Composition of the ileum microbiota is a mediator between the host genome and phosphorus utilization and other efficiency traits in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

BACKGROUND: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient in all living organisms and, currently, it is the focus of much attention due to its global scarcity, the environmental impact of phosphorus from excreta, and its low digestibility due to its storage in the form of phytates in plants. In poultry, phosphorus utilization is influenced by composition of the ileum microbiota and host genetics. In our study, we analyzed the impact of host genetics on composition of the ileum microbiota and the relationship of the relative abundance of ileal bacterial genera with phosphorus utilization and related quantitative traits in Japanese quail. An F2 cross of 758 quails was genotyped with 4k genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and composition of the ileum microbiota was characterized using target amplicon sequencing. Heritabilities of the relative abundance of bacterial genera were estimated and quantitative trait locus (QTL) linkage mapping for the host was conducted for the heritable genera. Phenotypic and genetic correlations and recursive relationships between bacterial genera and quantitative traits were estimated using structural equation models. A genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) and microbial (M)BLUP hologenomic selection approach was applied to assess the feasibility of breeding for improved phosphorus utilization based on the host genome and the heritable part of composition of the ileum microbiota. RESULTS: Among the 59 bacterial genera examined, 24 showed a significant heritability (nominal p ≤ 0.05), ranging from 0.04 to 0.17. For these genera, six genome-wide significant QTL were mapped. Significant recursive effects were found, which support the indirect host genetic effects on the host's quantitative traits via microbiota composition in the ileum of quail. Cross-validated microbial and genomic prediction accuracies confirmed the strong impact of microbial composition and host genetics on the host's quantitative traits, as the GBLUP accuracies based on the heritable microbiota-mediated components of the traits were similar to the accuracies of conventional GBLUP based on genome-wide SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed a significant effect of host genetics on composition of the ileal microbiota and confirmed that host genetics and composition of the ileum microbiota have an impact on the host's quantitative traits. This offers the possibility to breed for improved phosphorus utilization based on the host genome and the heritable part of composition of the ileum microbiota.

Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) as a novel model to study the relationship between the avian microbiome and microbial endocrinology-based host-microbe interactions.

BACKGROUND: Microbial endocrinology, which is the study of neuroendocrine-based interkingdom signaling, provides a causal mechanistic framework for understanding the bi-directional crosstalk between the host and microbiome, especially as regards the effect of stress on health and disease. The importance of the cecal microbiome in avian health is well-recognized, yet little is understood regarding the mechanisms underpinning the avian host-microbiome relationship. Neuroendocrine plasticity of avian tissues that are focal points of host-microbiome interaction, such as the gut and lung, has likewise received limited attention. Avian in vivo models that enable the study of the neuroendocrine dynamic between host and microbiome are needed. As such, we utilized Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) that diverge in corticosterone response to stress to examine the relationship between stress-related neurochemical concentrations at sites of host-microbe interaction, such as the gut, and the cecal microbiome. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate that birds which contrast in corticosterone response to stress show profound separation in cecal microbial community structure as well as exhibit differences in tissue neurochemical concentrations and structural morphologies of the gut. Changes in neurochemicals known to be affected by the microbiome were also identified in tissues outside of the gut, suggesting a potential relationship in birds between the cecal microbiome and overall avian physiology. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides the first evidence that the structure of the avian cecal microbial community is shaped by selection pressure on the bird for neuroendocrine response to stress. Identification of unique region-dependent neurochemical changes in the intestinal tract following stress highlights environmental stressors as potential drivers of microbial endocrinology-based mechanisms of avian host-microbiome dialogue. Together, these results demonstrate that tissue neurochemical concentrations in the avian gut may be related to the cecal microbiome and reveal the Japanese quail as a novel avian model in which to further examine the mechanisms underpinning these relationships. Video abstract.

Growth, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and microbial aspects of growing quail fed diets enriched with two different types of probiotics (Bacillus toyonensis and Bifidobacterium bifidum).

