The chicken gut is the habitat to trillions of microorganisms that affect physiological functions and immune status through metabolic activities and host interaction. Gut microbiota research previously focused on inflammation; however, it is now clear that these microbial communities play an essential role in maintaining normal homeostatic conditions by regulating the immune system. In addition, the microbiota helps reduce and prevent pathogen colonization of the gut via the mechanism of competitive exclusion and the synthesis of bactericidal molecules. Under commercial conditions, newly hatched chicks have access to feed after 36–72 h of hatching due to the hatch window and routine hatchery practices. This delay adversely affects the potential inoculation of the healthy microbiota and impairs the development and maturation of muscle, the immune system, and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Modulating the gut microbiota has been proposed as a potential strategy for improving host health and productivity and avoiding undesirable effects on gut health and the immune system. Using early-life programming via in ovo stimulation with probiotics and prebiotics, it may be possible to avoid selected metabolic disorders, poor immunity, and pathogen resistance, which the broiler industry now faces due to commercial hatching and selection pressures imposed by an increasingly demanding market.

The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes viral encephalitis leading to neural damage, is a major threat in most Asian countries. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) present in the viral genome is the key component for genome replication, making it an attractive target for antiviral drug development. In this study, the natural products from Echinacea angustifolia were retrieved for structure-based virtual screening against JEV–RdRp. The top six compounds (Echinacoside, Echinacin, Rutin, Cynaroside, Quercetagetin 7-glucoside, and Kaempferol-3-glucoside) were obtained based on the highest negative docking score, ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity), and molecular interaction. The computational analysis of these selected compounds against the co-crystallized ligands, i.e., ATP and GTP, were performed. Further, 100 ns molecular dynamic simulation and post-free binding energy calculation of all the selected compounds complexed with JEV–RdRP were performed to check the stability of the complexes. The obtained results showed considerable stability and intermolecular interaction with native ligand-binding site residues of JEV–RdRp. Hence, selected natural compounds are admissible inhibitors of JEV–RdRp protein and can be considered for future antiviral drug development studies.

Objective: Preventing a food allergy reaction depends primarily on eliminating allergens from the diet. In October 2019, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) introduced new legislation requiring food establishments providing and selling non-prepacked foods to state the presence of the top fourteen food allergens on their menus. The current study aimed to assess the allergen-labelling knowledge, practices, preferences and perceptions towards the new SFDA allergen-labelling legislation among consumers with food allergy in Saudi Arabia.Design: Observational cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire.Setting: Saudi Arabia; February – March 2020.Participants: Residents of Saudi Arabia with food allergy (n 427), aged 18–70 years.Results: Among participants, only 28·1 % knew that there were governmental regulations in Saudi Arabia regarding food-allergen labelling and approximately two-thirds (67 %) check labels on prepacked food products for allergens. The majority of the participants preferred food products carrying safety statements (84·1 %) and symbols (80·1 %). A total of 47·1 % were aware that regulations in Saudi Arabia require allergens to be declared in ingredient lists, while 51·3 % were aware that advisory allergen labelling is not required by law. Only 26·2 % were aware of the new SFDA legislation regarding provision of allergen information by food establishments. However, the majority (94·4 %) were supportive of the new legislation, and most of them were more likely to eat at restaurants that reported allergen information for food items on the menu.Conclusions: The new SFDA food allergen-labelling legislation needs to be more widely and effectively disseminated to increase the level of awareness among adults with food allergy in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and is considered asymptomatic in most cases. In pregnant women, however, the disease can be transmitted to the foetus, causing severe congenital consequences. Congenital toxoplasmosis can be avoided by practising simple preventive lifestyle measures during pregnancy. Method: This cross-sectional study assessed the toxoplasmosis knowledge and preventive behaviours among 135 pregnant Saudi women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a validated questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of toxoplasmosis, and preventive behaviours towards toxoplasmosis between January and April 2023 using convenience snowball sampling. SPSS Statistics was used for data analysis and the qualitative parameters were described as frequencies and percentages. Result: Approximately 45.2% of the participants displayed a poor knowledge of toxoplasmosis. Moreover, participants aged 31–40 years exhibited significantly higher knowledge compared to those aged less than 30 years. Most participants practised effective preventive behaviours, as demonstrated by 90.4% and 86.7% of them reporting that they habitually washed their hands after handling raw meat and did not eat rare meat, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, the poor knowledge of toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Jeddah highlights the importance of implementing targeted antenatal health education campaigns and interventions to protect pregnant women and minimise the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Background: Several outbreaks of foodborne illness have recently occurred in Saudi Arabia, posing a public health concern, especially considering the increasing trend of food consumption at restaurants. Objectives: This study evaluates the food safety knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices among food handlers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and their association with the food handlers’ sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed for a convenience sample of 80 food handlers (15–65 years old), followed by face-to-face interviews. A validated questionnaire with 65 questions across four sections (sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to food safety) was utilized for data collection. Data entry and analysis were conducted using the SPSS version 26 software. Results: Most of the participants exhibited moderate levels of food safety knowledge and practices and a high level of food safety attitudes. Food safety knowledge was significantly greater among the oldest participants (>45 years old), those holding valid health cards, and those who had attended training courses (p0.05). Food safety knowledge was found to be significantly correlated with the food safety attitudes of the participants (r= 0.379, p= 0.001), and food safety attitudes were significantly correlated with practices (r= 0.264, p= 0.018). Conclusion: This study revealed that continuous implementation of food safety educational and training programs is necessary to improve the knowledge of food handlers and transform it into appropriate attitudes and practices.