Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing and Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in Companion and Animal-Assisted Interventions Dogs

Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Analysis of the Oxacephem Antibiotic Flomoxef against Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales from Dogs

Flomoxef (FMX) may be a potential alternative to carbapenems for dogs infected with Enterobacterales-producing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL-E). However, the appropriate dosage of FMX in dogs with ESBL-E infections has yet to be established. This study was carried out to establish appropriate treatment regimens for FMX against ESBL-E infections in dogs using a pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) approach. Five dogs were intravenously administered at a bolus dose of FMX (40 mg/kg body weight). Serum concentrations of FMX were calculated with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and then applied to determine PK indices based on a non-compartmental model. The cumulative fraction of response (CFR) was estimated based on the dissemination of minimum inhibitory concentrations among wild-type ESBL-E from companion animals. From the results, the dosage regimens of 40 mg/kg every 6 and 8 h were estimated to attain a CFR of >90% for wild-type isolates of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis for dogs. By contrast, all regimens had a CFR of <80% for ESBL-producing Enterobacter cloacae. Our results indicated that dosage regimens of 40 mg/kg FMX every 6 and 8 h can be a non-carbapenem treatment for canine infections of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis, but not for those of ESBL-producing Enterobacter cloacae.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis of cefmetazole against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in dogs using Monte Carlo Simulation

Introduction

The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) is a serious concern in companion animal medicine owing to their ability to develop multidrug resistance. Cefmetazole (CMZ) is a candidate drug for treating ESBL-E infections; however, its regimen in dogs has not been established. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetic (PK) indices of CMZ in dogs and performed PK-pharmacodynamic (PD) analyses using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS).

Methods

In total, six healthy dogs received an intravenous bolus dose of CMZ (40 mg/kg body weight). Serum CMZ concentrations were evaluated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and PK indices were determined based on non-compartmental analysis. The PK-PD cut-off (COPD) values were calculated as the highest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) that achieved ≥90% probability of target attainment for a target value of unbounded drug concentration exceeding 40% of the dosing interval. The cumulative fraction of response (CFR) was calculated based on the MIC distribution of wild-type ESBL-E from companion animals.

Results

The area under the concentration-time curve and elimination half-time were 103.36 ± 7.49 mg·h/L and 0.84 ± 0.07 h, respectively. MCS analysis revealed that COPD values for regimens of 40 mg/kg q12, q8h, and q6h were ≤ 0.5, ≤2, and ≤ 4 μg/mL, respectively. A regimen of 40 mg/kg q6h was estimated to achieve a CFR of 80-90% for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. By contrast, all regimens exhibited a CFR of ≤70% for Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter cloacae.

Discussion

We conclude that CMZ at 40 mg/kg q6h could be a viable treatment regimen for dogs infected with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Detection of Potential Zoonotic Agents Isolated in Italian Shelters and the Assessment of Animal Welfare Correlation with Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli Strains

Welfare conditions in shelters, where dogs might be housed for a long period of time, may have a possible correlation with the occurrence of bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR). In this study, we assessed the occurrence of AMR in 54 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from dogs housed in 15 Italian shelters and we correlated the resistance patterns to animal welfare. We also aimed to evaluate the presence of specific pathogens with zoonotic potential in sheltered dogs. Thus, nasopharyngeal, rectal, and oral swabs were collected from a group of 20 dogs in each shelter and totaled 758 swabs. We identified 9 Staphylococcus pseudointermedius, 1 Pasteurella multocida, 9 Staphylococcus aureus, 12 Campylobacter spp., 54 Escherichia coli, 2 Salmonella enterica, and 246 Capnocytophaga spp. The antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed for the E. coli isolates using a panel of 14 antibiotics. The highest level of relative AMR was recorded for ampicillin and sulfamethoxazole. The association found between AMR and the levels of animal welfare scores in shelters was evident although not statistically significant. These results support the hypothesis that the good management of shelters can increase the level of animal welfare, thus reducing the use of antibiotics and, as a consequence, the AMR occurrence found in dogs that share their domestic environment with humans.

Genetic Diversity and New Sequence Types of Escherichia coli Coharboring β-Lactamases and PMQR Genes Isolated from Domestic Dogs in Central Panama

Background: β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli are a widely distributed source of antimicrobial resistance for animals and humans. Little is known about the susceptibility profile and genetic characteristics of E. coli strains isolated from domestic dogs in Latin America. Methods: We report on a cross-sectional study that evaluated E. coli strains isolated from fecal samples of domestic dogs in central Panama. The extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC genes, and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance were investigated. Molecular typing using Pasteur’s multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was conducted. Results: A total of 40 E. coli isolates were obtained, of which 80% (32/40) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested, while 20% (8/40) were sensitive to all antibiotics analyzed in this study (p < 0.001). Forty percent of the strains were resistant to three or more antibiotics. The most common resistance was to tetracycline (45%) and ampicillin (30%) while 2.5% showed an ESBL phenotype. Antibiotic resistance genes were detected for one β-lactamase (blaTEM-1) and two plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) enzymes (qnrS and qnrB). In addition, mutations in the chromosomal AmpC gene were observed at positions −35, −28, −18, −1, and +58. Fourteen different sequence types (STs) were identified; the most frequent were ST399 and ST425 (12% each). ST3 and ST88, which have been previously identified in human clinical isolates, were also evidenced. Three new STs were found for the first time: ST1015, ST1016 (carrier of the blaTEM-1 gene), and ST1017 (carrier of the blaTEM-1, qnrS, and qnrB genes). Conclusions: In the intestinal strains of E. coli isolated from domestic dogs, there was a high frequency of resistance to antibiotics. The presence of genes from plasmids and chromosomal mutations that conferred antibiotic resistance, the identification of isolates previously reported in humans, and the genetic diversity of STs (including three that were newly identified) confirmed the determinants of resistance to antibiotics in the domestic dogs from central Panama.

Race, Zoonoses and Animal Assisted Interventions in Pediatric Cancer

Emerging evidence accumulates regarding the benefits of animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) in facilitating pediatric cancer treatment and alleviating symptomatology through positive changes in the patients’ emotional, mental, and even physical status. A major concern expressed by healthcare providers and parents in implementing AAIs in hospital settings is the transmission of disease from animals to patients. Immunocompromised children, such as pediatric cancer patients are at increased risk for pet-associated diseases. Furthermore, existing disparities among the racial and ethnic minority groups of pediatric cancer patients can potentially exacerbate their risk for zoonoses. This literature review highlights the most common human infections from therapy animals, connections to the race and ethnic background of pediatric oncology patients, as well as means of prevention. The discussion is limited to dogs, which are typically the most commonly used species in hospital-based animal-assisted therapy. The aim is to highlight specific preventive measures, precautions and recommendations that must be considered in hospitals’ protocols and best practices, particularly given the plethora of benefits provided by AAI for pediatric cancer patients, staff and families.