Adult Poultry Research Articles

Реовирус кур: прошлое, настоящее и будущее

Avian reoviruses (ARV) are viruses of the family Reoviridae, genus Orthoreovirus. The pathogen has a varying degree of pathogenicity, which can range from highly infectious strains with tropism affecting many tissues and organs to strains that don’t cause clinical manifestations. The virus can be transmitted both vertically and through sick birds and their excreta. Specific symptoms associated with avian reoviruses include viral arthritis/tenosynovitis and viral enteritis. Each disease manifestation has a marked impact on the economic stability of the poultry industry. RIF, RN, ELISA, PCR and others are used for laboratory diagnosis. Viral disease is easier to prevent than to apply any treatment. Therefore, specific prophylaxis – vaccination (of both young and adult poultry is widely used in the world).

Seasonal variation affects biochemical and immunological traits of various rural backyard poultry under tropical climatic conditions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

ABSTRACT The performance and productivity in poultry flocks are affected by climate change, especially in tropical islands. This study has been designed to understand the impact of two major seasons viz. summer (February-June) and rainy (July-September) on biochemical and immunological traits in three backyard poultry breeds viz. Desi (non-descript indigenous), Nicobari Fowl, and Vanaraja of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, for the first time. Ninety adult poultry birds were randomly selected from three different rural villages of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands including Desi (D, n = 30), Nicobari Fowl (NF, n = 30) and Vanaraja (V, n = 30). Ten birds each of D, NF and V from each village (sex ratio− 1:1) were chosen for the study. Serum samples collected (n=/bird/season/breed) from the three breeds were analysed. The study revealed that season had significant effect on biochemical parameters, i.e. serum albumin (p < 0.0001), globulin (p < 0.01), ALP (p < 0.05), total bilirubin (p < 0.05) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (p < 0.05). Moreover, season had significant effect on immune parameters i.e. IL−2 (p < 0.0001), IL−4 (p < 0.0001), IL−6 (p < 0.0001&p < 0.05), HSP−70 (p < 0.0001&p < 0.01), TLR−4 (p < 0.01&p < 0.05) and INF-γ (p < 0.0001). It was observed that breed had significant effect on total bilirubin (D-V & NF-V, p < 0.0001), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (NF-V, p < 0.01 &D-V, p < 0.05). And also had significant effect on. IL−2 (D-NF, p < 0.001 &NF-V, p < 0.01), IL−4 (D-NF& D-V, p < 0.0001;NF-V, p < 0.05; D-V&NF-V, p < 0.01), IL−6 (D-NF & D-V, p < 0.0001), HSP−70 (D-NF & D-V, p < 0.0001; D-NF p < 0.01; NF-V, p < 0.05), and INF-γ (D-NF & D-V, p < 0.0001&D-NF, p < 0.05). This study could establish the seasonal influence on biochemical and immunological traits of rural backyard poultry breeds in tropical climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identifies potential regulators in response to Salmonella Enteritidis challenge in the reproductive tract of laying ducks

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is a zoonotic and vertically transmitted pathogen, often colonized in the reproductive tract of adult poultry, which can result in direct contamination of eggs and threaten human health. Previous studies have revealed that some pattern recognition receptors and resistance genes were involved in regulating immune responses to SE invasion in birds. However, the role of these immune response genes was not independent, and the interactions among the genes remained to be further investigated. In this study, SE burden and colonization were determined in reproductive tissue after the ducks were SE-infected, and RNA-sequencing was performed to construct co-expression networks by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The result showed that SE could be isolated from 22% of infected-birds in any segment of the reproductive tract and the SE was readily colonized in the stroma, small follicle, isthmus, and vagina of the reproductive tracts in morbid ducks. The top central, highly connected genes were subsequently identified three specific modules in the above four tissues at the defined cut-offs (P<0.01), including 60 new candidate regulators and 125 transcription factors. Moreover, those 185 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in these modules were co-expressed. Moreover, the hub genes (TRAF3, CXCR4 and IL13RA1) were identified to act with many other genes through immune response pathways including NF-kappaB, Toll-like receptor, steroid biosynthesis, and p53 signaling pathways. These data provide references that will understand the immune regulatory relationships during SE infection, but also assist in the breeding of SE-resistant lines through potential biomarkers.

