Escherichia coli is bacteria that exist as commensal in the intestine of animals and humans, but pathogenic strains cause disease in chickens. The development of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli is one of major concern worldwide. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November, 2015 to April, 2016 in and around Ambo town on backyard chicken with the objectives of isolating E. coli from selected visceral organs, assessment of potential risk factor and determination of antimicrobial resistance pattern of the isolates. The overall isolation rate of E. coli was 11.5% (80/694) [95% CI: 9.64–14.61] and 32.5% (62/191) [95% CI: 25.39–39.09] at organ and chicken level, respectively. E. coli isolation rate was 15.2% (29/191), 13.6% (27/191), 6.3% (12/191) and 10.7% (13/121) from spleen, liver, kidney and ovary samples, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed higher probability of E. coli isolation from adult (adjusted Odds ratio [aOR] =2.5, P = 0.013) than younger chickens, from clinically sick chickens (aOR = 3.0, P = 0.003) than apparently healthy. E. coli isolates were 100% susceptible to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim followed by 89–63.4% susceptibility to gentamicin, streptomycin, ceftazidime, nalidxic acid, nitrofurantoin, kanamycin, amikacin and chloramphenicol. Whereas, 100% resistance was observed against cloxacilin, cefotaxime and amoxicillin, whereas 92.7 and 46.3% were resistant to cefuroxime, and tetracycline, respectively. Multidrug resistant (MDR) was observed in 78.1% (64/82) of the isolates which exhibited 5 different MDR patterns to 7 antimicrobial classes. Higher isolation rate of E. coli was observed from visceral organs of chickens. Age and health status were predictors of E. coli isolation. Remarkable numbers of the isolates are resistant to different antimicrobials and multidrug resistant E coli isolates are widespread in the area.

Antimicrobial resistance to commercially available medications has become a global issue, yet there is still the possibility of developing new drugs from medicinal plants. As a result, the aims of the present study were to screen secondary metabolites and to evaluate in vitro antifungal activities of Brucea antidysenterica, Aloe vera, and Justicia schimperiana. After the plants were identified, their leaves were collected, washed, dried under the shade, pulverized, and extracted with methanol (99.8) using the maceration technique. The presence of secondary metabolites in plant extracts was screened using various laboratory protocols. The antifungal activities of the plant extract against reference fungal strains of Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger at concentrations of 200, 100, and 50mg/mL were assessed using the agar-well diffusion method. Ketoconazole (15μg) was used as a positive control, while 5 dimethyl sulfoxide and/or 5 Tween 80 were used as negative controls. All tests were conducted in triplicate. Alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols were secondary metabolites found in all plant extracts. The extract of leaves of B. antidysenterica and J. schimperiana formed a mean zone of inhibition of 15.5±0.5mm and 15.3±0.58mm, respectively, against Candida albicans at a concentration of 200mg/mL, whereas extracts of A. vera leaves formed a 12.3±0.58mm inhibition zone only against Aspergillus niger at 200mg/mL. In conclusion, the current study found that B. antidysenterica, A. vera, and J. schimperiana had antifungal activity. In addition, all these plants had a variety of secondary metabolites that possibly have antifungal activities. Studies on in vivo investigations and isolation of specific antifungal compounds from these medicinal plants are suggested.

Background: Newcastle disease is a major viral disease of poultry. The virus is a major problem for chickens in Ethiopia and there is a scarcity of updated information on the virological and molecular status of confirmation of Newcastle disease outbreak cases in the country. Methods: Newcastle disease outbreaks were investigated from February 2021 to October 2021 in central Ethiopia to isolate and detect the virus by cell culture and reverse transcriptase PCR. A total of 44 pooled tissue specimens were sampled from sick and recently dead chickens showing typical clinical signs of Newcastle disease. Virus isolation were performed using DF-1 cells and detection of the virus was done by real-time PCR. Results: Out of 44 collected tissue samples, 38.63% (17/44) were positive on DF-1 cells. The result shows 17 of the clinically sick and dead chickens were positive for the virus by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Based on the sample type, 54.54% (6/11) of the brain samples, 36.36% (4/11) of the intestines, 54.54% (6/11) of lung and trachea, 9% (1/11) of pooled liver, kidney, heart, and spleen samples were positive. Viruses were isolated in the proportions 37.5% (6/16), 25% (2/8), 50% (2/4), 25% (1/4), 50% (2/4) and 50% (4/8) from Sebeta, Bishoftu, Sululta, Nifas Silk, Kolfe and Yeka, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed that Newcastle disease is a major viral disease causing death of chickens in the study area. Therefore, any control approach should focus on the appropriate characterization of the virus strain causing the outbreak in the study area.

Background: Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), a member of the genus Capripoxvirus within the family Poxviridae . It is a notifiable, economically important disease of cattle that causes significant production losses in affected areas. Methods: A descriptive outbreak investigation was conducted from October 2021 to August 2022 in Darimu, Bacho, and Yayo districts of Ilubabor Zone, Western Oromia, Ethiopia. The study aimed to detect and isolate LSDV from clinically affected cattle. A total of 79 samples were collected from 22 clinically affected cattle, including skin nodule biopsies ( n =  17), skin scrapings ( n =  7), whole blood ( n =  17), and swabs (ocular n =  14, nasal n =  12, and lesion swabs n =  12). Viral DNA was extracted using the QIAGEN kit and detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Virus isolation was attempted in lamb kidney cell culture from 17 skin nodule biopsies. Results: Out of 1,080 cattle at risk, 146 were affected, and 7 died. Overall, morbidity, mortality, and case fatality rates were 13.5%, 0.65%, and 4.8%, respectively. All 79 samples (100%) tested positive by real-time qPCR . Seventeen skin nodule biopsies were selected for virus isolation and inoculated into lamb kidney cell culture. Ct values varied by sample type: skin nodules (mean Ct 19.96), lesion swabs (21.95), and skin scrapes (21.31) had the lowest Ct values (indicating higher viral load), while blood had the highest (31.69). Cytopathic effects were observed in 4 of the 17 (23.5%) cultures. The changes included cell rounding, aggregation of degenerating cells, and monolayer detachment. Conclusion: Lumpy Skin Disease Virus was confirmed as the cause of the investigated outbreak, resulting in economic losses for farmers in the study area. Regular annual vaccination and further studies on field viruses and vaccine strain compatibility (matching) are recommended to support disease control and improve eradication strategies.