Antimicrobial resistance patterns and ESBL producers among Escherichia coli isolates from dogs

Abstract

Emerging extended-spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) Escherichia coli in veterinary and human medicine is a global threat to health delivery. This study investigated the presence and prevalence of ESBL producers from diagnostic isolates. The isolates were characterised through retrospective analysis of existing Kirby-Bauer results to determine the phenotypic resistance prevalence and screen for ESBL producing isolates, to quantify resistance through the M.I.C.E test and detect the TEM gene. A total of 36 isolates out of 37 were ESBL producers and 10 isolates were carrying the TEM gene. Retrospective analysis demonstrated varying resistance prevalence from 5.4 to as high as75.7% against the 15 antibiotics across all 37 isolates. Resistance across all 37 isolates was observed with a prevalence of 78.4% against ampicillin, 54.1% against amoxicillin / clavulanic acid, 21.6% against ceftazidime and 24.6% against cefotaxime but no resistance was observed against imipenem. Resistance was also observed in some isolates which were negative for the TEM gene. Further investigation to identify the other ESBL genes causing the resistance phenotype observed in E. coli isolates which tested negative for the TEM gene is needed.