P.  Nwiyi, A.  Oyeabor, N.  Ameachi, 
    Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of <I>E. coli </I>Isolated from Free Range Birds in Abia State, Nigeria,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 11,Issue 19,
    2012,
    Pages 3527-3530,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2012.3527.3530,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2012.3527.3530)
    Abstract: <I>Escherichia coli</I> is a major pathogen of worldwide importance in commercially produced poultry contributing significantly to economic losses in chickens, turkey and ducks. A study was conducted between September 2011 and February 2012 at 6 different farm sites located within 3 senatorial zones of Abia State, Nigeria to evaluate the antimicrobial succeptibility pattern of <I>E. coli</I> isolated from free ranged birds. Out of 127 samples (81.4%) of <I>E.coli</I> were isolated while in 28 samples (18.6%) no <I>E. coli</I> growth was observed. The isolates were screened for antimicrobial susceptibility using 8 commercially avaliable antibiotics by the disc diffusion method. Isolates from cockerels recorded 90, 80 and 70% sensitivity to gentamycine; kenamycin and ciprofloxacin, respectively. The least sensitive antibiotic were those of tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole, presenting 0.5, 4.0 and 10%. Chloramphenicol and ampicillin presented partially intermediate sensitivity of 30 and 40%, respectively. <I>E. coli</I> isolates from local fowl recorded 80, 70 and 60% sensitivity against gentamycin, kenamycine and ciprofloxacin. The least sensitive were tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole 0.0, 2.0 and 5%, respectively. For ducks, the values obtained were varied with gentanycin recording 70% while kenamycin and ciprofloxacine were 65 and 60%, respectively. The least sensitive were those of tetracycline, nalidixic acid and cotrimoxazole 0.0, 2.0 and 6.0%. Ampicillin and chloramphenicol presented 40 and 30%.
    Keywords: E. coli;anti-microbial sensitivity;cockerels;local fowls;ducks;Nigeria