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Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Beni-Suef University, Virology, Faculty Member

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Abdel-Moneim is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology (Virology Division) at College of Medicine, Taif University. Prof. Abdel-Moneim has
36 publications, 26 in peer-reviewed international journals and 6 contributions in proceedings and scientific books as well as 225 submissions
to the GenBank. He is one of the editorial board of World Journal of Virology, Virology Discovery, Microbes and Health, WebMed Central,
and Saudi Journal of Health Sciences as well as, an ad hoc reviewer for a number of international scientific peer review journals including
vaccines, Viral Immunology, Journal of Virological Methods and many others. He is a member of different societies of Virology including,
American Society of Virology, American Society of Microbiology, and Egyptian as well as Arab society for Virology. He supervised many
predoctoral and postdoctoral scientists from Egypt. Prof. Abdel-Moneim worked as University Professor and consultant for both Governmental
and private sectors for many years in Egypt. Prof. Abdel-Moneim researchers are focused on molecular characterization, evolution and genotyping
of important viral infection in humans and animals. Understanding of pathogens-host interaction is another research priority for Prof. Abdel-Moneim.

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Forest Research Institute Malaysia

Zagazig University

Shaymaa Abdel-Rhman

Mansoura University

Sobhy A El Sohaimy

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin / Charité Medical University Berlin

University of Münster

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Papers by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Rapid Identification of Methicillin Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Using Real Time PCR

by Said Abbadi, Dalal Nemenqani, and Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Advances in Infectious Diseases, 2013

Screening for colonization with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) is a key aspec... more Screening for colonization with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) is a key aspect of infection control to limit the nosocomial spread of this organism. Current methods for the detection of MRSA in clinical microbiology laboratories using conventional methods is time consuming. In this research we are trying to evaluate the use of real time PCR for the detection of MRSA. The PCR assay was evaluated in clinical isolates of MRSA (n = 45) and methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureas MSSA (n = 10). The diagnostic values of the assay showed high sensitivity and specificity. This real-time PCR assay proved to be a fast, sensitive and specific tool for MRSA detection in a routine microbiological laboratory. Real-time PCR now is available in all laboratories so its use in identification of MRSA will help in shortening the period for MRSA identification and will help in the success of infection control programs in hospitals.

Widespread of H5N1 infections in apparently healthy backyard poultry

by Khaled Abozaid and Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 represents a threat to the poultry industry and hu... more Highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 represents a threat to the poultry industry and human health worldwide. Inapparently infected birds are suspected to play an essential role in the spread of avian influenza virus. In the current study, a total of 25,646 samples (16,185 chicken, 4696 ducks, 1633 geese and 3132 turkeys) from apparently healthy birds were screened for the presence of positive samples for H5N1 during 2009–2014. The samples were examined by reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for M, H5 and N1 genes of avian influenza viruses. The results revealed that the HPAI H5N1 existed in an inapparent manner in ducks (4.68 %), geese (4.10 %), chickens (2.48 %) and turkeys (2.29 %). The current finding highlights the serious impact of such type on birds in the epidemiology of H5N1 in birds, animals and humans. It also highlights the existence of another reason other than vaccination that contributes to the widespread of inapparent infection of H5N1 in Egypt.

Screening of human bocavirus in surgically excised cancer specimens

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, Mahmoud M. Kamel, and Emad A. Mahdi

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a prevalent virus worldwide and is mainly associated with respiratory d... more Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a prevalent virus worldwide and is mainly associated with respiratory disorders. Recently, it was detected in several disease conditions , including cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third main cause of cancers worldwide. Risk factors that initiate cell transformation include nutritional, hereditary and infectious causes. The aim of the current study was to screen for the presence of HBoV in solid tumors of col-orectal cancer and to determine the genotypes of the detected strains. Surgically excised and paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer tissue specimens from 101 male and female patients with and without metastasis were collected over the last four years. Pathological analysis and tumor stages were determined. The presence of HBoV was screened by polymerase chain reaction, and the genotype of the detected HBoV was determined by direct gene sequencing. Most of the examined specimens were ade-nocarcinoma with mucinous activity in many of them. Twenty-four out of 101 (23.8 %) CRC tissue specimens were found to contain HBoV-1. Low sequence diversity was recorded in the detected strains. The virus was detected in both male and female patients with an age range of 30-75 years. It is proposed that HBoV-1 could play a potential role in the induction of CRC.

