PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI INFECTION IN DISEASED CHICKENS FROM COMMERCIAL FARMS IN NORTHWEST, NIGERIA

Escherichia coli infection is an economically important disease causing mortality and reduced productivity in poultry production system. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with Escherichia coli infection in disease chickens from commercial farms in Sokoto and Kebbi States, Nigeria. A total of 450 cloacal swabs were collected, screened and analyzed using standard culture, isolation biochemical characterization, and confirmed using PCR. Following polymerase chain reaction techniques one hundred and one 101 (22.4%) isolates were confirmed to be Escherichia coli. From logistic regression analysis, four factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of E. coli infection (p < 0.05), which includes, chicken type, production system, farms categories and age categories. Large-scale farms had a significantly higher sample prevalence (13.3%) of Escherichia coli infection than other farm categories. layers had the highest prevalence (13.8%) of E. coli infection as compared with broilers (8.9%). Also practicing deep liter system was an important risk factor for the prevalence of Escherichia coli infection than battery cage systems in the study areas. Based on the study findings, Escherichia coli infection in disease chickens from commercial farms the study areas. Farms, especially large-scale commercial ones, should implement stricter biosecurity practices to reduce the spread of E. coli, particularly in deep litter systems. Regular disinfection and restriction of farm access should be prioritized.