Travail en codirection avec M. Frédéric Raymond / Avec la présente augmentation de la résistance aux antibiotiques et l’inquiétude des consommateurs, de nouvelles alternatives sont nécessaires afin de contrôler l’entérite nécrotique (EN), une maladie causant des millions de dollars en pertes économiques pour l’industrie de la volaille mondialement. Les bactériocines sont des peptides antimicrobiens produits par une bactérie pour tuer ou inhiber la croissance d’autres compétiteurs bactériens. La perfrine est la seule bactériocine reportée associée aux souches pathogènes de Clostridium perfringens, l’agent causal de l’EN. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de détecter les souches commensales de Clostridium perfringens possédant une activité antimicrobienne contre des souches pathogènes de C. perfringens et d’identifier et caractériser les bactériocines produites. Les souches commensales de C. perfringens ont été sélectionnées à partir de notre banque de souches. L’activité antimicrobienne de ces souches a été testée contre des souches pathogènes de C. perfringens en utilisant la méthode d’inhibition sur gélose. Une souche commensale active démontrant une activité antimicrobienne a été cultivée et ses bactériocines ont été partiellement purifiées grâce à la précipitation au sulfate d’ammonium et par chromatographie (HPLC). À la suite de chaque chromatographie, l’activité antimicrobienne des fractions a été vérifiée en utilisant la méthode décrite précédemment afin de choisir les fractions contenant les bactériocines. La susceptibilité enzymatique, la stabilité à la chaleur et au pH et le poids moléculaire estimé des bactériocines ont été caractérisés. Les bactériocines étudiées étaient sensibles à la protéinase K, thermolabiles, stables à pH entre 4 et 8 et leur poids moléculaire étaient supérieur à 30 kDa. Le génome de la souche CP1676 a été séquencé et des analyses bio-informatiques ont été réalisées. Nous avons trouvé 28 séquences de bactériocines potentielles, mais seulement 4 d’entre elles semblaient être prometteuses. Dans cette étude, des souches commensales de C. perfringens produisant des bactériocines actives contre des souches pathogènes ont été identifiées. Ces bactériocines pourraient devenir une alternative intéressante aux antibiotiques afin de contrôler l’entérite nécrotique, mais davantage d’information est nécessaire. / With the current increase in antimicrobial resistance and consumers’ concern, new alternatives are needed to control necrotic enteritis (NE), a disease that causes billions of dollars in economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria to kill or inhibit the growth of other bacterial competitors. Perfrin is the only reported bacteriocin associated with pathogenic strains of Clostridium perfringens, the causal agent of NE. The aims of this study were to screen for commensal Clostridium perfringens strains with an antimicrobial activity against C. perfringens pathogenic strains and to identify and characterize the produced bacteriocins. Commensal C. perfringens strains were selected from our bacterial collection. Antimicrobial activity of those selected strains was tested against C. perfringens pathogenic strains using the agar spot test method. An active commensal strain showing antimicrobial activity was cultured and its bacteriocins were partially purified using the ammonium sulfate precipitation method and HPLC. After each chromatography, antimicrobial activity of fractions was tested using the method described above to choose fractions containing bacteriocins. Enzyme susceptibility, heat and pH stability and the estimated molecular weight of the bacteriocins were characterized. The studied bacteriocins were sensitive to proteinase K, thermolabile, stable at pH between 4 and 8 and their molecular weight higher than 30 kDa. CP1676 strain genome was sequenced and bioinformatics were performed. We found 28 potential bacteriocin sequences, but 4 of them seemed to be promising. In this study, commensal C. perfringens strains producing bacteriocins active against pathogenic strains have been identified. These bacteriocins could be an interesting alternative to antibiotics for the control of necrotic enteritis but further data is still needed.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens cause economic and welfare concerns to the broiler industry. The recent shift to no antibiotics ever (NAE) production has increased disease incidence. The objectives of this study were to determine the influence of season, age of flock, and sample type on E. coli prevalence and virulence and to identify C. perfringens prevalence and toxinotypes in NAE farms. Results indicated high prevalence of virulent E. coli; prevalence of virulent E. coli decreased from Spring to Summer. Virulent E. coli showed high resistance to antimicrobials. Serogroups O8 and O78 were most prevalent in virulent E. coli. C. perfringens prevalence was very low and all recovered isolates were toxinotype A with variation in netB, cpb2, and tpeL presence. In conclusion, NAE farms should have measures to control E. coli infections, especially in spring season. Further studies are required to confirm the lower prevalence of C. perfringens.

