Volume 15, Issue 2: 2025 - Article 194

Abstract
Colibacillosis is a disease caused by Escherichia coli, which affects all ages and species of birds. This case report is on an outbreak of colibacillosis in a flock of 600 laying chickens in a poultry farm, which resulted in the death of about half of the birds in the flock, over a period of four weeks. Clinical signs exhibited by the layers included ruffled feathers, lethargy, persistent coughing, alterations in vocalization, respiratory distress and anorexia. Postmortem examination was carried out on some of the dead birds. Tissue samples were collected from different organs of the dead birds at necropsy for bacterial culture and sensitivity test. Blood samples were collected from the sick birds for haematology and serum biochemistry. The post-mortem findings included distended gall bladder, fluid in the thoraco-abdominal cavity, friable liver, haemorrhage in the proventriculus, cloudy air sacs and brownish intestinal contents. Bacterial culture produced colonies with green metallic sheen suspected to be E. coli. Sensitivity test revealed resistance to almost all antibiotics except for tetracycline and azithromycin. The haematology results showed anemia, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis and heterophilia. The serum biochemistry revealed a higher than normal serum activity of alanine aminotransferase and calcium level. Serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin were below the reference values. Levels of serum total protein and albumin were within the reference range. The birds were treated with tetracycline and multi-vitamin and mineral supplements for 5 days, and later given E. coli vaccine and re-vaccinated against Newcastle disease. The birds recovered fully after treatment. Implementation of adequate biosecurity measures was advised, to prevent further recurrence.


Keywords: Colibacillosis; Case Report; Layer chickens; Haematology; Serum biochemistry; Anti-microbial resistance.

How to cite this article:
Akporeha JF, Emejuo NT and Daminabo G (2025). A case report on colibacillosis outbreak in a poultry flock of laying birds in a farm in Southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(2): 1099 – 1107.

*Correspondence: E-mail:  tochi.emejuo@unn.edu.ng      Phone: +2348132523813

A case report on colibacillosis outbreak in a poultry flock of laying birds in a farm in Southeastern Nigeria
Jane F. Akporeha ¹, Nnenna T. Emejuo ² * and Gloria Daminabo <sup>3

1</sup> Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

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