This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and capacity of the probiotic composed of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, in improving the zootechnical performance of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens. The broilers were distributed in a completely randomized design in poultry isolators (12 birds each), resulting in 3 treatments: T1 (control, no challenge and no Bacillus in diet), T2 (challenged with Eimeria spp., followed by Clostridium perfringens infection and no Bacillus in the diet), and T3 (challenged with Eimeria spp., Clostridium perfringens and treated with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens). They were evaluated for a period of 29 d, divided into preinitial (1-7 d of age), initial (8-21 d), and growth (22-29 d) phases. Assessments of body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion were conducted, along with the classification of the scores and optical microscopy of the tract gastrointestinal. The animals challenged and treated with the probiotic containing Bacillus spp. showed improved indicators of zootechnical performance. Additionally, the animals challenged and treated (T3) had a better score for intestinal lesions compared to the other treatment groups. Therefore, the probiotic consisting of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens could be considered an effective option for disease prevention and improving the zootechnical performance of broiler chickens.

Multidrug resistance is a significant threat to global public health. This study aimed to detect and characterize antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms in swine feces and carcasses obtained from slaughterhouses. A total of 214 samples were collected, comprising 111 swine feces and 103 from carcasses, across two different slaughterhouses. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect antimicrobial resistance genes, identifying 22 resistant isolates that were subsequently confirmed to be Escherichia coli. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on these 22 isolates to investigate their genetic similarity. The Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method characterized phenotypic resistance to different antimicrobials. The blaCTX-M-1 gene was detected in all 22 E. coli isolates. Additionally, 90.9% of the strains were considered multidrug-resistant, exhibiting resistance to at least three different antimicrobial classes. The isolates exhibited high genetic diversity. The presence of these multidrug-resistant bacteria in swine and animal-derived foods emphasizes the importance of sanitation measures during production to protect public health.

Artisanal cheeses bearing the ARTE seal are authorized for nationwide commercialization and are produced in accordance with quality standards established by specific regulations. In contrast, cheeses without this certification have their sale restricted to municipal or state-level commerce, subject to registration with official inspection services. This study evaluated the microbiological quality of Minas artisanal cheeses produced in the Serra da Canastra region, Minas Gerais, by comparing products from farms with and without the ARTE seal. A total of 69 samples were analyzed, including raw milk, pasteurized milk, curd, cheese, and swabs from cheese molds, collected from 16 farms, eight certified with the ARTE seal and eight uncertified. Microbiological quantification techniques, culture methods, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were employed for pathogen identification, alongside phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing and genetic similarity analysis of Staphylococcus aureus isolates via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Neither Salmonella spp. nor Listeria monocytogenes were detected. Elevated counts of Enterobacteriaceae and coagulase-positive staphylococci were more frequently observed in ARTE-certified farms; however, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated exclusively from uncertified properties. These findings suggest that the ARTE seal may contribute to more effective sanitary practices and enhanced microbiological safety of artisanal cheeses.

O foco do estudo é evidenciar a prevalência dos fatores genotípicos e fenotípicos que provocam a resistência das bactérias isoladas em pacientes com gastroenterites, a partir da extração do DNA, detecção de genes de resistência e pelo Teste de Susceptibilidade aos Antimicrobianos (TSA). Foram analisadas 40 amostras, das quais 7,5% apresentaram positividade para os genes CTX-M-1 e CTX-M-2. Em relação ao TSA, 100% das amostras foram resistentes à Tetraciclina, à Gentamicina e à Ciprofloxacina; 97,5% resistentes à Cefotaxima, 92,5% resistentes à Ampicilina e 75% resistentes à Amoxicilina com Ácido Clavulânico. Mesmo com a presença de um elevado índice de resistência, observou-se casos de sensibilidade de algumas amostras. Os resultados encontrados evidenciam o quadro alarmante de resistência aos antimicrobianos, sendo assim, a sociedade deve repensar seus hábitos frente ao consumo de fármacos, o que caracteriza uma alternativa viável para evitar o surgimento de novas bactérias multirresistentes.

The BOL lectin, a 34 kDa protein with a hemagglutination titer of 64 hemagglutination units (HU), was extracted from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea spp. botrytis L.), purified by affinity and ion exchange chromatography, and confirmed, in this study, by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The antibiofilm activity of BOL was evaluated at two concentrations (0.1 mg/mL and 1.0 mg/mL) against bacterial strains of importance to human health (Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and Streptococcus agalactiae ATCC 12403). In addition to a biofilm formation assay, a pre-formed biofilm assay was conducted, with biofilm structure analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial potential of BOL was also investigated using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) assay in 96-well microplates. Among the tested bacterial strains, BOL exhibited activity against S. aureus at 1.0 mg/mL, interfering with both biofilm formation and disrupting pre-formed biofilms, which may be explained by a possible interaction between BOL and the components present in the biofilm matrix. However, no antibiofilm activity was observed against E. coli, B. cereus, or S. agalactiae, possibly due to differences in the composition of their biofilm matrices. Furthermore, BOL showed no detectable bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity in the antimicrobial assays. In conclusion, BOL lectin, at the tested concentrations, does not exhibit direct antimicrobial activity but effectively disrupts the extracellular matrix in S. aureus ATCC 29213.