Limited detection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in veterinary patients at a Canadian referral hospital.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) fecal carriage in equine, canine, and feline patients at the Atlantic Veterinary College (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island), a Canadian teaching and referral hospital. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURE: Fifty-seven fresh, naturally voided fecal samples from 32 canine, 21 equine, and 4 feline Atlantic Veterinary College patients were collected and processed in June and July 2025. Samples were processed using selective culture, followed by MALDI-TOF MS and phenotypic assays for screening and detection of CRE and Enterobacterales species with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. Relevant patient data were obtained to assess for associations with CRE and carbapenem susceptibility status. RESULTS: One canineisolate was classified as CRE (sample-level prevalence: 1.8%), but carbapenemases were not detected. Twelve (21%) samples grew Enterobacterales on MacConkey plates supplemented with meropenem, indicating reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The low prevalence of CRE within this Canadian sample is reassuring; however, the presence of CRE and high proportion with reduced susceptibility to meropenem underscore the importance of readying measures for early detection and control of CRE in veterinary patients and ensuring strong compliance with clinic infection-control practices. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales outbreaks at Canadian veterinary hospitals, as documented elsewhere, remain a concern.