Salmonella infection in broiler chickens poses a significant threat to poultry health and food safety, especially with the rise of multidrug-resistant strains. This work assessed the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and resistance genes of Salmonella isolates from 30 broiler farms, and evaluated the protective effects of probiotics against Salmonella challenge. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 30% (9/30) of farms, with Salmonella Enteritidis accounting for 60% (15/25) and Salmonella Give for 40% (10/25) of the recovered isolates. Mortality rates were 10.13±0.89% in Salmonella Enteritidis-infected flocks and 7.13±1.44% in those infected with Salmonella Give. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed 100% resistance to spectinomycin, tigecycline, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, cefalexin, and cefazolin; 92% to ampicillin and cefotaxime; 80% to sulphatrimethoprim; 72% to chloramphenicol; 60% to nalidixic acid; 36% to colistin; and 40% to enrofloxacin. The most effective agents were ofloxacin (68% sensitive) and ciprofloxacin (60% sensitive). PCR analysis detected the blaDHA gene in 72% (18/25) and the mcr-1 gene in 44% (11/25) of isolates. Lactococcus lactis IL403 demonstrated strong adhesion to Caco-2 cells, intracellular internalization in macrophages, and significantly reduced LPS-induced TNF-α release. In vivo experiments showed that Lactococcus lactis IL403 provided partial protection, lowering mortality to 2/50 birds (4%) and liver colonization to 3/7 birds (42.85%) in treated, challenged birds. In contrast, the Salmonella Give challenged group without probiotic treatment exhibited higher mortality (7/50; 14%) and complete liver colonization (7/7; 100%). These results highlight the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella in broilers and support the potential of probiotics as alternative preventive strategies in poultry production.

Aboudeleik sheep are a prominent native breed in desert and semi-desert areas, known for their adaptability to harsh climates and their utility in both milk and meat production

Pregnancy toxemia (PT) represents a significant metabolic disorder affecting small ruminants that causes substantial economic losses due to reduced productivity, reproductive failure, and high mortality. This study investigated the clinical, ultrasonographic, hematobiochemical, oxidative stress, and immunological profiles, as well as the gene expression and nucleotide sequence variations, associated with PT susceptibility in Shami goats. Fifty late-pregnant does (33 healthy and 17 PT-affected) were examined. Clinical evaluation, complete blood count, biochemical analysis, cytokine profiling, antioxidant assays, hepatic ultrasonography, quantitative real-time PCR of immune (IL6, IL8), antioxidant (SOD3, HMOX1), and lipogenic (ACACA, FASN) genes, and PCR-DNA sequencing were performed. PT does exhibit significant hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia, elevated liver and kidney function biomarkers, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress (↑ MDA, ↓ GSH, GPx, SOD, CAT), increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1α, IL1β, IL6, TNFα), and reduced IL10. Gene expression analysis revealed upregulation of IL6 and IL8 and downregulation of SOD3, HMOX1, ACACA, and FASN in PT does. Sequencing identified multiple synonymous and non-synonymous SNPs significantly associated with PT. Ultrasonography indicated hepatic fatty infiltration. Discriminant analysis using SNPs achieved 100% classification accuracy between healthy and PT does. These findings suggested that combined clinical, biochemical, oxidative, immunological, and genetic markers could enhance early PT diagnosis and may provide a basis for future studies aimed at selective breeding for improved resistance.