Molecular Characterization of Escherichia coli Associated Haemorrhagic Gastroenteritis and Concurrent Sepsis in Canine Population in Patna

The present study was conducted to determine the molecular incidence of Escherichia coli-associated haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) and its concurrent occurrence with sepsis in canine clinical cases presented to the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Bihar Veterinary College, Patna. Screening of suspected cases was initially performed based on characteristic clinical symptoms, following which fecal samples were subjected to molecular confirmation using PCR. Of the 150 fecal samples examined, 71 (47.33%) were found positive for E. coli. Among the affected dogs, Mongrels exhibited the highest incidence (35.21%, n=25) of the PCR-confirmed cases. Age-wise younger dogs were more susceptible, with puppies aged 3-6 months showing the highest incidence at 45.07% (n=32). A sex-wise greater prevalence was noted in males (63.38%, n=45) compared to females. Additionally, among the 71 PCR-confirmed HGE cases, 42 dogs were positive for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), yielding an overall SIRS occurrence of 59.2%. These findings highlight the significant involvement of E. coli in canine HGE and underscore its association with systemic inflammatory complications.