Poultry Colibacillosis

Colibacillosis is one of the most common bacterial diseases in poultry, caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). It can affect broilers, layers, and breeders, leading to significant economic losses due to poor growth, reduced egg production, and increased mortality. It can be transmitted horizontally through feces, dust, water, and feed or vertically infected breeders through eggs.

Causes of Colibacillosis
Causative Agent: Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC).
Predisposing Factors are:
• Poor hygiene and contaminated litter, feed, or water.
• Poor ventilation and high ammonia levels.
• Overcrowding and stress.
• Concurrent infections (Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Mycoplasmosis).
• Wounds (pecking injuries, infected navels in chicks).

Symptoms of Colibacillosis
The clinical signs of colibacillosis are:
• Loss of appetite (poor feed intake)
• Depression, dullness, ruffled feathers
• Reduced growth and poor feed conversion in broilers
• Drop in egg production in layers
• Labored breathing, coughing, or sneezing (if respiratory system is affected)
• Swelling around the eyes, face, or sinuses. 
• Watery greenish or yellowish diarrhea. 
• Increased mortality, especially in chicks. 
Post-mortem (lesions) symptoms are:
• Airsacculitis: cloudy, thickened air sacs
• Pericarditis: fibrin (yellow material) around the heart
• Perihepatitis: fibrin covering the liver
Peritonitis: inflamed abdominal lining
• Omphalitis (yolk sac infection) in young chicks ™
• Septicemia (blood infection) in acute cases. 

Prevention of Colibacillosis
• Good Biosecurity: Regular cleaning and disinfection of poultry houses and equipment.
• Proper Management: Avoid overcrowding, maintain adequate ventilation, and reduce stress factors.
• Clean Feed and Water: Always supply fresh, uncontaminated water and quality feed.
• Control Predisposing Diseases: Vaccinate against viral infections and manage Mycoplasma.
• Nutrition: Provide balanced feed, vitamins (A, E, C, selenium), probiotics, and organic acids for immunity support.
• Breeder Health: Monitor breeder flocks to prevent vertical transmission.

Treatment of Colibacillosis
• Antibiotic Therapy: Based on sensitivity testing; common options include enrofloxacin, doxycycline + colistin, amoxicillin, or trimethoprim-sulfonamides. Antibiotics should always be prescribed by a veterinarian to avoid resistance.
• Supportive Care: Vitamins, electrolytes, and probiotics to boost recovery.
• Culling: Severely affected birds should be removed to reduce spread.

In conclusion, Colibacillosis is a major threat in poultry production, but with proper biosecurity, good management practices, and veterinarian-guided treatment, its impact can be minimized. Prevention remains the most effective strategy, as controlling predisposing factors greatly reduces the risk of outbreaks.

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