Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strains to Last Resort Human Antibiotics Isolated from Healthy Companion Animals in Valencia Region

Abstract

Failure in antibiotic therapies due to the increase in antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria is one of the main threats to public and animal health. In recent decades, the perception of companion animals has changed, from being considered as a work tool to a household member, creating a family bond and sharing spaces in their daily routine. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the current epidemiological situation regarding the presence of AMR and multidrug resistance (MDR) in companion animals in the Valencia Region, using the indicator bacteria Escherichia coli as a sentinel. For this purpose, 244 samples of dogs and cats were collected from veterinary centres to assess antimicrobial susceptibility against a panel of 22 antibiotics with public health relevance. A total of 197 E. coli strains were isolated from asymptomatic dogs and cats. The results showed AMR against all the 22 antibiotics studied, including those critically important to human medicine. Moreover, almost 50% of the strains presented MDR. The present study revealed the importance of monitoring AMR and MDR trends in companion animals, as they could pose a risk due to the spread of AMR and its resistance genes to humans, other animals and the environment they cohabit.

Microbiological Survey and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Microorganisms Obtained from Suspect Cases of Canine Otitis Externa in Gran Canaria, Spain

“…The frequency of MDR detection for E. coli was comparable with current reports [15]. In general terms, the MDR rates described agree with the current AMR scenario, where the increase in prevalence of resistance phenotypes and the public health concern have been the main drivers behind the development of specific national and transnational strategies focused on controlling the alarming distribution of AMR resistant phenotypes [65].…”

Exploring the Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella and commensal Escherichia coli from Non-Traditional Companion Animals: A Pilot Study

“…In this study, E. coli was used, as it is considered a sentinel due to its ability to harbour AMR genes and transmit them to other commensal or pathogenic bacteria [37]. Regarding its prevalence, although more strains of E. coli than Salmonella have been isolated in the sampled species, this prevalence (27.8%) is not as high as that observed in traditional companion animals, such as dogs and cats, where the normal prevalence is around 80% [38]. Although this is not the expected result, as this commensal bacterium is present in the digestive tract of all animals, mainly mammals, it seems like a normal result, as similar prevalence has been found in other studies conducted in Canada [27] and the USA [39].…”

Multidrug-Resistant Commensal and Infection-Causing Staphylococcus spp. Isolated from Companion Animals in the Valencia Region

“…The information collected was related to the origin of the animals (VH vs. VC) and general information such as sex and age. Regarding the age of the animals, a general classification described by Marco-Fuertes et al (2023) was used to group dogs and cats [ 24 ]. Moreover, whether they cohabit with other animals and the clinical data of each animal were included (chronic diseases, daily medication, and antibiotic treatment received).…”