Co-infection with Proteus mirabilis and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli aggravated liver injury in chickens by disrupting the jejunal barrier.

ABSTRACT: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), belong to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), causes colibacillosis in poultry, characterized by fibrinous inflammation of internal organs, high morbidity and mortality, economic losses, and food safety concerns. Proteus mirabilis is frequently isolated alongside APEC from diseased chickens, yet its role in colibacillosis remains unclear. As the intestinal lumen serves as a reservoir for both E. coli and P. mirabilis, it is possible that APEC triggers colibacillosis from the intestines, though this pathway has not been extensively studied. The present study orally gavaged chickens with an ExPEC strain with limited adhesion capacity and P. mirabilis to assess their combined impact on host health and explore potential pathogenesis. Co-inocula

SUBMITTER: Cen JQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12163152 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature