Abundance of New Delhi Metallo-ß-Lactamase-Producing Acinetobacter, Escherichia, Proteus, and Pseudomonas spp. in Mahananda and Karala Rivers of India.

In this study, we report a high incidence of New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM)-producing and ampicillin-catabolizing bacteria within carbapenem-resistant bacterial populations in the waters of two important rivers, Mahananda and Karala, bisecting two most populous towns, Siliguri and Jalpaiguri, respectively, in the northern West Bengal, India. Isolates producing NDM belonged to four genera, Acinetobacter, Escherichia, Proteus, and Pseudomonas; among which few were phylogenetically determined as putatively novel species. Class 1 integrons with the frequent presence of aadA and aac(6')-Ib gene cassettes in 50% of NDM-bearing isolates are indicative of possible selective pressures generated out of unregulated use of streptomycin, in agriculture practiced by the cultivators and tea planters living in locales drained by these two rivers, in their up- and downstream, and amikacin in the most crowded government-sponsored "sadar" and district hospitals of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri. NDM-delivering bacteria in rivers have genuine consequences for city inhabitants who are dependent on public water and sanitation facilities. Standard reconnaissance of antibiotic resistance, consolidating ecological sampling just as the assessment of clinical isolates, should be set up as a need.

Otodectic and bacterial etiology of feline otitis externa in Tripoli, Libya.

Background: Feline otitis externa is a dermatological disorder with a multifactorial complex etiology. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of different etiological agents, particularly the parasitic and bacterial, responsible for the cases of feline otitis externa in Tripoli, Libya, and to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the bacterial isolates from those cases. Methods: Cerumen and otic discharges of the suspected cats were collected for parasite detection and bacterial culture. Kirby-Bauer's disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Results: The results showed that otodectic mites and bacterial causes were equally the most prevalent in those cases, with a prevalence of 47.1% each. Otodectes cynotis infestation was more frequently bilateral and severe. Staphylococcus spp. were the most prevalent among bacterial causes (75%), followed by Proteus spp. (16.6%) and Pseudomonas spp. (8.4%). Norfloxacin and gentamicin were the most effective antimicrobials against bacterial isolates, as they were effective against 83.3% and 70.8% of isolates, respectively. Conclusion: Otodectes cynotis infestation and staphylococcal infections constituted the most common etiology of feline otitis externa in Tripoli, Libya, and norfloxacin represented a cogent antibacterial for the treatment of otitis externa.

Synergistic effects of combinatorial chitosan and polyphenol biomolecules on enhanced antibacterial activity of biofunctionalaized silver nanoparticles.

The present study reports the synergistic antibacterial activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with the aid of a combination of chitosan and seaweed-derived polyphenols as a green synthetic route. Under optimum synthesis conditions, the rapid color change from yellowish to dark brown and UV-visible absorption peak at 425 confirmed the initial formation of AgNPs. DLS, TEM, XRD, and EDX analyses revealed the spherical shape of pure biogenic AgNPs with a mean diameter size of 12 nm ± 1.5 nm, and a face-centered cubic crystal structure, respectively. FTIR and TGA results indicated the significant contribution of chitosan and polyphenol components into silver ions bioreduction and thermal stability of freshly formed AgNPs. Long-term colloidal stability of AgNPs was obtained after 6-month storage at room temperature. The bio-prepared AgNPs possessed a negative surface charge with a zeta potential value of - 27 mV. In contrast to naked chemical silver nanoparticles, the green Ag nanosamples demonstrated the distinct synergistic antibacterial in vitro toward all selected human pathogens presumably due to the presence of high content of biomolecules on their surface. The results show that synergy between chitosan and polyphenol results in the enhancement of bactericidal properties of biogenic AgNPs. We also highlighted the underlying mechanism involved in AgNPs formation based on nucleophile-electrophile interaction.

Genomic and functional characterization of fecal sample strains of Proteus cibarius carrying two floR antibiotic resistance genes and a multiresistance plasmid-encoded cfr gene.

