Companion Animals In Japan Research Articles

Genomic Analysis of Novel Bacterial Species Corynebacterium ramonii ST344 Clone Strains Isolated from Human Skin Ulcer and Rescued Cats in Japan

Some Corynebacterium strains produce toxins that are similar to those produced by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, leading to human infections that are often transmitted through zoonotic diseases. A novel species, which is formerly classified as Corynebacterium ulcerans lineage II, was recently re-evaluated and renamed “Corynebacterium ramonii sp. nov.”. We isolated C. ramonii from a human skin ulcer in Japan in 2023 (KCU0303-001) and identified it as ST344 using a genomic analysis. In addition, C. ramonii KPHES-18084 (ST344) and six strains of C. ulcerans (ST337/ST1011) were isolated from the oral cavities of 7/208 rescued cats (3.4%). The human ulcer strain KCU0303-001 and the rescued cat strain KPHES-18084 were found to be ST344 and closely related clones by core-genome and pan-genome analyses, suggesting that ST344 may be endemic to both clinical and companion animals in Japan. In support of this finding, another clinical isolate of ST344 (TSU-28 strain) was reported in Japan in 2019. Although ST337 is the most common C. ulcerans infection, the second most recent clinical isolate of C. ramonii, ST344, might be increasing; therefore, further genomic surveillance is required to monitor C. ramonii and C. ulcerans infections.

Insights into Current Veterinary Pharmaceutics for Companion Animals in Japan: A Study Based on Data from the Veterinary Drug Side Effect Database.

In veterinary medicine, various drugs are used on a daily basis. Using inappropriate medications poses health hazards to companion animals and humans; thus, assessing adverse events in veterinary medicine has great social significance but remains an untapped area of research. In this study, to promote the appropriate use of veterinary drugs and clarify common pharmaceutical issues in Japanese veterinary medicine, we analyzed information in the Veterinary Drug Side Effects Database (National Veterinary Assay Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan). We found that the number of reports has been increasing annually, including those on high-risk drugs, molecular-targeted drugs, and antibody-based drugs. The details of the reports were similar to those from the United States, including the misadministration of veterinary drugs to humans, improper drug management, and re-administering drugs with a history of side effects. Furthermore, 46.50% of all reports mentioned the administration of one or more drugs, with the highest number of concomitant drugs being 10. In addition, 37.78% of all reports described the use of drugs in manners deviating from the intended use indicated in the package insert. Therefore, to avoid adverse events, pharmacists may have to be involved in dispensing and aseptically preparing veterinary medicines and providing drug information and medication guidance. To optimize pharmacotherapy for ill companion animals, "veterinary pharmacy" and "veterinary medicine pharmacy" must be developed in line with clinical situations in Japan, while considering knowledge from countries that are advanced in terms of veterinary medicine.

Colistin Susceptibility in Companion Animal-Derived Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Enterobacter spp. in Japan: Frequent Isolation of Colistin-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae Complex.