No description available.

Disease has been identified as a major problem in the aquaculture industry for the welfare of the fish stocked as well as for its economic impact. The number of diseases affecting cultured fish has increased significantly during recent years with the emergence of several conditions that have added to the overall impact of disease on the industry. Frequently, a lack of scientific knowledge about these diseases is compounded by an absence of effective treatment and control strategies. This has been the case with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE), an emerging disease of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). This study investigated several aspects related to its aetiology and control. A retrospective survey of UK rainbow trout farmers was undertaken to ascertain the extent and severity of RTGE in the UK as well as to identify RTGE risk factors at the site level. Participants in this study accounted for over 85% of UK rainbow trout production in 2004. It was found that the total number of RTGE-affected sites had risen from 2 in the year 2000 to 7 in 2005. The disease was only reported from sites producing more than 200 tonnes of trout/year for the table market. Analysis of risk factors associated with RTGE at the site level showed that this syndrome was associated with large tonnage and rapid production of rainbow trout for the table market. The data collected during this study enabled the identification of those sites that were most likely to present with RTGE the following year and this information was used to study the epidemiology of RTGE at the unit level. A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in 12 RTGE-affected UK sites. It described in detail the impact, presentation, current control strategies and spread pattern of RTGE within affected UK sites. The risk factors associated with RTGE presence and severity were also investigated. Data were collected for each productive unit (i.e. cage, pond, raceway or tank) on the mortalities, fish origin, site management and environmental factors. RTGE was identified using a case definition based on gross pathological lesions. Analysis of these data revealed that RTGE behaved in an infectious manner. This conclusion was supported by the presence of a pattern typical of a propagating epidemic within affected units. Also, the risk of an unaffected unit becoming RTGE positive was increased if it had received fish from or was contiguous to a RTGE-affected unit. The presentation also suggested an incubation period of 20-25 days. Risk factor analysis identified management and environmental risk factors for RTGE, including high feed input and stressful events, which could be used to generate a list of control strategies. A study of the histopathological and ultrastructural presentation of RTGE was conducted. The location of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) and pathological changes found in affected fish were examined. Pyloric caeca were the digestive organ where SFB were found more frequently and in higher numbers, suggesting that this was the best location to detect SFB in RTGE-affected trout. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed a previously undescribed interaction of SFB with the mucosa of distal intestine and pyloric caeca and this included the presence of attachment sites and SFB engulfment by enterocytes, as previously described in other host species. The SFB were not always adjacent to the pathological changes observed in the digestive tract of RTGE-affected trout. Such changes included cytoskeletal damage and osmotic imbalance of enterocytes, with frequent detachment. These observations suggested that if SFB are indeed the cause of RTGE their pathogenesis must involve the production of extracellular products. Analysis of the gross presentation and blood biochemistry in RTGE-affected fish was used to examine the patho-physiologic mechanisms of RTGE. To enable identification of positive RTGE cases for this study, a case definition was created from the information available on RTGE gross presentation in the literature. This case definition was assessed in a sample including 152 fish cases and 152 fish controls from 11 