The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular characteristics and horizontal transfer of florfenicol resistance gene-related sequences in Proteus strains isolated from animals. A total of six Proteus strains isolated from three farms between 2015 and 2016 were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for known florfenicol resistance genes. Proteus cibarius G11, isolated from the fecal material of a goose, was found to harbor both cfr and floR genes. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the strain harbored two copies of the floR gene: one was located on the chromosome and the other was located on a plasmid named pG11-152. Two floR-containing fragments 4028 bp in length were identical and showed transposon-like structures. The cfr gene was found on a plasmid named pG11-51 and flanked by a pair of IS26s. Thus, mobile genetic elements played an important role in floR replication and horizontal resistance gene transfer. Therefore, increasing attention should be paid to monitoring the spread of resistance genes and resistance in real time.

High prevalence of multiple drug resistant enteric bacteria: Evidence from a teaching hospital in Southwest Nigeria.

The development and evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens has been reported to be one of the major issues confronting the global health community. The aim of this study was to examine the period prevalence of antibiotic resistance, as well as the trends and patterns in sensitivity profile of enteric bacteria isolated from urine samples of patients with UTIs in a teaching Hospital in south west Nigeria. Urine samples were collected from 77 patients with UTIs from February 2017 to October 2018. Standard laboratory methods were used for urine sample culture and bacterial identification. The Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was used to evaluate antimicrobial sensitivity. Predominant enteric bacteria isolates were Escherichia coli (24, 39.3%), Salmonella species (12, 19.7%), Klebsiella species (4, 6.6%), Providencia species (6, 9.8%), Proteus species (8, 13.1%), Serratia species (2, 3.3%), Yersinia species (1, 1.6%) and Morganella species (4, 6.6%). A large proportion (90.2%) of isolates obtained were multi-drug resistant. High resistance in amoxycillin-clavulanate (98%), cefuroxime (92%), erythromycin (90%) and ceftazidime (84%) were recorded. These results emphasize the importance of continuous screening and surveillance programmes for detection of AMR in enteric bacteria of public health importance.

Clinical pharmacokinetics of flomoxef in prostate tissue and dosing considerations for prostatitis based on site-specific pharmacodynamic target attainment.

Flomoxef is used to treat bacterial prostatitis; however, its prostatic pharmacokinetics have not been fully clarified. Flomoxef (500 or 1000 mg) was administered to patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (n = 54). After a 0.5-h infusion, venous blood samples were drawn at time points of 0.5-5 h, and prostate tissue samples were collected at time points of 0.5-1.5 h during transurethral resection of the prostate. The drug concentrations in plasma and prostate tissue were analyzed pharmacokinetically and used for a stochastic simulation to predict the probability of attaining pharmacodynamic target in prostate tissue. Showing dose linearity in the prostatic pharmacokinetics, flomoxef rapidly penetrated into prostate tissue, with a prostate/plasma ratio of 0.48-0.50 (maximum drug concentration) and 0.42-0.55 (area under the drug concentration-time curve). Against the tested populations of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus species isolates, 0.5-h infusion of 1000 mg three times daily achieved a ≥90% expected probability of attaining the bactericidal target (70% of the time above the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC]) in prostate tissue. The site-specific pharmacodynamic-based breakpoint (the highest MIC at which the target-attainment probability in prostate tissue was >90%) values were 0.25 mg/L (MIC for 90th percentile of E. coli and Klebsiella species) for 500 mg four times daily and 0.5 mg/L (MIC90 of Proteus species) for 1000 mg four times daily. These results help to fully characterize the prostatic pharmacokinetics of flomoxef, while also helping to rationalize and optimize the dosing regimens for prostatitis based on site-specific pharmacodynamic target attainment.

Allicin prevents the formation of Proteus-induced urinary crystals and the blockage of catheter in a bladder model in vitro.

