Module 3: Escherichia coli

In this module, we will focus on the pathogenesis as a result of the interaction between bacterium and host with attention for issues of importance for commercial poultry.

Course info

Time investment: 4 weeks with an estimated time investment of 12-16 hours per week
Start date: January 17, 2022
Location: Online
Fee: €1700 (50% discount for ECPVS residents, 10% discount for participants of module 2)

Course content

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) may infect any type of chicken in all types of poultry production in a wide range of ages, resulting in the disease colibacillosis associated with either localized or systemic involvement. In commercial broilers, colibacillosis is a disease of major clinical and economic importance. A wide variety of lesions is described, including airsac disease, colisepticemia, peritonitis and osteoarthritis. E. coli may act as a primary pathogen. However, mostly disease from E. coli is of secondary nature, provoked by a preceding infection with a respiratory virus, be it a 'live' vaccine or a field virus. As a consequence, the contribution of disease from APEC to condemnation at slaughter is considerable.

In laying hens, two syndromes associated with infection with E. coli are known: the salpingitis/peritonitis/salpingoperitonitis syndrome (SPS) and the E. coli peritonitis syndrome (EPS). The former is associated with subacute and chronic inflammation in the oviduct and in the body cavity, whereas in the latter outbreaks result in acute mortality in laying hens, mainly early in the production period.

The problems we are facing now come from resistance to antibacterial drugs, an apparent increase of virulence and emergence of “new” syndromes, and the ever-increasing productive potential of our chickens rendering the birds more susceptible. The outcome of an infection with E. coli in broilers or laying hens depends on many issues. Of these issues, genetics, immune status, and intercurrent infections in the host on the one hand, and antimicrobial resistance, presence of virulence factors and antigenic composition in the bacteria on the other hand are of special interest.

In this module, we will focus on the pathogenesis as a result of the interaction between bacterium and host with attention for issues of importance for commercial poultry. A creative and original approach by the participants to existing problems will be encouraged.

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Schedule

Week 1. Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC): introduction and early infections 

  • Monday January 17, 9.00 – 11.00 CET Presentations (live, also recorded): 
    • Definition of APEC - Dr Matthijs 
    • Virulence factors -  Dr Zomer 
    • Colonization and translocation of E. coli -  DrZomer 
    • E. coli infections in the first week of life - Manders, DVM 
  • Monday January 17, 11.00 - 12.00 CET  Q&A (Asia, Europe, Africa)  
  • Monday January 17, 17.00 - 18.00 CET Q&A (Latin America, USA)  
  • Thursday January 20, 9.00 - 10.00 CET  Q&A (Asia, Europe, Africa)  
  • Thursday January 20, 15.00 - 16.00 CET Q&A (Latin America, USA)  

Week 2. Clinical manifestation and diagnostics of APEC 

  • Monday January 24, 9.00 – 11.00 CET Presentations (live, also recorded): 
    • Colibacillosis in broilers  - Dr Matthijs  
    • Colibacillosis in layers and breeders- Manders, DVM 
    • Diagnostic typing methods- Dr Zomer 
  • Monday January 24, 11.00 - 12.00 CET  Q&A (Asia, Europe, Africa)  
  • Monday January 24, 17.00 - 18.00 CET Q&A (Latin America, USA)  
  • Thursday January 27, 9.00 - 11.00 CET  Q&A, (Asia, Europe, Africa)  
  • Thursday January 27, 15.00 - 16.00 CET Q&A  (Latin America, USA)  

Week 3. Immunology and vaccination strategies  

  • Monday January 31, 9.00 – 11.00 CET  Presentations (live, also recorded) 
    • Immunology of E. coli infections - Dr Matthijs 
    • Vaccination strategies, E coli and viral vaccines- Prof Dr De Wit 
  • Monday January 31, 11.00 - 12.00 CET  Q&A (Asia, Europe, Africa)  
  • Monday January 31, 17.00 - 18.00 CET Q&A (Latin America, USA)  
  • Thursday February 3,  9.00 - 11.00 CET  Q&A (Asia, Europe, Africa)  
  • Thursday February 3, 15.00 - 16.00 CET Q&A  (Latin America, USA)  

Week 4. Prevention and treatment of colibacillosis 

  • Monday February 7, 9.00 – 11.00 CET  Presentations (live, also recorded) 
    • Prevention - Dr Matthijs 
    • Non-antibiotic treatment (sciencebased) - Dr Matthijs/Papanikolaou 
    • Antibiotic treatment and antimicrobial resistance - Prof Dr Wagenaar 
    • Summary - Prof Dr De Wit 
  • Monday February 7, 11.00 - 12.00 CET  Q&A (Asia, Europe, Africa) 
  • Monday February 7, 17.00 - 18.00 CET Q&A (Latin America, USA) 
  • Thursday February 10, 9.00 - 12.00 CET  Case studies, distribution of exam (Asia, Europe, Africa) 
  • Thursday February 10, 15.00 - 18.00 CET  Case studies, distribution of exam (Latin America, USA)  

Lecturers

M.G.R. (Mieke) Matthijs, DVM, PhD, EBVS European Specialist in Poultry Veterinary Science
Prof. J.A. (Jaap) Wagenaar, DVM, PhD, EBVS European Specialist in Veterinary Microbiology
Thijs Manders, DVM, EBVS European Specialist in Poultry Veterinary Science
A. L. (Aldert) Zomer, PhD
Andreas Papanikolaou, DVM
Prof. J.J. (Sjaak) de Wit, DVM, PhD, EBVS European Specialist in Poultry Veterinary Science

Contact

Lisa Dietz
Coordinator Continuing Education
ovp.vet@uu.nl
+31 6 34146737