Risk Factors Associated with the Carriage of Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Healthy Commercial Meat Chickens in Queensland, Australia

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) can cause avian colibacillosis, an economically important disease that contributes to bird mortality and the high costs associated with prevention treatment. Little is known about APEC in context of Australian conditions. The current study aimed estimate prevalence determine risk factors cloacal carriage among commercial healthy meat chickens Queensland. Cloacal swabs were collected at slaughter from 400 (ten per farm) originating 40 farms. A total 2200 isolates selected cultured screened for presence five APEC-associated virulence genes (VGs). Farm-level data using a questionnaire. Binominal general linear models used identify farm-level bird-level prevalence. Thirty-four cent (n = 751) classified as APEC, all farms testing positive overall was 63.0%. Higher within-farm positively usage well water source drinking (OR 6.2, 95% CI: 2.3, 16.5, p < 0.001); not having shower facilities available farm visitors 3.6, 1.8, 7.1, distances greater than 20 m between car park poultry shed 2.2, 1.4, 3.4, applying line disinfection after each flock cycle 3.5, wild birds within 50 3.7, 0.001). Chlorine combined automatic filtration reduced 0.07, 0.02, 0.34, This identified number showed improving biosecurity treatments might reduce APEC. notable on requires further epidemiological investigations.