DOI: 10.31196/huvfd.1939270 ISSN: 2146-717X

Distribution of Escherichia coli Pathotypes in Poultry by Host, Clinical Relevance, and Serogroup

Nazen Akdemir, Seyyide Sarıçam İnce
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Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections in poultry represent a significant disease burden, causing economic losses and posing public health risks due to their zoonotic potential. Although E. coli is generally characterized by low host specificity, the genetic diversity and acquisition of virulence factors enable the emergence of distinct pathotypes associated with different disease outcomes. In this review, the global and Türkiye-specific distribution of poultry-associated E. coli pathotypes was evaluated in terms of host species, clinical relevance, and serogroup diversity. The most frequently reported pathotypes in poultry include avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Among these, APEC is the most prevalent and is strongly associated with colibacillosis and systemic infections in poultry. Serogroups O1, O2, and O78 are commonly identified in APEC isolates worldwide. Notably, APEC and human-associated EXPEC-associated strains share phylogenetic and virulence gene repertoire similarities, suggesting that poultry may act as a potential reservoir for ExPEC strains. Studies in Türkiye have also reported clinically important serogroups, such as O78 and O157 from poultry and environmental sources. ETEC strains have been reported in poultry, with serogroups such as O8 and O149 also identified among ETEC-associated isolates. EPEC strains have also been reported in poultry, with several serogroups, including O24, O25, O26, O103, and O157, described in association with EPEC. O157 is among the most frequently investigated STEC serogroups in poultry. These findings highlight the epidemiological importance of pathogenic E. coli in poultry. Integration of molecular virulence profiling into surveillance programs may improve the characterization and control of poultry-associated diseases and help elucidate the potential epidemiological relationship between APEC and ExPEC.

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