Transmission of colistin-resistant Enterobacterales from companion animals to humans poses a clinical risk as colistin is a last-line antimicrobial agent for treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria including Enterobacterales. In this study, we investigated the colistin susceptibility of 285 Enterobacterales (including 140 Escherichia coli, 86 Klebsiella spp., and 59 Enterobacter spp.) isolated from companion animals in Japan. We further characterized colistin-resistant isolates by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), phylogenetic analysis of hsp60 sequences, and population analysis profiling, to evaluate the potential clinical risk of companion animal-derived colistin-resistant Enterobacterales to humans in line with the One Health approach. All E. coli isolates were susceptible to colistin, and only one Klebsiella spp. isolate (1.2%, 1/86 isolates) was colistin resistant. Enterobacter spp. isolates were frequently colistin resistant (20.3%, 12/59 isolates). In colistin-resistant Enterobacter spp., all except one isolate exhibited colistin heteroresistance by population analysis profiling. These colistin-heteroresistant isolates belonged to clusters I, II, IV, VIII, and XII based on hsp60 phylogeny. MLST analysis revealed that 12 colistin-resistant Enterobacter spp. belonged to the Enterobacter cloacae complex; five Enterobacter kobei (four ST591 and one ST1577), three Enterobacter asburiae (one ST562 and two ST1578), two Enterobacter roggenkampii (ST606 and ST1576), and Enterobacter hormaechei (ST1579) and E. cloacae (ST765) (each one strain). Forty-two percent of the colistin-resistant E. cloacae complex isolates (predominantly ST562 and ST591) belonged to lineages with human clinical isolates. Four E. kobei ST591 isolates were resistant to third-generation cephalosporines, aminoglycosides, and fluroquinolones but remained susceptible to carbapenems. In conclusion, our study is the first to our knowledge to report the frequent isolation of the colistin-resistant E. cloacae complex from companion animals. Furthermore, a subset of isolates belonged to human-associated lineages with resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. These data warrant monitoring carriage of the colistin-resistant E. cloacae complex in companion animals as part of a domestic infection control procedure in line with the One Health approach.

Intracellular invasion ability of Streptococcus agalactiae among non-invasive isolates from human adults and companion animals in Japan

ObjectiveThis study evaluated the cell invasion ability (CIA) of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from humans and companion animals and clarified the relationship between CIA populations and their microbiological features. MethodsHuman-origin and companion animal-origin isolates were collected along with host information. We measured CIA using human-lineage colon cancer epithelium (Caco-2) and keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell lines, via virulence-associated gene profiling (bca-rib-bac-lmb-cylE-hylB-pavA-pilB-spb1-srtC1-brpA), capsular genotyping, multilocus sequence typing, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotyping/genotyping. Significant differences in data regarding CIA into epithelium and keratinocytes and those of isolates from different hosts were assessed. We analyzed the association of CIA populations with the virulence genotypes, capsular genotypes, sequence types/clonal complexes, and AMR phenotypes/genotypes. ResultsA comparative analysis was performed between human (n = 15) and canine (n = 17) non-invasive isolates. There was a difference in CIA data between Caco-2 and HaCaT cells using human and animal isolates. For percent invasion ability into Caco-2 cells, we designated values ≥ 0.1 as high-frequency CIA and values < 0.1 as low-frequency CIA. Fourteen isolates harbored high-frequency and 18 isolates harbored low-frequency strains. There was no association between the high-frequency population and the virulence genotypes, capsular genotypes, sequence types/clonal complexes, and AMR phenotypes/genotypes. ConclusionThis is the first report assessing the invasion ability of S. agalactiae into HaCaT and Caco-2 cells. Our observations suggest that S. agalactiae is more capable of entering Caco-2 rather than HaCaT.

Novel diverse sequences of the Streptococcus canis M-like protein (SCM) gene and their prevalence in diseased companion animals: Association of their alleles with sequence types

ObjectiveWe aimed to determine novel alleles and their prevalence in Streptococcus canis M-like protein (SCM) and to elucidate association of their alleles with sequence types (STs)/clonal complexes (CCs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes/genotypes. MethodsWe amplified and sequenced scm, by using primers reported by Pinho recently, for 40 isolates in 2015 and 2017, in which the sequences could not be determined with conventional primers. Isolates, for which SCM alleles, STs, and AMR phenotypes/genotypes were previously determined, were included as controls. A phylogenetic tree of SCM amino acid sequences was constructed. Alleles, based on the tree positions with their prevalence, as well as STs/CCs and AMR phenotypes/genotypes were characterized. ResultsAlthough one isolate possessed SCM allele type 1, 39 isolates had novel allele types 10–15, based on cluster analysis. The 11 and 12 allele types were firstly found in this study. We designated novel allele types as group II and non-novel allele types as group I. Prevalence of group II alleles was 29.9% and 16.2% in 2015 and 2017. Prevalent group II types were allele 10 (10.3%), allele 11 (2.7%), and allele 15 (3.3%) through both periods. There was a significant difference in distribution of STs/CCs between groups I/II SCM populations. We found significant differences in distribution of macrolide/lincosamide AMR genotype (7.7% vs. 26.8%) and AMR rates of fluoroquinolone (0% vs. 12.5%) between the two populations. ConclusionOur study presents group II scm sequences and their prevalence among diseased companion animals in Japan, with association of their alleles with STs.

