Molecular detection of E. coli virulence genes causing broiler cellulitis at Ismailia governorate

الملخص EN

This study was conducted to investigate the existence of virulence genes among Escherichia coli strains isolated from cellulitis lesions in broiler chickens.

Total of (103) defeathered broiler carcasses were collected from different slaughter houses during carcasses inspection at Ismailia province.

Samples were collected from moist lesion in subcutaneous tissue and fibrinopurulent material for bacteriological examination.

Biochemical and serological identification of E.

coli isolates were carried out as well as detection of virulence genes (iss, iutA, tsh, kpsMTII, papC, stx1, traT and cvaC) by PCR protocol.

The result showed that E.

coli was isolated from 51 out of 103 examined carcasses (49.51 %).

The isolated E.

coli serologically belonged to O125, O158, O169 and untyped ones.

Virulence genes were detected among selected E.

coli strains derived from cellulitis lesions with variable percentage.

All examined isolates were positive for presence of traT and papC genes, 80 % of isolates were positive rof iss, iutA and kpsMTII genes, 60 % of isolates were positive rof cvaC gene and 20 % of isolates were positive for tsh gene.

None of the isolates harbored the stx1 gene.