Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance in commensal Escherichia coli from pigs and broiler chickens

Abstract

Escherichia coli is an important part of the gut flora of all warm-blooded vertebrates. So far research has focused on the few types of E. coli that cause disease, while the large group of harmless, commensal E. coli has been neglected. We do not know how diverse this group is, what determines its diversity, and to which extend it is a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes and genes that can enhance the disease potential of pathogenic E. coli. This PhD study was conducted in order to improve our understanding of the commensal E. coli population in pigs and broilers.