Background. Antibiotic resistance (AR) is now considered a zoonosis that needs to be addressed by a One Health approach that considers animal, human and environmental health interdependent. Several studies have shown that antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes are everywhere in nature. Escherichia coli is one of the microorganisms that can acquire and transfer resistance genes and, as it is part of the intestinal microflora of animals and humans, is also considered as an indicator of the evolution of antibiotic resistance. The study of the presence of bacterial strains harbouring AR genes (ARGs) in stray cats would be interesting to investigate the role of these animals to disseminate AR in the territory. Objectives. The aim of our works was to investigate the presence of ARGs in E. coli isolated from rectal swabs of stray cats. Material and Methods. For E. coli isolation, 48 rectal swabs collected in cats from one shelter and different colonies located in a province of northern Italy (Monza Brianza) were seeded on McConkey agar. Subsequently, the presence of ARGs was assessed by PCR, following previously published protocols. Results. From 48 rectal swabs analysed, E. coli were isolated in 19 (39.6%). 85% of these harboured one or more of the genes investigated: 12/19 carried the blaTEM, 9/19 the tet(A) and 3/19 the sullII genes. No strains were found to harbour the blaCTXM and qnrS genes. Only one cat in which E. coli was isolated had an history reporting recent antibiotic treatment (doxycycline and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid). Conclusion. These preliminary data show the presence of E. coli harbouring ARGs in stray and shelter cats that rarely have received antibiotic treatment. Following a One Health approach, further studies will be conducted both to deepen the knowledge of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms from these animals and to study their resistance mechanisms.
Preliminary study on the presence of ARGs IN E. coli strains isolated from stray cats / V. Gargano, D. Gambino, S. Migliore, D. Proverbio, R. Perego, L. Baggiani, E. Spada, F. Vitale, D. Vicari. ((Intervento presentato al 13. convegno European Multicolloquium of Parasitology-EMOP :Changing Climate, Changing Parasites tenutosi a Belgrade, Serbia nel 2021.
Preliminary study on the presence of ARGs IN E. coli strains isolated from stray cats
D. Proverbio;R. Perego;L. Baggiani;F. Vitale;
2021
Abstract
Background. Antibiotic resistance (AR) is now considered a zoonosis that needs to be addressed by a One Health approach that considers animal, human and environmental health interdependent. Several studies have shown that antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes are everywhere in nature. Escherichia coli is one of the microorganisms that can acquire and transfer resistance genes and, as it is part of the intestinal microflora of animals and humans, is also considered as an indicator of the evolution of antibiotic resistance. The study of the presence of bacterial strains harbouring AR genes (ARGs) in stray cats would be interesting to investigate the role of these animals to disseminate AR in the territory. Objectives. The aim of our works was to investigate the presence of ARGs in E. coli isolated from rectal swabs of stray cats. Material and Methods. For E. coli isolation, 48 rectal swabs collected in cats from one shelter and different colonies located in a province of northern Italy (Monza Brianza) were seeded on McConkey agar. Subsequently, the presence of ARGs was assessed by PCR, following previously published protocols. Results. From 48 rectal swabs analysed, E. coli were isolated in 19 (39.6%). 85% of these harboured one or more of the genes investigated: 12/19 carried the blaTEM, 9/19 the tet(A) and 3/19 the sullII genes. No strains were found to harbour the blaCTXM and qnrS genes. Only one cat in which E. coli was isolated had an history reporting recent antibiotic treatment (doxycycline and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid). Conclusion. These preliminary data show the presence of E. coli harbouring ARGs in stray and shelter cats that rarely have received antibiotic treatment. Following a One Health approach, further studies will be conducted both to deepen the knowledge of antibiotic resistance in microorganisms from these animals and to study their resistance mechanisms.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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EMOP2021-Program-and-Abstract-Book ARGs in E. Coli.pdf
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