Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in enteric Escherichia coli from domestic pets and assessment of associated risk markers using a generalized linear mixed model

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global public health problem, which is caused by the use of antimicrobials in both human and animal medical practice. The objectives of the present cross-sectional study were as follows: (1) to determine the prevalence of resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from the feces of pets from the Porto region of Portugal against 19 antimicrobial agents and (2) to assess the individual, clinical and environmental characteristics associated with each pet as risk markers for the AMR of the E. coli isolates. From September 2009 to May 2012, rectal swabs were collected from pets selected using a systematic random procedure from the ordinary population of animals attending the Veterinary Hospital of Porto University. A total of 78 dogs and 22 cats were sampled with the objective of isolating E. coli. The animals' owners, who allowed the collection of fecal samples from their pets, answered a questionnaire to collect information about the markers that could influence the AMR of the enteric E. coli. Chromocult tryptone bile X-glucuronide agar was used for E. coli isolation, and the disk diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility. The data were analyzed using a multilevel, univariable and multivariable generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). Several (49.7%) of the 396 isolates obtained in this study were multidrug-resistant. The E. coli isolates exhibited resistance to the antimicrobial agent's ampicillin (51.3%), cephalothin (46.7%), tetracycline (45.2%) and streptomycin (43.4%). Previous quinolone treatment was the main risk marker for the presence of AMR for 12 (ampicillin, cephalothin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and aztreonam) of the 15 antimicrobials assessed. Coprophagic habits were also positively associated with an increased risk of AMR for six drugs, ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cephamycin, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. In summary, pets with a record of one or more previous quinolone treatments and exhibiting coprophagic habits were at an increased risk of harboring multidrug-resistant E. coli strains in their feces compared to pets without these characteristics. AMR is a serious global problem, and assessing the risk markers for the presence of drug-resistant bacteria in pets, a very close source of resistance determinants to humans, is essential for the implementation of safe handling procedures for companion animals and for the prudent selection of antimicrobial compounds in veterinary practice.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Escherichia coliIsolated from Diarrheic or Healthy Cats

“…All of them reported a resistance percentage of E. coli isolates from healthy cats quite similar to those reported in the present study, especially Costa et al [5]. However some exceptions could be found among the quinolones (nalidixic acid) and fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) with percentages of 24.7% and 10.1% respectively reported by Leite-Martins et al [6], and also among the cephalosporin (3th generation) ceftazidime 10.1% [6]. Use of antimicrobial drugs in companion animals is subject to less stringent regulation, and there is likely more "off-label" use in companion animals what can promote a misuse of the drugs and also a more intensive use of antimicrobial drugs essentials for human therapeutics in pets [13].…”

“…The present study also permits to identify a high frequency of E. coli isolates showing susceptibility to all drugs tested 44.2% and 65.2% among respectively diarrheic and healthy cats respectively what are good news for the veterinarian working in the area analyzed, and is much higher than reported by others [6][7][8]. It is especially interesting for old aminoglycosides, quinolones and first and second generation cephalosporins that can be effectively used safely in pet empirical treatments.…”

“…For the veterinarian, knowing the bacterial species possibly involved in the most frequently encountered infectious conditions and their possible resistance to antimicrobials is important. Various longitudinal retrospective studies in Europe [5,6] and North America [7,8] have reported an increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among the commensal E. coli strains isolated from pets. All of them reported a resistance percentage of E. coli isolates from healthy cats quite similar to those reported in the present study, especially Costa et al [5].…”

“…Only a few authors have reported the antimicrobial resistance in commensal E coli isolates recovered from cats and most of them are from Europe [5,6] and Canada [7,8], nevertheless, to our knowledge, there is no previous study carried out with cats in Brazil. The aim of the present study is to verify the antimicrobial resistance detected among E. coli isolates from diarrheic or healthy cats.…”

Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dogs and Cats in Australia: Results of the Australasian Infectious Disease Advisory Panel Survey

“…Antimicrobial resistance develops in response to antimicrobial use regardless of the animal species being treated, with greater use likely to contribute to development of resistance to multiple drug classes. This is a growing threat in human hospitals, the community and in companion and production animals.…”