Prevalence and molecular features of ESBL/pAmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy and diseased companion animals in Brazil.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC)-carrying Enterobacteriaceae have widely disseminated in human, animal and environmental reservoirs. Pets have been recognized as a source of ESBL/pAmpC worldwide, and are possibly also a source of human contamination. The aim of this study was to document to what extent cats and dogs may act as a driving force in the spread of ESBLs and pAmpCs in Brazil. A total of 113 healthy stray cats and dogs and 74 sick pets were sampled, and extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (ESC-R) were detected in 28/113 (24.8%) and 8/74 (10.8%) tested animals, respectively. Different Enterobacteriaceae isolates (mostly E. coli), a large number of E. coli clones (with ST90, ST457, ST973 and ST2541 being predominant), and several ESBL/pAmpC genes and plasmids were characterized, highlighting the ability of stray and pet cats and dogs to further spread a wide range of ESC-resistance determinants. The ESBL phenotype was due to the blaCTX-M-2 and blaCTX-M-8 genes, as found in human epidemiology in Brazil, but blaCTX-M-9 and blaCTX-M-15 were also identified. The pAmpC phenotype was systematically due to the presence of the blaCMY-2 gene, mostly carried by IncI1 ST12 plasmids. Our results showed that pets can be considered a significant reservoir of multidrug-resistant bacteria in Brazil. This is especially true for healthy stray dogs that displayed the highest prevalence (24.8%) of ESBLs/pAmpC resistance determinants, which can then be further spread both to the environment and to other animals or humans by contact.

Occurrence and genetic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus in milk samples of cattle with mastitis, and in the Veterinary Hospital personnel and dairy workers / Ocorrência e caracterização genética de Staphylococcus aureus em amostras de leite de gado com mastite, na equipe de um Hospital Veterinário e em pessoas que trabalham com o gado leiteiro

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common microorganisms responsible for high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus are responsible for several outbreaks worldwide and therapeutic arsenal has become scarce. The present investigation verified the epidemiological profile of S. aureus strains isolated from the veterinary hospital staff, from dairy cattle workers and also from milk samples of dairy cattle presenting mastitis. Samples were characterized phenotypically by antibiogram, catalase, and coagulase tests, and also by Voges-Proskauer test. The isolated strains were characterized genotypically by specific Polymerase Chain Reaction and Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA). From the 218 isolated strains, 27 were identified as S. aureus (12%), four of them were resistant to oxacillin and two of them were classified as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant S. aureus). The prevalence of isolated strains among animal personnel care was low (2%) but all MRSA isolates were found among the clinical staff. Results of ARDRA pointed out that S. aureus strains isolated from different animal care personnel were grouped in the same cluster when HindIII and HinfII restriction enzymes were used. When ARDRA was performed with HaeIII enzyme, the formation of two clusters was observed, but the isolated strains were not correlated. The prevalence of S. aureus strains isolated was higher in clinical staff and the biochemical and molecular assays of them presented 100% of correlation.(AU)

Staphylococcus aureus está entre os microrganismos que apresentam as maiores taxas de morbidade e mortalidade em seres humanos e animais. Linhagens de S. aureus resistentes a meticilina podem causar surtos de infecção em todo o mundo, o que contribui para a escassez de arsenal terapêutico. Este trabalho analisou o perfil epidemiológico de estirpes de S. aureus isoladas de pessoas que trabalham em contato com animais em um hospital veterinário com gado leiteiro e também em amostras de leite de vacas acometidas por mastite. As estirpes de S. aureus isoladas foram caracterizadas fenotipicamente por meio de antibiograma, testes de catalase e coagulase, e pelo teste de Voges-Proskauer. As amostras também foram caracterizadas genotipicamente pela técnica de Análise de Restrição de DNA Ribossômico Amplificado (ARDRA-PCR). Das 218 estirpes isoladas, 27 foram identificadas como S. aureus (12%). Entre essas, quatro estirpes foram resistentes à oxacilina e duas classificadas como SARM (S. aureus resistente à meticilina). A ocorrência de estirpes de S.aureus isoladas entre o pessoal que trabalha em contato com os animais foi baixa (2%), mas estirpes identificadas como SARM foram encontradas na equipe clínica. As análises de ARDRA realizadas com as enzimas de restrição HindIII e HinfII demonstraram que S. aureus isolados de diferentes indivíduos que trabalhavam com animais foram agrupados no mesmo cluster. Quando a ARDRA foi realizada com HaeIII foi observada formação de dois grupos, mas os isolados não se correlacionaram. Conclusão: a ocorrência de estirpes de S. aureus isoladas foi maior na equipe clínica, apresentando também correlação de 100% nos ensaios bioquímicos e moleculares.(AU)