Kajian Awal Sifat Fenotipik Escherichia coli Patogen Asal Ayam Broiler dalam Upaya Pencegahan Kolibasilosis di Peternakan

Preliminary Study on the Phenotypic Characteristics of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolated from Broiler Chickens for the Prevention of Colibacillosis in Poultry Farms

Abstract

Escherichia coli (E. coli) merupakan bakteri oportunistik yang dapat bersifat patogen pada unggas, terutama tipe Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) yang menjadi penyebab utama kolibasilosis. Penyakit ini berkontribusi terhadap penurunan performa produksi, peningkatan mortalitas, serta kerugian ekonomi pada peternakan ayam broiler. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengkaji karakter fenotipik E. coli sebagai langkah awal memahami potensi patogenitasnya untuk pencegahan kolibasilosis. Sebanyak 20 isolat E. coli diperoleh dari sekum ayam broiler yang dipotong di Rumah Potong Unggas (RPU). Isolat dikultur pada media MacConkey Agar (MCA), Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA), Blood Agar (BA), dan Congo Red Agar (CRA), dilanjutkan dengan pewarnaan Gram serta uji biokimia untuk mengidentifikasi karakter fenotipik. Pengamatan terhadap morfologi koloni dan hasil uji biokimia digunakan untuk menentukan potensi patogenitas isolat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan dua isolat (10%) memiliki karakter fenotipik menyerupai APEC, ditandai dengan koloni mukoid putih tanpa hemolisis pada BA dan koloni merah pada CRA, sedangkan delapan belas isolat lainnya (90%) menunjukkan karakter non-patogen. Kajian fenotipik penting sebagai pendekatan awal mendeteksi isolat E. coli patogen serta dasar analisis molekuler dan strategi biosekuriti di peternakan ayam broiler.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an opportunistic bacterium that can become pathogenic in poultry, particularly the Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) type, which is the primary cause of colibacillosis. This disease contributes to reduced performance, increased mortality, and economic losses in broiler chicken farms. This study aimed to examine the phenotypic characteristics of E. coli as an initial step in understanding its pathogenic potential for colibacillosis prevention. A total of 20 E. coli isolates were obtained from the ceca of broiler chickens collected during slaughter at a Poultry Slaughterhouse (RPU). The isolates were cultured on MacConkey Agar (MCA), Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMBA), Blood Agar (BA), and Congo Red Agar (CRA), followed by Gram staining and biochemical tests to identify their phenotypic characteristics. Observations on colony morphology and biochemical test results were used to determine the potential pathogenicity of each isolate. The results showed that two isolates (10%) exhibited phenotypic characteristics like APEC, characterized by mucoid white colonies without hemolysis on BA and red colonies on CRA, while the remaining eighteen isolates (90%) exhibited non-pathogenic characteristics. Based on these findings, phenotypic evaluation serves as an important preliminary approach to detect potentially pathogenic E. coli isolates in the field and provides a basis for further molecular analysis and the implementation of biosecurity strategies in broiler farms.