A Review of Enterococcus cecorum Infection in Poultry

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Microbiology
• Bacterial Pathogenesis
• Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

• Enterococcus cecorum was once considered a harmless gut bacteria in chickens.
• Pathogenic strains have emerged, causing significant disease and death in broiler breeders.
• An environmental source for these virulent E. cecorum strains remains undiscovered.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on Enterococcus cecorum pathogenesis.
• To discuss the antimicrobial resistance patterns of pathogenic E. cecorum.
• To highlight the potential role of E. cecorum in public health through antimicrobial resistance spread.

Main Methods:

• Genetic analysis of E. cecorum strains to identify virulence factors.
• Comparison of antimicrobial resistance profiles between pathogenic and commensal strains.
• Review of existing literature on E. cecorum outbreaks and reservoirs.

Main Results:

• Pathogenic E. cecorum strains are genetically similar and share virulence genes.
• Pathogenic strains exhibit higher antimicrobial resistance than commensal strains.
• Recovered pathogenic strains from retail meat indicate a potential reservoir for resistance spread.

Conclusions:

• Pathogenic E. cecorum poses a significant threat to poultry health.
• Antimicrobial resistance in E. cecorum is a growing concern, with implications for food safety.
• Further research is needed to identify environmental reservoirs and control the spread of resistant strains.