Abstract The conjunctiva plays an essential role in eye health and immunity and acts as a barrier to the entry of microorganisms. Conjunctival infections are common in dogs and result from both the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms and the uncontrolled growth of the existing microbiota. Most of the existing data come from studies based on traditional culture methods. These reports indicate the predominance of gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus spp. In the present study, we analyzed the microbiota present on the conjunctival surface from a heterogeneous dog population without ophthalmological disorders using DNA sequencing. After a thorough ophthalmological examination, conjunctival swabs were collected from both eyes of 30 dogs. After processing and nucleic acid extraction, the sample pool was subjected to shotgun DNA sequencing through the Illumina platform and analyzed via the Metagenomic Rapid Annotations using Subsystems Technology (MGRAST) server. A predominance of the phylum Proteobacteria and the genera Ralstonia and Burkholderia were identified along with a minority of fungi, whereas viruses were not found. Microbial DNA sequencing has provided new data on this subject, revealing the presence of noncultivable organisms that were previously unknown as part of the ocular microbiome. methods grampositive gram positive bacteria spp study examination 3 extraction MGRAST (MGRAST server fungi found subject microbiome

Resumo A conjuntiva desempenha papel fundamental na saúde e imunidade ocular e atua como uma barreira à entrada de microrganismos. As infecções conjuntivais são comuns em cães e resultam tanto da invasão de microrganismos patogênicos quanto do crescimento descontrolado da microbiota existente. A maior parte dos dados existentes provém de estudos baseados em métodos de cultura tradicionais. Esses relatos apontam para o predomínio de bactérias gram-positivas, principalmente Staphylococcus spp. O presente estudo analisou a comunidade microbiana presente na conjuntiva ocular de uma população heterogênea de cães sem distúrbios oftalmológicos por sequenciamento de DNA. Após exame oftálmico minucioso, foram coletados suabe conjuntivais de ambos os olhos de 30 cães. Após processamento e extração de ácidos nucleicos, o pool de amostras foi submetido ao sequenciamento shotgun de DNA por meio da plataforma Illumina e analisado no servidor Metagenomic Rapid Annotations using Subsystems Technology (MG-RAST). Foi identificada uma predominância do filo Proteobacteria e dos gêneros Ralstonia e Burkholderia juntamente com uma minoria de fungos, enquanto vírus não foram encontrados. O sequenciamento do DNA microbiano trouxe novos dados sobre o assunto, revelando a presença de organismos não cultiváveis até então desconhecidos como parte do microbioma ocular. existente tradicionais grampositivas, grampositivas gram positivas, positivas gram-positivas spp minucioso 3 nucleicos MGRAST. MGRAST MG RAST . (MG-RAST) fungos encontrados assunto (MG-RAST

RESUMO: O aumento da produção ovina está diretamente relacionado ao status sanitário do rebanho. O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores mundiais de ovinos, e o rebanho está concentrado nas regiões nordeste e sul do país. As doenças infecciosas são responsáveis por perdas econômicas severas que resultam da diminuição na produção de leite e carne, mortes e custos com tratamentos. Entre os agentes infecciosos, as doenças de origem viral são, em sua maioria, descritas em relatos de caso ou estudos retrospectivos. Este estudo teve como objetivo revisar as principais características das doenças virais que afetam ovinos no território brasileiro, e qual sua situação atual. Nós incluímos oito doenças virais diagnosticadas no Brasil: raiva, língua azul, ectima contagioso, febre aftosa, maedi-visna, tumor enzoótico nasal, adenocarcinoma pulmonar ovino, e pestivirose. Revisamos os achados etiológicos, epidemiológicos, clínicos e patológicos de cada agente e incluímos seus respectivos diagnósticos diferenciais, informações acerca dos métodos diagnósticos para confirmação da etiologia da doença e medidas de controle e prevenção. Esse estudo tem o propósito de servir como objetivo servir de material de consulta rápida, especialmente para veterinários de campo realizar um diagnóstico acurado.

ABSTRACT: The increase in sheep production is directly related to the health status of the flock. Brazil is one of the largest sheep producers in the world, and the sheep flock is concentrated in southern and northeast regions. Infectious diseases are responsible for severe economic losses resulting from a decrease in milk and meat production, deaths, and cost of treatment. Among infectious diseases, viral diseases are described chiefly in case reports or retrospective studies. This study aimed to review the main features of viral diseases that affect sheep in Brazil and their current situation in the Brazilian territory. We included eight viral diseases described in Brazil: rabies, bluetongue, contagious ecthyma, foot and mouth disease, visna-maedi, enzootic nasal tumor, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and border disease. We review the etiological, epidemiological, clinical, and pathological findings for each agent and included differential diagnoses, information on recommended diagnostic methods to confirm the disease etiology, and control measures. This study served as quick consultation material for field veterinarians for an accurate diagnosis.

