Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and detection of virulence genes of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from white-lipped peccaries and collared peccaries.

Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli are implicated in human and animal infections and require antimicrobial treatment in many situations. Faecal samples of healthy white-lipped peccaries (Pecari tajacu) (n = 30) and collared peccaries (Tayassu pecari ) (n = 60) obtained in three farms located in the Midwest Brazil. The antimicrobial profiles of commensal E. coli from P. tajacu and T. pecari from commercial herds in Brazil were isolated and analyzed and virulence genes were detected. Among 90 healthy animals, no Salmonella spp. were isolated. However, 30 samples (27%) tested positive for E. coli, with 18 isolates from P. tajacu and 12 from T. pecari, representing frequencies of 58.0% and 38.7%, respectively. Additionally, other Enterobacteriaceae family bacteria were detected but not included in this analysis. However, individual samples from 30 animals tested positive for E. coli, of which 16 were isolated from P. tajacu presenting multidrug resistance and six were isolated from T. pecari presenting a similar pattern. The E. coli virulence genes detected were papC (pilus-associated pyelonephritis) in five isolates, tsh (temperature-sensitive hemagglutinin) in one isolate, and eae (enteric attachment and effacement) in one isolate. The serum resistance gene, iss (increased serum survival), was detected in four isolates. An association between these genes and the presence of hemolysin was also observed in one isolate. Thus, T. pecari and P. tajacu are potential reservoirs of pathogenic and multidrug-resistant and E. coli. Faecal E. coli of healthy P. tajacu and T. pecari could act as a possible reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes in environment.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Salmonella sp. Isolates from Commercial Laying Hen Farms in Central-Western Brazil.

Microbial resistance to antibiotics poses a significant threat to both human and animal health, necessitating international efforts to mitigate this issue. This study aimed to assess the resistance profiles of Salmonella sp. isolates and identify the presence of intl1, sul1, and blaTEM resistance genes within antigenically characterized isolates, including Agona, Livingstone, Cerro, Schwarzengrund, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype O:4.5, Anatum, Enteritidis, Johannesburg, Corvallis, and Senftenberg. These isolates underwent susceptibility testing against 14 antibiotics. The highest resistance percentages were noted for sulfamethoxazole (91%), sulfonamides (51%), and ceftiofur (28.9%), while no resistance was observed for ciprofloxacin. Salmonella Johannesburg and Salmonella Corvallis showed resistance to one antibiotic, whereas other serovars were resistant to at least two. Salmonella Schwarzengrund exhibited resistance to 13 antibiotics. The intl1 gene was detected in six out of the ten serovars, and the sul1 gene in three, always co-occurring with intl1. The blaTEM gene was not identified. Our findings highlight the risk posed by the detected multiple resistances and genes to animal, human, and environmental health. The multidrug resistance, especially to third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones, highlights the need for stringent monitoring of Salmonella in laying hens. The potential of the environment, humans, eggs, and their products to act as vectors for antibiotic resistance represents a significant concern for One Health.

Salmonella enterica diversity and antimicrobial resistance profile in broiler slaughterhouse by-products.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Salmonella enterica in by­products (feathers, spleen, cecum, and crop) from broiler slaughterhouses as well as to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the identified serovars. Forty­four lots of broilers in nine slaughterhouses located in the central­west region of Brazil were evaluated. Samples of spleen, feathers, cecum, and crop were collected in a pool and a total of 1,232 samples were evalueted. These were processed for conventional bacterial isolation and subjected to biochemical and serological tests to identify serovars. The identified serovars were subjected to the antimicrobial susceptibility test, where nine different antimycotics were investigated. Salmonella enterica was identified in 7.1% (87/1,232) of all evaluated samples, mostly in feathers (12.3%) and spleen (8.1%). The most frequent serovars were Schwarzengrund (29.9%), Agona (25.4%), Mbandaka (12.7%) and Anatum (8.1%). Nine serovars showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial, especially serovars Mbandaka, Infantis and Typhimurium. Amoxicillin and tetracycline were not effective in inhibiting at least five and four serovars, respectively.