Abdelwhab, E.M., Hassan, M.K., Abdel-Moneim, A.S., et al. 2016. Emergence of A/H5N1 in Egypt: Virus evolution, pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy ten years on. Infect Genet Evol. 40:80-90

HCV Infection among Saudi Population: High Prevalence of Genotype 4 and Increased Viral Clearance Rate

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, G. M G Shehab, and F. Farahat

PLoS ONE, 2012

HCV is a major etiological agent of liver disease with a high rate of chronic evolution. The viru... more HCV is a major etiological agent of liver disease with a high rate of chronic evolution. The virus possesses 6 genotypes with many subtypes. The rate of spontaneous clearance among HCV infected individuals denotes a genetic determinant factor. The current study was designed in order to estimate the rate of HCV infection and ratio of virus clearance among a group of infected patients in Saudi Arabia from 2008 to 2011. It was additionally designed to determine the genotypes of the HCV in persistently infected patients. HCV seroprevalence was conducted on a total of 15,323 individuals. Seropositive individuals were tested by Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV assay to determine the ratio of persistently infected patients to those who showed spontaneous viral clearance. HCV genotyping on random samples from persistently infected patients were conducted based on the differences in the 59untranslated region (59UTR). Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 7.3% of the totally examined sera. A high percentage of the HCV infected individuals experienced virus clearance (48.4%). HCV genotyping revealed the presence of genotypes 1 and 4, the latter represented 97.6% of the tested strains. Evidences of the widespread of the HCV genotype 4 and a high rate of HCV virus clearance were found in Saudi Arabia. Citation: Abdel-Moneim AS, Bamaga MS, Shehab GMG, Abu-Elsaad A-ASA, Farahat FM (2012) HCV Infection among Saudi Population: High Prevalence of Genotype 4 and Increased Viral Clearance Rate. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29781.

Molecular evolution of the six internal genes of H5N1 equine influenza A virus

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and G. M G Shehab

Archives of Virology, 2011

Phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the six internal genes of an equine H5N1 influenza A vi... more Phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the six internal genes of an equine H5N1 influenza A virus isolated in Egypt on 2009 were analyzed using direct sequencing. All of the internal genes of the equine H5N1 strain showed a genetic pattern potentially related to Eurasian lineages. Variable dendrogram topologies revealed an absence of reassortment in the equine strain while confirming its close relatedness to other Egyptian H5N1 strains from human and avian species. The equine strain is characterized by a variety of amino acid substitutions in six internal proteins compared to the available Egyptian H5N1 strains. Interestingly, the equine strain displayed amino acids in the PB2, PA, M2 and NS2 proteins that are unique among the available H5N1 sequences in the flu database, and their potential effect on virulence needs to be further investigated.

Sequence Diversity of VP4 and VP7 Genes of Human Rotavirus Strains in Saudi Arabia

Foodborne pathogens and disease, Jan 10, 2015

Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavi... more Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavirus vaccines are used to control the disease in many countries. In the current study, the sequences of human rotavirus G and P types in Saudi Arabia are reported and compared to different relevant published sequences. In addition, the VP4 and VP7 genes of the G1P[8] strains are compared to different antigenic epitopes of the rotavirus vaccines. Stool samples were collected from children under 2 years suffering from severe diarrhea. Screening of the rotavirus-positive samples was performed with rapid antigen detection kit. RNA was amplified from rotavirus-positive samples by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for both VP4 and VP7 genes. Direct sequencing of the VP4 and VP7 genes was conducted and the obtained sequences were compared to each other and to the rotavirus vaccines. Both G1P[8] G1P[4] genotypes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected s...

The role of infectious bursal disease virus in induction of proventriculitis in broiler chickens

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

roventriculitis causes significant losses in broilers as weakened proventriculi ruptured during p... more roventriculitis causes significant losses in broilers as weakened proventriculi ruptured during processing causing carcasses contamination. Several infectious agents have been associated with it including IBDV, IBV, reovirus and adenovirus. The role of IBDV in proventriculitis was investigated in both field cases and under experimental conditions. Proventriculi from affected 3-4 weeks old broilers were collected, IBD virus was screened in formalin fixed paraffin embedded proventricular sections by IFA and in homogenized CAMs of inoculated SPF-ECE by DOT-ELISA. The implication of IBDV in the induction of proventriculitis in commercial broiler chicks was studied by inoculation of day old broilers using 3 IBDV strains. Results revealed that all natural cases showed positive results for IBDV by IFA. However DOT-ELISA was positive only in 3 samples for IBDV. Experimental day old broiler inoculation with different IBDV strains showed that vvIBDV FAY97 strain induced proventriculitis at 7, 14 and 21 DPI and only microscopical lesions at 28 DPI. However vaccinal IBDV strains showed only microscopical lesions at 21 and 28 DPI. Our findings concluded that IBDV could be among potential causes of the infectious proventriculitis.

