Occurrence, antimicrobial resistance, and potential zoonosis risk of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in Indonesia: A review

Abstract

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes avian colibacillosis or colibacillosis and is a major endemic disease of poultry worldwide, including in Indonesia. It is characterized by a black proventriculus and can damage other organs, leading to pericarditis, perihepatitis, water sacculitis, mesenteritis, and omphalitis. The APEC strain is one of the six main sub-pathotypes of the extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) pathotype. The relationship between APEC and infection in humans is questionable. The previous studies have suggested poultry products, including meat and eggs, as a potential source of infection for the transmission of ExPEC disease to humans. Due to the absence of reporting of disease incidents and the lack of literature updates on this disease, it seems as if APEC does not exist in Indonesia. Since bacterial resistance is a growing problem in Indonesia, and globally, the World Health Organization issued a statement regarding the importance of assessing related factors and their control strategies. Antimicrobial resistance, especially multidrug resistance, presents a challenge when treating infectious diseases. In Indonesia, the incidence of resistance to several antimicrobials in cases of avian colibacillosis is high. In addition, avian and human extraintestinal E. coli infections present a potential zoonotic risk. Furthermore, a relationship exists between antibiotic resistance to foodborne bacteria and the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in humans, so the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry must be controlled. Therefore, the One Health strategy should be implemented to prevent the overuse or misuse of antibiotics in the poultry industry. This review aimed to increase awareness of people who are at risk of getting Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) from poultry by controlling the spread of APEC by maintaining a clean environment and hygienic personnel in poultry farms.