Abstract
Bacteria are seriously affecting broiler chickens and the poultry industry in many countries, as well as in Egypt. Both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacterial species have been reported in broiler chickens. The present study aimed to isolate and identify the most common bacteria recovered from apparently healthy broiler chickens by conventional methods and the VITEK system. Samples were taken from 30 broiler chickens of different ages (3 – 5 weeks), from different retail markets in Cairo, during the period from January to August 2019. Bacteriological examination of the samples showed both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as well. Lysinibacillus sphaericus (n=7), Escherichia coli (n = 5), Proteus species (n = 4), Bacillus cereus (n = 3), with isolation rates of 23.3 %, 16.6 %, 13.3 % and 10 %, were identified. In addition to its pathogenicity and hazardous action, some strains of Lysinibacillus sphaericus have a larvicide effect on some species of mosquitoes. So, further studies and investigations will be conducted to test Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Bacillus cereus isolates for their biological control activity and / or their potency to remove, control, or reduce petroleum hydrocarbon soil contaminants in different localities. It will be used as an alternative control agent for numerous synthetic commercial formulations.
Highlights
The intestines of both healthy and diseased chickens serve as a reservoir for both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria (Clavijo and Florez, 2018)
It can be commensal or pathogenic and cause diseases to its host (Salyers and Whitt, 2002). It is found in lower numbers than other major commensals, E. coli is considered the most common internal bacteria causing diseases may be due to carrying several virulence factors (Stecher and Hardt, 2008)
Isolation of Gram-negative bacteria: The results illustrate that Escherichia coli (n=5) and Proteus species (n=4) were identified from the examined samples
Summary
The intestines of both healthy and diseased chickens serve as a reservoir for both pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria (Clavijo and Florez, 2018). E. coli belongs to this family, found in humans and other animals commonly in their large intestines (Campbell et al, 2002) It can be commensal or pathogenic and cause diseases to its host (Salyers and Whitt, 2002). Bacillus cereus is a novel emerging pathogen contaminated extensively in animal feed and food chains, posing a huge economic loss for the animal industry and a high risk for human health (Haque et al, 2021). It is distributed in the environment but can colonize human and invertebrate intestines (Jensen et al, 2003). After overnight incubation at 37°C, colonies showing different morphologies were picked up from each selective plate and tested separately with VITEK for identification
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