In vitro characterization and pathogenesis of Egypt/Beni- Suef/01; a novel genotype of infectious bronchitis virus

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

In vitro characterizations of infectious bronchitis virus (Egypt/Beni-Suef/01 strain) were studie... more In vitro characterizations of infectious bronchitis virus (Egypt/Beni-Suef/01 strain) were studied. Heat stability at 5C for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min, UV irradiation for 10, 15, 20, and 30 min, chloroform sensitivity, pH stability, and E/M examination were screened. Two-week-old commercial chickens were inoculated intraocularly with Egypt/Beni-Suef/01. At days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14 days post-infection, three birds were euthanatized, and virus antigens were screened using immunofluorescence. Histopathology of both trachea & kidney was also performed. Egypt /Beni-Suef/01 was found to be sensitive to 5C for 5 min, UV for 10 min and chloroform but resistant to pH 3 and pH 9. It showed typical morphology of coronaviruses by E/M. The virus was found to induce mild respiratory signs and sever renal changes. Immunoflourescence staining showed viral antigen in larynx, trachea, thymus, lung, liver, spleen, renal tubules and glomeruli as well as bursa of Fabricius but not in pancreas. Marked ...

Evaluation of serum PIVKA-II and MIF as diagnostic markers for HCV/HBV induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Microbial Pathogenesis, 2014

Viral hepatitis is the most significant predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). L... more Viral hepatitis is the most significant predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver cancer grows silently with mild or no symptoms until the disease is advanced and with little hope of cure. Early recognition of the onset of HCC would help to select more effective therapies for patients leading to a better prognosis and life span. The current study aims to evaluate two diagnostic and prognostic markers e Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum of patients with HCC and those with a high risk of developing hepatic cancers. Serum samples from hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis C and normal subjects were subjected to quantitative determinations of different parameters including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), PIVKA-II and MIF. Significant differences between the various groups were recorded. PIVKA-II and AFP showed a higher specificity and sensitivity compared to MIF, and there was considerable correlation between AFP and both PIVKA and MIF. It is concluded that analysis of PIVKA-II and AFP can serve as useful non-invasive markers for the early detection of HCC with good sensitivity and specificity.

Isolation and mutation trend analysis of influenza A virus subtype H9N2 in Egypt

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

Virology Journal, 2012

Background: Avian influenza virus H9N2 is a panzootic pathogen that affects poultry causing mild ... more Background: Avian influenza virus H9N2 is a panzootic pathogen that affects poultry causing mild to moderate respiratory distress but has been associated with high morbidity and considerable mortality. Interspecies transmission of H9N2 from avian species to mammalian hosts does occur. The virus possesses human virus-like receptor specificity and it can infect humans producing flu-like illness. Methods: Recently, mild influenza like symptoms were detected in H5N1 vaccinated flocks. Influenza A subtype H9N2 was isolated from the infected flock. The virus evolution was investigated by sequencing the viral genes to screen the possible virus recombination. The viral amino acid sequences from the isolated H9N2 strains were compared to other related sequences from the flu data base that were used to assess the robustness of the mutation trend. Changes in the species-associated amino acid residues or those that enabled virulence to mammals were allocated. Results: Phylogenetic analyses of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes showed that the recently isolated Egyptian strain belonged to the H9N2 sub-lineage that prevails in Israel. The six internal segments of the isolated virus were found to be derived from the same sub-lineage with no new evidence of reassortment. The results demonstrated conserved genetic and biological constitution of H9N2 viruses in the Middle East. The recently isolated H9N2 virus from chicken in Egypt possessed amino acids that could enable the virus to replicate in mammals and caused severe disease in domestic chickens.

Erratum to: Serological surveillance reveals widespread influenza A H7 and H9 subtypes among chicken flocks in Egypt

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2013

This erratum is published due to a spelling error in one of the authors name.