Fontes de infecção e perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos de Salmonella sp. isoladas no fluxo de produção de frangos de corte / Sources of infection and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Salmonella sp. isolated in broiler production flow

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com objetivo de pesquisar Salmonella em amostras de fígado, coração, saco da gema e mecônio de pintos de corte de um dia; inglúvios e cecos obtidos em abatedouros e em suabes de arrasto; larvas ou adultos de Alphitobius diaperinus. Complementarmente, determinou-se o perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos: amoxicilina (10 mcg), ampicilina (10 mcg), ciprofloxacina (5 mcg), enrofloxacina (5 mcg), florfenicol (30 mcg), neomicina (30 mcg), sulfonamida (300 mcg), tetraciclina (30 mcg) e trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol (25 mcg) dos serovares tipificados isolados. As amostras foram submetidas às análises microbiológicas pelos métodos bacteriológicos convencionais. Salmonella sp. foi isolada em 6,2% (4/64) do fígado, 4,7% (3/64) do coração, 3,1% (2/64) dos sacos da gema e 4,7% (3/64) do mecônio, num total de 4,7% (12/256) (pinto de um dia); em 10,2% (13/128) das amostras ambientais, sendo 9,4% (9/96) de suabes de arrasto 12,5%, (4/32) de larvas e adultos Alphitobius diaperinus e em 4,4% (28/640) das amostras em abatedouros, sendo 6,5% (21/320) dos inglúvios e 2,2% (7/320) dos conteúdos cecais de abatedouro. Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis foi identificada em suabes de arrasto e em amostras de Alphitobius diaperinus, enquanto Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium foi encontrada nos inglúvios e cecos. Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis apresentaram 75% (6/8) de resistência às sulfonamidas e Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium 100% (3/3). A amoxicilina foi outro antimicrobiano com elevada frequência de resistência. Adicionalmente, 20,7% (11/53) dos serovares apresentaram resistência simultânea a pelo menos dois princípios ativos. Conclui-se que Salmonella encontra-se amplamente distribuída no fluxo de produção de frangos de corte, e a via vertical continua sendo uma fonte de introdução de Salmonella sp. à cadeia de produção; cama e insetos podem perpetuar e veicular Salmonella de interesse zoonótico no ambiente avícola; a existência de cepas resistentes aos antimicrobianos, bem como a resistência múltipla, constituem ameaça à saúde pública.(AU)

This work aimed at searching for Salmonella in liver, heart, yolk sac and meconium samples of one-day-old chicks, crops and cecum samples from slaughterhouses and drag swabs and Alphitobius diaperinus larvae or adults. It also aimed at determining the susceptibility profile to amoxicillin (10 mcg), ampicillin (10 mcg), ciprofloxacin (5 mcg), enrofloxacin (5 mcg), florfenicol (30 mcg), neomycin (30 mcg), sulfonamide (300 mcg), tetracycline (30 mcg) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (25 mcg) of typed serovars isolated. The samples were submitted to microbiological analyses by the conventional method. Salmonella sp. was isolated in 4.7% (12/256) of samples of one-day old chicks, in 6.2% (4/64) of the liver, 4.7% (3/64) of the hearts, 3.1% (2/64) of the yolk sacs, 4.7% (3/64) of meconium, and in10.2% (13/128) of the environment samples, being 9.4% (9/96) from drag swabs, 12.5% (4/32) from larvae and adult Alphitobius diaperinus and 4.4% (28/640) of the slaughterhouses samples, being 6.5% (21/320) of crops and 2.2% (7/320) of cecum samples. Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis was identified only in drag swabs and Alphitobius diaperinus. Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium was observed in the crops and cecum, which have shown high frequency of resistance to sulfonamides, 75% (6/8) and100% (3/30), respectively. Additionally, 20.7% (11/53) of the serovars have shown multiresistance to at least two of the tested drugs. In conclusion, Salmonella can be widely spread in broiler production flow, and the vertical pathway is still a major source of Salmonella insertion in the poultry production chain. The litter and bugs can perpetuate and disseminate Salmonella sp. as well as both the existence of strains resistant to antimicrobial and the occurrence of multiresistance are a threat to public health.(AU)

Yellow Fever outbreaks in unvaccinated populations, Brazil, 2008-2009.

Due to the risk of severe vaccine-associated adverse events, yellow fever vaccination in Brazil is only recommended in areas considered at risk for disease. From September 2008 through June 2009, two outbreaks of yellow fever in previously unvaccinated populations resulted in 21 confirmed cases with 9 deaths (case-fatality, 43%) in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul and 28 cases with 11 deaths (39%) in Sao Paulo state. Epizootic deaths of non-human primates were reported before and during the outbreak. Over 5.5 million doses of yellow fever vaccine were administered in the two most affected states. Vaccine-associated adverse events were associated with six deaths due to acute viscerotropic disease (0.8 deaths per million doses administered) and 45 cases of acute neurotropic disease (5.6 per million doses administered). Yellow fever vaccine recommendations were revised to include areas in Brazil previously not considered at risk for yellow fever.

