Dogs in ICU Carry Multi-Drug Resistant Enterococci
Author Information
Author(s): Ghosh Anuradha, Dowd Scot E., Zurek Ludek
Primary Institution: Kansas State University
Hypothesis
Companion animals (dogs) treated with antibiotics in the ICU become a reservoir of antibiotic resistant and potentially virulent enterococcal population and the corresponding resistance traits are horizontally transferrable.
Conclusion
Dogs treated with antibiotics in the ICU harbor a large population of multi-drug resistant enterococci, which can transfer resistance traits to other bacteria.
Supporting Evidence
- Enterococci made up a significantly higher proportion of the fecal microbiota in ICU dogs compared to healthy dogs.
- All E. faecalis strains were biofilm formers in vitro.
- E. faecium strains showed high resistance rates to multiple antibiotics.
- Three E. faecium clones were shared among four dogs, suggesting nosocomial origin.
- Horizontal gene transfer of antibiotic resistance traits was demonstrated in vitro.
Takeaway
Dogs that stay in the hospital and get antibiotics can carry superbugs that are hard to treat and can share these germs with other animals and people.
Methodology
Fecal samples from dogs treated with antibiotics were analyzed using culture-based methods and 16S rDNA pyrosequencing to assess enterococcal populations and antibiotic resistance.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in sampling as only dogs treated with antibiotics were included.
Limitations
The study focused only on dogs in the ICU and did not include healthy dogs for comparison.
Participant Demographics
Dogs of various breeds and ages, treated in the veterinary ICU.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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