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Isolation, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Drug Resistance Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolated from Japanese Quail and their Environment

P. Roy^*, V. Purushothaman^*, A. Koteeswaran^* and A. S. Dhillon^,1

^* Central University Laboratory, Centre for Animal Health Studies, Tamilnadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai-600051, India; and Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory, Washington State University, 7613 Pioneer Way E, Puyallup 98371

¹ Corresponding author: asdhillon{at}wsu.edu

Escherichia coli isolates were cultured from diseased Japanese quail and their environment. Of 31 E. coli isolates, 11 were cultured from heart blood of dead Japanese quail and 20 were from dead-in-shell embryos, fluff samples, and footbath and drinking water samples. All E. coli isolates were moderately positive on the Congo red binder test and 14 out of 31 isolates produced hemolysis on sheep blood agar. Twenty-seven isolates were grouped under serogroups O₄, O₉, O₃₈, O₄₂, and O₈₈, whereas 4 isolates could not be typed. Of the E. coli isolates cultured from Japanese quail infected with colibacillosis, 54.5% belonged to serogroup O₉ and the same serotype was predominant in the hatchery environment. All the E. coli isolates showed high resistance to multiple drugs with 100% resistance observed against ampicillin/cloxacillin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and cotrimoxazole. The highest sensitivity was observed against nitrofurantoin. This study shows that hatchery hygiene should be improved to control colibacillosis and reduce production losses. At the same time, indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be avoided as it increases the risk of development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria.

Key Words: Escherichia coli • drug resistance • Japanese Quail