Detection of New Mutant Sites of HIV-1 Coreceptor CCR5 Among Saudi Populations

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, 2013

The genetic association of CCR5 with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis is well ... more The genetic association of CCR5 with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis is well known. The HIV-1 entry into target cells is initiated by the binding of the viral envelope glycoproteins (gp120-gp41) with the cell surface receptor (CD4) and the coreceptor (CCR5), followed by fusion of the viral and cell membranes. Genetic variants of the gene-encoding HIV-1 coreceptor are implicated in the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. The prevalence of these mutations may vary according to population ethnicity. In the current study, characterization and frequency distribution of the HIV-related gene variants in 135 samples of the Saudi populations were conducted. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 276 bp amplicons was used to rapidly detect Δ32 deletion in the initial sample of DNA. The direct sequence of 2 overlapping PCR amplicons flanking 1,059 bp was used to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms. A single hetrozygous Δ32 deletion allele and 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. Only one of the identified haplotypes, Taif-1, which was found in the majority of the tested sample, is identical to CCR5 wild-type alleles. Furthermore, the results of this study raised a concern about the prospective role of the mutations detected among Saudi nationals in the HIV pathogenesis and the clinical use of CCR5 antagonists, which are currently being developed as therapeutics for HIV-1 and inflammatory diseases.

Emergence of a novel genotype of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Egypt

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

Archives of Virology, 2012

Isolation and molecular characterisation of a pestivirus from goats in Egypt

by Sagar M Goyal and Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 2013

Nine fetuses and neonates from sheep and goats in Egypt were screened for pestiviruses using immu... more Nine fetuses and neonates from sheep and goats in Egypt were screened for pestiviruses using immunohistochemistry (IHC), virus isolation, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Two goat kids with typical border disease (BD) were positive for pestivirus infection by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using polyclonal anti-BDV serum but not when four different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used. On inoculation in MDBK cells, a cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was isolated from one of the two kids. PCR amplification followed by sequencing of the 5′-UTR region confirmed it as BVDV subtype 1b. Although the circulating virus in Egypt is considered to be BVDV 1a, this report confirms the existence of BVDV 1b in addition to BVDV 1a. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of a pestivirus from goats in Egypt and is probably the second report worldwide of a goat kid showing central nervous signs associated with border disease.

A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples

by May S. Soliman, Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, Saleh Al-Qurashi, and Mahmoud M. Kamel

Journal of Virological Methods, 2015

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in... more Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples

by Safaa S. Hassan, Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, and May S. Soliman

Journal of Virological Methods, 2015

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in... more Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

Abdel-Moneim , A. S., Al-Malky , M. I. R., Alsulaimani , A. A., Abuelsaad , A. S. A., Mohamed, I., Ismail, A. K. 2015. Sequence diversity of VP4 and VP7 genes of human rotavirus strains in Saudi Arabia. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 12(12): 937-944

Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavi... more Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavirus vaccines are used to control the disease in many countries. In the current study, the sequences of human rotavirus G and P types in Saudi Arabia are reported and compared to different relevant published sequences. In addition, the VP4 and VP7 genes of the G1P[8] strains are compared to different antigenic epitopes of the rotavirus vaccines. Stool samples were collected from children under 2 years suffering from severe diarrhea. Screening of the rotavirus-positive samples was performed with rapid antigen detection kit. RNA was amplified from rotaviruspositive samples by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for both VP4 and VP7 genes. Direct sequencing of the VP4 and VP7 genes was conducted and the obtained sequences were compared to each other and to the rotavirus vaccines. Both G1P[8] G1P[4] genotypes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected strains belong to G1 lineage 1 and 2, P[8] lineage 3, and to P[4] lineage 5. Multiple amino acid substitutions were detected between the Saudi RVA strains and the commonly used vaccines. The current findings emphasize the importance of the continuous surveillance of the circulating rotavirus strains, which is crucial for monitoring virus evolution and helping in predicting the protection level afforded by rotavirus vaccines.

Abdel-Moneim A.S., Kamel, M.M., Hamed, D. H., Hassan, S.S., Soliman, M.S., Al- Quraishy, S. A., El-Kholy, A. A. 2016. A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples. J. Virol. Methods 228 (2016) 108–113

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, Mahmoud M. Kamel, Safaa S. Hassan, and May S. Soliman

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in... more Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

Abdel-Moneim, A. S. 2015. Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Is it worth a world panic? World J Virol. 4(3):185-7. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v4.i3.185.

mendous and successful efforts have been conducted to discover the genome structure, epidemiology... more

Rapid Identification of Methicillin Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Using Real Time PCR

by Said Abbadi, Dalal Nemenqani, and Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Advances in Infectious Diseases, 2013

