Jallailudeen Rabana LAWAL1, Juliana James NDAHI2, Fatima Adamu LAWAN3, Barka JOHN2, Umar Isa IBRAHIM1, Maryam Jibrin SARKI1, Ibrahim HUSSAIN1, Hafiz Yusuf SADIQ1, Enenche Francis EJEH3
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
2Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
3Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, P.M.B 1069, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author’s Email: rabana4real@unimaid.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.191817
ABSTRACT
This study investigates avian colibacillosis in chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, focusing on the isolation, identification, and antibiogram of Escherichia coli (E. coli). Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar and biochemical tests were used to identify E. coli, revealing a prevalence of 28.3% across 300 chicken samples from live bird markets, poultry farms, and veterinary hospitals. Market, farm, and hospital prevalence rates were 9.3%, 5.3%, and 13.7%, respectively. Risk factors such as sex, age, health status, and on-farm biosecurity were significantly associated with colibacillosis. Females (24.0%) and adults (20.3%) showed higher prevalence than males (4.3%) and young chickens (8.0%). Exotic breeds (12.0%) had higher prevalence than noiler (9.3%) and village chickens (7.0%). Clinically sick chickens (23.0%) were more affected than apparently healthy ones (5.3%). Poor on-farm biosecurity (24.0%) measures correlated with higher prevalence. Antimicrobial usage impacted prevalence, with lower rates in chickens from farms with minimal antibiotic use. Clinical and necropsy findings were consistent with E. coli infection. Identified serovars O1, O2, and O78 were consistent with Avian Pathogenic E. coli strains. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed E. coli sensitivity to Amoxicillin Clavulanic acid, Gentamicin, and Ciprofloxacin, but resistance to Ampicillin and Neomycin. Multi-drug resistance emphasized the need for prudent antibiotic use. This study underscores the importance of tailored management practices and judicious antibiotic use in poultry farming to mitigate antibiotic-resistant strains, advocating robust biosecurity and hygiene measures to control colibacillosis in Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial
susceptibility,
Chickens,
Escherichia coli,
Multi-drug resistance,
Serotypes