BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF Escherichia coli ISOLATES FROM POULTRY FARMS IN UMUAHIA

ABSTRACT

Human and animal infections caused by Escherichia coli species remain a significant public health problem worldwide. The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence of Escherichia coli in two poultry farms in Umuahia, Abia State. A total of forty-eight (48) samples (litter, droppings, water and feed) were collected from the two poultry farms and investigated  for the presence of Escherichia coli. The specimens were inoculated into peptone water which serves as pre-enrichment media and incubated aerobically at 370C for 24 hours. The peptone water culture was subsequently inoculated into Eosin methylene blue agar (EMB) and incubated aerobically at 370C for 24 hours. The isolates from EMB were characterized by cultural and biochemical tests to identify Escherichia coli. A total of twenty-four(24) Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from the forty-eight(48) samples; litter 2(4.1%) feed 6(12.50%), droppings 9(18.75%) and water 7(14.5%). The distribution of Escherichia coli isolates in the poultry locations showed that Gochiez poultry farms in Umuagu-Ibeku (Umuahia North) had nine (9) Escherichia coli isolates while Oji integrated poultry farms in Ubakala (Umuahia South) had fifteen(15) isolates. The detection of Escherichia coli isolates in poultry farms in this study poses health hazards to poultry birds and humans.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page ﾿ i

Certification ﾿

Dedication ﾿ iii

Acknowledgements ﾿ iv

Table of Contents ﾿ v

List of Tables ﾿

Abstract ﾿ vii

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION ﾿ 1

1.1 Poultry farming Systems ﾿ 2

1.2 Biochemical characterization of E.coli ﾿ 5

1.3 Aims and objectives ﾿ 6

CHAPTER TWO ﾿

LITERATURE REVIEW ﾿

2.1 Escherichia coli ﾿ 7

2.2 Type and morphology of E.coli ﾿ 8

2.3 Metabolism of E.coli ﾿ 8

2.4 Culture growth of E.coli ﾿ 9

2.5 Biochemical tests and identification of E.coli ﾿ 10

CHAPTER THREE ﾿

MATERIALS AND METHODS ﾿

3.1 Study Area ﾿ 11

3.2 Specimen collection ﾿ 11

3.3 Preparation of Media ﾿ 11

3.4 Isolation of Organisms ﾿ 11

3.5 Identification and characterization of Escherichia coli ﾿ 12

3.6 Motility test ﾿ 12

3.7 Gram staining test ﾿ 12

3.8 Biochemical tests ﾿ 13

3.8.1 Indole test ﾿ 13

3.8.2 Citrate utilization test ﾿ 13

3.8.3 Hydrogen sulphide test ﾿ 14

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS ﾿ 15

CHAPTER FIVE ﾿

5.1 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ﾿ 19-20 ﾿

References ﾿

LIST OF TABLES

Table ﾿     ﾿ Title ﾿           ﾿ Page

  1                    Colonial morphology and biochemical characteristics of isolates ﾿ 16

  2    ﾿ Isolation of Escherichia coli from different specimen types in the poultry 

farms studied ﾿   ﾿ ﾿ 17

  3                    Distribution of Escherichia coli isolates in the two poultry farms ﾿ ﾿ 18