Poultry litter can harbor pathogenic bacteria, including avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). Applying litter amendments is one strategy to improve bird health and potentially reduce pathogens. Biochar and PLT were applied as litter amendments in a live bird trial to study their effects on E. coli populations, APEC virulence genes (VAG), and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Samples were collected at days 0, 17, 29, and 41 to enumerate E. coli and store bacterial isolates for antimicrobial-resistance gene analysis. Data analysis showed litter amendments did not significantly affect overall E. coli populations. Grow-out time impacted E. coli populations, with reductions occurring over time. Litter treatment had no impact on the prevalence of VAG or AMR. Time showed VAGs were absent at d 0 while AMR genes were prevalent at d 0. This indicates chicks may have been the source of VAG, while AMR genes were prevalent in used litter.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-7129 |
| Date | 10 May 2024 |
| Creators | Henson, Faith |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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