Unveiling the genomic landscape of Salmonella enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Newport, and Infantis in Latin American surface waters: a comparative analysis.

Surface waters are considered ecological habitats where Salmonella enterica can persist and disseminate to fresh produce production systems. This study aimed to explore the genomic profiles of S. enterica serotypes Typhimurium, Newport, and Infantis from surface waters in Chile, Mexico, and Brazil collected between 2019 and 2022. We analyzed the whole genomes of 106 S. Typhimurium, 161 S. Newport, and 113 S. Infantis isolates. Our phylogenetic analysis exhibited distinct groupings of isolates by their respective countries except for a notable case involving a Chilean S. Newport isolate closely related to two Mexican isolates, showing 4 and 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms of difference, respectively. The patterns of the most frequently detected antimicrobial resistance genes varied across countries and serotypes. A strong correlation existed between integron carriage and genotypic multidrug resistance (MDR) across serotypes in Chile and Mexico (R > 0.90, P < 0.01), while integron(s) were not detected in any of the Brazilian isolates. By contrast, we did not identify any strong correlation between plasmid carriage and genotypic MDR across diverse countries and serotypes.IMPORTANCEUnveiling the genomic landscape of S. enterica in Latin American surface waters is pivotal for ensuring public health. This investigation sheds light on the intricate genomic diversity of S. enterica in surface waters across Chile, Mexico, and Brazil. Our research also addresses critical knowledge gaps, pioneering a comprehensive understanding of surface waters as a reservoir for multidrug-resistant S. enterica. By integrating our understanding of integron carriage as biomarkers into broader MDR control strategies, we can also work toward targeted interventions that mitigate the emergence and dissemination of MDR in S. enterica in surface waters. Given its potential implications for food safety, this study emphasizes the critical need for informed policies and collaborative initiatives to address the risks associated with S. enterica in surface waters.

Whole genome sequence datasets of Salmonella enterica serovar Saintpaul ST50 and serovar Worthington ST592 strains isolated from raw milk in Brazil.

Herein we report the draft genome sequences of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars Saintpaul ST50 and Worthington ST592 isolated from raw milk samples in Northeastern Brazil. The 4,696,281 bp S. Saintpaul ST50 genome contained 4,628 genes in 33 contigs, while S. Worthington ST592 genome was 4,890,415 bp in length, comprising 4,951 genes in 46 contigs. S. Worthington ST592 carried a conserved Col(pHAD28) plasmid which contains the antimicrobial resistance determinants tet(C), acc(6')-Iaa, and a nonsynonymous point mutation in ParC (p.T57S). The data could support further evolutionary and epidemiologic studies involving Salmonella organisms.

Pre-Harvest Food Safety Challenges in Food-Animal Production in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Food safety remains a significant global public health concern, with the risk of unsafe food varying worldwide. The economies of several low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) heavily rely on livestock, posing a challenge to ensuring the production of safe food. This review discusses our understanding of pre-harvest critical issues related to food safety in LMICs, specifically focusing on animal-derived food. In LMICs, food safety regulations are weak and inadequately enforced, primarily concentrating on the formal market despite a substantial portion of the food sector being dominated by informal markets. Key critical issues at the farm level include animal health, a low level of good agriculture practices, and the misuse of antimicrobials. Effectively addressing foodborne diseases requires a comprehensive One Health framework. Unfortunately, the application of the One Health approach to tackle food safety issues is notably limited in LMICs. In conclusion, considering that most animal-source foods from LMICs are marketed through informal channels, food safety legislation and policies need to account for this context. Interventions aimed at reducing foodborne bacterial pathogens at the farm level should be scalable, and there should be strong advocacy for the proper implementation of pre-harvest interventions through a One Health approach.

Genomic Features and Phylogenetic Analysis of Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella Mbandaka ST413 Strains.

