Carlos Gil-Turnes

Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the humoral and cellular response of mice to vaccines

Abstract The effect of Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the humoral and cellular response of mice to the simultaneous inoculation of a tetravalent E. coli bacterin and a viable vaccine against Canine Parvovirus is reported. Thirty-six isogenic BALB-c female mice, seven weeks old, were vaccinated with 1/20th of the dose used for pigs and dogs, respectively, and randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 received non-supplemented feed, group 2 was supplemented with S. boulardii, and group 3 with Bacillus cereus var. toyoi. The humoral response was quantified through ELISAs using specific antigens, and the cellular response quantifying IL-4 and IFNg through ELISA. Means of seroconversions to the bacterin were always higher in supplemented mice than in controls, varying from 1.6–1.8 for group 2 and from 1.2–1.4 for group 3. Seroconversions against Parvovirus for group 2 were 5.2–12 times higher, and those of group 3 were 6.8–9.1 times higher than those of controls. IL-4 was produced by spleen cells of S. boulardii supplemented mice stimulated with E. coli fimbriae.

Effect of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi and Saccharomyces boulardii on the immune response of sheep to vaccines

Abstract In this study we evaluated the effects of Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi and Saccharomyces boulardii on the immune response of lambs to Escherichia coli K88ab and Bovine Herpes Virus type 5 (BoHV-5) vaccines. Thirty, 3-month-old lambs were randomly grouped in three lots of 10 each and vaccinated at days 0 and 30 of the experiment. They grazed on the same pasture and were fed ad libitum twice a day with commercial sheep feed supplemented with either B. cereus var. Toyoi at a concentration of 1×106 viable spores gr−1, S. boulardii at a concentration of 1×106 CFU gr−1, or non-supplemented feed. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals over eight weeks and antibody titres were analysed by ELISA. The mean seroconversions against E. coli and BoHV-5 of the fed probiotics groups were higher (p<0.001) than the controls. Both probiotics enhanced the humoral immune response of lambs to the vaccines.

Properties of the Bacillus Cereus strain used in probiotic CenBiot

Bacillus cereus CenBiot fulfilled the requirements to be used as probiotic. The spores showed D80 of 14 hs, inhibited Escherichia coli and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis after 24 hs in associative culture, were innocuous for suckling and adult mice and were not inhibited by antibiotics at low concentrations.

Evaluation in broilers of the probiotic properties of Pichia pastoris and a recombinant P. pastoris containing the Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin gene.

The probiotic properties of Pichia pastoris and of a recombinant P. pastoris containing the Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin gene were evaluated in broilers. One-day-old chicks randomly divided in four groups were fed with commercial feed devoid of antibacterials. The control group (1) received plain food, while the other groups were supplemented with either P. pastoris (2), the recombinant P. pastoris (3) or Bacillus cereus var. Toyoi (4). At day 49, live weights, feed efficiency and seroconversions were higher (P<0.05) in the supplemented groups than in the control groups. Group 3 showed the best results, while group 2 had lower weight gain than groups 3 and 4 although food conversion was better than in group 4. Seroconversions were not different (P>0.05) among the supplemented groups. Adverse reactions were not observed in histopathologic evaluation. We concluded that P. pastoris and the recombinant P. pastoris could be used as probiotics in broilers.

Chemical and microbiological characteristics of rice husk bedding having distinct depths and used for growing-finishing swine

This study compared the effects of different bedding depths on the chemical and microbiological characteristics of the bedding material used to raise pigs during growing and finishing. The experiment was conducted in two pens housing 5 pigs from 60 to 145 days of age, with rice husk beddings 0.50 or 0.25 m deep. Four lots of pigs (replicates) were raised over time in each bedding depth: each bedding was used by two consecutive lots. Bedding samples were collected quarterly to determine the most probable number (MPN) of thermophilic and mesophilic bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes. Contents of N, P, K, C, organic, mineral and dry matter, C:N ratio and pH were also determined. The MPN of thermophilic bacteria was higher for the 0.50 m than for the 0.25 m bedding (p<0.05). The compost of 0.25 m deep bedding had a higher N, P and K content than that from the 0.50 m bedding (p<0.05). Thus, the use of the 0.25 m deep bedding would be recommended due to its greater agronomical value in comparison with the deeper bedding.

