We studied the effect of oregano supplemented diet on mucin dynamics in small intestine, peripheral blood leukocytes, and jejunal immunocompetent cells in ROSS 308 hybrid broilers infected with Eimeria acervulina chickens' oocyst. From the day of hatching chicks of groups 1 and 2 were fed a commercial diet without anticoccidial drug, the diet of group 3 was supplemented with oregano (0.707g·kg -1 ), and that of group 4 with anticoccidial drug (Robenidin hydrochloride -33 mg·kg -1 ). Chickens of groups 2, 3, and 4 were inoculated with E. acervulina oocysts (25.10 3 ) on day 12. The samples were collected on 3, 10, 17 days post infection (dpi). In blood on 3 dpi significant increase of leukocytes was found in group 3 compared to groups 1, 2, and 4, higher density of IgM+ cells in group 3 than group 2, and on 10 dpi phagocytic activity of group 3 was higher than group 1. Number of jejunal CD4+ and CD8+ cells in group 3 was consistent with values in group 4, despite higher density of E. acervulina meronts on 10 dpi. The quantity of jejunal mucin adherent layer of group 3 was similar to that in group 4. Counts of oocysts in faeces were lower in group 3 than group 2. Results suggest that dietary supplementation of oregano to chickens infected with E. acervulina has a modulating effect on some blood indicators and functions of phagocytes. The beneficial effect of oregano components on jejunal mucin quantity and its turnover is the first finding published in relation to oregano and coccidia.

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The aim of our study was to evaluate the parasite -host interactions at apoptosis level. We studied histopathological changes and time course of apoptosis in the duodenum during Eimeria acervulina infection. One-day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into two equal groups. At the age of two weeks the first group was experimentally infected with a pure suspension of sporulated E. acervulina oocysts. The second group served as a negative control. Tissue samples from the upper part of duodenum were obtained at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days post infection. Biopsies of duodenum were studied immunohistochemically using DeadEnd TM Colometric TUNEL System for apoptosis detection in duodenal mucosa. Number of parasites in duodenal epithelium was also investigated. Our experimental results demonstrate: (i) macroscopic and histopathological changes in epithelium detected mainly in proximal segment of duodenum in infected groups; (ii) the number of developmental stages of E. acervulina (DSEA) during our trial increased, reaching the maximum 5 days post infection (dpi) (332.2 ± 16.12) (mean ± SEM), whereas the amount of DSEA declined significantly as late as 6 dpi (124.6 ± 3.91); (iii) the highest apoptosis level was recorded in initiatory 0.5 dpi (13.2 ± 1.02) and on the end of parasite development cycle after 5 dpi (12.6 ± 1.36). Finally, results showed that there was a period of inhibition of apoptosis during infection by E. acervulina.

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The eggshells of 120 experimental one-day-old table eggs were contaminated with the spore suspension of Cladosporium cladosporioides, divided into three groups (A–C) and stored at three different temperatures (3 °C, 11 °C and 20 °C) for 28 days. Visible growth of molds on/in experimental eggs was not observed within the entire storage period. No significant differences in the numbers of molds were found between particular groups of eggs. However, the composition of egg mycoflora was greatly influenced by storage conditions. Three mold genera were identified using the PCR method. The highest mold numbers were determined on Day 14 (Groups A and C) and Day 21 (Group B) when the maximum relative humidity and dew point temperature were recorded. On the same days, the dominance of Penicillium spp. and the minimum eggshell firmness were observed. Noticeable changes in egg quality were observed in eggs stored at 20 °C, and most of these eggs were downgraded at the end of storage period. The growth ability differed significantly among three mold genera. Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. showed better growth intensity at increased values (0.91–0.94) of water activity (aw) indicating a possible risk associated with the occurrence of mycotoxins in the egg contents.

SummaryHistochemical methods for the detection and diagnosis of the developmental stages of the canine tapeworm, from the genus Taenia found in the heart and lungs of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) hunted in Eastern Slovakia, is presented here. Detailed morphology of cysticerci (Cysticercus spp.), based on microscopic and histochemical analysis is described. For confirmation and demonstration of PAS-positive substances in the body of parasitic tissue (tegument and mesenchyme) the McManus -PAS method was used. The histochemical method according to Van Kossa was very effective for confirmation of calcareous corpuscles, which are one of the most important histological markers of cestode tissues (larva or adult).

International audienceMaduramycin is a polyether ionophoric coccidiostat used to prevent coccidiosis in poultry at a prescribed concentration during a certain time interval. Due to a public health concern about the presence of coccidiostat residues in poultry, the aim of the present study was to determine the level of maduramycin residues in the tissues of broiler chickens fed commercially-produced feed containing 5 mg.kg-1 of maduramycin in complete feed throughout the 5 days of the withdrawal period (WP). The residues were investigated by liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with electrospray ionisation (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with triple quadrupole. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 0.3 μg.kg-1 and 0.8 μg.kg-1, respectively. The average recovery based on the matrix-fortified calibrations for chicken tissues was 90 %. Maduramycin was found to be rapidly distributed in all tissues. The highest concentrations of maduramycin residues were found in the heart followed by the skin, liver, gizzard, kidneys, and finally, the muscle (thigh and breast). On day 5 of the WP, the residue concentrations of maduramycin did not decline below the LOQ of the method. Our results emphasize the need to establish the maximum residue limit (MRL) for maduramycin to control the levels of its residues in edible tissues from chickens before slaughter