RTGE-affected UK sites, matched by unit of origin. The analysis of these fish using bacteriology, packed cell volume (PCV) and histopathology revealed that RTGE occurred simultaneously with other parasitic and bacterial diseases in a percentage of fish identified with this case definition. With the information gained after analysing the gross presentation, RTGE-affected fish without concurrent disease were selected for the study of the pathogenesis, which included blood biochemical analyses. These analyses revealed a severe osmotic imbalance, and a reduced albumin/globulin ratio suggesting selective loss of albumin, typical for a protein losing enteropathy. The role of the SFB “Candidatus arthromitus” in the aetiology of RTGE was assessed using a newly developed “C. arthromitus”-specific polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) in conjunction with histological detection. This technique was applied to eight different groups of trout, including an RTGE-affected group and seven negative control groups. This analysis was conducted on DNA extracted from paraffin wax-embedded tissues as well as fresh intestinal contents. The results revealed the presence of “C. arthromitus” DNA in apparently healthy fish from sites where RTGE had never been reported. Additionally, SFB were observed histologically in two trout from an RTGE-free hatchery. These findings do not permit the exclusion of “C. arthromitus” as the aetiological agent for RTGE, although they suggest that the presence of these organisms in the digestive system of healthy trout is not sufficient to cause clinical disease, and therefore other factors are necessary. In conclusion, this study has used a multidisciplinary approach to the study of RTGE which has generated scientific information related to the epidemiology, pathogenesis and aetiology of this syndrome. The results of this project have suggested priority areas where further work is required, including experimental transmission of RTGE, field assessment of the control strategies proposed and further investigation into the aetiology of RTGE.

Clostridium perfringens causa enterite necrótica aviária devido à produção de toxinas que lesam o intestino. Neste estudo, de 94 amostras nove apresentaram C. perfringens, totalizando 22 isolados. Todos exceto um isolado, possuíram os genes nanI (95%) e/ou nanJ (81%), e 19/22, mostraram atividade neuraminidase em hemácias de frango. A atividade hemaglutinante foi observada em poucos isolados (26%). Todos os isolados foram plc positivos (toxina α), sendo classificados como tipo A. Sete isolados (31,8%) abrigaram o gene tpeL que codifica a toxina TpeL. Isolados tpeL+ mostraram efeito citotóxico característico da ação desta toxina. Alguns isolados mostraram capacidade de aderir e invadir células Vero. A maioria dos isolados foi resistente à sulfaquinoxalina (100%), cefalexina (95%) e eritromicina (95%) e sensíveis (100%) à cefoxitina, amoxicilina, enrofloxacina, amoxicilina-ácido clavulânico, penicilina-estreptomicina, cloranfenicol e metronidazol. Todos os isolados foram agrupados geneticamente em sete clusters, apresentando se como um grupo heterogêneo. / Clostridium perfringens cause avian necrotic enteritis due to production of toxins that damage the intestine. In this study, nine out of 94 samples had C. perfringens, totaling 22 isolates. All the isolates with exception of one, possessed the genes nanI (95 %) and/or nanJ (81 %), and 19/22 showed neuraminidase activity in chicken erythrocytes. The hemagglutinating activity was observed in a few isolates (26 %). All isolates were plc positive (toxin α) being classified as type A. Seven isolates (31.8%) harbored tpeL gene encoding the toxin TpeL. TpeL + isolates showed characteristic cytotoxic effect of the action of this toxin. Some isolates showed ability to adhere and invade Hep-2 cells. Most of the isolates were resistant sulphaquinoxaline (100%), cephalexin (95%) and erythromycin (95%) and sensitivity (100%) to cefoxitin, amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, amoxicillin - clavulanic acid, penicillin -streptomycin, chloramphenicol and metronidazole. All isolates were genetically grouped into seven clusters, presenting itself as a heterogeneous group.

