Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus probiotic on the intestinal microbiome, haemato-immunology, and growth performance of Nile tilapia.

The study evaluated dietary supplementation with a feed additive composed of multi-strain Bacillus for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. In vitro and in vivo assays employing culture-based microbiological methods and metagenomics were performed. Additionally, the study assessed the haemato-immunology, intestinal microbiome, and growth performance of the animals. For this, 30 juvenile Nile tilapia were used in the in vitro assay and 180 (60 + 120) in the in vivo assays. In the in vitro assay, we found evidence of adhesion of the probiotic bacteria to the intestinal mucus of fish, corroborated in the 15-day in vivo assay, in which the count of B. licheniformis was significantly higher in fish fed with probiotic when compared to fish of the control group. Furthermore, in the 50-day in vivo trial, a metagenomic analysis provided evidence for the modulation of the intestine microbiome of Nile tilapia by dietary supplementation of the probiotic. In addition, there was an increase in species richness, higher abundance of potentially probiotic autochthonous species and a lower abundance of Aeromonas sp. when the animals were fed the supplemented diet. Finally, no significant differences were observed in growth performance and haemato-immunological analyses, suggesting no harm to fish health when the product was supplemented for 15 and 50 days. The in vitro results indicate that the multi-strain probiotics were able to adhere to the intestinal mucus of Nile tilapia. Additionally, a modulation of the intestinal microbiome was evidenced in the in vivo assay.

Effects of supplementation with different zinc-based products on the growth and health of Nile tilapia.

Zinc is one of the essential microelements for the metabolism of animals. Zinc nanoparticles may have higher bioavailability due to their low specific surface area, facilitating absorption by fish. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with different zinc-based products on the growth and health of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus. Zinc, in different sizes (nanoparticles or bulk) and forms (inorganic or organic), were used as a supplement in the tilapia diet at a dose of 15 mg kg feed-1 for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, production performance, hemato-immunological parameters, activity of antioxidant system enzymes, exposure to Streptococcus agalactiae and zinc concentration in the muscle were examined. After the bacterial challenge, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly increased in the fish treated with organic zinc, inorganic nano zinc, and organic nano zinc, while in the control group (inorganic zinc), MCHC remained unchanged. Regarding defense cells, dietary inorganic nano zinc increased the number of basophils (1.50 ± 1.10) compared to organic zinc (0.80 ± 0.90). Lymphocyte count increased after the challenge only in the organic zinc treatments (bulk and nanoparticles). Neutrophils decreased in the control (inorganic zinc) (2.20 ± 1.70) and inorganic nano zinc (2.60 ± 2.70) treatments after the challenge. When compared before and after the bacterial challenge, the plasma antimicrobial titer significantly increased after the bacterial challenge in all treatments. No significant differences were observed for total proteins, enzymes (SOD and CAT), cumulative survival and zinc deposition on fillet. In conclusion, organic zinc in nanoparticles or bulk size increased Nile tilapia innate defense during bacterial infection. However, the other parameters evaluated were not affected by zinc particle size or form (organic or inorganic), indicating that further evaluations should be conducted with organic zinc in nanoparticles or bulk size in the tilapia diet.

Lippia sidoides essential oil at concentration of 0.25% provided improvements in microbiota and intestine integrity of Danio rerio.

The study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil on the microbiota and intestinal morphology of Danio rerio. For this, 448 fish were randomly distributed in 28 tanks divided into a control group fed a commercial diet without supplementation, a group fed a commercial diet containing grain alcohol and five groups fed a commercial diet containing essential oil of L. sidoides (LSEO) at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%. After the period of dietary supplementation, biological materials were collected for microbiological and histological analyses. There were no significant differences regarding the microbiological count between the groups. Diversity of the microbiome was higher in 0.25% group than in control group. LSEO inhibited the growth of potentially pathogenic bacteria. Fish fed LSEO0.25% showed greater intestinal histomorphometric indices. The inclusion of LSEO at 0.25% in the diet of D. rerio provided improvements in fish microbiota and intestine integrity.

