Microbiological assessment at slaughter of chicken carcasses from commercial, backyard and semi-backyard production systems.

INTRODUCTION: Smaller scale, alternative, chicken production systems are gaining popularity globally. However, this brings public health and market confidence concerns, especially where there are no established standards of production. The aim of this study was to carry out a microbiological analysis of chicken carcasses from the commercial, backyard and semi-backyard production systems, slaughtered in the same slaughterhouse. METHODOLOGY: Samples of 102 chicken carcasses were taken in two steps of the slaughter (A: after bleeding; and B: after chiller tank) and were subjected to aerobic mesophilic, coliforms at 35 °C and coliforms at 45 °C counts, and Salmonella spp. detection. Salmonella spp. isolates were subjected to antimicrobial resistance analysis. RESULTS: At slaughter step A, carcasses from the backyard system had less contamination than carcasses from the commercial system, with a difference of 0.7 log10 CFU/mL. Salmonella was identified in carcasses of all production systems and in both slaughter steps. Nine chicken carcasses were positive for Salmonella and no significant difference was observed in the occurrence of Salmonella amongst the carcasses from different production systems. Two Salmonella isolates, that presented the highest resistance profiles (one isolate was resistant to eight and the other to six out of ten tested antibiotics), were identified on carcasses from the semi-backyard system. CONCLUSIONS: Carcasses from the backyard system had a lower microbial count at the initial step of the slaughter process than the commercial production system. In addition, greater resistance to antimicrobials was observed in Salmonella isolates from semi-backyard system.

Physiological variations of serum biochemical profile in quarter horse mares at peripartum and in their neonatal foals / Variações fisiológicas no perfil bioquímico sérico de éguas quarto de milha no periparto e potros neonatos

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the serum biochemical profile in Quarter Horse mares in their peripartum, and neonates on their birth date, and to compare the values obtained for male and female foals, as well as values obtained for foals and mares on the day of delivery. Forty one adult, pregnant mares and their respective offspring on the day of delivery were analyzed, totaling 82 animals. Two samples of blood were collected from the mares, seven days before and on the day of delivery. From the foals, blood collection was performed on the day of their birth about 12 h after colostrum ingestion. The samples were centrifuged and the serum stored at -20 ºC for analyses. Each sample was used to determine the serum concentrations proteins, metabolites, minerals and enzymes. Physiological changes caused by peripartum led to higher serum total protein, albumin, and globulins on the day of delivery. Serum concentration of triglycerides and calcium /phosphorus ratio were greater seven days before delivery; iron concentration was higher than reference ranges in both moments of evaluation. In foals, albumin serum concentrations, albumin/globulins ratio, and aspartate aminotransferase remained below reference ranges. In foals, there was no influence of sex in the serum biochemical profile. When results obtained for foals on their birth date were compared with those obtained for the mares on the delivery day, cholesterol, triglycerides, phosphorus, iron, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma glutamyltransferase were higher in foals, and total protein, albumin, globulins, urea nitrogen, calcium/phosphorus ratio, and aspartate aminotransferase were higher in mares. Results showed variations in serum biochemistry in peripartum mares and neonates, as well as in the comparison between foals and mares on the day of delivery. Clinically, serum biochemistry values for peripartum mares and neonates should be considered in the analysis of laboratory results of tests carried out in this period.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o perfil bioquímico sérico de éguas no periparto e potros no dia do nascimento, e confrontar os valores obtidos para potros machos e fêmeas, e desses com as éguas no dia do parto. Foram utilizadas 41 éguas adultas, gestantes, e suas respectivas crias no dia do nascimento, totalizando 82 animais. Das éguas foram coletadas duas amostras de sangue, sete dias antes do parto e no dia do parto. Dos potros, no dia do nascimento, aproximadamente 12 h após ingestão do colostro. As amostras foram centrifugadas e o soro estocado à ­ 20º C para análises. De cada amostra foram determinadas as concentrações séricas de proteínas, metabólitos, minerais e enzimas. Alterações fisiológicas decorrentes do periparto determinaram um quadro com maiores valores sérico das proteínas totais, albumina e globulinas no dia do parto. A concentração sérica dos triglicérides e a relação cálcio/fósforo foi maior aos sete dias antes do parto e, o ferro com valores superiores aos de referência, nos dois momentos avaliados. Nos potros as concentrações séricas da albumina, relação albumina/globulinas e aspartato aminotransferase permaneceram abaixo dos valores de referência. Não houve influencia do sexo nos valores dos constituintes bioquímicos séricos avaliados. Quando confrontados os resultados obtidos para potros, no dia do nascimento, com os das éguas no dia do parto, observou-se maiores valores do colesterol, triglicérides, fósforo, ferro, fosfatase alcalina e gama glutamiltransferase nos potros, e nas éguas maiores valores para proteínas totais, albumina, globulinas, nitrogênio ureico, relação cálcio/fósforo e aspartato aminotransferase. Os resultados revelaram variações nos valores dos constituintes bioquímicos séricos nas éguas no peripato, nos potros neonatos e dos potros em relação as éguas no dia do parto. Clinicamente, os valores dos constituintes bioquímicos séricos nas éguas no periparto e potros neonatos, devem ser considerados no momento da interpretação de resultados de análises laboratoriais nesses períodos.