RESUMO: Uma pesquisa de agentes enteropatogênicos em gatos domésticos de um abrigo foi realizado como etapa da investigação das causas de diarreias crônicas intermitentes. Amostras fecais individuais de 39 gatos, com livre acesso ao ambiente externo, foram obtidas para pesquisa de helmintos através do exame parasitológico, investigação de parvovírus e coronavírus e de Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. e Tritrichomonas foetus através de PCR em tempo real. Dos gatos avaliados, 30 (76,9%) foram positivos para algum ou mais de um destes agentes entéricos. Desses, 11 (28,2%) apresentaram co-infecções parasitárias. Ovos de helmintos foram observados em 48,7% dos gatos (19/30), 16 felinos (41%) foram positivos para parvovírus ou coronavírus e 25,6% (10/30) estavam infectados por protozoários. Dos positivos para protozoários, cinco apresentaram Tritrichomonas foetus (12,82%), um organismo pouco relatado no Brasil, sendo este o primeiro relato de detecção deste protozoário através de PCR em fezes de gatos no Sul do Brasil e o segundo no país. A diarreia crônica em gatos pode ser multifatorial em animais de abrigo onde a densidade populacional é elevada e os meios de controle parasitário e viral são deficitários, além das condições de higiene precárias. Os fatores associados à proliferação de doenças infecciosas em abrigos promovem o surgimento de infecções por novos patógenos como o Tritrichomonas foetus, até então pouco relatado no Brasil.

ABSTRACT: This study carried out a survey about enteropathogenic agents in domestic cats’ shelter as a stage of investigation for the intermittent chronic diarrhea. Individual fecal samples from 39 cats with free access to the external environment were submitted to parasitological examination, parvovirus, and coronavirus by PCR, and Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and Tritrichomonas foetus by real-time PCR. From the cats evaluated, 30 (76.9%) were positive for one or more enteric agents, and coinfections were observed in 11 cats samples (28.2%). Helminth eggs were observed in 48.7% of cats (19/30), 16 (41%) were positive for parvovirus or coronavirus and 25.6% (10/30) were infected by protozoa. From the positives for protozoa, five cats were positive to T. foetus (12.82%). The first finding of this protozoan through PCR was in the southern Brazil, and the second was in the whole country. Chronic diarrhea in cats may be multifactorial in shelter animals where the population density is high and the control of parasitic, and viral infections are deficient. Moreover, it is due to poor hygiene conditions in these shelters. The factors associated with the proliferation of infectious diseases in shelters are correlated with new pathogens infections such as T. foetus.

ABSTRACT Although the use of vaccines has controlled enteric diseases in dogs in many developed countries, vaccine coverage is still under optimal situation in Brazil. There is a large population of nonimmunized dogs and few studies about the identification of the viruses associated with diarrhea. To address this situation, stool samples from 325 dogs were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the detection of common enteric viruses such as Canine adenovirus (CAdV), Canine coronavirus (CCoV), Canine distemper virus (CDV), Canine rotavirus (CRV) and Carnivorous protoparvovirus 1 (canine parvovirus 2; CPV-2). At least one of these species was detected in 56.6% (184/325) of the samples. The viruses detected most frequently in either diarrheic or nondiarrheic dog feces were CPV-2 (54.3% of the positive samples), CDV (45.1%) and CCoV (30.4%), followed by CRV (8.2%) and CAdV (4.9%). Only one agent was detected in the majority of the positive samples (63%), but co-infections were present in 37% of the positive samples and mainly included CDV and CPV-2. The data presented herein can improve the clinical knowledge in regions with low vaccine coverage and highlight the need to improve the methods used to control these infectious diseases in domestic dogs.

