Use of anaerobic cecal microflora, lactose and acetic acid for the protection of broiler chicks against experimental infection with Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Cervicovaginal aerobic microflora of women with spontaneous abortion or preterm delivery in Araraquara-Brazil

Rotina bacteriológica do conteúdo vaginal e cervical de 22 mulheres com histórico de aborto recente ou ruptura precoce das membranas foi realizada. Chlamydia trachomatis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Candida sp e Gardnerella vaginalis foram isolados em 54,5% (12) das pacientes. Apesar de Ureaplasma urealyticum ter sido frequentemente encontrado (45,5%), somente em 5 das 22 mulheres foi o único microrganismo presente nos materiais analisados. Esses resultados chamam a atenção para a importância de investigação quantitativa bem como qualitativa da microbiota genital em gestantes, tendo em vista ter consequências na gestação.

Fermentation and epiphytic microflora dynamics in sugar cane silage

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of cecal microflora cultured under aerobic or anaerobic conditions in the control of experimental infection of chicks with Salmonella Enteritidis

One-day-old broiler chicks received cecal microflora (CM) cultured under aerobic, anaerobic conditions, or both (mixed) and were then infected with Salmonella Enteritidis, in order to compare the efficacy of these different types of culture in terms of the number of chicks infected, cecal colonization and faecal excretion of the challenging bacteria. Regardless of culture type, CM always led to a smaller number of S. Enteritidis for any of the parameters studied compared to untreated chicks. Aerobic CM demonstrated better efficacy in reducing the number of infected chicks and cecal colonization by S. Enteritidis, followed by mixed CM. No difference was observed in faecal excretion of S. Enteritidis between the chicks that received different types of CM culture. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Use of Pyrosequencing and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis to Examine the Effects of Probiotics and Essential Oil Blends on Digestive Microflora in Broilers Under Mixed Eimeria Infection

A protective digestive microflora helps prevent and reduce broiler infection and colonization by enteropathogens. In the current experiment, broilers fed diets supplemented with probiotics and essential oil (EO) blends were infected with a standard mixed Eimeria spp. to determine effects of performance enhancers on ileal and cecal microbial communities (MCs). Eight treatment groups included four controls (uninfected-unmedicated [UU], unmedicated-infected, the antibiotic BMD plus the ionophore Coban as positive control, and the ionophore as negative control), and four treatments (probiotics BC-30 and Calsporin; and EO, Crina Poultry Plus, and Crina PoultryAF). Day-old broilers were raised to 14 days in floor pens on used litter and then were moved to Petersime batteries and inoculated at 15 days with mixed Eimeria spp. Ileal and cecal samples were collected at 14 days and 7 days postinfection. Digesta DNA was subjected to pyrosequencing for sequencing of individual cecal bacteria and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) for determination of changes in ileal and cecal MC according to percentage similarity coefficient (%SC). Pyrosequencing is very sensitive detecting shifts in individual bacterial sequences, whereas DGGE is able to detect gross shifts in entire MC. These combined techniques offer versatility toward identifying feed additive and mild Eimeria infection modulation of broiler MC. Pyrosequencing detected 147 bacterial species sequences. Additionally, pyrosequencing revealed the presence of relatively low levels of the potential human enteropathogens Campylobacter sp. and four Shigella spp. as well as the potential poultry pathogen Clostridiun perfringens. Pre- and postinfection changes in ileal (56%SC) and cecal (78.5%SC) DGGE profiles resulted from the coccidia infection and with increased broiler age. Probiotics and EO changed MC from those seen in UU ilea and ceca. Results potentially reflect the performance enhancement above expectations in comparison to broilers not given the probiotics or the specific EO blends as feed supplements.

Effect of the consumption of a symbiotic shake on the intestinal microflora of erdely people

The consumption of foods containing probiotic and prebiotic ingredients is growing consistently every year, and in view of the limited number of studies investigating their effect in the elderly. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the consumption of a symbiotic shake containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and fructooligosaccharides on glycemia and cholesterol levels in elderly people. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on twenty volunteers (ten for placebo group and ten for symbiotic group), aged 50 to 60 years. The criteria for inclusion in the study were: total cholesterol > 200 mg/dL; triglycerides > 200 mg/dL and glycemia > 110 mg/dL. Over a total test period of 30 days, 10 individuals (the symbiotic group) consumed a daily dose of 200 mL of a symbiotic shake containing 108 UFC/mL Lactobacillus acidophilus, 108 UFC/mL Bifidobacterium bifidum and 2 g oligofructose, while 10 other volunteers (the placebo group) drank daily the same amount of a shake that did not contain any symbiotic bacteria. Blood samples were collected 15 days prior to the start of the experiment and at 10-day intervals after the beginning of the shake intake. The standard lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol) and glycemia, or blood sugar levels, were evaluated by an enzyme colorimetric assay. Results The results of the symbiotic group showed a non-significant reduction (P > 0.05) in total cholesterol and triglycerides, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in HDL cholesterol and a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in fasting glycemia. No significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Conclusion The consumption of symbiotic shake resulted in a significant increase in HDL and a significant decrease of glycemia.

Rhamnolipid produced from agroindustrial wastes enhances hydrocarbon biodegradation in contaminated soil

A crude biosurfactant solution was produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa growing on agroindustrial wastes as the substrate and used to study its effect on hydrocarbon biodegradation by the indigenous soil microflora under laboratory conditions. Two concentrations were studied at first and 1 mg of biosurfactant/g of soil showed to be the most efficient for the total petroleum hydrocarbon reduction, which reached 85% at the first 20 days in soil microcosms. Respirometric and microbial analyses showed that the biosurfactant added did not have toxic effects over the microbial population. The use of a biosurfactant for bioremediation has been limited because of its high cost production. Biosurfactants produced from cost-free by-products combines waste minimization with economic potential bioremediation process.