The present investigation aimed to explore the impact of dietary graded levels of 2 types of probiotic bacteria (Bacillus toyonensis [BT] and Bifidobacterium bifidum [BB]) on growth, carcass traits, meat quality, and bacteriology of growing Japanese quail reared under the cage system. One thousand three hundred sixty Japanese quail day-old chicks were randomly divided into 10 groups (8 replicates each). Birds were fed a basal diet (control, T1) and the basal diet plus 0.05, 0.075, 0.10, and 0.125% BT (T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively), 0.10% BB (T6), and the same previous doses of BT plus 0.05% BB (T7, T8, T9, and T10, respectively). Results showed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in final BW and weight gain because of probiotic supplementation (except T2 for weight gain). Both feed intake and feed conversion ratio did not differ during the overall experimental period (1-42 D of age) except feed intake that was reduced in T2 and increased in T5 and T9 groups. All carcass traits studied were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by probiotics, and the combination between BT and BB in group T8 increased all studied parameters as compared with the other treatment groups. The quail meat color of redness a∗ and L∗ values, thiobarbituric content, cooking loss, proteolysis, and total coliform were decreased (P < 0.001) by probiotic treatment. In general, supplementing BT, BB, or their combination to the basal diet delayed the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the diet and intestine. Using BT and BB as feed supplements enhanced growth performance and meat quality of quails as well as diminished pathogenic bacteria proliferation in their diet and intestine. As per our results, we can recommend the application of T5 and T8 to T10 levels for the best performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing quails.

Immediate and transgenerational effects of thymol supplementation, inactivated Salmonella and chronic heat stress on representative immune variables of Japanese quail.

Environmental challenges are integrated in the inmunoneuroendocrine interplay, impacting the immune system of the challenged individuals, and potentially implying transgenerational effects on their offspring. This study addressed whether dietary supplementation with thymol can modulate the immune response of adult Japanese quail when simultaneously exposed to an inoculum of inactivated Salmonella Enteritidis and a chronic heat stress (CHS). We also evaluated whether the experienced situations by adults can affect the immune response of their undisturbed offspring. In the parental generation, supplemented quail exposed to CHS had a higher inflammatory response and similar values of the heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio than those that were not supplemented. In their offspring, those chicks whose parents were exposed to CHS showed higher inflammatory response and lower antibody production. Regarding the H/L ratio, chicks whose parents were supplemented showed lower H/L ratio values. Dietary supplementation with thymol partially and positively modulated the inflammatory response and avoided H/L ratio alteration in the parental generation exposed to high environmental temperatures, suggesting these adults were better at dealing with the challenge. The lower H/L ratio values in the offspring suggests that chicks are more capable to deal with potential stressful situations associated with conventional breeding conditions.

Identification of the Key Molecular Drivers of Phosphorus Utilization Based on Host miRNA-mRNA and Gut Microbiome Interactions.

Phosphorus is an essential mineral for all living organisms and a limited resource worldwide. Variation and heritability of phosphorus utilization (PU) traits were observed, indicating the general possibility of improvement. Molecular mechanisms of PU, including host and microbial effects, are still poorly understood. The most promising molecules that interact between the microbiome and host are microRNAs. Japanese quail representing extremes for PU were selected from an F2 population for miRNA profiling of the ileal tissue and subsequent association with mRNA and microbial data of the same animals. Sixty-nine differentially expressed miRNAs were found, including 21 novel and 48 known miRNAs. Combining miRNAs and mRNAs based on correlated expression and target prediction revealed enrichment of transcripts in functional pathways involved in phosphate or bone metabolism such as RAN, estrogen receptor and Wnt signaling, and immune pathways. Out of 55 genera of microbiota, seven were found to be differentially abundant between PU groups. The study reveals molecular interactions occurring in the gut of quail which represent extremes for PU including miRNA-16-5p, miR-142b-5p, miR-148a-3p, CTDSP1, SMAD3, IGSF10, Bacteroides, and Alistipes as key indicators due to their trait-dependent differential expression and occurrence as hub-members of the network of molecular drivers of PU.

