Prevalence of Potential Pathogenic and Antimicrobial Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Danish Broilers

• Main Authors: Louise Ladefoged Poulsen (Author), Magne Bisgaard (Author), Henrik Christensen (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Avian pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i> (APEC) are important bacteria in broiler production in terms of economy, welfare, and use of antibiotics. During a previous outbreak of APEC in the Nordic countries, it was suggested that the pathogenic clones of <i>E. coli</i> causing the outbreak originated from grandparent stock and were transmitted to the offspring, causing increased first week mortality. This study investigated whether the pathogenic potential of <i>E. coli</i> at the parent and broiler level differs in relation to pathogenic potential described by the level of virulence-associated genes and pattern of antimicrobial resistance. The hypothesis was that, due to higher biosecurity at the parent level, the <i>E. coli</i> population will show a lower level of antimicrobial resistance and carry fewer virulence-associated genes, as a result of fewer <i>E. coli</i> infections observed. From four parent flocks and eight broiler flocks, 715 <i>E. coli</i> were isolated from cloacal swabs of newly hatched chickens (Ross 308). The isolated <i>E. coli</i> were characterized by eight virulence-associated genes and phenotypic resistance against six antimicrobials. It was found that the prevalence of virulence-associated genes and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance varied significantly between flocks, and the virulence-associated genes <i>papC</i> and <i>irp2</i> and resistance against ampicillin were significantly more prevalent in breeder flocks compared to broiler flocks.

Item Description

10.3390/antibiotics12020344
2079-6382