In recent years, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Mbandaka (S. Mbandaka) has been increasingly isolated from laying hens and shell eggs around the world. Moreover, this serovar has been identified as the causative agent of several salmonellosis outbreaks in humans. Surprisingly, little is known about the characteristics of this emerging serovar, and therefore, we investigated antimicrobial resistance, virulence, and prophage genes of six selected Brazilian strains of Salmonella Mbandaka using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Multi-locus sequence typing revealed that the tested strains belong to Sequence Type 413 (ST413), which has been linked to recent multi-country salmonellosis outbreaks in Europe. A total of nine resistance genes were detected, and the most frequent ones were aac(6')-Iaa, sul1, qacE, blaOXA-129, tet(B), and aadA1. A point mutation in ParC at the 57th position (threonine → serine) associated with quinolone resistance was present in all investigated genomes. A 112,960 bp IncHI2A plasmid was mapped in 4/6 strains. This plasmid harboured tetracycline (tetACDR) and mercury (mer) resistance genes, genes contributing to conjugative transfer, and genes involved in plasmid maintenance. Most strains (four/six) carried Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1). All S. Mbandaka genomes carried seven pathogenicity islands (SPIs) involved in intracellular survival and virulence: SPIs 1-5, 9, and C63PI. The virulence genes csgC, fimY, tcfA, sscA, (two/six), and ssaS (one/six) were absent in some of the genomes; conversely, fimA, prgH, and mgtC were present in all of them. Five Salmonella bacteriophage sequences (with homology to Escherichia phage phiV10, Enterobacteria phage Fels-2, Enterobacteria phage HK542, Enterobacteria phage ST64T, Salmonella phage SW9) were identified, with protein counts between 31 and 54, genome lengths of 24.7 bp and 47.7 bp, and average GC content of 51.25%. In the phylogenetic analysis, the genomes of strains isolated from poultry in Brazil clustered into well-supported clades with a heterogeneous distribution, primarily associated with strains isolated from humans and food. The phylogenetic relationship of Brazilian S. Mbandaka suggests the presence of strains with high epidemiological significance and the potential to be linked to foodborne outbreaks. Overall, our results show that isolated strains of S. Mbandaka are multidrug-resistant and encode a rather conserved virulence machinery, which is an epidemiological hallmark of Salmonella strains that have successfully disseminated both regionally and globally.

One Health in Somalia: Present status, opportunities, and challenges.

One Health (OH) is an integrated approach aiming at improving the health of people, animals, and ecosystems. It recognizes the interconnectedness of human health with the health of animals, plants, and the environment. Since Somali people's livelihoods are mainly based on livestock, agriculture, marine resources, and their shared environment, OH-oriented initiatives could significantly impact the country toward reducing complex problems affecting the health of humans, animals, and the environment. The term "One Health" was first introduced into the global scientific community in September 2004 and in 2013 in Somalia. After ten years, there is still a long road ahead for implementing the OH approach in the country. Herein, we present the status, opportunities, and challenges of OH in Somalia and recommend ways to promote and institutionalize it. The country has been involved in various OH initiatives solely driven by external funding, focusing on research, capacity development, and community interventions, apart from university-led initiatives such as Somali One Health Centre. In Somalia, OH initiatives face numerous challenges, ranging from limited infrastructure and resources to weak governance and institutional capacity. We urge the Somali government to address these challenges and prioritize OH as the main approach to tackling critical health issues. We suggest the Somali government institutionalize and implement OH actions at all administrative levels, including Federal, State, District, and community, through a mechanism to improve multisectoral coordination and collaboration to predict, prevent, detect, control, and respond to communicable and non-communicable diseases at the human-animal-ecosystem interface for improving health outcomes for all.

Comparative resistome, mobilome, and microbial composition of retail chicken originated from conventional, organic, and antibiotic-free production systems.

