Susceptibilidade de duas linhagens comerciais de frango de corte no desenvolvimento de dermatite necrótica e possível relação dos genes iss e iutA de Escherichia coli com a reprodução experimental da doença / Susceptibility of two commercial lineages of broilers in the development of necrotic dermatitis and relationship of iss and iutA genes from Escherichia coli with the experimental reproduction of the disease

Celulite aviária é uma enfermidade de grande importância para a avicultura mundial, sendo relacionada principalmente à Escherichia coli (E. coli). Neste estudo foi comparada a susceptibilidade de duas linhagens de aves no desenvolvimento da celulite diante do desafio com diferentes concentrações de E. coli. Além disso, foi avaliada a relação dos genes iss e iutA com a patogenicidade de amostras de E. coli de diferentes origens (fecal/casos clínicos) em pintinhos e com a reprodução experimental da doença em aves de 35 dias de idade. Através da inoculação de frangos de corte (Cobb/Ross) com diferentes níveis de desafio (105 a 108 UFC/mL) de E. coli, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as linhagens quanto à sensibilidade à dermatite necrótica para a mesma dosagem (p≤0,05). A detecção dos genes iss e iutA demonstrou que estes estiveram presentes somente nas amostras provenientes de casos clínicos. Da mesma forma, estes isolados foram considerados de alta patogenicidade para pintinhos (>80% letalidade), levando a formação de áreas de lesão mais extensas (≥3cm2) em aves de 35 dias, quando comparado às amostras de origem fecal (p≤0,05). Ainda, as diferenças com relação ao tamanho de lesão foram constatadas também entre os isolados de mesma origem (p≤0,05). Desta forma, a linhagem não pode ser considerada um fator primordial para o desenvolvimento de dermatite necrótica em frangos. Ainda, sugere-se que os genes iss e iutA, quando presentes em conjunto ou isoladamente, poderiam ser considerados marcadores de virulência em cepas de E. coli causadoras de celulite aviária.(AU)

Avian cellulitis is a disease of great importance for the global poultry industry, being mainly related to Escherichia coli. In this study the susceptibility of two lineages of broilers in the development of cellulite was compared to the challenge with different concentrations of E. coli. In addition, it evaluated the relationship of the iss and iutA genes with pathogenicity of E. coli samples from different origins (fecal/clinical cases) in chicks and with the experimental reproduction of disease in 35-day-old broilers. By inoculating broilers (Cobb/Ross) with different levels of challenge (105-108 CFU/mL) of E. coli, no significant differences had been observed between strains for sensitivity to necrotic dermatitis for the same dosage (p≤0.05). Detection of the iss and iutA genes showed that they were only present in samples from clinical cases. Likewise, these strains were considered high pathogenicity for chickens (>80% lethality), leading to the formation of more extensive lesion areas (≥3cm2) at 35 days of birds compared to the samples from fecal origin (p≤0.05). Still, the differences with respect to lesion size were also found among isolates of the same origin (p≤0,05). Thus, the lineage can not be considered a primary factor in the development of necrotic dermatitis in broilers. Furthermore, it is suggested that iss and iutA genes, when present together or separately, could be considered as virulence markers for E. coli strains that cause avian cellulite.(AU)

First phylogenetic analysis of avipoxvirus (APV) in Brazil / Primeira análise filogenética de avipoxvirus (APV) no Brasil

This study represents the first phylogenetic analysis of avian poxvirus recovered from turkeys in Brazil. The clinical disorders related to fowlpox herein described occurred in a turkey housing system. The birds displaying characteristic pox lesions which were observed on the neck, eyelids and beak of the turkeys. Four affected turkeys were randomly chosen, euthanized and necropsied. Tissues samples were submitted for histopathological analysis and total DNA was further extracted, amplified by conventional PCR, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. Avian poxviruses specific PCR was performed based on P4b core protein gene sequence. The histological analysis revealed dermal inflammatory process, granulation tissue, hyperplasia of epithelial cells and inclusion bodies. The P4b gene was detected in all samples. Sequencing revealed a 100% nucleotide and amino acid sequence identity among the samples, and the sequences were deposited in GenBank®. The four Avian poxviruses fragments sequenced in this study clustered along the A1 clade of avipoxviruses, and were classified as Avipoxvirus (APV). Additional studies, such as virus isolation, PCR and sequencing includinga large number of specimens from the Brazilian turkey production must be conducted due to the hazardous risk that poxvirus infections may cause to the Brazilian poultry production scenario, given that Brazil's turkey production attracts attention due to its economic importance worldwide. Our findings point to the need to identify the prevalence of APV in Brazilian turkey production, to perform risk assessment studies and continued surveillance of APV infections in both wild and commercial avian species.