Draft Genome Sequences of Seven Streptococcus canis Strains Isolated from Diseased Companion Animals in Japan.

The draft genomes of seven Streptococcus canis isolates from diseased dogs and cats in Japan are reported here. The genome sizes ranged from 1.901 Mbp to 2.203 Mbp, with G+C contents of 39.5% to 39.8%. The sequence types, antimicrobial resistance genotypes, and S. canis M-like protein alleles were all characterized.

Species Identification of β-Hemolytic Streptococci from Diseased Companion Animals and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Data in Japan (2017).

This study aimed to identify the species and assess the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of β-hemolytic streptococci isolated from companion animals in Japan. Strains were isolated from clinical specimens of 131 companion animals that exhibited symptoms in April-May 2017. We identified strains by 16S rRNA sequencing and assessed their antimicrobial susceptibility using the broth microdilution method. AMR genes erm(A)-erm(B)-mef(A) and tet(M)-tet(O)-tet(K)-tet(L)-tet(S) in all isolates were amplified by PCR. 16S rRNA sequencing identified β-hemolytic streptococcal species as Streptococcus canis (n = 117, 89.3%), S. agalactiae (n = 7), S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (n = 5), S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (n = 1), and S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (n = 1). Overall AMR rates were 39.7% for minocycline, 19.8% for erythromycin, and 17.6% for clindamycin, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of > 4, > 2, and > 1 μg/mL, respectively. AMR genotyping showed the presence of single or mixed types: erm(B)-mef(A) and tet(M)-tet(O)-tet(L)-tet(S). There was a significant relationship between tetracycline-resistance genotypes and open pus/skin-derived specimens. These observations identify some unique features of β-hemolytic streptococcal isolates from companion animals in Japan, such as the dominant isolation of S. canis and resistance to tetracycline, macrolide, and lincosamide antibiotics, in terms of species identification and AMR properties.

Prevalence and diversity of M-like protein (SCM) gene in Streptococcus canis isolates from diseased companion animals in Japan: Implication of SCM allele

Streptococcus canis (Sc)-origin M-like protein (SCM) binds to plasminogen and immunoglobulin G and facilitates anti-phagocytic properties. We aimed to determine the prevalence and diversity of the scm gene in Sc isolates from diseased companion animals in Japan and to propose potential SCM alleles of amino acid (AA) sequences. We collected β-hemolytic streptococci from diseased animals with host information nationwide in 2015 and 2017. After Sc identification and scm gene amplification and sequencing, the gene’s prevalence and relationship between its presence and host information were determined. Furthermore, phylogenetic trees of AA sequences were constructed, and classification and distribution of SCM alleles based on variations of AA sequences were conducted. The scm detection rates were 70.6% (n = 48, 2015) and 82.9% (n = 97, 2017). There was a relationship between scm presence and Tokyo in 2015 and 2017. We found an association between scm detection and dogs in 2017 alone. Major sequence sizes were 1311 bp, 1308 bp, and 1305 bp. Using the phylogenetic trees of AA sequences, we confirmed shared positions of five identical sequence patterns in both periods. Nine SCM alleles were determined with six signal-peptide types. Most prevalent alleles were type 1, type 2, and type 4 in both periods. Our observations suggest prevalence and diversity of scm in animal-origin Sc isolates in Japan.

