Efficacy of Butyric and Valeric Acid Esters in a Necrotic Enteritis Challenge Model

Restrictions on the use of antibiotics in poultry production have increased interest in nonantibiotic alternatives to control necrotic enteritis (NE). Volatile fatty acids, and in particular butyric acid preparations, have shown potential as aids in controlling NE. Valeric acid compounds may be a new additional alternative. This series of three trials compared the effects of tributyrin, monovalerin, which is an organic acid mixture, and bacitracin in a NE challenge model consisting of challenge with coccidiosis followed by Clostridium perfringens. Trial 1 was a pen trial comparing tributyrin at 0.5 kg/metric ton continuously in the feed, a proprietary organic acid blend at 1 kg per 1000 L as a metaphylactic treatment in the water, and bacitracin in the feed at 55 g/metric ton. Tributyrin and the organic acid mixture were at least as effective as bacitracin in controlling the growth- and efficiency-suppressing effects of the NE challenge, and the organic acid mixture reduced NE lesion scores. None of the treatments reduced mortality. Trial 2 was a battery study comparing monovalerin at 1.5 kg/metric ton and bacitracin in the feed. Both interventions provided significant control of both clinical and subclinical NE, with bacitracin being slightly superior to monovalerin. Trial 3 was a pen trial comparing monovalerin at 1 kg or 1.5 kg/metric ton continuously, or 0.5 kg/metric ton from 0 to 14 days and 0.25 kg/metric ton from 14 to 42 days (variable dose), to tributyrin at the same variable-dose schedule. The higher dose of monovalerin appeared to suppress feed intake and weight gain prechallenge but also produced the lowest NE mortality and the lowest total mortality of the challenged groups. All of the treatments except the variable-dose monovalerin treatment demonstrated reductions in NE lesion scores compared with the positive challenge control group; however, they did not control mortality and had fewer effects on the performance effects of subclinical NE. Results of these studies indicate that the organic acid products monovalerin and tributyrin may be useful adjuncts to reduce NE in antibiotic-free broiler production.

Survival and cellular heterogeneity of epithelium in cultured mouse and rat precision-cut intestinal slices

Precision-cut intestinal slices (PCIS) are used to study intestinal (patho)physiology, drug efficacy, toxicity, transport and metabolism ex vivo. One of the factors that limit the use of PCIS is a relatively short life-span. Moreover, culture-induced changes in cellular composition of PCIS remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we demonstrated the epithelial cell heterogeneity in mouse and rat PCIS and its alterations during culture. In addition, we evaluated whether the presence of niche growth factors impacts the survival of PCIS epithelial cells. We showed that freshly prepared PCIS retained the main epithelial cell types, namely absorptive enterocytes, goblet cells, enteroendocrine cells, stem cells, transit-amplifying cells and Paneth cells. Once placed in culture, PCIS displayed progressive epithelial damage, and loss of these epithelial cell types. Cells comprising the intestinal stem cell niche were especially sensitive to the damage, and the addition of niche growth factors beneficially affected the survival of stem cells and transit-amplifying cells in PCIS during culture. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the dynamic changes in cellular composition of epithelium in cultured PCIS, paving the way to future toxicological and pharmacological studies in an informed and reliable ex vivo setting.

Research Note: Effect of butyric acid glycerol esters on ileal and cecal mucosal and luminal microbiota in chickens challenged with Eimeria maxima

Coccidiosis is one of the most prevalent diseases seen in the poultry industry leading to excessive economic losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of butyric acid glycerol esters (BE) on the ileal and cecal microbiota in birds challenged with Eimeria maxima (EM). Ross 708 male broilers were fed a diet supplemented with 0 (control) or 0.25% BE from day 1. On day 21, half of the birds were infected with 10³ EM oocysts. For determing microbiota, ileal and cecal contents and epithelial scrapings were collected at 7 and 10 D postinfection (PI). Alpha diversity of bacterial communities was mostly affected (P < 0.05) by time PI and EM infection. The richness of luminal bacterial populations in the ileum and ceca was affected (P < 0.05) by addition of BE and by time PI × EM × BE interaction, respectively. In the ileal and cecal luminal and mucosal bacterial communities, permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA, unweighted UniFrac) showed significant (P < 0.05) differences because of time PI and interaction between time PI, EM, and BE. Significant (P < 0.05) differences in taxonomic composition at the family level were observed in microbiota of luminal and mucosal populations of the ileum and ceca owing to time PI, EM, BE, and their interactions. The bacterial community present in the cecal lumen was characterized by the lowest number of differential bacteria, whereas the cecal mucosal community was characterized by the highest number of differentially abundant bacteria. In conclusion, our results show that EM infection and time PI has the biggest impact on microbial diversity in the chicken gut. The presence of BE in the diet had a limited effect on gut microbiota.

[Dystonia 12: A rare and difficult diagnosis]

We report a case of dystonia 12, also called rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism, which occurred in a young 12-year-old boy. Type 12 dystonia is a genetic syndrome characterized by a pathogenic mutation on ATP1A3 gene encoding the subunit alpha 3 of Na-K-ATPase protein, resulting in neuronal dysfunctions. It remains a rare syndrome with less than 100 cases described in the literature. Its atypical presentation and its rarity may lead to a wandering diagnosis, even in some cases to a conversion hysteria diagnosis. Today, unfortunately, there is no effective treatment.

[Clinical case of the month. Nutcracker syndrome in association with a painful nephrologic disease]

Compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery causes a physiological condition, the so-called nutcracker phenomenon, but it can sometimes lead to left venous hypertension, or "nutcracker syndrome". Classical manifestations of which are an association of left flank pain, unilateral proteinuria and unilateral hematuria, without renal impairment. We report an atypical association of nutcracker syndrome with IgM nephropathy.

[Clinical case of the month. Fatal pertussis infection in a 2 month old infant]

The incidence of B pertussis has increased by 50% from the 1980s to the 1990s, primarily among those aged 4 months and younger. Worldwide, pertussis is a significant cause of infectious mortality with 40 million cases and 400.000 deaths. Most of these cases and deaths occur in infancy. Symptoms vary from common cold in adults to respiratory distress in infants. Non immune babies with respiratory disease and significant lymphocytosis should be considered to have pertussis until proven otherwise. The onset of severe pulmonary hypertension during B pertussis pneumonia is frequenly rapid and relentless. Exchange-transfusion can be life-saving by reducing the leucocyte mass. Classic vaccination or boosters given to adults and adolescents would reduce the spread from parents tho infants, but a new vaccination schedule is under investigation at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital to give baby's first pertussis vaccination at birth?

[Hydrocephalus in children]

The files of all young patients, aged from one day to 17 years, that were operated for hydrocephalus in the Service of Neurosurgery of the Citadelle Hospital from 1987 to 2003 were reviewed and analysed. Over these 16 years of practice, a shunt was placed in a total of 194 children. This paper is mainly concerned with the etiologies of hydrocephalus and the complications related to the surgical procedure.

[Mixed connective tissue disease in childhood: report of two clinical cases]

Sharp's syndrome, or mixed connective tissue disease, is an autoimmune chronic disease characterized by a tissue collagen abnormality. It is more common among young women, but is also described in children. The symptomatology may be different from one case to another as shown in the two presented cases. Signs and symptoms of other rheumatic diseases are commonly observed. The presence of anti-RNP antibody is requested to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment is adapted to each individual. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive drugs are the basis of treatment.