Domestic cats are potential reservoirs of multidrug-resistant human enteropathogenic E. coli strains in Bangladesh

Antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in cats and their drinking water: drug resistance profiles and antimicrobial-resistant genes

BACKGROUND

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health concern that is exacerbated by the transmission of bacteria and genetic material between humans, animals and the environment. This study investigated AMR of Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from cats' feces and their drinking water. The study compared the AMR of fecal and environmental E. coli isolates from pet cats.

RESULTS

A total of 104 samples (52 cat feces and 52 cat drinking water samples) was cultured for E. coli. The study compared the AMR of fecal and environmental E. coli isolates from pet cats. An analysis of carbapenemase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) and phylogroups of E. coli was also performed. E. coli was identified from all fecal (100%) and almost half of drinking water (44.2%) samples. All E. coli isolate was susceptible to amikacin or imipenem. Clindamycin showed the highest resistance rate. β-lactam was the most found with co-resistance profiles, comprising β-lactams with aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfonamides, macrolides or carbapenems. Very strong positive correlations of bactericidal agents were found among quinolones (r > 0.8, p < 0.01). Within the group of bacteriostatic agents, moderate correlation was observed between azithromycin and sulfa-trimethoprim (r = 0.5253, p < 0.01). Carbapenemase gene was not detected in this study. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing E. coli genes (blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX-M) were identified in E. coli isolates, with blaTEM being the most predominant. Furthermore, phylogroup B2 was the dominant segregation among the E. coli, particularly in fecal isolates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified AMRin E. coli isolated from cats' feces and their drinking water.  The results revealed that the phylogroup B2 was predominant, with blaTEM being the most widespread ESBL gene.

Emergence of Virulent Extensively Drug-Resistant Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Among Diarrheic Pet Animals: A Possible Public Health Threat on the Move

Background: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become an increasing public health concern in the past few decades, being associated with serious multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. This study was conducted to investigate the role of diarrheic pet animals as potential reservoirs for virulent extensively drug-resistant (XDR) VRE and their threat on human health. Materials and Methods: Rectal swabs were collected from 153 diarrheic pet animals (80 dogs and 73 cats). The collected swabs were cultured on CHROMagarTMVRE for the isolation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, and then suspected colonies were identified as enterococci after Gram staining, conventional biochemical tests, and molecular techniques. VRE were basically identified using the disk diffusion method; however, molecular identification of vanA and vanB genes was carried out among confirmed VRE isolates. Moreover, three virulence genes (cytolysin A, cylA; enterococcal surface protein, esp; and hyaluronidase, hyl) were investigated in VRE isolates. Thereafter, VRE strains that harbored virulence genes were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: Eighteen out of 153 animals (11.8%) were positive for VRE, which were obtained from 15% and 8.2% of the examined dogs and cats, respectively. None of the obtained isolates carried the vanA gene, whereas the vanB gene was detected in E. faecalis (4/10) with a prevalence rate (40%). Of the obtained VRE isolates, five possessed esp and/or cylA, while all strains were negative for the hyl gene. Furthermore, four virulent VRE isolates exhibited an XDR pattern, and one isolate was MDR. Conclusion: Diarrheic pet animals could represent a potential zoonotic reservoir for virulent XDR vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis, which may have serious public health implications.

Enteropathogenic and Multidrug-Resistant blaCTX-M-Carrying E. coli Isolates from Dogs and Cats

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) are pathogens associated with gastrointestinal illnesses. Dogs and cats can harbor EPEC, and antimicrobial resistance may impair necessary treatments. This study characterized E. coli strains from dogs and cats, focusing on phylogroup classification, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance profiles. Ninety-seven E. coli isolates from fecal samples of 31 dogs and 3 cats were obtained from a private diagnostic laboratory in Botucatu, Brazil, from March to October 2021. The antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to screen for blaCTX-M and genes encoding virulence factors, as well as to classify the isolates into phylogroups. Twenty isolates were positive for intimin encoding gene eae and, consequently, these isolates were classified as EPEC (20.62%). Notably, 5.1% (5/97) of the isolates exhibited extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production and 13.4% (13/97) were identified as multidrug-resistant bacteria. Phylogroups A and B2 were the most prevalent, comprising 29.9% (29/97) and 26.8% (26/97) of the bacterial isolates, respectively. This characterization highlights the prevalence of EPEC in domestic animals, emphasizing the potential risk they pose to public health and highlighting the urgency of responsible antimicrobial use in veterinary practices and the important role of laboratories in the surveillance of pathogenic multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Pets, obesity and nurses: surgical site infections in the community

Many surgical site infections (SSI) emerge after the patient is discharged from hospital. So, practice and district nurses should remain alert for SSIs and address modifiable risk factors, which include helping obese patients lose weight, optimising glucose control in people with diabetes and encouraging smoking cessation. Animals, including pets, are important reservoirs of resistant bacteria. By optimising SSI care, nurses can not only improve wound healing but also help preserve antibiotic efficacy.

Mechanisms of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Attachment to Meat

Escherichia coli are present in the human and animal microbiome as facultative anaerobes and are viewed as an integral part of the whole gastrointestinal environment. In certain circumstances, some species can also become opportunistic pathogens responsible for severe infections in humans. These infections are caused by the enterotoxinogenic E. coli, enteroinvasive E. coli, enteropathogenic E. coli and the enterohemorrhagic E. coli species, frequently present in food products and on food matrices. Severe human infections can be caused by consumption of meat contaminated upon exposure to animal feces, and as such, farm animals are considered to be a natural reservoir. The mechanisms by which these four major species of E. coli adhere and persist in meat postslaughter are of major interest to public health and food processors given their frequent involvement in foodborne outbreaks. This review aims to structure and provide an update on the mechanistic roles of environmental factors, curli, type I and type IV pili on E. coli adherence/interaction with meat postslaughter. Furthermore, we emphasize on the importance of bacterial surface structures, which can be used in designing interventions to enhance food safety and protect public health by reducing the burden of foodborne illnesses.