O estudo avaliou os efeitos da suplementação dietária com óleo essencial de Lippia sidoides sobre a microbiota e a morfologia intestinal de Danio rerio. Para isso, 448 peixes foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 28 tanques divididos em grupo controle alimentado com dieta comercial sem suplementação, grupo alimentado com dieta comercial contendo álcool de cereais e cinco grupos alimentados com dieta comercial contendo óleo essencial de L. sidoides (LSEO) em concentrações de 0,25%, 0,50%, 0,75%, 1,00% e 1,25%. Após o período de suplementação alimentar, foram coletadas amostras biológicas para análises microbiológicas e histológicas. Não houve diferenças significativas quanto à contagem microbiológica entre os grupos. A diversidade do microbioma foi maior no grupo de 0,25% do que no grupo controle. LSEO inibiu o crescimento de bactérias potencialmente patogênicas. Peixes alimentados com LSEO 0,25% apresentaram maiores índices histomorfométricos intestinais. A inclusão de LSEO a 0,25% na dieta de D. rerio proporcionou melhorias na microbiota e na integridade intestinal dos peixes.

Dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil improves organ integrity but the specific activity of antioxidant enzymes is dose-dependent in Danio rerio.

The nutritional quality of food can affect the health of animals. This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with Lippia sidoides essential oil (LSEO) on the physiology of Danio rerio. Four hundred fourty-eight fish were divided into 28 tanks and subjected to different dietary treatments: a control group with no supplementation, a group with grain alcohol supplementation and five groups with LSEO at concentrations of 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, 1.00% and 1.25%. After 15 days, histological and enzymatic analyses were conducted. The 0.25% LSEO group exhibited lower glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity compared to the 1.00% group. Additionally, fish in the 0.25% LSEO group showed improved liver, kidney and splenic integrity indices. These findings support the inclusion of 0.25% LSEO in the diet of D. rerio, suggesting potential benefits for fish physiology and encouraging further research on phytotherapeutics in fish diets.

Influence of Seasonality and Culture Stage of Farmed Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with Monogenean Parasitic Infection.

The aim of this study was to observe how abiotic and biotic factors in a tropical region influence the rate of monogenean parasitism in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) that are farmed in net cages. A total of 240 sexually reversed fish were analyzed, and 20 from each culture stage were collected during each sampling month. Overall, 60 fish were sampled in April (autumn), 60 in August (winter), 60 in November (spring), and 60 in February (summer). Fish were collected from a commercial fish farm located in Capivara Reservoir in the lower Paranapanema River region of Paraná, Brazil. In total, 3290 monogenean parasites were collected from fish gills of the following species: Cichlidogyrushalli, C. thurstonae, Scutogyruslongicornis, C. cirratus, C. sclerosus, and C. tilapiae. Higher parasitological indices were observed in colder seasons with lower precipitation. Autumn had the highest parasitic infection values compared to the other seasons. The occurrence of monogenean parasites showed a negative correlation with season, in contrast to the culture stage, in which there was a positive correlation. These results may provide a means for establishing adequate fish farm management to predict periods of high monogenean infestation.

Laboratory-controlled challenges of streptococcosis in Nile tilapia using the oral route (infected-feed) for infection.

The study aimed to evaluate the oral infected-feed, intragastric-gavage, and intraperitoneal routes of the Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). For this purpose, 270 juveniles of Nile tilapia, with an average weight of 2 g, were distributed in 18 experimental units of 90 L, acclimatized, and raised for 55 days, until reaching 50 g (median weight). The experimental design was entirely randomized in six treatments, three of which were composed by bacterial infection routes: intraperitoneal 100 µL fish-1 [108 CFU], intragastric 100 µL fish-1 [108 CFU], feed inoculum 100 µL g feed-1 [109 CFU], and three respective control groups. Clinical signs were observed, and mortalities monitored until reaching 50% in the infected groups. Then, tissue samples from the spleen, liver, intestine, brain, and blood were collected from 20 fish per treatment for histopathological and hemato-immunological analyses. In addition, a related mortality curve was established at the end of the experimental challenge. The intraperitoneal and intragastric routes were more aggressive than the oral inoculum, causing greater brain damage, acute hemato-immunological response, and early mortality. While the orally fed inoculum, fish presented brain lesions with less intensity, and a chronic haemato-immunological response, the mortalities occurred twice as long as the other routes. The present research demonstrated that the S. agalactiae oral (feed inoculum) administration can be an innovative methodology to future experimental challenges in aquaculture research.