Bacteria isolated from companion animals in Japan (2014–2016) by blood culture

We aimed to identify microorganisms isolated by blood culture (BC) from companion animals and to determine antimicrobial resistance of these isolates during 2014-2016 at veterinary laboratory, in comparison with those during 2010-2013, in Japan. Clinical data (animal species, visiting animals/hospitalized animals, and others except for disease type and clinical course including history of antimicrobial agent use)on ill animals at veterinary clinics or hospitals were obtained. We retrospectively analyzed animal-origin BC results extracted from the database in 2014-2016 and those obtained in 2010-2013. BC-positive samples were from most of dogs (n=174 in 2014-2016 and n=86 in 2010-2013). Escherichia coli (n=50, 25.1%) and Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG) bacteria (n=23, 11.6%) were most prevalent in 2014-2016, while the percentages of E. coli (n=22, 25.3%) and SIG (n=9, 10.3%) in 2010-2013 were similar to those in 2014-2016. Percentages of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E.coli andmethicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) rate of SIG bacteria isolated in 2014-2016 were 28.0% and 69.6% (vs. 22.7% and 44.4% in 2010-2013), respectively. Fourteen ESBL-producing E.coli in 2014-2016 were isolated from 7 visiting animals and 7 hospitalized ones, whereas the sixteen MRS of SIG were from 7 visiting animals and 9 hospitalized ones. Our observations support the prevalent microorganisms isolated by BC and their antimicrobial resistance patterns for two study periods.

Isolated Bacteria and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility through Urine Culture Obtained from Companion Animals in Japan

Isolated Bacteria and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility through Urine Culture Obtained from Companion Animals in Japan

Spread of CTX-Type Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates of Epidemic Clone B2-O25-ST131 Among Dogs and Cats in Japan.

This study was performed to investigate the carriage rates of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli among ill companion animals in Japan. Among the 178 nonrepetitive E. coli isolates, including 131 from dogs and 47 from cats, collected between September and November 2015, 42 (23.6%) isolates from 29 dogs and 13 cats were identified as ESBL producers. The antimicrobial susceptibility, O serotype, phylogenetic group, β-lactamase genotype, plasmid replicon type, and sequence type (ST) of each isolate were analyzed. The major ESBL types were CTX-M-14 (26.8%), CTX-M-15 (24.4%), CTX-M-27 (19.5%), and CTX-M-55 (19.5%); predominant replicon types of blaCTX-M-carrying plasmid were IncF group and IncI1-Iγ. The most prevalent STs were ST131 (n = 15, 35.7%), followed by ST38, ST10, and ST410. The 15 isolates of ST131 belonged to B2-O25. E. coli B2-O25-ST131 isolates harboring blaCTX-M-15 or blaCTX-M-27 were resistant to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. In particular, CTX-M-15 producers showed multidrug resistance. Our results demonstrated that the CTX-M-producing pandemic E. coli clone B2-O25-ST131 has already spread in Japanese companion animals as well. Moreover, the similarity of genotypes, serotypes, phylogenetic groups, and STs of the isolates from companion animals to those from humans suggested probable transmission of resistant bacteria between pets and humans.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacter spp. isolates from companion animals in Japan.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among Enterobacter spp., including resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC), is of great concern in both human and veterinary medicine. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among 60 isolates of Enterobacter spp., including E. cloacae (n = 44), E. aerogenes (n = 10), and E. asburiae (n = 6), from clinical specimens of dogs and cats from 15 prefectures in Japan. Furthermore, we characterized the resistance mechanisms harbored by these isolates, including extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR); and assessed the genetic relatedness of ESC-resistant Enterobacter spp. strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated the resistance rates to ampicillin (93.3%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (93.3%), cefmetazole (93.3%), chloramphenicol (46.7%), ciprofloxacin (43.3%), tetracycline (40.0%), ceftazidime (33.3%), cefotaxime (33.3%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (28.3%), gentamicin (23.3%), and meropenem (0%). Phenotypic testing detected ESBLs in 16 of 18 ESC-resistant E. cloacae isolates but not in the other species. The most frequent ESBL was CTX-M-15 (n = 8), followed by SHV-12 (n = 7), and CTX-M-3 (n = 1). As for AmpC β-lactamases, CMY-2 (n = 2) and DHA-1 (n = 2) were identified in ESC-resistant E. cloacae strains with or without ESBLs. All of the ESC-resistant E. cloacae strains also harbored one or two PMQRs, including qnrB (n = 15), aac(6’)-Ib-cr (n = 8), and qnrS (n = 2). Based on MLST and PFGE analysis, E. cloacae clones of ST591-SHV-12, ST171-CTX-M-15, and ST121-CTX-M-15 were detected in one or several hospitals. These results suggested intra- and inter-hospital dissemination of E. cloacae clones co-harboring ESBLs and PMQRs among companion animals. This is the first report on the large-scale monitoring of antimicrobial-resistant isolates of Enterobacter spp. from companion animals in Japan.

