Infected Broiler Chickens Research Articles

The Effect of Oral Administration of Aqueous and Organic Solvent Extracts From the Medicinal Wild Mushroom (Ganoderma Sp) on Performance and Health of Eimeria tenella–Infected Broiler Chickens

The Effect of Oral Administration of Aqueous and Organic Solvent Extracts From the Medicinal Wild Mushroom (Ganoderma Sp) on Performance and Health of Eimeria tenella–Infected Broiler Chickens

Pathological Investigation and Molecular Detection of Avian Pathogenic E. coli Serogroups in Broiler Birds

The objective of the present study the rfb gene clusters in avian pathogenic E. coli cardinal serotypes O1, O2 and O78 strains and to develop a multiplex polymerase chain reaction method for serotyping of the O-antigens. The multiplex polymerase chain reaction method was used for the identification of serotypes of APEC. The second part of the study was to study the pathological lesions caused by most prevalent sero group in experimentally infected broiler chicks. A total of 100 tissue samples (50 lungs and livers each) were collected from colibacillosis suspected broiler birds and subjected to isolation and identification of E. coli by conventional methods. Multiplex PCR was used for confirmation of three serogroups i.e., O1, O2 and O78. We found more O2 33% than O1 8% and O78 zero percent. These results suggested the prevalence of O2 sero group in our study. The prevalent sero group (O2) was experimentally inoculated in broiler birds at day 7 of their age. Lungs and liver samples from these experimentally infected birds were taken at days 14 and 21 of their age and subjected to histopathology. We found that there was hepatomegaly, coagulative necrosis, congestion and infiltration of inflammatory cells in infected livers. The lungs were congested and there were macrophages, lymphocytes and heterophils too. There was mostly hepatic form of colibacillosis with this infective strain.

Bacterial Leg Infections in Broiler Chickens

In a trial to investigate the bacterial causes of leg infection in broiler chickens, a total of 308 samples (foot bad and hock joint) of broiler chickens suffering from lameness were collected randomly from different broiler farms at Ismailia, Sharkia and North Sinai Governorates. Clinical and post-mortem examination, besides bacteriological analysis of the samples were carried out. The bacteriological investigation revealed the isolation of Staphylococcus aureus (83.8%, 258/308), Staphylococcus lentus (16.2%, 50/308), Escherichia coli (28.6%, 88/308); Salmonella spp. (1.3%, 4/308) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.9%, 6/308) and Pasteurella multocida (1.9%, 6/308). Antimicrobial sensitivity tests of the isolated bacteria revealed that S. aureus isolates were sensitive to Cefotaxim, Ciprofloxacin, Enrofloxacin and sulpha Trimethoprim. Virulence associated factors (coagulase gene and clumping factor) were determined in S. aureus isolates by conventional PCR. The results showed that the coagulase gene was identified in 10 S. aureus isolates, while, the clumping factor was detected in only two isolates. It could be concluded that the staphylococcal infection is the most important cause of arthritis in broiler chickens.

In vitro antibacterial activity of thymol and carvacrol and their effects on broiler chickens challenged with Clostridium perfringens.

BackgroundIn the post-antibiotic era, essential oils (EO) are promising alternatives to growth-promoting antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial activities of an EO product and its components thymol and carvacrol in vitro, and the efficacy of EO to control Clostridium perfringens challenge in broiler chickens.ResultsThe in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration assay showed strong antibacterial activity of the EO product, thymol, and carvacrol against pathogenic Escherichia coli, C. perfringens, and Salmonella strains, and weak activity towards beneficial Lactobacillus strains. Besides, an additive effect was observed between thymol and carvacrol. The in vivo study was carried out with 448 male broiler chicks following a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement to test the effects of EO supplementation (0, 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg EO in wheat-based diet), pathogen challenge (with or without oral gavage of C. perfringens from day 14 to day 20) and their interactions. Each treatment consisted of eight replicate pens (seven birds/pen). The challenge led to macroscopic gut lesions, and resulted in a significant increase in ileal populations of C. perfringens and Escherichia subgroup (P ≤ 0.05) on day 21. Dietary EO supplementation did not influence C. perfringens numbers, but linearly alleviated intestinal lesions on day 21 and 28 (P = 0.010 and 0.036, respectively), and decreased Escherichia populations in ileum with increased EO dosages (P = 0.027 and 0.071 for day 21 and 28, respectively). For caecum, EO quadratically influenced Lactobacillus populations on day 21 (P = 0.002), and linearly decreased the numbers of total bacteria and Escherichia on day 28 (P = 0.026 and 0.060, respectively). Mean thymol and carvacrol concentrations in the small intestine were 0.21 and 0.20 μg/g in intestinal digesta (wet weight), respectively, for birds fed 60 mg/kg EO, and 0.80 and 0.71 μg/g, respectively, for birds fed 240 mg/kg EO.ConclusionsThese results indicated that dietary EO supplementation could affect intestinal microbiota and alleviate intestinal lesions in broilers, which may contribute in controlling C. perfringens infection in broiler chickens.

