Mohanad Faris Abdulhameed

Background and Aim: Neonatal colibacillosis caused by Escherichia coli is associated with high mortality in lambs, resulting in significant economic losses and contributing to concerns about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Conventional treatment relies heavily on antibiotics, but non-antibiotic alternatives are urgently needed to reduce AMR and support passive immunity transfer. This pilot study evaluated camel plasma as a novel non-antibiotic therapeutic option for E. coli infection in neonatal lambs, comparing its efficacy with antibiotics, camel milk, and commercial probiotics, while aligning with One Health principles to promote sustainable livestock production and reduce zoonotic risks. Materials and Methods: Rectal swab samples from 10 naturally diarrheic lambs were initially collected and subjected to bacteriological culture on MacConkey and Eosin methylene blue agars, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the uidA gene (162 base pair amplicon) for species confirmation. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method against five antibiotics. Twenty diarrheic lambs (≤ 2 weeks of age, Awassi breed) were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 5 each) for a 5-day intervention: antibiotics (gentamicin and ciprofloxacin administered intramuscularly), camel milk (5 mL/kg orally twice daily), camel plasma (5 mL/kg subcutaneously daily), and probiotics (5 × 10⁹ colony-forming units orally twice daily). Clinical parameters (appetite, hydration, fecal consistency, activity), hematological values (white blood cell [WBC] count, granulocytes, red blood cells, etc.), biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin, creatinine, liver enzymes), and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations (measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) were assessed before and after treatment. The physicochemical properties of camel milk were also determined. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey’s honestly significant difference test (p < 0.05). Results: All isolates were confirmed as E. coli, showing 40%–60% susceptibility to the tested antibiotics. Camel milk composition averaged 3.29% fat, 3.83% protein, and 5.80% lactose. The camel plasma group exhibited the most pronounced clinical improvements, including markedly better appetite, activity, hydration status, and fecal consistency (returning to soft/pasty), with no adverse reactions observed. All treatments significantly reduced WBC counts (from 14.78 ± 3.60 to approximately 7 × 10⁹/L) and granulocyte counts (from 10.98 ± 3.26 to approximately 4 × 10⁹/L; p < 0.05). Biochemical parameters such as albumin, total protein, globulin, and creatinine showed moderate increases in the camel plasma group. ELISA results demonstrated significant stabilization of IgG levels (from approximately 5 to 2 μg/mL; p = 0.001) in the camel milk, camel plasma, and probiotic groups, with the most notable normalization of IgA occurring in the camel plasma group (from 2.03 ± 0.43 to 0.42 ± 0.15 μg/mL; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Camel plasma demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared with antibiotics, camel milk, and probiotics in improving clinical signs, modulating inflammatory responses, and supporting passive immunity in neonatal lambs with colibacillosis. As a promising non-antibiotic intervention, camel plasma has the potential to reduce antimicrobial use, limit the spread of AMR, enhance farm biosecurity, and decrease the risk of zoonotic transmission in resource-limited settings. These findings strongly support further large-scale, long-term studies to validate safety, optimize dosing, and explore broader applications within a One Health framework. Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, camel milk, camel plasma, colibacillosis, Escherichia coli, neonatal lambs, non-antibiotic therapy, One Health.

Summary: Echinococcosis is an important zoonosis that leads to significant health problems and economic losses in livestock. The study aimed to detect cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from hydatid cysts in blood-derived samples and to determine the species/strains of Echinococcus . Hydatid cysts were initially collected from slaughtered sheep and tested for their viability using an eosin stain. Twenty-five rats were injected with 3000 protoscolices into the peritoneal cavity, and after a two-month observation period, they were autopsied. The Casoni test was performed to assess the hypersensitivity reaction to hydatid antigens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to identify Echinococcus spp. from multiple samples, including the cysts, sera, and plasma. The NADH dehydrogenase genes (nd1) of E. granulosus were targeted at 657 bp, and partial mitochondrial DNA sequences were obtained. The majority of the cysts (80%) were considered actively fertilized/viable. According to the molecular test, all studied samples were related to E. granulosus . The study concluded that E. granulosus is a common species in sheep populations in Basrah. Using cfDNA in plasma is a more efficient method for detecting hydatids than serum and faecal samples. This method is considered highly accurate and feasible for evaluating hydatid cysts in the intermediate hosts, which is critical for the control and therapy of parasitic infections.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease that poses significant threat to public health in Iraq. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of CCHF in humans, with a focus on occupational exposure, mortality rates, and temporal distribution. The retrospective analysis identified 290 confirmed cases reported between 2022 and 2023, with a total incidence case estimate of 13.5 per 100,000 individuals. The highest proportion was found among housewives (36%), followed by animal’s owners (21%) and animal’s sellers (16%). The mortality rate was estimated to be2.1 per 100,000 individuals, with a case fatality rate of 15.5%. The temporal analysis revealed a peak incidence in June 2022 (1.86 per 100,000 individuals) and May 2023 (1.53 per 100,000 individuals), highlighting seasonal patterns in disease transmission. The study concluded that CCHF is endemic disease in Thi-Qar province, and therefore, intervention programs are urgently needed to mitigate the risk of new cases. The suggested control program should include the application of acaricides to reduce tick infestations, the enforcement of regulations to prevent illegal animal slaughtering, and public awareness campaigns to improve the knowledge about the disease.

