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

Abstract

Escherichia coli (E. coli) 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 E. coli, including avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), presents risks at multiple stages of the poultry production cycle. The stages affected by E. coli 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 E. coli 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 E. coli 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 E. coli. 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 E. coli surveillance is poised to play a transformative role in sustainable poultry production and global food safety.

Keywords: Escherichia coli; One Health; antimicrobial resistance; avian pathogenic E. coli; biosensors; foodborne pathogens; point-of-care testing; poultry diagnostics.

Figure 1

Forms of pathogenic Escherichia coli and their Virulence Factors. The virulence factors of ETEC, EPEC, EHEC, EIEC, EAEC, APEC, and ESBL-EC are provided in a visual representation along with their clinical consequence(s). Created in BioRender. Risalvato, J. https://BioRender.com/zsiucc2, (accessed on 2 June 2025).

Figure 2

A comparison of immunological biosensors, nucleic acid-based biosensors, and nanomaterial-based biosensors and their principles, key features, and examples of in-the-field use for Escherichia coli detection in the poultry industry. References [57,58,59,60,61,62,63,64,65,66,67]. Created in BioRender. Risalvato, J. https://BioRender.com/w4ft2qs, (accessed on 2 June 2025).

Figure 3

How strategic implementation of biosensors for foodborne pathogen detection in poultry slaughterhouse and marketplace quality control can lead to improved food safety benefits. Created in BioRender. Risalvato, J. https://BioRender.com/rxnvvd0, (accessed on 2 June 2025).