Stone formation and catheter blockage are major complications of Proteus UTIs. In this study, we investigated the ability of allicin to inhibit P. mirabilis-induced struvite crystallization and catheter blockage using a synthetic bladder model. Struvite crystallization inhibition study was carried out using P. mirabilis lysate as urease enzyme source in synthetic urine (SU). Struvite productions were monitored by phase contrast light microscopy and measurements of pH, Mg2+ and Ca2+ precipitation and turbidity. A catheter blockage study was performed in a synthetic bladder model mimicking natural UTI in the presence of allicin at sub-MIC concentrations (MIC = 64 µg/ml). The results of crystallization study showed that allicin inhibited pH rise and consequently turbidity and precipitation of ions in a dose-dependent manner. The results of catheter blockage study showed that allicin at sub-MIC concentrations (2, 4, 8 µg/ml) significantly increased the time for catheter blockage to occur to 61, 74 and 92 h respectively compared to allicin-free control (48 h). In a similar way, the results showed that allicin delayed the increase of SU pH level in bladder model in a dose-dependent manner compared to allicin-free control. The results also showed that following the increase of allicin concentration, Mg2+ and Ca2+ deposition in catheters were much lower compared to allicin-free control, further confirmed by direct observation of the catheters' eyehole and cross sections. We conclude that allicin prevents the formation of Proteus-induced urinary crystals and the blockage of catheters by delaying pH increase and lowering Mg2+ and Ca2+ deposition in a dose-dependent manner.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns of urine culture specimens from 27 nursing homes: Impact of a two-year antimicrobial stewardship intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Identify changes in the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of potentially pathogenic bacteria in urine cultures during a 2-year antimicrobial stewardship intervention program in nursing homes (NHs). DESIGN: Before-and-after intervention study. SETTING: The study included 27 NHs in North Carolina. METHODS: We audited all urine cultures ordered before and during an antimicrobial stewardship intervention. Analyses compared culture rates, culture positive rates, and pathogen antimicrobial resistance patterns. RESULTS: Of 6,718 total urine cultures collected, 68% were positive for potentially pathogenic bacteria. During the intervention, significant reductions in the urine culture and positive culture rates were observed (P = .014). Most of the identified potentially uropathogenic isolates were Escherichia coli (38%), Proteus spp (13%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12%). A significant decrease was observed during the intervention period in nitrofurantoin resistance among E. coli (P ≤ .001) and ciprofloxacin resistance among Proteus spp (P ≤ .001); however carbapenem resistance increased for Proteus spp (P ≤ .001). Multidrug resistance also increased for Proteus spp compared to the baseline. The high baseline resistance of E. coli to the commonly prescribed antimicrobials ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) did not change during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The antimicrobial stewardship intervention program significantly reduced urine culture and culture-positive rates. Overall, very high proportions of antimicrobial resistance were observed among common pathogens; however, antimicrobial resistance trended downward but reductions were too small and scattered to conclude that the intervention significantly changed antimicrobial resistance. Longer intervention periods may be needed to effect change in resistance patterns.

Primary and Secondary Bacteremia Caused by Proteus spp.: Epidemiology, Strains Susceptibility and Biofilm Formation.

Proteus spp. is an etiological factor of urinary tract and bloodstream infections. The aim of this study was the retrospective analysis of susceptibility of Proteus spp. strains isolated from bloodstream infections (BSIs) as well as similarity evaluation of the strains isolated from different clinical samples. Proteus spp. strains were isolated in 2009-2017 from hospital patients. Identification was based on the colony's morphology and biochemical or MALDI-TOF MS analyzes. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done using the diffusion method. Biofilm formation was evaluated with microplate method using TTC. Bacteremia caused by Proteus spp. was found in 97 patients, mainly secondary to urinary tract infection. Most of the strains were susceptible to piperacillin with tazobactam (95.9%) and amikacin (86.7%). Elderly patients have a higher risk of mortality after BSIs caused by Proteus spp. A detailed analysis was made for randomly chosen 26 strains isolated from 11 patients with Proteus mirabilis bacteremia. Using PFGE, we found that 10 (90.9%) isolates, collected from different clinical specimens of the same patient, were genetically identical.Proteus spp. is an etiological factor of urinary tract and bloodstream infections. The aim of this study was the retrospective analysis of susceptibility of Proteus spp. strains isolated from bloodstream infections (BSIs) as well as similarity evaluation of the strains isolated from different clinical samples. Proteus spp. strains were isolated in 2009­2017 from hospital patients. Identification was based on the colony's morphology and biochemical or MALDI-TOF MS analyzes. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done using the diffusion method. Biofilm formation was evaluated with microplate method using TTC. Bacteremia caused by Proteus spp. was found in 97 patients, mainly secondary to urinary tract infection. Most of the strains were susceptible to piperacillin with tazobactam (95.9%) and amikacin (86.7%). Elderly patients have a higher risk of mortality after BSIs caused by Proteus spp. A detailed analysis was made for randomly chosen 26 strains isolated from 11 patients with Proteus mirabilis bacteremia. Using PFGE, we found that 10 (90.9%) isolates, collected from different clinical specimens of the same patient, were genetically identical.

