Identification of Brachyspira spp. in the cecum of broiler chickens using histology and in situ diagnostic assays

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n5p2813

Keywords:

Avian intestinal spirochetosis, Enteritis, Diagnosis, Histology, Immunohistochemistry, Fluorescence in situ hybridization, Brachyspira spp.

Abstract

The genus Brachyspira corresponds to the group of bacteria formerly classified into the genus Serpulina and includes several commensal and pathogenic intestinal spirochetes that affect pigs, poultry, and other animal species, including humans. In birds, some pathogenic species of this genus causes a condition known as avian intestinal spirochetosis, which remains underdiagnosed, thereby causing serious economic losses. Brachyspira is a fastidious organism that necessitates the employment of fast and efficient identification techniques. The aim of this study was to identify Brachyspira spp. using histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples from the cecum of commercial poultry. Samples were collected from 129 birds aged between 35 and 45 days from commercial broiler farms. For evaluation, routine histology processing (H&E) and the histochemical technique, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) were done. Additionally, FFPE tissue samples were evaluated for FISH and IHC. The histological lesions were analyzed and graded after H&E staining, and the goblet cells were counted and compared using PAS staining with the positive and negative samples obtained through FISH and IHC. For FISH, probes labeled with Brachyspira spp., B. pilosicoli, B. hyodysenteriae, and B. intermedia were used, whereas rabbit polyclonal antibody specific for Brachyspira spp. was used for IHC. Of 129 samples, 82 were positive with IHC and 86 were positive with FISH. The samples positive for the genus Brachyspira in the FISH technique were tested for B. pilosicoli, B. hyodysenteriae, and B. intermedia in which 56 were positive for B. pilosicoli, 75 for B. hyodysenteriae and 80 for B. intermedia. There was an increase in goblet cells in the samples positive for FISH and IHC. The techniques used were effective and gave corresponding results, thus serving as a fast and efficient tool for diagnosis.

Author Biographies

Monica Regina de Matos, Universidade Federal do Paraná

M.e. in Animal Science by the Program of Postgraduate in Animal Science, Universidade Federal do Paraná, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

Aline Patrícia Grzegozevski, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Student in Medicine Veterinary, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

Alessandra da Cruz, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Student in Medicine Veterinary, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

Arthur Colombari Cheng, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Student in Medicine Veterinary, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

Amanda Gerelli, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Student in Medicine Veterinary, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

Carla Fusco, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Student in Medicine Veterinary, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

Leonardo Gruchouskei, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul

Technician in Anatomic Veterinary, Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul, UFFS, Realeza, PR, Brazil.

Aline de Marco Viott, Universidade Federal do Paraná

Profa Dra, Graduate Course in Veterinary Medicine, UFPR, Palotina, PR, Brazil.

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Published

2021-07-02

How to Cite

Matos, M. R. de, Grzegozevski, A. P., Cruz, A. da, Cheng, A. C., Gerelli, A., Fusco, C., … Viott, A. de M. (2021). Identification of Brachyspira spp. in the cecum of broiler chickens using histology and in situ diagnostic assays. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 42(5), 2813–2824. https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2021v42n5p2813

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