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial composition, and the profiles of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs, resistome) and mobile genetic elements (mobilome) of retail chicken carcasses originated from conventional intensive production systems (CO), certified antimicrobial-free intensive production systems (AF), and certified organic production systems with restricted antimicrobial use (OR). DNA samples were collected from 72 chicken carcasses according to a cross-sectional study design. Shot-gun metagenomics was performed by means of Illumina high throughput DNA sequencing followed by downstream bioinformatic analyses. Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial class in all groups. Although CO, AF, and OR did not differ in terms of alpha- and beta-microbial diversity, the abundance of some taxa differed significantly across the groups, including spoilage-associated organisms such as Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. The co-resistome comprised 29 ARGs shared by CO, AF and OR, including genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams (blaACT-8, 10, 13, 29; blaOXA-212;blaOXA-275 and ompA), aminoglycosides (aph(3')-IIIa, VI, VIa and spd), tetracyclines (tet KL (W/N/W and M), lincosamides (inu A,C) and fosfomycin (fosA). ARGs were significantly less abundant (P < 0.05) in chicken carcasses from AF and OR compared with CO. Regarding mobile genetic elements (MGEs), transposases accounted for 97.2% of the mapped genes. A higher abundance (P = 0.037) of MGEs was found in CO compared to OR. There were no significant differences in ARGs or MGEs diversity among groups according to the Simpson´s index. In summary, retail frozen chicken carcasses from AF and OR systems show similar ARGs, MGEs and microbiota profiles compared with CO, even though the abundance of ARGs and MGEs was higher in chicken carcasses from CO, probably due to a higher selective pressure.

Genomic Analysis of a Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Sequence Type 1 Associated with Caprine Mastitis.

This study aimed to investigate the genomic and epidemiological features of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 1 (MRSA ST1) strain associated with caprine subclinical mastitis. An S. aureus strain was isolated from goat's milk with subclinical mastitis in Paraiba, Northeastern Brazil, by means of aseptic procedures and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk-diffusion method. Whole genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. After genome assembly and annotation, in silico analyses, including multilocus sequence typing (MLST), antimicrobial resistance and stress-response genes, virulence factors, and plasmids detection were performed. A comparative SNP-based phylogenetic analysis was performed using publicly available MRSA genomes. The strain showed phenotypic resistance to cefoxitin, penicillin, and tetracycline and was identified as sequence type 1 (ST1) and spa type 128 (t128). It harbored the SCCmec type IVa (2B), as well as the lukF-PV and lukS-PV genes. The strain was phylogenetically related to six community-acquired MRSA isolates (CA-MRSA) strains associated with human clinical disease in North America, Europe, and Australia. This is the first report of a CA-MRSA strain associated with milk in the Americas. The structural and epidemiologic features reported in the MRSA ST1 carrying a mecA-SCCmec type IVa suggest highly complex mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer in MRSA. The SNP-based phylogenetic analysis suggests a zooanthroponotic transmission, i.e., a strain of human origin.

qnrVC occurs in different genetic contexts in Klebsiella and Enterobacter strains isolated from Brazilian coastal waters.

OBJECTIVES: In contrast to other qnr families, qnrVC has been reported mainly in Vibrio spp. and inserted in class 1 integrons. This study aimed to identify the variants of qnrVC genes detected in Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2-producing Enterobacter and Klebsiella strains isolated from Brazilian coastal waters and the genetic contexts associated with their occurrence. METHODS: qnrVC variants were identified by Sanger sequencing. Stains were typified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation assays, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were applied to identify the strains' antimicrobial resistance profile, qnrVC and blaKPC-2 co-transference, and qnrVC genetic context. RESULTS: qnrVC1 was identified in 15 Enterobacter and 3 Klebsiella, and qnrVC4 in 2 Enterobacter strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed 12 clonal profiles of Enterobacter and one of Klebsiella. Strains were resistant to aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, fosfomycin, quinolones, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Co-transference of qnrVC and blaKPC-2 were obtained from five representative Enterobacter strains, which showed resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate, and reduced susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, meropenem, and ciprofloxacin. WGS analysis from representative strains revealed one K. quasipneumoniae subsp. similipneumoniae, one E. soli, four E. kobei, and seven isolates belonging to Enterobacter Taxon 3. Long-read WGS showed qnrVC and blaKPC-2 were carried by the same replicon on Klebsiella and Enterobacter strains, and the qnrVC association with not previously described genetic environments composed of insertion sequences and truncated genes. These contexts occurred in small- and high-molecular-weight plasmids belonging to IncFII, IncP6, pKPC-CAV1321, and IncU groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the dissemination of qnrVC among Enterobacterales in Brazilian coastal waters is associated with several genetic recombination events.

Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Staphylococcus spp. contaminating raw goat milk.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to global public health. Foodstuff of animal origin can serve as potential vehicles for the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes to consumers. In view of the lack of knowledge about antimicrobial resistance in bacteria associated with goat milk, the aim of this study was to report species-level identification and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of a large collection of Staphylococcus spp. isolates recovered from raw goat milk in Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 434 Staphylococcus spp. isolates originated from 510 goat milk samples in Northeast Brazil were investigated. The isolates were obtained by conventional microbiological methods. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed by means of a semi-automated system using a panel for biochemical tests and broth microdilution method for 19 antimicrobial drugs. RESULTS: Although Staphylococcus aureus (22.6%) accounted for the majority of the isolates, a total of 13 different non-aureus staphylococci spp. were identified. High resistance rates against erythromycin (40.8%), and the beta-lactams ampicillin (45.9%) and penicillin (42.9%) were observed among S. aureus isolates. The most significant findings were related to the resistance against quinupristin-dalfopristin, a drug of last resort used in human medicine to treat infections caused by vancomycin-resistant S. aureus and enterococci. CONCLUSION: The high diversity of Staphylococcus spp. showing phenotypic resistance against different antimicrobial drugs encourages further investigations on the real impact of these bacteria as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes to consumers. Furthermore, the potential impact of technological processes, such as pasteurization, fermentation, and maturation, on the maintenance and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance among the microbial populations in milk and dairy products must also be investigated.

Pathogen-specific changes in composition and quality traits of milk from goats affected by subclinical intramammary infections.

We investigated the effects of pathogens associated with subclinical intramammary infections on yield, composition and quality indicators of goat milk. By means of a longitudinal study, individual half udder milk samples (n = 132) were collected at different lactation periods and assessed for milk yield and physicochemical composition, somatic cell count (SCC), total bacteria count (TBC) and microbiological culture. Staphylococci species accounted for the great majority of the isolates (96.1%). Intramammary infections significantly reduced fat and total solids in goat milk and increased both SCC and TBC. However, these indicators were significantly higher in udder halves affected by S. aureus compared with other staphylococci species.

Anaplasma marginale in goats from a multispecies grazing system in northeastern Brazil.

Anaplasma marginale, a tick-borne α-proteobacterium that causes significant economic losses for the cattle industry worldwide, has been increasingly detected in other animal species. This agent has been previously detected in buffaloes and goats co-grazed with cattle in Brazil. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of A. marginale in a multispecies (goats, sheep and cattle) grazing farm in the State of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. A total of 119 goats, 71 sheep, and five cattle were evaluated. An epidemiological questionnaire was applied to the farm owner addressing age, gender, and presence of ticks. Serum samples from goat, sheep and cattle were tested for anti-Anaplasma marginale antibodies by a commercial MSP5-based on indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). EDTA-blood samples were screened for A. marginale- and A. ovis-infection by PCR using primers targeting Anaplasma spp. msp4 gene. Sequencing of the repeat region of the msp1α gene was used for genotyping A. marginale strains found in the present study. A total of 47/119 (39.5 %, 95 % CI: 31.1-48.4 %) goats and 2/71 (3%, 95 % CI: 0.7-9.7 %) sheep were seroreactive for A. marginale rMSP5 by the commercial iELISA. All cattle were seronegative for A. marginale. Anaplasma spp. msp4 PCR results revealed that two out of 119 (1.7 %; 95 % CI: 0.4-5.9 %) goats tested positive and all sheep and cattle samples were negative. It was not possible to sequence one sample. Therefore, the other sequencing sample found tandem repeats of A. marginale msp1α gene demonstrating that goat was infected with the genotype F/91. Rhipicephalus microplus ticks were found parasitizing goats but not on sheep or cattle. Considering that in Brazil A. marginale genotype F/91 and the MSP1a tandem repeat F has only been detected in goats so far, we hypothesized that this genotype may be related to goats.

