Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies

<i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) remains a major concern in poultry production due to its ability to incite foodborne illness and public health crisis, zoonotic potential, and the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains. The contamination of poultry prod...

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Main Authors: Jacquline Risalvato, Alaa H. Sewid, Shigetoshi Eda, Richard W. Gerhold, Jie Jayne Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biosensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/7/419
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author Jacquline Risalvato
Alaa H. Sewid
Shigetoshi Eda
Richard W. Gerhold
Jie Jayne Wu
author_facet Jacquline Risalvato
Alaa H. Sewid
Shigetoshi Eda
Richard W. Gerhold
Jie Jayne Wu
author_sort Jacquline Risalvato
collection DOAJ
description <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) remains a major concern in poultry production due to its ability to incite foodborne illness and public health crisis, zoonotic potential, and the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains. The contamination of poultry products with pathogenic <i>E. coli</i>, including avian pathogenic <i>E. coli</i> (APEC) and Shiga toxin-producing <i>E. coli</i> (STEC), presents risks at multiple stages of the poultry production cycle. The stages affected by <i>E. coli</i> range from, but are not limited to, the hatcheries to grow-out operations, slaughterhouses, and retail markets. While traditional detection methods such as culture-based assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are well-established for <i>E. coli</i> detection in the food supply chain, their time, cost, and high infrastructure demands limit their suitability for rapid and field-based surveillance—hindering the ability for effective cessation and handling of outbreaks. Biosensors have emerged as powerful diagnostic tools that offer rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective alternatives for <i>E. coli</i> detection across various stages of poultry development and processing where detection is needed. This review examines current biosensor technologies designed to detect bacterial biomarkers, toxins, antibiotic resistance genes, and host immune response indicators for <i>E. coli</i>. Emphasis is placed on field-deployable and point-of-care (POC) platforms capable of integrating into poultry production environments. In addition to enhancing early pathogen detection, biosensors support antimicrobial resistance monitoring, facilitate integration into Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, and align with the One Health framework by improving both animal and public health outcomes. Their strategic implementation in slaughterhouse quality control and marketplace testing can significantly reduce contamination risk and strengthen traceability in the poultry value chain. As biosensor technology continues to evolve, its application in <i>E. coli</i> surveillance is poised to play a transformative role in sustainable poultry production and global food safety.
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spelling doaj-art-ff915f2ee3104ec7ad0f5f0fe5c8934c2025-08-20T03:36:14ZengMDPI AGBiosensors2079-63742025-07-0115741910.3390/bios15070419Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor TechnologiesJacquline Risalvato0Alaa H. Sewid1Shigetoshi Eda2Richard W. Gerhold3Jie Jayne Wu4Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USASchool of Natural Resources, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996, USASchool of Natural Resources, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN 37996, USABiomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USADepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA<i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>) remains a major concern in poultry production due to its ability to incite foodborne illness and public health crisis, zoonotic potential, and the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains. The contamination of poultry products with pathogenic <i>E. coli</i>, including avian pathogenic <i>E. coli</i> (APEC) and Shiga toxin-producing <i>E. coli</i> (STEC), presents risks at multiple stages of the poultry production cycle. The stages affected by <i>E. coli</i> range from, but are not limited to, the hatcheries to grow-out operations, slaughterhouses, and retail markets. While traditional detection methods such as culture-based assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are well-established for <i>E. coli</i> detection in the food supply chain, their time, cost, and high infrastructure demands limit their suitability for rapid and field-based surveillance—hindering the ability for effective cessation and handling of outbreaks. Biosensors have emerged as powerful diagnostic tools that offer rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective alternatives for <i>E. coli</i> detection across various stages of poultry development and processing where detection is needed. This review examines current biosensor technologies designed to detect bacterial biomarkers, toxins, antibiotic resistance genes, and host immune response indicators for <i>E. coli</i>. Emphasis is placed on field-deployable and point-of-care (POC) platforms capable of integrating into poultry production environments. In addition to enhancing early pathogen detection, biosensors support antimicrobial resistance monitoring, facilitate integration into Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, and align with the One Health framework by improving both animal and public health outcomes. Their strategic implementation in slaughterhouse quality control and marketplace testing can significantly reduce contamination risk and strengthen traceability in the poultry value chain. As biosensor technology continues to evolve, its application in <i>E. coli</i> surveillance is poised to play a transformative role in sustainable poultry production and global food safety.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/7/419<i>Escherichia coli</i>avian pathogenic <i>E. coli</i>poultry diagnosticsbiosensorsfoodborne pathogensantimicrobial resistance
spellingShingle Jacquline Risalvato
Alaa H. Sewid
Shigetoshi Eda
Richard W. Gerhold
Jie Jayne Wu
Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies
Biosensors
<i>Escherichia coli</i>
avian pathogenic <i>E. coli</i>
poultry diagnostics
biosensors
foodborne pathogens
antimicrobial resistance
title Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies
title_full Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies
title_fullStr Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies
title_full_unstemmed Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies
title_short Strategic Detection of <i>Escherichia coli</i> in the Poultry Industry: Food Safety Challenges, One Health Approaches, and Advances in Biosensor Technologies
title_sort strategic detection of i escherichia coli i in the poultry industry food safety challenges one health approaches and advances in biosensor technologies
topic <i>Escherichia coli</i>
avian pathogenic <i>E. coli</i>
poultry diagnostics
biosensors
foodborne pathogens
antimicrobial resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/15/7/419
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