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Colibacillosis is one of the most common diseases affecting broilers, layers, and day-old chicks (DOC). It is caused by infection with pathogenic Escherichia coli, particularly the strain known as Avian Pathogenic E. coli (APEC), and can significantly impact poultry performance and farm productivity. 

What is Colibacillosis? 

Colibacillosis is a systemic infection that affects various vital organs such as the lungs (airsacculitis), liver (perihepatitis), and heart (pericarditis). It often occurs as a secondary complication following respiratory diseases like Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bronchitis (IB), or Chronic Respiratory Disease (CRD). 

Clinical Signs of Colibacillosis in Poultry 

Some common clinical signs and post-mortem findings include: 

• Rapid or noisy breathing
• Abdominal swelling
• Decreased feed intake
• Sudden death in young chicks
• Reduced egg production
• Yellowish diarrhea
• Characteristic lesions: polyserositis, pericarditis, airsacculitis, perihepatitis 

How to Diagnose Colibacillosis 

1. Conventional Diagnosis 

• Collection of organ samples (heart, liver, lungs)
• Bacterial isolation on MacConkey agar
• Antibiotic sensitivity testing in the laboratory 

2. Modern Molecular Diagnosis 

• PCR and qPCR to detect virulence genes such as iss, tsh, and iucD
• Faster and more accurate identification of APEC infections 

Treatment of Colibacillosis in Poultry 

1. Antibiotic Therapy Based on Sensitivity Testing 

Antibiotic selection should be based on laboratory results rather than routine use. Commonly used products include: 

• Enrofloxacin (e.g., Agrisol, Agrixine, Agrixine Sol, Floxamycine)
• Doxycycline (e.g., Erytrogrin HC)
• Florfenicol 

2. Vaccination and Alternative Therapies 

• APEC vaccines such as Vaksimune E. coli Inaktif for layer or breeder flocks
• Supportive therapy using probiotics and improved farm management 

Preventing E. coli Infections in Poultry 

Prevention plays a crucial role in minimizing the recurrence of infections. Key strategies include: 

• Implementing strict farm biosecurity measures
• Routine vaccination against primary respiratory diseases (ND, IB, CRD)
• Ensuring proper ventilation and stocking density
• Providing clean drinking water
• Regular performance monitoring and early detection of mortality 

The Best Approach to Overcome Colibacillosis 

Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to control E. coli infections in poultry. However, without proper farm management, the risk of reinfection remains high. If you require assistance in managing colibacillosis in your poultry farm, our technical team is ready to support you with data-driven solutions and the latest disease control approaches.