Chicken embryo development: metabolic and morphological basis for in ovo feeding technology.

Broiler embryonic development depends on the nutrients that are available in the egg, which includes mostly water, lipids, and proteins. Carbohydrates represent less than 1%, and free glucose only 0.3%, of the total nutrients. Considering that energy requirements increase during incubation and metabolism is shifted toward the use of glycogen stores and gluconeogenesis from amino acids, extensive muscle protein degradation in the end of incubation can compromise chick development in the initial days after hatch. Significant prehatch changes occur in embryonic metabolism to parallel the rapid embryonic development. Oral consumption of the amniotic fluid begins around 17 d of incubation and promotes rapid development of the intestinal mucosa, which is characterized by morphological changes and increased expression and activity of enzymes and transporters. Furthermore, ingested substrates are stored as nutritional reserves to be used during hatching and in the first week after hatch. At hatch, this limited-nutrient store is directed to the functional development of the gastrointestinal tract to enable assimilation of exogenous nutrients. In ovo feeding is an alternative to deliver essential nutrients to chick embryos at this critical and challenging phase. The improved nutritional status and physiological changes triggered by in ovo feeding can resonate throughout the entire rearing period with significant health and economic gains. The present review addresses the main changes in metabolism and intestinal development throughout incubation, and also addresses scientific advances, limitations and future perspectives associated with the use of in ovo feeding that has been regarded as an important technology by the poultry industry.

The posthatch prophylactic use of ceftiofur affects the cecal microbiota similar to the dietary sanguinarine supplementation in broilers.

The prophylactic administration of ceftiofur to newly hatched chicks is a common practice in some hatcheries worldwide to mitigate early gastrointestinal infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae. In spite of the crucial role of the gut microbiome for the broiler's health, there is still limited information on how the microbial composition is affected by such procedure. We investigated the effects of posthatch prophylactic application of ceftiofur on the cecal microbiota of 14-day-old broilers fed regular or sanguinarine-supplemented diets. DNA samples were extracted from cecal contents, amplified for the V3-V4 regions of the microbial 16S rRNA gene, and sequenced in a high-throughput sequencing platform (Illumina MiSeq). After downstream bioinformatics and statistical analyses, our results demonstrated that both ceftiofur and sanguinarine treatments similarly increased the proportions of the phylum Bacteroidetes and the genera Bacteroides and Megamonas, whereas reduced the relative abundances of Firmicutes and Lachnospiraceae in the ceca of the birds. Such changes are probably associated with increased carbohydrate fermentation processes favoring the production of short-chain fatty acids. This was also corroborated by the functional prediction findings, which suggest an increase in some metabolic pathways associated with digestibility in broilers receiving ceftiofur. Considering that antimicrobial stewardship in animal production systems is strongly needed to mitigate the threat of antimicrobial resistance, our findings show that supplementation with a phytogenic feed additive can lead to a similar microbial composition in the ceca of commercial broiler chickens, suggesting that the use of alternative products could lead to functional modifications without increasing pressure for antimicrobial resistance.

First reported genome of an mcr-9-mediated colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium isolate from Brazilian livestock.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the genetic context of colistin resistance in anmcr-9-harbouring Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 strain from swine in Brazil. METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to colistin were determined by broth microdilution. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiSeq system, followed by de novo genome assembly using SPAdes 1.13.1. The draft genome sequence was annotated in Prokka using KBase online server. Downstream analyses for resistome and plasmid detection were performed using online tools available at the Center for Genomic Epidemiology. The strain was typed in silico using MLST 2.0. Phylogenetic analysis involving 24 other genomes ofSalmonella Typhimurium ST19 and mcr-9-harbouring Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from humans, livestock and foodstuff in different regions was also performed. RESULTS: Assembly of the draft genome resulted in 5245 protein-coding sequences, 14 rRNAs, 83 tRNAs and a GC content of 51.81%. The strain was identified asSalmonella Typhimurium ST19 harbouring a 265.5-kb pN1566-2 plasmid carrying genes encoding resistance to colistin (mcr-9.1), aminoglycosides (aadA1), tetracycline [tet(C)] and sulfonamides (sul1). Our findings indicate that the Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 strain in this study showed low genetic variability compared with Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 isolated from swine and poultry in Brazil, and was less related to those reported in other countries. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported genome of a phenotypically colistin-resistantSalmonella Typhimurium harbouring the mcr-9 variant in Brazilian livestock. This genome will aid global investigations on epidemiological and evolutionary aspects of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance and the role of colistin-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium ST19 lineage as a zoonotic pathogen.