RESUMO: A doença de Newcastle, causada por cepas de avulavirus aviário tipo 1 (AAvV-1), é uma doença de aves importante por causar altos índices de mortalidade e perdas econômicas. Vários surtos têm sido relatados ao longo de 30 anos em aves da ordem Columbiformes, em diferentes partes do mundo, causados por uma cepa variante específica de AAvV-1, denominada Pigeon paramyxovirus tipo 1 (PPMV-1). Foi analisado um surto de mortalidade em pombos domésticos (Columba livia), provenientes de uma praça pública em Porto Alegre, no Sul do Brasil. Vinte e quatro aves moribundas ou mortas foram submetidas, no intervalo de cinco semanas, ao exame de necropsia, exame histopatológico, imuno-histoquímico anti-Newcastle, RT-PCR e sequenciamento. Apresentaram sinais neurológicos, encefalite e encefalomielite não supurativas, além de infiltrado inflamatório mononuclear em diversos órgãos. Nove aves demonstraram exame imuno-histoquímico positivo em órgãos como cérebro, rim, fígado e pâncreas. Seis aves foram positivas no exame de RT-PCR para a proteína M do vírus da Doença de Newcastle. Nos exames de diagnósticos diferenciais de Influenza, West Nile, Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae, todas as aves testadas foram negativas. A sequência dos aminoácidos na região do sítio de clivagem da proteína foi 112RRQKRF117, classificando a cepa como virulenta. De acordo com a análise filogenética o vírus identificado foi classificado como pertencente à classe II e ao genótipo VI.

ABSTRACT: The Newcastle disease, caused by avian avulavirus type 1 strains (APMV-1) is an important avian disease involved into high rates of mortality and economic losses. Several outbreaks have been reported over the last 30 years in Columbiformes in different parts of the world, caused by a adapted variant strain of AAvV-1, called pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1). A high mortality associated with an outbreak was analyzed in free-living pigeons (Columba livia) in a public square in Porto Alegre in Southern Brazil. A total of 24 pigeons moribund or freshly dead, within five weeks interval were submitted to necropsy, histopathological, immunohistochemical (anti-Newcastle), and RT-PCR followed by sequencing of the amplification products analysis. They presented neurological signs, non-suppurative encephalitis and encephalomyelitis, and mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate in different organs. Immunohistochemical analysis in nine pigeons tissue showed that anti-Newcastle was expressed in brain, kidney, liver and pancreas. The RT-PCR test for the M protein of Newcastle disease virus was positive in six pigeons. The differential diagnosis of Influenza, West Nile, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in all pigeons presented negative results. The sequence of amino acids in the cleavage site region of the F protein was 112RRQKRF117 classifying the strain as virulent. The phylogenetic analysis classified this virus strain into Class II and VI genotype.

Abstract Mamastrovirus 5 (MAstV5), belonging to the Astroviridae (AstV) family, previously known as canine astrovirus or astrovirus-like particles, has been reported in several countries to be associated with viral enteric disease in dogs since the 1980s. Astroviruses have been detected in fecal samples from a wide variety of mammals and birds that are associated with gastroenteritis and extra enteric manifestations. In the present study, RT-PCR was used to investigate the presence of MAstV5 in 269 dog fecal samples. MAstV5 was detected in 26% (71/269) of the samples. Interestingly, all MAstV5-positive samples derived from dogs displaying clinical signs suggestive of gastroenteritis, other enteric viruses were simultaneously detected (canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, canine coronavirus, canine adenovirus and canine rotavirus). Based on genomic sequence analysis of MAstV5 a novel classification of the species into four genotypes, MAstV5a-MAstV5d, is proposed. Phylogenetic analyses based on the ORF2 amino acid sequences, samples described herein grouped into the putative genotype ‘a' closed related with Chinese samples. Other studies are required to attempt the clinical and antigenic implications of these astrovirus genotypes in dogs.

Abstract Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of porcine circovirus disease, a complex multisystem syndrome in domestic pigs. Despite the significant economic losses caused by porcine circovirus disease, the mechanisms of pathogenesis underlying the clinical findings remain largely unclear. As various reports have highlighted the potential key role of vascular lesions in the pathogenesis of porcine circovirus disease, the aim of this work was to investigate effects of PCV2 infection on vascular endothelial cells, focusing on cell viability and expression of adhesion/junction molecules. PCV2 infection reduced endothelial cell viability, while viral infection did not affected the viability of several other classical cell lines. Also, PCV2 infection in endothelial cells displayed a dual/biphasic effect: initially, infection increased ICAM-1 expression, which can favor leukocyte recruitment and emigration to tissues and possibly inducing characteristic porcine circovirus disease inflammatory lesions; then, secondarily, infection caused an increase in zonula occludens 1 tight junction protein (ZO-1) expression, which in turn can result in difficulties for cell traffic across the endothelium and a potential impairment the immune response in peripheral tissues. These virus-induced endothelial changes could directly impact the inflammatory process of porcine circovirus disease and associated vascular/immune system disturbances. Data suggest that, among the wide range of effects induced by PCV2 on the host, endothelial modulation can be a pivotal process which can help to explain PCV2 pathogenesis in some porcine circovirus disease presentations.