[Susceptibility to first-generation Cephalosporins in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine culture according to CLSI and EUCAST breakpoints]. / Estudio de susceptibilidad a cefalosporinas de primera generación en enterobacterias aisladas de urocultivo, según criterios CLSI y EUCAST.

Currently, the use of cefazolin is recommended to determine the susceptibility to first-generation oral cephalosporins in strains of enterobacteria in uncomplicated UTI. We determined susceptibility differences to oral cephalosporins in urinary strains according to cefazolin or cefalotin breakpoints and the correlation of susceptibility between cefazolin and cefadroxil. We studied 52 strains with cefalotin and cefazolin by disk-diffusion and MIC (Kirby-Bauer and Vitek XL) and a subgroup by disk-diffusion for cefadroxil. Agreement among different methods was 100% for K. pneumoniae and Proteus spp. In Escherichia coli, agreement for Vitek and disk-diffusion were 0 and 50% respectively. Susceptibility to first generation cephalosporins in E. coli should be determined with cefazolin. Agreement between cefazolin and cefadroxil suggests that cefazolin could also predict the susceptibility of cefadroxil.

Incidence of antibiogram, antibiotic resistance genes and class 1 and 2 integrons in tribe Proteeae with IMP27 gene for the first time in Providencia sp. isolated from pet turtles.

Proteeae is a tribe which consists of three genera: Proteus, Providencia and Morganella. The objective of this study was to determine antimicrobial resistance profile, virulence genotype and class 1 and 2 integrons in Proteeae isolated from pet turtles and to determine the impact of antibiotic resistance on virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. Integron-positive isolates were used to detect their gene cassette array. Sixty four Proteeae were isolated and all were resistant to macrolides (100%). Among 64 isolates 56, 52, 36 and 25 were resistant to nitrofurans, ß-lactams, tetracycline and aminoglycoside respectively. Sixteen (25%) isolates were positive for intI1 while 14 (21·87%) were positive for integrase 2 (intI2). Eleven (17·18%) isolates were positive for class 1 variable region while 7 (10·93%) were positive for class 2 variable region. IMP27, a novel metallo ß-lactamase gene was found in Providencia isolates. Proteus sp. were positive for every tested virulence genes and UreC gene was detected in 48·44% followed by zapA (17·19%), mrpA (17·19%) and hlyA (14·06%) genes. In this study, integron associated-antibiotic resistance genes have been identified in Proteeae isolates in a considerable range representing clear threats to public health. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: In this study, multidrug-resistant Proteeae isolates had several antibiotic resistance genes. Integrons are important contributors to the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance. We could detect both class 1 and 2 integrons and several gene cassette arrays in class 1 integron. The gene cassette arrays of the Class 2 integrons contained IMP27-dfrA1-aadA1-catB2-ybeA-ybgA in two isolates. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study to report detection of IMP27 in Providencia rettgeri isolates. All results indicate that healthy pet turtles act as potential reservoirs for Proteeae species with zoonotic potential.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women with pelvic organ prolapse in Abakaliki, South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is the herniation of pelvic organs from its anatomical confines, and it is of considerable importance to the practicing gynaecologist in middle and low income countries. It is commonly associated with, urinary tract infection (UTI), both symptomatic and asymptomatic due to anatomical and physiological changes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women with pelvic organ prolapse, to know the organisms commonly implicated and the sensitivity pattern. METHODS: This study was conducted among 96 women with POP at the National Obstetric Fistula Centre Abakaliki. A cross sectional descriptive study was done. Standard microbial technique was used to analyze the urine. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17. RESULTS: Out of the 96 patients, 76 were found to have asymptomatic bacteriuria giving a prevalence of 79.2%. Nine different bacteria species isolated include E. Coli (34.2%), Streptococcus pneumonia (23.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.9%), Proteus Spp (7.9%) others (5.3%). The highest level of microbial sensitivity to the antimicrobials was with Ciprofloxacin. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria is very high among women with POP. More than 50% of the bacterial isolates were mainly E.coli and Streptococcus pneumonia. The highest level of microbial sensitivity was with ciprofloxacin while the least was with cotrimoxazole.