Draft genome sequence of mcr-1-mediated colistin-resistant Escherichia coli ST359 from chicken carcasses in Northeastern Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Considering that polymyxin is a drug of last resort in the treatment of humans infected by multidrug-resistant bacteria, the occurrence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance mcr gene among Gram-negative bacteria in foods must be investigated. We present herein the draft genome sequence of a phenotypically colistin-resistant Escherichia coli carrying mcr-1 in chicken carcasses from a public market. METHODS: Total genomic DNA from the strain was sequenced by means of the Illumina MiSeq. The assembled contigs were annotated and manually curated. In silico analyses were performed to detect significant epidemiologic (serotyping and MLST) and structural features related plasmids identification, virulence and resistome. RESULTS: The ST359 E. coli strain presented a conserved 747 bp mcr-1 gene within a 9431 kb contig compatible with the IncX4 plasmid, which has been identified as a key vector for the global dissemination of mcr determinants among Enterobacteriacea. Other genes encoding for multidrug resistance such as blaCTX-M-2 and blaTEM-1B, and the virulence factors astA, cma, gad, iroN, ipfA, mchF were also detected. CONCLUSION: We reported a draft genome of a colistin-resistant E. coli ST359 associated with an IncX4 plasmid containing the gene mcr-1. The genomic data can be useful in epidemiological and evolutionary investigations on the spread of colistin-resistance among Enterobacteriacea in the food chain.

Off-label use of ceftiofur in one-day chicks triggers a short-term increase of ESBL-producing E. coli in the gut.

This trial was designed to evaluate the off-label use of ceftiofur with Marek's vaccine in one-day-old broiler chicks, a prophylactic treatment that has been done in some commercial hatcheries, on the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli). A total of 168 chicks (Cobb500®) were used in a completely randomized design. Birds were assigned to two treatments (Marek's vaccine plus saline vs Marek's vaccine plus ceftiofur) and six repetitions, with 14 animals each. Cloacal swabs were collected from 1 to 14 days post-hatch. The majority (86%; p<0.0001) of the ESBL-producing isolates harboring blaCTX-M and blaSHV genes originated from animals receiving the antimicrobial. None of the isolates were positive for plasmid-mediated AmpC betalactamase genes (blaACC, blaCMY-2, blaDHA, blaFOX, blaMOX and blaMIR). These findings indicate that the off-label use of ceftiofur with Marek's vaccine is associated with the short-term increase in ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in the gut of chicks.

Intra-Amnionic Threonine Administered to Chicken Embryos Reduces Salmonella Enteritidis Cecal Counts and Improves Posthatch Intestinal Development.

