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Escherichia coli from cellulitis lesions in broilers

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Abstract

Samples of chicken broiler lesions were collected at a poultry slaughterhouse in the Bahia Reconcavo region to recover Escherichia coli for phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Poultries used in current research came from four poultry houses in the same region. Weight of cellulitis lesions ranged between 0.9 and 1.7 g, of which 85 % (34/40) were on the left side of the broiler. E. coli was isolated in 82.5 % (33/40) of samples with cellulitis lesions. Gene iss was identified in 87.9 % (29/33) of the samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) verified iss genes to serum resistance, identifying avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Iss was detected in 87.9 % of isolates. Results suggest that the partial removal of cellulitis lesions merely decrease the carcass’s repugnant aspect, or rather, it is more aesthetic than hygienic. A re-evaluation of the criteria used is required to notify avian cellulitis cases so that safety in the consumption of broiler-derived products may be guaranteed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Luiz Antônio Favero Filho, of the Center of Health Sciences of the Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB); Dr. Jorge Teodoro de Souza and Dr. Adailson de Jesus Feitosa Santos of the Laboratory of the Genetics of Microorganisms of the Center of Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences of the UFRB; Dr. Marília Lima Costa of the Agricultural Defense Agency of Bahia (ADAB); the avian abattoir for making available its industrial premises.

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  1. Center of Agrarian, Environmental and Biological Sciences (CCAAB), Federal University of the Bahia Recôncavo (UFRB), Rua Rui Barbosa, 710, Cruz das Almas, BA, 44380-000, Brazil

    L. S. S. Barros & R. M. Silva

  2. Center of Health Sciences (CCS), Federal University of Bahia Recôncavo (UFRB), Rua do Cajueiro, Cajueiro, Santo Antônio de Jesus, BA, 44570-000, Brazil

    I. M. Silva, M. D. Baliza & F. F. Virgílio

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  1. L. S. S. Barros
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  2. R. M. Silva
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Correspondence to L. S. S. Barros.

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Barros, L.S.S., Silva, R.M., Silva, I.M. et al. Escherichia coli from cellulitis lesions in broilers. Food Measure 7, 40–45 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-013-9138-3

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