Restrições econômicas e ambientais trazem a necessidade de substituir a farinha de peixe em dietas de organismos aquáticos por matérias-primas menos dispendiosas de origem vegetal. Entretanto, tais fontes proteicas vegetais possuem fatores antinutricionais que podem ter efeitos negativos sobre o sistema digestório dos peixes, alterando a saúde e, em consequência, a produção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a digestibilidade e alterações na histologia do epitélio intestinal de juvenis do Characiforme carnívoro dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, alimentados com dietas contendo farelo de soja (FSO), farelo de algodão (FAl) e farelo de amendoim (FAM) como principais fontes proteicas. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos: digestibilidade (Ensaio I) e histológico (Ensaio II). O Ensaio I foi conduzido em protocolo padrão utilizando dietas práticas adicionadas do marcador inerte óxido de crômio III (CR2O3) e sistema Guelph modificado para coleta de fezes e consequente cálculo dos coeficientes de digestibilidade. No Ensaio II as mesmas fonte proteicas - FSO, FAL e FAM - foram utilizadas em substituição à proteína da farinha de peixe em uma dieta controle com cinco níveis de inclusão: 0 (controle), 25,0 %; 50%; 75,0% e 100%, em um delineamento inteiramente aleatorizado (n=3). O experimento teve a duração de 40 dias, e as coleta de amostras de tecido foram feitas aos 20 e 40 dias. As amostras do intestino posterior foram analisadas quanto às características histológicas e morfológicas, além de quantificação de células caliciformes e análise histomorfométrica do tecido intestinal. Não foram registradas diferenças para os coeficientes de digestibilidade da proteína e energia no ensaio de digestibilidade. O ensaio de desempenho mostrou que a inclusão de FAM e FAL nas dietas melhora o consumo de alimento comparativamente ao FSO Em relação as variáveis histológicas, os níveis que condicionaram alterações significativas nos parâmetros morfométricos foram FSO50 e FOS75. O FSO50 promoveu uma redução das dobras intestinais aos 20 dias, porém aos 40 dias houve aumento na altura das dobras, no espessamento da lâmina-própria e aumento na densidade das células caliciformes. Considerando a microscopia de varredura, sinais acentuados de enterite foram registrados. A alteração na morfologia e histologia do epitélio intestinal foi reflexo da interação de efeitos dos fatores antinutricionais presentes em cada fonte proteica vegetal. Consequentemente, registrou-se menor ganho de peso, crescimento e diminuição da homeostase intestinal, embora os melhores consumos e CAA fossem registrados para os peixes alimentados com FAL e FP. Conclui-se que o FSO causou enterite nos juvenis de dourado e FAL e FAM podem ser utilizados na alimentação de dourado. / Economic and environment constraints have brought the need to replace fishmeal (FM) in diets of aquatic organisms by less expensive feedstuff, especially dietary protein sources. However, such protein sources generally of plant origin, e.g. soybean meal, have antinutritional factors that can negatively affect digestive system of the fish, impairing health and consequently, production. To identify possible effects of plant protein sources in the diets for carnivore fish, this study evaluated effects of various dietary plant protein sources on digestibility, performance, histology of the intestinal epithelium of the carnivore, Neotropical Characin dourado, Salminus brasiliensis, fed plant protein-based diets. A digestibility trial was carried out in standard protocol using diets with inert marker chromium oxide III (Cr2O3) and modified system Guelph for feces. A performance test evaluated the use of three plant protein sources, soybean meal (SBM), cottonseed meal (CTM) and peanut meal (PTM) as surrogate protein source to fishmeal in a practical diet in five levels inclusion: 0 (control); 25.0%; 50.0%; 75.0% and 100%, in a randomized block design (n=3). Samples of tissue of intestinal tract of fish were collected in the distal segment at 20 and 40 days of the feeding period, and analyzed for histological and morphological characteristics. No differences were recorded for apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of feedstuff and energy and protein of feedstuffs. Dietary CM and PM elicited better feed consumption comparatively to the other feedstuff, Fish fed diet diet SBM50 presented reduction of intestinal folds at 20 days, but at 40 days had increased folds height, lamina propria thickening, and increased goblet cell density. Considering a scanning microscopy, evident signs of enteritis were registered. The alteration in the morphology and histology of the intestinal epithelium reflected the interaction of effects of the antinutritional factors present in each vegetable protein source, resulting in lower weight gain, growth and decreased intestinal homeostasis, even though best feed consumption and ADC were registered for fish fed CTM and FM.Concluded that SBM caused enteritis and CTM and PM can be used in feeding dourado.

