biostudies-literatureUnknown104(2)Khan FEscherichia coli (E. coli) is a widely distributed pathogenic bacterium that poses a substantial hazard to poultry, leading to the development of a severe systemic disease known as colibacillosis. Colibacillosis is involved in multimillion-dollar losses to the poultry industry each year worldwide. Avian pathogenic E. coli is also involved in causing meningitis and urinary tract infections in humans. This creates a significant risk to public health. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant illnesses and the failure of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine have led to a pressing demand for alternate approaches. This study investigates the possibility of bacteriophages as an acceptable substitute for antibiotics in managing E. coli infections in poultry. In the current study, twPoultry science104790https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11773471biostudies-literatureBacteriophages RCF and 1-6bf can control the growth of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.PMC11773471Naseem HKhan FAlvi IAsif MRehman ARehman SUfalseBacteriophages RCF and 1-6bf can control the growth of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a widely distributed pathogenic bacterium that poses a substantial hazard to poultry, leading to the development of a severe systemic disease known as colibacillosis. Colibacillosis is involved in multimillion-dollar losses to the poultry industry each year worldwide. Avian pathogenic E. coli is also involved in causing meningitis and urinary tract infections in humans. This creates a significant risk to public health. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant illnesses and the failure of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine have led to a pressing demand for alternate approaches. This study investigates the possibility of bacteriophages as an acceptable substitute for antibiotics in managing E. coli infections in poultry. In the current study, tw2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2026-04-08T19:50:24.863Z2025-04-05T09:32:38.587ZS-EPMC117734713980891510.1016/j.psj.2025.104790