Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial pathogens is an emerging public health threat. This threat extends to pets as it also compromises our ability to treat their infections. Surveillance programs in the United States have traditionally focused on collecting data from food animals, foods, and people. The Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a national network of 45 veterinary diagnostic laboratories, tested the antimicrobial susceptibility of clinically relevant bacterial isolates from animals, with companion animal species represented for the first time in a monitoring program. During 2017, we systematically collected and tested 1968 isolates. To identify genetic determinants associated with AMR and the potential genetic relatedness of animal and human strains, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 192 isolates: 69 Salmonella enterica (all animal sources), 63 Escherichia coli (dogs), and 60 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (dogs). Results We found that most Salmonella isolates (46/69, 67%) had no known resistance genes. Several isolates from both food and companion animals, however, showed genetic relatedness to isolates from humans. For pathogenic E. coli , no resistance genes were identified in 60% (38/63) of the isolates. Diverse resistance patterns were observed, and one of the isolates had predicted resistance to fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, important antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine. For S. pseudintermedius , we observed a bimodal distribution of resistance genes, with some isolates having a diverse array of resistance mechanisms, including the mecA gene (19/60, 32%). Conclusion The findings from this study highlight the critical importance of veterinary diagnostic laboratory data as part of any national antimicrobial resistance surveillance program. The finding of some highly resistant bacteria from companion animals, and the observation of isolates related to those isolated from humans demonstrates the public health significance of incorporating companion animal data into surveillance systems. Vet-LIRN will continue to build the infrastructure to collect the data necessary to perform surveillance of resistant bacteria as part of fulfilling its mission to advance human and animal health. A One Health approach to AMR surveillance programs is crucial and must include data from humans, animals, and environmental sources to be effective. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-019-1864-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A strain of lactic acid bacteria, designated 159469T, isolated from a facial abscess in a sugar glider, was characterized genetically and phenotypically. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, coccoid and catalase-negative. Morphological, physiological and phylogenetic data indicated that the isolate belongs to the genus Lactococcus. Strain 159469T was closely related to Lactococcus garvieae ATCC 43921T, showing 95.86 and 98.08 % sequence similarity in 16S rRNA gene and rpoB gene sequences, respectively. Furthermore, a pairwise average nucleotide identity blast (ANIb) value of 93.54 % and in silico DNA–DNA hybridization value of 50.7  % were determined for the genome of strain 159469T, when compared with the genome of the type strain of Lactococcus garvieae. Based on the data presented here, the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Lactococcus, for which the name Lactococcus petauri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 159469T (=LMG 30040T=DSM 104842T).

In total, 181 streptococci-like bacteria isolated from intramammary infections (IMI) were submitted by a veterinary clinic to Quality Milk Production Services (QMPS, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY). The isolates were characterized by sequence analysis, and 46 Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis and 47 Lactococcus garvieae were tested for susceptibility to 17 antibiotics. No resistant strains were found for β-lactam antibiotics widely used in clinical practice (penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin), and all minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were far from the resistance breakpoints. Eight strains had MIC intermediate to cefazolin. The random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR fingerprint patterns showed a slightly higher heterogeneity for Lc. lactis ssp. lactis isolates than for Lc. garvieae isolates.

Rapid screening for enteric bacterial pathogens in clinical environments is essential for biosecurity. Salmonella found in veterinary hospitals, particularly Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin, can pose unique challenges for culture and testing because of its poor growth. Multiple Salmonella serovars including Dublin are emerging threats to public health given increasing prevalence and antimicrobial resistance. We adapted an automated food testing method to veterinary samples and evaluated the performance of the method in a variety of matrices including environmental samples ( n = 81), tissues ( n = 52), feces ( n = 148), and feed ( n = 29). A commercial kit was chosen as the basis for this approach in view of extensive performance characterizations published by multiple independent organizations. A workflow was established for efficiently and accurately testing veterinary matrices and environmental samples by use of real-time PCR after selective enrichment in Rappaport-Vassiliadis soya (RVS) medium. Using this method, the detection limit for S. Dublin improved by 100-fold over subculture on selective agars (eosin-methylene blue, brilliant green, and xylose-lysine-deoxycholate). Overall, the procedure was effective in detecting Salmonella spp. and provided next-day results.

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OBJECTIVE Brucella canis is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen of dogs that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Humans can become infected with B canis when an infected pet dog is brought into their home. Our objectives were to describe the clinical presentation and outcomes in dogs treated for B canis and evaluate the performance of the quantitative serologic canine Brucella multiplex (CBM) assay for monitoring treatment response. ANIMALS Diagnostic records from the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University were retrospectively reviewed (2017–2022) for dogs that underwent repeat B canis serologic testing. Medical records were requested to compare the clinical presentations and outcomes for dogs that underwent treatment for B canis. Changes in CBM antibody values were compared between dogs with and without resolution of clinical signs. RESULTS While treatment protocols varied in the 30 treated dogs meeting the inclusion criteria, poly-antimicrobial therapy was prescribed in 97% (29/30) of cases. Gait abnormalities, spinal pain, and discospondylitis were the most common clinical abnormalities. A difference (P value = .0075) in the percent decrease in CBM assay PO1 antibody values was found in dogs with resolved clinical signs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Young dogs presenting with recurring lameness or back pain should be screened for B canis infection. A 40% decline in CBM assay values 2 to 6 months posttreatment can be supportive of response to treatment. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the ideal B canis treatment regimen and the magnitude of public health risks associated with maintaining neutered B canis-infected animals as pets.

ObjectiveTo describe clinical characteristics, bacterial isolates, and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for cats with bacterial keratitis.Animals StudiedEighty one cats with bacterial keratitis.ProceduresMedical records of cats with a clinical diagnosis of bacterial keratitis, confirmed by corneal culture, were reviewed from June 2004 to July 2017. Animal signalment, bacterial isolates, aerobic bacteria in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility test results, and pertinent clinical features were recorded. Percentages of susceptible aerobic bacterial isolates were statistically compared among selected antimicrobials.ResultsThere were 102 aerobic bacterial isolates recovered from corneal samples of the 81 cats presented with bacterial keratitis. The most frequent bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus species, which constituted 55% (56/102) of total isolates. All aerobic bacterial isolates grouped together had the highest percentage of susceptibility to ofloxacin (100%), ciprofloxacin (94%), chloramphenicol (93%), doxycycline (92%), ticarcillin (90%), gentamicin (89%), moxifloxacin (89%), tobramycin (86%), neomycin (85%), amikacin (84%), and cefazolin (84%). The same isolates had the lowest percentage of susceptibility to polymyxin B (2%), bacitracin (15%), and clindamycin (31%). When analyzed separately, the isolated Staphylococcus species had the highest percentage of susceptibility to ofloxacin (100%), tobramycin (93%), and neomycin (85%) and the lowest percentage of susceptibility to polymyxin B (3%) and bacitracin (13%).ConclusionsMembers of the Staphylococcus genus were the most frequent bacteria isolated from cases of feline bacterial keratitis. On the basis of in vitro susceptibility testing and mechanism of action, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ticarcillin, gentamicin, or moxifloxacin are recommended for initial antimicrobial therapy of suspected bacterial keratitis in cats.

Capnocytophaga keratitis is a severe, rapidly progressive corneal infection in dogs that is associated with diffuse corneal involvement, extensive keratomalacia, and a relatively poor prognosis. Clinical features of canine Capnocytophaga keratitis are similar to human cases of this infection.