Abstract The aim of this study was to predict production indicators and to determine their potential economic impact on a poultry integration system using artificial neural networks (ANN) models. Forty zootechnical and production parameters from broiler breeder farms, one hatchery, broiler production flocks, and one slaughterhouse were selected as variables. The ANN models were established for four output variables: “saleable hatching”, “weight at the end of week 5,” “partial condemnation,” and “total condemnation” and were analyzed in relation to the coefficient of multiple determination (R2), correlation coefficient (R), mean error (E), mean squared error (MSE), and root mean square error (RMSE). The production scenarios were simulated and the economic impacts were estimated. The ANN models were suitable for simulating production scenarios after validation. For “saleable hatching”, incubator and egg storage period are likely to increase the financial gains. For “weight at the end of the week 5” the lineage (A) is important to increase revenues. However, broiler weight at the end of the first week may not have a significant influence. Flock sex (female) may influence the “partial condemnation” rates, while chick weight at first day may not. For “total condemnation”, flock sex and type of chick may not influence condemnation rates, but mortality rates and broiler weight may have a significant impact.

Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi predizer os indicadores de produção e determinar o seu potencial impacto econômico em um sistema de integração utilizando as redes neurais artificiais (RNA). Quarenta parâmetros zootécnicos e de produção de granjas de matrizes e de frango de corte, um incubatório e um abatedouro foram selecionados como variáveis. Os modelos de RNA foram estabelecidos para quatro variáveis de saída (“eclosão vendável”, “peso ao final da quinta semana”, “condenações parciais” e “condenações totais”) e foram analisados em relação ao coeficiente de determinação múltipla (R2), coeficiente de correlação (R), erro médio (E), erro quadrático médio (EQM) e raiz do erro quadrático médio (REQM). Os cenários produtivos foram simulados e os impactos foram estimados. Os modelos de RNA gerados foram adequados para simular diferentes cenários produtivos após o treinamento. Para “eclosão vendável”, o modelo de incubadora e o período de incubação aumentaram os ganhos financeiros. Para “peso ao final da quinta semana”, a linhagem também demonstrou influencia no retorno financeiro, o que não aconteceu com o peso ao final da primeira semana. O sexo do lote possui influência nas taxas de “condenação parcial”, ao contrário do peso do frango no primeiro dia. As taxas de mortalidade e o peso do frango apresentaram influência na “condenação total”, mas o sexo do lote e o tipo de pinto não tiverem influência.

RESUMO Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a eficácia dos desinfetantes cloreto de benzalcônio (QAC) e iodóforo (I) sobre 10 cepas APEC (Escherichia coli patogênica aviária), bem como verificar se a característica alta patogenicidade está associada a uma maior resistência a estes compostos. O método utilizado foi o de diluição através do teste qualitativo de suspensão. As variáveis estudadas foram: concentrações do QAC (300, 150, 75 e 50 ppm) e do I (100, 75, 50 e 25 ppm), tempos de contato (5, 10 e 20 minutos) e temperatura ±20°C. O QAC inativou todos os isolados nas concentrações de 300 e 150 ppm, em todos os tempos de contato, porém a 75 e 50 ppm no tempo de 5 minutos o desinfetante não foi eficaz para uma e quatro amostras, respectivamente. O I a 100 e 75 ppm inativou os isolados em todos os tempos avaliados, mas a 50 ppm um foi resistente e a 25 ppm oito foram resistentes em todos os tempos de exposição. A característica alta patogenicidade não pareceu promover resistência, quando comparado com a cepa padrão. Concluiu-se, nas condições do experimento, que os dois desinfetantes podem ser usados em procedimentos de higiene frente às cepas APEC, apenas levando-se em consideração a concentração de uso e o tempo de contato.

SUMMARY The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of the disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (QAC) and iodophor (I) on 10 strains APEC (Escherichia coli pathogenic avian) and verify that the high feature pathogenicity provides protection factor against these compounds. The method used was the dilution by the qualitative suspension test. The variables studied were: the concentrations of QAC (300, 150, 75 and 50 ppm) and I (100, 75, 50 and 25 ppm), contact times (5, 10 and 20 minutes) and room temperature (20°C). The QAC inactivated all strains at concentrations of 300 and 150 ppm at all contact times, but at 75 and 50 ppm in time of 5 minutes was not effective disinfectant for one and four APEC strains, respectively. The I 100 and 75 ppm inactivated isolates in all time periods, but 50 ppm one was tough and 25ppm eight were resistant in all exposure times. The highly pathogenic feature does not appear to promote resistance when compared with the standard strain. It was concluded, under the experimental conditions, the two disinfectants can be used in front of the hygiene procedures APEC strains, only taking into account the use concentration and contact time.