A soft tick Ornithodoros moubata salivary protein OmCI is a potent inhibitor to prevent avian complement activation.

Complement is a key first line innate host defense system in the blood of vertebrates. Upon activation, this powerful defense mechanism can elicit inflammatory responses, lyse non-self-cells, or mark them for opsonophagocytic removal. Blood-feeding arthropods thus require the ability to block host complement activation in the bloodmeal to prevent undesired cell or tissue damage during feeding. The soft tick Ornithodoros moubata produces a complement inhibitory protein, OmCI. This protein binds to a mammalian complement protein C5 and blocks further activation of complement cascades, which results in the prevention of complement-mediated bacterial killing through membrane attack complex. Interestingly, the amino acids involved in OmCI binding are highly conserved among mammalian and avian C5, but the ability of this protein to inhibit the complement from birds remains unclear. Here we demonstrated that OmCI is capable of preventing quail complement-mediated erythrocyte lysis, inhibiting the capability of this animal's complement to eliminate a serum-sensitive Lyme disease bacterial strain. We also found that the ability of OmCI to inhibit quail complement-mediated killing of Lyme disease bacteria can be extended to different domestic and wild birds. Our results illustrate the utility of OmCI to block bird complement. These results provide the foundation for further use of this protein as a tool to study the molecular basis of avian complement and pathogen evasion to such a defense mechanism.

Chronic lead exposure induces histopathological damage, microbiota dysbiosis and immune disorder in the cecum of female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica).

Lead (Pb) is one of the most hazardous metals to human and wildlife and it also has multiple negative impacts on birds. However, its influences on bird gut morphology and intestinal microbiota were still unclear. We used female Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) to examine the effects of chronic lead exposure (0, 50 ppm and 1000 ppm) on cecal histology, microbial communities and immune function. The results showed 50 ppm lead exposure caused subtle damages of cecum cell structure. However, 1000 ppm lead exposure caused severe cecum histopathological changes characterized by mucosa abscission, Lieberkühn glands destruction and lymphocyte proliferation. Moreover, both lead concentrations induced ultrastructural damages featured by nucleus pyknosis, mitochondrial vacuolation and microvilli contraction. Meanwhile, microbial community structure, species diversity, taxonomic compositions and taxa abundance in the cecum were affected by lead exposure. Furthermore, the mRNA relative expression of immunity-related genes such as interleukin 2 (IL-2) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was significantly downregulated while that of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and natural killer kappa B (NF-κB) was significantly upregulated in the cecum of 50 and 1000 ppm lead exposure groups. We concluded that lead exposure may cause gut health impairment of female Japanese quails by inducing cecal histopathological changes, microbiota dysbiosis and cecal immune disorder.

Effects of bacteriocin and organic acid on growth performance, small intestine histomorphology, and microbiology in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

In this study, 600 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were used to investigate the effects of bacteriocin and organic acids on performance and intestinal histomorphology and microbiology. Chicks were allocated to 6 groups, i.e., control, Bac150 (150 mg/kg bacteriocin), Bac300 (300 mg/kg bacteriocin), OA (3 g/kg organic acid blend), Bac150+OA (150 mg/kg bacteriocin + 3 g/kg organic acid blend), and Bac300+OA (300 mg/kg bacteriocin + 3 g/kg organic acid blend) group. The trial lasted 35 days. At the end of the trial, a statistical increase was not observed in the performance parameters of chicks with feed additives. However, 300 mg/kg bacteriocin + 3 g/kg organic acid supplementation given together has been found to have more positive effects on intestinal microbiology and histomorphology (P < 0.05). Consequently, it is understood that the use of these feed additives together will achieve better results.

Effects of gut microbiota transfer on emotional reactivity in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica).