Screening for colonization with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) is a key aspec... more Screening for colonization with methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureas (MRSA) is a key aspect of infection control to limit the nosocomial spread of this organism. Current methods for the detection of MRSA in clinical microbiology laboratories using conventional methods is time consuming. In this research we are trying to evaluate the use of real time PCR for the detection of MRSA. The PCR assay was evaluated in clinical isolates of MRSA (n = 45) and methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureas MSSA (n = 10). The diagnostic values of the assay showed high sensitivity and specificity. This real-time PCR assay proved to be a fast, sensitive and specific tool for MRSA detection in a routine microbiological laboratory. Real-time PCR now is available in all laboratories so its use in identification of MRSA will help in shortening the period for MRSA identification and will help in the success of infection control programs in hospitals.

Widespread of H5N1 infections in apparently healthy backyard poultry

by Khaled Abozaid and Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 represents a threat to the poultry industry and hu... more Highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 represents a threat to the poultry industry and human health worldwide. Inapparently infected birds are suspected to play an essential role in the spread of avian influenza virus. In the current study, a total of 25,646 samples (16,185 chicken, 4696 ducks, 1633 geese and 3132 turkeys) from apparently healthy birds were screened for the presence of positive samples for H5N1 during 2009–2014. The samples were examined by reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) for M, H5 and N1 genes of avian influenza viruses. The results revealed that the HPAI H5N1 existed in an inapparent manner in ducks (4.68 %), geese (4.10 %), chickens (2.48 %) and turkeys (2.29 %). The current finding highlights the serious impact of such type on birds in the epidemiology of H5N1 in birds, animals and humans. It also highlights the existence of another reason other than vaccination that contributes to the widespread of inapparent infection of H5N1 in Egypt.

Screening of human bocavirus in surgically excised cancer specimens

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, Mahmoud M. Kamel, and Emad A. Mahdi

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a prevalent virus worldwide and is mainly associated with respiratory d... more Human bocavirus (HBoV) is a prevalent virus worldwide and is mainly associated with respiratory disorders. Recently, it was detected in several disease conditions , including cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third main cause of cancers worldwide. Risk factors that initiate cell transformation include nutritional, hereditary and infectious causes. The aim of the current study was to screen for the presence of HBoV in solid tumors of col-orectal cancer and to determine the genotypes of the detected strains. Surgically excised and paraffin-embedded colorectal cancer tissue specimens from 101 male and female patients with and without metastasis were collected over the last four years. Pathological analysis and tumor stages were determined. The presence of HBoV was screened by polymerase chain reaction, and the genotype of the detected HBoV was determined by direct gene sequencing. Most of the examined specimens were ade-nocarcinoma with mucinous activity in many of them. Twenty-four out of 101 (23.8 %) CRC tissue specimens were found to contain HBoV-1. Low sequence diversity was recorded in the detected strains. The virus was detected in both male and female patients with an age range of 30-75 years. It is proposed that HBoV-1 could play a potential role in the induction of CRC.

Abdelwhab, E.M., Hassan, M.K., Abdel-Moneim, A.S., et al. 2016. Emergence of A/H5N1 in Egypt: Virus evolution, pathogenicity and vaccine efficacy ten years on. Infect Genet Evol. 40:80-90

HCV Infection among Saudi Population: High Prevalence of Genotype 4 and Increased Viral Clearance Rate

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, G. M G Shehab, and F. Farahat

PLoS ONE, 2012

HCV is a major etiological agent of liver disease with a high rate of chronic evolution. The viru... more HCV is a major etiological agent of liver disease with a high rate of chronic evolution. The virus possesses 6 genotypes with many subtypes. The rate of spontaneous clearance among HCV infected individuals denotes a genetic determinant factor. The current study was designed in order to estimate the rate of HCV infection and ratio of virus clearance among a group of infected patients in Saudi Arabia from 2008 to 2011. It was additionally designed to determine the genotypes of the HCV in persistently infected patients. HCV seroprevalence was conducted on a total of 15,323 individuals. Seropositive individuals were tested by Cobas AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV assay to determine the ratio of persistently infected patients to those who showed spontaneous viral clearance. HCV genotyping on random samples from persistently infected patients were conducted based on the differences in the 59untranslated region (59UTR). Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 7.3% of the totally examined sera. A high percentage of the HCV infected individuals experienced virus clearance (48.4%). HCV genotyping revealed the presence of genotypes 1 and 4, the latter represented 97.6% of the tested strains. Evidences of the widespread of the HCV genotype 4 and a high rate of HCV virus clearance were found in Saudi Arabia. Citation: Abdel-Moneim AS, Bamaga MS, Shehab GMG, Abu-Elsaad A-ASA, Farahat FM (2012) HCV Infection among Saudi Population: High Prevalence of Genotype 4 and Increased Viral Clearance Rate. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29781.

