<i>Vagococcus lutrae</i> Isolation in a Cat with Feline Urological Syndrome in Italy: A Case Report

Abstract

<i>Vagococcus lutrae</i> is an emerging pathogen that can cause severe disease, especially in immunocompromised patients. Unlike <i>Vagococcus fluvialis</i>, which is recognized as a human and animal pathogen, there are few reports of <i>V. lutrae</i> from human and animal infections. In humans, it has been reported in patients with severe skin lesions and bloodstream infections. In veterinary medicine, <i>V. lutrae</i> was accidentally isolated from a Eurasian otter and a largemouth bass, and only once from the genitourinary tract of a pig with a urinary tract infection. However, the prevalence may be underestimated due to difficulties in identification using traditional methods. In addition, <i>V. lutrae</i> could be a carrier of resistance genes and contribute to the spread of AMR. A neutered male cat with feline urological syndrome underwent urethrostomy surgery due to serious problems with dysuria and urolithiasis that could not be resolved through catheterizations. Urine culture revealed the presence of <i>Vagococcus lutrae</i>. The strain showed resistance genes against aminoglycoside, lincosamide, streptogramin a and b, pleuromutilin, macrolide, tetracycline, oxazolidinone, and amphenicol classes. We report the first isolation of <i>V. lutrae</i> from the urinary tract of a cat.