Prevalence and aetiology of coccidiosis in broiler chickens in Bejaia province, Algeria.

The prevalence of coccidiosis was determined and Eimeria species were identified in farms at different locations in the Bejaia region, Algeria. The study was conducted from February to December 2016. Unvaccinated birds were selected randomly. Samples from litter and faeces were collected randomly (147 and 109, respectively). Necropsy and parasitological examinations were carried out using standard methods. Of the samples examined, 93 out of the 147 litter samples and 78 out of the 109 intestinal content samples were infected with Eimeria oocysts (63.26% and 71.55%, respectively). Mixed infections with Eimeria spp. were observed in some of the positive farms, with an overall prevalence of 54.28%. Five species of Eimeria (viz. E. acervulina, E. tenella, E. maxima, E. brunetti and E. mitis) were identified with different indices. Eimeria acervulina followed by E. tenella were the predominant species infecting chickens at the farms visited (32.05% and 26.92%, respectively). Statistically, the most prevalent Eimeria spp. was E. Acervulina (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that coccidiosis is an omnipresent parasitic intestinal disease. It could strongly decrease production performance in broiler chickens.

Determination of the optimal time of vaccination against infectious bursal disease virus (Gumboro) in Algeria.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of maternally derived antibody (MDA) on live vaccine against infectious bursal disease. A total of 140 chicks selected from vaccinated parent stock were used in this investigation. In a preset vaccination schedule, blood samples were collected to check for the actual effect. It was noticed that on day 1 the chicks contained a high level (6400.54 ± 2993.67) of maternally derived antibody that gradually decreased below a positive level within 21 days (365.86 ± 634.46). It was found that a high level of MDA interferes with the vaccine virus, resulting in no immune response. For better immune response, it is suggested that the chickens should be vaccinated at day 21, as the uniformity of MDA is poor (coefficient of the variation [CV] > 30%), and boosted at day 28. Indeed, two vaccinations are necessary to achieve good protection against infectious bursal disease virus of the entire flock.

Additive action of royal jelly and honey against Staphylococcus aureus.

Four varieties of honey and one variety of freshly reaped royal jelly (RJ) were used to evaluate their additive action against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29523). In a first step honey and RJ were used separately to determine their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the tested strain. In a second step, lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were added to lower concentrations of RJ than the MIC and then incorporated into media to determine the minimum additive inhibitory concentration. When tested separately, the MIC of the four varieties of honey ranged between 20% and 21% (vol/vol), and that of RJ was 2% (vol/vol). When used jointly, all honey varieties had a more than 50% decrease in MIC with 1% (vol/vol) RJ. A strong linear correlation was noted between the MIC decrease of all varieties of honey and RJ.

Synergistic action of starch and honey against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in correlation with diastase number.

To evaluate the synergistic action of starch on the antibacterial activity of honey against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a comparative method of adding honey with and without starch to culture media was used. P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five varieties of honey. In a second step, lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were incubated with a set of concentrations of starch and then added to media to determine the minimum synergistic inhibitory concentration. The MIC for the five varieties of honey without starch against P. aeruginosa ranged between 15% and 26% (vol/vol). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, a significant MIC drop has been noticed with each variety and it ranged between 30.7% and 46.6%. No significant correlation has been established between the MIC drop and the diastase number.

Synergistic action of starch and honey against Aspergillus niger in correlation with Diastase Number.

To evaluate the synergistic action of starch on the antifungal activity of honey, a comparative method of adding honey with and without starch to culture media was used. Aspergillus niger was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five varieties of honey. In the second step, lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were incubated with a set of concentrations of starch and then added to media to determine the minimum synergistic inhibitory concentration (MSIC). The MIC for the five varieties of honey without starch against A. niger ranged between 46% and 50% (v/v). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, an MIC drop was noticed with each variety and it ranged between 6% and 19.5%. Negative correlation has been established between the MIC drop and the Diastase Number.

Synergistic action of starch and honey against Candida albicans in correlation with diastase number

To evaluate the synergistic action of starch on the antifungal activity of honey, a comparative method of adding honey with and without starch to culture media was used. Candida albicans has been used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five varieties of honey. In a second step, lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were incubated with a set of concentrations of starch added to media to determine the minimum synergistic inhibitory concentration (MSIC). The MIC for the five varieties of honey without starch against C. albicans ranged between 40 percent and 45 percent (v/v). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, a MIC drop has been noticed with each variety. It ranged between 7 percent and 25 percent. A negative correlation has been established between the MIC drop and the diastase number (DN).

Para avaliar a ação sinergística do amido na atividade antifúngica do mel, utilizou-se um método comparativo de adição ou não de mel ao meio de cultura com e sem amido. Cândida albicans foi utilizada para determinar a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) de cinco variedades de mel. Na etapa seguinte, determinou-se a Concentração Inibitória Sinergística Mínima (CISM) empregando-se méis em concentração abaixo da CIM incubados com amido em diferentes concentrações.

Synergistic action of starch and honey against Candida albicans in correlation with diastase number.

To evaluate the synergistic action of starch on the antifungal activity of honey, a comparative method of adding honey with and without starch to culture media was used. Candida albicans has been used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five varieties of honey. In a second step, lower concentrations of honey than the MIC were incubated with a set of concentrations of starch added to media to determine the minimum synergistic inhibitory concentration (MSIC). The MIC for the five varieties of honey without starch against C. albicans ranged between 40% and 45% (v/v). When starch was incubated with honey and then added to media, a MIC drop has been noticed with each variety. It ranged between 7% and 25%. A negative correlation has been established between the MIC drop and the diastase number (DN).