Isolation of atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Shiga toxin 1 and 2f-producing Escherichia coli from avian species in India.
OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence and characterize atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC) in avian species in India.


RESULTS
Two hundred and twelve faecal samples collected from 62 chickens, 50 ducks and 100 pigeons were investigated for the presence of stx(1), stx(2), eae and ehxA virulence genes by multiplex PCR. In all, 42 E. coli isolates (25 chicken, 2 duck and 15 pigeon) possessed at least one virulence gene. Out of these, nine (4.24%) isolates were STEC and 33 (15.56%) were EPEC. All isolates from duck and chicken were EPEC while among 15 pigeon isolates nine (60%) were STEC and six (40%) were EPEC. Among the STEC isolates four each carried stx(1) or stx(2) and one possessed both stx(1) and stx(2). Subtype analysis of stx revealed the presence of stx(2f) in four STEC isolates. None of the STEC isolates carried stx(1c), stx(2c), stx(2d) or stx(2e). Isolates carrying stx(2f) demonstrated vero cell toxicity. One each belonged to serogroup O17 and O78, while one was rough and the other untypeable. All EPEC isolates were atypical as they lacked bfpA. This appears to be the first report of detection of stx(2f) from India.


CONCLUSIONS
The study established the presence of stx(1) and stx(2f) containing E. coli in pigeons and atypical EPEC in poultry in India. Pigeons might serve as vectors for transmission of STEC to environment and humans.


CONCLUSIONS
Taking into account the close contact between fanciers and pigeons, these findings warrant a more critical appraisal of these zoonotic pathogens in pigeons and humans.
Farooq
S
S
Bacteriology Laboratory, Division of Veterinary Microbiology & Immunology, SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shuhama, (Alusteng) Srinagar, India.
Hussain
I
I
Mir
M A
MA
Bhat
M A
MA
Wani
S A
SA
D000818:Animals; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D001717:Birds / Q000382:microbiology*; D054308:Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D007194:India; D010802:Phylogeny; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D054323:Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D022603:Shiga Toxins; D037521:Virulence Factors