Objetivo: Avaliar o teste de contato atópico (TCA) em pacientes com alergia ao leite de vaca (APLV) IgE mediada - grupo 1 e naqueles com doenças eosinofílicas do trato digestório (DETD) - grupo 2, comparando os extratos de leite de vaca (LV) a 20% com o leite in natura, o tempo ideal de oclusão do teste e o valor preditivo positivo do TCA na identificação do leite como desencadeante no grupo 2, avaliada pela melhora clinica e endoscópica após dieta de restrição. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal, com avaliação de 45 pacientes e 9 controles. O grupo 1 (n=15) com APLV IgE mediada foram diagnosticados pelo teste de provocação e prick teste positivo para LV e o grupo 2 (n=30) pela biópsia mostrando esofagite eosinofílica (15 eosinófilos/cga) ou enterocolite eosinofílica (>20 eosinófilos/cga), prick teste positivo para LV (n=15) e sintomas desencadeados pelo leite. O grupo 3 (n=9) incluiu pacientes com exclusão do diagnóstico de APLV. Utilizou-se câmaras de 12mm e LV in natura e LV a 20% como extratos ( IPI ASAC, Espanha). Os tempos de leitura foram de 24, 48 e 72 horas e considerou-se como TCA positivo, a presença de hiperemia com infiltração e formação de pápulas ou vesículas. Para avaliação do valor preditivo positivo do TCA, considerou-se pacientes com DETD com sintomas associados ao leite, sem melhora com tratamento adequado, IgE específica ao LV e melhora clínica e histológica com a instituição da dieta de restrição. Resultados: Considerando ambos os extratos, houve semelhança quanto à frequência de positividade do TCA nos três tempos de leitura em ambas situações clínicas. Com relação à concordância entre os tempos de leitura do TCA com ambos extratos, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre o tempo de 24 hs com aqueles de 48 e 72hs (p=0,031 em ambas comparações), o mesmo não ocorrendo entre o tempo de 48 e 72hs tanto na APLV como nas DETD. Isoladamente, o LV a 20% mostrou comportamento semelhante em ambas as doenças, com diferença entre o tempo de 24 e aqueles de 48 (p=0,031 / 0,000) e 72hs (p=0,031/ 0,002) respectivamente na APLV e DETD. O extrato de leite in natura nos pacientes com APLV não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os tempos avaliados, enquanto nos pacientes com DETD observou-se diferença entre 24 hs e os tempos de 48hs (p=0,003) e 72hs (p=0,003). A restrição dietética do leite naqueles pacientes com DETD e TCA positivo foi associada à melhora clínica em 80% dos pacientes e associação com melhora histológica em 65% destes. Conclusões: O TCA utilizando tanto LV in natura como extrato LV a 20%, com leitura após 48 ou 72hs da sua aplicação mostrou-se útil na identificação de pacientes com DETD desencadeada pelo LV. A instituição de dieta restrita neste alimento contribuiu para a melhora dos sintomas e para a redução do número de eosinófilos na biópsia de controle / Objective: To evaluate the atopic patch test (APT) in IgE mediated cow\'s milk allergic patients (CMA) - Group 1 and those with gastrointestinal eosinophilic diseases (GED) - Group 2, comparing extracts of cow\'s milk (CM) 20% protein concentration and fresh milk, the optimal time reading and the positive predictive value of APT in the identification of milk as a trigger food in the group 2, as assessed by clinical and endoscopic improvement after dietary restriction. Methods: Cross-sectional study with evaluation of 45 patients and 9 controls. The group 1 (n = 15) with IgE-mediated CMA was diagnosed by provocation test and positive skin prick test for CM in all patients and group 2 (n = 30) by biopsy showing eosinophilic esophagitis ( 15 eosinophils / hpf) or eosinophilic enterocolitis (> 20 eosinophils / hpf ), prick test positive for CM (n = 15) and symptoms triggered by milk. Group 3 (n = 9) included patients which CMA was excluded. It was used 12mm a plastic chamber of inert material, and as extracts the fresh milk and CM at 20% (IPI ASAC, Spain). The reading times were 24, 48 and 72 hours and was considered as APT positive, the presence of hyperemia with infiltration and papules or vesicles. To evaluate the positive predictive value of the APT, it was considered GED patients with symptoms associated