Background and Aim: An individual’s ability to obtain enough nutritious and healthy food to sustain a healthy lifestyle is a crucial indicator of food security. This study estimated food insecurity’s prevalence and levels among parents/guardians of secondary school students in Basrah and describe its consequences. Materials and Methods: The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) was implemented through a questionnaire survey to evaluate food insecurity. The relationship between financial factors, attitudes, and psychological impacts regarding food accessibility and affordability was studied in detail. The eight food insecurity questions’ responses were measured using the Rasch model approach. Results: Two hundred and fifty-two parents/guardians took part in the survey. The prevalence of food insecurity was estimated as 24% (with a 95% confidence interval of 18.9%–29.8%). Around 50% of the parents/guardians stated that their typical income is middle-income. 28% of respondents reported having sufficient food but not their preferred choices, while 35% paired food shortage with financial instability, 32% could not afford nutritionally balanced meals, and 21% of the parents admitted to cut or skipped their meals to other family members. 21% of parents/guardians were affected by inadequate food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic. The level of food insecurity included that 50% of the respondents exhibited mild food insecurity, 19.4% had moderate food insecurity, and 4.3% were classified as having severe food insecurity. According to the Rasch analysis of the FIES data, the likelihood of experiencing severe food insecurity is linked to consuming unhealthy food, having food run out, and eating unbalanced meals. Conclusion: The study found that financial constraints, food safety concerns, and limited access to nutritious food explain the widespread food insecurity reported. Significant efforts are required to alleviate chronic food shortages in Basrah, including job creation, strengthening agricultural production, and implementing safety-net policies for affected families. Keywords: food accessibility, food insecurity, parents/guardians, Rasch model.

Background: Milk-borne bacteria cause degradation of milk products and constitute a significant risk to public health. Aim: The objectives of present study are to determine the microbiological quality of dairy products and to investigate pathogenic microorganisms. Methods: A total of 60 samples of raw milk, homemade cheese and yogurt were randomly selected from different retail marketplaces in Basrah. The bacteriological and biochemical tests were utilised to identify the pathogens in dairy samples, as well as the molecular technique was used as accurate diagnostic test. Results: The prevalence of contamination milk products with various isolates was estimated as 50% (95% Cl: 36.8-63.2). The mean of total bacteria count (TBC) for cheese was 7.29±2.70, raw milk 4.62±2.86, and yogurt 2.87±1.05, with significant p-value (P=0.001). The mean count of aerobic spore-forming (ASF) contaminated raw milk was analysed as 3.77±1.18 and less contamination detected in the yogurt samples with mean of ASF was estimated as 2.52±1.47 SD log 10 CFU/ml. A range of important microorganisms to human health were identified through employing the VITEK_2 system and sequencing 16S rDNA gene, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aerogenosa, and Bacillus cereus. Conclusion: The study indicates that there is a high level of bacterial contamination in the dairy products with different bacteria species, which is medically important. Therefore, food safety management must be implemented to reduce biological risk carried by dairy products and ensure healthy food for consumers.

Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial disease that causes public health problems and financial losses in animal productions. This study aims to describe the incidence of human brucellosis, seroprevalence of brucellosis in cattle, and risk factors of disease spreading. The total incidence cases of human brucellosis in Thi-Qar province are estimated at 5.4% per 100,000 people for eight years, and the highest number of 43 patients are observed in 2019. The number of the positive samples using the Rose Bengal test (RBT) are 32 (21.8%) from a total of 147 blood samples assembled randomly from cattle populations. The seroprevalence of brucellosis is estimated as 3.4% (95%Cl:1.1-7.8) through employing the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The questionnaire interview with the animal owners revealed that the large proportion neither handle aborted animals properly nor dispose of the waste materials of abortions. Besides, the majority of the owners prefer lending bulls for mating or breeding purposes rather than artificial insemination. The study concludes that brucellosis is an endemic disease in Thi-Qar Province and that it is important to abide by the One Health Approach for the management of disease control in animal population and minimize human incidence rates.