Abstract Ungulate tetraparvovirus 2 (UTV2) , formerly known as porcine hokovirus due to its discovery in Hong Kong, is closely related to a Primate tetraparvovirus (human PARV-4) and Ungulate tetraparvovirus 1 (bovine hokovirus). Until now, UTV2 was detected in European, Asian and North American countries, but its occurrence in Latin America is still unknown. This study describes the first report of UTV2 in Brazil, as well as its phylogenetic characterization. Tissue samples (lymph node, lung, liver, spleen and kidney) of 240 piglets from eight different herds (30 animals each herd) were processed for DNA extraction. UTV2 DNA was detected by PCR and the entire VP1/VP2 gene was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. All pigs from this study displayed postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). UTV2 was detected in 55.3% of the samples distributed in the variety of porcine tissues investigated, as well as detected in almost all herds, with one exception. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Brazilian UTV2 sequences were more closely related to sequences from Europe and United States.

The complete genome sequence of bovine papillomavirus 2 (BPV2) from Brazilian Amazon Region was determined using multiple-primed rolling circle amplification followed by Illumina sequencing. The genome is 7,947 bp long, with 45.9% GC content. It encodes seven early (E1, E2,E4, E5, E6,E7, and E8) and two late (L1 and L2) genes. The complete genome of a BPV2 can help in future studies since this BPV type is highly reported worldwide although the lack of complete genome sequences available.

A fibropapilomatose (FP) é uma doença tumoral benigna que pode causar a morte das tartarugas marinhas por dificultar a sua locomoção, visão e alimentação. Pesquisas sugerem o envolvimento de um herpesvirus em associação com fatores ambientais e genéticos como agentes causais da FP. No Brasil, foi descrita pela primeira vez em 1986. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi detectar e caracterizar esse herpesvírus em tartarugas marinhas do litoral do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). De outubro de 2008 a julho de 2010, foram encontradas 14 tartarugas marinhas entre as praias de Torres e Tavares, das quais 11 eram tartarugas verdes (Chelonia mydas) e 3 eram tartarugas cabeçudas (Caretta caretta). Todas as tartarugas eram jovens e o comprimento curvilíneo de carapaça médio foi de 37,71±7,82cm, variando de 31 a 55cm. Apenas uma tartaruga verde apresentou um fibropapiloma de 1cm, pigmentado e de superfície papilar. Amostras de pele e do fibropapiloma foram submetidas a PCR convencional e PCR em tempo real para detecção e quantificação do herpesvírus. Todas as amostras de pele foram negativas e o fibropapiloma foi positivo em ambas as técnicas, apresentando uma carga viral de 9.917,04 cópias de genoma viral/mg de tecido. O fragmento de DNA amplificado na amostra de fibropapiloma foi sequenciado e revelou pertencer ao grupo filogeográfico do Atlântico. Essa é a primeira caracterização molecular do herpesvirus associado ao fibropapiloma em tartarugas do litoral do RS.

Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a benign tumoral disease that affects sea turtles, hampering movement, sight and feeding, ultimately leading to death. In Brazil, the disease was described for the first time in 1986. Research suggests the involvement of a herpesvirus in association with environmental and genetic factors as causal agents of FP. The objective of the present study was to detect and characterize this herpesvirus in sea turtles living in the coast of state Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. From October 2008 to July 2010, 14 turtles were observed between the beaches of Torres and Tavares, of which 11 were green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and 3 were loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). All turtles were young and mean curved carapace length was 37.71±7.82cm, and varied from 31 to 55cm. Only one green turtle presented a 1cm, papillary, pigmented fibropapilloma. Skin and fibropapilloma samples were analyzed by conventional and real time PCR assays to detect and quantify herpesvirus. All skin samples were negative, though the fibropapilloma specimen was positive in both tests. Viral load was 9,917.04 copies of viral genome per milligram of tissue. The DNA fragment amplified from the fibropapilloma sample was sequenced and allocated in the Atlantic phylogeographic group. This study reports the first molecular characterization of herpesvirus associated with fibropapilloma in turtles from the coast of RS.