Temporal Dynamics of Cloacal Microbiota in Adult Laying Chickens With and Without Access to an Outdoor Range.

Associations between animal health and performance, and the host’s microbiota have been recently established. In poultry, changes in the intestinal microbiota have been linked to housing conditions and host development, but how the intestinal microbiota respond to environmental changes under farm conditions is less well understood. To gain insight into the microbial responses following a change in the host’s immediate environment, we monitored four indoor flocks of adult laying chickens three times over 16 weeks, during which two flocks were given access to an outdoor range, and two were kept indoors. To assess changes in the chickens’ microbiota over time, we collected cloacal swabs of 10 hens per flock and performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The poultry house (i.e., the stable in which flocks were housed) and sampling time explained 9.2 and 4.4% of the variation in the microbial community composition of the flocks, respectively. Remarkably, access to an outdoor range had no detectable effect on microbial community composition, the variability of microbiota among chickens of the same flock, or microbiota richness, but the microbiota of outdoor flocks became more even over time. Fluctuations in the composition of the microbiota over time within each poultry house were mainly driven by turnover in rare, rather than dominant, taxa and were unique for each flock. We identified 16 amplicon sequence variants that were differentially abundant over time between indoor and outdoor housed chickens, however none were consistently higher or lower across all chickens of one housing type over time. Our study shows that cloacal microbiota community composition in adult layers is stable following a sudden change in environment, and that temporal fluctuations are unique to each flock. By exploring microbiota of adult poultry flocks within commercial settings, our study sheds light on how the chickens’ immediate environment affects the microbiota composition.

The use of sprouted barley grain in the diet of meat hens of the parent herd

The use of sprouted barley grain for an adult poultry of a parent flock of meat production is of scientific and practical interest. According to the research methodology, we formed 4 groups of experimental birds, at the age of 140 days, 10 chickens and 10 cockerels in each. The test period lasted 280 days. The poultry of the control group received a standard complete feed containing barley grains in an amount of 20% by weight of the compound feed, in accordance with the adopted feeding scheme. Poultry of groups 2,3,4 received in addition to the main diet sprouted barley grain in the amount of 20 g per head. In this experiment, the question of the effectiveness of using sprouted grain, depending on the feeding regime, was considered. A positive trend was revealed when feeding sprouted grain in addition to a complete feed, in the evening.

The alterations of tracheal microbiota and inflammation caused by different levels of ammonia exposure in broiler chickens

Ammonia (NH3) is a known harmful gas and exists in haze, forming secondary organic aerosols. Exposure to ambient ammonia correlates with the respiratory tract infection, and microbiota in the upper respiratory tract is an emerging crucial player in the homeostatic regulation of respiratory tract infection, and microbiota perturbation is usually accompanied by the inflammatory reactions; however, the effects of different levels of ammonia exposure on tracheal microbiota and inflammation are unclear. A total of 288 22-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were chosen and divided into 4 groups with 6 replicates of 12 chickens, and respectively exposed to ammonia at 0, 15, 25, and 35 ppm for 21-d trial period. Cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) in the trachea were measured at the 21 d of exposure to NH3. Tracheal microbiota at the 21 d was analyzed by the 16S rRNA gene analysis. The results showed that an increase in ammonia levels, even in 15 ppm, significantly decreased the alpha diversity and changed the bacterial community structure. Six genera (Faecalibacterium, Ruminococcus]_torques_group, unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, Streptococcus, Blautia) significantly increased, whereas Lactobacillus significantly decreased under different levels of ammonia exposure. We also observed positive associations of Faecalibacterium, Blautia, g__Ruminococcaceae_UCG-014, unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcus]_torques_group abundances with tracheal IL-1β concentration. Moreover, an increase in ammonia levels, even in 15 ppm, caused respiratory tract inflammatory injury. The results indicated that 15 ppm ammonia exposure changed the composition of tracheal microbiota that caused the tracheal injury possibly through increasing the IL-1β, which might make the broiler more sensitive to the changes of environment and pathogenic micro-organisms in the poultry house, and may be also a critical value that needs high alertness. Herein, the present experiment also suggested that the standard limit of ammonia concentration in adult poultry house is 15 ppm. This research provides an insight into the relationship between the upper respiratory tract microbiota and inflammation under ammonia exposure.

