As keeping backyard poultry rises, human contact with zoonotic pathogens will increase. One such pathogen that backyard enthusiasts have exposure risks to is Salmonella spp. which may cause a potential public health threat due to its increasing multidrug resistancy. Salmonella spp. were present in 33 of 50 samples collected from 29 sites with backyard poultry coops in San Luis Obispo County during March to May in 2014. Two different Hardy-CHROME™ Salmonella Selective Media plates were used to culture and isolate positive samples of Salmonella spp.. Each positive isolate was tested for antimicrobial sensitivity to 6 standard antibiotics: Ampicillin, Bacitracin, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Penicillin, and Tetracycline, at the standard disk concentration levels. The Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial sensitivity test determined that 12 different profiles emerged from the Salmonella spp. isolates. All antimicrobial sensitivity profiles showed multidrug resistance in vitro with only high susceptibility to 2 major antibiotics, Gentamicin at 97% and Ampicillin at 51%. All profiles were resistant to 1 or more of the antimicrobials tested, plus the control. One Salmonella isolated was resistant to all 6 antimicrobials and another isolate to 5. The Salmonella spp. isolates proved multidrug resistance between 73%-100% to the other 4 antibiotics tested. The 24 Salmonella spp. positive sites displayed a lack of proper biosecurity and poultry husbandry practices. The criteria developed for accessing the poultry’s environment ranged from dedicated shoes for cleaning, egg handling, access to other animals and wildlife, number of birds and breeds or species in a coop, cleaning routine, over-all biosecurity and human interactions. Human exposure to Salmonella spp. pathogenic strains could increase due to environmental cross contamination and deficiencies in sanitation. The presence of Salmonella spp. with a diversity of antibiotic resistance serotypes is an important source of zoonotic pathogens for animal and human diseases that has public health risk implications.

A influenza aviária é uma enfermidade viral causada por vírus influenza A que acomete várias espécies de aves. No Brasil, a influenza aviária é considerada uma doença exótica, uma vez que os subtipos H5 e H7 nunca foram detectados. O Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento realiza vigilância permanente para esta enfermidade nos plantéis comerciais de produção avícola e também em aves de subsistência criadas no entorno de sítios de aves migratórias com o intuito de detectar precocemente a introdução dos subtipos H5 e H7 no país. No entanto, se desconhece a situação sanitária das aves de subsistência no que se refere à infecção por outros subtipos do vírus da influenza aviária. Considerando a importância deste tipo de criação como fonte de alimentos e de rendimentos em comunidades de baixa renda e o risco que provavelmente representa para a introdução da influenza aviária no Brasil, o objetivo deste trabalho foi monitorar as criações de aves de subsistência criadas no entorno de sítios de aves migratórias no período de 2011 a 2015, a fim de verificar a circulação de todos os subtipos do vírus da influenza aviária (AIV). Foram colhidas amostras de soro e suabes de traqueia e cloaca de 2816 aves criadas em onze diferentes sítios de aves migratórias localizados em sete estados brasileiros, totalizando 391 explorações de fundo de quintal amostradas. As amostras de soro (n = 2716) foram submetidas a triagem para pesquisa de anticorpos para a proteína NP do influenza A utilizando-se um kit comercial de ELISA competitivo, com posterior subtipificação das amostras positivas pela técnica de inibição da hemaglutinação para os dezesseis subtipos do vírus influenza A. Os suabes de cloaca e traqueia foram submetidos à prova de PCR em tempo real para detecção do RNA do vírus influenza A. Não foram detectados anticorpos para os subtipos H5 e H7 do AIV, mas anticorpos para os subtipos H1, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, H10, H12, H13 e H16 foram identificados em aves oriundas de nove dos onze sítios. O RNA do AIV foi detectado em apenas três amostras pertencentes a uma mesma propriedade e nenhum vírus hemaglutinante foi isolado a partir deste material. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que os vírus de influenza aviária de baixa patogenicidade circulam em aves de subsistência criadas no entorno de sítios de aves migratórias no Brasil e alertam para a importância da ampliação da vigilância ativa nesta população / Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by an influenza A virus and affects various avian species. Avian influenza is considered an exotic disease in Brazil, since H5 and H7 notifiable subtypes have never been detected. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply carries out permanent surveillance for avian influenza in commercial poultry production flocks and also in backyard poultry raised in the vicinity of concentration areas of migratory birds with the purpose of detecting the early introduction of H5 and H7 subtypes in the country. However, the health status of backyard poultry in relation to infection by other avian influenza subtypes is unknown. Considering the importance of this kind of family production system as a source of food and revenue for low-income communities and the risk it probably represents for the introduction of avian influenza in Brazil, the aim of this work was monitoring backyard poultry raised in the vicinity of concentration areas of migratory birds from 2011 to 2015 to verify the circulation of all avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes. Serum samples and cloacal and tracheal swabs were sampled from 2816 birds raised in eleven migratory birds concentration areas located in seven Brazilian states, totaling 391 backyard poultry flocks harvested. Serum samples (n = 2716) were screened using a commercial competitive ELISA kit to detect specific antibodies for the NP protein of the influenza A virus and afterwards the positive samples were subtyped through inhibition hemagglutination assay for the sixteen subtypes of influenza A viruses. Cloacal and tracheal swabs were tested by real-time PCR for detection of the influenza A virus RNA. No antibodies for H5 and H7 subtypes were detected, but antibodies for subtypes H1, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, H10, H12, H13 e H16 have been identified in birds from nine out of eleven areas. The influenza A virus RNA was detected only in three samples from one flock and no hemagglutinating viruses were isolated from these specimens. Results obtained in this work suggest that low pathogenic avian influenza viruses are circulating in backyard poultry flocks raised in concentration areas of migratory birds in Brazil and alert to the importance of the expansion of active surveillance in this population

A influenza aviária é uma enfermidade viral causada por vírus influenza A que acomete várias espécies de aves. No Brasil, a influenza aviária é considerada uma doença exótica, uma vez que os subtipos H5 e H7 nunca foram detectados. O Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento realiza vigilância permanente para esta enfermidade nos plantéis comerciais de produção avícola e também em aves de subsistência criadas no entorno de sítios de aves migratórias com o intuito de detectar precocemente a introdução dos subtipos H5 e H7 no país. No entanto, se desconhece a situação sanitária das aves de subsistência no que se refere à infecção por outros subtipos do vírus da influenza aviária. Considerando a importância deste tipo de criação como fonte de alimentos e de rendimentos em comunidades de baixa renda e o risco que provavelmente representa para a introdução da influenza aviária no Brasil, o objetivo deste trabalho foi monitorar as criações de aves de subsistência criadas no entorno de sítios de aves migratórias no período de 2011 a 2015, a fim de verificar a circulação de todos os subtipos do vírus da influenza aviária (AIV). Foram colhidas amostras de soro e suabes de traqueia e cloaca de 2816 aves criadas em onze diferentes sítios de aves migratórias localizados em sete estados brasileiros, totalizando 391 explorações de fundo de quintal amostradas. As amostras de soro (n = 2716) foram submetidas a triagem para pesquisa de anticorpos para a proteína NP do influenza A utilizando-se um kit comercial de ELISA competitivo, com posterior subtipificação das amostras positivas pela técnica de inibição da hemaglutinação para os dezesseis subtipos do vírus influenza A. Os suabes de cloaca e traqueia foram submetidos à prova de PCR em tempo real para detecção do RNA do vírus influenza A. Não foram detectados anticorpos para os subtipos H5 e H7 do AIV, mas anticorpos para os subtipos H1, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, H10, H12, H13 e H16 foram identificados em aves oriundas de nove dos onze sítios. O RNA do AIV foi detectado em apenas três amostras pertencentes a uma mesma propriedade e nenhum vírus hemaglutinante foi isolado a partir deste material. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que os vírus de influenza aviária de baixa patogenicidade circulam em aves de subsistência criadas no entorno de sítios de aves migratórias no Brasil e alertam para a importância da ampliação da vigilância ativa nesta população / Avian influenza is a viral disease caused by an influenza A virus and affects various avian species. Avian influenza is considered an exotic disease in Brazil, since H5 and H7 notifiable subtypes have never been detected. