High prevalence iron receptor genes of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Ellen Ons (1) , Nele Bleyen (2) , Huruma Nelwike Tuntufye (2) , Fréderic Vandemaele (2) , Bruno Goddeeris (2)

1 Biosystems
2 Biosystems

Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are known to cause significant losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Although prophylactic measures based on vaccination are advisable, until now no full heterologous protection against colibacillosis could be achieved. Since iron is an essential nutrient to these bacteria, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of 12 outer membrane (OM) iron receptor genes in 239 pathogenic strains isolated from clinical cases of colibacillosis in chickens. Five multiplex PCRs were developed as a tool for efficient screening. Among the 239 avian E. coli isolates, 100% were positive for fhuE and fepA, 96.2% for fiu, 92.9% for cir, 92.5% for iroN, 87.4% for iutA, 63.2% for fecA, 53.1% for fyuA, 46.9% for fhuA, 45.6% for ireA, 41.8% for chuA and 4.6% for iha.

Mots clés: Life Sciences

Ellen Ons, Nele Bleyen, Huruma Nelwike Tuntufye, Fréderic Vandemaele, Bruno Goddeeris. High prevalence iron receptor genes of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli.. Avian Pathology, 2008, 36 (05), pp.411-414. ⟨10.1080/03079450701589183⟩. ⟨hal-00540096⟩