This study assessed the effect of in ovo threonine supplementation on the response of broiler chicks challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis, considering bacterial counts in cecal contents, intestinal morphology, body weight, and weight gain. Fertilized eggs were inoculated in the amniotic fluid with saline (NT) or 3.5% threonine (T) solution at day 17.5 of incubation. At hatch, chicks were individually weighed and cloacal swabs were screened for Salmonella. At 2 days of age, half of the birds from each in ovo treatment were given either 0.5 mL of nutrient broth (sham-inoculated) or nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Enteritidis (SE NalR) in nutrient broth (8.3 × 107 colony forming units (CFU) SE NalR/mL). The birds were distributed using a completely randomized design with four treatments after the Salmonella challenge: no in ovo Thr supplementation and sham-inoculated in the posthatch challenge (NT-SHAM), in ovo Thr supplementation and sham-inoculated (T-SHAM), no in ovo Thr supplementation and SE NalR-challenged (NT-SE), and in ovo Thr supplementation and SE NalR-challenged (T-SE). In ovo threonine supplementation reduced Salmonella Enteritidis colonization 168-hour postinoculation and reduced the negative effects associated with Salmonella infection on intestinal morphology and performance, with results similar to those of the sham-inoculated birds. In ovo Thr supplementation increased the expression of MUC2 at hatch and the expression of MUC2 and IgA at 2 days of age and 168-hour postinoculation. Our results suggest that providing in ovo threonine promotes intestinal health in broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis in the first days of life.

Serological and molecular detection of Theileria equi in sport horses of northeastern Brazil.

Theileriosis is a worldwide protozoal tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi, which may produce a variety of clinical signs and turn infected horses into lifetime carriers. This study has aimed to perform a serological and molecular detection of T. equi and associated factors in sports horses from six areas of northeastern Brazil. In overall, 59.6% horses were positive by indirect immunofluorescence assay and 50.4% by polymerase chain reaction. No significant association was found when presence of ticks, age, gender, anemia or total plasma proteins was analyzed with seropositivity and molecular techniques. Although a significant association of infection was found in two cities. Thus, local risk factors other than presence of ticks, horse age, gender, anemia and total plasmatic proteins may dictate prevalence of T. equi infection in sports horses, even in highly endemic areas with no control of infection prior to horse competitions.

Pre-parturition staphylococcal mastitis in primiparous replacement goats: persistence over lactation and sources of infection.

This investigation reported for the first time the occurrence of intramammary infections caused by Staphylococcus in primiparous replacement goats before parturition and the persistence of clinical Staphylococcus aureus infection during the lactation period. Subclinical infections, mainly caused by coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS), did not persist during lactation. Genotyping analysis indicated that environment seems to play a moderate role as source of intramammary infections to goats before parturition, but causative agents of mastitis in lactating animals are not genotypically related to environmental staphylococci. The occurrence and persistence of intramammary infections in replacement goats demonstrate the need to consider those animals as potential sources of infections in dairy goat herds.

The global one health paradigm: challenges and opportunities for tackling infectious diseases at the human, animal, and environment interface in low-resource settings.

Zoonotic infectious diseases have been an important concern to humankind for more than 10,000 years. Today, approximately 75% of newly emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are zoonoses that result from various anthropogenic, genetic, ecologic, socioeconomic, and climatic factors. These interrelated driving forces make it difficult to predict and to prevent zoonotic EIDs. Although significant improvements in environmental and medical surveillance, clinical diagnostic methods, and medical practices have been achieved in the recent years, zoonotic EIDs remain a major global concern, and such threats are expanding, especially in less developed regions. The current Ebola epidemic in West Africa is an extreme stark reminder of the role animal reservoirs play in public health and reinforces the urgent need for globally operationalizing a One Health approach. The complex nature of zoonotic diseases and the limited resources in developing countries are a reminder that the need for implementation of Global One Health in low-resource settings is crucial. The Veterinary Public Health and Biotechnology (VPH-Biotec) Global Consortium launched the International Congress on Pathogens at the Human-Animal Interface (ICOPHAI) in order to address important challenges and needs for capacity building. The inaugural ICOPHAI (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2011) and the second congress (Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, 2013) were unique opportunities to share and discuss issues related to zoonotic infectious diseases worldwide. In addition to strong scientific reports in eight thematic areas that necessitate One Health implementation, the congress identified four key capacity-building needs: (1) development of adequate science-based risk management policies, (2) skilled-personnel capacity building, (3) accredited veterinary and public health diagnostic laboratories with a shared database, and (4) improved use of existing natural resources and implementation. The aim of this review is to highlight advances in key zoonotic disease areas and the One Health capacity needs.