Histomorphometry response of the small intestine mucosa in fattening guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) challenged with Salmonella enterica var. Typhimurium

In order to evaluate the histomorphometric response of the mucosa of the small intestine in guinea pigs challenged with Salmonella enterica var. Typhimurium (SeVT) (2x106 CFU center dot 0.5mL center dot guinea pigs-1), Fifteen -day-old guinea pigs (n=40) divided at random into four treatment (T) groups: 1.-guinea pigs that received a standard feed (SF) and were challenged with SeVT (T1); 2.-guinea pigs that received a SF with zinc bacitracin (50 ppm) and were challenged with SeVT (T2); 3.-guinea pigs that received a SF and were given zinc bacitracin (50 ppm) without challenge (T3), and 4.-guinea pigs that only received a SF, without challenge (T4, Control Group). Each T consisted of 10 repetitions. At the end of the experimental phase in the eighth week, samples of duodenum, jejunum and ileum from each T group were collected and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) for histomorphometry analysis. The parameters examined included villus length (VL), villus width (AVL), Lieberkuhn's crypt depth (PC) and length/crypt ratio (LV/PC). Procured data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test. The results (mean +/- SD) were significantly different at P<0.05 in all T indicating villus reduced in length, width and with a LV/PC ratio less than 2:1, observed villus up to 40 % longer in duodenum, 39 % in jejunum and 55 % in ileum in the guinea pigs that were not challenged with SeVT. It is concluded that there is a negative effect on the villus histomorphometry to infection with SeVT guinea pigs.