title: Carriage of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli in dogs: Prevalence, associated risk factors and molecular characteristics.
abstract: Resistance to antimicrobials, in particular that mediated by extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and AmpC β-lactamases are frequently reported in bacteria causing canine disease as well as in commensal bacteria, which could be a potential health risk for humans they come into contact with. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the prevalence and investigate the molecular characteristics of ESBL and plasmid encoded AmpC (pAmpC)-producing E. coli in the mainland UK vet-visiting canine population and, using responses from detailed questionnaires identify factors associated with their carriage. Faecal samples were cultured for antimicrobial resistant (AMR), ESBL and pAmpC-producing E. coli. A subset of ESBL and pAmpC-producing isolates were subjected to multi-locus sequence typing and DNA microarray analyses. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to construct models to identify risk factors associated with multidrug resistant (MDR, resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes), fluoroquinolone resistant, ESBL and AmpC-producing E. coli. AMR E.coli were isolated from 44.8% (n=260) of samples, with 1.9% and 7.1% of samples carrying ESBL and pAmpC-producing E. coli, respectively. MDR E. coli were identified in 18.3% of samples. Recent use of antimicrobials and being fed raw poultry were both identified as risk factors in the outcomes investigated. A number of virulence and resistance genes were identified, including genes associated with extra-intestinal and enteropathogenic E. coli genotypes. Considering the close contact that people have with dogs, the high levels of AMR E. coli in canine faeces may be a potential reservoir of AMR bacteria or resistance determinants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wedley
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Teaching Hospital, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Maddox
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Karen P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Gina L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Pinchbeck
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clegg
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nuttall
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Health Agency, Department of Bacteriology, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Surrey, KT15 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Miranda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Institute of Infection and Global Health, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: njwillms@liverpool.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Nicola J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000382:microbiology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005838:Genotype; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors; C048795:AmpC beta-lactamases; D001618:beta-Lactamases
keywords: Antimicrobial resistance; Dog; Extended spectrum beta-lactamase; Microarray; Risk analysis