High \u03b2-lactam resistance in Gram-negative bacteria associated with kennel cough and cat flu in Egypt

Hazim O Khalifa,Tetsuya Matsumoto,Takashi Okanda,Atef F Oreiby,Yasuyuki Kato

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82061-2

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance within pets has gained worldwide attention due to pets close contact with humans. This report examined at the molecular level, the antimicrobial resistance mechanisms associated with kennel cough and cat flu. 1378 pets in total were assessed for signs of respiratory infection, and nasal and conjunctival swabs were collected across 76 diseased animals. Phenotypically, 27% of the isolates were characterized by multidrug resistance and possessed high levels of resistance rates to β-lactams. Phenotypic ESBLs/AmpCs production were identified within 40.5% and 24.3% of the isolates, respectively. Genotypically, ESBL- and AmpC-encoding genes were detected in 33.8% and 10.8% of the isolates, respectively, with blaSHV comprising the most identified ESBL, and blaCMY and blaACT present as the AmpC with the highest levels. qnr genes were identified in 64.9% of the isolates, with qnrS being the most prevalent (44.6%). Several antimicrobial resistance determinants were detected for the first time within pets from Africa, including blaCTX-M-37, blaCTX-M-156, blaSHV-11, blaACT-23, blaACT25/31, blaDHA-1, and blaCMY-169. Our results revealed that pets displaying symptoms of respiratory illness are potential sources for pathogenic microbes possessing unique resistance mechanisms which could be disseminated to humans, thus leading to the development of severe untreatable infections in these hosts.

Highlights

Antimicrobial resistance within pets has gained worldwide attention due to pets close contact with humans
Our research group has identified highly resistant carbapenemase-producing and mcr-9 coharbouring bacteria associated with pets that had an active respiratory infection that could be transmitted between animals and h umans[3]
Thirty-one Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from 24 cats in a percentage comprising 54.5%

Summary

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance within pets has gained worldwide attention due to pets close contact with humans. Our research group has identified highly resistant carbapenemase-producing and mcr-9 coharbouring bacteria associated with pets that had an active respiratory infection that could be transmitted between animals and h umans[3]. Within this context, the bacteria associated with respiratory diseases in cats and dogs are of particular importance due to the widespread nature of these contagious diseases, and ease of transmission, in addition to the close proximity of pets and humans. The faulty therapeutic outcomes and high mortality rates associated with ESBL/AmpC producers[8], have bolstered the scientific interest to elucidate the molecular mechanism of β-lactam resistance, in particular in pets, which act as a potential consignor for human infection[4,5]

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion