Clinical and Molecular Epidemiology of Drug-Resistant Bacteria of Companion Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 5162

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Interests: emerging diseases; zoonoses; vectors; One Health; antibiotic resistance

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Guest Editor
Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: veterinary epidemiology; nosocomial infection; surgical site infection; drug-resistant bacteria; soft tissue surgery; surgical oncology; statistics; One Health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most important emerging problems worldwide, affecting public and animal health, as well as the environment. Misuse of antibiotics and inadequate waste management have favored and accelerated antibiotic resistance, contributing to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and increased mortality. Moreover, the close bond between humans and animals provides opportunities for the exchange of microorganisms, including MDR pathogens. In order to address the current threat, a wide and integrated approach is needed, as the antimicrobials used to treat multiple infections in animals are the same or similar to those used in human medicine. Epidemiological surveillance studies, including controlled analyses of predictors, outcomes, mode of acquisition and transmission dynamics of MDR bacteria, in companion animals are, however, still limited, and the preventive measures established in human medicine have been implemented in veterinary medicine without thorough knowledge of their effectiveness and efficacy. This particular aspect of the "One Health" concept requires more representative clinical and molecular surveillance efforts and infection control, in order to direct the implementation of appropriate preventive resources.

Therefore, this Special Issue aims to present recent research and reviews on epidemiology and surveillance of resistance in companion animals (including horses), encompassing, but not restricted to, the following topics: incidence and evaluation of the occurrence of new resistance mechanisms and evolution of multidrug-resistant bacteria over time; predictors for resistant-bacteria acquisitions; mechanisms of resistant-gene exchange to fully understand their spread across all environments; transmission of resistance between companion animals and humans and duration of carriage of MDR bacteria in both groups; practical implementation of infection control programs in veterinary medicine and other related topics. It includes the most important resistant bacterial pathogens designated by the acronym “ESKAPE”, but also opportunistic pathogens.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Tania Ayllón
Dr. Gustavo Ortiz-Díez
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • surveillance systems
  • One Health
  • animals
  • prevention
  • nosocomial infections

