6. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of antimicrobials in Escherichia coli infection in broilers and evaluation of ciprofloxacin in induced colibacillosis
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Abstract
The present study was conducted to 1) Survey and record the data regarding use of antimicrobials in Escherichia coli infection in broiler poultry flocks 2) Evaluate the sensitivity of E. coli against antibiotics and 3) Evaluate the ciprofloxacin in induced colibacillosis. For this purpose, fifty (50) broiler poultry farms were surveyed and in vitro evaluation of antimicrobials in E. coli infection was evaluated. The farmer level data regarding awareness about antibiotic usage pattern, storage of antibiotics, withdrawal period and antibiotic resistance was evaluated. Data revealed that most of broiler poultry farmers relied on quinolones (especially ciprofloxacin) to combat E. coli infection. The morbid samples from the E. coli infected farms were collected, pathogenicity of E. coli was checked and sensitivity against seven antibiotics viz. ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, oxytetracycline, colistin, neomycin and amoxycillin was evaluated. Sensitivity tests showed E. coli was highly sensitive against ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, and gentamicin. On the basis of antibiogram, the efficacy of ciprofloxacin was determined under in vivo conditions. Accordingly, 150 Hubbard (un-sexed) broiler chicks were divided into three groups viz. A, B & C each having 50 chicks; group A was kept as uninfected and untreated (control), group B was experimentally infected and treated with ciprofloxacin while group C was infected and kept untreated. The mortality in group A, B and C was recorded as 2, 14 & 28 %, respectively. The cumulative feed consumption in group A, B and C was 84, 87 & 86 kg respectively. Mean weight gain in group A, B and C was 882.47, 868.70 & 801.29 gm, respectively. The FCR in group A, B and C was 1.9, 2 and 2.15, respectively. It was concluded that the use of ciprofloxacin had high efficacy against E. coli infection in broiler chicks.
Keywords: Antimicrobials; Broilers; Ciprofloxacin; Escherichia coli