Amyloodiniosis in farmed Sardinella brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1879): Case report of successful therapeutic control with copper sulfate.

Brazilian sardine is emerging as a promising species in Aquaculture. This study describes for the first time a case of parasitic infestation by Amyloodinium in Brazilian sardines Sardinella brasiliensis obtained from natural spawning in captivity. The sardines kept in nurseries were naturally parasitized by the amylodiniosis causative agente the dynoflagellate A. ocellatum with high mortalities above 50%. Fish presented clinical signs characteristic of amyloodiniosis which included easily perceived behavioral changes such as loss of appetite, scraping of the body against objects, walls and bottom, nursery pipes, agglomerations near the aerators and water inlets, presented with accelerated opercular beating and erratic swimming. For therapeutic treatment copper sulfate was used for 10 days. At the end of the treatment period the fish had no clinical signs or presence of the parasite on the body surface, indicating that the application of copper sulfate in concentration of 0.2 mg L-1 of Cu+ was effective to control this parasite, apparently without causing damage to Brazilian sardine.

Can histology and haematology explain inapparent Streptococcus agalactiae infections and asymptomatic mortalities on Nile tilapia farms?

The aim of this study was to characterise possible histopathological and haemato-immunological changes after subclinical infection by S. agalactiae S13 serotype Ib. One hundred juveniles of Nile tilapia with average weight of 45 g were distributed in ten 90 L experimental units. After the acclimation period 25 fish were euthanised, and fragments of liver, spleen and posterior mid-intestine tissue were sampled to verify the integrity of the organs and blood samples taken to check the haematological profile. Fifty animals were used to verify the optimal dosage for the challenge. The remaining 25 fish were infected with S. agalactiae S13. After 96 h, tissue fragments from the liver, spleen and posterior mid-intestine and blood samples were collected. The analyses revealed that, 96 h after contagion, S. agalactiae S13 serotype Ib caused subclinical lesions in the liver and spleen that are not commonly described as pathognomonic, in addition to haematological alterations. These results allow a better understanding of sudden recurrent mortalities in Brazilian tilapia farms, since the serotype Ib of S. agalactiae causes inapparent infections and can remain lodged in internal organs and cause irreversible lesions and haemato-immunological alterations, therefore compromising physiological functions vital for the health of fish without revealing external clinical signs in the animals.

Histological effects on the kidney, spleen, and liver of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fed different concentrations of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the inclusion of different concentrations of Lactobacillus plantarum in Nile tilapia diet and to verify histological effects on tissues of the animal organs, as well as to verify its effects on growth parameters and possible increase in the immune system. A total of 240 juveniles were distributed in 16 tanks arranged in a recirculation system. One control group and three treated groups (104, 106, and 108 colony-forming unit (CFU) g -1L. plantarum kg feed-1) were established in quadruplicate. After 35 days of supplementation, it was not possible to observe differences in growth rates and hematological parameters. However, in the kidney, there was a reduction in the presence of PAS-positive granular leukocytes (PAS-GL) between the collections (15 and 35 days). The liver had lower number of lesions related to loss of cordonal aspects of fish fed 108 CFU g-1 on day 15. Fish fed 104 and 108 CFU g-1 showed lower degree of congestion at day 35. The probiotic also provided a reduction in the number of melanomacrophage centers in the splenic tissue and an increase in the amount of goblet cells in the gut. The concentration 108 CFU g-1 of probiotic in diets increased the number of goblet cells, improved cordonal aspects, and reduced hepatic congestion, and indicated a possible improvement in the immunophysiological conditions of the fish.