Eficácia anti-helmíntica da ivermectina em equinos: exames coproparasitológicos e hematológicos / Antihelminthic efficacy of ivermectin in horses: coproparasitological and hematological exams

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da ivermectina a 2% em equinos, através de exames coproparasitológicos e hematológicos. O experimento foi realizado em uma fazenda no município de Uberlândia, MG. Foram utilizados 24 equinos, de três a oito anos, divididos em dois grupos, conforme valores dos OPG. Contagens de OPG e coproculturas foram realizadas nos dias D0, D+7 e D+14. Os animais foram tratados com a formulação pasta a base de ivermectina 2%, na dose de 200 mcg/kg, via oral. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos dias D0, D+7 e D+14 para avaliação dos parâmetros hematológicos. A presença de ovos, característicos da família Strongylidae e identificação de larvas características de ciatostomíneos demonstrou o parasitismo dos animais por pequenos estrôngilos. Nos D+7 e D+14 houve a redução significativa do OPG no grupo tratado com eficácia de 99,5 e 99,7%, respectivamente. Observou-se tendência do quadro eritrocitário manter-se próximo aos limites inferiores e discreta leucocitose com neutrófilos próximos dos valores superiores. Pode-se inferir que a ivermectina é eficaz contra os ciatostomíneos e alterações hematológicas significativas não foram observadas.(AU)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin at 2% in horses, through coproparasitological and hematological exams. The experiment was performed at a farm in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State. Twenty-four horses were used, ranging from 3 to 8 years of age, divided into 2 groups according to EPG values. EPG counts and coprocultures were performed on days D0, D+7 and D+14. The animals were treated with the ivermectin 2%-based paste formulation at a dose of 200 mcg/kg, orally. Blood samples were collected on days D0, D+7 and D+14 for evaluation of haematological parameters. The presence of eggs that are characteristic of the Strongylidae family and the identification of larvae that are characteristic of cyathostomins demonstrated the parasitism of the animals by small strongyles. At D+7 and D+14 there was a significant reduction of EPG in the treated group with an efficacy of 99.5 and 99.7%, respectively. A tendency of the erythrocyte framework to remain close to the lower limits was observed, besides a slight leukocytosis, with neutrophils close to the highest values. It can be inferred that ivermectin is effective against cyastostomines, and no significant haematological changes were observed.(AU)

Eficácia anti-helmíntica da ivermectina em equinos: exames coproparasitológicos e hematológicos / Antihelminthic efficacy of ivermectin in horses: coproparasitological and hematological exams

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da ivermectina a 2% em equinos, através de exames coproparasitológicos e hematológicos. O experimento foi realizado em uma fazenda no município de Uberlândia, MG. Foram utilizados 24 equinos, de três a oito anos, divididos em dois grupos, conforme valores dos OPG. Contagens de OPG e coproculturas foram realizadas nos dias D0, D+7 e D+14. Os animais foram tratados com a formulação pasta a base de ivermectina 2%, na dose de 200 mcg/kg, via oral. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos dias D0, D+7 e D+14 para avaliação dos parâmetros hematológicos. A presença de ovos, característicos da família Strongylidae e identificação de larvas características de ciatostomíneos demonstrou o parasitismo dos animais por pequenos estrôngilos. Nos D+7 e D+14 houve a redução significativa do OPG no grupo tratado com eficácia de 99,5 e 99,7%, respectivamente. Observou-se tendência do quadro eritrocitário manter-se próximo aos limites inferiores e discreta leucocitose com neutrófilos próximos dos valores superiores. Pode-se inferir que a ivermectina é eficaz contra os ciatostomíneos e alterações hematológicas significativas não foram observadas.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin at 2% in horses, through coproparasitological and hematological exams. The experiment was performed at a farm in the city of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais State. Twenty-four horses were used, ranging from 3 to 8 years of age, divided into 2 groups according to EPG values. EPG counts and coprocultures were performed on days D0, D+7 and D+14. The animals were treated with the ivermectin 2%-based paste formulation at a dose of 200 mcg/kg, orally. Blood samples were collected on days D0, D+7 and D+14 for evaluation of haematological parameters. The presence of eggs that are characteristic of the Strongylidae family and the identification of larvae that are characteristic of cyathostomins demonstrated the parasitism of the animals by small strongyles. At D+7 and D+14 there was a significant reduction of EPG in the treated group with an efficacy of 99.5 and 99.7%, respectively. A tendency of the erythrocyte framework to remain close to the lower limits was observed, besides a slight leukocytosis, with neutrophils close to the highest values. It can be inferred that ivermectin is effective against cyastostomines, and no significant haematological changes were observed.