Mohammed A. Alshaikh

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever in Saudi Arabia: molecular detection from camel and other domestic livestock

Abstract Objective To detect Coxiella burnetii ( C. burnetii ) DNA in clinical specimens from camel, goats, cattle and sheep in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods A total of 367 clinical samples including blood, milk, faeces and urine were collected from different livestock and subjected to PCR amplification using primers which amplify transposon-like region and transposase gene. Results Positive amplification from both regions was obtained from camel, goats and cattle but not from sheep. A percentage of 10.8% samples yielded positive PCR amplification from both blood and milk, where 15 of 139 blood and 16 of 148 milk samples were positive. Faeces and urine showed higher percentages of positive samples reaching 40.8% and 23.8% respectively. Conclusions The preferred route of shedding in camel appeared to be the faeces followed by urine, while that of goats appeared to be the faeces and that of the cattle appeared to be the milk.

COAGULATION PROFILE AND PLATELET PARAMETERS OF THE ARABIAN SAND GAZELLE (GAZELLA SUBGUTTUROSA MARICA): COMPARISON WITH HUMANS AND CAMELS

During March 2009, we evaluated the hemostatic profile and platelet indices of 18 Arabian sand gazelles (Gazella subgutturosa marica) and compared the results with those from humans and camels (Camelus dromedarius). Gazelles and camels had shorter activated partial thromboplastin times, lower proconvertin and higher antihemophilic factor coagulation activity, and plasma fibrinogen levels than humans. Prothrombin time was longer in sand gazelles and shorter in camels than it was in humans. Plasma thromboplastin component, Stuart factor, and plasma thromboplastin antecedent were similar in gazelles, humans, and camels, whereas the platelet count of the sand gazelle was significantly higher than it was for camels and humans.

Effect of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) on Lactational Performance of Dairy Goat

Abstract Al-Shaikh, M.A., Al-Mufarrej, S.I. and Mogawer, H.H. 1999. Effect of fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenumgraecum L) on lactational performance of dairy goat. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 16: 177–183. The effect of feeding fenugreek seed, as part of a dairy goat ration, on milk yield and fat percentage was studied for 9 weeks in 21 lactating dairy goats divided into three groups (A, B and C) according to the level of fenugreek in the concentrate (0, 25 and 50% fenugreek, respectively). All diets were similar in CP and ME. Milk yield was recorded daily while fat percentage was determined in weekly milk samples. Group B showed significantly higher daily milk yield and fat percentage (2743±56 ml and 6.7±0.4%, respectively) than the other groups, whereas group C showed a lower daily milk yield and fat percentage than the control (1103±79 ml and 4.0±0.4%, compared with 1643±78 ml and 5.1±0.4%, respectively). Goats suckling one kid gave more milk daily than those suckling twins (2030±60 vs 1630±60 ml). There were...

Hemostatic profile, platelets, and blood constituents of the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx)

Hemostatic, hematological, and chemical parameters were determined in 25 captive Arabian oryxes (Oryx leucoryx) of both sexes. Hemostatic parameters included prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, and clotting factors activities. Serum concentrations of 26 biochemical and inorganic constituents were determined along with hematological data, namely platelet counts, platelet indices, and red and white blood cell variables. Hemostatic parameters, platelet indices, and many biochemical components are reported for the first time in the Arabian oryx. Relatively low mean platelet volume, plateletcrit and platelet distribution width, and relatively short prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times and high platelet counts, and F:VIII clotting activity were recorded in the oryx. Most of the basic hematological and biochemical parameters recorded in this species were consistent with other wild bovidae.

First Detection of Brucella abortus in Camel Serum in Saudi Arabia Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract Alshaikh, M.A.A., Alhaidary, A.I., Aljumaah, R.S., Mohammed, O.B., Al-Korashi, M.M., Omer, S.A., Gar EINabi, A.R. and Hussein, M.F. 2006. First detection of Brucella abortus in camel serum in Saudi Arabia using the polymerase chain reaction. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 31: 149–152. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to diagnose brucellosis in camels. DNA was extracted from 26 serum samples of camels that tested positive for brucellosis by two or more serologic tests. PCR products indicating the presence of a Brucella spp. DNA were detected in all samples with primers that amplify the 31 kDa membrane protein and 18 samples with primers that amplify the 905 bp of the 16S rRNA. Using primers that amplify the IS711 locus 8 samples revealed DNA amplification at around 500 bp, indicating that the organism involved was B. abortus. This is the first report on the use of the PCR as a diagnostic tool for brucellosis in the serum of the camel and the first record of B. abortus in that animal in Saudi Arabia.

Factors Affecting Body Weight of Aardi Goat Kids in Saudi Arabia

Abstract Al-Shaikh, M.A. and Mogawer, H.H. 2001. Factors affecting body weight of Aardi goat kids in Saudi Arabia. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 233–238. To study the effects of dam weight, litter size and kid sex on birth weight and weight gain from birth to weaning, 31 male and 3G female Aardi goat, kids, from 40 dams were reared under identical conditions. Weight gains at 3, 6 and 10 weeks of age were higher in kids born to heavy than to medium or light weight dams and there was a strong correlation between dams weight and weight gain in respective kids (r=0.41). Litter size significantly affected birth weights, but neither weight nor average daily weight gain were affected during subsequent intervals. Male kids consistently had higher body weights and daily weight gain than female ones. Correlation coefficient between birth weight and weaning weight was 0.41, which could be used as an indicator to heavy weaning weight.