Germination capacity of the Pochonia chlamydosporia fungus after its passage through the gastrointestinal tract of domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus).

This study evaluated the germination capacity of Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4) fungus after its passage through the gastrointestinal tract of domestic chickens and its interaction with Ascaridia galli and Heterakis gallinarum eggs. Twenty-two domestic chickens were divided in two groups: control group (G1) received shredded corn substrate without VC4; and treatment group (G2) received a single dose of 29 g corn substrate containing 3.3 × 106 conidia/chlamydospores (VC4). Subsequently, chicken fecal samples were collected at intervals of 0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 and 24 h. Petri dishes from fecal samples of the treated group (G2) were subdivided (G2a and G2b), and then replicated in 2% agar-water medium for the microbiological test. After VC4 growth, approximately 200 eggs of A. galli (G2a) and H. gallinarum (G2b) were added to each subgroup to evaluation of ovicidal activity. There was fungal viability after passage through chicken gastrointestinal tract and egg predation of 59.9% and 43.2% for A. galli and H. gallinarum, respectively. The present work demonstrates the ability of the fungus P. chlamydosporia to survive after passing through the gastrointestinal tract of domestic chickens, an extreme environment (low pH, enzymes, microbiota and mechanical action), and still germinate after being excreted with feces.

Ascaris suum in pigs of the Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais State, Brazil / Ascaris suum em suínos da Zona da Mata, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil

Among the parasites that affect pigs, Ascaris suum stands out for causing the greatest losses to livestock production systems. This parasite can be monitored during the slaughter of animals through the identification of milk spots or white patches on the liver caused by its larval migration. However, infection in the herd is usually subclinical, which is why the presence of this parasite in industrial pig production has been overlooked. The aim of the study was therefore to evaluate the occurrence of milk spots on the liver of animals slaughtered in the micro-region of Ponte Nova in the Zona da Mata - Minas Gerais, Brazil, and to associate these lesions with the time of year, herd size and source of origin of the animals. An evaluation was made of 1,069 lots, totaling 108,073 animals, based on data extracted from the Federal Inspection Service. The animals were slaughtered during the period of January 2011 to June 2013. Out of the total number of slaughtered animals, 10,535 (9.75%) tested positive for these lesions. Therefore, veterinarians and producers should be warned about the inefficiency of the deworming protocols that are used, and the need to develop and/or review control strategies for this parasite in production systems.

Dentre os parasitas que acometem os suínos, Ascaris suumdestaca-se como o mais impactante nos sistemas de criação. Seu monitoramento pode ser realizado durante o abate dos animais, por meio da identificação de milk spots ou manchas de leite presentes no fígado, decorrentes da sua migração larval. Entretanto devido ao fato da infecção ocorrer no rebanho normalmente de forma subclínica, a presença desse parasita na produção industrial de suínos vem sendo negligenciada. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de manchas de leite no fígado de animais abatidos na micro-região de Ponte Nova, na Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais - Brasil, e associar tais lesões com a época do ano, tamanho do rebanho e local de origem dos animais. Foram avaliados 1.069 lotes, totalizando 108.073 animais. Os dados foram extraídos do Serviço de Inspeção Federal, e eram referentes aos animais abatidos, durante o período de janeiro de 2011 a junho de 2013. Do total de animais abatidos, 10.535 (9,75%) foram positivos para a lesão. Portanto, veterinários e produtores devem ser alertados quanto à ineficiência dos protocolos de vermifugação utilizados e a necessidade do desenvolvimento e/ou revisão de estratégias de controle para este parasita na produção.