RESUMO Embora Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) seja capaz de metabolizar 1,2-propanodiol (1,2-Pd), utilizado como fonte de carbono e de energia ao longo de uma rota dependente de vitamina B12, a importância deste composto na infeção de Gallus gallus domesticus por SE permanece desconhecida. No presente estudo, foram construídos um mutante de SE sem os genes pduCDE, que codifica a propanodiol desidratase (Pdu), e outro contendo as deleções no pduCDE e também nos genes cobS e cbiA, responsáveis pela síntese de vitamina B12. Em seguida, avaliou-se a importância do metabolismo do 1,2-Pd em SE para colonização intestinal de infecção sistêmica de poedeiras comerciais. As estirpes mutantes de SE foram capazes de colonizar o intestino, de serem excretadas nas fezes e de invadir o baço e o fígado na mesma intensidade que a estirpe selvagem, o que sugere que os produtos dos genes pduC, pduD, pduE, cobS e cbiA não são essenciais durante infecção por Salmonella Enteritidis nessa espécie.

Salmonella spp. is the main originator of human foodborne diseases worldwide and is mainly transmitted by food containing eggs. In Brazil, as a result of the lack of studies and data collection very little is known about the prevalence of Salmonella spp. in laying hen flocks and commercial table eggs. Consequently the present study was elaborated and aimed at generating data about Salmonella spp. in part of the Brazilian egg production chain. Eight flocks of day-old chicks, eight flocks of adult laying hens (four vaccinated with bacterin against Salmonella Enteritidis and four unvaccinated) and commercial table eggs from four supermarkets were examined. Salmonella spp. was isolated in 50 % of the newly hatched chicks, 25 % of the adult flocks and 1.5 % of egg samples examined. S. enterica subsp. enterica 4,12:r:-, S. Mbandaka, S. enterica subsp. enterica 6,7: z10:-, S. Enteritidis and S. Havana were the serovars isolated in birds. In commercial table-eggs S. Mbandaka, S. enterica subsp. enterica 6,7: z10:- and S. Braenderup were isolated. These results show that Salmonella spp. is present in laying hen flocks and consequently in eggs destined for human consumption. Probably, some of the Salmonella serovars are being introduced in egg farms by vertical via.

Ratite farming of has expanded worldwide. Due to the intensive farming methods used by ratite producers, preventive medicine practices should be established. In this context, the surveillance and control of some avian pathogens are essential for the success of the ratite industry; however, little is known on the health status of ratites in Brazil. Therefore, the prevalence of antibodies against Newcastle Disease virus, Chlamydophila psittaci, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae, and Salmonella Pullorum were evaluated in 100 serum samples collected from commercial ostriches and in 80 serum samples from commercial rheas reared in Brazil. All sampled animals were clinically healthy. The results showed that all ostriches and rheas were serologically negative to Newcastle disease virus, Chlamydophila psittaci, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and Mycoplasma synoviae. Positive antibody responses against Salmonella Pullorum antigen were not detected in ostrich sera, but were detected in two rhea serum samples. These results can be considered as a warning as to the presence of Salmonella spp. in ratite farms. Therefore, the implementation of good health management and surveillance programs in ratite farms may contribute to improve not only animal production, but also public health conditions.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate white blood cell counts and serum protein profiles of commercial layers experimentally infected with Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) in order to better understand the pathophysiology of the disease caused by this bacterium. 180 five-day-old commercial layers were divided into 3 groups (G); G1 and G2 received 0.2 mL of inoculate containing 3.3x10(8) CFU or 3.3x10(5) CFU SG resistant to nalidix acid (Nal r)/mL, respectively, directly into their crops. G3 group did not receive the inoculum. Birds were sacrificed 24 hours before (T1) and 24 hours after the infection (T2), and three (T3), five (T4), seven (T5), and ten (T6) days after the administration of the inoculum. White blood cell counts were carried out in a Neubauer hemocytometer and in blood smears. Serum protein concentrations, including acute-phase proteins, were determined using sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Data were submitted to analysis of variance, and means were compared by Tukey's test (P <0.05). G1 and G2 groups presented higher leukocyte counts on T4 and T5, respectively, due to the increase of circulating lymphocytes and heterophils, with a significant difference relative to G3. In electrophoresis, an increase in the serum levels of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and hemopexin and a decrease in transferrin, which are acute-phase proteins, was verified. IgA serum levels did not change; however, IgG concentration increased during the infection. In conclusion, the results provide information for the better understanding of the pathophysiology of fowl typhoid.