JOINT LESIONS IN TAIWAN NATIVE COLORED BROILER CHICKEN WITH NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTALSTAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUSORS. COHNIIINFECTION

A total of 14 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and 10 isolates of Staphylococcus cohnii subsp. urealyticum were isolated from 90 field cases of arthritis. Joint lesions that were induced by both staphylococci could not be distinguished and were characterized by fibrinopurulent arthritis and tenosynovitis, associated with synovial cell hyperplasia. Additional changes included chondronecrosis and osteomyelitis. Similar lesions were induced by artificial intravenous inoculation of native colored broilers with the two pathogens. Both species were identified using API Staph kits and detection of 16[Formula: see text]S rRNA genes. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of gap, our isolates of S. cohnii subsp. urealyticum could be divided into two groups. This study is the first report on joint lesions due to S. cohnii subsp. urealyticum infection in broiler chickens.

Evaluation of some organic acids alternative to antibiotics for control of salmonella infection in broiler chickens

Evaluation of some organic acids alternative to antibiotics for control of salmonella infection in broiler chickens

Biochemical studies in experimentally Escherichia coli infected broiler chicken supplemented with neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf extract.

Aim:An experimental study was conducted on 192-day-old broiler chicks for evaluating the effect of 10% neem leaf extract (NLE) supplementationon biochemical parameters in chickens experimentally infected with Escherichia coli O78 at 107 CFU/0.5 ml at 7 days of age.Materials and Methods:The 192-day-old broiler chicks were procured. These chicks were divided into two groups (A and B) containing 96 birds each on the 1st day. Diet of all the chicks of Group A was supplemented with 10%NLE in water, whereas chicks of Group B were given feed and water devoid of NLE supplementation throughout the experiment. After rearing for 1 week, chicks of both the groups (A and B) were again divided into two subgroups (Group A into A1 and A2 and Group B into B1 and B2) of 54 and 42 birds, respectively. At the age of 7 days all the chicks of groups A1 and B1 were injected with E. coli O78 at 107 CFU/0.5 ml intraperitoneally. Blood samples were collected from six chicks from each group at day 0, 2, 4, 7, 14, 21, 28 days post-infection and serum was separated for biochemical studies.Results:There was a significant increase in serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, globulin concentration and a decrease in total protein (TP), albumin concentrations, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in both the infected groups. However, the changes in biochemical values, i.e., ALT, AST, LDH, ALP, TP, albumin, and globulin wereof lower magnitude in NLE supplemented group suggesting hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effect of NLE.Conclusions:Fromthe present study, it is reasonable to conclude that significant increase in the value of ALT, AST, LDH, globulin, and significant decrease in the value of ALP, TP, and albumin was of lower magnitude in supplemented infected group (A1) as compared to non-supplemented infected group (B1) suggesting hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effect of NLE.

Efficacy of Certain Feed Additives for the Prevention of Campylobacter jejuni Infection in Broiler Chickens

Efficacy of Certain Feed Additives for the Prevention of Campylobacter jejuni Infection in Broiler Chickens

Effect of Salmonella infection on cecal tonsil regulatory T cell properties in chickens