to milk, no response to treatment, specific IgE to CM and clinical and histological improvement after the restricted diet institution. Results: Considering both extract, there was similarity in the frequency of positive APT evaluating all the reading times in both clinical situations. Regarding the agreement between the reading times with both extracts, there was a statistically significant difference between the time of 24 hours with those of 48 and 72 hours (p = 0.031 for both comparisons). This fact was not observed between the time of 48 and 72 hours in both diseases. The CM 20% extract showed a similar pattern in both diseases, with difference between the reading time of 24 with the 48 hours (p = 0.031/0.000) and 72 hours (p = 0.031/ 0.002) respectively in both diseases. The fresh milk extract in CMA patients showed no statistically significant difference between the reading times evaluated, while in GED patients it was observed difference between 24 hours with the time of 48 hours (p = 0.003) and 72 hours (p = 0.003). The milk restricted diet for GED patients with positive APT was associated to clinical improvement in 80% of patients and in both clinical and histological response in 65% of them. Conclusions: The APT using both fresh CM and CM 20% extract with reading time of 48 or 72 hours showed useful in identifying GED patients triggered by CM. The establishment of milk restricted diet contributed to the improvement of symptoms and to reduce the number of eosinophils in the control biopsy

Objetivo: Avaliar o teste de contato atópico (TCA) em pacientes com alergia ao leite de vaca (APLV) IgE mediada - grupo 1 e naqueles com doenças eosinofílicas do trato digestório (DETD) - grupo 2, comparando os extratos de leite de vaca (LV) a 20% com o leite in natura, o tempo ideal de oclusão do teste e o valor preditivo positivo do TCA na identificação do leite como desencadeante no grupo 2, avaliada pela melhora clinica e endoscópica após dieta de restrição. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal, com avaliação de 45 pacientes e 9 controles. O grupo 1 (n=15) com APLV IgE mediada foram diagnosticados pelo teste de provocação e prick teste positivo para LV e o grupo 2 (n=30) pela biópsia mostrando esofagite eosinofílica (15 eosinófilos/cga) ou enterocolite eosinofílica (>20 eosinófilos/cga), prick teste positivo para LV (n=15) e sintomas desencadeados pelo leite. O grupo 3 (n=9) incluiu pacientes com exclusão do diagnóstico de APLV. Utilizou-se câmaras de 12mm e LV in natura e LV a 20% como extratos ( IPI ASAC, Espanha). Os tempos de leitura foram de 24, 48 e 72 horas e considerou-se como TCA positivo, a presença de hiperemia com infiltração e formação de pápulas ou vesículas. Para avaliação do valor preditivo positivo do TCA, considerou-se pacientes com DETD com sintomas associados ao leite, sem melhora com tratamento adequado, IgE específica ao LV e melhora clínica e histológica com a instituição da dieta de restrição. Resultados: Considerando ambos os extratos, houve semelhança quanto à frequência de positividade do TCA nos três tempos de leitura em ambas situações clínicas. Com relação à concordância entre os tempos de leitura do TCA com ambos extratos, observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre o tempo de 24 hs com aqueles de 48 e 72hs (p=0,031 em ambas comparações), o mesmo não ocorrendo entre o tempo de 48 e 72hs tanto na APLV como nas DETD. Isoladamente, o LV a 20% mostrou comportamento semelhante em ambas as doenças, com diferença entre o tempo de 24 e aqueles de 48 (p=0,031 / 0,000) e 72hs (p=0,031/ 0,002) respectivamente na APLV e DETD. O extrato de leite in natura nos pacientes com APLV não mostrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre os tempos avaliados, enquanto nos pacientes com DETD observou-se diferença entre 24 hs e os tempos de 48hs (p=0,003) e 72hs (p=0,003). A restrição dietética do leite naqueles pacientes com DETD e TCA positivo foi associada à melhora clínica em 80% dos pacientes e associação com melhora histológica em 65% destes. Conclusões: O TCA utilizando tanto LV in natura como extrato LV a 20%, com leitura após 48 ou 72hs da sua aplicação mostrou-se útil na