The interaction between the gut microbiota (GM) and the brain has led to the concept of the microbiota-gut-brain axis but data for birds remain scarce. We tested the hypothesis that colonization of germ-free chicks from a quail line selected for a high emotional reactivity (E+) with GM from a line with low emotional reactivity (E-) would reduce their emotional behaviour in comparison with germ-free chicks from an E+ line colonized with GM from the same E+ line. The GM composition analysis of both groups revealed a shift in terms of microbial diversity and richness between day 21 and day 35 and the GM of the two groups of quails were closer to each other at day 35 than at day 21 at a phylum level. Quails that received GM from the E- line expressed a lower emotional reactivity than quails colonized by GM from the E+ line in tonic immobility and novel environment tests carried out during the second week of age. This result was reversed in a second tonic immobility test and an open-field run 2 weeks later. These behavioural and GM modifications over time could be the consequence of the resilience of the GM to recover the equilibrium present in the E+ host, which is in part driven by the host genotype. This study shows for the first time that a GM transfer can influence emotional reactivity in Japanese quails, supporting the existence of a microbiota-gut-brain axis in this species of bird.

Effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) oil on quail growth, carcass traits, blood components, meat quality, and intestinal microbiota.

To provide a safe growth promoter, the present study has investigated the effects of different levels of cold-pressed clove oil (CCPO) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, and intestinal microbial population of growing Japanese quails. A total of 300 quails (1-wk old) were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: control basal diet, basal diet +0.75 mL oil/kg diet, and basal diet +1.5 mL oil/kg diet. Quails fed with 1.5 mL clove oil/kg diet showed a 3.43% improvement in live body weight vs. control group. Similar trend was observed for daily body weight gain. Feed intake gradually increased (P < 0.01) with an increase in clove oil level. The best feed conversion rate was reported for the control group, followed by the group treated with 1.5 mL CCPO/kg diet during the whole period (1 to 6 wk of age). Total globulin differed significantly in 1.5 mL CCPO/kg diet group. Antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid profile, and reduced glutathione concentrations significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2΄-deoxyguanosine, and protein carbonyl levels significantly decreased in quails supplemented with 1.5 mL CCPO/kg diet vs. control group. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin, growth hormone, and thyroxine significantly increased in quails supplemented with 1.5 mL CCPO/kg diet vs. control group. The intestinal bacterial population, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. in the ileal content were lower (P < 0.05) in groups treated with oil (1.5 mL/kg) vs. control group. Thus, dietary supplementation with antimicrobial CCPO (1.5 mL/kg diet) could enhance growth performance, improve health status, and reduce intestinal pathogens in Japanese quails.

Impact of Rosmarinus officinalis cold-pressed oil on health, growth performance, intestinal bacterial populations, and immunocompetence of Japanese quail.

This study was performed to study the impacts of rosemary cold-pressed oil (RCPO) for biostimulating health, growth performance, and intestinal bacterial populations of Japanese quail. The study included 300 growing 1-wk-old Japanese quails. Birds were divided into 3 groups in a complete randomized design experiment that involved 3 levels of RCPO (0, 1.00 and 2.00 mL/kg diet). Results revealed that the addition of rosemary oil numerically increased values of body weight and body weight gain when compared with the control group, particularly the highest level of RCPO (2.00 mL/kg diet). Birds fed diets supplemented with rosemary oil consumed more feed (P ≤ 0.01) compared with those fed the control diet. Feed conversion ratio tended to be improved in rosemary oil groups during the period 3 to 6 wk of age (P = 0.013). The highest level of rosemary oil (2.00 mL/kg diet) had the best impact on all carcass traits studied. RCPO supplementation showed an increase in serum total protein, metabolic hormones levels, while it reduced serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, and protein carbonyl levels. Moreover, RCPO increased antioxidative enzymes, and reduced the lipid peroxidation in quail liver. The supplementation of 2 mL/RCPO kg diet showed significant reduction in populations of total cultural bacterial count, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. in the ileum when compared to the control. The current results showed that RCPO supplementation to Japanese quails diet could enhance the growth performance and reduce the intestinal pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, RCPO can be a beneficial antimicrobial and growth-promoting feed supplement for the Japanese quail.