Serological monitoring of avian influenza and Newcastle disease in the Russian Federation in 2019

More than 30,000 samples of blood serum from domestic, wild and synanthropic birds from 50 regions of the Russian Federation were submitted to the FGBI “ARRIAH” (Vladimir) Reference Laboratory for Avian Viral Diseases to be tested for avian influenza and Newcastle disease within the framework of monitoring activities conducted by the Rosselkhoznadzor in 2019. As a result of the laboratory diagnosis, antibodies to type A influenza virus were detected in vaccinated chickens from two poultry farms in the Perm and Primorsky Krais (A/N9). The detected antibodies were specific to the haemagglutinin subtype of the vaccine antigen. As for the backyards in the RF Subjects, where scheduled vaccination against avian influenza A/H5 is carried out, a low level of immunity was seen in the Rostov and Astrakhan Oblasts (35 and 44%, respectively) while a high level of immunity was observed in the Republic of Altai, Krasnodar Krai, the Chechen Republic and the Primorsky Krai (69, 78, 80 and 88%, respectively). High seroprevalence of Newcastle disease virus in adult poultry in indoor holdings was associated with mass vaccination against the disease. In broiler chickens, post-vaccination antibodies were observed, on average, in 42% of the studied blood serum samples. Antibodies to the Newcastle disease virus were detected in 39% of samples from backyard chickens. Seroprevalence in wild and synanthropic birds was high. The obtained results suggest that the risk of introduction and spread of avian influenza and Newcastle disease in industrial poultry farms and in backyards remains.

Susceptibility of Avian Species to Brucella Infection: A Hypothesis-Driven Study.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial disease affecting a wide range of animals, as well as humans. The existence of the clinically diagnosed brucellosis in avian species is controversially discussed. In the current study, we set to summarize the current knowledge on the presence of brucellae in avian species. Anti-Brucella antibodies were monitored in different avian species using classical diagnostic tools. Experimental infection of chicken embryos induced the disease and resulted in the development of specific lesions. Few empirical studies have been performed in adult poultry. However, the isolation of brucellae from naturally-infected chickens has not been possible yet.

SEROLOGICAL MONITORING OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN RUSSIA 2017

Newcastle disease is an OIE-listed and highly contagious viral avian disease inflicting great economic losses and constituting a serious threat to poultry farms all over the world. The paper provides monitoring research results for Newcastle disease among poultry and wild birds in the Russian Federation for 2017. The tests were carried out with diagnostic kits for Newcastle disease virus antibody detection by immunosorbent assay and HI at the FGBI “ARRIAH” Reference Laboratory for Viral Avian Diseases (Vladimir). Biological material delivered from Rosselkhoznadzor Territorial Administrations was collected from 31 678 domestic and 433 wild and synanthropic birds from 22 and 4 regions of the Russian Federation, respectively. The paper shows different levels of seroprevalence in poultry from industrial poultry establishments of a closed type and backyards and in wild birds of various regions of the Russian Federation. Almost total Newcastle disease seroprevalence was found in adult poultry from industrial closed establishments due to a total vaccination against the disease. Broilers demonstrated a relatively low average Newcastle disease virus seroprevalence because of an insufficient antibody level by the moment of blood sampling (mostly during slaughter). On average, antibodies to Newcastle disease virus were detected in one third of samples from backyard poultry. With that, high seroprevalence was registered on farms of North Caucasian Republics and southern regions of the Russian Federation. Seroprevalence in wild birds was moderate. Thus, the monitoring research indicates an unstable epidemiological situation for Newcastle disease in the Russian Federation and the remaining risk of disease outbreak on industrial and backyard farms.

