This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Beery, J T Articles by Schoeni, J L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Beery, J T Articles by Schoeni, J L Agricola Articles by Beery, J T Articles by Schoeni, J L

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985 February; 49(2): 310-315

Colonization of chicken cecae by Escherichia coli associated with hemorrhagic colitis.

J T Beery, M P Doyle and J L Schoeni

ABSTRACT

Bacterial enumeration, histologic examination, and immunoperoxidase staining demonstrated the ability of an Escherichia coli strain associated with hemorrhagic colitis (serotype O157:H7) to colonize chicken cecae for up to 90 days postinoculation after a peroral challenge at 1 day of age. The bacteria induced mild, transient, mucous membrane damage confined to the proximal cecae of healthy, normal-appearing chickens, principally at 14 to 28 days postinoculation. Attachment, effacement, and penetration of the cecal surface epithelium by E. coli O157:H7 were observed. With the exception of splenic, hepatic, and cecal tonsil immune-related changes and cecal damage and colonization, no other organ systems or portions of the gastrointestinal tract were affected by the bacteria. Bacterial counts indicated that E. coli O157:H7 was predominantly present in the cecae (often at levels greater than 10(6) CFU/g of tissue and contents) and to a lesser extent in the colon. Our results suggest that E. coli O157:H7 colonizes chicken cecae and is passed through the colon with fecal excrement. The ability of this organism to colonize chicken cecae indicates that chickens may serve as hosts and possibly as reservoirs for E. coli O157:H7.

---

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1985 February; 49(2): 310-315

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Best, A., La Ragione, R. M., Sayers, A. R., Woodward, M. J. (2005). Role for Flagella but Not Intimin in the Persistent Infection of the Gastrointestinal Tissues of Specific-Pathogen-Free Chicks by Shiga Toxin-Negative Escherichia coli O157:H7. Infect. Immun. 73: 1836-1846 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Jordan, D. M., Booher, S. L., Moon, H. W. (2005). Escherichia coli O157:H7 Does Not Require Intimin To Persist in Pigs. Infect. Immun. 73: 1865-1867 [Full Text]  
• WALES, A. D., CLIFTON-HADLEY, F. A., COOKSON, A. L., DIBB-FULLER, M. P., LARAGIONE, R. M., PEARSON, G. R., WOODWARD, M. J. (2002). Production of attaching-effacing lesions in ligated large intestine loops of 6-month-old sheep by Escherichia coli O157:H7. J Med Microbiol 51: 755-763 [Abstract] [Full Text]