Escherichia coli (E.coli) infections pose significant health risks to poultry and humans globally. In
the face of antibiotic-resistant strains, metal oxide nanoparticles and plant extracts have emerged as
promising alternatives. This study evaluated the effectiveness of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and
black elderberry extract (BEE) against E.coli O78 infection in specific pathogen-free chicks. The birds were
divided into four groups: a negative control NC, a positive control (PC; challenged with E.coli O78), CuONPs treatment post-challenge, and BEE treatment post-challenge. Various parameters, including clinical
signs, organ lesions, bacterial load, biochemical markers, and histopathology, were assessed. Both CuO-NPs
and BEE demonstrated a reduction in clinical morbidity, organ damage, and E. coli counts compared to the
PC. However, BEE exhibited slightly greater efficacy in alleviating liver and kidney dysfunction. Overall,
CuO-NPs and BEE hold therapeutic potential against avian colibacillosis, likely acting through antimicrobial
and immunomodulatory mechanisms. These findings underscore the potential of bio-based nanoparticles and
plant extracts as safer, multi- modal alternatives to antibiotics for avian colibacillosis. Further optimization
and mechanistic studies are needed to support their clinical application |
