Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from the Uteri Horn, Mouth, and Rectum of Bitches Suffering from Pyometra: Virulence Factors, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities, and Clonal Relationships among Strains.

Juliana M A Agostinho,José M Marin,Lívia G Beraldo,Ruben P Schocken-Iturrino,Clarissa A Borges,Andressa De Souza,Fernando A Ávila

doi:10.1155/2014/979584

Abstract

Pyometra is recognized as one of the main causes of disease and death in the bitch, and Escherichia coli is the major pathogen associated with this disease. In this study, 70 E. coli isolates from the uteri horn, mouth, and rectum of bitches suffering from the disease and 43 E. coli isolates from the rectum of clinically healthy bitches were examined for the presence of uropathogenic virulence genes and susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. DNA profiles of isolates from uteri horn and mouth in bitches with pyometra were compared by REP, ERIC, and BOX-PCR. Virulence gene frequencies detected in isolates from canine pyometra were as follows: 95.7% fim, 27.1% iss, 25.7% hly, 18.5% iuc, and 17.1% usp. Predominant resistance was determined for cephalothin, ampicillin, and nalidixic acid among the isolates from all sites examined. Multidrug resistance was found on ∼50% pyometra isolates. Using the genotypic methods some isolates from uteri, pus, and saliva of the same bitch proved to have identical DNA profiles which is a reason for concern due to the close relationship between household pets and humans.

Highlights

Pyometra is one of the most common illnesses in bitches [1]
Sometimes Streptococcus species, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus species, Pasteurella species, Proteus species, and Pseudomonas species are isolated from pyometra infections [4], but Escherichia coli are isolated from the uterine contents in the majority (82–100%) of clinical cases of pyometra, and the strains involved in pyometra displayed great similarity with E. coli isolates obtained from urinary tract infections (UTI), probably because both of these clinical manifestations
All the E. coli isolates from bitches with pyometra originated from only six bitches, this is the same number of animals examined by Hagman and Kuhn [4]

Summary

Introduction

Pyometra (chronic uterine inflammation with accumulation of pus in the uteri) is one of the most common illnesses in bitches [1]. It is a potentially life-threatening condition seen predominantly in middle-aged to aged bitches. The disease normally occurs in the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and it is associated with hormonal alterations and bacterial infections [1]. Clinical signs vary depending on the stage of the disease, but common manifestations are vaginal discharge, polydipsia, polyuria, inappetence, and lethargy. The safest treatment of pyometra is surgical ovariohysterectomy (immediate removal of the source of infection), which prevents recurrence [2, 3]. Sometimes Streptococcus species, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus species, Pasteurella species, Proteus species, and Pseudomonas species are isolated from pyometra infections [4], but Escherichia coli are isolated from the uterine contents in the majority (82–100%) of clinical cases of pyometra, and the strains involved in pyometra displayed great similarity with E. coli isolates obtained from urinary tract infections (UTI), probably because both of these clinical manifestations

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Conclusion