First Microbiological and Molecular Identification ofRhodococcus equiin Feces of Nondiarrheic Cats

Abstract

Rhodococcus equiis responsible for infections in multiple-host animals. In humans, the prevalence of rhodococcus has increased worldwide and represents an emergent risk.R. equiis a soil-borne opportunistic bacterium isolated from feces of a wide variety of domestic species, except cats; thus, there is no known potential risk of its transmission from humans. Here, the mono- and cooccurrence ofRhodococcus equiand other bacteria and selected virulence markers were investigated in feces of nondiarrheic cats from urban (n=100) and rural (n=100) areas. Seven (7/200=3.5%)R. equiisolates were recovered in ceftazidime, novobiocin, and cycloheximide (CAZ-NB) selective media, exclusively of cats from three distinct farms (p=0.01), and these cats had a history of contact with horses and their environment (p=0.0002). None of theR. equiisolates harbored hosted-adapted plasmid types associated with virulence (pVAPA, pVAPB, and pVAPN). One hundred seventy-fiveE. coliisolates were identified, and 23 atypical enteropathogenicE. coli(aEPEC), 1 STEC (Shiga-toxin producingE. coli), and 1 EAEC (enteroaggregativeE. coli) were detected. Eighty-sixC. perfringenstype A isolates were identified, and beta-2 and enterotoxin were detected in 21 and 1 isolates, respectively. FiveC. difficileisolates were identified, one of which was toxigenic and ribotype 106. The main cooccurring isolates in cats from urban areas wereE. coliandC. perfringensA (26/100=26%),E. coliandC. perfringenstype Acpb2+(8/100=8%), and aEPEC (eae+/escN+) andC. perfringenstype A (5/100=5%). In cats from farms, the main cooccurring isolates wereE. coliandC. perfringenstype A (21/100=21%),E. coliandC. perfringenstype Acpb2+8/100=8%), andE. coliandR. equi(4/100=4%). We identified, for the first time,R. equiin nondiarrheic cats, a finding that represents a public health issue because rhodococcus has been reported in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent humans, particularly people living with HIV/AIDS.

Rhodococcus equi bacteremia with necrotizing pneumonia and brain abscess in a newly diagnosed HIV patient in Saudi Arabia: A case report and review of literature

“…In our case, the patient had a history of exposure to cats, which could have served as the source of infection. Recent data have confirmed that Rhodococcus can be isolated from cat feces, establishing cats as reservoirs of Rhodococcus , thus corroborating our assumption [ 14 ]. The treatment of R. equi infection has presented a significant challenge, primarily due to the absence of a standardized regimen.…”

Rhodococcus equi—Occurrence in Goats and Clinical Case Report

“…Even though R. equi is not considered an essential threat to species other than horses, a growing number of reports of R. equi infection in farm and wild animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, lamas, camels, buffaloes, roe deer, deer, pigs, wild boars, and wild birds have been published in recent years [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…However, recent reports of infections in companion animals appear to be more thrilling in the possible transmission and even faster increase of antimicrobial resistance. Thus, this tendency is likely to change [ 9 , 11 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ].…”

“…Disseminated organ abscessation with frequent involvement of the liver and lungs, as well as concurrent lymphadenitis and osteomyelitis, are most often reported in infected goats [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. The cutaneous and pulmonary form of the disease is reported in cats and dogs [ 9 , 11 , 30 , 31 ]. Pneumonia is the most common manifestation in humans, but EPDs, including pericarditis, mastitis, empyema, pericarditis, mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy, brain and psoas abscesses, osteomyelitis, and spondylodiscitis are also observed.…”