identificação de pacientes com DETD desencadeada pelo LV. A instituição de dieta restrita neste alimento contribuiu para a melhora dos sintomas e para a redução do número de eosinófilos na biópsia de controle / Objective: To evaluate the atopic patch test (APT) in IgE mediated cow\'s milk allergic patients (CMA) - Group 1 and those with gastrointestinal eosinophilic diseases (GED) - Group 2, comparing extracts of cow\'s milk (CM) 20% protein concentration and fresh milk, the optimal time reading and the positive predictive value of APT in the identification of milk as a trigger food in the group 2, as assessed by clinical and endoscopic improvement after dietary restriction. Methods: Cross-sectional study with evaluation of 45 patients and 9 controls. The group 1 (n = 15) with IgE-mediated CMA was diagnosed by provocation test and positive skin prick test for CM in all patients and group 2 (n = 30) by biopsy showing eosinophilic esophagitis ( 15 eosinophils / hpf) or eosinophilic enterocolitis (> 20 eosinophils / hpf ), prick test positive for CM (n = 15) and symptoms triggered by milk. Group 3 (n = 9) included patients which CMA was excluded. It was used 12mm a plastic chamber of inert material, and as extracts the fresh milk and CM at 20% (IPI ASAC, Spain). The reading times were 24, 48 and 72 hours and was considered as APT positive, the presence of hyperemia with infiltration and papules or vesicles. To evaluate the positive predictive value of the APT, it was considered GED patients with symptoms associated to milk, no response to treatment, specific IgE to CM and clinical and histological improvement after the restricted diet institution. Results: Considering both extract, there was similarity in the frequency of positive APT evaluating all the reading times in both clinical situations. Regarding the agreement between the reading times with both extracts, there was a statistically significant difference between the time of 24 hours with those of 48 and 72 hours (p = 0.031 for both comparisons). This fact was not observed between the time of 48 and 72 hours in both diseases. The CM 20% extract showed a similar pattern in both diseases, with difference between the reading time of 24 with the 48 hours (p = 0.031/0.000) and 72 hours (p = 0.031/ 0.002) respectively in both diseases. The fresh milk extract in CMA patients showed no statistically significant difference between the reading times evaluated, while in GED patients it was observed difference between 24 hours with the time of 48 hours (p = 0.003) and 72 hours (p = 0.003). The milk restricted diet for GED patients with positive APT was associated to clinical improvement in 80% of patients and in both clinical and histological response in 65% of them. Conclusions: The APT using both fresh CM and CM 20% extract with reading time of 48 or 72 hours showed useful in identifying GED patients triggered by CM. The establishment of milk restricted diet contributed to the improvement of symptoms and to reduce the number of eosinophils in the control biopsy

The ƒÑ-toxin of Clostridium perfringens is a toxin involved in numerous diseases of humans and agriculturally important animals. One of these diseases is necrotic enteritis (NE), a sporadic enteric disease which affects avian species world-wide. This study involved the inactivation of alpha-toxin (ƒÑ-toxin) for use as a potential vaccine candidate to combat NE in chickens, and other diseases caused by C. perfringens type A. During the course of this research a number of ƒÑ-toxin recombinant proteins were developed through molecular inactivation of the ƒÑ-toxin gene, plc. Proteins plc316 and plc204 were developed by the deletion of the first three and seven ƒÑ-helices of the N-terminal domain respectively. These deletions resulted in proteins which were unstable in solution, constantly aggregated into insoluble masses and elicited lower overall antibody responses when administered to mice. A third protein, plcInv3 was developed from the deletion of part of the catalytic domain of the ƒÑ-toxin. PlcInv3 was highly soluble and upon immunisation of mice elicited a significant antibody response which was also capable of protecting mice