Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is an agent associated with colibacillosis and an important primary pathogen with responsible for significant economic losses in chickens. This study investigated the molecular characteristics including virulence and antimicrobial resistance of serotype O78 APEC isolates, the predominant serotype, in Korea. Among 16 O78 APEC isolates, 13 isolates carried the genes conferring resistance to ß-lactam (blaTEM), aminoglycoside [aac(3)-II], plasmid-mediated quinolone (qnrA), tetracycline (tetA and tetB), sulfonamide (sul1 and sul2), or chloramphenicol (catA1). Three isolates showed resistance to gentamicin and carried aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme gene, aac(3)-II, simultaneously. Ten O78 APEC isolates showed resistance to nalidixic acid, but only qnrA gene among plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes was detected in one isolate. The tetA and tetB genes were also detected in nine and two isolates, respectively. In distribution of phylogenetic groups, four O78 APEC isolates only belonged to group D. But all isolates carried three to five essential virulence genes regardless of phylogenetic groups. Virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of the most predominant serotype, O78, in chickens tested in this study can be significant role in persistence of APEC in Korea.

• Mi Young Yoon(College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University/Samhwa GPS Breeding Agri. Inc.)
• Young Ju Lee(College of Veterinary Medicine & Zoonoses Research Institute, Kyungpook National University) Corresponding Author