Prevalence, Isolation and Detection of Virulent Gene in Escherichia coli from Duck

Aims: This study was conducted to determine virulent genes in Escherichia coli prevalent in duck population by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Methodology: A total of 60 cloacal swab samples were collected from two duck farms of Bangladesh Agricultural University and Shamvuganj. Initially the samples were screened for the detection of E. coli on the basis of cultural, staining and biochemical properties, followed by molecular detection of E. coli using genus specific primers to amplify 16s RNA.

Results: According to the results, out of 60 samples, 26 (43.33%) were confirmed to be E. coli positive. Among the E. coli positive samples, 12 (46.15%) samples were found positive for Stx-1 and 11 for Stx-2. Among 26, 11 (42.31%) samples possess both Stx-1 and Stx-2 genes, whereas only one isolate had Stx-1 gene. The prevalence of both Stx-1 and Stx-2 in Bangladesh Agricultural University Poultry Farm was 41.66%, and the prevalence of Stx-1 and Stx-2 in Shamvuganj was 50% and 42.86%, respectively.

Conclusion: This is the first report on the detection of virulence genes in E. coli of duck origin in the context of Bangladesh. This study indicates that duck may play role for the transmission of Shiga-like toxin producing E. coli (STEC) to human or its environment through fecal contamination or eggs or meat.