Intestinal microbiota diversity from broilers with runting and stunting syndrome performed by metagenomics.

Runting and stunting syndrome (RSS) is an enteric viral disease in commercial poultry that directly affects gut health; however, its influence on gut microbiota remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the compositional changes in the bacterial community of the ileum of 7-day-old broiler chicks naturally affected or not affected by RSS, using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Twenty-one samples were obtained from the ileal contents and mucosa of 11 chicks with RSS and 10 healthy chicks, raised in a dark house system located on a farm in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The results revealed overall changes in the gut microbiota of the chicks with RSS, including a decrease in microbial richness and diversity. In particular, there was a decrease in Lactobacillus and an increase in Candidatus Arthromitus and Clostridium sensu stricto 1. These results indicate a relationship between viral infection and the gut microbial composition, which can cause gut dysbiosis and may influence inflammation in this organ.RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS RSS causes dysbiosis of the gut microbiota of the ilea of chicks.A difference was found in gut microbiota between chicks with or without RSS.Candidatus Arthromitus was predominant in chicks with RSS.Clostridium sensu stricto 1 was strictly associated with chicks with RSS.

Effects of in ovo injection of bacterial peptides and CpG-ODN on Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg infection in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Peptides + CpG-ODN reduced SH in caeca at the first week post-infection.Administered formulations did not reduce SH-faecal excretion.Levels of intestinal IgA were similar between all groups.CpG-ODN improved some parameters associated with chick intestinal health.

HPLC-MS/MS method validation for the detection of carbadox and olaquindox in poultry and swine feedingstuffs.

Carbadox (CBX) and olaquindox (OLA) were used in poultry and swine feed for growth promotion, to improve feed efficiency and increase the rate of weight gain. However, the use of these agents in feedingstuffs was prohibited because of concerns about their toxicity. Regulatory laboratories are required to have suitably validated analytical methods to ensure compliance with the ban. A quantitative and confirmatory method for determining the presence of CBX and OLA in poultry and swine feed by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was developed, optimized, and validated. The analytes extraction was performed with a mixture of water and acetonitrile (1:1v/v) and cleanup with hexane and C18 (dispersive phase). The method was evaluated by the following parameters: specificity, linearity, matrix effect, decision limits (CCα), detection capability (CCß), accuracy, precision, limits of detection (LoD), limits of quantification (LoQ) and measurement uncertainty. The validated method presented a broad linear study range and no significant matrix effect. The limit of detection (LoD) was defined at 9 µg kg(-1) for CBX and 80 µg kg(-1) for OLA, and the limit of quantification (LoQ) was defined at 12 µg kg(-1) and 110 µg kg(-1) for CBX and OLA, respectively. The accuracy of the method was adequate for CBX and OLA. The recovery values found in the repeatability conditions were 99.41% for CBX and 104.62% for OLA. Under intralaboratory reproducibility conditions, the values were 98.63% for CBX and 95.07% for OLA. It was concluded that the performance parameters demonstrated total method adequacy for the detection and quantification of CBX and OLA in poultry and swine feedingstuffs.