Fecal shedding of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in cats admitted to an animal shelter. Issue 12 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weese, J Scott; O'Brien, Tyler; Bateman, Shane
• Is Part Of: Journal of feline medicine and surgery. Volume 24:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1301
• Page End: 1304
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Antimicrobial resistance -- gastrointestinal -- microbiota -- surveillance; Cats -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cats -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 636.8089
• DOI: 10.1177/1098612X221075602
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1098-612X

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate shedding of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria in cats admitted to an animal shelter. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from cats admitted to an animal shelter between 12 June and 23 August 2018. Selective enrichment culture for ESBL-producing bacteria was performed and isolates were speciated and tested for selected ESBL genes using PCR. Results: ESBL-producing Enterobacterales were identified in fecal samples from 2/87 (2.3%; 95% confidence interval 0.6–8.0) cats. One isolate was an Escherichia coli that possessed blaCTX-M-1, blaCMY-2 and blaTEM genes. The other was Enterobacter cloacae possessing blaCTX-M-1 and blaCMY-2 . Conclusions and relevance: While the study sample size and prevalence rate for ESBL-producing bacteria were low, these data document that cats admitted to similar shelters could harbor these agents. The risk posed by ESBL-producing bacterium shedding in cats, both to cats and other species, is currently unclear. However, these findings support the need for more investigation of interspecies transmission of ESBL-producing bacteria and ESBL genes, as well as the importance of antimicrobial stewardship and routine infection control measures.