Enterobacterial detection and Escherichia coli antimicrobial resistance in parrots seized from the illegal wildlife trade.

Enteric bacteria are considered important potential pathogens in avian clinical medicine, causing either primary or opportunistic infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of enterobacteria in the intestinal microbiota of psittacine birds and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of the Escherichia coli isolates cultured. Fecal samples were collected from 300 parrots captured from the illegal wildlife trade in Goiás, Brazil and were processed using conventional bacteriological procedures. A total of 508 isolates were obtained from 300 fecal samples: 172 E. coli (33.9% of isolates; 57.3% of individuals); 153 Enterobacter spp. (30.1% of isolates; 51.0% of individuals); 89 Klebsiella spp. (17.7% of isolates; 29.7% of individuals); 59 Citrobacter spp. (11.6% of isolates; 19.7% of individuals), 21 Proteus vulgaris (4.2% of isolates; 7.0% of individuals), 5 Providencia alcalifaciens (0.98% of isolates; 1.67% of individuals), 5 Serratia sp. (0.98% of isolates; 1.67% of individuals), 3 Hafnia aivei (0.59% of isolates; 1.00% of individuals), and 1 Salmonella sp. (0.20% of isolates; 0.33% of individuals). Escherichia coli isolates were subsequently tested for susceptibility to the following antibiotics: amoxicillin (70.93% of the isolates were resistant), ampicillin (75.58%), ciprofloxacin (23.25%), chloramphenicol (33.14%), doxycycline (64.53%), enrofloxacin (41.28%), tetracycline (69.19%), and sulfonamide (71.51%). Multi-resistance to three and four groups of antibiotics occurred in 40 samples (23.25%) and 4 samples (2.32%), respectively. These results demonstrate that illegally traded birds are carriers of potentially pathogenic bacteria, including E. coli strains with antimicrobial resistance.

Angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis flowers L. in rats / Atividade angiogênica das flores da Calendula officinalis L. em ratos

Purpose: In this work, angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) ethanolic extract and dichloromethane and hexanic fractions were evaluated, considering medicinal properties, especially healing activity, are attributed to this plant. Methods: Models using 36 rats and 90 embryonated eggs were used to evaluate healing and angiogenic activities of extracts and fractions of the plant, through the induction of skin wounds and the chorioallantoic membrane, respectively. The effect of vascular proliferation was also tested from the study to verify the intensity of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cutaneous wounds in rats. Results: The angiogenic activity of the extract and the fractions was evidenced in both experimental models. It was verified that this effect is not directly related to the expression of VEGF and it could be associated to other pro-angiogenic factors. Conclusion: The healing activity referred to C. officinalis is related, among other factors, to its positive effect on angiogenesis, characterized by the induction of neovascularization.

Objetivo: Neste trabalho a atividade sobre a angiogênese do extrato etanólico (EEC) e das frações diclorometano e hexânica das flores de Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) cultivada no Brasil foram avaliados, visto que propriedades medicinais têm sido atribuídas às flores da planta, destacando-se a atividade cicatrizante. Métodos: Modelos utilizando 36 ratos e 90 ovos embrionados foram usados para avaliar as atividades cicatrizante e angiogênica dos extratos e frações da planta, por meio da indução de feridas cutâneas e da membrana corioalantóide, respectivamente. O efeito proliferativo vascular foi também testado a partir do estudo imunoistoquímico, realizado para verificar a intensidade da expressão do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) na derme de ratos. Resultados: A atividade angiogênica do extrato e das frações foi evidenciada nos dois modelos experimentais empregados. Foi evidenciado que este efeito não estava diretamente relacionado à expressão do VEGF, podendo estar associado a outros fatores pró-angiogênicos. Conclusão: A atividade cicatrizante referida a C. officinalis está relacionada ao seu efeito positivo sobre a angiogênese, e este foi caracterizado pela indução de neovascularização.

Angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis flowers L. in rats.

