The prophylactic use of antibiotics is rapidly being phased out of poultry operations. Diseases such as coccidiosis are extremely costly, and typically prevented with coccidiostats and antibiotics. New regulation banning antibiotics is mandating a search for new alternatives, such as probiotics and phytogenic feed additives (PFAs). Two separate studies were performed to evaluate the performance and microbial profiles of commercial broilers fed either PFAs or Eimeria challenged broilers fed probiotics. During the probiotics study, 1056 day-old male Ross broiler chicks were assigned to one of 6 treatments, 8 replicates per treatment, with 22 birds per floor pen in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with DFM mix and coccidiosis challenge being the main factors. Treatments included a non-infected control (NC), a non-infected low level DFM-fed group (DL), a non-infected high level DFM-fed group (DH), an infected control (PC), an infected low level DFM-fed group (DL+), and an infected high level DFM-fed group (DH+). Performance measurements were taken on d0, d7, d14, d21, and d28. Mucosal scrapings from the ileum were obtained on d7, d14, d21, and d28 to determine microbial profiles. On d15, birds in the three infected groups were challenged with a mixed inoculum containing Eimeria maxima, E. tenella, and E. acervulina. Lesion scores were assessed on d21. Body composition was analyzed via Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) on d28. Results indicated a trend (P < 0.1) toward improved D28 body composition, lower Clostridium in DFM-fed challenged broilers compared to PC, and higher Bacillus in DH compared to DH+. Results were not significant for BW, BWG, FI, or lesion scores. The second study evaluated the effects of PFA provided as a dietary supplement over a 6-week period on performance and immune responses in broilers. In total, 1056 day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 8 replicate pens (22 birds/pen) with 6 treatments including a standard corn/wheat basal diet, a basal with antibiotics, and 4 various combinations of PFA (PHY 1, 2, 3, and 4). Performance was assessed on day 7 (D7), 14, 28, and 42. Starter diet was fed D0-14, grower D14-28, and finisher D28-42. Microbial profiling was assessed on D7, 14, and 42, and body composition measured on D42 using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Results varied by week, but cumulatively, body weight gain (BWG) per bird was higher in PHY1 and 4, statistically similar to AGP and CTRL. With feed conversion ratio (FCR), PHY2 was higher than any other treatment between D0-42, while all other treatments were similar. PCR results were not statistically significant; however, DXA results indicated a higher lean to fat ratio in birds from PHY1-4 when compared to AGP, indicating an overall leaner bird in PHY treatments. The results of these studies suggest that diets supplemented with DFMs or PFAs result in improved broiler performance. / Master of Science / The prophylactic use of antibiotics is rapidly being phased out of poultry operations. Diseases such as coccidiosis are extremely costly, and typically prevented with coccidiostats and antibiotics. New regulation banning antibiotics is mandating a search for new alternatives, such as probiotics and phytogenic feed additives (PFAs). Two separate studies were performed to evaluate the performance and microbial profiles of commercial broilers fed either PFAs or Eimeria challenged broilers fed probiotics. During the probiotics study, 1056 day-old male Ross broiler chicks were assigned to one of 6 treatments, 8 replicates per treatment, with 22 birds per floor pen in a 2x3 factorial arrangement, with DFM mix and coccidiosis challenge being the main factors. Treatments included a non-infected control (NC), a non-infected low level DFM-fed group (DL), a non-infected high level DFM-fed group (DH), an infected control (PC), an infected low level DFM-fed group (DL+), and an infected high level DFM-fed group (DH+). Performance measurements were taken on d0, d7, d14, d21, and d28. Mucosal scrapings from the ileum were obtained on d7, d14, d21, and d28 to determine microbial profiles. On d15, birds in the three infected groups were challenged with a mixed inoculum containing Eimeria maxima, E. tenella, and E. acervulina. Lesion scores were assessed on d21. Body composition was analyzed via Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) on d28. Results indicated a trend (P < 0.1) toward improved D28 body composition, lower Clostridium in DFM-fed challenged broilers compared to PC, and higher Bacillus in DH compared to DH+. Results were not significant for BW, BWG, FI, or lesion scores. The second study evaluated the effects of PFA provided as a dietary supplement over a 6-week period on performance and immune responses in broilers. In total, 1056 day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 8 replicate pens (22 birds/pen) with 6 treatments including a standard corn/wheat basal diet, a basal with antibiotics, and 4 various combinations of PFA (PHY 1, 2, 3, and 4). Performance was assessed on day 7 (D7), 14, 28, and 42. Starter diet was fed D0-14, grower D14-28, and finisher D28-42. Microbial profiling was assessed on D7, 14, and 42, and body composition measured on D42 using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). Results varied by week, but cumulatively, body weight gain (BWG) per bird was higher in PHY1 and 4, statistically similar to AGP and CTRL. With feed conversion ratio (FCR), PHY2 was higher than any other treatment between D0-42, while all other treatments were similar. PCR results were not statistically significant; however, DXA results indicated a higher lean to fat ratio in birds from PHY1-4 when compared to AGP, indicating an overall leaner bird in PHY treatments. The results of these studies suggest that diets supplemented with DFMs or PFAs result in improved broiler performance.

