Phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes ofisolated from pet dogs and cats.

Abstract

isolates (n = 122), including 32 serotypes from 113 dogs and 9 cats, were obtained from household dogs (n = 250) and cats (n = 50) during 2012-2015. The isolates were characterized by serotyping, antimicrobial resistance phenotyping and genotyping, and virulence gene screening. Serovars Weltevreden (15.6%) and Typhimurium (13.9%) were the most common. The majority (43%) of the isolates were multidrug resistant. The dog isolates (12.3%) harbored class 1 integrons, of which the-cassette was most frequent (66.7%). The only class integron in serovar Albany was located on a conjugative plasmid. Two ESBL-producing isolates (., a serovar Krefeld and a serovar Enteritridis) carriedand, and thegene in both was horizontally transferred. Of the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes tested, only(4.9%) was detected. Mostisolates harbored(100%),(91.8%), and(91%). Positive associations between resistance and virulence genes were observed for/,/,, and/(＜ 0.05). The results suggest that companion dogs and cats are potential sources ofstrains that carry resistance and virulence genes and that antimicrobial use in companion animals may select for the examinedvirulence factors.