Determination of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli prevalence in faecal samples of healthy dogs and cats

Abstract

The intensive use of cephalosporins is considered to cause faecal colonization of Escherichia coli producing the extended spectrum beta-lactamase ( ESBL) and AmpC beta-lactamase. The aim of the study was to determinate the prevalence and distribution of the genes encoding ESBL and AmpC beta-lactamase in E. coli isolates collected from faeces of healthy dogs (n=192) and cats (n=192) in Istanbul. Production of ESBL and AmpC enzymes was phenotypically detected by screening and confirmatory tests. Some of the ESBL (TEM, SHV, OXA-10, PER-2, CTX-M groups) and AmpC genes (CIT, FOX, MOX, EBC, ACC, DHA) were investigated by PCR. The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli was demonstrated 20.3% (n=39) in dogs and 8.3% (n=16) in cats; AmpC producing E. coli 3.7% (n=7) in dogs and 0.6% (n=1) in cats. Canine and feline isolates contained bla(CTX-M) Group 1, bla(TEM), bla(CIT), bla(SHV), bla(CTX-M) Group 9 and bla(MOX). Dogs had a increased risk of carrying ESBL and AmpC producing faecal E. coli isolates when compared to the cats (P=0.0008). A canine isolate contained the bla(MOX) AmpC gene, which was previously only reported in humans.