Molecular evolution of the six internal genes of H5N1 equine influenza A virus

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and G. M G Shehab

Archives of Virology, 2011

Phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the six internal genes of an equine H5N1 influenza A vi... more Phylogenetic and evolutionary patterns of the six internal genes of an equine H5N1 influenza A virus isolated in Egypt on 2009 were analyzed using direct sequencing. All of the internal genes of the equine H5N1 strain showed a genetic pattern potentially related to Eurasian lineages. Variable dendrogram topologies revealed an absence of reassortment in the equine strain while confirming its close relatedness to other Egyptian H5N1 strains from human and avian species. The equine strain is characterized by a variety of amino acid substitutions in six internal proteins compared to the available Egyptian H5N1 strains. Interestingly, the equine strain displayed amino acids in the PB2, PA, M2 and NS2 proteins that are unique among the available H5N1 sequences in the flu database, and their potential effect on virulence needs to be further investigated.

Sequence Diversity of VP4 and VP7 Genes of Human Rotavirus Strains in Saudi Arabia

Foodborne pathogens and disease, Jan 10, 2015

Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavi... more Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavirus vaccines are used to control the disease in many countries. In the current study, the sequences of human rotavirus G and P types in Saudi Arabia are reported and compared to different relevant published sequences. In addition, the VP4 and VP7 genes of the G1P[8] strains are compared to different antigenic epitopes of the rotavirus vaccines. Stool samples were collected from children under 2 years suffering from severe diarrhea. Screening of the rotavirus-positive samples was performed with rapid antigen detection kit. RNA was amplified from rotavirus-positive samples by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for both VP4 and VP7 genes. Direct sequencing of the VP4 and VP7 genes was conducted and the obtained sequences were compared to each other and to the rotavirus vaccines. Both G1P[8] G1P[4] genotypes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected s...

The role of infectious bursal disease virus in induction of proventriculitis in broiler chickens

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

roventriculitis causes significant losses in broilers as weakened proventriculi ruptured during p... more roventriculitis causes significant losses in broilers as weakened proventriculi ruptured during processing causing carcasses contamination. Several infectious agents have been associated with it including IBDV, IBV, reovirus and adenovirus. The role of IBDV in proventriculitis was investigated in both field cases and under experimental conditions. Proventriculi from affected 3-4 weeks old broilers were collected, IBD virus was screened in formalin fixed paraffin embedded proventricular sections by IFA and in homogenized CAMs of inoculated SPF-ECE by DOT-ELISA. The implication of IBDV in the induction of proventriculitis in commercial broiler chicks was studied by inoculation of day old broilers using 3 IBDV strains. Results revealed that all natural cases showed positive results for IBDV by IFA. However DOT-ELISA was positive only in 3 samples for IBDV. Experimental day old broiler inoculation with different IBDV strains showed that vvIBDV FAY97 strain induced proventriculitis at 7, 14 and 21 DPI and only microscopical lesions at 28 DPI. However vaccinal IBDV strains showed only microscopical lesions at 21 and 28 DPI. Our findings concluded that IBDV could be among potential causes of the infectious proventriculitis.

In vitro characterization and pathogenesis of Egypt/Beni- Suef/01; a novel genotype of infectious bronchitis virus

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

In vitro characterizations of infectious bronchitis virus (Egypt/Beni-Suef/01 strain) were studie... more In vitro characterizations of infectious bronchitis virus (Egypt/Beni-Suef/01 strain) were studied. Heat stability at 5C for 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min, UV irradiation for 10, 15, 20, and 30 min, chloroform sensitivity, pH stability, and E/M examination were screened. Two-week-old commercial chickens were inoculated intraocularly with Egypt/Beni-Suef/01. At days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14 days post-infection, three birds were euthanatized, and virus antigens were screened using immunofluorescence. Histopathology of both trachea & kidney was also performed. Egypt /Beni-Suef/01 was found to be sensitive to 5C for 5 min, UV for 10 min and chloroform but resistant to pH 3 and pH 9. It showed typical morphology of coronaviruses by E/M. The virus was found to induce mild respiratory signs and sever renal changes. Immunoflourescence staining showed viral antigen in larynx, trachea, thymus, lung, liver, spleen, renal tubules and glomeruli as well as bursa of Fabricius but not in pancreas. Marked ...