Este trabalho representa a primeira análise filogenética de Poxvirus aviário detectado em perus no Brasil. Os distúrbios clínicos relacionados com bouba aviária aqui descritos ocorreram em um sistema de alojamento de perus. As aves apresentaram lesões características de varíola observadas no pescoço, pálpebras e bico das aves. Quatro perus com sinais característicos foram escolhidos aleatoriamente, sacrificados e submetidos à autópsia. Amostras de tecido foram submetidas à análise histopatológica e o DNA total foi extraído, amplificado por PCR convencional e os amplicons foram sequenciados e analisados ​​filogeneticamente. A PCR específica para Poxvírus aviário foi realizada com base na seqüência do gene da proteína do núcleo P4b. A análise histológica revelou um processo inflamatório dérmico, tecido de granulação, hiperplasia de células epiteliais e corpúsculos de inclusão. O gene P4b foi detectado em todas as amostras. O sequenciamento revelou uma identidade entre nucleotídeos e aminoácido de 100% entre as amostras e as sequências foram depositadas no GenBank®. Os quatro fragmentos de poxvírus aviário sequenciado neste estudo foram agrupados no clado A1 de avipoxvirus e foram classificados como Avipoxvirus (APV). Estudos adicionais, como isolamento viral, PCR e sequenciamento, incluindo um grande número de perus da produção brasileira devem ser conduzidos devido ao grave risco que a infecção por poxvírus pode causar ao cenário de produção avícola brasileira, tendo em vista que a produção brasileira de perus atrai atenção devido a sua importância mundial. Nossos resultados apontam para a necessidade de identificar a prevalência da APV na produção de peru no Brasil, para realizar estudos de avaliação de risco e continuada monitoração de infecções por APV nas espécies de aves comerciais e silvestres.

Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Factors among Escherichia coli Isolated from Conventional and Free-Range Poultry.

Microbiological contamination in commercial poultry production has caused concerns for human health because of both the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and the increase in antimicrobial resistance in bacterial strains that can cause treatment failure of human infections. The aim of our study was to analyze the profile of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of E. coli isolates from chicken carcasses obtained from different farming systems (conventional and free-range poultry). A total of 156 E. coli strains were isolated and characterized for genes encoding virulence factors described in extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for 15 antimicrobials, and strains were confirmed as extended spectrum of ß-lactamases- (ESBLs-) producing E. coli by phenotypic and genotypic tests. The results indicated that strains from free-range poultry have fewer virulence factors than strains from conventional poultry. Strains from conventionally raised chickens had a higher frequency of antimicrobial resistance for all antibiotics tested and also exhibited genes encoding ESBL and AmpC, unlike free-range poultry isolates, which did not. Group 2 CTX-M and CIT were the most prevalent ESBL and AmpC genes, respectively. The farming systems of poultries can be related with the frequency of virulence factors and resistance to antimicrobials in bacteria.

Evaluation of the Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Chicken Carcasses in 2007 and 2013 from Paraná, Brazil.

The frequent use of antimicrobials in commercial poultry production has raised concerns regarding the potential impact of antimicrobials on human health due to selection for resistant bacteria. Several studies have reported similarities between extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) strains isolated from birds and humans, indicating that these contaminant bacteria in poultry may be linked to human disease. The aim of our study was to analyze the frequency of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors among E. coli strains isolated from commercial chicken carcasses in Paraná, Brazil, in 2007 and 2013. A total of 84 E. coli strains were isolated from chicken carcasses in 2007, and 121 E. coli strains were isolated in 2013. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect virulence genes (hlyF, iss, ompT, iron, and iutA) and to determine phylogenetic classification. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using 15 antimicrobials. The strains were also confirmed as extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli with phenotypic and genotypic tests. The results indicated that our strains harbored virulence genes characteristic of ExPEC, with the iutA gene being the most prevalent. The phylogenetic groups D and B1 were the most prevalent among the strains isolated in 2007 and 2013, respectively. There was an increase in the frequency of resistance to a majority of antimicrobials tested. An important finding in this study was the large number of ESBL-producing E. coli strains isolated from chicken carcasses in 2013, primarily for the group 2 cefotaximase (CTX-M) enzyme. ESBL production confers broad-spectrum resistance and is a health risk because ESBL genes are transferable from food-producing animals to humans via poultry meat. These findings suggest that our strains harbored virulence and resistance genes, which are often associated with plasmids that can facilitate their transmission between bacteria derived from different hosts, suggesting zoonotic risks.

Detecção de fatores de virulência de Escherichia coli e análise de Salmonella spp. em psitacídeos / Detection of virulence factors in Escherichia coli and analysis of Salmonella spp. in psittacines

The enteric flora of psittacines is mainly composed of Gram positive bacteria. Gram negative bacteria, like Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., have a high pathogenic potential and can be considerate as an indicative of management problems that may culminate in disease manifestation due to stress factors, poor diets and overcrowding, in combination with a high bacterial load on the environment. The objective of this study was evaluated the presence of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and the virulence genes iss and iutA from E. coli isolates. Forty-four samples were analyzed from psittacines living in captivity, which fifteen samples were from organs fragments of necropsied birds, and twenty-nine were from cloacal and crop swabs of red-spectacled parrots (Amazona pretrei) keeping in captivity. No samples were positive for Salmonella spp. In the samples in which E. coli was detected, both virulence factors (genes iss and iutA) were present.

A flora entérica dos psitacídeos é composta principalmente por bactérias Gram positivas. Bactérias Gram negativas, como Escherichia coli e Salmonella spp., apresentam elevado potencial patogênico, sendo consideradas indicativo de problemas de manejo, que poderão culminar em manifestação de doenças em decorrência de fatores estressantes, dietas deficientes e superlotação, combinados com alta carga bacteriana no ambiente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença de Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli e os fatores de virulência dos genes iss e iutA dos isolados de E. coli. Analisou-se um total de 44 amostras provenientes de psitacídeos criados em cativeiro, sendo estas 15 fragmentos de órgãos de aves submetidas a exame de necropsia e também 29 amostras de swabs de cloaca e inglúvio de papagaios-charão (Amazona pretrei) criados em cativeiro. Nenhuma amostra foi positiva para Salmonella spp. Nas amostras de E. coli detectou-se ambos os fatores de virulência pesquisados.