11/9/21, 5:49 PM Colibacillosis in Chickens

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Colibacillosis
Other Names: Escherichia Coli Infection, Avian Colibacillosis, Coliform Infection
Colibacillosis refers to any localized or systemic infection caused partly or entirely by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli
(APEC), which include several clinical disease manifestations. Chickens of all ages are susceptible to colibacillosis, but
young birds are more frequently and more severely affected, including developing embryos. Colibacillosis often occurs
concurrently with other diseases, making it more difficult to diagnose.

The most common manifestations of E. coli infection in chickens include:

Cellulitis: (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/avian-cellulitis)Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection resulting in
inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue of birds, typically seen in the lower abdomen and upper legs.
Colisepticemia: (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/septicemia)Septicemia, also known as blood poisoning,
occurs when E. coli have invaded the chicken's bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the infection quickly spreads
throughout the body. It is a serious, life-threatening condition which is associated with acute onset of very
generalized clinical signs of sickness, such as listlessness, depression, weakness, and loss of appetite.
Omphalitis: (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/chick-yolk-sac-infection-omphalitis)Omphalitis, also known
as yolk sac infection, is an infectious, non-contagious, common condition affecting the naval of newly hatched
chicks. It is caused by invasion by several bacterial, with one of the most common being E. coli.
Egg peritonitis: (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/egg-peritonitis)Egg peritonitis, salpingitis, and oophoritis
are frequently caused by E. coli, which ascended from the cloaca or by imprint metastases from infected air sacs.
Affected hens may have a history of egg binding (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/egg-binding), usually
within the past six months.
Coligranulomatosis: Also referred to as Hjaerre's disease, a rare form of colibacillosis that occurs sporadically.
Coligranulomas are thought to occur secondary, following damage to the intestinal mucosa by other agents. It is
thought that the galactans found in the E. coli capsule that stimulate the granulomatous reaction.
E. coli infections often occur concurrently with other bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. The most common co-
infections documented to occur with E. coli include:
Chronic respiratory disease (CRD): (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/mycoplasma-gallisepticum)Chronic
respiratory disease (CRD), also known collectively as mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection, is considered to be
one of the major pathogens that cause respiratory disease in poultry. It tends to develop slowly in flocks and
associated with progressive and chronic respiratory signs. Chickens with chronic respiratory disease often show
clinical signs associated with the respiratory system, which include mild tracheitis, sinusitis, airsacculitis and
conjunctivitis.
Swollen head syndrome (SHS): (http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/swollen-head-syndrome)Swollen head
syndrome (SHS) is an acute, highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection of poultry. SHS is caused by
infection with the avian metapneumovirus (AMPV), a type of pneumovirus which is classified into four subtypes (A,
B, C, and D).
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Clinical Signs
Clinical signs of colibacillosis are usually nonspecific and vary depending on the manifestation of the infection. The
severity varies depending on the age of the bird, duration of infection, management conditions, and concurrent diseases
present.

Treatment
Antibiotics that are administered orally or in the drinking water may be effective in treating mild E. coli infections of just
the intestinal mucosa. Most E. coli infections require parenteral antibiotics for successful treatment. The drug selected
needs to be able to penetrate the target tissues or granulomas.

Most E. coli strains are resistant to many commonly sold antibiotics for chickens, including cephradine, tetracyclines,
chloramphenicol, amino-glycosides, beta-lactam antibiotics, and sulfonamides.
Clinical Signs
Weakness
Lethargy
Reduced appetite
Poor growth
Pasted vent/diarrhea
Depression
Droopy head
Diagnosis Reported Cases Treatment
Name Summary
Supportive Isolate the bird from the flock and place in a safe, comfortable, warm location
care (your own chicken "intensive care unit") with easy access to water and food.
Limit stress. Call your veterinarian.
Antibiotics Selected based on the manifestation, and antimicrobial sensitivity testing
Probiotics Administered alongside antibiotics to help promote good intestinal tract flora. S Bai et al., 2013; Y Wu
et al., 2018
Yucca (Yucca 120  mg/kg; reduced the proliferation of Escherichia coli in laying hens. J Wang et al., 2010
schidigera)
extract
Schisandra 1-2% of diet; Can be a potential agent to treat inflammation caused by avian M Yuan et al., 2020; Y
chinensis colibacillosis Kim et al.,2013; D Ma
et al., 2007
Neem 10% of diet;enhanced the humoral as well as cellular immune responses V Sharma et al., 2019
(Azadirachta attributed to its immunomodulatory property in experimentally E. coli infected
indica) leaf broiler chickens.
extract
Coneflower 5 mg/kg feed; improves hematological and serum biochemical adverse effects M Hashem et al., 2019
(Echinacea caused by E. coli infection
purpurea)
Oregano 2 g/kg feed; Significantly reduced coliform and E. coli counts in broiler chickens. P Scocco et al., 2016;
(Origanum A Roofchaee et al.,
vulgare) 2011

