Aim: Present study was undertaken to find out the frequency of few virulent genes and prevalence of related strains of Escherichia coli isolated from chicken meat obtained from chicken retail shops by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).Materials and Methods: 66 samples of freshly slaughtered chicken meat were collected from 22 identified retail shops located at Mumbai city, randomly. Processed meat samples were cultured in EMB agar and presumptive colonies were confirmed by various biochemical tests. PCR method was accustomed for identification of the genes coding for heat-stable enterotoxin a (STa), heat labile enterotoxin (LT), shiga-like toxins 1 and 2 (SLT1 and SLT2). E. coli isolates were sent to National Salmonella and Escherichia Centre, CRI, Kasauli, HP, India for serotyping.Results: 11 (16.67%) E. coli strains were isolated from 66 chicken meat samples. 3 (27.27%) out of 11 harbored the gene for SLT2, and 2 (18.18%) for STa. None of the strain contains SLT1 and LT genes. Serotypes detected were rough, O2, O20, O22, O102 each for one isolate and 6 isolates were untypable (UT). Conclusion:The results concluded that chicken meat samples analysed harbored genes for shiga like toxins and enterotoxins and different serotypes of E. coli. These findings indicating that regular monitoring of chicken meat is essential for this pathogen to prevent potential public health problems.

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The present experimental trial was conducted to assess the effect of Punica granatum peel powder (PPP) and antibiotic (Doxycycline + Neomycin) against induced E.coli infection in Kaveri birds. 120 day old Kaveri birds were randomly divided into 6 groups (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5). The Kaveri birds in Group-T0 were kept as healthy control. At the age of 8th day, Group-T1 birds were given oral dose of E. coli broth containing 0.3-0.5ml (1x109CFU/ml), Group-T2 were given broth of E. coli @ 0.3-0.5ml and PPP @ 1% of feed daily for 29 days, Group-T3 were given broth of E. coli @ 0.3-0.5ml and antibiotic @ 1gm/10 kg B.W through drinking water for 7 days. Group-T4 were given broth of E. coli @ 0.3-0.5ml and antibiotic @ 1gm/10kg B.W for 7 days through water and PPP @ 1% of feed for 7 days while, Group-T5 were given PPP @ 1% of feed daily. At day 0, 7th, 14th and 28th day intervals, haematobiochemical parameters were recorded at weekly intervals. The E.coli infected Kaveri birds showed significant alterations in haematobiochemical parameter at 7th and 14th day post infection intervals of trial. The treatment of PPP through feed against induced E.coli infection given in Kaveri birds played partial protective role. The antibiotic (Doxycycline + Neomycin) treatment found to be efficacious against induced E.coli infection at 7th and 14th post infection interval. The combination of antibiotic through water with PPP through feed had significant efficacious role than individual treatment at 7th and 14th post infection interval.