New report from the field of Veterinary Medicine, Osaka,

The emergence and global spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among companion animals (eg dogs and cats) poses a risk of animals becoming a reservoir for cross-species transmission due to their close contact with humans.

In Japan, for the first time, a research team led by Associate Professor Mayo Yasugi of the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Veterinary Science found Escherichia coli resistant to colistin antibiotics and third generation cephalosporins in companion dogs. Outside Japan, both colistin and third-generation cephalosporins are resistant E. coli isolates have been found in companion animals. However, the number of reports is still low, and knowledge of trends and in-depth analysis of these bacteria is limited. Therefore, much is still unknown regarding the nature and host-to-host transmission of bacteria.

This study investigated 678 bacterial strains isolated from 428 dogs and 74 cats with suspected infectious diseases presented to the Veterinary Medical Center, Osaka Metropolitan University. Researchers found two E. coli strains carrying both are resistant to cellular colistin mcr genes and resistance to third-generation cephalosporins blah_CTX gene. One of the strains isolated from a dog was found to be resistant to colistin and third generation cephalosporins.

According to Professor Yasugi, “From a ‘One Health’ perspective, studies on antimicrobial resistant bacteria should be carried out not only in humans but also in animals and the environment. We hope to contribute to elucidating the role of companion animals in cross-species transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.”

Their findings are published in Veterinary Microbiology.

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