=3), tarsal (n=2) and elbow (n=1) regions, neck (n=1), and nipple (n=1). The dog breeds included mongrel (n=4), Griffon (n=1), German Shepherd (n=1), Bullmastiff (n=1), and Golden Retriever (n=1). Each wound was washed with normal saline solution and treated once daily with topical application of a thin layer of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) ointment until complete healing. Follow-ups were conducted to monitor wound size and contraction, presence of infection, and potential adverse effects. Healing was assessed based on complete wound closure and the absence of infection. Results indicated that ZnO-NPs ointment was easily applied and caused no discomfort to the treated dogs. Moreover, ZnO-NPs ointment promoted wound healing in all treated dogs. Almost all treated wounds demonstrated complete healing after 30 days of treatment with substantial, fast return to the normal configuration and absence of infection. Clinical scores of clearances of wound infection revealed complete absence of infection after 7-14 days of treatment. In conclusion, ZnO-NPs enhanced the overall healing process and supported rapid as well as complication-free tissue repair in dogs with cutaneous wounds. Additionally, ZnO-NPs ointment was simple to apply and caused no discomfort to the dogs, making it suitable for routine veterinary use. Further studies are needed to optimize ZnO-NP formulations and evaluate their long-term safety and efficacy in different wound types.

Tendon repair remains a significant clinical challenge due to the slow rate healing process. While both platelet rich plasma (PRP) and amniotic membrane (AMNIO) therapies have been individually utilized for promoting tendon regeneration, their combined effects are still largely unexplored. Achilles tendon injuries were induced in 48 male New Zealand white rabbits and treated with one of four interventions: control (CTRL), PRP injection, AMNIO wrap, or a combination of PRP and AMINO (PRP+AMNIO). Tendon healing was assessed at 4-, 8-, and 12-weeks post-surgery using macroscopic evaluation and histological analysis, including hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichrome staining to evaluate collagen deposition, inflammation, and tissue morphology. All data were statistically analyzed. The PRP+AMNIO group demonstrated superior tendon healing compared to CTRL, PRP, and AMNIO groups. Macroscopic evaluation revealed a significantly improved tendon structure in the PRP+AMNIO group, showing 5.5-, 5-, and 4.7-fold improvements compared to the CTRL group at weeks 4, 8, and 12, respectively (p<0.0001). Compared to the CTRL group, the PRP+AMNIO group showed reduced inflammation and hemorrhage, with reduction of up to 7.5-fold (p<0.0001). Collagen fiber linearity significantly improved in the PRP+AMNIO group by week 12, with a 5.7-fold increase compared to the CTRL group (p=0.0007). Moreover, the PRP+AMNIO group exhibited significantly higher collagen deposition than the PRP and AMNIO groups alone at weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.0001). In conclusion, compared to the control group, the combination of a-PRP injection with AMNIO wrap improves rabbit Achilles tendon recovery by reducing inflammation, promoting collagen deposition, and enhancing tendon morphology.

Background: Worldwide, zoonotic diseases represent serious risks to public health, underscoring the necessity of efficient surveillance techniques. The One Health concept has gained popularity as a comprehensive paradigm for tackling surveillance of zoonotic diseases because it acknowledges the correlation of pathogen, animal, human, and surrounding environment. Public health is now concerned about antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) that would cause severe impurities in animals and man, leading to morbidity and mortality. Aim: This study looked at the collaborative efforts between humans and animal (cattle and horses) health sectors, as well as other pertinent risk factors in implementing One Health surveillance strategy against klebsiellosis in one Egyptian district. In addition, this study analyzed some of K. pneumoniae antimicrobial resistance genes to improve future medical treatment strategies against zoonotic klebsiellosis. Methods: K. pneumoniae was isolated from 50 cattle raw milk samples, 50 horse nasal swabs, and 50 human sputum samples, using MacConkey\'s agar and XLD media with a detailed explanation of the associated risk factors of infection acquisition. Then, antibiotic sensitivity tests for the positive samples were conducted on plates of Mueller-Hinton agar. In addition, further Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was applied to the positive isolates to detect the pathogen and antibiotic resistance genes. Results: K. pneumoniae was effectively isolated from 8% of milk samples, 12% of nasal swabs, and 16% of sputum samples. Upon conducting antibiotic sensitivity tests, the isolated organisms showed resistance to 100% of Amoxicillin-clavulanic, 93.3% of Cefotaxime, 86.66% of Cepaxime, and 66.66% of Tetracycline. Only 11 out of 18 positive K. pneumoniae samples were PCR positive. Only 10 out of 11 positive PCR samples were positive for TetA(A) gene, however all 11 samples were positive for blaTEM genes. Conclusion: Overall, by focusing on various risk factors of disease acquisition, this study sheds light on the hitherto underestimated zoonotic hazard of K. pneumoniae. It also emphasizes the significance of integrating One Health into surveillance for antibiotic-resistant klebsiellosis and the necessity of ongoing innovation as well as collaboration to improve the efficacy of upcoming surveillance plans in Egypt to control the disease spread between animals and humans.