Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli and ostriches: a deep dive into pathological and microbiological investigation

A comprehensive research was conducted to investigate the incidence of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) in ostrich farms in Egypt.

The study involved seven farms with bird ages ranging from 1 to 12 weeks and capacities of 2,000 to 5,000 birds per farm. 175 tissue specimens were collected from different organs (liver, spleen, heart, lung, kidney, intestine, and meat).

Clinical signs of APEC infection included diarrhea, lethargy, depression, and weight loss, with a morbidity rate of 36% and a mortality rate of 7.6%. In the current study, 52.5% of the samples have E coli. The highest prevalence was observed in the liver (10.8%), followed by the spleen and intestine (8% and 9.1%, respectively). The most common serotype identified was O27 (28%), after that O78 (20%) and O44 (12%). Histopathological examination revealed severe lesions in various organs, including the liver, kidney, heart, and intestine.

The study concluded the presence of APEC in different organs of ostrich in Egypt especially the liver, spleen, intestine, and breast muscle (meat) with evidence of severe pathological lesions in various organs.

The study highlights the significance of APEC as a main cause of morbidity and mortality in ostriches. It underscores the necessity for actual control measures to avoid spreading the disease.