Virulence factors and genotypic characterization of Escherichia coli isolated from chickens

Abstract EN

This study assesses the presence of one hundred and fourteen E.

coli strains recovered from five hundred chicken examined samples including five hundred heart, five hundred livers and five hundred cloacal swabs with a percentage of 12.8 %.

E.

coli is one of the most common isolates in avian diseases, which causes colibacillosis, or act as a major factor in development of acute respiratory disease causing high losses especially between chickens.

In addition to the conventional methods used for isolation and identification of E.

coli, PCR is required as rapid, accurate and specific tool for detection of pathogenic E.

coli and their virulence genes.