The genus Vibrio includes several food-borne pathogens that cause a spectrum of clinical conditions including septicemia, cholera and milder forms of gastroenteritis. Several Vibrio spp. are commonly associated with food-borne transmission including Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahemolyticus, and Vibrio vulnificus. Microbiological analysis for enumeration and isolation of Vibrio spp. were carried out for a total of 93 samples of seafood, meat and meat products from different geographic localities in Libya (Tripoli, Regdalin, Janzour and Toubruk). Vibrio spp. were detected by conventional cultural and molecular method using PCR and sequencing of 16S rDNA. Out of the 93 cultured samples only 48 (51.6%) yielded colonies on Thiosulfate Citrate Bile Salt agar (TCBS) with culture characteristics of Vibrio spp. More than half (n=27) of processed seafood samples (n=46) yielded colonies on TCBS, while only 44.6 % of samples of meat and meat products showed colonies on TCBS. Among cultured seafood samples, the highest bacterial count was recorded in clam with a count of 3.8 х104 CFU\g. Chicken burger samples showed the highest bacterial count with 6.5 х104 CFU\g. Molecular analysis of the isolates obtained in this study, showed that 11 samples out of 48 (22.9%) were Vibrio spp. Vibrio parahemolyticus was isolated from camel meat for the first time. This study is an initial step to provide a baseline for future molecular research targeting Vibrio spp. foodborne illnesses. This data will be used to provide information on the magnitude of such pathogens in Libyan seafood, meat and meat products.
Salah M. Azwai(1-2016)

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the presence of Bacillus cereus in meat, meat products and some seafood in Libya. Materials and Methods: A hundred and thirty one samples were collected from different geographic localities in Libya. The samples were subjected to microbiological analysis for enumeration and isolation of B. cereus by conventional cultural, biochemical and molecular identification by using PCR and partial sequencing of 16S rDNA techniques. Results: Out of 131 samples, only 38 (29%) isolates were found to be B. cereus based on their cultural characteristics on MYP medium, that included 30% beef, 38.2% beef products (minced, burger, kabab and sausage), 31.8% camel meat and 48% chicken products (burger, sausage, kabab and liver). However, B. cereus was not detected from mutton and seafood samples. Seventeen isolates were subjected to molecular identification by using PCR and partial sequencing of 16S rDNA technique and confirmed to be B. cereus. The confirmed B. cereus strains tested for their antibiotic sensitivity profiles and showed high percentage of multi-resistance phenotype. Conclusions: The results provide better understanding of B. cereus isolated from food of animal origin in Libya and suggest that meat and meat products might play an important role in the spreading of B. cereus through the food chain with antimicrobial resistance characteristics.
Salah M.Azwai(1-2018)

A study was conducted to determine the effect of three native plants from El-Jabal al ELAkhdar, (Libya) on hematological profile, cholesterol and immune response to ND vaccine in broiler chickens. A total of 1260 one-day-old male Cobb chickens were used in the experiment. Chickens were assigned to 7 treatment groups (6 replicates per treatment). The dietary treatments included basal diet with no additives (control), and 6 other dietary treatments (Arbutus pavarii, Salvia officinalis and Zizyphus Vulgaris) each of which was added at the rate of 0.5g and 1g/kg of basal diet. Results explicitly revealed that no significant change in TLC between the treated and control groups has been recorded. A significant heteropenia was recorded at the third week of treatment with 1% A. Pavarii 0.5 S. Officinalis and 0.5 Z. Vulgaris when compared to control group. However, the lymphocytic count show a significant increase (P≤0.05) in all treated groups compared to the control groups. Immunologically, an enhanced humeral immune response was very obvious based upon the significant elevation of antibody titer at the third week of treatment for all groups received 1 % of the three types of plants. Interestingly , cholesterol levels were significantly elevated at the six week of treatment with 0.5 % Z. Vulgaris while highest decline in cholesterol levels were recorded in group that have received 0.5 S. Officinalis.
ِAbdulatif A. Asheg(3-2015)