Extended spectrum ß-lactamase and plasmid mediated quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli fecal isolates from healthy companion animals in Algeria.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of fecal carriage of Escherichia coli strains producing Extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) isolated from healthy pets (dogs and cats) in Algeria. Fecal samples from 171 healthy pets (102 dogs and 69 cats) in one veterinary practice and private owners were included. After isolates identification, antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion procedure. ESBL were detected by combination disk tests. PCR and sequencing were used to characterize genes encoding ESBLs and PMQR. Transfer of ESBL and PMQR genes was assessed by conjugation experiments. Phylogenetic groups of E. coli were determined by PCR. Of the 171 animals, 20 carried an ESBL producing E. coli giving a prevalence of ESBL fecal carriage of 11.7%. All isolates were susceptible to carbapenems, cefoxitin, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin and fosfomycine. For the rest of the tested ß-lactams, susceptibility rates ranged from 35% to 70% for cefepime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid respectively. Concerning the non-beta-lactams antibiotics, the rates of susceptibility ranged between 5% to trimethoprim and 95% for chloramphenicol. The beta-lactamase genes identified in E. coli isolates were blaCTX-M-15, blaCTX-M-1, blaSHV-12 and blaTEM-1. The PMQR determinants aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS1 and qnrB5 genes were identified in 15 isolates. Transconjugants were obtained for two isolates. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E. coli isolates belong to commensal phylogroups of A and B1. We reported here for the first time in Algeria ESBL and PMQR-producing E. coli in healthy cats and dogs.

Clonal dissemination of OXA-48-producing Enterobacter cloacae isolates from companion animals in Algeria.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in companion animals. METHODS: Between October 2015 and April 2016, 533 rectal swabs were obtained from healthy and diseased pets in different cities in Algeria. Samples were plated on MacConkey agar supplemented with ertapenem (0.5mg/L). Isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method. Carbapenemase, plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC), extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes were characterised by PCR. Plasmids were extracted by the Kieser extraction method and were analysed by PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT). The epidemiological relationship between Enterobacter cloacae isolates was determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). RESULTS: From 533 rectal swabs, 12 Enterobacteriaceae (2.3%), including 2 Escherichia coli, 2 Klebsiella pneumoniae and 8 E. cloacae, were recovered from selection plates. The 12 strains were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ticarcillin, piperacillin/tazobactam and ertapenem. All isolates were susceptible to aminoglycosides, imipenem and extended-spectrum cephalosporins. PCR and sequencing identified the blaOXA-48 gene in all isolates. qnrB1 was identified in all E. cloacae isolates. Plasmid analysis showed that the blaOXA-48 gene was localised on a 7-kb untypeable plasmid. RAPD analysis demonstrated the presence of the same profile pattern in the eight E. cloacae isolates. MLST analysis showed that the E. cloacae isolates belonged to ST527. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports for the first time the presence of CPE in horses and pet birds in the world.

Emergence of Carbapenemase-Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Companion Animals in Algeria.

The emergence and worldwide spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae is of great concern to public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli in companion animals in Algeria. Two hundred fecal samples were obtained from healthy and diseased dogs and cats in one veterinary office and private owners in Bejaia city, Algeria, during November 2014 to March 2015. Isolates were screened by polymerase chain reaction for the presence of carbapenemase, acquired plasmidic AmpC (pAmpC) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes. Five carbapenemase-producing E. coli isolates were detected including four OXA-48-producing isolates and one isolate producing NDM-5. Coexpression of ESBL and pAmpC genes was observed in these isolates. Phylogenetic grouping revealed that these isolates belonged to A and D phylogroups. The results of this study show that carbapenemase-producing E. coli spread to the companion animals in Algeria.