Antioxidant enzymes, hematology and histology of spleen in Nile tilapia fed supplemented diet with natural extracts challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with the extrats of propolis and Aloe barbadensis (aloe) on the antioxydant enzime activity, hematology and histology of the spleen of Nile tilapia challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila. Seventy two juvenile Nile tilapia were divided in four treatments and three replicates and fed extract mixture for 15 days: fish fed supplemented diet with 1% of the mixture of extracts of propolis and aloe (1:1) injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); fish fed suplemented diet with 1% of the mixture of extracts of propolis and aloe (1:1) injected with the A. hydrophila, fish fed supplemented diet with the mixture of propolis extracts and aloe, injected with PBS and injected with A. hydrophila. The influence of the supplementation of propolis and Aloe extracts on the immunomodulation in tilapias was observed by the evaluation of the survival of the animals after challenge with A. hydrophila. Non-supplemented fish had a 44.5% survival rate and those supplemented with 1% of the mixture of extracts showed 55.6% survival 7 days after challenge. The supplemented animals also showed a significant increase in the number of lymphocytes in the evaluation of the blood parameters and, consequently, in the histopathological evaluation, presented greater presence of centers of melanomacrophages. In addition, the activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR) in the spleen presented a significant difference in fish supplemented with 1% of the extracts mixture, being superior in the animals injected with PBS when compared to those challenged with A. hydrophila.

Induced aerocystitis and hemato-immunological parameters in Nile tilapia fed supplemented diet with essential oil of Lippia alba / Aerocistite induzida e parâmetros hemato-imunológicos em tilápia do Nilo suplementada com óleo essencial de Lippia alba

The present study evaluated the dietary supplementation with essential oil of Lippia alba on the hemato-immunological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) submitted to acute inflammation induced by carrageenin injection in the swim bladder. For a period of 45 days, 96 fish were divided in four treatments in triplicate, as follows: fish fed supplemented diet with essential oil of L. alba (4 mL kg-1 dry ration) injected with carrageenin; fish fed supplemented diet with cereal alcohol injected with carrageenin; fish fed unsupplemented diet with essential oil injected with carrageenin; fish fed unsupplemented diet and noninjected. Cortisol levels, erythrogram, leukogram and the inflammatory infiltrate were analyzed 6 h after inflammatory stimulus. Carrageenin-injected fish showed acute inflammatory reaction in the swim bladder characterized by higher infiltrate of neutrophils and monocytes. The circulating neutrophils number was significantly higher in fish fed L. alba when compared to other treatments. No difference in cortisol levels was found. For dose, time and administration form tested, supplementation with essential oil of L. alba did not present anti-inflammatory activity. On the other hand, influence of dietary supplementation was observed on the neutrophils number after induced aerocystitis highlighting its immunomodulatory characteristic.(AU)

O presente estudo avaliou a suplementação dietária com óleo essencial de Lippia alba sobre os parâmetros hemato-imunológicos em tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) submetidas à inflamação aguda induzida por carragenina na bexiga natatória. Pelo período de 45 dias, 96 peixes foram divididos em quarto tratamentos em triplicata: a) peixes suplementados com óleo esencial de L. alba (4 mL kg-1 de ração) injetados com carragenina; b) peixes suplementados com álcool de cereais injetados com carragenina; peixes não suplementados com óleo essencial injetados com carragenina; c) peixes não suplementados não injetados. Os níveis de cortisol, eritrograma, leucograma e o infiltrado inflamatório foram analisados seis horas após o estímulo inflamatório. Peixes injetados com carragenina apresentaram reação inflamatória aguda na bexiga natatória caracterizada por maior infiltrado de neutrófilos e monócitos. O número de neutrófilos circulantes foi significativamente maior nos peixes suplementados com L. alba quando comparado aos outros tratamentos. Não houve diferença nos níveis de cortisol. Para a dose, o tempo e a forma de administração testada, a suplementação com óleo essencil de L. alba não apresentou atividade anti-inflamatória. Por outro lado, foi constatada influência da suplementação dietária no número de neutrófilos após a aerocistite enfatizando a sua característica imunomoduladora.(AU)

Blood biochemical parameters and melanomacrophage centers in Nile tilapia fed essential oils of clove basil and ginger.

