Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of the main pathogens responsible for foodborne illness in Brazil. Probiotic bacteria can play a role in defense and recovery from enteropathogenic -infections. In this study, the ability of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA10 to colonise and exert anta-gonistic effects in the gastrointestinal tract was tested before and during experimental infection in conventional mice contaminated with S. Enteritidis (SE86). A dose of 0.1 mL containing 10(8) viable cells of SE86 and L. acidophilus LA10 was orally administered by gavage to mice. The experiment was divided into groups. As a negative control, Group 1 was administered only sterile saline solution. As a positive control, Group 2 was administered only SE86. Group 3 was first administered SE86, and after 10 days, treated with L. acidophilus LA10. Group 4 was first administered L. acidophilus LA10,and after 10 days, challenged with SE86.The results demonstrated that a significant number of SE86 cells were able to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of mice, specifically in the colon and ileum. L. acidophilus LA10 demonstrated an antagonistic effect against SE86, with better results observed for Group 3 over Group 4. Thus, L. acidophilus LA10 shows potential antagonistic effects against S. Enteritidis SE86, especially if administered after infection.

A degradação dos recursos naturais vem aumentando em números alarmantes, principalmente, as fontes hídricas. Devido a isto, cada vez mais as populações vêm utilizando águas subterrâneas para consumo humano. Contudo, o grande problema é a contaminação destas por microrganismos patogênicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de águas subterrâneas em municípios do Extremo Oeste de Santa Catarina. Foram analisadas 149 amostras de água de poços em catorze municípios, durante o período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2006. Foram determinados em todas as amostras os números mais prováveis de coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Os resultados apresentaram altos índices de amostras impróprias para consumo, com 54,7% em 2005 e 56,7% em 2006. Os nossos dados evidenciam os riscos para doenças de veiculação hídrica que a população da região está exposta com o consumo desta água, mostrando um grave problema de saúde pública.

The degradation of natural resources is increasing in alarming numbers, especially water sources that is constant changes in its quality. Because of this, more and more people come using groundwater for human consumption, but the big problem is contamination by these pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of groundwater districts in the Extreme West of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We analyzed 149 samples of water from wells in 14 municipalities during the period January 2005 to December 2006. Were determined in all samples the total coliform and thermotolerant. The results showed high rates of samples inappropriate for consumption, with 54.7% in 2005 and 56.7% in 2006. Our data show the risk of diseases spreading of water that the region's population is exposed to the consumption of water, showing a serious public health problem.

A degradação dos recursos naturais vem aumentando em números alarmantes, principalmente, as fontes hídricas. Devido a isto, cada vez mais as populações vêm utilizando águas subterrâneas para consumo humano. Contudo, o grande problema é a contaminação destas por microrganismos patogênicos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de águas subterrâneas em municípios do Extremo Oeste de Santa Catarina. Foram analisadas 149 amostras de água de poços em catorze municípios, durante o período de janeiro de 2005 a dezembro de 2006. Foram determinados em todas as amostras os números mais prováveis de coliformes totais e termotolerantes. Os resultados apresentaram altos índices de amostras impróprias para consumo, com 54,7% em 2005 e 56,7% em 2006. Os nossos dados evidenciam os riscos para doenças de veiculação hídrica que a população da região está exposta com o consumo desta água, mostrando um grave problema de saúde pública.

The degradation of natural resources is increasing in alarming numbers, especially water sources that is constant changes in its quality. Because of this, more and more people come using groundwater for human consumption, but the big problem is contamination by these pathogenic microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of groundwater districts in the Extreme West of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We analyzed 149 samples of water from wells in 14 municipalities during the period January 2005 to December 2006. Were determined in all samples the total coliform and thermotolerant. The results showed high rates of samples inappropriate for consumption, with 54.7% in 2005 and 56.7% in 2006. Our data show the risk of diseases spreading of water that the region's population is exposed to the consumption of water, showing a serious public health problem.