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply carries out permanent surveillance for avian influenza in commercial poultry production flocks and also in backyard poultry raised in the vicinity of concentration areas of migratory birds with the purpose of detecting the early introduction of H5 and H7 subtypes in the country. However, the health status of backyard poultry in relation to infection by other avian influenza subtypes is unknown. Considering the importance of this kind of family production system as a source of food and revenue for low-income communities and the risk it probably represents for the introduction of avian influenza in Brazil, the aim of this work was monitoring backyard poultry raised in the vicinity of concentration areas of migratory birds from 2011 to 2015 to verify the circulation of all avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes. Serum samples and cloacal and tracheal swabs were sampled from 2816 birds raised in eleven migratory birds concentration areas located in seven Brazilian states, totaling 391 backyard poultry flocks harvested. Serum samples (n = 2716) were screened using a commercial competitive ELISA kit to detect specific antibodies for the NP protein of the influenza A virus and afterwards the positive samples were subtyped through inhibition hemagglutination assay for the sixteen subtypes of influenza A viruses. Cloacal and tracheal swabs were tested by real-time PCR for detection of the influenza A virus RNA. No antibodies for H5 and H7 subtypes were detected, but antibodies for subtypes H1, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, H10, H12, H13 e H16 have been identified in birds from nine out of eleven areas. The influenza A virus RNA was detected only in three samples from one flock and no hemagglutinating viruses were isolated from these specimens. Results obtained in this work suggest that low pathogenic avian influenza viruses are circulating in backyard poultry flocks raised in concentration areas of migratory birds in Brazil and alert to the importance of the expansion of active surveillance in this population

Little is known about black fly pest species in Mississippi, other than research from the 1930s. A better understanding of the pest species that occur in Mississippi is important for human and animal health. My research focused on what species of black flies occur in Mississippi, their seasonality and distribution, and a detailed systematic survey of the primary pest species. Lastly, I attempted to quantify nuisance effects and economic impacts of black flies on people, backyard poultry, and livestock. I examined scientific literature and records of black flies occurring in the southeastern U.S., and particularly Mississippi. This search revealed several unpublished manuscripts by Dr. George H. Bradley on the biology, ecology, and control of black flies in the Mississippi Delta during the 1930s. These publications were curated and made available to the scientific community. I identified and compiled an annotated list of larval, pupal, and adult stages of black flies occurring in Mississippi, derived from specimens housed in the Mississippi State University Entomological Museum (MEM). These specimens had been collected over several decades by a variety of entomologists, students, and the public. In addition, I included data from thousands of black flies collected during this project. To assess seasonality and relative abundance of the primary pest black fly species in Mississippi, I systematically collected adult black fly specimens for two years, documenting species present, seasonality, adult emergence patterns, and associated meteorological conditions. These ten sites were selected based on Dr. George Bradley's extensive work and complaints from local county extension agents, veterinarians, and municipal public works personnel. For economic, human, and animal health impacts of black flies, I employed a four-tiered approach: 1) a survey of lay and medical literature for reports of human health problems from black fly bites, 2) a query of city and county public works personnel concerning black fly nuisance effects, 3) an analysis of statewide hospital outpatient International Classification of Diseases-9 (ICD-9) discharge data and lastly, 4) a statewide survey of backyard poultry owners to ascertain animal health and monetary impacts from black flies.