Two studies were conducted to study regulatory T cell [Treg (CD4+ CD25+)] properties during the establishment of a persistent intestinal infection in broiler chickens. Four-day-old broiler chicks were orally gavaged with 5 × 106 CFU/mL Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) or sterile PBS (control). Samples were collected at 4, 7, 10, and 14 d postinfection. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the number of CD4+ CD25+ cells by d 4 postinfection that increased steadily throughout the course of the 14-d infection, whereas the number of CD4+ CD25+ cells in the noninfected controls remained steady throughout the study. CD4+ CD25+ cells from cecal tonsils of S. enteritidis-infected birds had a higher (P < 0.05) IL-10 mRNA content than CD4+ CD25+ cells from the noninfected controls at all time-points studied. The amount of IL-2 mRNA content in the cecal tonsil CD4+ CD25− cells from the infected birds did not differ (P > 0.05) when compared to that of noninfected control birds. At a lower effector/responder cell ratio of 0.25:1, CD4+ CD25+ cells from cecal tonsils of Salmonella-infected birds suppressed T cell proliferation at d 7 and 14 post-S. enteritidis infection, while CD4+ CD25+ cells from noninfected control groups did not suppress T cell proliferation. In the second studu, 1-day-old chickens were orally gavaged with PBS (control) or 1.25 × 108 CFU/bird S. enteritidis. At 7 and 21 d post-Salmonella infection, CD25+ cells collected from cecal tonsils of S. enteritidis- infected birds and restimulated in vitro with Salmonella antigen had higher (P < 0.05) IL-10 mRNA content compared to those in the control group. Spleen CD4+ CD25+, CD4+, and CD8+ cell percentage did not differ (P > 0.05) between the Salmonella-infected and control birds. In conclusion, a persistent intestinal S. enteritidis infection increased the Treg percentage, suppressive properties, and IL-10 mRNA amounts in the cecal tonsils of broiler birds.

Effect of Synbiotic on immune response of experimentally infected broiler chickens with E.coli and salmonella

Effect of Synbiotic on immune response of experimentally infected broiler chickens with E.coli and salmonella

Synergistic pathogenic effects of co-infection of subgroup J avian leukosis virus and reticuloendotheliosis virus in broiler chickens

To study interactions between avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) and the effects of co-infection on pathogenicity of these viruses, 1-day-old broiler chicks were infected with ALV-J, REV or both ALV-J and REV. The results indicated that co-infection of ALV-J and REV induced more growth retardation and higher mortality rate than ALV-J or REV single infection (P < 0.05). Chickens co-infected with ALV-J and REV also showed more severe immunosuppression than those with a single infection. This was manifested by significantly lower bursa of Fabricius and thymus to body weight ratios and lower antibody responses to Newcastle disease virus and H9-avian influenza virus (P < 0.05). Perihepatitis and pericarditis related to severe infection with Escherichia coli were found in many of the dead birds. E. coli was isolated from each case of perihepatitis and pericarditis. The mortality associated with E. coli infection in the co-infection groups was significantly higher than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Among 516 tested E. coli isolates from 58 dead birds, 12 serotypes of the O-antigen were identified in two experiments. Different serotypes of E. coli strains were even isolated from the same organ of the same bird. Diversification of O-serotypes suggested that perihepatitis and pericarditis associated with E. coli infection was the most frequent secondary infection following the immunosuppression induced by ALV-J and REV co-infection. These results suggested that the co-infection of ALV-J and REV caused more serious synergistic pathogenic effects, growth retardation, immunosuppression, and secondary E. coli infection in broiler chickens.

Humoral responses of broiler chickens challenged with NDV following supplemental treatment with extracts of Aloe vera , Alma millsoni , Ganoderma lucidum and Archachatina marginata

Aim of the studyThe significance of nutritional supplements for immunity has been documented. Locally sourced extracts used in alternative medicine were studied to determine their potential effects on antibody production and humoral responses in viral challenged birds.MethodThree hundred and eighty birds were distributed into 19 groups of 20 birds each. Following acclimatization for 16 days, they were fed with standard broilers feed and water ad libitum. Group A was supplemented with Aloe vera (AV) extract, group B was given Alma millsoni (AM) extract, group C was given Archachatina marginata (AMS) extract and group D was given Ganoderma lucidum (GL) extract, and group E was the control group. Extract concentrations of 50 mg, 100 mg and 150 mg were given to three subsets of each treatment group for 30 days. Birds were then challenged with intramuscular administration of 0.2 ml of 50% Embryo Lethal Dose of saline suspension of the challenge strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) on the 30th day, and were examined for clinical signs and symptoms. Serum from venous blood was used for antibody and immunological assay.ResultsAloe vera at 50 µg and A. millsoni extracts supplementations yielded a significant antibody titre (p < 0.001). The difference within the AMS, GL and AV groups and the control group was not statistically significant (p < 0.05).ConclusionUnlike the extract of Ganoderma and A. marginata, pretreatment with A. millsoni extract and a lower dosage of Aloe vera enhanced the ability to mount humoral responses against viral infection in broiler chickens.

