Insights in virulence and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus cecorum strains from broiler chickens

Korte beschrijving

BCO outbreaks have been reported in many countries in poultry production, resulting in mortality, poor performance, animal welfare issues, and economic losses. This disease is characterized by sepsis in the early stages of life (1-3 weeks) and lameness or paralysis in the later stages (5-7 weeks) in broilers. The main lesions of BCO are found in the free thoracic vertebrae, proximal femoral head, and proximal tibia. These lesions are linked to many predisposing factors, such as fast growth, gut health disorders, and the presence of pathogenic opportunistic bacterial strains. BCO is caused by various pathogens, with pathogenic E. cecorum being one of the most frequent causative agents in the last few decades. Originally identified as a commensal strain in the gastrointestinal tract, E. cecorum has been reported as a pathogenic strain contributing to BCO outbreaks since 2002. Despite extensive studies, many aspects of BCO-related disease, including E. cecorum infection, are still not fully understood. Additionally, this disease is difficult to treat once chickens develop advanced lesions. Therefore, unravelling the pathogenesis of this disease and developing efficient prevention strategies are crucial for the poultry industry.