Este artigo relata a descoberta de vários exemplares de Ozobranchus margoi (Annelida Hirudínea) parasitando uma tartaruga cabeçuda (Caretta caretta) encontrada no município de Tavares, Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil. Uma vez que esse parasito é considerado vetor do chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV 5), as sanguessugas foram testadas para a presença deste vírus. Todas as amostras foram negativas pela análise de PCR. Embora o O. margoi seja considerado um parasito comum de tartarugas marinhas, este é o primeiro registro oficial que descreve a coleta deste parasita em uma tartaruga cabeçuda no sul do Brasil, dentro da zona subtropical do país. Este achado chama a atenção para a presença deste parasita e para o risco de sanguessugas transmitirem doenças infecciosas em tartarugas no litoral sul do Brasil.

This paper reports the finding of several Ozobranchus margoi (Annelida: Hirudinea) parasitizing a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) that was found in the municipality of Tavares, state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. Since this parasite is considered to be a vector of chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV-5), the leeches collected were tested for the presence of this virus. All the specimens were negative on PCR analysis. Although O. margoi is considered to be a common sea turtle parasite, this is the first official record describing collection of this parasite from a loggerhead turtle in southern Brazil, within the country's subtropical zone. This finding draws attention to the presence of this parasite and to the risk of leech-borne infectious diseases among turtles found along the coast of southern Brazil.

O vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV) é responsável por diferentes síndromes que afetam bovinos em todo o mundo, causando grandes perdas econômicas. O presente trabalho analisou as características clínicas, patológicas e imuno-histoquímicas e virais de cinco bovinos persistentemente infectados pelo BVDV de uma mesma propriedade, localizada no Município de Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul. Dentre os sinais clínicos verificados destacaram-se subdesenvolvimento, secreções nasais e oculares, além de catarata congênita unilateral em dois bovinos. As principais lesões observadas durante a necropsia consistiram de aumento dos linfonodos mesentéricos, evidenciação das placas de Peyer e pododermatite e lesões crostosas no plano nasal e na região periocular em um animal. Os achados microscópicos caracterizavam-se, principalmente, por infiltrado mononuclear na lâmina do intestino delgado e rarefação linfoide com infiltrado histiocitário nos centrofoliculares de linfonodos e nas placas de Peyer. Antígenos virais foram detectados por imuno-histoquímica principalmente em queratinócitos da epiderme, no epitélio de folículos pilosos e células mononucleares da derme de orelhas e pele; histiócitos e em linfócitos dos linfonodos; células foliculares da tireoide; no citoplasma de neurônios e, em menor escala, em células da micróglia no córtex cerebral e no hipocampo. O isolamento viral de amostras de sangue e órgãos dos animais confirmou a presença de BVDV não citopático. Também foi possível detectar a presença do genoma viral por RT-PCR no soro dos animais. A análise filogenética do fragmento parcial da região 5' não traduzida do genoma viral permitiu a classificação da amostra viral como BVDV tipo 2b. O presente estudo reforça a necessidade de investigar e caracterizar surtos de BVD e descrever suas diferentes for-mas de apresentação.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is responsible for different syndromes that affect cattle worldwide causing important economic losses. This study analyzed the clinical, pathological, immunohistochemical and viral aspects of persistent infection by BVDV in five animals of a farm located in the county of Viamão, Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The clinical signs included growth impairment, nasal and ocular discharge and, in two animals, congenital cataract. The main gross lesions observed at the necropsy were enlargement of mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer's patches, and in one case, pododermatitis and crusted lesions on nasal planum and periocular region. Microscopic findings were characterized mostly by mononuclear infiltrate in the lamina propria, primarily in the small intestine and lymphoid depletion with histiocytic infiltrate in follicular centers of lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. Viral antigens were more frequently demonstrated in epidermal keratinocytes, epithelium of hair follicles and dendritic cells of the dermis of the ears and skin, histiocytes and lymphocytes in lymph nodes, thyroid follicular cells, in the cytoplasm of neurons and to a lesser extent, in glial cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Viral isolation from blood samples and organs confirmed the presence of non-cytopathic BVDV. Moreover, viral RNA was detected by RT-PCR in serum samples. Phylogenetic analysis of a partial fragment of the5' non-translated region of the viral genome allowed the classification of the sample as BVDV type 2b. The present study strengthens the need to investigate and to characterize BVD outbreaks and to describe its different clinic-pathological presentations.

No Brasil, a presença do parvovírus canino do tipo 2 (CPV-2), 2a e 2b já havia sido descrita, contudo, ainda não havia sido verificada a presença do tipo 2c. No presente trabalho, sete de nove amostras de cães com diarréia foram caracterizadas como CPV-2c, indicando que este vírus já está circulando na população canina no Brasil.