Effect of Seabuckthorn leaves on Antioxidant and Microsomal Enzymes in poultry birds

In vivo studies on broiler birds were carried out to evaluate effect of aflatoxin and seabuckthorn leaves on microsomal enzyme system, antioxidant enzymes and biochemical parameters i.e. serum triglyceride, total plasma protein, aminopyrine demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase, catalase, LPO, superoxide dismutase, GSH, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels in poultry. The poultry birds were divided into six groups containing six birds each. Aflatoxin (400 ppb) and seabuckthorn leaves (10000ppm) was administered continuously in poultry feed. Aflatoxin increased serum triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels where as seabuckthorn leaves supplementation at 10000ppm significantly decreased triglyceride (P&lt;0.05), blood urea nitrogen (P&lt;0.05) and creatinine levels in birds. Toxin decreased liver, kidney and blood superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) activity, whereas, seabuckthorn leaves (SBTL) increased the activity of these enzymes as compared to control group. The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the toxin exposed group and decreased in case of SBTL. The activity of Aminopyrine demethylase and Aniline hydroxylase increased, while the activity of NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase is decreased in case of toxin group whereas in case of seabuckthorn leaves exposed group showed no significant change in case of aminopyrine demethylase and NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase, however, the activity of Aniline hydroxylase decreased. On the basis of present study, it could be concluded that the seabuckthorn leaves reduced the effect of Aflatoxin which produced oxidative stress by altering the levels of antioxidant enzymes of liver and kidney in adult poultry birds.

Ajuste dos níveis de energia e proteína e suas relações para galinhas poedeiras em diferentes condições térmicas

The adequacy of laying hens diets can become an essential strategy for the maintenance of the productive levels of the current lineages of the market. Considering that feed costs are the ones that most affect poultry activity, adjusting the energy and protein levels of laying hens diets ensure egg quality integrity, improves the quality of the environment and reduces costs inherent of food. Adult poultry maintain their thermal comfort with temperatures between 18 and 28º C and, either higher oscillations (heat stress) or lower oscillations (cold stress), are responsible for changes in food consumption by the animals, in an attempt to maintain a constant body temperature. In cold situations birds increase feed intake, in an attempt to produce metabolic heat and maintain homeothermia. In the heat, birds reduce feed intake and increase water consumption, reducing endogenous heat production and cooling the body through the gradient between water temperature and bird's body core. Although this mechanism of adjustment in food consumption is well known, it is observed that there are few scientific reports about the energy: protein ratio in laying hens diets, and thus, the main objective of this review.

Essential oils and Beauveria bassiana against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae): Towards new natural acaricides

Essential oils (EOs) and entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana (Bb) strains have the potential to be used as alternative insecticides and acaricides for controlling ectoparasites as Dermanyssus gallinae. These compounds have some limitations in their use: the acaricidal effect of EOs is rapid, but short-lived, whilst that of Bb is delayed, but long-lived. To evaluate the effect of both compounds combined against D. gallinae, the non-toxic dose of Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus citriodora, Thymus vulgaris and Eugenia caryophyllata essential oils were firstly calculated for “native” strains of Bb. Subsequently, the effects of the combination of selected EOs with Bb against nymph and adult poultry red mites (PRMs) was assessed. EO concentrations ranging from 0.0015 to 8% v/v (i.e., nine double dilutions) were used to evaluate their effect on germination, sporulation and vegetative growth rates of native strains of Bb. A total of 1440 mites (720 nymphs and 720 adults) were divided into three-treated group (TGs) and one control group (CG). In TGs, mites were exposed to Bb in combination with the selected EO (TG1), EO alone (TG2) or Bb (TG3) alone. In the CG, mites were exposed to 0.1% tween 80 plus EO solvent (CG). E. globulus and E. citriodora were toxic for Bb in concentrations higher than 0.2% and 0.003% respectively, whilst E. caryophyllata and T. vulgaris were toxic at all concentrations tested against Bb. Based on the results of the toxicity assays against Bb, E. globulus was chosen to be tested as acaricide resulting non-toxic for Bb at concentration lower than 0.4%. Increased mortality of D. gallinae adults was recorded in TG1 than those in other TGs from 4days post-infection (T+4DPI). A 100% mortality of D. gallinae was recorded in adults at T+9DPI and at T+10DPI in nymphs in TG1 and later than T+11DPI in the other TGs. Used in combination with E. globulus, Bb displayed an earlier acaricidal effect towards both haematophagous D. gallinae stages. The combination of B. bassiana and E. globulus at 0.2% might be used for controlling arthropods of medical and veterinary importance as D. gallinae.