RESUMO Pesquisou-se anticorpos anti Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) e Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) nas populações de aves de produção não tecnificada e com finalidade de subsistência, em propriedades rurais em áreas geográficas próximas a granjas de reprodutoras (matrizeiros) do Estado de São Paulo. Foram selecionadas quinze criações vizinhas a 3 granjas de matrizes, consideradas livres de MG e MS. Soros sanguíneos de 406 galinhas foram estudados quanto a presença de anticorpos anti MG e MS. A avaliação foi realizada pela técnica de soroaglutinação rápida em placa. As freqüências de positividade encontradas foram de 73% e 100% das aves aos antígenos de MG e MS, respectivamente. As ocorrências observadas de aves sororreagentes foram de 30,3% e 40,6% para os antígenos de MG e MS, respectivamente. Os resultados indicaram que MG e MS estão amplamente difundidos nas criações informais de aves de “fundo de quintal”, colocando em risco constante os criatórios de exploração industrial, os quais necessitam adotar e manter boas práticas de biossegurança para preservar a integridade sanitária dos plantéis.

ABSTRACT This investigation aimed to demonstrate the occurrence of serological reactions to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in domestic backyard poultryfor self consumtion located next to parent flocks in the State of São Paulo. Fifteen backyard flocks around 3 parent flocks officially recognized as free from MG and MS were selected.Sera from 406 chickens were researched on antibodies anti MG and MS, by means of plate agglutination test. The frequencies found were 73% and 100% of flocks with chickens reacting to the antigens of MG and MS, respectively. The frequencies of reacting chickens were 30.3% and 40.6% for the antigens of MG and MS, respectively. The results showed that the aetiological agents studied are widespread among the backyard flocks, posing a constant risk for the commercial poultry flocks, which need to adopt and keep good biosecurity practices to preserve their sanitary status.

RESUMO Esta pesquisa objetivou demonstrar a ocorrência de reações sorológicas contra Salmonella spp. nas populações de aves de explorações não tecnificadas e com finalidade de subsistência, em propriedades rurais localizadas em áreas geográficas próximas a granjas de reprodutoras (matrizeiros) do Estado de São Paulo. Foram selecionadas três granjas de matrizes, oficialmente reconhecidas como sendo livres de S. Pullorum (SP), S. Gallinarum (SG), S. Enteritidis (SE), S. Typhimurium (ST), e 15 criações vizinhas, cuja população de aves foi amostrada com colheita e processamento de 406 soros sangüíneos. O diagnóstico foi realizado pela técnica de soroaglutinação rápida em placa e lenta em tubos. A freqüência encontrada foi igual a 73% de propriedades com aves sororeagentes ao antígeno testado de SP (teste da pulorose). A ocorrência observada de aves sororeagentes foi de 16,5%. Os dados obtidos sugerem que o agente estudado está amplamente difundido nas criações informais de aves de “fundo de quintal”, colocando em risco constante os criatórios de exploração industrial, os quais necessitam adotar e manter boas práticas de biosseguridade para preservar a integridade sanitária dos plantéis.

ABSTRACT This investigation aimed to demonstrate the occurrence of serological reactions to Salmonella spp. in backyard domestic poultry for private consumption located next to parent flocks in the State of São Paulo. Three parent flocks officially recognised as free from S. Pullorum (SP), S. Gallinarum (SG), S. Enteritidis (SE), S. Typhimurium (ST) and 15 neighboring backyard flocks were selected. A sample of 406 chickens from the backyard flocks was bled, and the diagnostic was carried out by the agglutination tests in plate and in tubes. The frequency found was 73% of flocks with chickens reacting to the antigens of SP. The frequency of reacting chickens was 16.5% for the antigen of SP. The results show that the etiological agent studied is widespread among the backyard flocks, posing a constant risk for the commercial poultry flocks that need to adopt and keep good biosecurity practices to preserve their health status.