Haemolytic E. coli Associated with the Outbreaks of Avian Influenza [H5N1] in Nigeria

Avian Influenza (AI) strain H5N1 outbreak with very high mortality in 2 commercial poultry farms in Nigeria was subjected to further laboratory investigations to document all contributory etiological factors. Tissues from flocks on the farms located over 200 km apart were sampled for bacteriology. Haemolytic E. coli and an unidentified Gram variable rod were isolated from the first farm; Pasteurella haemolytica and haemolytic E. coli were isolated from the second farm. Antibiotic susceptibility test showed haemolytic E. coli was resistant to 6, partially to 3 and fully susceptible to Enrofloxacin (Tarivid (R)). Pasteurella haemolytica was resistant to 5 and susceptible to 3 antibiotics. The unidentified Gram variable pleomorph was sensitive to 10 antibiotics used. The isolation of haemolytic E. coli, in avian influenza outbreaks with high degree of antibiotic resistance is hereby documented.