RESUMEN

Parrots in captivity are frequently affected by Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections. The objective of this study was to collect information on the carrier state for E. coli pathotypes in asymptomatic free-ranging parrots. Cloacal swabs were collected from nestlings of Hyacinth, Lear's macaws and Blue-fronted Amazon parrots and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for virulence factors commonly found in enteropathogenic, avian pathogenic, and uropathogenic E. coli strains. In total, 44 samples were cultured and E. coli isolates were yielded, from which DNA was extracted and processed by PCR. Genes commonly found in APEC isolates from Blue-fronted Amazon parrots and Hyacinth macaws were expressed in 14 of these 44 samples. One atypical EPEC isolate was obtained from a sample from Lear's macaw. The most commonly found gene was the increased serum survival (iss) gene. This is the first report, that describes such pathotypes in asymptomatic free-living parrots. The findings of this study suggest the presence of a stable host/parasite relationship at the time of the sampling brings a new understanding to the role that E. coli plays in captive and wild parrots. Such information can be used to improve husbandry protocols as well as help conservation efforts of free-living populations.

RESUMEN

The Brazilian Official Methodology had established the employment of two culture media for determining molds and yeasts in honey samples, being one containing 2% glucose and other 20%. From 2003 onward, it has been established the use of 2% glucose-containing medium only for this purpose. Variation in glucose concentration into culture media may induce interference on osmotic pressure, which may cause difference on fungi identification and counting results. In this study, 30 samples of honey informally traded in the city of São Paulo were analyzed for determining the occurrence of molds and yeasts through spread plate on potato agar media containing 2% and 20% of glucose. No significant difference in fungicounting (CFU.g -1) was found when the cultures in both media were compared, although higher numbers of molds (CFU.g -1), mainly Penicillium spp, were observed in 2% medium. The 20% glucose-containing medium showed the best performance in detecting yeasts (CFU.g -1). In view of the honey be considered as an adverse environment for mycotoxigenesis, although susceptible to yeast fermentation, the 20% glucose medium should be chosen for performing the honey microbiological quality analyses.

Até o ano de 2003, a Metodologia Oficial Brasileira determinava o uso de dois meios de cultura para executar a análise de bolores e leveduras, um contendo 2% e outro com 20% de glicose; atualmente, recomenda-se apenas o de 2%. Concentrações distintas de glicose implicam em pressões osmóticas diferentes, o que pode influenciar no resultado da quantificação e da identificação dos fungos. No presente trabalho, 30 amostras de mel comercializadas informalmente na cidade de São Paulo foram analisadas visando o isolamento de bolores e leveduras por meio de semeadura em superfície em ágar batata contendo 2% e 20% de glicose. Não houve diferença estatística significante entre as contagens de fungos (CFU.g-1) nos dois tipos de meios, embora tenham sido observados números maiores de bolores (CFU.g -1), especialmente Penicillium spp nas amostras cultivados em meio contendo 2% de glicose. O meio com 20% de glicose apresentou melhor desempenho para detectar leveduras (CFU.g -1). Considerando que o mel é um ambiente muito adverso para a micotoxigênese, mas passível de fermentação pelas leveduras, pode-se inferir que o meio com 20% de glicose seja a melhor alternativa para avaliar a qualidade microbiológica desse produto.