The genetic network underlying the evolution of pathogenicity in avian Escherichia coli
IntroductionColibacillosis is a worldwide prevalent disease in poultry production linked to Escherichia coli strains that belong to the avian pathogenic E.coli (APEC) pathotype.While many virulence factors have been linked to APEC isolates, no single gene or set of genes has been found to be exclusively associated with the pathotype.Moreover, a com