PURPOSE: In this work, angiogenic activity of Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) ethanolic extract and dichloromethane and hexanic fractions were evaluated, considering medicinal properties, especially healing activity, are attributed to this plant. METHODS: Models using 36 rats and 90 embryonated eggs were used to evaluate healing and angiogenic activities of extracts and fractions of the plant, through the induction of skin wounds and the chorioallantoic membrane, respectively. The effect of vascular proliferation was also tested from the study to verify the intensity of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cutaneous wounds in rats. RESULTS: The angiogenic activity of the extract and the fractions was evidenced in both experimental models. It was verified that this effect is not directly related to the expression of VEGF and it could be associated to other pro-angiogenic factors. CONCLUSION: The healing activity referred to C. officinalis is related, among other factors, to its positive effect on angiogenesis, characterized by the induction of neovascularization.

Avaliação da concentração e do efeito sanitizante do hipoclorito de sódio em pedilúvio para bovinos / Evaluation of concentration and antiseptic effect of sodium hypochlorite in cattle foot bath

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito sanitizante do hipoclorito de sódio em soluções a 2% e 4% em pedilúvio para bovinos, empregando como parâmetros sua estabilidade durante estocagem e uso, ação sobre microrganismos aeróbios mesófilos e anaeróbios e o efeito direto sobre o tecido animal. Durante cinco dias, bovinos saudáveis passaram em um pedilúvio, em intervalos de 24 horas. Ao final da passagem eram colhidas amostras de cada solução para análises físico-químicas e microbiológica sendo a primeira colheita realizada imediatamente após a deposição no pedilúvio. Aplicou-se o teste t de Student (p=0,05%) para análise dos resultados. As soluções a 2% e a 4% não apresentaram diferença significativa, quanto à contagem de microorganismos aeróbios e anaeróbios, inferindo-se que as soluções apresentam o mesmo efeito sanitizante. Com relação ao pH, em ambas as soluções esse parâmetro mantevese estável. As concentrações de cloro livre apresentaram níveis equivalentes a zero a partir do 3º dia. Não se observou irritação da pele interdigital ou em outras regiões dos dígitos que pudesse ser atribuída à ação do produto. Conclui-se que o hipoclorito de sódio, em soluções a 2% e a 4%, possui efeito sanitizante em dígitos de bovinos quando utilizado em pedilúvio, porém a renovação deve ocorrer a cada 48 horas.

This study aimed to evaluate the antiseptic effect of 2% and 4% sodium hypochloride solutions in footbath for bovines, considering parameters as stability during storage and use, action on mesophilic aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and direct effects on tissue. Healthy bovines passed by a footbath,once a day, during five days. At the end of passages, samples of each solution were harvested for physiochemical and microbiological analysis. The first samples were obtained immediately after the solution deposition in footbath. Student t Test (p= 0,05%) was applied for data analysis. It was observedthat 2% and 4% solutions didn't show significant differences on aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms counting, suggesting that solutions have the same antiseptic effect. In both solutions, the pH remained steady. Free chlorine concentrations showed levels equivalent to zero from the third day. Clinical signs of injury weren't observed in interdigital skin and others digital regions. Thus, these results allow us toconclude that sodium hypochloride solution in 2% and 4% dilutions, when they are used in footbath,have antiseptic effect in bovine digits, however, the renewal must be after 48 hours.

Fertility and hatchability of eggs laid in the pullet-to-breeder transition period and in the initial production period.

The initial eggs produced by broiler breeder hens are relatively small compared with later in the production cycle. An evaluation of indices related to hatchability is required when these eggs are to be used for the production of broiler chicks. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate characteristics related to the hatchability of eggs from pullet-to-breeder transition phase, at 25 and 27 weeks of age, and from the peak of production period and five weeks later, at 32 and 37 weeks of age. Eggs from birds 25 weeks had a lesser fertility in Experiment 1. Mortality occurred unevenly in early (1-5 days), middle (6-17 days) and late (18-21 days) incubation, and greater mortality was observed after the internal membrane was ruptured. The younger the hen, the lighter the egg, chick, and shell, and the longer the time required to complete the hatching process. In Experiment 2, greater mortalities were observed at the early period (1-5 days) and after "pipping" of the internal and external membranes. Embryos from heavy eggs of breeder hens 37 weeks of age took less time to complete the hatching process. Results indicated the larger the egg, the heavier the chick and shell, and the lesser the shell percentage. As breeder age advanced, characteristics related to egg fertility and hatchability improved.