A cross sectional study of Infectious Bursal Disease and Newcastle Disease in poultry in Narsingdi district of Bangladesh

Objective: A cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and Newcastle Disease (ND) in poultry of Narsingdi district, Bangladesh. Materials and methods: Post mortem of a total of 208 dead birds were done for the diagnosis purpose. Different poultry species included in this study included broilers, layers, pigeon, duck etc. Results: Among the examined birds, 38% were found to be affected with IBD, and 11% were affected with ND. Age of the birds for both IBD (19.95; 95%CI: 16-23) and ND (122.23; 95%CI: 98.62-145.83); and flock size only for IBD (1317; 95%CI: 1175-1460) was found significantly associated. The chicks aging between 16-23 days and flock size between 1175-1460 were found to be the most susceptible group to IBD, and adult poultry (98.62-145.83 days old) was mostly susceptible to ND. Conclusion: IBD and ND are highly prevalent in the study area. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct effective control measures to reduce the prevalence of these diseases. This study can help in designing appropriate control measures considering risk factors of these diseases. http://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2016.c181

Informal inter-island poultry movement in Indonesia: does it pose a risk to HPAI H5N1 transmission?

Informal movement of domesticated poultry and wild birds is considered a major threat in terms of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 transmission between birds and from birds to humans. However, the risk of transmission from informal illegal poultry movement has received little attention in Indonesia where human fatalities are the highest in the world. This research investigated the illegal movement of adult poultry between the islands of Java, Bali and Lombok to determine the potential risk of HPAI H5N1 transmission. The aim was to determine known origins and destinations of poultry, estimated quantity and types of birds, people involved and the drivers of illegal movement. Transportation and handling methods and views on how to minimise illegal movement were also investigated. In-depth interviews were carried out with 71 key informants in Bali and Lombok in 2009. East Java was the main origin of poultry entering Bali, followed by Central Java and Lombok. Interviewees estimated that over 10,000 village chickens, 500 ducks and 50 fighting cocks were brought into Bali per month from all origins. However, there were significant discrepancies with quarantine records indicating that the majority of birds imported illegally are not detected. We conclude that although informal illegal movement of poultry in Indonesia poses a potentially high risk for potential HPAI H5N1 transmission if birds are infected, much can be done to increase surveillance, encourage reporting of sick birds, educate traders about the risks and provide effective quarantine within an appropriate cultural framework.

Anaerobic spirochaetes and animals

Anaerobic spirochaetes colonise the large intestine of many avian and mammalian host species. The most well known pathogenic species is the strongly haemolytic Brachyspira hyodysenteriae that was first isolated from pigs with swine dysentery (SD) in the early 1970s. Classical SD is a severe mucohaemorrhagic colitis that occurs in growing pigs and is endemic in most pig-rearing areas of the world. The spirochaete acts in concert with other components of the colonic microbiota to disrupt the integrity of the colonic epithelium and induce inflammation. In recent years two new strongly haemolytic species, the proposed ‘Brachyspira suanatina' and ‘Brachyspira hampsonii', both with reservoirs in migratory water birds, have been described as new and emerging agents of SD in the northern hemisphere. Weakly haemolytic species also have been described, some of which have pathogenic potential. In particular Brachyspira pilosicoli causes a mild colitis and diarrhoea in many species, including human beings, whilst Brachyspira intermedia is a common pathogen in adult poultry. Infection with B. intermedia and/or B. pilosicoli can cause wet litter, faecal staining of eggshells and delays in reaching peak egg production. Options for control of these widespread and economically significant anaerobic infections are limited.