Analogues of Disulfides from Allium stipitatum Demonstrate Potent Anti-tubercular Activities through Drug Efflux Pump and Biofilm Inhibition.

Disulfides from Allium stipitatum, commonly known as Persian shallot, were previously reported to possess antibacterial properties. Analogues of these compounds, produced by S-methylthiolation of appropriate thiols using S-methyl methanethiosulfonate, exhibited antimicrobial activity, with one compound inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at 17 µM (4 mg L-1) and other compounds inhibiting Escherichia coli and multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations ranging between 32-138 µM (8-32 mg L-1). These compounds also displayed moderate inhibitory effects on Klebsiella and Proteus species. Whole-cell phenotypic bioassays such as the spot-culture growth inhibition assay (SPOTi), drug efflux inhibition, biofilm inhibition and cytotoxicity assays were used to evaluate these compounds. Of particular note was their ability to inhibit mycobacterial drug efflux and biofilm formation, while maintaining a high selectivity towards M. tuberculosis H37Rv. These results suggest that methyl disulfides are novel scaffolds which could lead to the development of new drugs against tuberculosis (TB).

Synthesis and characterization of hyaluronic acid hydrogels crosslinked using a solvent-free process for potential biomedical applications.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural linear polysaccharide that has been used extensively in the biomedical field as it is a biocompatible, biodegradable, nontoxic and non-immunogenic polymer with high water affinity. Besides, the presence of multiple acid and hydroxyl groups in the HA molecule makes it an ideal candidate for chemical modification. The present paper describes the synthesis and characterization of HA-based hydrogels. For this purpose, aqueous mixtures containing 5% (w/w) of HA and different concentrations of Gantrez S97 (GAN) (1, 3 and 5% w/w) were used to prepare HA-based hydrogels. The mixtures were dried and the hydrogels were obtained after heating the solid material at 80°C for 24h. GAN is the acid form of an methylvinylether and maleic anhydride copolymer and contains multiple acid groups that can form ester bonds when reacting with the multiple hydroxyl groups present in HA chains. The method described here present potential to be applied for the preparation of HA-based biomaterials with a defined form as the crosslinking reaction between HA and the crosslinker takes place in solid phase. Besides, the method can be considered an environmental-friendly process as no organic solvents or potentially toxic substances were used. The esterification reaction was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and dynamic scanning calorimetry measurements. The loading and release capabilities of the hydrogels were evaluating by using methylene blue (MB) as a model molecule. The hydrogels showed a high affinity for MB showing loadings up to 0.35mg MB per mg of hydrogel. Moreover, the hydrogels were capable of sustaining the MB release over two days. The use of microwave radiation was evaluated to reduce the crosslinking time from 24h to 1h, but this procedure needs to be optimized in future studies. As the crosslinking procedure takes place in solid state, the HA/GAN hydrogels were used to prepare micro-engineered device, microneedle arrays. Finally, the antimicrobial properties of the hydrogels were evaluated. The results showed that the hydrogels presented anti-infective properties.