The presence of canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2), 2a and 2b has been described in Brazil, however, the type 2c had not been reported until now. In the current study, seven out of nine samples from dogs with diarrhea were characterized as CPV-2c, indicating that this virus is already circulating in the Brazilian canine population.

Para pesquisa de Salmonella spp. foram coletadas amostras de fígado e conteúdo cecal de 70 emas (Rhea americana) abatidas no Rio Grande do Sul - Brasil. Uma colônia morfológica e bioquimicamente compatível com Salmonella spp., isolada de uma amostra de fígado, foi sorotipada como Salmonella Anatum. Considerando-se o alto potencial zoonótico deste microrganismo, destaca-se a relevância do controle microbiológico efetivo em frigoríficos que abatem espécies silvestres, assim como no produto final.

In aiming to investigate the Salmonella spp. presence in one slaughterhouse in Rio Grande do Sul - Brazil, liver and cecum samples from 70 Greater Rhea (Rhea americana) were collected. One Salmonella-like colonie was serologically typed and identified as Salmonella Anatum. Considering the high zoonotical potential of this microorganism, an effective microbiological control of wild animal slaughterhouses and the final product is needed.

Estudou-se o efeito de dietas suplementadas com vitaminas C e E e com minerais orgânicos Zn e Se sobre parâmetros imunológicos de frangos de corte de 1 a 35 dias de idade submetidos a estresse cíclico por calor (25 a 32ºC). Avaliou-se ainda a inoculação com albumina sérica bovina (BSA) como estratégia para medir a imunidade humoral. Utilizaram-se 272 aves Ross para avaliação de quatro tipos de suplementação vitamínico-mineral (SVM): D1 - dieta controle com 60 e 30 UI de vit. E/kg de ração nas rações inicial e de crescimento, respectivamente; 0 de vit. C, 80 ppm de Zn inorgânico e 0,3 ppm de Se inorgânico/kg de ração; D2 - dieta controle + 100 UI vit. E e 300 ppm vit. C/kg de ração; D3 - dieta controle + 40 ppm Zn e 0,3 ppm Se orgânicos/kg de ração; D4 - dieta controle + níveis de SVM utilizados em D2 e D3; e de dois ambientes: termoneutro (ATN) e estresse cíclico pelo calor (EPC) a partir dos 14 dias de idade. Seis e cinco aves por tipo de suplementação no EPC e ATN, respectivamente, foram inoculadas com BSA aos 12 e aos 24 dias de idade. O soro das aves com 35 dias de idade foi analisado por ELISA. A suplementação de vitaminas e minerais não influenciou a produção de anticorpos de frangos de corte desafiados com BSA. O estresse por calor provocou maior produção de anticorpos anti-BSA, independentemente da dieta utilizada. A inoculação com BSA não influenciou o desempenho das aves e foi uma estratégia eficiente para avaliar a imunidade humoral de frangos, visto que as aves responderam ao seu desafio com aumento na produção de anticorpos e no tamanho de bursa, apesar da grande variabilidade individual.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of diet supplementation with vitamins C and E and organic minerals Zn and Se on immunological parameters of broilers from 1 to 35 days, kept on cyclic heat stress (25 to 32°C) and to evaluate the usefulness of bovine serum albumin (BSA) inoculation to determine humoral immunity. A total of 272 Ross broilers were used to evaluate four types of vitamin-mineral supplementation (VMS): D1- control diet with 60 and 30 IU of vit E for starter and growing diet, respectively, zero vit C, 80 ppm of inorganic Zn, 0.3 ppm of inorganic Se; D2 - control diet + 100 UI vit E and 300 ppm vit C/kg; D3 - control diet + 40 ppm Zn and 0.3 ppm Se/kg, both from organic sources; D4 - control diet and levels of VMS used in D2 and D3), and two environments: thermoneutral (TNA) and cyclic heat stress (CHS) from 14 days of age. Six and five birds per type of supplementation in CHS and TNA, respectively, were inoculated with BSA at 12 and 24 days. Birds serum at 35 days-old was analyzed by ELISA. Supplementation with vitamins and minerals did not influence antibody production of broilers challenged with BSA. Heat stress improved antibody anti-BSA production regardless of the diet. Inoculation with BSA did not influenced broiler performance and was a good strategy to evaluate humoral immunity of broilers, since the birds responded to the challenge improved antibody production and increased bursal size, despite the higher individual variation.