Antimicrobial‐resistantEnterobacteriaceaerecovered from companion animal and livestock environments

Abstract

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria represent an important concern impacting both veterinary medicine and public health. The rising prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC beta-lactamase, carbapenemase (CRE) and fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae continually decreases the efficiency of clinically important antibiotics. Moreover, the potential for zoonotic transmission of antibiotic-resistant enteric bacteria increases the risk to public health. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria on human contact surfaces in various animal environments. Environmental surface samples were collected from companion animal shelters, private equine facilities, dairy farms, livestock auction markets and livestock areas of county fairs using electrostatic cloths. Samples were screened for Enterobacteriaceae expressing AmpC, ESBL, CRE or fluoroquinolone resistance using selective media. Livestock auction markets and county fairs had higher levels of bacteria expressing both cephalosporin and fluoroquinolone resistance than did equine, dairy, and companion animal environments. Equine facilities harboured more bacteria expressing cephalosporin resistance than companion animal shelters, but less fluoroquinolone resistance. The regular use of extended-spectrum cephalosporins in livestock populations could account for the increased levels of cephalosporin resistance in livestock environments compared to companion animal and equine facilities. Human surfaces, as well as shared human and animal surfaces, were contaminated with resistant bacteria regardless of species environment. Detecting these bacteria on common human contact surfaces suggests that the environment can serve as a reservoir for the zoonotic transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. Identifying interventions to lower the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animal environments will protect both animal and public health.

Prevalence, risk factors, and characterization of multidrug resistant and extended spectrum β‐lactamase/AmpC β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli in healthy horses in France in 2015

“…Thus, its common use by horse practitioners may promote ESBL/AmpC gene persistence in this species. Nevertheless, the occurrence of ESBL/AmpC genes in other animal species and in the environment is a global problem affecting both animal and public health and also may contribute to the prevalence of ESBL/AmpC genes in horses. Although most ESBL/AmpC‐positive isolates in our study were commensals, ESBL/AmpC genes may be transmissible to potential pathogenic or zoonotic strains.…”

ESBL-Producing, Carbapenem- and Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Belgian and Dutch Broiler and Pig Farms: A Cross-Sectional and Cross-Border Study

“…Currently, the increasing resistance in Gram-negative enteric bacilli receives special attention because of the potential horizontal spread to pathogens [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-production and carbapenem and fluoroquinolone resistance result in a decreased efficiency of critically important antibiotics, such as third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins, meropenem and ciprofloxacin [ 6 , 7 ]. Resistance to these substances in intestinal bacteria of animals has become a threat to human health because of the potential risk of spread to humans [ 8 ].…”

Enterobacter cloacae Complex Sequence Type 171 Isolates Expressing KPC-4 Carbapenemase Recovered from Canine Patients in Ohio

“…While an assessment of the frequency of carbapenem usage in companion animals has not been reported, pharmacokinetic studies have been performed, and companion animal dosage recommendations for imipenem and meropenem are available in veterinary medical textbooks (6)(7)(8). Moreover, extended-spectrum ␤-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC ␤-lactamase-mediated resistance among Enterobacteriaceae isolates obtained from dogs and cats is common, indicating a potential justification for carbapenem administration (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”