Effects of different litter depths on environmental parameters and growth performance of growing finishing pigs

Deep litter systems represent low cost alternatives to raise growing-finishing pigs, reducing slurry accumulation, although pigs thermal comfort may be negatively affected by the heat produced inside the litter. This study compared environmental and performance parameters for growing-finishing pigs raised on deep litter systems having distinct depths and on solid floor. The experiment was conducted in a region of temperate climate of Brazil, comparing three treatments: litter having rice husk 0.5m (T1); and 0.25m deep (T2); and solid concrete floor (T3). The first litter was used in two lots and replaced by a second litter used in other two lots, during 52 weeks. Each lot included five pigs in a 7m2 pen, from 60 to 145 d of age. Environmental parameters were determined at weekly intervals, including: atmospheric temperature; relative humidity; temperature at the center of the pen, in the surface (TSF); and at half of the depth (THD), only for T1 and T2. Feed consumption and weight of pigs were measured every four weeks. Atmospheric temperature and relative humidity were not influenced by the treatments (P>0.05). Mean TSF was 22.8 ± 3.6°C, being lower for T3 (P 0.05). TSF was higher for new than for used litters (P 0.05). Despite the potential unfavorable thermal comfort under high temperatures, deep litter systems can be used to raise pigs in the growing-finishing phases due to the absence of negative effects for growth performance.

Efeito de diferentes profundidades de cama sobre parâmetros ambientais para suínos em crescimento e terminação

Due to the large animal inventories and the great volume of waste, swine production is considered a highly polluting activity. Therefore one of its greatest challenges is the development of alternative production systems with lower polluting potential. Deep litter systems may be feasible alternative for waste management due to their capacity for slurry absorption, although they may negatively influence the thermal comfort of the pigs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of distinct depths of rice husk litters used to raise pigs in growing and finishing phases on ambiental temperature and relative humidity inside the barn. Three treatments were compared: litter with a depth of 0.5 m; litter with a depth of 0.25 m; and solid concrete floor. Ambiental temperature and relative humidity inside the barn were not influenced by the use of litter or by different litter depths.

Enterite necrótica aviária

Avian Necrotic Enteritis is an acute enterotoxaemia that appears suddenly producing rapid deaths, affecting mainly young animals. Although its negative impact in poultry production is already known, factors related to etiology, pathogenesis and control of this important disease need better clarifications. For a long time its control was based on the use of antibiotics in poultry feed, whose the use was banned by several consumer markets, requiring the development of new control strategies. Informations on the etiology, epizootiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and control are reviewed, emphasizing the role of probiotics and vaccines as control alternatives.

Effect of the Probiotic CenBiot on the Humoral Response to an Escherichia coli Bacterin

The effect of a probiotic prepared with Bacillus cereus on the immunity induced by a swine colibacillosis bacterin was tested in mice. The animals were vaccinated with 1/20th of a pig dose, and the immune responses evaluated by ELISA and by the skin delayed type hypersensitivity test. Probiotic-fed animals showed higher seroconversions (P< 0.05) to E. coli F4 and F41, but not to F5 and F6 antigens. The probiotic did not influence the concentration of total immunoglobulins in unvaccinated animals or the skin test in vaccinees. Highly and poorly reactive animals were detected within each experimental group. The results suggest that probiotic CenBiot may be useful not only in controlling digestive diseases but also to enhance humoral immunity against systemic infections in farm animals.

Chemical characteristics of beddings for swine: effects of bedding depths and of addition of inoculums in a pilot-scale.

The effect of depths and of addition of inoculums on the chemical content of swine beddings was evaluated. For beddings 0.25m (25D) and 0.50m (50D) deep, three treatments were tested in two repeats with the same beddings: control (no inoculums); T1 (250g of Bacillus cereus var. toyoii at 8.4×10(7)CFU/g); and T2 (250g of a pool of Bacillus sp. at 8.4×10(7)CFU/g) (250g for 25D and 500g for 50D). For 25D, the C:N ratio was lower, but N, K and C contents were greater than for 50D (P<0.05). The inoculums did not benefit any chemical parameter (P>0.05). In the second repeat, beddings presented lower C:N ratio and greater N, P and K contents than in the first repeat (P<0.05). Thus, the compost produced after using 25D twice had greater fertilizer value than that of 50D.