Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Escola de Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Laboratório de Bacteriologia AplicadaSusceptibility pattern of 45 Campylobacter spp.isolates – 16 C. jejuni, eight C. coli, and 21 C. fetus isolated from different animal species in Brazil – to twelve antimicrobial agents was determined. All Campylobacter spp. isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, sulfadiazine, and sulfamethoxazole. C. jejuni and C. coli were also sensitive to chloramphenicol, whereas all C. fetus strains were susceptible to kanamycin. Cefoperazone showed the highest percentage of resistance among C. jejuni (68.75%), followed by nalidixic acid (31.25%), ampicillin (37.50%), tetracycline (37.50%), erythromycin (12.50%), and kanamycin (6.25%). Likewise, cefoperazone exhibited the highest percentage of resistance among C. coli (75.00%), followed by nalidixic acid (50.00%), tetracycline (50.00%), erythromycin (37.50%), ampicillin (12.50%), and kanamycin (12.50%). Among C. fetus strains, nalidixic acid showed the highest resistance rate (85.71%), followed by cefoperazone (71.43%), tetracycline (42.86%), ampicillin (19.05%), chloramphenicol (9.52%), and erythromycin (4.76%). Therefore, it was found that the majority of Campylobacter spp. isolated from animals was sensitive to gentamycin, chloramphenicol, kanamacyn, and sulfonamides; however, a high proportion of the strains showed reduced susceptibility to nalidixic acid, ampicillin, cefoperazone, and tetracycline. Moreover, C. coli and C. fetus isolates showed a high percentage of multidrug resistant strains.

Objective: The present work was conducted on Cobb-500 broilers fed with either probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) or antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) to assess the effects on body weight and biochemical parameters.Materials and methods: A total of 30 day-old broiler chicks were purchased and acclimatized for 7 days in the experimental shed. After initial acclimatization, the broilers were allotted into five equal groups (n=6). Group A was considered as control and was fed commercial ration and fresh drinking water. Groups B and C were fed commercial ration and probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) respectively mixed in water. Groups D and E received commercial ration and antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) respectively with water. Body weight of each bird was recorded on day 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. At the end of trial period, the birds were sacrificed to collect blood in order to prepare serum samples for biochemical analyses considering total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipids (HDL), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).Results: Body weight in all treatment groups (B, C, D and E) was significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to control (A) group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly (P<0.05) decreased in probiotics treated groups as compared to control and antibiotic growth promoters treated groups. AST and ALT values increased significantly (P<0.05) in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to control whereas, these values decreased in probiotics treated groups. Creatinine levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to all others groups. Conclusion: Significantly increased body weight is observed in probiotics and antibiotic growth promoters supplemented broilers. Probiotics also improve the lipid profile and other biochemical parameters as compared to growth promoter. Probiotics (like Yogurt and Promax&reg;) seem to be better choice than antibiotic growth promoters as feed supplements. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 288-294]