Evaluation of serum PIVKA-II and MIF as diagnostic markers for HCV/HBV induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Microbial Pathogenesis, 2014

Viral hepatitis is the most significant predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). L... more Viral hepatitis is the most significant predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver cancer grows silently with mild or no symptoms until the disease is advanced and with little hope of cure. Early recognition of the onset of HCC would help to select more effective therapies for patients leading to a better prognosis and life span. The current study aims to evaluate two diagnostic and prognostic markers e Prothrombin induced by vitamin K absence-II (PIVKA-II) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the serum of patients with HCC and those with a high risk of developing hepatic cancers. Serum samples from hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis C and normal subjects were subjected to quantitative determinations of different parameters including alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), PIVKA-II and MIF. Significant differences between the various groups were recorded. PIVKA-II and AFP showed a higher specificity and sensitivity compared to MIF, and there was considerable correlation between AFP and both PIVKA and MIF. It is concluded that analysis of PIVKA-II and AFP can serve as useful non-invasive markers for the early detection of HCC with good sensitivity and specificity.

Isolation and mutation trend analysis of influenza A virus subtype H9N2 in Egypt

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

Virology Journal, 2012

Background: Avian influenza virus H9N2 is a panzootic pathogen that affects poultry causing mild ... more Background: Avian influenza virus H9N2 is a panzootic pathogen that affects poultry causing mild to moderate respiratory distress but has been associated with high morbidity and considerable mortality. Interspecies transmission of H9N2 from avian species to mammalian hosts does occur. The virus possesses human virus-like receptor specificity and it can infect humans producing flu-like illness. Methods: Recently, mild influenza like symptoms were detected in H5N1 vaccinated flocks. Influenza A subtype H9N2 was isolated from the infected flock. The virus evolution was investigated by sequencing the viral genes to screen the possible virus recombination. The viral amino acid sequences from the isolated H9N2 strains were compared to other related sequences from the flu data base that were used to assess the robustness of the mutation trend. Changes in the species-associated amino acid residues or those that enabled virulence to mammals were allocated. Results: Phylogenetic analyses of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes showed that the recently isolated Egyptian strain belonged to the H9N2 sub-lineage that prevails in Israel. The six internal segments of the isolated virus were found to be derived from the same sub-lineage with no new evidence of reassortment. The results demonstrated conserved genetic and biological constitution of H9N2 viruses in the Middle East. The recently isolated H9N2 virus from chicken in Egypt possessed amino acids that could enable the virus to replicate in mammals and caused severe disease in domestic chickens.

Erratum to: Serological surveillance reveals widespread influenza A H7 and H9 subtypes among chicken flocks in Egypt

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2013

This erratum is published due to a spelling error in one of the authors name.

Detection of New Mutant Sites of HIV-1 Coreceptor CCR5 Among Saudi Populations

Journal of Interferon & Cytokine Research, 2013

The genetic association of CCR5 with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis is well ... more The genetic association of CCR5 with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) pathogenesis is well known. The HIV-1 entry into target cells is initiated by the binding of the viral envelope glycoproteins (gp120-gp41) with the cell surface receptor (CD4) and the coreceptor (CCR5), followed by fusion of the viral and cell membranes. Genetic variants of the gene-encoding HIV-1 coreceptor are implicated in the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. The prevalence of these mutations may vary according to population ethnicity. In the current study, characterization and frequency distribution of the HIV-related gene variants in 135 samples of the Saudi populations were conducted. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of 276 bp amplicons was used to rapidly detect Δ32 deletion in the initial sample of DNA. The direct sequence of 2 overlapping PCR amplicons flanking 1,059 bp was used to detect single-nucleotide polymorphisms. A single hetrozygous Δ32 deletion allele and 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. Only one of the identified haplotypes, Taif-1, which was found in the majority of the tested sample, is identical to CCR5 wild-type alleles. Furthermore, the results of this study raised a concern about the prospective role of the mutations detected among Saudi nationals in the HIV pathogenesis and the clinical use of CCR5 antagonists, which are currently being developed as therapeutics for HIV-1 and inflammatory diseases.

