Poult Enteritis and Mortality Syndrome in Turkey Poults: Causes, Diagnosis and Preventive Measures

Poult enteritis and mortality syndrome (PEMS) is one of the most significant problem affecting turkeys and continues to cause severe economic losses worldwide. Although the specific causes of PEMS remains unknown, this syndrome might involve an interaction between several causative agents such as enteropathogenic viruses (coronaviruses, rotavirus, astroviruses and adenoviruses) and bacteria and protozoa. Non-infectious causes such as feed and management are also interconnected factors. However, it is difficult to determine the specific cause of enteric disorders under field conditions. Additionally, similarities of clinical signs and lesions hamper the accurate diagnosis. The purpose of the present review is to discuss in detail the main viral possible causative agents of PEMS and challenges in diagnosis and control.

Detection and Genetic Diversity of Porcine Coronavirus Involved in Diarrhea Outbreaks in Spain

Porcine enteric coronaviruses include some of the most relevant viral pathogens to the swine industry such as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) or porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) as well as several recently identified virus such as swine enteric coronavirus (SeCoV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) or swine enteric alphacoronavirus (SeACoV). The aim of this study is the identification and characterization of enteric coronaviruses on Spanish pig farms between 2017 and 2019. The study was carried out on 106 swine farms with diarrhea outbreaks where a viral etiology was suspected by using two duplex RT-PCRs developed for the detection of porcine enteric coronaviruses. PEDV was the only coronavirus detected in our research (38.7% positive outbreaks, 41 out of 106) and neither TGEV, SeCoV, PDCoV nor SeACoV were detected in any of the samples. The complete S-gene of all the PEDV isolates recovered were obtained and compared to PEDV and SeCoV sequences available in GenBank. The phylogenetic tree showed that only PEDV of the INDEL 2 or G1b genogroup has circulated in Spain between 2017 and 2019. Three different variants were detected, the recombinant PEDV-SeCoV being the most widespread. These results show that PEDV is a relevant cause of enteric disorders in pigs in Spain while new emerging coronavirus have not been detected so far. However, the monitoring of these virus is advisable to curtail their emergence and spread.

PSIX-12 Effects of tannin supplementation on zootechnical performance and blood parameters of weaned piglets

Weaned piglets often suffer from the enteric disorders and post-weaning diarrhoea. Natural extracts, due to its functional properties, such as tannins from chestnut and quebracho are often considered as feed additives against diarrhoea after the antibiotics ban (Reg. UE 1831/2003). The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary effects of tannins on growth performance and blood parameters of weaned piglets. A total of 120 piglets (Large White x Landrace) weaned at d 28±2 were randomly allotted to one of two treatments (control vs. tannin) with 6 pens per treatment and 10 pigs per pen. The tannin diet was supplemented with 1.25% of chestnut and quebracho tannins (Silvateam, Italy). The experiment lasted 40 days. Individual body weight (BW) was recorded at d 0, 14, 28 and 40. Feed intake was measured weekly to calculate feed efficiency from d 0 to 14, d 14 to 28, and d 28 to 40. Blood samples were collected on d 40 from a subset of animals (4 pigs/pen). Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS 9.4 (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). Supplementation of tannins did not affect BW and feed intake throughout the experiment. However, addition of tannins showed tendency to increase the feed efficiency on d 14 to d 28, compared with control (P = 0.54; 60.4 vs. 52.3, respectively). Dietary addition of tannins significantly increase the serum concentration of albumin, and decrease of globulin, urea and creatinine compared with control (P < 0.05; 23.05 vs. 19.31 g/L, 30.13 vs. 33.58 g/L; 0.98 vs. 2.18 mmol/L; 53.92 vs. 78.92 μmol/L, respectively). In conclusion, tannin supplementation impacted the blood parameters that were related to protein utilization, although this benefit was not reflected in growth performance of weaned pigs.

Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium perfringens netB-Positive Strain 2016TE7641_69, Isolated from the Intestine of a Diseased Turkey in Italy

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Clostridium perfringens 2016TE7641_69, isolated from the intestine of a turkey reared in a conventional poultry flock located in central Italy, where animals were showing enteric disorders suggesting subclinical necrotic enteritis.

Prevalence of netB-positive Clostridium perfringens in Italian poultry flocks by environmental sampling

Clostridium perfringens type G is one of the pathogens involved in enteric diseases in poultry. NetB, a pore-forming toxin, is considered the main virulence factor responsible for necrotic enteritis during C. perfringens infection. We carried out a field study involving 14 farms to evaluate the occurrence of netB-positive C. perfringens and the impact of infection in Italian poultry flocks. Environmental samples ( n = 117) and 50 carcasses were screened by microbiologic and molecular methods. Microbiologic investigations yielded 82 C. perfringens isolates. DNA was extracted from all samples and screened for α-toxin and NetB encoding genes by real-time PCR. The C. perfringens α-toxin gene was detected in 151 of 167 extracts (90.4%), and 31 of 151 (20.5%) were netB gene positive also. Sixteen isolates from a turkey flock with mild enteric disorders were also netB positive, demonstrating their occurrence not only in broiler but also in turkey flocks. A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis protocol was optimized to evaluate the diversity among isolates and revealed high genetic heterogeneity. The complete NetB toxin-coding gene of 2 C. perfringens isolates from turkey and broiler flocks were analyzed and showed very high relatedness with analogous sequences worldwide.

