Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Risk factors for antibiotic-resistant E. coli in healthy dogs feces
By Belas, A et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2014·Laboratory of Antimicrobial and Biocide Resistance·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Risk factors for faecal colonisation with Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 15% of healthy dogs tested positive for a type of E. coli that can resist certain antibiotics, known as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers, while 20% carried another resistant type called plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC). Dogs that had received antibiotics in the past year were more likely to carry these resistant bacteria, and dogs from shelters or breeders were at a higher risk compared to those from private homes. Interestingly, male dogs were less likely to carry the pAmpC-producing E. coli than females. Understanding these risk factors can help pet owners and vets manage antibiotic use and reduce the spread of resistant bacteria.
People also search for: dog E. coli infection · antibiotic resistance in dogs · healthy dog fecal bacteria · dog shelter health risks · dog antibiotic treatment effects
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for faecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmidic AmpC β-lactamase (pAmpC) Escherichia coli producers in dogs. A three-month cross-sectional study was conducted and 151 rectal swabs were obtained from healthy dogs. ESBL and pAmpC genes were detected by PCR and were sequenced. Logistic regression models were used to investigate risk factors for the carriage of ESBL and pAmpC-producing E. coli. About 15 per cent of the isolates carried ESBL genes (blaCTX-M-32 n=8, blaCTX-M-15 n=5, blaCTX-M-1 n=3, blaCTX-M-9-like n=4) and 20 per cent carried pAmpC genes (blaCMY-2 n=23, blaCMY-2-like n=2). Thirteen dogs carried an E. coli isolate with both an ESBL and a pAmpC gene. One E. coli isolate harboured the human blaDHA-1 pAmpC gene, which has not been previously reported in companion animals in Europe. Dogs with a history of antimicrobial therapy in the past year had a higher risk of being carriers of ESBL-producing (P=0.003, OR =7.85) and pAmpC-producing (P=0.005, OR=6.28) E. coli. Dogs from shelter/breeders were approximately three times more likely to have an ESBL- or a pAmpC-producing E. coli than dogs from private owners. Males have a reduced risk of carrying a pAmpC-producing E. coli than females (P=0.017, OR =0.28). The knowledge of potential risk factors may help to limit the impact of resistance through implementation of effective control measures and judicious antimicrobial therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24943100/