Emergence of a novel genotype of avian infectious bronchitis virus in Egypt

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim and Magdy Elkady

Archives of Virology, 2012

Isolation and molecular characterisation of a pestivirus from goats in Egypt

by Sagar M Goyal and Ahmed Abdel-Moneim

Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 2013

Nine fetuses and neonates from sheep and goats in Egypt were screened for pestiviruses using immu... more Nine fetuses and neonates from sheep and goats in Egypt were screened for pestiviruses using immunohistochemistry (IHC), virus isolation, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Two goat kids with typical border disease (BD) were positive for pestivirus infection by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using polyclonal anti-BDV serum but not when four different monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were used. On inoculation in MDBK cells, a cytopathic bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was isolated from one of the two kids. PCR amplification followed by sequencing of the 5′-UTR region confirmed it as BVDV subtype 1b. Although the circulating virus in Egypt is considered to be BVDV 1a, this report confirms the existence of BVDV 1b in addition to BVDV 1a. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of a pestivirus from goats in Egypt and is probably the second report worldwide of a goat kid showing central nervous signs associated with border disease.

A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples

by May S. Soliman, Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, Saleh Al-Qurashi, and Mahmoud M. Kamel

Journal of Virological Methods, 2015

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in... more Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples

by Safaa S. Hassan, Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, and May S. Soliman

Journal of Virological Methods, 2015

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in... more Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

Abdel-Moneim , A. S., Al-Malky , M. I. R., Alsulaimani , A. A., Abuelsaad , A. S. A., Mohamed, I., Ismail, A. K. 2015. Sequence diversity of VP4 and VP7 genes of human rotavirus strains in Saudi Arabia. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 12(12): 937-944

Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavi... more Group A rotavirus is responsible for inducing severe diarrhea in young children worldwide. Rotavirus vaccines are used to control the disease in many countries. In the current study, the sequences of human rotavirus G and P types in Saudi Arabia are reported and compared to different relevant published sequences. In addition, the VP4 and VP7 genes of the G1P[8] strains are compared to different antigenic epitopes of the rotavirus vaccines. Stool samples were collected from children under 2 years suffering from severe diarrhea. Screening of the rotavirus-positive samples was performed with rapid antigen detection kit. RNA was amplified from rotaviruspositive samples by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay for both VP4 and VP7 genes. Direct sequencing of the VP4 and VP7 genes was conducted and the obtained sequences were compared to each other and to the rotavirus vaccines. Both G1P[8] G1P[4] genotypes were detected. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected strains belong to G1 lineage 1 and 2, P[8] lineage 3, and to P[4] lineage 5. Multiple amino acid substitutions were detected between the Saudi RVA strains and the commonly used vaccines. The current findings emphasize the importance of the continuous surveillance of the circulating rotavirus strains, which is crucial for monitoring virus evolution and helping in predicting the protection level afforded by rotavirus vaccines.

Abdel-Moneim A.S., Kamel, M.M., Hamed, D. H., Hassan, S.S., Soliman, M.S., Al- Quraishy, S. A., El-Kholy, A. A. 2016. A novel primer set for improved direct gene sequencing of human bocavirus genotype-1 from clinical samples. J. Virol. Methods 228 (2016) 108–113

by Ahmed Abdel-Moneim, Mahmoud M. Kamel, Safaa S. Hassan, and May S. Soliman

Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in... more Human bocavirus genotype (HBoV-1) is a parvovirus associated with respiratory tract infections in children with different degrees of severity. The current study intended to improve the direct gene sequencing of the HBoV-1 using a newly developed primer set. Screening the presence of human bocavirus infection among in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections was another aim of the current study. Nasopharyngeal swab samples from in-patients children suffering from lower respiratory tract infections were examined. The real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the initial screening as a highly sensitive method to detect the HBoV. Genotyping of real-time positive samples was attempted by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons using NP, VP1/2 and the newly developed VP/NC primers. HBoV-1 was present in 56.8% of the examined children. The newly developed primer set successfully amplified all real-time PCR positive samples, however, the other primer pairs did not reliably detect real-time PCR positive samples. The gene sequences of the detected HBoV-1 showed conserved sequences to each other with a low rate of discrepancies. The high rate of infection and the similarity between the detected strains strongly suggest nosocomial infections.

Abdel-Moneim, A. S. 2015. Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: Is it worth a world panic? World J Virol. 4(3):185-7. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v4.i3.185.

mendous and successful efforts have been conducted to discover the genome structure, epidemiology... more