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 by‑products (feathers, spleen, cecum, and crop) from broiler slaughterhouses as well as to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the identified serovars. Forty‑four lots of broilers in nine slaughterhouses located in the central‑west 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.

Spatial distribution and risk factors for sheep toxoplasmosis in Goiás, Brazilian Cerrado Region

The present study aimed to evaluate the spatial distribution and risk factors for infection by Toxoplasma gondii in sheep in the state of Goiás, located in the central-western region of Brazil. Through the immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT), the seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was analyzed in 1000 blood serum samples obtained from sheep in all macro and micro regions of the state of Goiás. Data related to sex, age of the animals, size of the farm, type of farm, water source, veterinary assistance, replacement of the herd, presence of domestic cats, presence of wild cats and presence of other wild animals were obtained at the sampling time. The differences between the seroprevalences obtained in relation to the variables analyzed were estimated using Pearson's chi-square test (χ2). The odds ratio (OR) values for each risk factor evaluated were statistically analyzed with a confidence interval of 95%. Positivity for IgG anti-T. gondii was observed (titer ≥64) in 34.3% (343/1000) of the samples, which ranged from 26.9% (31/115) to 44.2% (53/120) and from 21.8 (12/55) to 55.2% (16 / 29), respectively in the analyzed mesoregions and microregions. In all investigated regions of the State of Goiás, serum-reactive animals were detected with the age of the animals, the source of water, the form of replacement of the herd and the presence of domestic cats and wild animals risk factors statistically associated with the occurrence of T. gondii in animals.

Occurrence of Escherichia coli in captive psittaciformes: antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence genes

Abstract Captive Psittaciformes may harbor Gram-negative bacteria in their digestive tract, mainly due to poor hygienic conditions and confinement. The present study was carried out with the objective of isolating and identifying Escherichia coli in samples collected from Psittaciformes cages in 50 commercial establishments in the metropolitan region of Goiania, with subsequent antimicrobial susceptibility testing and detection of virulence genes. A total of 141 samples of excreta and swab samples from feeders and water bowls were collected, totaling 423 samples. Escherichia coli was isolated from 9.7% (41/423) samples: 12% (17/141) in excreta, 8.5% (12/141) in feed, and 8.5% (12 /141) in waterers. To determine the susceptibility profile of E. coli isolates, resistance to ciprofloxacin 4.9% (2/41), gentamicin 17.0% (7/41), doxycycline 34.1% (14/41), florfenicol 34.1% (14/41), trimethoprim 39.0% (16/41), tetracycline 41.5% (17/41), enrofloxacin 43.9% (18/41), amoxicillin 48.8% (20/41), neomycin 61.0% (25/41), and sulfonamide 90.2% (37/41) was determined. In 20 isolates, resistance was determined at 4 or more antimicrobials, seven of excreta (7/17), five of feed (5/12), and eight of waterers (8/12). One of the isolates from the waterers showed resistance to all antimicrobials. The iss gene was detected in three isolates, the tsh gene in three, the papC gene in two, traT and eae genes were not detected. In this study, it can be concluded that Psittaciformes commercialized as pet are carry E. coli isolates resistant to most commonly used antimicrobials, mainly sulfonamides and neomycin, besides having virulence and serum resistance genes, which highlights the possibility of the to cause disease in humans.

Identification and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica isolated from live birds at commercial resellers