Resumo: O timo é um órgão linfóide, que é normalmente avaliado para o grau de perda de linfócitos a partir de técnicas histológicas subjetivas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo a adaptação e aplicação do sistema de análise digital de depleção linfóide (ADDL) para o timo, a fim de tornar sua análise mais acurada. Glicocorticóides foram utilizados a fim de induzir imunossupressão em 55 aves de 21 dias de idade. Outras 15 aves formaram o grupo controle. Posteriormente, para cada um dos aves, realizou-se a eutanásia e necropsia. Ambas as cadeias do timo foram coletadas e foram selecionadas seis lóbulos para processamento histológico, análise quanto ao grau de depleção linfocitária (escores de 1-5) e submissão a todas as fases do processamento pelo sistema ADDL. Observou-se que a rede neural artificial (RNA) construída obteve 94,03% de classificações corretas. Em conclusão, foi possível adotar critérios objetivos para avaliar a depleção linfóide tímica utilizando o sistema ADDL.

Abstract: The thymus is a lymphoid organ and usually evaluated for the degree of lymphocyte loss with subjective histological techniques. This study aimed to adapt and to apply of the digital analysis of the lymphoid depletion system (ADDL) in the thymus in order to obtain a more accurate analysis. Glucocorticoid was used to induce immunosuppression in 55 broilers at 21 days of age; other 15 broilers were the control group. After euthanasia of the broilers, postmortem examination was made. Both thymic chains were collected and six lobes were selected for histological examination of the degree of lymphocyte depletion (scores 1 to 5) and for submission to all stages of processing by the ADDL system. The artificial constructed neural networks (ANN) obtained 94.03% of correct classifications. In conclusion, it was possible to adopt objective criteria to evaluate thymic lymphoid depletion with the ADDL system.

Abstract Pasteurella multocida causes atrophic rhinitis in swine and fowl cholera in birds, and is a secondary agent in respiratory syndromes. Pathogenesis and virulence factors involved are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to detect 22 virulence-associated genes by PCR, including capsular serogroups A, B and D genes and to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of P. multocida strains from poultry and swine. ompH, oma87, plpB, psl, exbD-tonB, fur, hgbA, nanB, sodA, sodC, ptfA were detected in more than 90% of the strains of both hosts. 91% and 92% of avian and swine strains, respectively, were classified in serogroup A. toxA and hsf-1 showed a significant association to serogroup D; pmHAS and pfhA to serogroup A. Gentamicin and amoxicillin were the most effective drugs with susceptibility higher than 97%; however, 76.79% of poultry strains and 85% of swine strains were resistant to sulphonamides. Furthermore, 19.64% and 36.58% of avian and swine strains, respectively, were multi-resistant. Virulence genes studied were not specific to a host and may be the result of horizontal transmission throughout evolution. High multidrug resistance demonstrates the need for responsible use of antimicrobials in animals intended for human consumption, in addition to antimicrobial susceptibility testing to P. multocida.

<p>Para impedir a dispersão de microrganismos patogênicos ao longo da cadeia avícola medidas de biosseguridade são adotadas, sendo a desinfecção procedimento obrigatório e o composto químico cloreto de benzalcônio (quaternário de amônio) largamente usado para essa finalidade. Devido ao fato de que parte das criações brasileiras localizam-se em regiões com grande amplitude térmica, o mesmo ocorrendo entre as diferentes áreas e secções de matadouros-frigoríficos, executou-se este experimento para verificar a atividade desse desinfetante simulando condições de uso frente a 33 isolados de <italic>Salmonella</italic>Hadar. Pelo teste de suspensão observou-se a inativação bacteriana sob as variáveis concentração (100 e 200 ppm), temperatura (20 ± 2 ºC e 8 ± 2 ºC), carga de matéria orgânica (1 e 3 %) e tempos de contato (5, 10 e 20 minutos). Como resultados, a 20 ± 2 ºC todos os isolados foram inativados nas duas concentrações e cargas orgânicas após 5 minutos de contato. Sob temperatura de 8 ± 2 ºC o desinfetante teve sua atividade comprometida, tendo isolados bacterianos sobrevivido sob todas as variáveis de confronto (33,3% frente 100 ppm e 6,1% frente 200 ppm). Quanto menor a concentração do desinfetante e maior carga orgânica, maior o número de isolados viáveis. Conclui-se que, nas condições do experimento, o cloreto de benzalcônio foi capaz de inativar todos os isolados do sorovar de<italic>Salmonella</italic> confrontados, podendo ser empregado nos procedimentos de desinfecção. No entanto, a baixa temperatura ambiente é fator de limitação na indicação de seu uso.</p>