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the most farmed freshwater fish in the world, however, disease outbreaks are the main cause of losses in production. Due to this, there is an increasing interest in natural products for enhancing disease resistance, without causing physiological impairment. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of the essential oils of clove basil (Ocimum gratissimum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) on physiological and immunological parameters of nile tilapia. After 35 and 55 days of supplementation (0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%), blood collection was performed for determination of metabolites (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, serum total protein and immunoglobulins) and lysozyme activity. Spleen tissue was also collected at 55 days for analyzing melanomacrophages centers. At 35 days, cholesterol showed significant reduction in the treatments 0.5% and 1.5 ginger and 1.5% clove basil. The serum triglycerides showed significant reduction in these same treatments, in addition to 1.0% clove basil. At 55 days all the supplemented groups showed significant reduction for both parameters. The lysozyme activity at 35 days was significantly higher in fish supplemented with 1.0% ginger and showed no difference among the treatments at 55 days. Regarding the melanomacrophage centers, at 35 days increased number in fish supplemented with 0.5% clove basil was observed but with no significant difference in the total percent area of spleen occupied by centers. The levels of glucose, total serum protein and immunoglobulins did not show significant differences in both sampling times. The addition of essential oils showed to be useful for improving physiological status of the fish, without excessive activation of defense mechanisms.

Probiotic supplementation in diet and vaccination of hybrid surubim (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum♀ x P. corruscans♂) / Suplementação de probiótico na dieta e vacinação de surubim híbrido (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum♀ x P. corruscans♂)

ABSTRACT: A supplementary diet with the probiotic bacteria Weissella cibaria on the efficacy of surubim hybrid immunization against a specific hemorrhagic septicemia caused by Aeromonas hydrophila was evaluated on the following treatments: fish fed a supplemented probiotic diet, vaccinated fish and vaccinated fish fed a supplemented probiotic diet, and untreated fish (control). Fish from the probiotic treatments were fed a diet containing W. cibaria for 41 days. On the 15th day of the experiment, fish from vaccine treatments were intraperitoneally vaccinated, with posterior oral booster for four days. One week after the oral booster, three fish from each experimental unit were sampled. The probiotic supplementation increased the number of thrombocytes and lysozyme concentration compared with surubim that did not receive W. cibaria in the diet. On the other hand, the vaccination increased agglutination titer, lysozyme concentration, and antimicrobial activity compared with surubim that were not vaccinated. However, there was no interaction between diet with probiotics and vaccination in the surubim hybrid in the analysed parameters.

RESUMO: A dieta suplementada com a bactéria probiótica Weissella cibaria sobre a eficácia da imunização de surubim híbrido contra a septicemia hemorrágica específica, causada por Aeromonas hydrophila, foi avaliada nos seguintes tratamentos: peixes alimentados com a dieta suplementada com probiótico, peixes vacinados, peixe vacinadas que receberam um probiótico na dieta e peixes não tratados (controle). Peixes dos tratamentos probióticos foram alimentados com uma dieta contendo W. cibaria por 41 dias. No 15o dia do experimento, os peixes dos tratamentos de vacinas foram vacinados intraperitonealmente, com posterior reforço oral por quatro dias. Uma semana após o reforço oral, três peixes de cada unidade experimental foram amostrados. A suplementação de probiótico aumentou o número de trombócitos e concentração lisozima em comparação com surubins que não receberam W. cibaria na dieta. Por outro lado, a vacinação influenciou no aumento do título de aglutinação, a concentração de lisozima e a atividade antimicrobiana, em comparação com os surubins que não foram vacinados. No entanto, não houve interação entre a dieta com probióticos e vacinação no híbrido surubim nos parâmetros analisados.

Utilização comparativa de enrofloxacino, probiótico (Lactobacilus plantarum) e propionato de sódio na larvicultura de camarão branco do pacífico / Comparative use of enrofloxacin, probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum) and sodium propionate in pacific white shrimp larvae / Utilización comparativa de enrofloxacino, probiótico (Lactobacillus plantarum) y propionato de sodio en larvicultura de camarón blanco del pacífico

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar métodos de controle e tratamento de bacterioses na larvicultura de Litopenaeus vannamei, avaliando o uso contínuo de probiótico e o uso pontual de enrofloxacino 15mg.L-1 e propionato de sódio 0,5 mM.L-1 nos momentos de metamorfose sobre os, parâmetros zootécnicos e microbiológicos (larvas e da água). Foram utilizadas 16 unidades de 60L, povoadas na densidade de 325 náuplios.5L-1, divididos em três tratamentos: enrofloxacino, probiótico, propionato de sódio e controle. O enrofloxacino e o propionato foram ministrados em protozoea 3, misis 3 e pós-larva 4 e o probiótico foi ministrado na ração ao longo de todo o experimento. O probiótico aumentou as contagens de bactérias ácido-láticas em relação aos demais tratamentos na água de cultivo (p=0,00001) e em relação ao enrofloxacino e o proprionato nas larvas (p=0,0048). A água do tratamento com probiótico apresentou menor contagem de Vibrio spp. que o enrofloxacino (p=0,0011) e as larvas tratadas com probiótico apresentaram menor contagem de Vibrio spp. que o propionato (p=0,0158). Contudo, não foi observada diferença nos índices zootécnicos avaliados. Assim, os aditivos na dose utilizada não alteram parâmetros zootécnicos da larvicultura do camarão L. vannamei.