Identification of Group G Streptococcal Isolates from Companion Animals in Japan and Their Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns.

In this study, we conducted a species-level identification of group G streptococcal (GGS) isolates from companion animals in Japan and analyzed antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns. Strains were isolated from sterile and non-sterile specimens collected from 72 animals with clinical signs or symptoms in April-May, 2015. We identified the strain by 16S rRNA sequencing, mass spectrometry (MS), and an automated method based on their biochemical properties. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the broth microdilution method and E-test. AMR determinants (erm(A), erm(B), mef(A), tet(M), tet(O), tet(K), tet(L), and tet(S)) in corresponding resistant isolates were amplified by PCR. The 16S rRNA sequencing identified the GGS species as Streptococcus canis (n = 68), Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (n = 3), and S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (n = 1). However, there were discrepancies between the sequencing data and both the MS and automated identification data. MS and the automated biochemical technique identified 18 and 37 of the 68 sequencing-identified S. canis strains, respectively. The AMR rates were 20.8% for tetracycline and 5.6% for clarithromycin, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC)50 -MIC90 of 2-64 and ≤ 0.12-0.25μg/mL, respectively. AMR genotyping showed single or combined genotypes: erm(B) or tet(M)-tet(O)-tet(S). Our findings show the unique characteristics of GGS isolates from companion animals in Japan in terms of species-level identification and AMR patterns.

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance in Klebsiella spp. Isolates from Companion Animals in Japan: Clonal Dissemination of Multidrug-Resistant Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella spp., including resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC) and fluoroquinolones, is of great concern in both human and veterinary medicine. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in a total of 103 Klebsiella spp. isolates, consisting of Klebsiella pneumoniae complex (KP, n = 89) and K. oxytoca (KO, n = 14) from clinical specimens of dogs and cats in Japan. Furthermore, we characterized the resistance mechanisms, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase (PABL), and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR); and assessed genetic relatedness of ESC-resistant Klebsiella spp. strains by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated that resistance rates to ampicillin, cephalothin, enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cefotaxime, gentamicin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and cefmetazole were 98.1, 37.9, 37.9, 35.9, 35.0, 34.0, 31.1, 30.1, 28.2, 14.6, and 6.8%, respectively. Phenotypic testing detected ESBLs and/or AmpC β-lactamases in 31 of 89 (34.8%) KP isolates, but not in KO isolates. Resistances to 5 of the 12 antimicrobials tested, as well as the three PMQRs [qnrB, qnrS, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr], were detected significantly more frequently in ESBL-producing KP, than in non-ESBL-producing KP and KO. The most frequent ESBL was CTX-M-15 (n = 13), followed by CTX-M-14 (n = 7), CTX-M-55 (n = 6), SHV-2 (n = 5), CTX-M-2 (n = 2), and CTX-M-3 (n = 2). Based on the rpoB phylogeny, all ESBL-producing strains were identified as K. pneumoniae, except for one CTX-M-14-producing strain, which was identified as K. quasipneumoniae. All of AmpC β-lactamase positive isolates (n = 6) harbored DHA-1, one of the PABLs. Based on MLST and PFGE analysis, ST15 KP clones producing CTX-M-2, CTX-M-15, CTX-M-55, and/or SHV-2, as well as KP clones of ST1844-CTX-M-55, ST655-CTX-M-14, and ST307-CTX-M-15, were detected in one or several hospitals. Surprisingly, specific clones were detected in different patients at an interval of many months. These results suggest that multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing KP were clonally disseminated among companion animals via not only direct but also indirect transmission. This is the first report on large-scale monitoring of antimicrobial-resistant Klebsiella spp. isolates from companion animals in Japan.

