Consumption of meat contaminated by E. coli causes a serious illness and even death to affected individuals. Recently the emerging of antibiotic resistant foodborne E. coli poses serious public health risks worldwide. However, little is known about the antibiotic resistance profile of E. coli in Ethiopia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) status of E. coli isolated from different type of meat. Overall 292 samples were collected from December 2015 to April 2016 from slaughterhouses to determine the prevalence and AMR of E. coli isolated from raw beef, mutton, chevon and chicken meat from Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, Ethiopia. The isolates were screened for AMR against commonly used antibiotics circulating in the Ethiopian market. Both phenotypic and genotypic approach were employed for AMR detection using disc diffusion test and PCR respectively. The prevalence of E. coli was 63 (21.6%), indicating one sample in every five samples harbors E. coli. Among these, the highest E. coli isolates was observed in chicken meat samples (37.0%; 27), followed by mutton (23.3%; 17), chevon (20.6%; 15) and beef (5.5%; 4). Results of disk diffusion test on the 63 isolates showed that only 4.8% of them were not resistance to all antimicrobials tested. Multiple drug resistance (resistance to ≥3 drugs) was 46.0%. Significantly high resistance to ampicillin (71.4%) and tetracycline (47.6%) was observed. Identification of genes associated with AMR was also done using PCR. The prevalence of E. coli isolates harboring resistance gene responsible for tetracycline (tet(A)), beta lactams (blaCMY) and sulphanamide (sulI) antibiotics were found 65.1, 65.1 and 54.0%, respectively. Twenty-five out of the 63 (39.7% %) E. coli isolates have got antimicrobial resistance gene to three or more classes of drugs. The associations of antimicrobial resistance phenotypes and resistance genes was also determined. The detection of resistance trait against tetracycline, sulphametazole and chloramphenicol measured either phenotypically or genotypically were high. The rising levels of resistance E. coli to multiple antimicrobial dictate the urgent need to regulate and monitor antimicrobial use in both animals and humans.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to detect Newcastle disease virus and to assess the seropositivity among backyard, semi-intensive, and intensive farms located in central and southwestern areas of Ethiopia. Material and Methods: A total of 239 oropharyngeal and cloacal swab samples were collected from symptomatic birds found in Holeta, Burayu, Jimma towns as well as Seka Chekorsa and Nadhigibe woredas of Jimma Zone. In addition, ninety blood samples were collected from wing veins of unvaccinated birds found in the study areas of Jimma zone. Side-by-side information related to risk factors estimated to contribute to the susceptibility of the disease was collected by interviewing owners of sampled birds. Reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect NDV. Likewise, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the seropositivity of ND. Results: The proportion of samples where NDV was detected was 24.6%. Similarly, 68.9% of the sampled birds were seropositive. It was observed that adult birds were more likely to encounter the disease than youngs (OR = 11.6; 95% CI: 4.0– 33.3; P = 0.000). Birds owned by respondents who leave diseased birds in the flock were more likely infected (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 1.8– 21.2; P=0.004) as compared to those isolated and mode of disposal of dead chicken significantly affect exposure (OR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.10– 4.88; P = 0.044). Likewise, access to veterinary services highly likely reduces susceptibility to the disease (OR = 12.4; 95% CI: 3.2– 46.9; P = 0.000). It was also found that birds farmed intensively were the most at risk (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 0.58– 13.71; P = 0.199). Conclusion: Detection of ND from a significant proportion of sampled birds and their high seropositivity percentage revealed the circulation of the virus in the study areas.