Influence of essential oils and organic acids blend on productive performance, immune status and controlling of Clostridium perferingens infections in broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a commercial blend of cinnamaldehyde, thymol, eugenol combined with propionic, formic and sorbic acids (Fordex®) on zootechnical performance, immune status and controlling of Clostridium perferingens infections in broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old chicks (Hubbard breed) were reared on floor pens and allocated randomly to three dietary treatments. The first group consumed basal broiler diets without any additive and served as a control group (G1). Broiler chicks in the second and third groups (G2 and G3) consumed diets containing Fordex® at 250 and 500 g/ton feed respectively. Feed and water were offered ad-libitum for 35 days experimental period. Feed consumption and body weight were recorded weekly to calculate body gain and feed conversion. Blood samples were collected weekly, after vaccination and after challenge from each group to evaluate the immune status and some immunological parameters. At day 16 of age 25 birds from each group were isolated and challenged orally with 1 ml containing Clostridium perferingens(107 cfu/mL) daily for 3 consecutive days. Post-challenge, lesion scores, mortalities and intestinal Clostridium perferingenslevels were assessed. Feed intake and live body gain were improved significantly (p<0.05). Feed conversion (FCR) was reduced in broiler chickens receiving Fordex® compared with the control group. The best results for live body weight and FCR were recorded in G3. The results of immunological parameters measured showed that additive used could enhance broiler chickens innate immunity as it significantly increased (p<0.05) phagocytic activity and humoral immune responses against vaccines. Fordex® reduced the lesion scores during infections. The log10 C. perfringens/g of intestinal contents was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in the treated groups. Birds in the third group showed the best results. Mortality was reduced in both treated groups in contrast to the control group.

Anticoccidial effects of herbal extracts on Eimeria tenella infection in broiler chickens: in vitro and in vivo study.

Safe alternative anticoccidial drug to chemical feed additives are herbal extracts, because they don't results to tissue residue and drug resistance. In order to evaluate the effects of herbal extracts to control avian coccidiosis, 180 one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly divided into nine equal groups, as follows: (1) Biarum bovei (2) Nectaroscordum tripedale( 3) Dorema aucheri (4) Cichorium intybus (5) Prangos ferulaceae (6) diclazuril (7) Artemisia absinthium (8) infected control (9) uninfected control (each contains two groups). Administration of herbal extracts and supplementation of diclazuril was began 2days before challenge and lasted for the duration of the experiment. The chicks of all the groups except uninfected control group were inoculated orally with sporulated oocysts (3×10(3) oocysts of Eimeria tenella) on the day 22 of age. The criteria employed were: body weight, feed conversion ratio, blood in feces, survival rate, lesion scoring, number of oocyst output per gram feces and histopathological changes. For histopathological evaluation, on day 12 post inoculation three birds from each group were randomly selected and humanly sacrificed. N. tripedale and diclazuril revealed better results in terms of growth performance, lesion score, extent of bloody diarrhea and oocyst count as compared to other herbal extracts. The increase in the severity of lesions was observed in groups of D. aucheri, A. absinthium, B. bovei, P. ferulaceae, C. intybus, diclazuril and N. tripedale, respectively. In conclusion, the current study showed that herbal extracts were effective in control of coccidiosis caused by the E. tenella infection.

Anticoccidial activity of aqueous extract of a wild mushroom (Ganoderma applanatum) during experimentally induced coccidial infection in broiler chicken.

