Abstract
The susceptibility to antimicrobials of bacterial isolates from dogs (n = 1256) and cats (n = 94) was retrospectively evaluated in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory over a 4-year period (2016–2019). Out of 1316 isolates in dogs, 771 were Staphylococcus spp. distributed as follows: Staph. pseudointermedius (n = 406), Staph. intermedius (n = 160), Staph. aureus (n = 104), and Staph. coagulase-negative (n = 101). In common, all Staphylococcus spp. showed a high prevalence (20–50%) of resistance to ampicillin, cephalosporin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfonamide, but a low prevalence (1–10%) of resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate. With regards to the other families of bacteria, the number of antimicrobials for which resistance was high (>20%) in dogs was: Enterobacteriaceae (7/12), Enterococcus spp. (10/16), E. coli (11/15), Pseudomonas spp. (10/13), and Streptococcus spp. (4/9). For urinary tract infections caused by E. coli or Enterobacteriaceae (Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp.), amikacin and florfenicol were the only drugs that demonstrated 100% in vitro efficacy. Multi-drug resistance was observed in 18.7% (246/1316) and 22% (21/97) of the isolates from dogs and cats, respectively. Except for Pseudomonas spp., known for intrinsic resistance, resistance in other bacteria was likely attributed to high selection pressure. In conclusion, empirical antimicrobial use cannot be recommended to treat most common infections, and selection should be based on results from susceptibility testing.
Highlights
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in companion animals is an increasing concern as it narrows the potential use of antimicrobials for the treatment of infections
Interpretation of colors: DARK BLUE: 0.1–1% very low resistance, BLUE: >1–10% low resistance, PURPLE: >10–20% moderate resistance, RED: >20–50% high resistance, Light Green: >50–70% very high resistance, Dark Green: >70% extremely high resistance. This is the first study to describe the prevalence of bacterial pathogens isolated from clinical samples submitted for culture and susceptibility testing from dogs and cats in Colombia
This study made major findings: (a) the level of resistance in all families of bacteria studied, except for Streptococcus spp., was estimated as high (20–50%) to at least 6 or more antimicrobials; (b) resistance to critically important antimicrobials used in human medicine was high for most bacterial families, with a prevalence between 20 and 50%; of particular concern was resistance in zoonotic Staph. aureus for which 40% resistance was attained for enrofloxacin and gentamicin; (c) there were bacteria like Pseudomonas spp. for which there was an extremely high prevalence (>70%) of resistance against 10 antimicrobials, and only three antimicrobials exhibited low (1–10%) and moderate
Summary
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in companion animals is an increasing concern as it narrows the potential use of antimicrobials for the treatment of infections. Because antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is constantly evolving, studies that monitor AMR regularly are important in order to guide therapeutic decisions and develop up-to-date control strategies. Variation in resistance complicates empirical selection of antimicrobial agents, and enhances the need for culturing and susceptibility testing. The organisms in pets that most commonly cause disease tend to be different from humans, this is not always the case, and there is always the potential for the passage of drug-resistant genes and transmission between humans and pets. Most studies in different countries investigate trends and/or patterns in resistance by focusing on a specific pathogenic bacterium (i.e., Escherichia coli) or a specific organ/system (i.e., urinary tract infections). A few studies from veterinary diagnostic laboratories have provided information
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