Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria from Conjunctival Flora in an Eye Infection Prone Breed (Saint Bernard)

Abstract

The conjunctival bacterial resident and opportunistic flora of dogs may represent a major source of dissemination of pathogens throughout the environment or to other animals and humans. Nevertheless, contamination with bacteria from external sources is common. In this context, the study of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pattern may represent an indicator of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains exchange. The present study was focused on a single predisposed breed—Saint Bernard. The evaluated animals were healthy, but about half had a history of ocular disease/treatment. The swabs collected from conjunctival sacs were evaluated by conventional microbiological cultivation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). The most prevalent Gram-positive was Staphylococcus spp.; regardless of the history, while Gram-negative was Pseudomonas spp.; exclusively from dogs with a history of ocular disease/treatment. Other identified genera were represented by Bacillus, Streptococcus, Trueperella, Aeromonas and Neisseria. The obtained results suggest a possible association between the presence of mixed flora and a history of ocular disease/treatment. A high AMR was generally observed (90%) in all isolates, especially for kanamycin, doxycycline, chloramphenicol and penicillin. MDR was recorded in Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. This result together with a well-known zoonotic potential may suggest an exchange of these strains within animal human populations and the environment.

Methanol extract of Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae against Aeromonas and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in vitro and in silico

“…The four bacteria used in this study were multidrug-resistant (MDRs). Resistant bacteria will adversely affect the environment and hosts, especially humans ( Nadăs et al , 2021 ). Aeromonas is currently showing global MDR on strains that infect ornamental fish and food fish ( Dhanapala et al , 2021 ).…”

“…Staphylococcus aureus is a typical flora on the skin, mucous membranes, and skin glands in warm-blooded animals, and about 30% colonize humans ( Tadesse et al ., 2018 ). Staphylococcus aureus has zoonotic potential as it can be transmitted from dogs to humans ( Nadăs et al ., 2021 ). Staphylococcus aureus is a crucial bacterium that causes infection in humans worldwide.…”

Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): antimicrobial‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in dogs and cats

“…Prevalence can also be associated with breed. The St. Bernard is more prone to eye infections, and P. aeruginosa (including MDR isolates) were the most prevalent Gram‐negative in this setting (Nadăş et al, 2021).…”

“…Pneumonia in a dog post‐kidney transplant has been reported (Park et al, 2013) along with cancer treatment‐associated infections (Curran et al, 2021). Some dog breeds are more prone to particular infections, with one example being eye infections in the St. Bernard: P. aeruginosa was the most common Gram‐negative pathogen in that niche and breed, and the most common multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogen with 100% of isolates displaying resistance to more than seven different antimicrobials (Nadăș et al, 2021).…”

A Case of Bilateral Conjunctivitis in a Seven-Year-Old Shih-Tzu Dog

“…e bacteria commonly isolated from dogs' eyes are gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Treuperella spp. Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Neisseria spp., and Klebsiella spp., are rarely found (Nadias et al, 2021). Ectropion results in exposure of the conjunctiva, which can lead to conjunctivitis and keratitis.…”