Antimicrobial Resistance and Prevalence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Dogs and Cats in Northeastern China from 2012 to 2021

Abstract

(1) Background: there has been a growing concern about pet-spread bacterial zoonosis in recent years. This study aimed to investigate the trend in drug-resistance of canine <i>Escherichia coli</i> isolates in northeast China between 2012-2021 and the differences in drug-resistance of <i>E. coli</i> of different origins in 2021. (2) Methods: <i>E. coli</i> were isolated from feces or anal swab samples from dogs and cats, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles and phylogenetic grouping were identified. PCR was applied on the extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) <i>E. coli</i> for antibiotic resistance genes. (3) Results: five hundred and fifty-four <i>E. coli</i> isolates were detected in 869 samples (63.75%). The multidrug resistance (MDR) rates of <i>E. coli</i> in pet dogs showed a decreasing trend, but working dogs showed the opposite trend. Resistance genes <i>bla</i>_CTX-M and <i>bla</i>_CTX-M+TEM were dominant among the ESBL producers (<i>n</i> = 219). The consistency between the resistance phenotypes and genes was high except for fluoroquinolone-resistant ESBL <i>E. coli</i>. All ESBL <i>E. coli</i>-carrying <i>bla</i>_NDM were isolated from working dogs, and one of the strains carried <i>mcr-1</i> and <i>bla</i>_NDM-4. Phylogroup B2 was the dominant group in pet cats, and more than half of the isolates from companion cats were ESBL <i>E. coli</i>. (4) Conclusions: the measures taken to reduce resistance in China were beginning to bear fruit. Companion cats may be more susceptible to colonization by ESBL <i>E. coli</i>. The problem of resistant bacteria in working dogs and pet cats warrants concern.