COLIBACILLOSIS (E. coli infection)
Causative Agent:

COLIBACILLOSIS (E. coli infection) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli.

Species Affected:

Chicken, Turkey, Duck.

Clinical Signs:

Major signs of colibacillosis are respiratory distress, reduced appetite and poor growth. Lesions seen at post mortem are airsacculitis, pericarditis, perihepatitis and peritonitis. Signs are nonspecific and vary with age, organs involved, and concurrent disease. Young birds dying of acute septicemia have few lesions except for an enlarged, hyperemic liver and spleen with increased fluid in body cavities.

Birds that survive septicemia develop subacute fibrinopurulent airsacculitis, pericarditis, perihepatitis, and lymphocytic depletion of the bursa and thymus (unusually pathogenic salmonellae produce similar lesions in chicks). Although airsacculitis is a classic lesion of colibacillosis, it is unclear whether it results from primary respiratory exposure or from extension of serositis.

Arisacculitis - cloudy appearance

Airsacculitis-Cloudy Appearance

Lesions - Peritoneum, Peri-Cardium, Air Sacs & Liver

 Lesions- Peritoneum

Transmission

COLIBACILLOSIS (E. coli infection) transmits through contaminated drinking water, housing, utensils, equipment’s etc.

Treatment

Control measures taken to prevent E. coli infection in chickens primarily involve elimination of predisposing factors, which includes vaccinating birds against mycoplasmas, IBV and NDV.  Ensuring proper ventilation, farm disinfection and chlorination of drinking water reduces the levels of environmental contamination. Many antibiotics are used to cure E. coli depending on the past history of antibiotic used and depending on the availability.

Also, Read: CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE (CRD) /(MG)

Antibiotics:-

  • ENROLIQ (Enrofloxacin 10%): @ 1 ml in 1 to 2 litres of drinking water for 3-5 days
  • LECIN-L (Levofloxacin 10 %): @ 1 ml per 1 ltr of drinking water for 5-7 days
  • NS-20 (Neomycin Sulphate 20%): @1gm in 3-5 litres of drinking water
  • TETRA-PLUS-5 (Tetracycline Hydrochloride Powder 5%): @ 5gm in 4 to 5 litres of drinking water.
  • P-MOX-50 (Amoxycillin 50%): @ 1gm in 5 litres of drinking water

Supportive Therapy in Drinking Water

  • VACCINE PLUS (Vitamin A, D3, E, C): To reduce stress.
  • LAYERS & BROILERS: 5 ml./100 birds 5-7 days &.
  • BREEDERS: 10ml./100 birds 5-7 days.

Prevention

The best way of reducing the potential impact is proper biosecurity and ventilation. Provide adequate feed and clean water so all birds get their fill. Reduce and prevent bird exposure to other pathogens by practicing strict biosecurity measures. Disinfection of farm and water sanitization is must.