Inibição do crescimento de Escherichia coli isolada de Queijo Minas Frescal por Lactobacillus acidophilus

Escherichia coli faz parte da microbiota anaeróbica facultativa normal, sendo também considerada um dos maiores patógenos entéricos predominantes no cólon dos animais e homem. Neste trabalho, realizaram-se ensaios in vitro para avaliar o grau de atividade antagonista de cinco cepas de Lactobacillus acidophilus, com capacidade probiótica sobre Escherichia coli BIA 26 (STEC) isolada de queijo Minas Frescal. Para tanto, foi utilizado o teste de inibição através do método de dupla camada em triplicata para avaliar zonas de inibição de crescimento. Todas as cepas de Lactobacillus mostraram-se capazes de inibir a E. coli, com zonas de inibição variando de 12 a 15mm de diâmetro, sendo que a maioria apresentou 14mm de diâmetro, consideradas como fortes halos de inibição.

Molecular Identification and Characterization of Ileal and Cecal Fungus Communities in Broilers Given Probiotics, Specific Essential Oil Blends, and Under Mixed Eimeria Infection

Broiler digestive tract fungal communities have gained far less scrutiny than that given corresponding bacterial communities. Attention given poultry-associated fungi have focused primarily on feed-associated toxin-producers, yeast, and yeast products. The current project focused on the use of pyrosequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) to identify and monitor broiler digestive fungal communities. Eight different treatments were included. Four controls were an Uninfected-Unmedicated Control, an Unmedicated-Infected Control, the antibiotic bacitracin methylene disalicylate plus the ionophore monensin as Positive Control, and the ionophore monensin alone as a Negative Control. Four treatments were two probiotics (BC-30 and Calsporin) and two specific essential oil blends (Crina Poultry Plus and Crina Poultry AF). All chickens except the Unmedicated-Uninfected Control were given, at 15 days of age, a standard oral Eimeria inoculum of sporulated oocysts. Ileal and cecal digesta were collected at pre-Eimeria infection at 14 days of age and at 7 days post-Eimeria infection at 22 days of age. Extracted cecal DNA was analyzed by pyrosequencing to examine the impact of diet supplements and Eimeria infection on individual constituents in the fungal community, while DGGE was used to compare more qualitative changes in ileal and cecal communities. Pyrosequencing identified three phyla, seven classes, eight orders, 13 families, 17 genera, and 23 fungal species. Ileal and cecal DGGE patterns showed fungal communities were clustered mainly into pre- and post-infection patterns. Post-infection Unmedicated-Uninfected patterns were clustered with pre-infection groups demonstrating a strong effect of Eimeria infection on digestive fungal populations. These combined techniques offered added versatility towards unraveling the effects of enteropathogen infection and performance enhancing feed additives on broiler digestive microflora.

Microbiota intestinal de indivíduos que sofreram acidente ocupacional com materiais biológicos e que realizaram profilaxia anti-retroviral

Avaliar a microbiota intestinal de indivíduos que sofreram acidente ocupacional com materiais biológicos e receberam anti-retrovirais foi o objetivo deste estudo. O grupo de estudo constou de 23 indivíduos com idade entre 18-45 anos, sendo 13 doadores de sangue e 10 que sofreram acidente ocupacional. Foram avaliados a microbiota intestinal, antropometria e exames laboratoriais pré, pós e 30 dias após o término da medicação. Zidovudina mais lamivudina foi utilizada em 70% dos indivíduos associado ao nelfinavir, 20% ao efavirenz e 10% ao ritonavir. As alterações nutricionais e dietéticas-laboratoriais e de microbiota intestinal foram analisadas em três momentos. M1: até dois dias do início da profilaxia; M2: no último dia da profilaxia e M3: 30 dias após o término da profilaxia. Náuseas, vômitos e diarréia estiveram presentes em 50% no segundo momento do estudo. Sobrepeso em 70%, desnutrição e eutrofia em 10%, dos indivíduos, não se modificaram durante o estudo. Transaminases, triglicérides, LDL-colesterol se elevaram no segundo momento e normalizaram 30 dias após término da medicação. Houve redução significativa dos Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium e Bacteróides nos três momentos. Uso de anti-retrovirais provocou impacto significativo na microbiota intestinal dos indivíduos, sem recuperação em 30 dias.

Microbiological characteristics and inflammatory cytokines associated with preterm labor

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Comparison of wildlife and captivity rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) microbiota

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Efeito protetor da microbiota cecal congelada e liofilizada sobre a infecção experimental de frangos de corte por Salmonella enterica sorovar Enteritidis

Estudaram-se os efeitos do tratamento de frangos de corte com microbiota cecal anaeróbia liofilizada (MCL) e congelada (MCC) sobre a infecção do trato digestivo das aves por Salmonella enterica sorovar Enteritidis. Foi usada microbiota intestinal sem prévia identificação bacteriana. A infecção foi persistente, em ordem, no ceco, inglúvio e duodeno. A infecção também foi autolimitante nos grupos tratados e no controle. Não ocorreu diferença entre o grupo-controle positivo e os tratados com MCL ou MCC. Houve redução da colonização do ceco no período de 12 dias após o desafio nos grupos tratados com MCL e MCC, o que não ocorreu no grupo-controle positivo. Não houve variação entre os tratamentos com MCL e MCC quanto às características pesquisadas. A S. Enteritidis reduziu o ganho de peso médio nas aves inoculadas. Os tratamentos com MCL e MCC minimizaram a redução de peso nos grupos infectados.