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, detectar o vírus da Influenza aviária, Paramyxovirus tipo 1 (doença de Newcastle), Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae, respectivamente pelas técnicas de RT-PCR e PCR, em aves domésticas e aves em vida livre próximas às granjas avícolas nas cidades de Mogi das Cruzes e Louveira do Estado de São Paulo. As aves silvestres foram capturadas, anilhadas, submetidas à avaliação de estado geral e à coleta de suabes de orofaringe e cloaca. As aves de subsistência ou fundo de quintal seguiram o mesmo protocolo com a exceção do anilhamento, e tiveram amostras de sangue coletadas para a pesquisa de anticorpos contra o vírus da Doença de Newcastle, Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae pela técnica de ELISA indireto. Foram considerados os aspectos da biodiversidade entre as espécies silvestres capturadas e a biossegurança nas granjas. As aves silvestres apresentaram resultados negativos nesta pesquisa, no entanto, Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae foram detectados pela técnica da PCR nas aves de subsistência, assim como apresentaram títulos de anticorpos para os agentes acima citados e para o Paramyxovirus tipo I. Duas granjas não possuíam medidas de biosseguridade adequadas permitindo o contato de animais de vida livre com as aves de fundo de quintal e com as aves de produção, o que pode facilitar a disseminação de patógenos de interesse para a saúde pública e para a avicultura comercial. / The aim of this study is to detect avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus (Paramyxovirus I), Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in backyard chicken and wildlife birds around commercial poultry farms using RT-PCR and PCR. The birds were captured with mist nets, identified with alluminium leg rings, subjected to the assessment of clinical conditions and samples were collected by oral and cloacal swabs. The same was done with backyard chicken without the identification with leg rings. Blood samples were collected from backyard chicken and tested for antibodies against Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Paramyxovirus I by indirect ELISA test. This study was conducted in Mogi das Cruzes and Louveira, São Paulo state, where the commercial poultry is considered an activity of great importance. The results were negative to wild birds, but we could detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae by PCR and antibodies titles for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Newcastle disease in backyard chickens.Two farms didn´t have appropriate biosecurity measures, allowing intense contact with free-living birds, backyard chicken and poultry facilitating spread of pathogens with concern to human health and poultry farms.

Objetivou-se, neste trabalho, detectar o vírus da Influenza aviária, Paramyxovirus tipo 1 (doença de Newcastle), Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae, respectivamente pelas técnicas de RT-PCR e PCR, em aves domésticas e aves em vida livre próximas às granjas avícolas nas cidades de Mogi das Cruzes e Louveira do Estado de São Paulo. As aves silvestres foram capturadas, anilhadas, submetidas à avaliação de estado geral e à coleta de suabes de orofaringe e cloaca. As aves de subsistência ou fundo de quintal seguiram o mesmo protocolo com a exceção do anilhamento, e tiveram amostras de sangue coletadas para a pesquisa de anticorpos contra o vírus da Doença de Newcastle, Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae pela técnica de ELISA indireto. Foram considerados os aspectos da biodiversidade entre as espécies silvestres capturadas e a biossegurança nas granjas. As aves silvestres apresentaram resultados negativos nesta pesquisa, no entanto, Mycoplasma gallisepticum e Mycoplasma synoviae foram detectados pela técnica da PCR nas aves de subsistência, assim como apresentaram títulos de anticorpos para os agentes acima citados e para o Paramyxovirus tipo I. Duas granjas não possuíam medidas de biosseguridade adequadas permitindo o contato de animais de vida livre com as aves de fundo de quintal e com as aves de produção, o que pode facilitar a disseminação de patógenos de interesse para a saúde pública e para a avicultura comercial. / The aim of this study is to detect avian influenza virus, Newcastle disease virus (Paramyxovirus I), Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae in backyard chicken and wildlife birds around commercial poultry farms using RT-PCR and PCR. The birds were captured with mist nets, identified with alluminium leg rings, subjected to the assessment of clinical conditions and samples were collected by oral and cloacal swabs. The same was done with backyard chicken without the identification with leg rings. Blood samples were collected from backyard chicken and tested for antibodies against Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Paramyxovirus I by indirect ELISA test. This study was conducted in Mogi das Cruzes and Louveira, São Paulo state, where the commercial poultry is considered an activity of great importance. The results were negative to wild birds, but we could detect Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae by PCR and antibodies titles for Mycoplasma gallisepticum, Mycoplasma synoviae and Newcastle disease in backyard chickens.Two farms didn´t have appropriate biosecurity measures, allowing intense contact with free-living birds, backyard chicken and poultry facilitating spread of pathogens with concern to human health and poultry farms.