The purpose of this study was to assess control and treatment methods for bacterial diseases in Litopenaeus vannamei, evaluating the continuous use of probiotics and occasional use of 15mg-L-1 enrofloxacin and 0.5-mM.L-1 sodium propionate at the morphological change moments on the performance and microbiological parameters of larvae and water. A total of 16 60-L units were used, stocked with 325 nauplii/5L-1, divided into three treatments and one control. Enrofloxacin and propionate were administered into protozoea 3, misis 3 and 4, and post-larvae 4, while the probiotic was administered in the feed throughout the experiment. The probiotic increased the counts of lactic acid bacteria in relation to the other treatments in the culture water (p = 0.00001) and in relation to enrofloxacin and propionate in larvae (p = 0.0048). The treatment water with probiotic had lower counts of Vibrio ssp. than enrofloxacin (p = 0.0011) and larvae treated with probiotic showed lower counts of Vibrio ssp. that propionate (p = 0.0158). However, no difference was observed in the performance indexes assessed. Thus, it can be concluded that additives in the assessed doses did not influence the performance parameters of L. vannamei.

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar métodos de control y tratamiento de enfermedades bacterianas en larvicultura de Litopenaeus vannamei, evaluando el uso continuo de probiótico y el uso puntual de 15 mg.L-1 de enrofloxacino y 0,5 mM.L-1 de propionato de sodio en momentos de metamorfosis sobre los parámetros zootécnicos y microbiológicos (larvas y del agua). Se han utilizado 16 unidades de 60L, pobladas en la densidad de 325 nauplios.5L-1, divididos en tres tratamientos: enrofloxacino, probiótico, propionato de sodio y control. El enrofloxacino y el propionato fueron suministrados en protozoea 3, misis 3 y postlarva 4 y el probiótico suministrado en alimento durante el transcurso del experimento. El probiótico aumentó el contaje de bacterias ácido-lácticas en correlación a los demás tratamientos en agua de cultivo (p=0,0001) y las larvas en relación al enrofloxacino y el propionato en las larvas (p=0,0048). El agua del tratamiento con probiótico presentó menor contaje de Vibrio spp. que el enrofloxacino (p=0,0011) y las larvas tratadas con probiótico presentaron menor contaje de Vibrio spp. que el propionato (p=0,0158). Sin embargo, no se ha observado diferencia en los índices zootécnicos de larvicultura de camarón L. vannamei.

Immunization of hybrid surubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans x P. fasciatum) against Motile Aeromonas hydrophila septicemia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune response of hybrid surubim vaccinated by intraperitoneal injection and by immersion against Aeromonas hydrophila. Vaccine was prepared with formalin-inactivated A. hydrophila. Forty eight fishes (47±9g) were distributed in 12 tanks (4 fish / tank) in the following treatments (4 tanks / treatment): unvaccinated fish, vaccinated intraperitoneally and vaccinated by immersion. After 21 days, intraperitoneally vaccinated fishes showed the highest values of total protein and immunoglobulins, agglutination titer and serum antimicrobial activity. Lysozyme concentration in the serum was higher in the fishes vaccinated by immersion than unvaccinated fishes. Intraperitoneal vaccination induced the highest immune response and could be used to improve the fish resistance against motile Aeromonas.