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 347 KiB  
Article
A Spanish Survey on the Perioperative Use of Antimicrobials in Small Animals
by Ignacio Otero Balda, Manuel Fuertes-Recuero, Silvia Penelo Hidalgo, Jorge Espinel Rupérez, Benoit Lapostolle, Tania Ayllón-Santiago and Gustavo Ortiz-Díez
Animals 2023, 13(15), 2475; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152475 - 31 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1128
Abstract
Appropriate use of perioperative antimicrobials can significantly reduce the risk of post-operative infections. However, inappropriate antimicrobial use can result in the creation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, increased costs, host flora disruption, side effects and increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. This survey evaluated the current [...] Read more.
Appropriate use of perioperative antimicrobials can significantly reduce the risk of post-operative infections. However, inappropriate antimicrobial use can result in the creation of multidrug-resistant bacteria, increased costs, host flora disruption, side effects and increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. This survey evaluated the current perioperative use of antimicrobials in small animals by Spanish veterinarians using a web-based questionnaire. Responses were represented using descriptive statistics and a statistical analysis of the association between demographic data and perioperative antimicrobial use was performed. Pre-operative antimicrobials were administered in clean surgery by up to 68.3% of participants, 81.0% in clean-contaminated surgery and 71.3% in dirty surgery, while in the post-operative period, antimicrobials were administered by up to 86.3% of participants in clean surgery, 93.2% in clean-contaminated surgery and 87.5% in dirty surgery. Factors considered “very important” for antimicrobial selection were the degree of wound contamination, patient immunosuppression and use of prosthesis. The most frequently used antimicrobial was beta-lactamase-resistant (or potentiated) penicillin. Post-operative antimicrobial use was associated with participants without specific surgical postgraduate training. This study highlights an overuse of antimicrobials in perioperative procedures in small animal surgery in Spain. Therefore, evidence-based guidelines and further education regarding the correct use of antimicrobial prophylaxis are recommended. Full article
11 pages, 581 KiB  
Article
Domestic Pets in the United Arab Emirates as Reservoirs for Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: A Comprehensive Analysis of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Prevalence and Risk Factors
by Ihab Habib, Khaja Mohteshamuddin, Mohamed-Yousif Ibrahim Mohamed, Glindya Bhagya Lakshmi, Afra Abdalla and Abdulla Bakhit Ali Alkaabi
Animals 2023, 13(10), 1587; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101587 - 09 May 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2061
Abstract
Extended-spectrum β-lactamases resistant (ESBL-R) Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been reported from healthy and sick pets. However, data from Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are minimal. This study provides the first evidence of ESBL-R E. coli carriage [...] Read more.
Extended-spectrum β-lactamases resistant (ESBL-R) Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been reported from healthy and sick pets. However, data from Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are minimal. This study provides the first evidence of ESBL-R E. coli carriage among pets in the UAE. A total of 148 rectal swabs were collected from domestic cats (n = 122) and dogs (n = 26) attending five animal clinics in the UAE. Samples were cultured directly onto selective agar, and suspected colonies were confirmed as ESBL-producing using phenotypic and molecular methods. Confirmed isolates were screened for their phenotypic resistance to twelve antimicrobial agents using the Kirby Bauer method. The owners of the pets completed a questionnaire at the time of sampling, and the data were used to identify risk factors. ESBL-R E. coli was detected in rectal swabs of 35 out of 148 animals (23.65%) (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.06–31.32). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified cats and dogs with access to water in ditches and puddles as 3.71 (p-value = 0.020) times more likely to be positive to ESBL-R E. coli than those without access to open water sources. Ciprofloxacin resistance was evident in 57.14% (44/77) of the ESBL-R E. coli isolates. The percentage of resistance to azithromycin and cefepime was 12.99% (10/77) and 48.05% (37/77), respectively. The blaCTX-M gene was detected in 82% of the PCR-screened isolates (n = 50). Multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotypes were evident in 91% (70/77) of the isolates. In conclusion, ESBL-R E. coli was detected at a noticeable rate among healthy pet cats and dogs in the UAE, and the majority are MDR to clinically important antimicrobials such as fluoroquinolones and 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins. Our results call for strengthening antimicrobial stewardship among companion animal veterinarians in the UAE to reduce the potential transmission of ESBL-R E. coli between pets, humans, and urban environments. Full article
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20 pages, 2272 KiB  
Article
Exploring Efflux as a Mechanism of Reduced Susceptibility towards Biocides and Fluoroquinolones in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
by Marta Leal, Catarina Morais, Bárbara Ramos, Constança Pomba, Patrícia Abrantes, Sofia Santos Costa and Isabel Couto
Animals 2023, 13(7), 1270; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071270 - 06 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1445
Abstract
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the main bacterial cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in companion animals, particularly dogs. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains, frequently with multidrug resistance phenotypes is a public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate efflux, [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the main bacterial cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in companion animals, particularly dogs. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) strains, frequently with multidrug resistance phenotypes is a public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate efflux, a resistance mechanism still poorly characterized in S. pseudintermedius, as a contributor to biocide and fluoroquinolone resistance. Susceptibility to the efflux pump substrates ethidium bromide (EtBr), tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination for 155 SSTIs-related S. pseudintermedius in companion animals. EtBr and TPP MIC distributions were analyzed to estimate cut-off (COWT) values. The effect of the efflux inhibitors (EIs) thioridazine and verapamil was assessed upon MICs and fluorometric EtBr accumulation assays, performed with/without glucose and/or EIs. This approach detected a non-wild type population towards TPP with increased efflux, showed to be strain-specific and glucose-dependent. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was mainly linked to target gene mutations, yet a contribution of efflux on CIP resistance levels could not be ruled out. In sum, this study highlights the relevance of efflux-mediated resistance in clinical S. pseudintermedius, particularly to biocides, and provides a methodological basis for further studies on the efflux activity on this important pathogen of companion animals. Full article
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