Author(s): Elie K. Barbour, N. H. Nabbut, S. W. Hinners and H.M. Al-Nakhli
Article publication date: 1985-03-01
Vol. 3 No. 1 (yearly), pp. 395-406.
128
Keywords
Saudi Arabia, Poultry, E.coli
Abstract
Necropsy specimens from chicken on three farms in the Central Province of Saudi Arabia were examined for the presence of coli septicaemia-causing organisms. Seventy eight strains were characterized biochemically and tested for their antimicrobial susceptibilities to eight antimicrobial agents. Most strains exhibited characteristics typical of the Escherichia group with a few exceptions. Thus, 12.8% failed to produce indole; 1.3% utilized citrate and malonate, produced urease and failed to ferment arabinose, maltose and mannitol. Gentamycin and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim were the most effective antimicrobials tested. Most the of E.Coli strains were resistant to two or more drugs in various combinations. The use of sulfachloropyridazine + trimethoprim for the treatment of coli septicaemia was shown to reduce mortality.