Contamination feedstuffs with fungi or their metabolites toxins poses considerable hazard to public health and animal welfare. The information on mycotoxins identified from a variety of feedstuff in 2021 (soyabean, maize, fish meals, and poultry pellets) was retrieved from archive papers documented in the Centre of Standardization and Quality Control/Department of Agriculture. A total of 1325 samples feedstuff were examined by this Centre using the direct ELISA test to detect aflatoxins, ochratoxin, and trichothecene. The aflatoxin was identified in 67 (5.05%) samples followed by ochratoxin in 52 (3.92%) samples and Trichothecene (T2) in 50 (3.77) samples. Additionally, the results were showed the co-infection/co-occurrence of mycotoxins from positive samples of soyabean, fish meals, and poultry pellet, although this contamination within acceptable level. Only two samples of poultry feed were determined to have contamination levels above the acceptable limit, as 21ppb with aflatoxins and 19ppb with ochratoxin contamination. The moisture levels were also measured for these commodities by NIR apparatus. From statistics outputs, the squared correlation coefficient (R2) did not share too much variability between moisture and degree of contamination with three mycotoxins identified. The study concluded that mycotoxins remain to be a concern for global health, and their residues in animal feed are important in terms of health safety standards that propose adhering to food chain regulations in commercial markets.

Thepresent study was carried out to describe some epidemiological facts of myiasis infestations in cattle; therefore, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated and identified from various infested sites with maggots from February to September 2019. It involved three districts (Shatt-Alarab, Al-Qurnah, and Al-Dyr) north of Basrah Governorate/Iraq. A total of 54 herds/owners were visited, with 150 cattle were found to be infested with maggots and diagnosed from different sites of the animal body. The result was indicated that 31% (95%Cl, 26.9-35.4) of examined animals were infested with myiasis, and there were no significant differences detected between sex and ages of the animal groups under study. Staphylococcus aureus was diagnosed using classical methods as morphological characteristics, physiological (coagulase tube method), biochemical tests, and growth on selective medium as Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) at a percentage of 32% (48/150). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the nuc gene in this isolated species, indicating the presence of nuc size (423) bp compared with a ladder used. The study clearly states that myiasis is a severe threat to cattle populations and that veterinary and agriculture authorities must recall control measures. These measures should be forged to include using a trapping/catch system, applying effective treatment, spraying pesticides, and sterilizing male flies with radiation to inhibit producing offspring.

Brucellosis is one of the most important foodborne infectious diseases distributed widely in low- and middle-income countries. The current study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors that influence the distribution of Brucella in sheep. A structured questionnaire was prepared and introduced to a total of 60 resident owners from five counties, and 400 sheep blood samples were randomly collected from the selected herds. The sera of isolated sheep were tested for Brucella spp. using the Rose Bengal Test (RBT). A univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors linked to animal management and husbandry practices at the farm level. The overall prevalence estimated for brucellosis was 31% (95% confidence interval [Cl]: 26.5–35.8). The odds of seroprevalence in sheep >1 year were significantly higher than those in sheep ≤1 year (odds ratio [OR]: 2.2, 95% Cl: 1.41–3.44). The logistic regression outcomes revealed that two variables related to the management and practices at the farm level were significantly associated with the seroprevalence of brucellosis. These variables were sheep sheep grazing with other flocks (OR: 5.8, 95 Cl% Cl: 1.53–22.67) and the practice of lending ram among sheep owners (OR: 9.3, 95% Cl: 1.05–83.82). Unconfined domesticated dogs, improper handling of aborted ewes, introduction of new animals in a herd, (purchased), and lack of knowledge about brucellosis among owners were underlined to be further important factors that could influence the spread of brucellosis. This study concluded that brucellosis is an endemic disease in Basrah, and the animal vaccination control program with an integrated health education program for sheep owners are obligatory elements of the prevention measures needed to be established to minimize the risk of brucellosis in Basrah.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly contagious transboundary disease ofcattle with significant economic burden. Our study is based on a questionnairedesigned to describe the epidemiological features keys of LSD in Basrah and toidentify putative risk factors. The information obtained from this questionnairespecifically included sex, age, vaccination status, clinical signs and the number ofdeath because of LSD in the cattle. This study was conducted from December 2018to May 2019, with a total of 251 cattle owners participated in the interview. Out of251 owners interviewed, 329 of their cattle were infected with LSD (accumulativeincidence estimated at 16.2%). The majority of owners (91.6%) admitted that theydid not segregate the infected animal from the rest of the herds. Respect to animalmanagement and farming system, the semi-intensive system of rearing animals wasthe most common farming system adapted by farmers (70%) while only 30% werekept under intensive system. The majority of the owners 97.2% (244/251) reportedthey were not received any vaccine of LSD. The mortality rate; however, measuredat 2% and the case-fatality rate measured at 11%. The abortion rate among infectedpregnant cows was calculated at 10.5%. The study concluded LSD is newlyemerging disease in Basrah and various preventative measures including restrictionillegal movement of animals, vector control, farm biosecurity and, vaccinationprogram need to be considered to prevent further new incidence cases