Serotyping, pathogenicity and antibiogram of Escherichia coli isolated from raw poultry meat in West Bengal, India

This study has been undertaken to isolate and characterise Escherichia coli strains from raw poultry meat in West Bengal, determine their pathogenicity and identify the prevalent serotypes and their antibiogram. A total of 83 raw poultry meat samples were collected from February to July 2004. Thirty-three samples (39.76%) were positive for E. coli. The majority of highly pathogenic E. coli belonged to O3, O6, O25, O73, O120 whereas the highly enteropathogenic E. coli belonged to O6, O25, and O158. Most isolates (84% - 100%) were sensitive to chloramphenicol, amikacin and gentamicin, they were (92% - 100%) also resistant to novobiocin, cefixime, sulphafurazole, vancomycin. Considering the frequency of E. coli serogroups O6, O25, O158 which are important zoonotic pathogens, special attention needs to be paid in order to maintain strict hygienic measures in the retail meat shops, so to avoid serious health risks for the retailers and for the consumers.