OBJETIVOS: investigar a prevalência e a presença de distintos perfis microbianos no biofilme subgengival e avaliar o seu papel no diagnóstico e risco das doenças periodontais destrutivas em uma população isolada brasileira sem acesso à tratamento periodontal e tradição ao uso de métodos de higiene bucal. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: A população-alvo consistiu de todos os indivíduos com 12 ou mais anos de idade (N= 264) residentes na microárea Cajaíba, identificados por meio de um censo. Estes indivíduos foram entrevistados por meio de um questionário estruturado e submetidos a um exame periodontal completo que consistiu na avaliação de 6 sítios por dente em toda a boca e na coleta de amostras do biofilme subgengival em 4 sítios por indivíduo. A detecção dos micro-organismos A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia e C. rectus, bem como a distribuição dos sorotipos e presença do clone JP2 do A. actinomycetemcomitans foram avaliadas por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). RESULTADOS: A. actinomycetemcomitans foi detectado em 25% dos indivíduos, enquanto que P. gingivalis T. forsythia, P.intermedia e C. rectus foram detectados em 64%, 59%, 38% e 90% dos indivíduos, respectivamente. Entre as amostras positivas para o A. actinomycetemcomitans (n=42), 18 (42%) representaram o sorotipo a, 2 (5%) o sorotipo b, 19 (46%) o sorotipo c, 1 (2%) o sorotipo e, e 4 (10%) foram não-sorotipáveis. O clone JP2 do A. actinomycetemcomitans não foi detectado em nenhum indivíduo desta população. Dois perfis microbianos subgengivais foram identificados: (perfil 1) nenhum dos microrganismos estudados, com exceção do C. rectus (n = 31), e (perfil 2) co-ocorrência de P. gingivalis e T. forsythia (n = 77). O perfil 1 demonstrou valores de sensibilidade extremamente baixos, enquanto que o perfil 2 apresentou valores de sensibilidade variados na identificação dos desfechos subrrogados periodontais avaliados, e valores de baixos a moderados para a especificidade. Os seguintes perfis subgengivais estiveram associados com a prevalência de perda clínica de inserção (NCI) e profundidade de sondagem (PS) nos modelos finais de regressão logística múltipla, ajustados para variáveis demográficas, biológicas e comportamentais: T. forsythia (PS e NCI 5 mm, e 7 mm), P. gingivalis (NCI 7 mm) e o perfil 2 (PS 5 mm e NCI 7 mm). CONCLUSÕES: Os micro-organismos periodontais estudados foram prevalentes nessa população isolada. Esta população apresentou predominância dos sorotipos a e c do A. actinomycetemcomitans. Dois perfis microbianos subgengivais puderam ser identificados nesta população isolada. Porém, eles não foram superiores ao diagnóstico de parâmetros clínicos periodontais específicos, quando adicionados à informação clínica tradicional. Perfis microbianos subgengivais apresentando T. forsythia como indicador de risco foram significativamente associados com o aumento da PS e do NCI nessa população isolada. / AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and describe the subgingival microbial profiles of selected periodontal pathogens in the subgingival biofilm; and assess their role as possible diagnostic markers or risk indicators for destructive periodontal diseases in a periodontally untreated and isolated population from Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The target population consisted of all subjects aged 12 years (n=264) in an isolated Brazilian population. A full-mouth clinical examination was conducted, and pooled subgingival plaque samples were obtained from four sites per subject. PCR analyses were performed to identify the following microorganisms: A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, P. intermedia and C. rectus, as well as the A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype distribution and JP2 clone detection. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 25% of the subjects, whereas P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, P.intermedia and C. rectus were detected in 64%, 59%, 38% and 90% of the subjects, respectively. From the A. actinomycetemcomitans positive isolates (n=42), 18 (42%) were serotype a, 2 (5%) b, 19 (46%) c, 1 (2%) e, and 4 (10%) were non-serotypeable. None of the strains belonged to the JP2 clone. Two specific subgingival microbial profiles were identified: (1) In one, only C. rectus could or not be present (n = 31), while in the other, (2) Co-occurrence of T. forsythia and P. gingivalis was observed (n = 77). Profile 1 showed very low sensitivity values, and profile 2 showed varying sensitivity values for the identification of the various periodontal states, and considerably low to moderate specificity values. The following subgingival profiles were significantly associated with the prevalence of periodontal attachment loss (CAL) and probing depth (PD) in the final multiple logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, biological and behavioral variables: T. forsythia (PD and CAL 5 mm and 7 mm), P. gingivalis (CAL 7 mm) and the profile 2 (PD 5 mm and CAL 7 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The five studied periodontal microorganisms were prevalent in this isolated population. The A. actinomycetemcomitans positive subjects consisted predominantly of a and c serotypes. Two specific microbial profiles could be identified in this isolated population. They did not result in significant superior diagnostic accuracy when compared totraditional clinical markers. Subgingival microbial profiles presenting T. forsythia as risk indicator were significantly associated with increased PD and CAL in this isolated population.