Cultivation of juvenile fat snook (Centropomus parallelus Poey, 1860) fed probiotic in laboratory conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the growth of juvenile fat snook (Centropomus parallelus) in laboratory conditions when fed a diet supplemented with the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum. Changes in the intestinal flora, haematological parameters and growth performance were assessed using 180 fishes (54.2 ± 13.4 g each). The fishes were subjected to two treatments divided into six cages: 1) feed supplemented with probiotic, and 2) feed without probiotic (control). The temperature, dissolved oxygen and salinity were maintained at 25 ± 1 ° C, 4.0 mg.L-1 and 33 ‰, respectively. After 10 weeks of culture, the fishes fed probiotic had reduced viable culturable heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. and increased lactic acid bacteria in the intestinal tract, as well as a higher number of thrombocytes, leukocytes and lymphocytes in the blood. No significant difference was observed in the growth, survival or body composition, but the hepatosomatic index was significantly higher in the fishes fed with probiotic and control.

Acute inflammatory response in Nile tilapia fed probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum in the diet / Resposta inflamatória aguda em tilápia do Nilo alimentada com probiótico, Lactobacillus plantarum na dieta

The present study evaluated the acute inflammatory response induced by carrageenin (500 µg) injected in the swim bladder of Nile tilapia, after fed or not probiotic supplemented diet. Fifty four fish were distributed in six treatments and three replicates: Group A: Fish fed unsupplemented diet: 0.5 mL saline-injected fish; fish injected with 500 µg carrageenin diluted in 0.5 mL saline; Non-injected. Group B: Fish fed probiotic supplemented diet: saline-injected fish; carrageenin-injected fish; Non-injected. Fifteen days after feeding the fish were injected with carrageenin or saline. After six hours, inflammatory exudate was collected, as well as the blood for hematocrit, red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, differential count of leucocytes and phagocytic activity in the blood. Supplementation with probiotic did not influence the RBC, hematocrit and the numbers of lymphocytes and basophils in the blood. The number of neutrophils was significantly higher in supplemented fish injected with carrageenin. Glucose concentration in supplemented and non-injected fish was higher than that observed in the saline injected ones. Probiotic potentialized the migration of cells to the inflammatory focus in the animals injected with the carrageenin irritant. In fish injected with saline and carrageenin occurred the greatest phagocytic activity in the blood in relation to those treatments.

Este trabalho avaliou a resposta inflamatória aguda induzida por injeção de carragenina (500 g) na bexiga natatória de tilápia do Nilo suplementada ou não com probiótico na ração. Cinquenta e quatro animais foram distribuídos em seis tratamentos com três repetições: Grupo A: peixes alimentados com ração não-suplementada: Controle (injeção de 0,5 mL de solução salina estéril); Carragenina (injeção de 500 µg de carragenina); Não-injetada. Grupo B: peixes alimentados com ração suplementada com probiótico: Controle; Carragenina; Não-injetada. Após 15 dias de alimentação foi injetado carragenina ou salina. Após 6h, realizou-se a coleta de exsudato e sangue para determinação do hematócrito, contagens totais de eritrócitos, leucócitos, contagem diferencial de leucócitos e atividade fagocitária no sangue. A suplementação com probiótico na ração não influenciou o número total de eritrócitos, o hematócrito e os números de linfócitos e basófilos no sangue dos animais. O número de neutrófilos foi maior nos peixes suplementados com probiótico e injetados com carragenina. A glicose nos peixes suplementados com probiótico não-injetados foi maior do que nos injetados com salina. A suplementação com probiótico potencializou a migração de células para o foco inflamatório nos injetados com o flogógeno carragenina. Em peixes injetados com salina e carragenina, ocorreu maior atividade fagocitária no sangue em relação aos demais tratamentos.

Diet supplemented with probiotic for Nile tilapia in polyculture system with marine shrimp.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum) supplemented diet on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a polyculture system with marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) as regards culture performance, hematology, and gut bacterial microbiota. Ten 20-m² pens were arranged in one earthen pond and stocked with 2 fish (41.9 g) m(-2) and 10 shrimp (2.3 g) m(-2), in total of 40 Nile tilapias and 200 shrimp per experimental unit. Tilapia groups in five of the experimental units were fed a commercial diet supplemented with L. plantarum and the other five with an unsupplemented commercial diet (control). After 12 weeks of culture, the tilapia groups fed the probiotic-supplemented diet presented values 13.6, 7.5, and 7.1% higher for feed efficiency, yield, and final weight, respectively. Viable culturable heterotrophic bacteria counts were reduced, and the number of lactic acid bacteria was increased in the gut of fish and shrimp fed the probiotic-supplemented diet. Hematological analyses showed higher number of thrombocytes and leukocytes in tilapia fed the supplemented diet. L. plantarum utilized in this study colonized the gut of tilapia and shrimp and resulted in reduced number of total bacteria and increased tilapia final weight and feed efficiency.

