Antimicrobial Resistance and Prevalence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Dogs and Cats in Northeastern China from 2012 to 2021

Abstract

(1) Background: there has been a growing concern about pet-spread bacterial zoonosis in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the trend in drug-resistance of canine Escherichia coli isolates in northeast China between 2012–2021 and the differences in drug-resistance of E. coli of different origins in 2021. (2) Methods: E. coli were isolated from feces or anal swab samples from dogs and cats, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles and phylogenetic grouping were identified. PCR was applied on the extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli for antibiotic resistance genes. (3) Results: five hundred and fifty-four E. coli isolates were detected in 869 samples (63.75%). The multidrug resistance (MDR) rates of E. coli in pet dogs showed a decreasing trend, but working dogs showed the opposite trend. Resistance genes blaCTX-M and blaCTX-M+TEM were dominant among the ESBL producers (n = 219). The consistency between the resistance phenotypes and genes was high except for fluoroquinolone-resistant ESBL E. coli. All ESBL E. coli-carrying blaNDM were isolated from working dogs, and one of the strains carried mcr-1 and blaNDM-4. Phylogroup B2 was the dominant group in pet cats, and more than half of the isolates from companion cats were ESBL E. coli. (4) Conclusion: the measures taken to reduce resistance in China were beginning to bear fruit. Companion cats may be more susceptible to colonization by ESBL E. coli. The problem of resistant bacteria in working dogs and pet cats warrants concern.

Characteristics of MDR E. coli strains isolated from Pet Dogs with clinic diarrhea: A pool of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence-associated genes

“…Compared with previous studies in Sichuan, the detection rate of MDR strains among E . coli isolates from pet dogs decreased from 100% in 2017 [ 47 ] and 70% in 2018 [ 48 ] to 54.81% in our study during 2021–2022, which was similar to the trend observed in Northeast China (which decreased from 76.92% in 2012–2013 to 62.42% in 2021) [ 43 ]. The decrease in the MDR detection rate may be due to that the relevant authorities of China have released several policies to curb the increase in antimicrobial resistance in animal-derived bacteria [ 43 ].…”

Detection of antibiotic-resistant canine origin Escherichia coli and the synergistic effect of magnolol in reducing the resistance of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli

“…Although bla CTX − M −1 and bla CTX − M −15 , bla CTX − M −9 , and bla CTX − M −14 belong to the same gene group, some differences still exists in the molecular structures, which led us to a second hypothesis, that the prevalence of antibiotic-resistance genes may be related to geographic factors that affect the molecular characteristics of the genes. This hypothesis can be verified in northeastern China ( 33 ).…”

The Use of Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance in Veterinary Medicine, a Complex Phenomenon: A Narrative Review

“…Zhou et al [ 56 ] conducted a study investigating the prevalence of drug resistance phenotypes and ARGs of ESBL E. coli in dogs and cats in China. E. coli is one of the most common microorganisms in the intestinal flora and is continuously exposed to antibiotic selection pressure.…”

“…Moreover, the study found that ESBL E. coli had a higher prevalence in cats than in dogs, which differs from the findings of other research [ 64 ]. Zhou et al [ 56 ] hypothesized that this may be due to the higher use of third-generation cephalosporins in cats compared to dogs. Cats are less likely to take oral medication or medication in food, leading to a preference for injectable preparations [ 56 , 65 ].…”

“…Zhou et al [ 56 ] hypothesized that this may be due to the higher use of third-generation cephalosporins in cats compared to dogs. Cats are less likely to take oral medication or medication in food, leading to a preference for injectable preparations [ 56 , 65 ]. E. coli isolated from dogs and cats is highly similar to human isolates, increasing the potential for transferring resistant strains between species [ 66 ].…”