<p>Biosafety measures are adopted in order to avoid the spreading of pathogenic microorganisms along the poultry chain, with disinfection being a mandatory procedure and the chemical compound benzalkonium chloride (quaternary ammonium) widely used for this purpose. Due to the fact that part of the farming in Brazil is located in areas with a great thermal amplitude, which is also the case among the different areas and sections of slaughterhouses, we performed an experiment to verify the activity of this disinfectant, simulating conditions of use with 33 <italic>Salmonella</italic> Hadar isolates. Using the test suspension, the inactivation of the bacteria was monitored under different concentrations (100 and 200 ppm), temperatures (20 ± 2 ºC and 8 ± 2 ºC), organic matter loading (1 and 3 %) and contact times (5, 10 and 20 minutes). As a result, all isolates in the two concentrations and organic loading were inactivated at 20 ± 2 ºC after a contact time of 5 minutes. At a temperature of 8 ± 2 ºC, the disinfectant’s activity was affected, with bacterial isolates surviving under all adverse variables (33,3% in front of 100 ppm and 6,1% in front of 200 ppm). Under the conditions of the experiment, our conclusion is that benzalkonium chloride was able to inactivate all isolates of the <italic>Salmonella</italic> serovars found and, therefore, it can be used in disinfection procedures. However, a low room temperature is a factor that limits indicating its use.</p>

Cytodites nudus e Laminosioptes cysticola são ácaros cuja ocorrência é pouco relatada e cuja infestação simultânea nunca foi descrita na literatura científica brasileira. C. nudus é conhecido como ácaro dos sacos aéreos e pode provocar sinais respiratórios, pneumonia e emagrecimento, quando presente em grande número no hospedeiro. L. cysticola parasita o tecido conjuntivo de galiformes e provoca a formação de pequenos nódulos subcutâneos calcificados, que podem ser confundidos com nódulos de tuberculose aviária. No presente trabalho, são discutidos os aspectos patológicos das lesões causadas pelos ácaros C. nudus e L. cysticola e a caracterização morfológica desses parasitas.

The occurrence of Cytodites nudus and Laminosioptes cysticola mites is rare and there is no report of this simultaneous infestation in Brazilian scientific literature. C. nudus is known as the air sacs mite and may cause respiratory signs as well as pneumonia and weight loss when present in large numbers in the host. L. cysticola is found in connective tissue of galliforms and causes formation of small calcified subcutaneous nodules that can be confused with the characteristic nodules found in avian tuberculosis. In this paper are discussed the pathological findings of lesions caused by C. nudus and L. cysticola and their morphological characterization.

Over the years, Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) has gained prominence in North America poultry production and in the poultry production of other countries. Salmonella Heidelberg has been isolated and reported from poultry and poultry products in Brazil since 1962, whereas Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) has only emerged as a serious problem in poultry and public health since 1993. These strains of Salmonella can cause intestinal problems in newly hatched chicks, and infection may persist until adulthood. Upon slaughter of chickens, Salmonella can contaminate carcasses, a condition that poses a threat to human health. The aim of this study was to compare the fecal excretion of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Heidelberg in newly hatched chicks (orally inoculated with 10(5)ufc/mL each) until 20 days of age. In addition, the ratio of cecal villus height:crypt depth (morphometry) and liver and cecum cell counts was analyzed in chicks ranging from 0 to 3 days of age and infected with these two Salmonella strains. One hundred seventeen chicks were separated into one of three experimental groups: a control group, an SE-infected group and an SH-infected group. Eight chicks per group were euthanized at 6, 12 and 72 hours post-inoculation (pi) to allow for Salmonella isolation from the liver and cecum and for the collection of the cecum for villi and crypt analysis. Other birds were allowed to mature to 20 days of age and cloacal swabs were taken at 2, 6, 13 and 20 days pi to compare the fecal excretion of inoculated strains. The Salmonella Enteritidis group had a higher number of cells excreted during the trial. Both strains were isolated from the liver and cecum by 6h pi. At 12h pi the Salmonella Heidelberg group had high cell counts in the cecum. No difference was found in liver cell counts. Both strains showed lower villus height:crypt depth ratio than the control group post-infection.

Foram isoladas 48 amostras de Arcobacter spp de 37 carcaças de frangos colhidas em frigorífico, prontas para consumo, entre 80 carcaças examinadas. Foram feitas tentativas de cultivo a partir de pele e de músculo, sendo obtidas 25 cultivos positivos de músculo e 23 de pele. As bactérias foram classificadas pelas características fenotípicas e pelo teste de PCR e PCR múltiplo, obtendo-se 41 amostras classificadas como Arcobacter butzleri e 07 com classificação a nível de gênero Arcobacter sp. Estes são os primeiros relatos sobre a ocorrência das bactérias em carcaças de animais no Brasil.

Fourty eight isolates of Arcobacter spp were obtained from 37 poultry carcasses, from abattoir, among 80 carcasses examined. Attempts for culturing were made from the skin and muscle, resulting on 25 positive cultures from muscle and 23 from skin. Classification was achieved by phenotypic characterization and PCR and multiplex PCR, resulting 41 samples of Arcobacter butzleri and 07 Arcobacter sp. This is the first report on the occurrence of Arcobacter in animal carcasses in Brazil.