Caecal microbiota composition of broiler chickens colonised and non colonised with ESBL Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli strains expressing Extended Spectrum ß lactamases (ESBL-Ec) have emerged globally in livestock with a high prevalence in poultry production. The chicken’s caeca harbours complex and dynamic microbial communities. Among them, E. coli is a ubiquitous early coloniser and a potential reservoir for ESBL plasmid dissemination. This study aims to understand the successional dynamics of the broilers caecal microbiome of ESBL-colonised (ESBL-Co-B) and non-colonised broiler chickens (ESBL-Non-Co-B) and identify any existing microbial composition differences therein.