title: Antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in hospitalised companion animals and their hospital environment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern with implications for animal health. This study investigated the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among commensal and environmental Escherichia coli isolated from animals sampled in referral hospitals in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Resistant Escherichia coli isolated from animal faeces and practice environments were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. PCR and sequencing techniques were used to identify extended spectrum beta-lactamase and AmpC-producer genotypes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 333 faecal and 257 environmental samples were collected. Multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli were found in 13·1% of faecal and 8·9% of environmental samples. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase and AmpC genes were identified 14% and 7·7% of faecal samples and 8·6% and 8·6% of environmental samples, respectively. The most common extended spectrum beta-lactamase gene type detected was blaCTX-M -15 , although blaTEM-158 was detected in faecal and environmental samples from one practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Escherichia coli resistant to key antimicrobials were isolated from hospitalised animals and the practice environment. We identified the emergence of the inhibitor resistant and extended spectrum beta-lactamase blaTEM-158 in companion animals. Further investigation to determine risk factors for colonisation with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is needed to provide evidence for antimicrobial stewardship and infection control programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, CH64 7TE.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tuerena
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, CH64 7TE.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Neston, CH64 7TE.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nuttall
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, Neston, CH64 7TE.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pinchbeck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002415:Cats / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006762:Hospitals, Animal; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D057805:Pets / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents