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