Antibiotic Resistance of Enteric Bacteria in HIV-Infected Patients at the Banka Ad-Lucem Hospital, West Region of Cameroon

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a serious problem throughout the world and especially in developing countries. This study was conducted to define the bacterial aetiologies of enteric disorders and their association with CD4+ T-lymphocyte cell count and serum hs-CRP in HIV-seropositive patients coming for consultation at the AD-Lucem Banka Hospital. Stool samples from one-hundred HIV-positive patients with enteric disorders and forty HIV negative patients with enteric disorders were examined for the presence of bacteria by different diagnostic techniques. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and serum hs-CRP of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients were examined, respectively, by flux cytometry and the ELISA solid-phase direct sandwich method. Among all the participants, 39 (26.35%) were males and 109 (73.65%) were females. HIV-seropositive mean age (43.79 years) was significantly higher compared to HIV-seronegative (27.13 years) patients (p<0.000). The average values of CD4+ T-cell count (p<0.0001), lymphocytes (p=0.0258), monocytes (p=0.0317), and total WBC count (p=0.0277) were significantly higher in HIV− patients compared to HIV+ patients. Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were more isolated in HIV+ patients 5 (83.33), 18 (75.00), and 37 (71.15) compared to HIV− patients 1 (16.67), 6 (25.00), and 15 (28.85), respectively. Majority of isolates were susceptible to IPM, NOR, and CIP. Klebsiella pneumoniae, the most prevalent isolate, showed resistance to AMC (45.95) in HIV+ patients, whereas in HIV− patients, Enterobacter aerogenes and Shigella sp. showed resistance to AMC (80.00% and 85.71%, respectively) and to CFM (80.00% and 57.14%, respectively). Enterobacter aerogenes (40.00%) and Shigella sp. (14.29) isolates showed multidrug resistance in HIV− patients, whereas Escherichia coli (5.56%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.70%) showed multidrug resistance in HIV+ patients. Understanding the burden of bacteria disease in HIV patients as shown in the present study is important for planning effective control programs for the overall reduction of bacteria diseases in HIV-infected patients.

Salmonellosis in calves without intestinal lesions

ABSTRACT: Salmonellosis is a known cause of enteric disorders in calves. However, cases in the septicemic form may not present enteric lesions, which may lead the veterinary practitioner to not suspect salmonellosis, compromising the diagnosis. The current study describes the epidemiological, clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical aspects of septicemic salmonellosis in calves without enteric lesions. The protocols involving bovine material submitted to the Pathology Laboratory (LAP) of the “Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia” (FAMEZ) of the “Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul” (UFMS) from January 1995 to July 2018 were studied. Cases confirmed or suggestive of septicemic salmonellosis in calves without enteric manifestations were selected. Fragments of the liver, lung, and spleen embedded in paraffin were submitted to immunohistochemistry (IHC). Only cases in which there was positive marking on the IHC or culture isolation of Salmonella were included in this study. Of a total of 5,550 cattle examined in the period, ten presented septicemic salmonellosis without enteric lesions. Clinical signs included mucosal pallor, apathy, hyperthermia, and dyspnea. Only three calves presented diarrhea, and two were found dead before clinical changes were observed. The most common necropsy findings were hepatosplenomegaly; yellow, orange or brown discolored livers; pale mucous membranes; inflated and sometimes red lungs; fibrin or fluid within body cavities; and gallbladder filled with inspissated bile. Jaundice was observed in three calves that had a concomitant infection with Anaplasma sp. Microscopically, paratyphoid hepatic nodules and interstitial pneumonia were the most frequent manifestations, followed by thrombosis and bacterial colonies in the spleen, lung, liver, and brain. A strong positive marking was observed in IHC, predominantly in the lung and to a lesser extent in the liver. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated the Dublin serotype as the causative agent in the samples of the four calves submitted to this procedure. In calves, the septicemic form was the major cause of death due to salmonellosis. Septicemic salmonellosis was usually not accompanied by diarrhea. The clinical signs of septicemia are nonspecific and of little assistance in the diagnosis. IHC has been shown to be efficient in the detection of the agent, mainly in the lung and especially in situations where it is not possible to perform bacterial culture.

Therapeutic Microbiology: The Role of Bifidobacterium breve as Food Supplement for the Prevention/Treatment of Paediatric Diseases

The human intestinal microbiota, establishing a symbiotic relationship with the host, plays a significant role for human health. It is also well known that a disease status is frequently characterized by a dysbiotic condition of the gut microbiota. A probiotic treatment can represent an alternative therapy for enteric disorders and human pathologies not apparently linked to the gastrointestinal tract. Among bifidobacteria, strains of the species Bifidobacterium breve are widely used in paediatrics. B. breve is the dominant species in the gut of breast-fed infants and it has also been isolated from human milk. It has antimicrobial activity against human pathogens, it does not possess transmissible antibiotic resistance traits, it is not cytotoxic and it has immuno-stimulating abilities. This review describes the applications of B. breve strains mainly for the prevention/treatment of paediatric pathologies. The target pathologies range from widespread gut diseases, including diarrhoea and infant colics, to celiac disease, obesity, allergic and neurological disorders. Moreover, B. breve strains are used for the prevention of side infections in preterm newborns and during antibiotic treatments or chemotherapy. With this documentation, we hope to increase knowledge on this species to boost the interest in the emerging discipline known as “therapeutic microbiology”.