Despite presence of anticoccidial drugs and vaccines in the market, coccidiosis continues to result in substantial economic losses to the poultry industry. There is wide-spread resistance to already known anticoccidial drugs. It is an infectious disease of poultry and rigorous management is required during vaccination. In addition there is possibility of drug residues in meat and other byproducts of such treated animals and consequently makes more imperative to explore and understand the role of natural products in livestock parasite management. Therefore a study was designed to evaluate the anticoccidial activity of aqueous extract of Ganoderma applanatum in broilerchicken. In-vivo anticoccidial activity of aqueous extract of G. applanatum was measured in comparison to the reference drug amprolium on the basis of oocysts per gram of faeces, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Oocyst output was measured with the help of Mc-Masters counting technique. The results of this study established the virulence of coccidian oocysts and the effectiveness of both amprolium and aqueous extract of G. applanatum against coccidian oocysts, confirmed by the fact that treatment with aqueous extract of G. applanatum resulted in a noticeable reduction in coccidian oocysts output, leading to improved weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. The study highlighted the potential of G. applanatum as a natural source of bioactive components for controlling a protozoan parasite, which can be isolated and tested in a bioassay-guided manner and harnessed in the form of anticoccidial drugs.

Effect of Garlic Extract on Haematobiochemical Changes in Eimeria tenella Infected Broiler Chicken

Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of garlic extract on coccidia induced haematobiochemical alterations in broiler chicken. For this study, 144, day old white strain chicks were reared under strict hygienic condition. At the age of 14 days these chicks were randomly divided into three groups-I, II and III, each containing 48 chicks. Group I chicks served as control, while group II chicks were administered 9 × 104 sporulated oocysts of field strain of Eimeria tenella and group III chicks were administered same dose of sporulated oocysts of E. tenella and were fed garlic extract at the rate of 0.5 ml per bird per day orally. For hematological study blood from randomly selected 10 chicks in each group was collected at 7, 14, 21 and 28 DPI in EDTA containing test tubes. For biochemical tests blood was obtained without anticoagulant and serum was separated from coagulated blood for analysis. Haematological parameters showed significant decrease in Hb, PCV, TEC in group II and group III than control group birds while TLC and MCV revealed significant increase in group II and group III birds than control group birds. Garlic treated group birds revealed significant increase in Hb, PCV, TEC and significant decrease in TLC values than infected group birds from 7 DPI up to the end of study. Serum biochemistry revealed significant decreases in serum proteins, albumin and globulin values and significant increase in AST, ALT and creatinine levels in group II and group III birds than control group from 7 DPI up to last observation. A significant increase of serum proteins, albumin and globulin values and significant decrease in, AST, ALT and creatinine levels was observed in garlic treated group birds than infected group birds from 7 DPI up to last observation. Thus concluding E. tenella significantly deteriorated haematobiochemical parameters in chicken while garlic extract significantly improved these altered haematobiochemical values.

Effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf on pathology of Escherichia coli infection in broiler chickens

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Ocimum sanctum leaf powder on experimental Escherichia coli infection in broiler chickens. Day-old broiler chicks (160) were divided into 2 groups. The birds of group A were supplemented with dried O. sanctum leaf (OSL) powder in feed @5g/kg and the birds of group B were given feed without OSL supplementation. After 7 days of age, each bird in group A1 and B1 was inoculated with E. coli O78 (@107 CFU/0.5 ml) by the intraperitoneal route, whereas groups A2 and B2 were kept as controls. Mortality in group B1 was 35.56% whereas mortality was comparatively low (20%) in OSL supplemented group A1. There was no mortality in the control groups (A2 and B2). Gross lesions produced in group B1 were fibrinous mass on the surface of liver and heart, congestion in visceral organs, peritonitis, reddish intestinal mucosa and atrophy of bursa of Fabricius. The gross lesions in OSL supplemented infected group were of less intensity at different intervals as compared to those observed in non-supplemented infected group. Histopathological lesions observed were fibrinous pericarditis, myocarditis, fibrinous perihepatitis, haemorrhagic enteritis, proventriculitis and depletion of lymphocytes in bursa of Fabricius. In OSL supplemented E. coli infected group lesions were less severe in magnitude and lasted for shorter duration as compared to non-supplemented E.coli infected group, indicating reduction in severity of the disease and early recovery due to OSL supplementation.