Newcastle disease significantly impacts the global poultry industry and is prevalent in many African countries, including Ethiopia. The objective of this research is to determine the humoral immune response to Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), identify the circulating NDV genotype, and evaluate the correlation between the diagnostic tests used in backyard chickens in the Jimma Zone, southwest Ethiopia. A total of 90 swab and blood samples were purposively collected from symptomatic backyard chicken in the period between February and April 2022. Samples were collected from Jimma town, Seqa Chekorsa and Tiro Afeta districts of Jimma zone. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted and seropositivity was determined from the collected serum samples. From the swab samples, total RNA was extracted and the viral genomic material was detected by amplifying the Fusion gene by Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The interconnection between ELISA and RT-PCR was also analyzed. Further, positive swab samples were nucleotide sequenced and genotyped. Of the 90 serum samples, 62 (68.8%) were seropositive. From the 90 swab samples, 14 (15.5%) were RT-PCR positive. No statistically significant association between risk factors (breed, age, sex) and virus exposure was observed by RT-PCR (P = 0.41, 0.44, 0.67) or ELISA (P = 0.85, 0.19, 0.11). However, local breeds, young, and male birds were at higher risk according to RT-PCR results, while young and female birds were more likely to be seropositive. The antibody titer study showed that RT-PCR positive birds produced less than half the mean antibodies of negative birds (x̄=854 vs. 1885) and positive birds produced similar amount of antibody (σ = 626). Local (x̄=1978), adult (x̄=2558), and female (x̄=2620) birds had higher mean antibody titers than their counterparts. The agreement between RT-PCR and ELISA in identifying positive samples was minimal (k = 0.05). Nucleotide-sequenced isolates were nearly identical (99.7%) to each other and identified as velogenic based on the F-gene cleavage site (RRQKRF) with genotype VII.1.1. NDV was circulating in the study area, infecting birds with low antibody titers. High viral similarity between neighboring countries emphasizes the need for regional disease control strategy.

The amelogenin gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay offers a precise, efficient, and cost-effective approach for embryo sex determination in cattle. This method capitalizes on genetic differences between the X and Y chromosome-linked amelogenin genes, enabling early sex identification critical for livestock management. Our study outlines the methodology, from embryo collection and DNA extraction to PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis analysis. Results consistently demonstrated the assay's reliability, identifies that all examined embryos were female embryos (X/X) across developmental stages with a male and female control (X/Y) (X/X) respectively, validating the technique. This study underscores the assay’s potential for advancing selective breeding and enhancing productivity in the cattle industry.

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a significant threat to poultry worldwide, but its status in Ethiopia remains understudied. Thus, this study aimed to detect the virus and associated risk factors in South West Ethiopia. Ninety oropharyngeal swab samples were purposively collected from symptomatic chickens located in Jimma town, Seqa Chekorsa, and Tiro Afeta woredas of the Jimma zone between November 2021 and April 2022 to detect IBV virus by using RT‐PCR. A side‐by‐side questionnaire was administered to assess risk factors. Total RNA was extracted, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was conducted, and products were visualized under UV light. The overall proportion of IBV was 16.6% (15/90). No statistical association was observed between any of the animal risk factors and the detection of the virus (P = 0.57, 0.586, and 1). However, the proportion of birds infected by the virus was higher in males, exotic breeds, and adults compared to females, local breeds, and young birds. Similarly, none of the management risk factors had a significantly different effect on virus detection (P = 0.25, 0.09, 0.088, and 0.726). However, improper carcass disposal (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.13–1.4), lack of veterinary services (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.8–8.3), and the presence of wild birds/rodents (OR = 4.4, 95% CI: 0.88‐22.3) were associated with increased IBV risk but not cleaning of feeders/drinkers (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.2–4.8). These findings underscore the need for enhanced biosecurity practices and further research to implement informed IBV control strategies in Ethiopia.

Egg quality is a critical factor influencing consumer preference, nutrition, and industrial utilization, yet comparative evaluations of indigenous, synthetic, and exotic chicken breeds under uniform management are limited. This study assessed the physical, functional, and nutritional properties of eggs from Horro and Jarso (indigenous), White Feather (synthetic), and Koekoek (exotic) chickens reared under identical housing and feeding conditions. Forty eggs (10 per breed) were analyzed for color, density, porosity, flowability, protein, and mineral composition, with data evaluated using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test ( p < 0.05). Koekoek eggs showed the highest lightness and yellowness, while Horro eggs were darker but exhibited superior bulk and tapped density; Koekoek displayed the best flowability. Nutrient analysis revealed Koekoek eggs had the highest protein and copper contents, Jarso excelled in potassium, sodium, and manganese, and Horro contained the most calcium and iron, whereas Jarso eggshells were the richest in calcium and protein. These findings demonstrate significant breed‐related differences in egg quality traits, underscoring the genetic basis of color, functionality, and mineral composition, and highlight opportunities for targeted breed utilization in poultry production, nutritional improvement, and egg powder applications.