The aim of this study was to perform the identification and molecular characterization of Arcobacter cryaerophilus and Arcobacter butzleri isolated from caiman (Caiman yacare), kept at a production farm, in Brazil. Forty fecal samples were analyzed. After isolation and identification, 21/40 strains of A. butzleri and 19/40 strains of A. cryaerophilus were subjected to PCR for potential virulence gene detection. The results of the PCR showed 38/40 strains positive for the cadF, cj1349, ciaB, and tlyA genes, 39/40 strains positive for the pldA gene, and 40/40 strains positive for the mviN gene. None of the strains presented the irgA gene. Hemagglutinin (hecA gene) and hemolysin (hecB) genes were detected in 21/40 and 16/40 strains, respectively. The SE-AFLP showed a great genetic diversity, but some clonally groups were disseminated in various tanks. These data reveal that the strains presented the same virulence traits described from Arcobacter isolated from food-borne disease in humans.

This study evaluated the yield, color, and chemical composition of commercial cuts (tail, sirloin cut, back fillet, and thigh) RESUMO: Objetivando avaliar rendimento, cor e composição química dos cortes comerciais (cauda, filé de lombo, filé de dorso e coxa) da carne do jacaré-do-Pantanal nos diferentes sexos, foram processados 20 animais, sendo estes, dez fêmeas (3677g) e dez machos (3510g). Não houve interação significativa (P>0,05) entre cortes comerciais e sexo para peso dos cortes, teor de umidade e cor. O rendimento da cauda foi superior aos demais cortes, sendo o rendimento das fêmeas (17.0%) superior ao dos machos (15,9%). A coxa dos machos apresentou menor teor de proteína (20,8%), em relação aos demais cortes. As fêmeas apresentaram maior teor de lipídeos na cauda (2,4%) e na coxa (0,8%), em relação aos machos (1,7% e 0,4%, respectivamente

The C. yacare placed in breeding conditions have a preserved genetic pool, which requires the enhancement of its zootechnical characteristics to solve some obstacles. Among them is the natural occurrence of Salmonella spp. in wild C. yacare. To address this problem, some breeders have adopted the use of probiotics to reduce Salmonella spp. in the digestive tube of crocodilians. The purpose of this study was to verify whether the addition of probiotics in animal feed reduces the isolation frequency of Salmonella spp. in cloacal swabs and to assess whether the additive interferes with the hematology and the complement system. During an 18-month period, four groups of caimans received 0% (control group), 0.25%, 0.5% and 1% of probiotic supplement. The probiotics did not reduce the isolation frequency of Salmonella spp. We have identified directly proportional relation between probiotic concentration and Hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) and inversely proportional relation to the total concentration of Eosinophils and Heterophils. Finally, we verify that the prolonged use of probiotics at 0.25% concentration is safe and increase the activity of the complement system.