A Survey of Veterinarians’ Attitudes toward Euthanasia of Companion Animals in Japan

ABSTRACTThis study investigated veterinarians’ attitudes toward euthanasia of companion animals in Japan. A nationwide survey was conducted with 932 veterinarians in small animal practices. It examined the number of times they administered euthanasia, their moral criteria for choosing euthanasia for animals, and their behavioral criteria for suggesting euthanasia to owners. According to the data analyses, on average the veterinarians administered euthanasia 2.48 times a year. For many veterinarians, two conditions were necessary to justify euthanasia for animals: “the animals are incurable and suffering” and “the owners request to euthanize the animals.” In the absence of either condition, the veterinarians were inclined to disapprove of choosing euthanasia. If the owners requested further treatment, 67% showed clear disapproval of choosing euthanasia for animals with serious medical conditions. Meanwhile, more than 76% showed clear disapproval of euthanizing healthy animals when the owners requested it. These results indicate that the owners’ request takes precedence over the animals’ condition for suffering animals, but not for healthy animals. For animals with serious medical conditions, 56% of the veterinarians answered that they would or might suggest euthanasia to the owners even though the owners requested further treatment. In this situation, for some veterinarians, the animals’ condition rather than the owners’ request might become a determinant in suggesting euthanasia to owners, even if their moral judgments were against choosing euthanasia for the animals. A decrease in the owners’ or the animals’ quality of life and the owners’ inability to pay were not primary factors in choosing or suggesting euthanasia. Having an experience of euthanizing their own animals was a key factor for the veterinarians which increased not only the number of times they administered euthanasia but also the degree of their moral approval of choosing euthanasia and their behavioral willingness to suggest it to owners.

国内の伴侶動物における薬剤耐性菌の疫学

国内の伴侶動物における薬剤耐性菌の疫学

Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in relation to virulence genes and phylogenetic origins among urogenital Escherichia coli isolates from dogs and cats in Japan

To assess the status of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), identify extraintestinal virulence factors (VFs) and phylogenetic origins, and analyze relationships among these traits in extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) isolates from companion animals. 104 E coli isolates obtained from urine or genital swab samples collected between 2003 and 2010 from 85 dogs and 19 cats with urogenital infections in Japan. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was determined by use of the agar dilution method; a multiplex PCR assay was used for VF gene detection and phylogenetic group assessment. Genetic diversity was evaluated via randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. Of the 104 isolates, 45 (43.3%) were resistant to > 2 antimicrobials. Phylogenetically, 64 (61.5%), 22 (21.2%), 13 (12.5%), and 5 (4.8%) isolates belonged to groups B2, D, B1, and A, respectively. Compared with other groups, group B2 isolates were less resistant to all tested antimicrobials and carried the pap, hly, and cnf genes with higher frequency and the aer gene with lower frequency. The aer gene was directly associated and the pap, sfa, hly, and cnf genes were inversely associated with AMR. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis revealed 3 major clusters, comprised mainly of group B1, B2, and D isolates; 2 subclusters of group B2 isolates had different VF and AMR status. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE; Prevalences of multidrug resistance and human-like phylogenetic origins among ExPEC isolates from companion animals in Japan were high. It is suggested that VFs, phylogenetic origins, and genetic diversity are significantly associated with AMR in ExPEC.

Seroepidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in domestic and companion animals in Japan.

Seroepidemiology of Coxiella burnetii in domestic and companion animals in Japan.