Abstract
ABSTRACT. Vieira T.B., Pereira V.L. de A., Franco R.M., Nascimento E.R., Lopes M.Q.P., Gomes H.M., de Araújo M.E.I., Suffys P.N. & Tortelly R. [Molecular analysis of Escherichia coli isolated from cellulitis and offal (liver and heart) of broiler by Sanitary Inspection]. Análise molecular de Escherichia coli isoladas de celulite e miúdos (fígado e coração) de frangos sob Inspeção Sanitária. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 35(3):247-252, 2013. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Veterinária (H.V.P.T.P.O.A.), Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Santa Rosa, Niterói, RJ 24230-360, Brasil. Email: thais.badini@hotmail.com In function of industrial production of broiler chickens, skin lesions, such as cellulitis, are becoming one of the biggest reasons for carcasses condemnation around the world. The objective of this study was isolate Escherichia coli from cellulitis and offal (liver and heart) of broilers, identify the isolates by RAPD-PCR and correlate them by molecular analysis to prove the septic character of the infection. During the Sanitary Inspection, 51 broiler chickens with characteristic lesions of cellulitis were removed from the slaughter line. These broilers were sent to Laboratory of Quality Control where the cellulitis lesions were measured and described macroscopically. Samples of skin and offal (heart and liver) of each broiler chicken were collected for microbiological examination. Isolates of E. coli were analyzed by RAPD-PCR and compared phylogenetically using the software BIONUMERICS 5.1. All lesions of cellulitis were visualized as cutaneous ulcer, changes in color (reddish-yellow) and irregular skin. In eight broilers were also observed thickening of the skin. At cutting, gelatinous fluid and yellowish patches were observed and, in some cases, there were involvement of adjacent muscle. 190 isolates of E. coli were obtained, 98 in cellulitis, 52, in liver and 40, in heart. The results of the RAPD-PCR, were compared by the software BIONUMERICS and grouped into 46 “clusters” with 80% or more similarity, with the lowest “cluster” containing two strains and the greater “cluster”, twelve. Of the 30 broilers in which were isolated E. coli in cellulitis lesions associated with offal (liver and / or heart), in 10, were obtained strains with more than 85% of similarity between isolates of cellulite and offal; in nine broilers, were obtained strains with more than 85% of similarity between E. coli isolates of the liver and heart, however these isolates showed no similarity to the isolates obtained from the cellulite; and 11, there were no correlation between the isolates. The detection of strains of E. coli with high genetic similarity in cellulitis and offal can mean that the partial removal of these lesions does not minimize the risk to public health.