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Support

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Prevention
 ()Protect birds, especially young chicks from cold weather
 ()Good husbandry practices
 ()Feeding a diet high in antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables
 ()Pomegranate (Punica granatum)- Showed potential benefit as an intestine astringent to relieve diarrhea and
enteritis in chickens.
Scientific References
1Christensen, Henrik et al. New strategies to prevent and control avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC).
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33146543/) Avian pathology : journal of the W.V.P.A, 1-30 (2020)
2Xing, Zhikai et al. Disequilibrium in chicken gut microflora with avian colibacillosis is related to microenvironment
damaged by antibiotics (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143058) The Science of the total environment
(2020)
3Fancher, Courtney A et al. Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens: Challenges in No
Antibiotics Ever Broiler Production and Potential Solutions (https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8101533)
Microorganisms vol. 8,10 1533 (2020)
4Walker, Grayson K et al. The role of Enterococcus faecalis during co-infection with avian pathogenic Escherichia
coli in avian colibacillosis (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32674609/) Avian pathology : journal of the W.V.P.A, 1-11
(2020)
5El-Mawgoud, Ahmed I Abd et al.. Efficacy of Live Attenuated Vaccine and Commercially Available Lectin Against
Avian Pathogenic E. coli Infection in Broiler Chickens (https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7020065) Veterinary sciences
vol. 7,2 65. (2020)
6Kumari, Mamta et al.. Ameliorating effect of Withania somnifera root extract in Escherichia coli-infected broilers
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2019.11.022) Poultry science vol. 99,4 (2020)
7Tarazi, Yaser Hamadeh et al. In vitro and in vivo efficacy study of cefepime, doripenem, tigecycline, and
tetracycline against extended-spectrum beta-lactamases Escherichia coli in chickens
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7183477/) Veterinary world vol. 13,3 (2020)
8Galli, Gabriela M et al.. Combination of herbal components (curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, cinnamaldehyde) in
broiler chicken feed: Impacts on response parameters, performance, fatty acid profiles, meat quality and control
of coccidia and bacteria (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31812772/) Microbial pathogenesis vol. 139 (2020)
9Nolan, Lisa K., et al. Colibacillosis (https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119371199.ch18) Diseases of poultry 14th Edition
(2020)
10Sargeant, Jan M et al.. The efficacy of antibiotics to control colibacillosis in broiler poultry: a systematic review
(https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466252319000264) Animal health research reviews vol. 20,2 (2019)
11Mol, Noëlle, et al. Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli infection of a chicken lung epithelial cell line
(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2019.03.007) Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology (2019)
12Abdelaziz, Adel M et al. Molecular survey and interaction of common respiratory pathogens in chicken flocks
(field perspective) (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6989313/) Veterinary world vol. 12,12 (2019)