Estudio de susceptibilidad a cefalosporinas de primera generación en enterobacterias aisladas de urocultivo, según criterios CLSI y EUCAST / Susceptibility to first-generation Cephalosporins in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from urine culture according to CLSI and EUCAST breakpoints

Resumen Actualmente se recomienda el uso de cefazolina para determinar la susceptibilidad a cefalosporinas orales de primera generación en cepas de enterobacterias en ITU no complicada. Nuestro objetivo fue establecer la susceptibilidad a cefalosporinas orales en cepas urinarias según puntos de corte para cefalotina o cefazolina y la correlación de susceptibilidad entre cefazolina y cefadroxilo. Se estudió la concordancia entre cefalotina y cefazolina en 52 cepas por método de Kirby-Bauer y Vitek XL. En Escherichia coli fue de 0% para VitekXL y 50% para Kirby-Bauer. La concordancia entre cefazolina y cefadroxilo fue 95,6%. En el laboratorio debiera usarse cefazolina para determinar susceptibilidad a cefalosporinas orales de primera generación. La concordancia entre cefazolina y cefadroxilo sugiere que cefazolina podría predecir susceptibilidad para cefadroxilo.

Currently, the use of cefazolin is recommended to determine the susceptibility to first-generation oral cephalosporins in strains of enterobacteria in uncomplicated UTI. We determined susceptibility differences to oral cephalosporins in urinary strains according to cefazolin or cefalotin breakpoints and the correlation of susceptibility between cefazolin and cefadroxil. We studied 52 strains with cefalotin and cefazolin by disk-diffusion and MIC (Kirby-Bauer and Vitek XL) and a subgroup by disk-diffusion for cefadroxil. Agreement among different methods was 100% for K. pneumoniae and Proteus spp. In Escherichia coli, agreement for Vitek and disk-diffusion were 0 and 50% respectively. Susceptibility to first generation cephalosporins in E. coli should be determined with cefazolin. Agreement between cefazolin and cefadroxil suggests that cefazolin could also predict the susceptibility of cefadroxil.

The Burden of Comorbidity Is Associated with Antibiotic Resistance Among Institutionalized Elderly with Urinary Infection: A Retrospective Cohort Study in a Single Italian Nursing Home Between 2009 and 2014.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are common among nursing home patients, are associated with adverse outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Antibiotic resistance is an emerging problem, associated with excess morbidity and mortality; it has been suggested that this condition might be more prevalent among subjects with comorbid conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the association, if any, of antibiotic resistance with the burden of comorbidity in elderly with UTIs. This retrospective study enrolled 299 patients with culture-positive UTI consecutively admitted to the nursing home of the "Fondazione San Raffaele Cittadella della Carità", Taranto, Italy, which includes 80 beds under the direction of two geriatricians. The burden of comorbidity was quantified using the Charlson comorbidity score index. Diagnosis of UTI was ascertained by urine culture. Antibiotic resistance was defined according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control expert proposal. Logistic regression was used to assess the adjusted association of the variables of interest with the presence of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance was detected in 162/299 (54%) patients. In logistic regression, the presence of antibiotic resistance was independently associated with higher Charlson score, after adjusting (odds ratio = 1.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.01-1.10). Antibiotic resistance is highly prevalent among nursing home residents; it is associated with the burden of comorbidity, but not with single diseases. This association and its potential implications should be assessed in dedicated studies.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): a preliminary assessment.

Enrofloxacin (E) is commonly used in veterinary medicine. It is necessary to perform pharmacokinetic/dynamic studies to minimize the selection of resistant mutants of bacteria and extend the efficacy of antimicrobial agents. Eight healthy adult Pogona vitticeps were assigned into two groups of equal size and treated with a single intramuscular injection of E at 10 mg/kg. Blood samples were withdrawn at different scheduled times for each group, and rectal swabs were collected. E and ciprofloxacin (active metabolite) blood concentrations were quantified by an HPLC validated method, while the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test. The pharmacokinetic profiles of E gave similar pharmacokinetic parameters irrespective of the collection time schedule. Bacteria isolation showed the presence of both E. coli, Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica and subspecies 3a, Proteus spp., and Pseudomonas spp. The majority of isolated colonies were sensitive to E, but the treatment did not reduce the number of bacteria in faeces. Results suggest that E is able to reach blood concentrations high enough to kill susceptible bacteria (MIC < 0.9 µg/mL), but at the same time does not significantly affect intestinal bacteria.