title: High prevalence iron receptor genes of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.
abstract: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli 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 has been achieved. Since iron is an essential nutrient to these bacteria, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of 12 outer-membrane iron receptor genes in 239 pathogenic strains isolated from clinical cases of colibacillosis in chickens. Five multiplex polymerase chain reactions 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.
authors: Department of Biosystems, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Laboratory of Livestock Physiology, Immunology and Genetics, K.U. Leuven, Heverlee, Belgium. Ellen.ons@biw.kuleuven.be
authors: Ellen
authors: E
authors: Ons
authors: Nele
authors: N
authors: Bleyen
authors: Huruma Nelwike
authors: HN
authors: Tuntufye
authors: Fréderic
authors: F
authors: Vandemaele
authors: Bruno Maria
authors: BM
authors: Goddeeris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D007501:Iron