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13Ozaki, Hiroichi, Keiko Yonehara, and Toshiyuki Murase.. Virulence of Escherichia coli isolates obtained from layer
chickens with colibacillosis associated with pericarditis, perihepatitis, and salpingitis in experimentally infected
chicks and embryonated eggs. (http://www.aaapjournals.info/doi/abs/10.1637/11685-060717-ResNote.1?
code=aaap-site) Avian Diseases (2018)
14Hartati, Sri, et al.. Effects of Phyllanthus niruri and Curcuma longa on Liver and Renal Function of Escherichia
coli Infected Layers (https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajpsaj.2018.1.6 ) Asian Journal of Poultry Science 12 (2018)
15Dhama, K. The Promising Pharmacological Effects and Therapeutic/Medicinal applications of Punica Granatum
L.(Pomegranate) as a Functional Food in Humans and Animals
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29473532) Recent patents on inflammation & allergy drug discovery (2018)
16Matin, Md Abdul, Md Ariful Islam, and Mst Minara Khatun.. Prevalence of colibacillosis in chickens in greater
Mymensingh district of Bangladesh (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5301176/) Veterinary World
(2017)
17. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum, Colibacillosis, Respiratory Disease Complex in Broiler Chickens
(https://fieldcasestudy.com/2017/06/10/mycoplasma-gallisepticum/) FieldCaseStudy.com (2017)
18Kabir, SM Lutful, et al.. Colibacillosis and its impact on egg production ( https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-
800879-9.00049-4) Egg Innovations and Strategies for Improvements (2017)
19Tidiane, Kamagaté, et al.. Therapeutic activity of Thonningia sanguinea aqueous extract, Vahl on an
experimental colibacillosis in chicken (http://www.phytopharmajournal.com/Vol6_Issue5_05.pdf) The Journal of
Phytopharmacology (2017)
20Alizade, Hesam, et al.. Phylogenetic typing and molecular detection of virulence factors of avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli isolated from colibacillosis cases in Japanese quail
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5413312/) Veterinary Research Forum (2017)
21UC Davis Veterinary Medicine CAHFS. Poultry Case Diagnostics
(http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/cahfs/local_resources/cahfs_connection/2016/CAHFS_Connection_201612.pdf)
CAHFS Connection (2016)
22 Morad Soleimani Sarghashk; Musa Khammari; Davood Khammari; Saphora Bazi . Antimicrobial activity of
essential oils of cultivated oregano (Origanumvulgare) against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli
(http://www.ijabbr.com/article_23316.html) International Journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research
(2016)
23Alnahass, Reem, et al. Comparison between Bacteriological Isolation and Molecular Detection of E. coli from
Chickens Suffering from Colibacillosis and/or Diarrhea (http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?
q=cache:2zD8vslanw0J:scholar.google.com/+colibacillosis+chickens&hl=en&as_sdt=0,47&as_ylo=2015) Liver
(2016)
24Sharma, V., Jakhar, K. K., & Dahiya, S.. Immuno-pathological studies on broiler chicken experimentally infected
with Escherichia coli and supplemented with neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract.
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4983125/) Veterinary World (2016)
25Jahantigh, M., & Dizaji, R. E. Antimicrobial Drug Resistance Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolated from Chickens
Farms with Colibacillosis Infection. (http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?paperID=61469) Open
Journal of Medical Microbiology (2016)
26Pohjanvirta, T., Ronco, T., Pelkonen, S., & Pedersen, K. Sequencing of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli from a
colibacillosis outbreak. (http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?
q=cache:OU4340VV5B4J:scholar.google.com/+colibacillosis&hl=en&as_sdt=0,47&as_ylo=2015) nd Conference
Rapid Microbial NGS and Bioinformatics. (2016)
27Wigley, P.. Blurred Lines: Pathogens, Commensals, and the Healthy Gut
(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672241/) Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2015)
28Khedr, Marwa MS, et al. . Preparation and Evaluation of Combined Inactivated Vaccine Against Salmonellosis
and Colibacillosis in Chickens. (http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?
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(2015)
29De Carli, Silvia, et al.. Virulence gene content in Escherichia coli isolates from poultry flocks with clinical signs of
colibacillosis in Brazil. (http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/09/23/ps.pev256.abstract) Poultry science
(2015)
30G. R. Huff, W. E. Huff, N. C. Rath, N. B. Anthony and K. E. Nestor Ascorbic Acid Differentially Affects Stress