Seroprevalence of Salmonella Gallinarum Infection in Chicken Population of parts of Tigray and Addis Ababa by Plate Agglutination and Micro-agglutination Tests

Ethiopia owns a large poultry population whose growth is highly constrained by diseases. Fowl typhoid is a serious concern in growing and adult poultry and results from infection by Salmonella Gallinarum (Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum). Knowledge of the prevalence of the disease with confirmatory diagnosis is of paramount importance to embark on a control or prevention program. Seroprevalence of this infection in chicken population of Ethiopia has been reported from some parts of this country but in most of the reports it is based exclusively on a rapid slide agglutination test without further confirmation by another specific test. This study screened 279 sera samples of poultry for S. Gallinarum infection by employing plate agglutination test using colored antigen of S. Gallinarum that revealed 125(44.80%) of 279 sera samples positive. However, when plate positive samples were further tested for confirmation by microagglutination test by employing plain antigen of S. Gallinarum, only 55 (19.71%) were serologically positive lowering the prevalence rate from 44.8% to 19, 71%. The study reveals the serological prevalence of Salmonella gallinarum infection in poultry population of the study areas and recommends that the initial screening of this infection by a test like plate agglutination must always be followed by another specific test to get an accurate estimate of this infection. Keywords : Micro-agglutination test, Plate agglutination test, Poultry population, Salmonella gallinarum, Seroprevalence, Addis Ababa, Tigray, Ethiopia.

Gallus gallus domesticus are resistant to infection with Neospora caninum tachyzoites of the NC-1 strain

The aim of this study was to experimentally evaluate infection in Gallus gallus domesticus with Neospora caninum tachyzoites of the NC-1 strain. Experimental infection was conducted in 90-day-old chickens, embryonated eggs and bioassays in dogs. In the first experiment, poults were randomly divided into four groups. Groups I and II were provided feed with coccidiostat, whereas groups III and IV received feed without coccidiostat. When the poults from groups I and III reached 90 days of age, they received a subcutaneous inoculation of N. caninum. Once the hens entered their egg-laying period, during the following 30 days, the eggs were collected, identified, weighed and placed in an incubator. On the 70th day after inoculation, all animals, including the chicks, were euthanized. Tissue samples from the adult poultry and chicks were collected for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and PCR. Brain tissue and pectoral muscle samples from infected birds were fed to two dogs. Notably, the average weight of the group III eggs was lower than that of the group IV eggs (p<0.05). No changes consistent with infection in adult poultry or chicks were detected by histopathology or IHC; moreover, no amplified parasite DNA was detected in the birds’ tissues or dogs’ feces. No dog eliminated oocysts. In the second experiment, the embryonated chicken eggs were inoculated with 1×102N. caninum tachyzoites, on the 10th day of incubation, and chicks born from these eggs were housed in boxes suitable for the species and received commercial feed and distilled water ad libitum. On the 30th day after infection (DAI), the poultry were euthanized, and their organs were processed as described in experiment I. The amplification of parasite DNA was observed in the spleen and pectoral muscles of one of the birds. The ingestion of bird tissues by dogs did not result in oocyst elimination. These results indicate that the parasite may have been eliminated by the host and that the use of tachyzoites to induce chronic disease might be a poor source for hens.

