Antimicrobial resistance in Clostridium perfringens isolates from broilers in Belgium

The antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from Belgian broilers between May and September 2007 was investigated. All 39 tested isolates were sensitive to enrofloxacin, erythromycin, tylosin, florfenicol and bacitracin. Twenty-six (66%) and 24 (61%) out of the 39 tested isolates showed acquired resistance to tetracycline and lincomycin, respectively. The C. perfringens isolates were also screened by PCR for the presence of the resistance genes tet(K), tet(L), tet(M), tetB(P), tet(O), tet(W), lnu(A) and lnu(B). In 22/26 tetracycline resistant strains and 7/24 lincomycin resistant strains, resistance could be attributed to one or more of these genes. An extended frequency distribution range of MICs was seen for ampicillin. These data are consistent with data derived from studies carried out in 1980 and in 2004, indicating that no changes in antimicrobial resistance patterns have taken place during time in C. perfringens isolates from broilers in Belgium

Enterite necrótica aviária Avian necrotic enteritis

A Enterite Necrótica Aviária (ENA) é uma enterotoxemia aguda que aparece subitamente e provoca morte rápida, afetando principalmente animais jovens. Embora seu impacto negativo na produção, devido ao aumento da conversão alimentar e da condenação de carcaças seja já conhecido, questões relacionadas à etiologia, à patogenia e ao controle desta importante enfermidade necessitam de maiores esclarecimentos. Nos últimos anos, o controle da ENA baseou-se na aplicação de antibióticos na ração animal, prática banida pelo mercado consumidor, que exigiu o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias de controle. Esta revisão aborda informações sobre a etiologia, a epizootiologia, a patogenia, o diagnóstico e o controle da doença, em especial a utilização de probióticos e vacinas como alternativas de controle da ENA.<br>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