Autogenous Escherichia coli Vaccine Application as an Innovative Antimicrobial Therapy in Poultry Farming—A Case Report

Abstract

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most common bacterial causes of infection in poultry farming. Whether the infection is localized or systemic, a primary or secondary disease, it is most frequently treated through the application of wide-spectrum antimicrobials. Excessive use of antimicrobials in agriculture is significantly contributing to the worldwide rise of antimicrobial resistance, but is also very expensive and often ineffective in the long term. Here, we present a case where a colibacillosis outbreak on a family farm of laying hens was treated using an autogenous vaccine. The birds had septicemia, cellulitis, and severe skin wounds. They were not vaccinated against E. coli, and did not receive any antimicrobials previously. E. coli strains were isolated from the daily mortalities on the farm and used for preparation of the vaccine. Each bird was given an intramuscular injection of the autogenous vaccine. The immunogenicity of the vaccine was tested by the determination of specific antibody levels in the sera of the birds using the in-house ELISA. Shortly after vaccination, the morbidity and mortality rates significantly decreased, and egg production was improved. The application of the autogenous vaccine served as a curative and preventive measure, and has proven to be a very efficient method of antimicrobial therapy.

Vaccine Immunogenicity versus Gastrointestinal Microbiome Status: Implications for Poultry Production

“…Furthermore, the implications for the enrichment of these genera in a bird's cecal pouch are not yet understood [95]. In response to antibiotic-free production practices, avian pathogenic E. coli vaccination programs are being integrated into commercial poultry management to reduce the prevalence of colibacillosis in flocks [96][97][98][99]. For example, Beirão et al [98] vaccinated Cobb broiler chicks with a commercially available aroA-deleted E. coli vaccine and assessed the cecal microbiota.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Bacterial Vaccines Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in Poultry

“…Lozica et al [ 81 ] reported that an autonomous E. coli vaccine significantly reduced morbidity and mortality and increased egg production in poultry. Several studies showed that an E. coli vaccine, Poulvac® (Zoetis, Parsippany, NJ, USA) effectively worked against the avian pathogenic E. coli in poultry [ 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 ].…”

Veterinary Autogenous Vaccines for Poultry in Europe—Many Ways to Crack an Egg

“…Vaccination is one of the pillars of E. coli control and is recently becoming even more important as disease control by antimicrobials is limited because of increasing antimicrobial resistance and stricter regulations on antibiotic use (81). As E. coli strains have high genetic and antigenic diversity, licensed vaccines are often ineffective in individual disease outbreaks (28).…”

“…In laying hens, the use of an autogenous vaccine in affected flocks may help to reduce morbidity and mortality and lessen the impact on egg production. Furthermore, it may provide an efficient protective measure without the disadvantages of egg contamination and the associated withdrawal period required after antibiotic treatment (81). Interesting insights on the importance of clinical models of infections to assess vaccine efficacy in the case of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) were reported by researchers in Denmark.…”