against a live challenge of C. perfringens. The fourth and final protein developed was plc104. The smallest of the recombinant ƒÑ-toxin proteins, it consisted entirely of the C-terminal domain of ƒÑ-toxin. Its small size did not affect its ability to induce a strong antibody response when administered to mice, the antibodies of which were also protective during a challenge with C. perfringens. STM1, an attenuated strain of S. Typhimurium was used in the development of a vectored vaccine for the expression and oral delivery of plcInv3 and plc104 within the mouse host. The proteins were expressed within STM1 from expression plasmids containing the in vivo inducible promoters PhtrA and PpagC. A measurable humoral immune response against ƒÑ-toxin was absent following three oral vaccinations with the vectored vaccines, although, cytokine profiling of splenocytes from vaccinated mice revealed an increase in the number of interleukin-4 (IL-4)secreting cells and the lack of interferon-gamma (IFN-ƒ×) secreting cells. This indicated the stimulation of a T-helper type 2 (TH2) immune response which also lead to partial protection against a live C. perfringens challenge. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using STM1 as a carrier for the in vivo expression of the C. perfringens ƒÑ-toxin recombinant proteins plcInv3 and plc104. It is the first study to express C. perfringens antigens within an attenuated strain of S. Typhimurium, STM1.The partial protection of mice immunised with these vaccines indicates there is potential for this vectored vaccine system to be used in the protection of diseases caused by the ƒÑ-toxin of C. perfringens.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo / The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of turkey astrovirus (TAstV) capsid and polymerase gene was applied in the bursa of Fabricius (BF), thymus (TH), spleen (SP) and cloacal swabs (CS) from young poults with PEMS (Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome). The histological lesions were atrophy, lymphoid depletion, cellular infiltration and necrosis of BF, TH and SP, respectively. The RT-PCR reactions were positive in all of 100 CS, 7 out of 10 of BF, 10 out of 20 TH and SP, respectively, for the polymerase gene of TAstV-2. Five out of 10 TH and SP samples, considered as negative by RT-PCR, were positive when specific primers designed to the TAstV-2 capsid gene were applied. Finally, this is the first description of turkey astrovirus infection presenting PEMS in Latin America. / O Astrovírus dos Perus Tipo 2 (TAstV-2) é agente etiológico de uma doença emergente em perus, a Poult Enteritis Mortality Syndrome (PEMS), caracterizada por enterite severa, elevados índices de mortalidade, atrofia linfóide e imunossupressão em aves jovens, sendo responsável por sérios prejuízos financeiros à indústria avícola dos Estados Unidos. No Brasil, há necessidade de conhecimento sobre a ocorrência desses vírus nas diarréias das aves, sendo esse, um passo fundamental para o estabelecimento de medidas profiláticas específicas e para a exportação de produtos avícolas dentro das condições de sanidade. Este estudo teve por objetivos detectar TAstV, pela técnica de RT-PCR dirigida aos genes codificadores da polimerase e capsídeo viral, em perus jovens de 30 a 45 dias de idade com quadro clínico de diarréia severa, imunossupressão, baixo desempenho zootécnico e mortalidade, caracterizar alterações histopatológicas em bursa de Fabrícius (BF), timo (T) e baço (B) e, por fim, comparar os resultados obtidos com os dados de literatura. O TAstV-2 foi detectado em todas amostras de swabs cloacais (SC, n=100), 7 amostras de bursa de Fabrícius (BF, n=10) e em 10 amostras de timo (T, n=20) e baço (B, n=20). De 10 amostras de timo e baço negativas na primeira análise de RT-PCR, 5 foram positivas com o uso de primers específicos para o gene do capsídeo do TAstV-2. Os exames histológicos revelaram ocorrência de atrofia, depleção linfóide, infiltração celular e necrose da BF, T e B, respectivamente. Esses resultados representam a primeira descrição do TAstV-2 circulante em lotes comerciais de perus na América Latina. / Mestre em Genética e Bioquímica