Response and Resistance to Colibacillosis in Turkeys from Genetic Lines Differing in Growth Rate. Avian Dis (2015)
31Guabiraba, R., & Schouler, C. Avian colibacillosis: still many black holes
(http://femsle.oxfordjournals.org/content/362/15/fnv118.abstract) FEMS microbiology letters (2015)
32Pohjola, Leena, et al. Questionnaire study and postmortem findings in backyard chicken flocks in Finland
(http://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13028-015-0095-1) Acta veterinaria scandinavica (2015)
33Parthiban, S., et al. Therapeutic Management of Colibacillosis in Broiler chicks.
(http://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ipo&volume=16&issue=2&article=037) Intas Polive (2015)
34Pourabbas, S. A. E. E. D., & Faizi, A.. Clinical investigation, autopsy and some biochemical indices in broiler
chicken following treatment with enrofloxacin ongoing study by colibacillosis.
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35Ye, Yong, et al.. The camelliagenin from defatted seeds of Camellia oleifera as antibiotic substitute to treat
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37Shi QiuMei; Gao GuiSheng; Gao GuangPing; Zhang YanYing; Shen Ping. Screening of Chinese herbal medicines
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38He CL, Fu BD, Shen HQ, Jiang XL, Zhang CS, Wu SC, Zhu W, Wei XB.. Xiang-qi-tang increases avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli-induced survival rate and regulates serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 and
soluble endothelial protein C receptor in chicken (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21372388) Biological
Pharmaceutical Bulletin (2011)
39Kabir, S. M. Avian colibacillosis and salmonellosis: a closer look at epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis,
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environmental research and public health (2010)
40Benskin CM, Wilson K, Jones K, Hartley IR.. Bacterial pathogens in wild birds: a review of the frequency and
effects of infection. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19438430) Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc (2009)
41F Dziva, M Stevens. Colibacillosis in poultry: unravelling the molecular basis of virulence of avian pathogenic
Escherichia coli in their natural hosts. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18622850) Avian Pathol (2008)
42Arshad N, Neubauer C, Hasnain S, Hess M.. Peganum harmala can minimize Escherichia coli infection in poultry,
but long-term feeding may induce side effects (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18212366) Poultry Science
(2008)
43M. Davis et al. A Golden Comet Hen (Gallus gallus forma domestica) With an Impacted Oviduct and Associated
Colibacillosis (https://doi.org/10.1647/2001-053) Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery (2003)
44A Fudge. Diagnosis and treatment of avian bacterial disease
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055937X01800177) Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine
(2001)
45Gross, W. B., and H. S. Siegel. The effect of social stress on resistance to infection with Escherichia coli or
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Good Overviews
1 Colibacillosis in Chickens. (https://extension.psu.edu/colibacillosis-in-chickens) Penn State Extension (2020)
2J Jacob Colibacillosis in Poultry. (http://articles.extension.org/pages/68289/colibacillosis-in-poultry) Extension
(2015)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Colibacil%C3%B4ze_boylite_fritche.jpg)

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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Colibacil%C3%B4ze_drovaedje_perifoetite_fritche.jpg)

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Ledjire_colibacil%C3%B4ze_areyosaetchite_fritche.JPG)

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Age Range

All ages are susceptible, but young birds are more commonly and severely affected.

Risk Factors

Mailing chicks from hatcheries--or from anywhere for that matter.

Cold weather periods
Placing dirty or feces contaminated eggs in the incubator to hatch
Dry, dusty conditions
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Contaminated environment
Unsanitary living conditions
Overcrowding
Feed/water restriction
Abrupt feed changes
Poor ventilation
Temperature extremes
Concurrent secondary infection
History of previous trauma
Nutrient deficiency or unbalanced diet
Exposure to mycotoxins
Stress exposure

Seasonality

WinterSpringSummerAutumn

Etiology

Escherichia coli (/pathogens/escherichia-coli)

Also Consider

Aspergillosis (/condition/aspergillosis)
Avian cellulitis (/condition/cellulitis)
Avian tuberculosis (/condition/avian-tuberculosis)
Chronic respiratory disease (/condition/mycoplasma-gallisepticum)
Fowl cholera (/condition/fowl-cholera)

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