Body growth, intestinal morphology and microflora of quail on diets supplemented with micronised wheat fibre.

1. Particle size reductions of fibre-rich materials alter structure, functional and digestive properties. To determine the effects of using fibre as an additive in Japanese quail rations on performance and gut physiology, a trial using micronised wheat fibre (MWF) at levels of 0.0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg in feed was conducted. 2. Growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly improved when diets contained MWF while feed intake was not affected by levels of the fibre. As MWF content increased, the relative weight of gizzard and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) significantly increased whereas liver relative weight significantly decreased. 3. MWF inclusion significantly increased relative length of gut segments, villi height, villus thickness, the villi height to crypt depth proportion in jejunum and ileum and the number of goblet cells in different parts of intestine. 4. Tibia weight, length and ash content were increased linearly with rising MWF inclusion. Litter moisture was affected by MWF inclusions in a quadratic manner. The colony forming unit (CFU/g) of Streptococci spp. in ileal digesta was decreased with increasing MWF inclusion levels in the diet. 5. In conclusion, MWF can be used as a feed additive in quail diets and its inclusion in feed resulted in better performance, beneficial changes in intestinal microbial counts and improvements in small intestine morphology.

Relationship between clinical symptomatology on the isolation of Salmonella Gallinarum of japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix) / Relação entre a sintomatologia clínica no isolamento de Salmonella Gallinarum de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix)

Salmonella Gallinarum is capable of causing high mortality in birds of the order Galliformes. This study aimed to relate the presence of clinical signs with the recovery of Salmonella Gallinarum from organs and c loacal swabs of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix) experimentally infected. A total of 70 female quails were housed in a pair per cage and divided in two groups (IG: quails inoculated with 1.5x106 CFU of Salmonella Gallinarum Nalr/mL and CG: control group). After the inoculation, birds were evaluated three times a day to verify the presence of clinical signs. Birds that presented ruffled feathers, eyes closed and remained quiet in the cage were removed for euthanasia, as well as the same number of birds from the inoculated groups that presented no clinical signs and from the control group. Cloacal swabbing was performed following euthanasia for the sampling of liver, spleen, caeca, ovarian follicles and lung for microbiological procedure. Quails with clinical signs and quails found dead presented positivity of 100%. While inoculated quails with no clinical signs presented a lower positivity (38.5%). Therefore, quails with septicemia caused by SG present clinical signs of the disease and the pathogen can be isolated and quantified in the organs.(AU)

Salmonella Gallinarum pode causar alta mortalidade em aves da ordem Galliformes. Objetivou-se neste estudo relacionar a presença de sinais clínicos com a recuperação de Salmonella Gallinarum de órgãos e swabs cloacais de codornas japonesas (Coturnix coturnix) experimentalmente infectadas. Um total de 70 codornas fêmeas foram alojadas em par por gaiola e divididas em dois grupos (IG: codornas inoculadas com 1,5x106 UFC de Salmonella Gallinarum Nalr / mL e CG: grupo controle). Após a inoculação, as aves foram avaliadas três vezes ao dia para se verificar a presença de sinais clínicos. As aves que se apresentaram com penas eriçadas, olhos fechados e permaneciam imóveis na gaiola foram removidas para a eutanásia, assim como o mesmo número de aves dos grupos inoculados que não apresentaram sinais clínicos e do grupo controle. O swab cloacal foi realizado após a eutanásia para a amostragem de fígado, baço, ceco, folículos ovarianos e pulmão para procedimento microbiológico. As codornas com sinais clínicos e as encontradas mortas apresentaram positividade de 100%, enquanto as codornas inoculadas sem sinais clínicos apresentaram menor positividade (38,5%). Portanto, codornas com septicemia causada por SG apresentam sinais clínicos da doença e o patógeno pode ser isolado e quantificado em diversos órgãos.(AU)

The gastrointestinal tract microbiota of the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica.

Microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays an essential role in the health and well-being of the host. With the exception of chickens, this area has been poorly studied within birds. The avian GIT harbours unique microbial communities. Birds require rapid energy bursts to enable energy-intensive flying. The passage time of feed through the avian GIT is only 2-3.5 h, and thus requires the presence of microbiota that is extremely efficient in energy extraction. This investigation has used high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore the GIT microbiota of the flighted bird, the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). We are reporting, for the first time, the diversity of bacterial phylotypes inhabiting all major sections of the quail GIT including mouth, esophagus, crop, proventriculus, gizzard, duodenum, ileum, cecum, large intestine and feces. Nine phyla of bacteria were found in the quail GIT; however, their distribution varied significantly between GIT sections. Cecal microbiota was the most highly differentiated from all the other communities and showed highest richness at an OTU level but lowest richness at all other taxonomic levels being comprised of only 15 of total 57 families in the quail GIT. Differences were observed in the presence and absence of specific phylotypes between sexes in most sections.

Laying date, incubation and egg breakage as determinants of bacterial load on bird eggshells: experimental evidence.

Exploring factors guiding interactions of bacterial communities with animals has become of primary importance for ecologists and evolutionary biologists during the last years because of their likely central role in the evolution of animal life history traits. We explored the association between laying date and eggshell bacterial load (mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococci, and Enterococci) in natural and artificial magpie (Pica pica) nests containing fresh commercial quail (Coturnix coturnix) eggs. We manipulated hygiene conditions by spilling egg contents on magpie and artificial nests and explored experimental effects during the breeding season. Egg breakage is a common outcome of brood parasitism by great spotted cuckoos (Clamator glandarius) on the nests of magpie, one of its main hosts. We found that the treatment increased eggshell bacterial load in artificial nests, but not in magpie nests with incubating females, which suggests that parental activity prevents the proliferation of bacteria on the eggshells in relation to egg breakage. Moreover, laying date was positively related to eggshell bacterial load in active magpie nests, but negatively in artificial nests. The results suggest that variation in parental characteristics of magpies rather than climatic variation during the breeding season explained the detected positive association. Because the eggshell bacterial load is a proxy of hatching success, the detected positive association between eggshell bacterial loads and laying date in natural, but not in artificial nests, suggests that the generalized negative association between laying date and avian breeding success can be, at least partially, explained by differential bacterial effects.

Fowl typhoid (Salmonella Gallinarum) outbreak in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

A fowl typhoid (FT) outbreak is reported in a flock of 400 Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) at 91 days of age. Of these, 222 died suddenly, and necropsy revealed swollen liver and spleen with off-white to yellowish granules and reddish small intestine mucosa. Histopathology showed severe multifocal necrosis of liver and spleen (5/5), pulmonary congestion with macrophage infiltration in air capillaries (5/5), discrete interstitial nephritis (2/2), superficial necrosis of the intestinal mucosa with large numbers of coccobacilli (2/2), moderate peritonitis (2/2), and discrete airsacculitis (1/1). Anti-Salmonella immunohistochemistry (IHC) stained the cytoplasm of macrophages or free in the liver (5/5), spleen (5/5), lungs (4/5), kidneys (2/2) small intestine mucosa (2/2), cecum (1/1), bone marrow (1/1), air sacs (1/1), and ovary (1/1). In the heart (5/5), brain (2/2), esophagus (2/2), pancreas (2/2), proventriculus (2/2), gizzard (1/1), bursa of Fabricius (1/1), oviduct (1/1), and skeletal muscle (1/1) staining was observed only in the lumen of blood vessels. Salmonella Gallinarum was isolated in pure cultures of liver, spleen, lung, intestine, and blood samples of two birds.

Prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria in common quail (Coturnix coturnix).

