First report of-carrying IncX3 plasmids in multidrug-resistantandrecovered from canine and feline opportunistic infections.

Abstract

UNLABELLED: Whole-genome sequence analysis of sixand twostrains, using a hybrid assembly of Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing, revealed the presence of the epidemic-carrying IncX3 plasmids co-harboringand ∆(A) genes, as well as multiple multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmids disseminating in all strains, originated from dogs and cats in Thailand. The subspecies and sequence types (ST) of thestrains recovered from canine and feline opportunistic infections includedsubsp.ST171 (= 3), ST121 (= 1), and ST182 (= 1), as well assubsp.ST65 (= 1). Five of the sixstrains harbored an identical 51,479-bp-carrying IncX3 plasmid. However, theplasmid (pCUVET22-969.1) of thestrain CUVET22-969 presented a variation due to the insertion of ISand ISinto theregion. Additionally, theplasmids ofstrains were nearly identical to the others at the nucleotide level, with ISinserted upstream of thegene. Theandlineages from canine and feline origins might acquire the epidemic-carrying IncX3 and MDR plasmids, which are shared among Enterobacterales, contributing to the development of resistance. These findings suggest the spillover of significant OXA-181-encoding plasmids to these bacteria, causing severe opportunistic infections in dogs and cats in Thailand. Surveillance and effective hygienic practice, especially in hospitalized animals and veterinary hospitals, should be urgently implemented to prevent the spread of these plasmids in healthcare settings and communities. IMPORTANCE: is a significant carbapenemase-encoding gene, usually associated with an epidemic IncX3 plasmid found in Enterobacterales worldwide. In this article, we revealed six carbapenemase-producing (CP)and two CPstrains harboring-carrying IncX3 and multidrug resistance plasmids recovered from dogs and cats in Thailand. The carriage of these plasmids can promote extensively drug-resistant properties, limiting antimicrobial treatment options in veterinary medicine. Sinceandharboring-carrying IncX3 plasmids have not been previously reported in dogs and cats, our findings provide the first evidence of dissemination of the epidemic plasmids in these bacterial species isolated from animal origins. Pets in communities can serve as reservoirs of significant antimicrobial resistance determinants. This situation places a burden on antimicrobial treatment in small animal practice and poses a public health threat.