Ração suplementada com vitaminas C e E influencia a resposta inflamatória aguda em tilápia do Nilo / Vitamin C and E supplemented diet influences the acute inflammatory response in Nile tilapia

Este estudo avaliou o hemograma e a resposta inflamatória aguda em tilápia do Nilo alimentada com 500mg de vitamina C e 500mg de vitamina E/kg de ração. Após 30 dias de alimentação com a dieta suplementada com as vitaminas, 500µg de carragenina, 3mg de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS)/kg de peixe e 0,5ml de solução salina estéril (controle) foram injetados na bexiga natatória dos animais. Seis horas após, os peixes foram anestesiados para coleta de amostras sangüíneas e análise da resposta inflamatória. Peixes injetados com carragenina e LPS apresentaram as maiores contagens totais de leucócitos no sangue, sendo que a suplementação vitamínica na ração provocou redução no número total de trombócitos nos injetados com carragenina. A taxa de glicose, o número de eritrócitos, o hematócrito e o cortisol não sofreram influência da suplementação vitamínica na ração. A suplementação vitamínica provocou redução no número de neutrófilos no sangue dos animais injetados com LPS. Nos peixes injetados com carragenina e LPS alimentados com vitaminas, houve maior migração de células para o sítio inflamado. O LPS provocou maior migração de células em comparação com os demais tratamentos, principalmente por macrófagos. A suplementação vitamínica provocou aumento no número de trombócitos no exsudato em peixes injetados com carragenina e LPS.

This study evaluated the haematology and acute inflammatory response in Nile tilapia fed with 500mg vitamin C and 500 mg vitamin E/kg dry ration. Thirty days after feeding with supplemented diet, 500µg carrageenin, 3mg lipopolysacharide (LPS)/kg body weight and 0.5ml sterile saline solution (control) were injected in the swim bladder. Six hours after the fish were anesthetized to collect blood and analysis of the inflammatory response. Fish injected with carrageenin and LPS showed the highest counts of total leucocytes in blood and, the vitamin supplementation provoked reduction in the number of total thrombocytes in the carrageenin injected fish. Glucose, erythrocyte number, hematocrit and cortisol were not influenced by the vitamin supplmentation. The addition of vitamins in the diet caused reduction in the number of neutrophils in LPS injected fish. Once more, fish injected with carrageenin and LPS fed vitamins showed higher migration of leucocytes to the inflamed site. LPS provoked the highest migration of inflammatory cells, mainly by macrophages when compared to the other treatments. Vitamin supplementation increased the number of thrombocytes in the inflammatory exsudate in carrageenin and LPS injected fish.

Avaliação de métodos de coleta de fezes para determinação da digestibilidade protéica em rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana) / Evaluation methods of feces collection for determination of protein digestibility in bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes metodologias de coleta de fezes para determinação da digestibilidade protéica de alimentos para a rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana). As metodologias estudadas foram o método de coleta total das fezes; o método de coleta parcial das fezes usando indicador; o método de dissecação intestinal e o método por decantação de fezes com indicador, utilizando aquários para ensaios de nutrição com peixes. Os resultados dos CDA PB da ração obtidos para avaliação dos métodos de coleta foram: 62,1 por cento, 65,0 por cento, 61,3 por cento e 70,3 por cento, respectivamente. Todos os métodos de coleta de fezes são adequados para a realização de ensaios de digestibilidade com rãs.

The present work had as objective to evaluate different methodologies of feces collection in the determination of the protein digestibility of food feeds for the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). The studied methodologies were: total collection of excrements, partial collection of excrements using indicator, intestinal dissection, and excrement decantation with pointer using aquariums for assays of nutrition with fish. The results for CDA PB obtained in this assay were: 62.1 percent, 65.0 percent, 61.3 percent and 70.3 percent respectively. All the methods of excrement collection can be executed for determination of protein digestibility in bullfrog.