Disinfection by hydrogen peroxide nebulization increases susceptibility to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli

BACKGROUND: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) are the major cause of economic losses in the poultry industry worldwide. Traditionally, antibiotics are used to treat and prevent colibacillosis in broilers. Due to resistance development other ways of preventing/treating the disease have to be found. Therefore during this study the nebulization of low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) was tested in the presence of chickens to lower pathogenicity of APEC. RESULTS: Significantly higher total lesion scores and higher E. coli concentrations were found in the spleen of chickens exposed to 2 % H(2)O(2) compared to those exposed to 1 % H(2)O(2) and control chickens which had been exposed to nebulization with distilled water. Higher total lesions scores and E. coli concentrations in the spleen were found in chickens exposed to 1 % H(2)O(2) in comparison to control chickens (not significant). CONCLUSION: H(2)O(2) is rendering animals more prone to APEC infection contraindicating H(2)O(2) nebulization in the presence of chickens.