Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Bacterial Uropathogens Isolated from Dogs and Cats

Abstract

Bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common diagnosis in companion animal practice and is one of the leading reasons for antimicrobial prescriptions. We analysed 1862 samples from the urinary tract of dogs and cats, submitted to a veterinary microbiological diagnostic laboratory in 2019 and 2020 in Germany. Susceptibility of 962 uropathogenic isolates to 15 antimicrobials, suggested as first- and second-line treatment options for UTI, was determined according to CLSI recommendations. Bacterial growth of uropathogens was detected in 43.9% of dog and in 38.5% of cat samples. Escherichia (E.) coli was the most frequently isolated pathogen (48.4%), followed by Enterococcus spp. (11.9%) and coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS; 11.5%). Females were more likely to exhibit a positive microbiological culture. Regarding first-line antibiotics, 93.4% of the most commonly isolated uropathogenic species were susceptible to the first-line antibiotics amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (AMC) and 87.6% to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT), while 76.1% showed decreased susceptibility to ampicillin (AMP). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was detected in 11.9% of E. coli, 50.4% of enterococci, and 42.7% of CoPS; 90.6% of these isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin (NIT). Our data indicate that empiric treatment of UTI with AMC or SXT could be recommended and is preferable to treatment with AMX. NIT should be considered for the treatment of MDR uropathogens.

Six-Year Prescription Pattern of Antimicrobial Use in Cats at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Pisa

“…Antimicrobial preparations are most frequently administered by the oral route in both dogs and cats, [33,39,46] since the owners of companion animals are often more willing to accept the oral administration of antimicrobial therapy instead of parenteral. Moreover, most of the authors studying antimicrobials in pets [33,34,39,46,47] concluded that amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was by far the most frequently used systemic antimicrobial by oral route, confirming the results observed in our study. Similarly, the examination of cat owners in the article by Cazer et al [48] highlights that the owners show a preference for antimicrobials that are not only more cost-effective but also easier to administer [49].…”

“…Similarly, Aurich et al [34] observed that bacterial urinary tract infection is a commonly diagnosed disorder in companion animals; another study showed that, in a survey of more than 3000 veterinary practitioners from 25 European countries, up to 62% of the antimicrobials were prescribed to treat genitourinary tract infections in cats [35]. For the treatment of this pathology in companion animals, HPCIAs, such as fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins, represent the first used choice [34,[36][37][38][39]. Our results were partially in agreement with the cited studies, whereby third-generation cephalosporins were not frequently used, while approximately 30% of all prescribed antimicrobials were represented by fluoroquinolones.…”

“…In our study, approximately 30% of antimicrobials were prescribed for genitourinary tract infections, followed by gastrointestinal tract, skin, and respiratory system infections. Similarly, Aurich et al [34] observed that bacterial urinary tract infection is a commonly diagnosed disorder in companion animals; another study showed that, in a survey of more than 3000 veterinary practitioners from 25 European countries, up to 62% of the antimicrobials were prescribed to treat genitourinary tract infections in cats [35]. For the treatment of this pathology in companion animals, HPCIAs, such as fluoroquinolones and third-generation cephalosporins, represent the first used choice [34,[36][37][38][39].…”

The Antimicrobial Effect of Cornus mas L. and Sorbus aucuparia L. Fruit Extracts against Resistant Uropathogens in Correlation with the Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infections in Companion Animals

“…Additionally, comparable findings about the species distribution were observed in a prior work [ 38 ]. Other studies have indicated the importance of neuter status on the incidence of UTI, with sterilized females being more inclined to experience urinary infections [ 2 , 39 ]. Moreover, mature dogs and young cats appeared to be particularly susceptible.…”

Genotypic Characterization of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Companion Animals: Predominance of ST372 in Dogs and Human-Related ST73 in Cats

“…Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are recognized as the leading cause of community-acquired and hospital-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) in both humans and companion animals [1][2][3][4]. Other significant pathogens commonly found include Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Enterococcus faecalis, and various Enterobacterales, such as Proteus sp., Klebsiella sp., and Enterobacter sp.…”