Acta Vet. Brno 2020, 89: 273-282
A complex approach to a complex problem: the use of whole-genome sequencing in monitoring avian-pathogenic Escherichia coli – a review
Infections associated with Escherichia coli are responsible for immense losses in poultry production; moreover, poultry products may serve as a source of pathogenic and/or resistant strains for humans. As early as during the first hours of life, commercially hatched chickens are colonized with potentially pathogenic E. coli from the environment of hatcheries. The source of contamination has not been quite elucidated and the possibility of vertical spread of several avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) lineages has been suggested, making the hatcheries an important node where cross-contamination of chicken of different origin can take place. The recent technological progress makes the method of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) widely accessible, allowing high-throughput analysis of a large amount of isolates. Whole-genome sequencing offers an opportunity to trace APEC and extended-spectrum/plasmid-encoded AmpC beta-lactamases-producing E. coli (ESBL/pAmpC-E.coli) along the poultry processing chain and to recognize the potential pathways of “epidemicˮ sequence types. Data from WGS may be used in monitoring antimicrobial resistance, comparative pathogenomic studies describing new virulence traits and their role in pathogenesis and, above all, epidemiologic monitoring of clonal outbreaks and description of different transmission routes and their significance. This review attempts to outline the complexity of poultry-associated E. coli issues and the possibility to employ WGS in elucidating them.
Keywords
Avian colibacillosis, sequence types, virulence plasmids, hatcheries, poultry production chain.
Funding
This work was supported by the projects QK1810462 and 116/2016/FVL. The authors acknowledge the financial support from Internal Creative Agency of University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, FVL/CELER/ITA2020.