Роль оксида азота в эмбриогенезе кур с разным типом продуктивности

It is known that nitric oxide (NO) mediates the regulation of smooth muscle tone in the blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract, the central and autonomic nervous systems activity, differentiation and apoptosis in tissues, immune response, and gene expression in animals and humans. This is a short-lived substance oxidized rapidly to nitrate and nitrite. Embryogenesis is associated with the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and accumulation of its metabolites in embryo. Nevertheless, the mechanism of this relationship is unknown. In this paper we reported the results of comparing dynamics of the NO metabolite levels in the parts of and a whole embryo in the layers and broiler chicks. Incubated eggs were examined in the breeds (Andalusian Blue, Yurlovskaya Golosistaya, Golubaya Myasoyaichnaya, Cochin White, Brahma Dark, Brahma Pale, P-11, Cornish, Plymouth Rock, Malay fighting hens, Uzbek fighting hens), some lines (Х1, Х2, Х12, Х34 of Hysex White cross, B5, B6 and B56 of Cornish, B7, B9, and B79 of Plymouth Rock), and four crosses (SP 789, Hysex White, Smena 8, Cobb 500). The NO metabolites were detected using developed enzymatic sensor. The test is based on catalase inhibition by nitrite, nitrosothiols (RSNO), Fe-dinitrosyl complex and nitro derivatives of high-molecular compounds (RNO 2) in the presence of halide ions, repressed by the factors different for each class of compounds. The close correlation was observed between meat productivity of adult poultry and NO metabolites accumulation in different embryo parts. The NO metabolite accumulation differed up to 100 times in meatand egg-hen embryos, and in meat-egg hens and mini-hens the intermediate parameters were indicated. It was shown that nitrate as a final metabolic product was accumulated in the muscle of embryo. Due to time when the most intensive accumulation occurs in ontogenesis (3 days), some factor rather than the muscle itself, but influencing muscle histogenesis could be considered as the main agent involved in NO metabolism. Nitric oxide as a mediator can either activate this agent, or affect its synthesis.

The pathogenic intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira pilosicoli forms a diverse recombinant species demonstrating some local clustering of related strains and potential for zoonotic spread

BackgroundBrachyspira pilosicoli is an anaerobic spirochaete that can colonizes the large intestine of many host species. Infection is particularly problematic in pigs and adult poultry, causing colitis and diarrhea, but it is also known to result in clinical problems in human beings. Despite the economic importance of the spirochaete as an animal pathogen, and its potential as a zoonotic agent, it has not received extensive study.MethodsA multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method based on the scheme used for other Brachyspira species was applied to 131 B. pilosicoli isolates originating from different host species and geographical areas. A variety of phylogenetic trees were constructed and analyzed to help understand the data.ResultsThe isolates were highly diverse, with 127 sequence types and 123 amino acid types being identified. Large numbers (50-112) of alleles were present at each locus, with all loci being highly polymorphic. The results of Shimodaira-Hasegawa tests identified extensive genetic recombination, although the calculated standardized index of association value (0.1568; P <0.0005) suggested the existence of some clonality. Strains from different host species and geographical origins generally were widely distributed throughout the population, although in nine of the ten cases where small clusters of related isolates occurred these were from the same geographical areas or farms/communities, and from the same species of origin. An exception to the latter was a cluster of Australian isolates originating from pigs, chickens and a human being, suggesting the likelihood of relatively recent transmission of members of this clonal group between species.ConclusionsThe strongly recombinant population structure of B. pilosicoli contrasts to the more highly clonal population structures of the related species Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira intermedia, both of which are specialized enteric pathogens of pigs and poultry. The genomic plasticity of B. pilosicoli may help to explain why it has been able to adapt to colonize the large intestines of a wider range of hosts compared to other Brachyspira species. The identification of a clonal group of isolates that had been recovered from different host species, including a human being, suggests that zoonotic transmission by B. pilosicoli may occur in nature. Evidence for local transmission between the same host species also was obtained.

A Fatal Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Infection in a Traveler Returning from Madagascar: Clinical, Epidemiological and Veterinary Investigations

Abstract. A 58-year-old woman living in Reunion Island and returning from Madagascar was hospitalized for neuroinvasive encephalitis and died 1 month later. West Nile virus (WNV) infection was biologically confirmed by detection of immunoglobulin M (IgM) reactive with WNV antigens in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum, and weak neutralizing activity was also detected. A veterinary survey performed in her traveling area showed a seroprevalence of WNV of 28.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.1-36.3) in adult poultry, confirming an active circulation of the virus. Development of a severe form could be related to a weak antibody response, because the patient presented low IgM and IgG titers. This case report underlines the constant risk of emergence of West Nile in Indian Ocean territories, including Reunion Island where competent vectors are widely present during the whole year.