Effects of long-term heat stress in an experimental model of avian necrotic enteritis

Stressful conditions are predisposing factors for disease development. Heat stress is one of the most important stressors in poultry production. The reemergence of some previously controlled diseases [e.g., avian necrotic enteritis (NE)] has been extensively reported. The combination of bacterial infection and certain environmental factors have been reported to trigger the disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of long-term heat stress (35 ± 1°C) on the development of NE in broiler chickens. For this purpose, 60 male broiler chickens were divided into the following 6 groups: control group (C), heat stressed control group (C/HS35), thioglycolate group (T), thioglycolate heat-stressed group (T/HS35), infected group (I), and infected heat-stressed group (I/HS35). The poultry of groups I and I/HS35 were experimentally infected with Clostridium perfringens via their feed from 15 to 21 d of life. Heat stress (35 ± 1°C) was constantly applied to the birds of the stressed groups from 14 to 21 d of life. The infected and heat-stressed broiler chickens presented a trend toward a decrease in gross lesion scores and significantly lower microscopic scores of necrosis in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05), lower fusion of villi in the duodenum (P < 0.05), and lower congestion scores in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05) in relation to infected and non-heat-stressed chickens. Broilers of I/HS35 group also exhibited small number of heterophils in the duodenum and jejunum compared with those of the I group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the duodenum and jejunum of infected and heat-stressed broilers showed lower number of clostridia on the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05). Data were discussed in light of a heat stress induced reduction on intestinal inflammation via a decrease in heterophil migration to the intestinal mucosa, which in turn might have reduced tissue damage during inflammation, hence preventing the development of a more severe form of NE.

THE EFFECT OF TILMICOSIN AND APRAMYCIN ALONE OR TOGETHER IN TREATMENT OF EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED CHICKENS WITH MYCOPLASMA GALLISEPTICUM ONLY OR WITH ESCHERICHIA COLI

Mycoplasmosis remains one of the most expensive and common diseases facingpoultry industry. The presence of Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) predisposes birds to other infections as Escherichia coli which together causes mortality, and sub-optimal performance. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of tilmicosin, apramycin and both drugs together on experimentally infected chicken with local field isolates of MG only or with E. coli as CRD and CCRD treatments. The present investigation clarified that infected groups treated with both tilmicosin and apramycin showed additive or synergistic interaction between them, which in turn confirmed the safety use of this combination therapy. The use of the recommended therapeutic dose of tilmicosin (1ml/L) or apramycin (0.5gm/L) alone or in combination for 5 successive days after appearance of the clinical signs are of considerable value in the treatment of MG infection in broiler chickens as antimycoplasmal drugs through displayed valuable improvement in clinical symptoms, survival rate, lesion scoring and termination of infection by the mycoplasmacidal effect of both drugs. The results also indicated that combined tilmicosin-apramycin therapy as antimicrobial drugs gives relatively stable results in the treatment of CCRD in chickens with a superior activity and efficacy than apramycin or tilmicosin alone followed by apramycin in reducing the severity of lesion, mortality rate, E. coli count and improve the general activity of chickens, so it can be used as alternative strategy that may contribute to the treatment programs of CCRD. Co-infected group treated with tilmicosin showed less improvement than other MG and E. coli infected treated groupsthis returned to its restricted effect on E. coli infection.

Virulence Genes Content and Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli from Broiler Chickens.

A total of 121 E. coli strains were isolated from broiler chickens (96 extraintestinal pathogenic (ExPEC) strains from diseased broiler chickens and 25 avian fecal E. coli (AFEC) from healthy ones). Ten of the isolates (6 from diseased chickens and 4 from healthy birds) were serogrouped and 25 were examined for 4 virulence markers (tsh, papC, colV, and iss genes) as well as for their antimicrobial resistance. Five strains were nontypable and the rest were serotyped as follows: O86:K61 (2/5), O78:K80 (1/5), and O128:K67 (1/5) were recovered from diseased chickens, while O111:K58 strain (1/4) was isolated from healthy ones. The iss gene was found in 72.2% of the examined ExPEC strains in contrast to zero percentages (0%) in the AFEC strains, which may serve as a good marker for distinguishing APEC and its knocking out may help in creation of candidate vaccine that may prove sucess in elimination of infections in broiler chickens. Antimicrobial resistance patterns revealed a complete resistance to gentamicin, pefloxacin, amoxicillin, and enrofloxacin among examined strains followed by varying degrees of resistance for the rest of tested agents. The highest resistance was recorded against norfloxacin, in 24 isolates (96%), in contrast to the lowest resistance was recorded against colistin sulphate, in 14 strains (56%). These findings suggest the need for the prudent use of antimicrobials with broiler chickens and act as a warrant for the possibility of avian sources to transmit these resistant isolates to humans.