OBJETIVOS: investigar a prevalência e a presença de distintos perfis microbianos no biofilme subgengival e avaliar o seu papel no diagnóstico e risco das doenças periodontais destrutivas em uma população isolada brasileira sem acesso à tratamento periodontal e tradição ao uso de métodos de higiene bucal. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: A população-alvo consistiu de todos os indivíduos com 12 ou mais anos de idade (N= 264) residentes na microárea Cajaíba, identificados por meio de um censo. Estes indivíduos foram entrevistados por meio de um questionário estruturado e submetidos a um exame periodontal completo que consistiu na avaliação de 6 sítios por dente em toda a boca e na coleta de amostras do biofilme subgengival em 4 sítios por indivíduo. A detecção dos micro-organismos A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia e C. rectus, bem como a distribuição dos sorotipos e presença do clone JP2 do A. actinomycetemcomitans foram avaliadas por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). RESULTADOS: A. actinomycetemcomitans foi detectado em 25% dos indivíduos, enquanto que P. gingivalis T. forsythia, P.intermedia e C. rectus foram detectados em 64%, 59%, 38% e 90% dos indivíduos, respectivamente. Entre as amostras positivas para o A. actinomycetemcomitans (n=42), 18 (42%) representaram o sorotipo a, 2 (5%) o sorotipo b, 19 (46%) o sorotipo c, 1 (2%) o sorotipo e, e 4 (10%) foram não-sorotipáveis. O clone JP2 do A. actinomycetemcomitans não foi detectado em nenhum indivíduo desta população. Dois perfis microbianos subgengivais foram identificados: (perfil 1) nenhum dos microrganismos estudados, com exceção do C. rectus (n = 31), e (perfil 2) co-ocorrência de P. gingivalis e T. forsythia (n = 77). O perfil 1 demonstrou valores de sensibilidade extremamente baixos, enquanto que o perfil 2 apresentou valores de sensibilidade variados na identificação dos desfechos subrrogados periodontais avaliados, e valores de baixos a moderados para a especificidade. Os seguintes perfis subgengivais estiveram associados com a prevalência de perda clínica de inserção (NCI) e profundidade de sondagem (PS) nos modelos finais de regressão logística múltipla, ajustados para variáveis demográficas, biológicas e comportamentais: T. forsythia (PS e NCI 5 mm, e 7 mm), P. gingivalis (NCI 7 mm) e o perfil 2 (PS 5 mm e NCI 7 mm). CONCLUSÕES: Os micro-organismos periodontais estudados foram prevalentes nessa população isolada. Esta população apresentou predominância dos sorotipos a e c do A. actinomycetemcomitans. Dois perfis microbianos subgengivais puderam ser identificados nesta população isolada. Porém, eles não foram superiores ao diagnóstico de parâmetros clínicos periodontais específicos, quando adicionados à informação clínica tradicional. Perfis microbianos subgengivais apresentando T. forsythia como indicador de risco foram significativamente associados com o aumento da PS e do NCI nessa população isolada. / AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and describe the subgingival microbial profiles of selected periodontal pathogens in the subgingival biofilm; and assess their role as possible diagnostic markers or risk indicators for destructive periodontal diseases in a periodontally untreated and isolated population from Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The target population consisted of all subjects aged 12 years (n=264) in an isolated Brazilian population. A full-mouth clinical examination was conducted, and pooled subgingival plaque samples were obtained from four sites per subject. PCR analyses were performed to identify the following microorganisms: A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, P. intermedia and C. rectus, as well as the A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype distribution and JP2 clone detection. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 25% of the subjects, whereas P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, P.intermedia and C. rectus were detected in 64%, 59%, 38% and 90% of the subjects, respectively. From the A. actinomycetemcomitans positive isolates (n=42), 18 (42%) were serotype a, 2 (5%) b, 19 (46%) c, 1 (2%) e, and 4 (10%) were non-serotypeable. None of the strains belonged to the JP2 clone. Two specific subgingival microbial profiles were identified: (1) In one, only C. rectus could or not be present (n = 31), while in the other, (2) Co-occurrence of T. forsythia and P. gingivalis was observed (n = 77). Profile 1 showed very low sensitivity values, and profile 2 showed varying sensitivity values for the identification of the various periodontal states, and considerably low to moderate specificity values. The following subgingival profiles were significantly associated with the prevalence of periodontal attachment loss (CAL) and probing depth (PD) in the final multiple logistic regression models adjusted for demographic, biological and behavioral variables: T. forsythia (PD and CAL 5 mm and 7 mm), P. gingivalis (CAL 7 mm) and the profile 2 (PD 5 mm and CAL 7 mm). CONCLUSIONS: The five studied periodontal microorganisms were prevalent in this isolated population. The A. actinomycetemcomitans positive subjects consisted predominantly of a and c serotypes. Two specific microbial profiles could be identified in this isolated population. They did not result in significant superior diagnostic accuracy when compared totraditional clinical markers. Subgingival microbial profiles presenting T. forsythia as risk indicator were significantly associated with increased PD and CAL in this isolated population.