الفهرس 
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Abstract
Poultry, particularly chicken, is considered as an important
source of animal-derived protein. The increasing competition in meat
markets gives rise to the necessity of more and more efficient and
competitive production. In this regard, production rates are
fundamentally controlled by the sanitary aspects of the breeding stock
The association of Escherichia coli strains with disease
conditions in avian species was recognized over a century ago, but
these strains were never accorded a special status. Escherichia coli,
which is part of the normal microbiota of birds in intestinal and
respiratory tracts, was considered as a potential pathogen. Lesions in
which E. coli is the primary and often the secondary agent cause
economic damage due to lower corporal development, insufficient
feed conversion, increasing mortality, higher cost with medicine, and
condemnation of carcasses.
Today, E. coli strains causing systemic disease in poultry
(avian colibacillosis) is termed avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC).
Colibacillosis is a disease of economic significance to all poultry
producers and is characterized by a diverse array of lesions. APEC
strains fall under the category of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli,
which are characterized by the possession of virulence factors that
enable them to live extraintestinallife.
The aim of this study was to screen the epidemiological
surveillance of APEC from various avian species distributed in
Sharkia govemorate, Egypt including chicken, duck, turkey, pigeon,
quail and ibis using the traditional diagnostic tools including
bacteriological, biochemical and serological examinations.