The study was aimed at evaluating the prevalence of enteropathogenic bacteria (i.e. Campylobacter spp., shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp.) in common quail (Coturnix coturnix). To achieve this goal, 70 common quails were collected during the hunting season in the Campania region (southern Italy). From each bird, cloacal swab samples were collected and subjected to culture methods, polymerase chain reaction and serotyping. The results of the present study showed a prevalence of 21.4% and 5.7% for Campylobacter spp. and shigatoxin-producing E. coli, respectively. In contrast, no Salmonella spp. was isolated. These findings show that common quail, as migratory birds, may constitute an environmental carrier of these pathogens representing a source of infection for other birds, livestock and humans.

A model for treating avian aspergillosis: serum and lung tissue kinetics for Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) following single and multiple aerosol exposures of a nanoparticulate itraconazole suspension.

Aspergillosis is frequently reported in parrots, falcons and other birds held in captivity. Inhalation is the main route of infection for Aspergillus fumigatus, resulting in both acute and chronic disease conditions. Itraconazole (ITRA) is an antifungal commonly used in birds, but administration requires repeated oral dosing and the safety margin is narrow. We describe lung tissue and serum pharmacokinetics of a nanoparticulate ITRA suspension administered to Japanese quail by aerosol exposure. Aerosolized ITRA (1 and 10% suspension) administered over 30 min did not induce adverse clinical reactions in quail upon single or 5-day repeated doses. High lung concentrations, well above the inhibitory levels for A. fumigatus, of 4.14 ± 0.19 µg/g and 27.5 ± 4.58 µg/g (mean ± SEM, n = 3), were achieved following single-dose inhalation of 1% and 10% suspension, respectively. Upon multiple dose administration of 10% suspension, mean lung concentrations reached 104.9 ± 10.1 µg/g. Drug clearance from the lungs was slow with terminal half-lives of 19.7 h and 35.8 h following inhalation of 1% and 10% suspension, respectively. Data suggest that lung clearance is solubility driven. Lung concentrations of hydroxy-itraconazole reached 1-2% of the ITRA lung tissue concentration indicating metabolism in lung tissue. Steady, but low, serum concentrations of ITRA could be measured after multiple dose administration, reaching less than 0.1% of the lung tissue concentration. This formulation may represent a novel, easy to administer treatment modality for fungal lung infection, preventing high systemic exposure. It may also be useful as metaphylaxis to prevent the outbreak of aspergillosis in colonized animals.

Unusual coliranuloma in very young Japanese quail chick.

A commercial Japanese Quail farmer reported death from 8 to 30% in three different flocks of 3 days old age, 3 weeks old age and 4 weeks old age of total flock size 18800. Investigation was under taken to find out the cause of death. Post mortem examination followed by bacteriological, virological and histopathological examinations revealed spontaneous colibacillosis. E. coli serotypes O24, O6 and O128 were isolated in pure culture. Isolates were strong congo red binder and sensitive to enterofloxain, gentamicin and chloramphenicol. Pathological lesions also correlated well with the infection of E. coli. Involvement of potentially zoonotic, E. coli serotype O6 in causing coligranuloma and death in 3 days old Japanese quail establishes its virulence character in Japanese quails. Strict biosecurity measures were advised to prevent transmission of public health importance E. coli serotype O6 from infected Japanese quails to humans.

Effects of ultrasonic treatment on eggshell microbial activity, hatchability, tibia mineral content, and chick performance in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs.

The purpose of this study was to establish the effects of ultrasonic treatment of eggs on egg weight loss, hatchability, tibia mineral content, chick performance, and eggshell microbial activity. A total of 600 fresh eggs was randomly divided into 5 groups. Treatments were no ultrasound, 35 kHz for 5 min, 35 kHz for 10 min, 35 kHz for 15 min, and eggs sprayed with benzalkonium chloride solution at 0.02% (negative control). The eggshell microbial activity was reduced significantly at all ultrasonic treatments (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences among treatments for egg weight loss, hatchability, embryonic mortality, chick weight, or tibia Ca, P, K, Na, and Mg content.