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the sanitary and management characteristics of live-bird resellers as well as identify and undertake an antigenic characterization of Salmonella enterica and its sensitivity to antimicrobials. Structured questionnaires were applied and 627 samples were collected from the cages, consisting 209 samples of excreta, 209 of feed and 209 drinker swabs. These were processed by conventional bacteriology. The obtained isolates were subjected to the susceptibility test and to 12 antimicrobial tests by the disk diffusion method. Of the studied resellers, 91.7% house Gallus gallus domesticus, together with other animal species; sell birds with little zoosanitary documentation; have unsatisfactory active surveillance; and use and sell antimicrobials indiscriminately. The presence of Salmonella enterica was detected in 1.4% (9/627) of the samples analyzed in the cages, with 1.9% (4/209) found in excreta, 0.95% (2/209) in feed and in 1.4% (3/209) in drinker swabs. These were characterized antigenically as Salmonella Heidelberg, Gallinarum, Risen, Ndolo, Saint Paul, Mbandaka and subsp enterica O:6,7. When susceptibility to antimicrobials was determined, 44.4% resistance (4/9) was detected for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 33.3% (3/9) for enrofloxacin, 22.2% (2/9) for ciprofloxacin, ceftiofur and amoxicillin and 11.1% (1/9) for tetracycline and fosfomycin. Salmonella Heidelberg, as well as serovars Gallinarum, Risen, Saint Paul and Mbandaka, showed resistance to at least one of the tested antimicrobials. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and enrofloxacin were the antimicrobials that showed the least efficacy. Serovars such as Heidelberg, Gallinarum and Mbandaka have multiresistance to antimicrobials commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, implying potential risks to One Health.

Risk Factors Associated With Seroreactivity Against Leptospira sp. in Horses From Brazilian Amazon

This study investigated the risk factors associated with seroreactivity to Leptospira sp. in horses from Brazilian Amazon. Blood samples were collected and microscopic agglutination test was performed, and univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for association with risk factors. General seroprevalence was 32.7% and the most prevalent serogroup observed was Sejroe (5.9%). Seroreactivity was associated with age, sex, activity (work, leisure, or both), feed supplementation, trash accumulation, and presence of felines. Epidemiology of leptospirosis remains poorly understood in Amazon region, particularly in livestock, requiring more studies to improve control and prevention measures.

DISTRIBUIÇÃO ESPAÇO-TEMPORAL DOS DIAGNÓSTICOS LABORATORIAIS DA RAIVA ANIMAL

A raiva é uma enfermidade infectocontagiosa que afeta mamíferos, inclusive o homem. Estima-se que a raiva dos herbívoros seja responsável por enormes prejuízos econômicos na América Latina. O morcego hematófago Desmodus rotundus é o principal transmissor do vírus rábico (VR). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a evolução do diagnóstico laboratorial para raiva animal em cinco espécies animais, na série cronológica 1990-2010, na microrregião Quirinópolis, Goiás, Brasil. Para avaliação da distribuição dos casos diagnosticados foram utilizados resultados de diagnóstico laboratorial, realizados pelo Laboratório de Diagnóstico da Agência Goiana de Defesa Agropecuária. A partir destes, foi construído um banco de dados com as variáveis: município de origem do animal, resultado, mês e ano. Das 116 amostras analisadas, 9% (10) foram positivas para oVR e 91% (106) negativas. Todos os resultados positivos foram provenientes de bovinos. Dentre os municípios da microrregião, Itarumã apresentou maior número de casos positivos e Caçu enviou mais amostras. Houve tendência de aumento no envio de amostras e no número de exames laboratoriais. Também houve tendência ao aumento de diagnósticos positivos. Amostras da espécie bovina foram as mais analisadas, seguida de morcegos hematófagos. Em relação à época do ano, foram observados mais casos positivos no período da seca.

Fontes de infecção e perfil de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos de Salmonella sp. isoladas no fluxo de produção de frangos de corte

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.

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.

Association of acepromazine with propofol in giant Amazon turtles Podocnemis expansa reared in captivity

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of an anesthetic association in giant amazon turtles (Podocnemis expansa).

METHODS

Twenty healthy P. expansa of both sexes weighing between 1.0 and 1.5kg commercially bred in the Araguaia River Valley, Goias, Brazil, were separated into two groups (G1 n=10 and G2 n=10). Each group received a respective protocol: P1= acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (5 mg/kg IV) and P2 = acepromazine (0.5 mg/kg IM) and propofol (10 mg/kg IV). The acepromazine was administered in the left thoracic member and the propofol in the cervical vertebral sinus. Assessments were made of the anesthetic parameters of locomotion, muscle relaxation, response to pain stimuli in the right thoracic and pelvic members and heartbeat.

RESULTS

The anesthetic induction time was the same for both protocols (P1 and P2); however the P2 effects were of a longer duration.

CONCLUSION

The sedation achieved with both protocols (P1 and P2) were satisfactory for the biological sample collection, physical examinations and minor surgeries on this species.